Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-01-14


Secretary, a. Barr; Treae,: Gloon Moore;
Chief Hosemnn. AR. Robertson.
After the Organization was completed, the
town council were notified of the fact, and
apparatus asked for at their hands. $500
was appropriated by the council for the pur-
pose OF buying hose the next step was to
uniform the Company, and in order to secure
sufficient fluids with which TO purchase uni
forms a festival was held on the second day
of August, resulting in o net sum for the
Treasury of sI6I.45. which with 49, 30 received
from each member enabled the purchase of
55 uniforms.
The spirit which animated the members, to
make this company permanent and successful,
was best evidenced during this time, by their
frequent meetings for drill which soon
brought it to a state of proficiency in the art
of marching, and in discipline. OF course
these meetings were not without the presence
of the usual Prcphets, for there have
been prophets in all times, al ages aud in all
localities. 1t was not an unusual thing to
see this little band of volunteer fremen, now
possessed of considerable amount of hose,
and new and well chosen uniforms, with its
hose carrier, aud the old hand engine, that
some say was manufactured by Noah and
used through the different generations since
his time and handed down to them from the
fathers and grandfathers of the town. march
Jug through the streets on holiday occasions.
it was not unusual to hear The street corner
Prophet, judging of the future by the past,
proclaimiug the prophecy that in six months
time the whole thing would fall to pieces and
the organization be numbered among the
countless things that were. But these were
not the only village soothsay ers whose predic-
tions have remained unfllAlled. There was
temper and spirit and manhood in this little
band of co men; and poor in pocket. but rich
in determination, they recognized no such
words as failure or dissolution.
Some several months after their fisrt meet
ing numerous propositions were made to them
to purchase steam engines, and several were
tried, but not accepted. On the 31st. day of
May, 1885, they accepted an invitation to par
ticipatc in q storchlight parade in Winchester,
Va, and in that hospitable city the precision
of their march and good behavior in rank
elected unlimited compliment from all who
witnessed it, and gave to them the honorable
appellation of Veteran Firenen. Shortly after
this a steam fire engine was purchased from
tho Button Company of New York at q cost of
$4,000 co., aud including reel, hose and freight
the sum of s205S, 90. This fire engine, which
the company still owns, was duly tested and
after an experience of ten years has been pro-
nounced one of the finest of its kind. 1t was
baptized as the "IdeIla'' in honor of a lady
who has been so faithful in her exertions for
the success of the Company. The superior OK
cellence of this engine, and the skill aud dis
ciplinc of the Company, have since enabled
them on several occasion to win diplomas, for
merit and prizes of distinction in several con-
tests, arranged for companies of different
States. 1 can only mention the distinctions
of merit granted to it at MGrtinsburg on July
4th. 1889; at Frederick, Maryland, oil June
9th, 1894; at Winchester, Va, on July 4th,
1883; Mt some of which places as many us nine
distinct organizations were entered as contes-
tants.
During their existence they have lost thir-
teen members by death, % members have
been transferred to the Distant Roll, having
removed from this place. They have to-day
sixty-dve active and fifty honorary members;
the latter not being subject to active duty are
expected as a matter of course to keep the
scale of duty equally balanced by frequent
contributions. They have cxtinguished in the
last ten years ffty-one fires, aud have beer
called ont ON alarm of fire tventv-two times.
Tho nropertv saved Inv their discipline and
eneroy during this ncriod. the advantage
gained to the citizcbs hy their existence in the
i,.rr.r rotos tho vo,no Of ,to foo1;nn of
~ w ? u
saiety secured oy thelr en- cheney, is hestlma-
bic, and cannot be reduced to mere measure
ment by dollars and cents.
luis Ike tue la" 1naS proIects the nome OF
the citizen, like reputation that secures the
blessing of confidence. like the shower that
tints vegetation with living green. or the SIM
light which clothes the earth with radiance
It cannot be measured by the yardstick or
melted ont by the bushel. or accurately deter
mined by any usual or unusual standard of
mercantile value.
In a financial statement made public on July
18th. 1894. it appeared that this COMPANY had
expended s3Ts2. so. that they had made and
collected $3.50. 90. owing a balance of 1885,. so.
This amount had been raised by various
means: nearly u of II by contributions by
members thcmse Ives, a part of it by contibu-
lions from the town itself. some from the citt-
zens. but the larger part from two sources.
upon which it is material for me to dwell. for
the source g are interesting. and the subject
Inviting.
Tho a.ot vos o,,4,h. com :.
Nv ~" q !" u S'oV in
money ana other kindly offices, which will be