Evening star., 1897-06-05
HER FIRE LADDIES
Alexandria Boasts of a Well-Equipped
Department.
COLUMBIA ENGINE HAS 4 RECORD
One Machine Was Purchased by
General Washington.
RECORD OF THE COMPANIES

TIE handling of the recent disastrous fire
in Alexandria reflects great credi. en- the
Ii embers of the volunteer fire department,
who SO gallantly fought it to finsh and
1eealls the fact that for city of 81 eco in
habltants, Alexandria has one of the best
and most completely equipped fire depart
n.ents in the country. There arc only
seven paid men in the service, and all the
balance about fifty men to each company
are volunteers. and report at every general
alarm.
Several times has the Alexandria fire
department. been called upon to assist the
Washington fire department in disastrous
conflaSration and 1t has always re-
sponded. to q man, with great pleasure.
This was particularly noticeable at the
o:d patent office fire. wien the Alexandria
department did such effective service, and
was SO highly compliraented by the chief
of the Washington fire department.
Alexandria has two steam fire engines in
service. the Columbia and Hydraulion each
of which has one Paid engineer and driver
and driver for hose wagon. and one hook
and iacder company, of which the salary
OF the driver IS paid by the city. The bal
ance of the men, in all three of the COM
panies. are volunteers. and turn out
promptly at every alarm.
The Company Records.
To write full description of each and
every apparatus and company would re-
qIfre too much space, but brief mention
OF each organization, it is thought, will
be interesting. In the first place, the Co
lUmbia Steam Fire Engine Company has q
most remarkable record, SO far as it's en-
g-ne, Champion No t." is concerned. The
Columbia holds the worlds record for
throwing water. end has WOE equal honor
IL three other contests. The engine is row
certainly tEirtyfour years old. Somewhat
over twenty-six years ago the city council
OF alexandria appointed a committee cen
sisiing of E. 5. Leadbea Ter, James Rector
Smoot anG James Coleman, to go to Phila-
delphia and negotiate for the purchase of
IL steam fire engine On its return the COM
Inittee submitted report showing that u
No / steamer, with 500 feet of hose on
Il carriage. could be bought very cheapy
ard on advantageous terms.
The city council accepted the terms and
tfc old engine. which known as Co
lGm3ia No IL. was brought to Alexan-
X 'ria. and Mr. Joseph H. Young. now de-
ceased was pat in charge of her at the
HydrauliOn engine house. and in a. few days
size WAS tested, throwing two strong
streams over the market house steeple, one
OF the tallest structures in the city. The
'0iumt;s. az the time of its purchase. was
considered by fremen in the 'city of
hEotheT!y love- as one of the ''old-timers' -
and Philadelphia was considered as being
well rid of it.
New Company Organized.
oh the arrival of the engine in the city
OF Alexandra 1t became necessary to or
ganiZe another fire company. and. at the
invitation of Col. VI. D. Ball. a large num-
ber OF applicants for membership met at
his office. with Mr.. William kiigore in the
chair Mr. r. ]. Raingerfieid moved that
the new organization be known as THE
Columbia Steam Fire Engine Company
which was adopted by unanimous vote
ana the engine was turned over to this
company by the board of fire wardens The
fTSt officers We're elected March q 1871 as
follows: President. William Kilgore: first
vice president. ID. A. Windsor: second vice
president. NJ. ID. Ball: treasurer NJ H.
J2nney; secretary, A. S. Marshall. and the
executive committee was chosen from
among the best citizens of Alexandria
At that meeting a uniform for the COM
paTy. consisting of black trousers Ralti-
more firemens helmet and belt company
ana personal name on gray shirt, with
trimmings and company number on the
'front.' and each member to wear a black
cravat. 1t did not take long to get the
company fully equipped, and it went into
service the first time the occasion of
the now famous market house fire.
The remarkable feature about the Column
bia engine is its ability to throw water
from cold gauge a required distance in
the quickest time, having won the title Of
champion of the world at Grange Camp,
when the remarkable feat was accom-
q Il,
cola water in the boiler, in minutes and
seconds.
Next Hest Showing.
The nearest approach to this record was
made by engine company at the Chicago
exposition, which came within eleven sec
onds Of the time made by the Columbia.
In another contest, held at Frederick, Nd,
June ), 1888, seven engines entered the
contest, and the Columbia won first prize
in minutes and 10 seconds. The rules
governing this last contest prescribed that
each engine should carry one gauge of cold
water, lay line of hose of 40 feet and
play 10 water stake set at distance of $50
feet from the nozzle. Water was drawn
from creek through 10 feet of suction
hose, and. as stated. the Columbia won the
flrst prize, throwing inch stream $50
feet. or 80 feet more than the required
distance. The next test was at Hagers-
town, Md. June II, 1884, where the CO.
lurbia again won first prize, throwing an
inch stream 163 feet in I minutes and 81
seconds.
at Cumberland. Nd. when the Columbia
won first prize against all competitors,
throwing water 1913 feet, under the same
circumstances. in minutes 1 IA seconds.
The Columbia, which is noteworthy as q
feature of her record. was built by the
Amoskeag Company of Manchester, n. H.,
March. 1862 or over thirty-four years ago
1t is today. to all intents and purposes in
was the day 1t was made and this Is due In
large measure to the care taken by Engt-
neer william Wood. who Is an expert ma
chinist. and who has been assiduous in
keeping the engine in first-class condition
the company being justly proud of her
many handsome performances.
Mr.. Wood, the engineer, was born in 1858
and became member of the Columbia
Steam Fire Engine Company in 1873 He
was an active volunteer, filling the posi-
ton of p!peman. and as fireman of the en-
gine. until he was elected by a unanimous
vote Of the company to the post of engi-
ueer to succeed Mr.. Loudoun Campbell who
had resigned to accept more lucrative en-
ployment Mr.. Wood is quite q popular
man. besides being very efficient, and his
connection with the Columbia, and also in
the prize contests, has been of great benefit
to the company, and has given the engine
the rank of champion.
OF course an engineer cannot successfully
run an engine without drst-class fireman.
and In this position tp the various prize