Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-17
VOLUNTEER FIRENEy.

Mr. Peabody Corrects Some Remfnis-
cences of Col. Derret.
To the Editor of The Evening Star.
l notice in reading Col. Jas. G. Berret's
address before the Columbia Historical So
ciety that he said under the head of "A
Dfsorderly Element: There were two or
CARNATIONS of volunteer iremen. They
were politically hostile to each other. and
upon many occasions whenever the oppor-
tunity offered and they came together, by a
false alarm of fire or otherwise, disorder
generally obtained, but with a very small
guard, what was called the auxiliary
guard, organized by authority of Congress.
these small difficulties were easily taken
care Of"
At the time he speaks Of there were nine
volunteer fire companies in the city, not
Two political fire organizations. On the
18TH OF September 1857, there was a TO-
utlca, nre company organized, known as
the states Hose: in the records 1t will be
round that sometimes it was called the
Good VIII Hose. This company was never
recognized by the regular fire companies.
II was then that reign II terror COM
menced, not on the outskirts but upon the
most public streets. About two weeks after
us organization the Northern Liberties Fire
company, which had performed fire duty
LOT seventeen years, was attacked whilst
parad1ng on Pennsylvania avenue by mem
bers OF this organization with firearms.
Inc attack was premeditated and well
known to the police, who made no effort to
prevent 1t. There was also another police
force other than the auxiliary guard. which
ne makes no mention of.
The mayor could not disband these COM
pan1es. for they were formed under an act
OF congress giving the citizens power to
organize five companies. BY procuring $500
worth of fire apparatus thew could exemnt
seventy-hve men from militia and fury
outy, ana by procuring $1,000 worth they
could exempt 100 men,. They were incor-
porated by the same act and could sue and
De sued, and of course they were amenab BILE
TO the laws as all other citizens
Ihere was public school placed in the
building over the engine house of the
northern Liberties Fire Company against
the protest OF the company. One of the fe-
male teachers or scholars was insulted
and 1t was charged that some one connect
ed with the fire company was the guilty
party; Inc matter was investigated and
tire charge disproved. The company then
offered to build arschool house II the au.
thorities would remove the scholars from
us building, but the authorities would
NOT accept the offer, and as the house,
tnough built for the company. was owned
by the city, the company vacated the
premises rather than have any more such
disgraceful charges made against it.
II Is sun IN existence Today, and can be
called together by any ten members
The one political company-the States
Hose or Good VIII, as 1t was sometimes
ealled-d think. continued until the break
ing out of the war, in 1861; at least it was
In existence during the campaign In 1860,
as 1t made raid upon the Wide
Awakes, republican club that met in what
is now the fremont House, at the corner
OF "a street and Indiana avenue. Some one
may tell you this was the Breckenridge
Club, but 1t was the same gang. After the
breaking out of the war, in 1851, complaints
were made Of the rowdy gangs not fire.
mem that infested the city. The provost
guard started to patrol the city and peace
reigned in Warsaw. In historical essays it
does not do to depend upon memory. BY
examining the files of the Intelligencer and
Star from 1904 to 1864 you can get a fair
history of the volunteer fire department,
and 1t will compare favorably with volun-
teer departments of other cities as to eff
cheney and orderly conduct
JNO. J. PEABODY. Secretary.
V. V. Fire Association.