The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-07
RICHnONDPIRE DEPARTMENT
It's Annual inspection Held Yesterday
Afternoon.
some MOST WONDERFUL EXHIBITIONS
victor Thrown Almost 60 tho Top Of
C@ty Hall Tower Raising the Hayes
Extension LADDER M cdai Present.
cd MT. George v. sncad'


drew thousands OF people 10 the neigh
borhood Of Tenth and Broad streets. The
great interest in Richmond's msgnin-
cent department was shown by the num-
Der Of prominent citizens who were on
hand. A special invitation had been sent
20 the Board OF Alderman and Common
Council to be present and many of them
were there. as were also number OF
members Of the Legislature
The Board of Fire Commissioners was
early on the spot. headed by their prcsi-
dent Nj John IL. Frischkorn and COM
prisng The following members: Messrs
Charles +. Taylor, George Watt. Tay-
lor Joseph l.. Levy. l.. G.. jenkins. and
J. X. Sheppard.
THE INSPECTION BEGAN.
Promptly at $3.50 O'Clock the Board took
its stand In front OF the headquarters of
the Fire Department and the glittering
equipments az the department headed
by Chief w. c. Fuller and Assistant
Chief George C.. Shaw. filed by In reg
ular order TO the calls of the big bell
sounded by Mr.. Adam Stephan Each
piece as II came TO a halt was inspected
by the Board. and pronounced in perfect
order. Each engine and hose wagon
showed the effect of great care, on the
part OF the firemen and the uniforms and
buttons of tho men shonc in the evening
sun with great briIliancy
The procession continued amid tho
cheering of the crowd until the last en-
ginc had passed. the bell then sounded
again and the pieces, with the horses al
full galop repassed the Board and took
up positions around the City Hall.
II was tnen that an exhibition was
given OF the magnificent capacity of the
department. Engine No. 3. which had
gotten up steam in an incredibly short
time took position at the cornor of Tenth
and Broad. and was connected with the
fire plug there Messrs Thomas w.
Bowery. T.. III. Harris, Joseph Heffley.
and George Selph grasped the nozzle OF
the hose. the water was turned on and a
stream shot into the air IL rose but
slowly at first. but gradually gathered
power. until the stream rose nearly TO
the summit of the City Hall. driving
from their positions number OF per-
sons who had chosen the topmost bal
comics OF the tower TO view the spectacle.
1t was estimated by the firemcn that
the steam was thrown TO height of
more than 100 feet.
At the same time q stream was turn
cd on from the lose of the City Hall fire
department under charge of Lieutenant
could not reach the height OF that thrown
by the departments Little Giant"
LADDER RAISING.
The water throwing exhibition was con
tinued amid the cheers of the crowd un-
III the streets around were streams OF
water. Hook and Ladder Truck. No. !,
then drew up III front of the Hall and
rave wonderful exhition of skill in
raising the Hayes" extension ladder
The ladder was hoisted and extended I'M
Oil 1t reached the windows on the fourth
floor of the City Hall
Substitute Laddermdn George +. Snead
who received the gold medal given by
the ViIPiria State Insurance Company
.Jor gallt mt conduct then assembled to the
top. followed by Captain Dorsett OF the
Hook an' Ladder Company. Both were
generously cheered by the crowd
After the laddermen had fully demon
strated their ability to scale dizzy heights
the closing and most impressive ceremony
of the day took place-the presentation
Of a gold medal. given by the Virginia
State Insurance Company to Substitute
Ladderman George +. Snead. of Hook
and Ladder Company. No. l. for heroic
conduct on the occasion OF fire at
Broad-Sreet Methodist church some
months ago.
The presentation speech was made by
Captain Charles +. Taylor. of the Board
Of Fire Commissioners. in a brief. but
eloquent and impressive speech He stood
OH the western steps of the City Hall. and
Nh immense crowd gathered around as he
made the presentation. Captain Taylor
said:
CAPTAIN TAyLORS SPEECH
after the grand display of our magnin
cent department TO so many OF
the citizens of Richmond IL Is
pleasure 10 me to present as
a token OF the admiration which herolsm
ever engenders. this gold medal. given
by the Virginia State Insurance Company.
for brave and courageous conduct. 1t has
always been the wish OF the Board Of
Fire Commissioners TO haze In the service
OF the Richmond Fire Department none
but brave men. and can state this even
ing that we have never had occasion TO
say one word against any member OF the
department for Sinking a duty no mat.
ter what danger its performance entaied.
when this sacred House of God
across The street was threatened by the
hery element. brave fremen scaled the
walls amid a tempest that thrilled the
hearts OF the bystanders. An officer of
the Virginia State Insurance Company
saw their brave deed and conceived the
idea of giving this golden medal TO the
most worthy.
not called upon to make the selection, the
insurance company made the selection in
the person OF Mr.. George f. Snead.
Take this medal" continued Captain
Taylor. presenting the jewel TO Mr. Snead.
who stood before him. land treasure IL.
NOT for its intrinsic value. but as badge
of honor-a reward for duty well done
When Mr. Snead took the medal II re-
ouired the combined strength OF several
staiwart policemen TO rescue him from
the crowd that pressed forward TO con-
graduate him. He finally made his os-
cape. however, and ascending the Hayes
ladder which still was in position against
tho hall bowed his, thanks on all sides.
This coneladod the exercises. the ladder
was lowered. the engines departed 10
their respective stations, and once again
Il had been demonstrated that Richmond's
Fire Department Is one OF the best in the
country. r-s-1ig ~ fseE
The department was divided into three
battalions for inspee ton. as follows:
TIiB ,BATTALdONS.
First BattalioI--kngine Company No
!. ouartered on Twenty-ffth street. near
Broad. Captain j.. ii. Redwood; Engine
Company, No. 2. auartered on Mainl
street near Twentieth. Captain X. IA.
Ffgg: Engine Company No. s. quartered
on Denny street. Fulton. Captain J. Nj.
Rogers: Hook and Ladder Company No.
2 ouartered on Grace street. near Eigh-