Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-02-08
captain. Russelps speech of accept
dnce,

captain B,.sselps speech of accept
Gnce.
At the January meeting for election OF
officers of the Citizens Fire Company
Captain Russell was presented by the
company with handsome silver and
gold plated duty trumpet. Mr.. w. F.
Alexander, in behalf of the company
made the presentation address and Capt.
Russell responded os follows:
mr.. President, Comrades aud Brother Ffrcmen.
Knowing this was going to occur, from
what heard in recent meeting held in
this room, have endeavored to frame few
remarks. thank the brother for his time
ly notice, for without this notice, would
have been like ship without rudder
Not being able to make an extemporane-
Gus speech hope therefore you will bear
with this manuscript.
Brother iremen, I feel my inability to
reply to the presentation of this beautiful
trumpet here before me- 1 will prize it
most highly. not for its intrinsic worth or
value, but for the source from whence it
came. Words are inadequate to express my
heartfelt appreciation of it, not knowing
the motive that prompted you to this act,
unless it was through respect and apprecia-
ton for services rendered in the past, and
which do assure you is most heartily and
highly appreciated by me.
The services rendered by me to the Citi-
zens Fire Company in the past was freely
and voluntarily given, and nothing more
than what considered my duty to the COM
pany, (of which you have chosen me for
your leader for so many years. as well as to
the community in which 1 live. You all
know in the years that have passed my
whole heart and soul has been for the ad-
vancement of our company, which was or.
ganized in 1884,
1 felt at that time my inability to take the
responsibility of leadership upon myself,
but it was your wish, not mine. endeav-
ored to execute my duty to the best of my
ability, which 1 now feel you have appreci-
ated. This trophy will always honor and
respect until time is no more for me, and /
it will always be revered by my family,
coming from you, my comrades
The history of this little band of brother
firemen has been most remarkable There
never existed better set of men in any or
ganization. We have met together under
most adverse circumstances with our hearts
full of brotherly love- one for the other
There has never been a time in the history
of this company that any member can say
we ever turned brother down. We have
responded to the call of the sick and needy.
and we are proud to reiterate it. This shows
what noble hearts beat under the coats of
drab of the Citizens Fire Company. 1 say
it is remarkable how we as an organization
have existed, and can account for itin any
other way except that brotherly love is par
amount with us. The struggle for existence
has not been an easy one. For thirteen
long years we have been faithful to the call
of duty, and by that faithfulness and
promptness we have compelled the commu-
nifty to recognize and respect us. There has
never been time since that eventful night
of organization in 1884, that at the close of
each year, our financial committee has not
reported at least small balance in bank to
our credit. What better record could we
have, and who can beat it? This shows we
iudiciously. .
Just stop and consider what has been &C
complished in those thirteen years: first we
! started out for the protection to our COM
munity by the purchase of a hand engine
which did good service and will do it yet,
if called upon, although the dust has accu-
INFLATED upon her. Next we purchased
ourselves two new uniforms, both of which
gave credit to us. In the year of 1897, Just
passed we surprised ourselves by the pur-
chase of n new hook and ladder outfit, one
of the best and strongest that is in existence
to-day. Comrades, think the exhibition
we give with our 45-foot extension ladder is
the grandest feat that is accomplished bv
any set of firemen. Just to think, the
placing of 16 men from top to bottom of
one ladder, almost or quite 1000 pounds,
should give courage to our boys aud that
under any and all circumstances, three, ave,
six men may mount any ladder, from the
smallest TO the largest without hesitation
or fear, and that is not all, we have added
to it new hose cart that is up to date both
in design and equipment, and all is paid for
with small balance still in bank, and this
makes our little borough equipped second
to none in the Valley of Virginia, and far
ahead of great many towns that outnum-
Der us in population. We are, and should
be proud of our community, and extend to
them the courtesy due them of our appre-
citation for their goodness.
To the victors belongs the spoils, we have
received share of them. We must now be
up and doing for the balance, a home is
what we need, and home we must have,
our outfit is too valuable to be kept in
its present quarters.
Our present meeting room is commonly
furnished but comfortable. This is not suf-
ticient for such an organization as ours,
who are ready and willing to risk their lives
and limbs for the protection of others.
AS have said before, united we stand,
divided we fall, We must endeavor in the
near future to be united with our appara-
tns in one building. In speaking of this
brings to mind that we are not using our
meeting room altogether for the purp ose for
which it was rented. and of which 1 feel
must speak. 1, as your Captain, would
isk the abandonment of the playing of
cards in this room. 1t is for the good of our
Company / make this request. The commu-
nifty is our dependent, and know whereof
| speak when l say they are talking, and
well they might. The position we have
worked ourselves up to in the eyes of our
community is far more preferable than
game OF cards and we must maintain it. ]