Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-23

[ 'use' Was purchased in 1893
TOT at an adjourned meeting held tive
uays later Mr.. Geo. W. Jones. who had
oeen appointed as a committee to draft
the bylaws reported the bylaws of
'he Augusta Engine Company as
adopted by them November II. 1899
The name was changed at this meeting
10 the Augusta Deluge Fire Company.
Let me tell you something of this
company. 1t consisted Of a first. Sec
ond and third director, an engineer and
an assistant. The duty of the first en-
sineer was to preside and to take COM
mand of the engine in case of fire: the
second director had charge of the sue
ton hose; the third, to attend the dis
charging hose; the engineers, to keep
| the engine lin order at all times and
IN all respects" The monthly meet
ings We're at p NJ. in the winter and
at z. NJ. in the summer Ito be
reckoned by B. Swans time" In this
company's roll appear 20 names as
slgners and not one of the older
families of the city is unrepresented
there
ON the day of this second meeting at
, O'Clock the members met for the pur-
pose of working the engine. 1t was
stationed in front of ]. H. Clapp's store
land was furnished with water from his
cellar. (as this was in the time of
melting snow Mr.. Clapp seems to have
played foxy in getting the water out of
his cellar) After pumping for an hour
or so they felt satisfied the engine was
worthy of her name and so went to the
| town landing and pumped again.
At the next monthly meeting a COM
mittee was appointed to furnish clam
| chowder and ''other refreshments as
they thought desirable" Let me quote
from their records: Voted That
Reuben Partridge and S. w. Brick re-
ccive the thanks of this company, the
former for his kind remembrance in
presenting them with a fine large stone
pitcher and the latter for his gallantry
| in offering to paint and mark the same.
Also voted that Mrs. Eph. Ballard re-
ceive our thanks for preparing in the
| best manner the bread and beans.
| After several songs and speeches
from the individuals present as
pleasant jollification which lasted until
worthy of record that s. Deering sent
man to pay his assessment for this
feast, but refused to pay fine for alb
seDce, and that WIN. Caldwell left be
fore the members We're assessed
The next meeting and for many in
the coming years it is recorded that
the engine was taken to the reservoir
near the Mansion House and played
to the perfect satisfaction of all. l
once asked one of the few survivors
why it was that they always played
from that particular reservoir and he
told me that the proprietor dealt in a
particularly choice brand of gin and
fine cigars. Imagine the feelings of
the spectators in the present day TO
see 80 or IS of the gilded youth file into
a bar-room for a nipper of gin. while
the spectators waited for them to come
back and finish squirting.
The time at my disposal forbids my
giving any extended account of this
I'll L. 4 bal It'll, +hax
fitted up handsomely. 1t was. in fact.
the club room of that day. The young
men had great pride in their engine
and were pretty regular at the meet
ings. They paid fines when absent
either from meetings or fires. General
ly they had a collation. at their month
and beans, CLAIMS, coffee and such
things. Once in a great while they
treat themselves to oysters. At one
meeting Captain Geo. w. Jones re-
ceived an anonymous letter expressing
dissatisfaction with him which led to
q factional quarrel. They bought their
dues. In March. 1S47, the company
quarreled with the town and disbanded
| itself, but later rescinded to vote to do
so. Often and numerous We're these
ouarrels the nature of which is not
| shown. In 1S4S they took part in
parade clad in uniform of kossuth
black hats, red shirts, black trousers
and white belts.
About this time the town paid them
for working the engine by the hour ana
every exercise was now drawn out TO
two and three hours. Once, after
feast had been given them, they went
ont and worked with strong arms ana
full bellies three hours Now anu
then they chafe because the selectmeh
refuse to let the machine go to mus
ters. and once in while they receive
visitors and escort them through tne
city with torches.
xttanS n ~