Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-17
WASHINGTON FIRE COMPANY
Its RemodeIed Building In
spected Thursday Evening.
FIVE HUNDRED GUESTS PRESENT
The Extensive improvements
Greatly Admired.


Notwithstanding the Indictment
weather Thursday between 400 and 500
women and other friends of the Wash
ington Fire Co. made an inspection of
the company's pretty and adequate
quarters, which have been remodeled
at great expense. Many Of the callers
personally congratulated the company
on its home, (which is practically new
and thoroughly modern.
From cellar to roof improvements
have been marked and the house can
truly be said to be one of the finest fire
houses in this section of the country.
The cellar has cement floor. A hot
water heater will supply heat for the
entire building. A new white pine
floor has been laid on the engine room.
The feed stable has been made twice
as large as the original. The building
has been carpeted and papered through
out and new chairs have been pur-
chased. The north wall is practically
new. The engine room Is fitted up with
the latest electrical appliances, which
work automatically when an alarm is
struck. The appliances were put in
by +. L. Brand. In case of fire in the
vicinity of the house where it is not
necessary to sound an alarm, five but
tons are placed in convenient places and
tho same result is attained by using
the buttons as by striking an alarm.
The company has both telephones, with
auxiliary bells through the building.
In the rear of the bunk room on the
second floor is large committee room.
The bunk room, which has been made
larger, contains nine beds and is hand
somely furnished. Pictures depicting
| fire scenes adorn the halls. A sliding
pole of the latest improved style, made
by John II. Clay Of Philadelphia, has
been put in. The top of the pole is
surnounted by an eagle.
Also on the second floor are the store
room, bath room and lavatories. In the
bath room is porcelain tub and two
washstands. The mountings are of
nickel. The floors of the Railways and
bath room are covered with linoleum.
An open stairway of hardwood is on
the left side of the building, the steps
being covered with rubber. On the
third floor is the meeting room. So
handsomely furnished is this room
that 1t could appropriately be called
parlor. Here are displayed all the valu-
| ables of the company, including many
old relics Many valuable pictures and
paintings adorn the walls including an
VII VI WhS0lDgtOD,
which is said to be the finest oil paint.
ing of Washington in Delaware; steel
engravings of Washington, a bust of
Washington in uniform, pictures of the
old-style fire apparatus, pictures of 10
officers of the fire department of
Charleston, S. c., in grotesque colored
uniforms, presented to the company in
November, 1871. A steel engraving,
representing fire scene in Germany,
| is worthy of special mention. The
photographs of the members receive
large share of attention. In large
glass case are displayed 102 pictures in
a handsome gold frame, by feet.
| Thirty five of those who are shown in
| the photographs, which were taken in
| 1851, are dead. There are also other
| groups that have been taken since then.
Among the displays are handsomely
| engrossed resolutions which have been
presented to the company at different
times, The company possesses several
| fine banners which are highly priced,
being tokens of regard from friends in
other cities. On tables in the centre
I of the meeting room collection of sill
yer and gold horns, and silver sets, COM
posed of pitchers and goblets, were
shown. Some are prizes won In diff
ferent competitions Others we're won
at fairs held 30 years ago in First Pres
byterian and Hanover churches. One
is from the citizens OF New Castle,
presented March 10Th, 1863, for work
done at a big fire there. Among the
collection is large shell presented by
Charleston, S. c., in 1871. To give an
adequate description Of everything
would be almost impossible, and as the
house will again be opened to the
public tonight, visit should be made
to appreciate what the company has
done and to see the interesting display.
The engine and hose carriage have
been reprinted and renickled, and the
chemical engine is away being over
hauled.
Al the apparatus will be in fine con-