The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-01-20
TwENTY-FIRsr ANNIVERSARY.
Westminster Fire Department Elects Off
GERS and Enjoys Banquet and
Numerous Speeches.

Firemen's Hall was brilliantly illuminated
Wednesday evening, and all the rooms were
open to visitors, the occasion being the twen-
first anniversary and election of officers for
the ensuing year and banquet. The reports
of the Chief and the Secretary and Treasurer
were read. Six fire calls were made during
the year, only one of which was serious-the
burning of Mr.. Charles Hunters carpenter
shop on March 10, last, and the partial de-
struction of the Albaugh Row, on Court
Street.
The following were elected officers for the
ensuing year:-P- esident, J. 81. Cunningham;
First Vice President, j. E. Eckenrode; Sec.
ond Vice President, J. NJ Roberts; Secretary
and Treasurer, A. w. Hahn; Assistant Sec
rotary, j. L. Derr; Chief, o. D. Gilbert; As
sistant CHIEF, F. T.Schaeffer; Foreman of Reels
81. K. Schaeffer; Assistant Foreman, Henry
Himler; Foreman Hook and Ladder Truck,
T. NJ. Eckenrode; Assistant Foreman, j. Il.
Cootes; Marshal, j. D. Brooks; Assistant
Marshal, c. II. Fowler; Librarian, J. D.
Beihl; Janitor, l.. E. Long.
Mr.. Frank K. Herr, who has been chief
ever since the organization, resigced the po-
sition. He was an efficient officer and had the
confidence of the members, and while they
regretted his retirement they could not ask
him to remain longer in so onerous and try
ing position. His good works will follow him.
MIR. John II. Mitten, the retiring President,
introduced his successor, Mr.. Cunningham,
who returned thanks for the honor conferred
upon him, and said he hoped the ''boys" and
the citizens would give him the same cordial
support that had been given his predecessors;
alluded to the reputation the Westminster
Fire Department had througho the State,
not only with the Volunteer Department but
with the people generally, and closed by re-
citing poem called The Hero.
After the supper, which one of ''the boys''
said was "a dandy" number of firemen and
invited guests made short speeches, COM
mendng the spirit which actuated the organ
ization; the low rates of insurance because of
the superior water facilities and the activity of
the fremen, and the great risks firemen assum-
ed iu saving the property of our citizens with
out pay.
Mr.. NJ. John Lynch was added to the Vet
eran Corps, he having served fifteen years.
During the evening the Westminster Or
chestra rendered some of their choicest selec
tons. Altogether we believe the twenty-f
anniversary was one of the most enthusiastic
and pleasant ever celebrated by the Volun-
teer Fire Department.
We would like to impress upon our citizens
that this is volunteer department, and should
be cheerfully upheld by every property owner
and citizen. When we retire at night it is
with feeling of greater security than that of
years ago; our night watchmen can be almost
instantly informed of a fire by telephone and
in less than ten minutes the alarm is sounded,
the men are at the main building or at the reel
houses. water turned on and the fire under
control by the time the average citizen is
awakened; the electric light affords greater
facility for the men in attaching hose and for
work. Let all feel that it is their duty to
contribute to the support of the organization,
not dole out mere pittance, as if for chart
ty, but do it willingly, with words ofcommen:
feel that yon appreciate their good work.