Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-02

ers it was thought, was absent from
duty.
The trip was made on Capt. Finch's
boat, the Eliza Anderson, the day be.
fore the 4th, and the company was ac-
companied by band to herald their
joyful approach. The people of Seat
tie were assembled en- mdsse to receive
and no sooner were they landed when
the Marshal of the Day piloted the
way to a capacious cistern of water
that had been specially provided for
the occasion, and Foreman Burmeister
was invited to drill his men and ex-
hibit the apparatus. 1t was done, but
long before the spectators were salts
fed with the aquatic display, the
firemen were red in the face from
exertion, and responded with alacrity
to the command take up"
An old barn had been provided for
temporary engine-hOuse, and another
strenuous task was imposed in hauling
the engine up steep hill before the
heavy machine was placed within it.
Scarcely an hour had elapsed when
the cry of "Fire! Fire!" was heard,
and smoke issuing from the city Jail
indicated that the cry was by no
means false alarm. The boys re-
sponded promptly, but had to return
down hill to the tank provided, and
pump water up the incline to the fire.
infested prison. Very coon, however,
the order was given to "play away"
and our gallant Foreman rushed for.
ward to direct the hosemen, when 10!
in the extreme haste to make q quick
showing, the order for water had been
given before the hosemen had had
time to connect the pipe" and the
water was being discharged from an
open but. This may be considered a
trivial mistake, but it was not 90 re.
garded by the company or its officers,
who were greatly chagrined by the
mishap. The fire was, however, speed
lily extinguished by q well-directed
stream, when it was found that it had
been set by a prisoner who had in his
earlier days been a " Bowery" fireman.
He was proud of it, and took that
way to liberate himself and met his
comrades. 1t is about the only veri-
fcation we have ever met with OF the
end.man's joke about prisoner "tak.
ing match to light out"
The engine company was the pride
and pet OF the community while it
remained in Seattle. Nothing was
too good for its delighted members,
while the bare fact of wearing a red
shirt admitted its owner everywhere
without question and without price.
Restaurants, saloons, barber shops,
and all other places OF entertainment
and utility stood with doors wide
open to the boys, and when pay for
service was rendered the reply was
The committee has arranged for all
that" This was the broad idea OF
hospitality entertained by Seattle while
she yet wore swaddling clothes.
The boys paid for it, the next day,
however, while in the procession, by
hauling their heavy machine along
the extended line Of parade, up and
down hills, and across gulches and
gullies, ending after couple of hours
marching at Yesler's Hall, on the
street of sawdust which bordered the
waterfront. And then again, it was
demonstrated what an important part
our fire company was playing in the
events of the day. Under the hillside
near the hall, was then situated small
brewery, and when the order to break
ranks was given, the firemen in re.
Spouse to the command follow on"
from the Foreman made q rush for
the dispensary of the fluid (which
cheers but not inebriates." While
thus engaged, no thought was taken
OF time. and after about An hour OF re-
freshment, the Marshal of the Day
with the astounding an
nouncement that the assemblage had
been waiting over an hour for their
appearance to begin the in door pro-
gramme.
On entering the hall the seats were
all found filled except those reserved
for tho firemen, and not until the red.
shifted visitors were comfortably seat.
ed was the eagle permitted to soar and
that too on day set apart for his
special honor and delectation. At
night two balls were given in honor of
the fremen and other guests, most of
whom remained over till the third day
for returning home. One of these was
given by the citizens and the other by
John Pinnell, and was patronized al.
most exclusively by the F. F. w., who
were present in full force 10 add to the
patriotic fervor OF the occasion.
It was just . score of years ago that
the Silsby rotary steam fire engine
was bought, largely by subscriptions
OF the people. It was fifth in size as
rated by the company and cost about
$500. Adding $500 for freight, $500
for commission paid q Mr.. Bowers, the
inevitable 4" middle-man" in all such
transactions, 81 100 for the new build
ing to store it in, $4,000 for hose, 500
for heater, and various other ex-
penses, and it made the total costs OF
the department for 1883 a little over
$4,000. The Silsby was wonder, how.