The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-09-04

~ ARLY in February, 1887. a letter
r. was received In Washington from
IL the Baltimore Veteran volun-
teer Fire Association. requesting an
escort from the Washington associa-
ton TO meet the Baltimore delegation
who purposed TO visit the National Capt.
tai on the following anniversary OF
Washington's birthday.
The visitors wished TO take part in the
parade, and pay their respects 10 the
President This letter passed through
several hands, and was ultimately hand
ed to John ]. Peabody. the first chief
OF the associated volunteer fire com
paries OF Washington.
Call for Volunteers.
At that time there was not in exist
ence any association of the survivors
of the men who had protected the city
from fires before the advent Of a paic
department
Mr.. Peabody, therefore. inserted a no
tice In n local paper calling a meeting
of the old volunteers. The meeting was
attended by forty men. and prompt
measures were adopted TO perfect ar
tors. Fifty badges were ordered, and
a second meeting called. It was found
necessary to order an additional hundred
Ladges 20 meet the demand OF the vol
unteer iremen who wished TO partici-
pate in the ceremonies.
When the Raitimureans arrived on the
morning Of February p, 1857. they we're
met by e delegation. $50 strong. Alexan-
cria. Va. was visited during the day,
by the allied forces, about 300 in al.
The parade in this city was augmented
by these veterans, from the two sister
cities OF Washington and Baltimore, and
that night many a story was told OF for
mer fights that recalled wildly stirring
memories OF the days Of aud lang syne
Yearn for Organization.
AS result Of this outing there was
born a desire TO form a permanent or
ganization- Accordingly. those inter
ested held several meetings, and on the
18th OF April. 1887, the Association Of Vol
unteer Firemen Of Washington, d. C..
was formally organized BY act of Con-
gress the old Union Fire Company's en-
CINE house. at the corner Of Nineteenth
and II Streets. was placed at the dis
pOsal OF the association for an undeter-
mined period, but at the pleasure Of the
government OF the District Of Column
bia. Mr.. Peabody, who had been mainly
instrumental in the work Of organiza-
ton, was selected for secretary.
There are many interesting relics Of
the old days stored in the associations
rooms Prominent among the number
is the old Columbia engine that saw
service in the beginning OF the last cen
fury. This venerable piece Of machin-
err was lost 10 local ken some time IN
the early 70s.
In 1892 word was brought to the asso-
citation that the Columbia was located
In Lexington. Va. She was brought
back 10 Washington Immediately and
placed in a position OF honor in the as
Eociation rooms.
Columbia Changed Dress.
During her fighting days the Columbia
was quite modest in appearance. Her
body was rosewood finish and the run
ming gear painted dark red When she
returned TO her former owners she was
disguised under a CANDY coat OF red and
blue. Moreover, her original name had
been removed and a brass plate at
tached, on which was inscribed the
word Lexington. Because OF these
things there were not lacking
skeptics who declared that the Virginia
machine was not the Columbia and that
the members OF the old company We're
wasting their devotion on a false idol
To settle this dispute Chief Peabody
and other old members were called upon
for a statement OF opinion Mr.. Pea
body recalled that the weight Of the Co
lumbla was BIB pounds and that the
fact was inscribed on a plate attached
to the body OF the machine.
An examination was made and the
plate with the weight as stated was
found. To strengthen the Identification
Mr Peabody sighted along the fulcrum
on which the levers work and pointed
out a slightly perceptible twist This
had been occasioned by the overturning
Of the engine at the time Of the Death
Of Benjamin Greenup. and the fulcrum
had. never been absolutely Strengthened
out afteTwsrd.
Two Make the Run.
Many old Washingtonians will recall
the fire az shreeve's stables on Seventh