Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-10-31
YOUNG AMERICA CO.
An Old Book Containing Much of
Unusual Interest.

A few days ago F. P. Sheas-
green, who, for long time was
chief of Corvallis fire COM
pany, presented the book con-
tanning the records of the first
engine company organized in
this city to Jesse Spencer. For
all the book contains something
that will be found interesting.
For instance, on the first page we
find the roll of members of
"Young America Engine Co.
No l." On the opposite page
we find, Corvallis Fire Depart
ment, Engine Company No. I,
organized June IS, 1872.
Thus, we find that our COM
pany was organized something
more than 80 years ago. The
constitution contains articles to
the number of twenty. Follow
ing the articles comes the ''rules
of order.' Then comes the
names of members-some active
hremen and other contributing
members. A glance over the
role shows the names of many
prominent men who have since
been gathered in by the grim
reaper. Foremost, we note John
Kelsay, John Burnett, B. w.
Wilson, L. G. Kline, S. Neu-
gass, Max Friendly, Thos. Gra-
ham and others. The minutes of
the first meeting are of interest
and were written at the time of
its holding. The first item is as
follows:
Pursuant to notice a number
of our citizens met at Fishers
Hall, at eight O'Clock, p. NJ, this
day Oune IS, 1922 for the pur-
pose of organizing a fire COM
pany. J. R. Bayley was elected
chairman and VIM B. Carter
secretary of the meeting.''
At this meeting the constitu-
ton and bylaws of Albany Fire
Department No. I were read and
adopted. From this it is known
that Albany had a fire company
previous to the organization Of
the Young America Company in
this city. AS minute of the
first meeting we find the follow
ing interesting item:
"On motion of Mr.. Wrenn the
company proceeded to the cleo
ton officers for the ensuing year,
with the following result: Presi
dent, J. R. Baybey-unanimious
ly elected, upon which the docto.
made very appropriate remarks
Secretary, VIM B. Carter; treas
urer, Otto Fox; foreman, George
P. Wrenn; 1st assistant foreman
B. w. Wilson; end assistan
foreman, f. E. Robinson. Or
motion Corvallis Engine Com
pany No. T. was adopted as ths
name of the company
At this meeting sixteen mem
bers went to work and paid thei
initiation fee-$1 each. Thus
we find that at the end of tn
first evening the treasurer had Oh
hand funds in the sum of SIC.
The next meeting of the com
pany was held June 22nd, 1872
At this meeting ten more me-
paid their initiation fees and wer
placed on the roll. On motion
was made the duty of every fire
man to procure a uniform withir
thirty days and Mr.. o. Fox wa
requested to have one by mex
meeting for exhibition.
On the fourth meeting of tn
company we find that motto
was made by George P. Wren
that all fines be remitted. Th
motion carried. 1t is presume
> that these fines were either the re
suit of absence or tardiness. A
this meeting VIM B. Carter we
granted IS in payment of notice
printed calling meeting for o.
ganization of the fire company
It was paid without reference
the finance committee.
An engine must have bee
ordered, for at the fifth meetin
of the company the matter of
reception on the arrival
the engine was fully dis
cussed and committee al
pointed. The following gentl
men were named on the cor
.mittee: B. w. Wilson, II. Flicl
niger, W. F. Rayburn, S. Ne
gass and August Knight. It W