Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-02-21
Charles Town Fire Department.

Charles Town Fire Department.
A number of persons having expressed
a desire to see in print the response OF
our talented young townsman, Mr.. John
1T. Porterfeld. to the toast to the
f" Charles Town Fire Department, de-
livered at the recent Rouss Birthday
Banquet OF the Independent Fire Com
pany. Mr.. Porterfeld has kindly furnished
us copy of the same, which we print
below. Mr.. PorterHeld said:
While giving toast to the fire COM
panies, feel that my subject is one that.
Irrespective of the words may utter,
will find hearty echo and support in the
hearts of all those present here tonight
participating in the good cheer provided
on the present occasion.
| First and foremost. to the members of
the fire companies of this town are due
our thanks for the bounteous outlay as
well as for the CHEEKY and hospirabIe
greeting extended by them to us as their
guests. Nor in thiscategory of pleasures
must we omit intellectual amusement and
qualification afforded to us b. the toasts
rendered by those gentlemen preceding
me. Thanks to their efforts as we'll as to
the providers of this repast. we may de.
part not only in physical but also in a
mental state of satisfaction.
Again, and in a more lasting sense. to
the members of our fire companies are
due our thanks for the security and safe
ty with which our town has been pre-
served.
CharlesTown is now, as you are proba-
bly, aware. one of the oldest towns in the
commonwealth of West Virginia Those
of you who ale familiar with history
will probably recall that in the mytholo-
gy of the ancients there were three forces
or gods most potent for evil-sword, fam
inc and fire. From the evils of the sword
we, of the presest date, are protected by
the strong arm of the American govern
ment, whose potency and strength are
dreaded and acknowledged by the
crowned heads. of Europe. From the
evils of famine, which are often di-
rectly caused by Incidence and ideness.
we are protected by the industry and
skill of the inhabitants of this now thriv-
ing and progressive county of Jefferson.
From the last of these evils. that dread
agency FIRE. we are protected by the fire
department of this town.
What alone prevents confagration
once begun in city or community from
enveloping within its fiery embrace all
the houses. churches and residences sit
uated therein. like the boa constructor of
the South American forests, whose appe-
tite is only appeased when the entire
form of its struggling victim is engulphed
within its ravenous nav? Such catas-
trophe is only prevented by the skilled
and intelligent application of water by
the fremen, which alone will check
a fire and turn its fury back upon itself,
so that it soon become a mere shoulder
ing pile of embers.
Aside from the actual benefit derived
during time of fire, another no less real
advantage. caused by the existence OF
fire companies in this practical age of
dollars aud cents. is the reduced rate of
insurance; by means of which we may
protect ourselves against loss. At the
present epoch all people have at last
awakened to appreciate the value of in
surance against fire. and since the rate
would undoubtedly be higher in town
where there were no fire companies, it
can readily be seen that this reduced rate
on premiums is benefit in which all
share, based upon the existence OF fire
companies.
A striking instance pointing to the re-
cognition of the Importance of fire COM
panies among the people of today. when
progressive studies have been taken in
the promotion and advancement OF every
thing valuable or useful. and everything
not of practical utility abandoned, is
shown by the modern improved appli-
ances for fighting fire. We read in our
early narratives of the constant surprise
and curiosity excited among the Ameri-
Indians at the use by our pioneer fore
fathers of writing on papers by means of
which they conveyed messages to each
other. Wecan hardly imagine these saw
ages surprise at the modern telephone.
But hardly less than their curiosity and
surprise would be the interest and amaze
ment depicted upon the face of our fore
fathers of the old world. accustomed to
fighting fire with the bucket brigade, if
they could but contemplate the modern
fire engine which throws large stream
of water with the velocity and precision
of bullet. Even with the most perfect
appliances. however, a fire originating in
large city. famed by tempest Of wind.
/ is sometimes impossible to control-as
witness the recent Baltimore fire. 1t
must be rendered. however. that the
most powerful ships in the world. manned
| by the most skilful sailors. have braved
once too often the waters of the ocean.
Such events as these merely go to show
that the power of man against The force
of nature have their prescribed limita-
tons.
And now we have reached the agents
or instruments of modern applances-the
fremen. They should not be forgotten.
for they are "A, essential and vital part
of every genuine fire-fghting concern.
Nor is it to be thought that their Office is a
sinecure without any labor or peril. How
often in the daily paper do we read ac-
| counts of firernen perisflIng IN discharge