Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-09-12
FIRST STATE CONVENTION IN
LEWISTOWN AN Entire SUCCESS
FlREMEN OF The STATE ARE ENTERTAINED MANNER WHICH
ELECTED CREDIT on LOCAL DEPARTMENT. OF THE BEST
SESSIONS EVER HElDSI nee ASSOCIATION WAS ORGANIZED

busiest weeks in the history of Lewis
town came to an end. The train car
ried away from the city aboSlt forty
fire fighters of the state who, from
their own account, were regretfully
leaving the scene of a pleasant and
profitable visit.
The week was, in many ways, event.
full. 1t was eventful in proving to
some people that they could 20 five
days without sleep. 1t was eventful
in that it was the first state convention
that Lewistown ever entertained. It
was eventful in that it proved that
Lewistown can do such things about
as we'll as any place in the common
wealth. and it was eventful because
Bill Nye of Livingston would not per-
init it to be any other way.
From the moment the delegation
landed Monday evening, pleasure
crowded fast upon the heels of pleas
ure. Literally intermingled with the
pleasurable events We're the business
sessions of the convention. These
business meetings were particularly
prominent because, perhaps, they had
never commanded much absorbing in
terest at previous conventions. The
convention got fairly down to business
Wednesday morning. The program as
given in a previous issue was followed
out and some of the best papers ever
heard before a Montana fire conven>
ton We're read A lively discussion
followed almost every paper. Those
who had little to say in past conven-
tions aired their opinions freely in this
meeting and greatly to the benefit Of
all present. There was frequently diff
ferences of opinion and the arguments
waxed warm at times, but it was al
ways good natured. Chief Lapp Of
Butte. French of Great Falls, Bond of
Billings, May of Missoula and Alex
ander and Langhor of Missoula each
managed to get in word in every dis
cussion and the younger fire fighters
of the state learned much from these
experienced men in the business.
The crowning business session of
the meeting was held Friday evening,
at which the mayor, all of the alder
men and a large number of prominent
citizens were present by special invi-
tation. Electric wiring and other sub
jects Of general interest were brought
up for discussion and the talks which
followed the reading of the subjects
was of profound interest to everyone
present.
On Wednesday morning Retiring
President John G. Bebb was present
ed with beautiful gold badge by the
association. Judge E. K. Cheadle, on
behalf of the association, made the
presentation speech, in which he
warmly praised the president of the
association for his earnest zeal and the
success which has attended his efforts
in this direction. President Bebb made
feeling response to the presentation
speech, expressing his gratitude for
the emblem of esteem 1hd good wish
es of his brother firemen.
The badge is a beautiful one, hav.
ing been made of solid gold by New
York jeweler who is famous the coun-
try over for his exquisite workman
ship.
most enjoyable time was had Tu-
esday evening at the smoker which
was given at the hall. All of the visi'
tors We're present and large number
of citizens accepted invitations to bt
present. Roy E. Ayers was the pre-
siding genius at this function ant
some good speeches were made b!
gentlemen who We're called upon.
Wednesday evening was devoted t.
a big dance which was given in Cul
ver's hail. The floor was in excellen
condition and a five-piece orchestr;
furnished music for this occasion. TIL
hall was crowded by 10 O'Clock and ;
merrier crowd never assembled t.
do honor to the terpsichorean pas
time.
About 1880, while everyone was il
the midst of an ecstatic waltz, the fir
alarm sounded. Whirling partner
were left in the middle of the floor b
firemen who knew nothing but in
slant response to the fire bell. Man
thought that it was only another falls
alarm but very soon it was learne
that the fire was genuine, the barn {
George J. Bach having, in some mys
terious manner, caught fire. Th
prompt response to the fire alarl
saved the barn from total destructio
and kept Mr. Bach from losing valr
able automobile which he kept in til
lower part of the barn.
After the blaze was over, the boy
returned to the ball room where
kangaroo court was organized an
and Bill Nye tried on the charge
having set fire to the barn and base
interrupting the dance. Roy E. Aye
presided as chief justice and aft
hearing the charge and the defenc
which was skillfully conducted by Il
versatile Bill, declared the prison
guilty and ordered that he give eve