The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-09-03
THE FIFTIETH
ANNIVERSARY
Of the Organization Of Hack
ettstown's Fire Department
Successfully Managed.
IMPOSING ARRAY OF FiREMEN

lW1L OOALNO kAN4NkAA Va IlNEkV1Ely
The picturesque old burg of Hack
ettstown, the enlivening spot of the
quantity etched valley Of the Musco-
netcong, prinked herself out in gay at
tire Thursday in honor of the first
Firemen's Day to be recorded in Hack
ettstonian annals.
Perhaps a concise history of the
formation and growth of the Hack
ettstown fire department may prove
interesting. In 1857-just half-cen-
tury ago-the only protection from.fire
the town possessed savored of early
Colonial days, being a g Bose " engine
"a sort of exaggerated squirtgun-
which was hauled TO the nearest we'll
and supplied from buckets. Several
small fires following in rapidsuccession
having demonstrated the inefficiency
of this means Of fire-fghting, the town
council bestirred itself, ordained the
organization of a fire. department. and
appointed a committee TO purchase a
capable engine and hose. A company
was formed to take charge of the ap-
paratus on its arrival. The old-style
"goose-necks' having been superseded
during the decade prior by vastly inn
proved machines, Deep piano deck"
was selected. but on arrival it turned
out to be a Hunniman double-deck-
err" machine then in vogue in the
larger cities. This company existed
ten years. In 1877 the younger ele-
ment of the town organized Cataract
Hose Company, No. 1, and the act was
confirmed by the common council on
December 3 of that year. Many Of
the original members still retain their
company membership or have joined
the ranks of the Exempts.
The burning Of the Centenary Cole
giate Institute in the fall of 1899 en-
phatically demonstrated the need of
additional firemen's apparatus, as well
as proper housing for the same, the ac-
commodations for such purpose there
tofore having been decidedly meager.
At the annual town meeting in the
spring of 1900 S8, 900 were voted for the
erection of municipal building and
purchase of hook and ladder truck.
Despite the opposition of the Cata-
racts, Vigilant Hook and Ladder Com
pany, No. /, was organized January Z,
1901, and confirmed by the common
council the following May.
Hackettstown's tire-fighting appara-
tus to-day consists of combination hose
and chemical wagon, two hose carts
{" jumpers y, hose carriage and a
hook and ladder truck.
On Wednesday evening the local de-
partnent, headed by band, marched
to the depot and met the Exempt AS
sociation of Newark with large dele
cation of the old New York 'vamps, -
With their guests, Mayor Haussling
and the Board of Fire Commissioners
of Newark, and escorted them to the
American House, which had been char
tered for their accommodation, where
they were treated to serenade.
Whether or no the Hackettstown
authorities had " tipped " the clerk OF
the weather for fair weather has not
been ascertained, but certainly more
beautiful day than yesterday could not
have been picked. The town was gay
with flags and bunting, and the streets
were thronged, as everybody and his
neighbor had come in from the sur
rounding country. About all the near
by towns had sent tiremanic delega-
|Gions, Morristown's quota being the
Board of Fire Wardens, and the air
was filled with the blare of bands, the
hoof-beats of prancing horses and the
clang of gongs as the various compa-
nies paraded the roadways.
Leroy Brant, son of ex-Chief Brant,
and now an officer in the State mill
tia, acted as grand marshal, his assist
ants, mounted, being Frank Fl. Smith,
Paul Eyeritt, Howard Klotz and Clar-
ence Vescelius, all sons of ex-chiefs.
The parade was formed at II o'clock
and it passed through the principal
streets, the line of march being pro-
fusely decorated. The reviewing stand
was placed at the blic school
grounds, on Washington street.
Three prizes were awarded, Newark,
Milburn and Rockaway companies be-
ing the recipients. The Morristown
Flute and Drum Corps accompanied
the last-named company.
After the parade the companies and
their guests we're assigned to the vari-
GUS Snnday-school rooms, where the
ladies Of the churches had made ample
preparations to satisfy the searching
appetite of hungry fireman. And
many were the complimentary re-
marks in praise of the manner in
which the womenfolk had taken care
of their part in making the event one
long to be remembered.
Much to it's credit, Hackettstown
was In nowise niggafdly in putting
forth the funds to celebrate the semi
centennial of its fire denartment