davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

it might be cut off from the main trunk.
 It has required the persistency of the pioneer, the scheming of the finan- cier and the economy of the careful preserver. Beginning with a hand pump and hose reel in the year 1871, the fire department has kept the swift pace of the city, fighting for it's exist ence as well as against the ravages of the flames. In this year, 1907, Bir- mingham sleeps at night with the assurance that she is guarded by a force that knows not to be conquered.
 Hard work and careful generalship have brought the department up to a high standard of excellency. Though the whole of Fountain Heights is yet unguarded. though unnumbered inn provements are yet needed, the city is enjoying a fiTst-class rate from the Southeastern Tariff association which should be retained.
 Birmingham has come to understand that as long as she grows, her fire department must keep step, that if she stops for moment, the depart ment must toe the line, and not fall back one pace. But she has not come to this realization without several bruised toes, hard falls and singed fingers.
 It was in 1873, when the first great panic was covering the country. The minutes show that the volunteer com pany, becoming alarmed after big two-story barn had been destroyed by fire. passed this resolution:
 Be it resolved that ways and means committee be appointed to draw up some plan to raise enough money to get the new length of hose out of the freight house." The minutes also show that about three weeks later the committee reported it's work well done, and was honorably discharged. This
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17
ened with new buildings and steam engines.

ened with new buildings and steam engines.
 When the little city of Birmingham covered only few square blocks, but after it had begun to dream of It's fu- ture, it decided to care for itself. Just as the new great city is grown from a few struggling brick stores and dusty streets, the prehistoric begin ming of the fire department was a couple of old fashioned hand engines and two hose carts.
 In the year 1872, according to Maj. Tom Tate and Capt. A. Speaker, the volunteer department was organized. In those days the firemen were not paid for their services, but they had to pony up monthly dues, and be fined occasionally as well. They considered it an honor to serve in the department, first, of course, for their city, and sec ond, because it exempted them from jury duty and street tax.
 There were two sections. said Major Tate "'Pioneer No. r was the name of the one, and Tom Tate No. 2 was the cognomen of the other. Dr. J. B. Luckie was the first chief, while John T. Ellison, now deceased, was foreman of No 1, and had charge of No 2. Mir. Speaker was the first stew ard Each company had a hand en- zine and hose cart.
 "The first fire occurred on the Fourth of July, '72, when the two story frame building occupied by Dr. M. M. Williams caught fire. If was located where the Stag saloon stands now We did what we could. but the flames spread rapidly, until II stores were burned to the ground. We finally stopped the progress by tearing down a one-story frame house and spreading | blankets over the next one. "The first stream of water with any pressure furnished by the water con- | pany ran through our hose at Second avenue and Twentieth street. ! was l the man who turned on the hydrant, and the water shot high in the air.
 "The next fire started in O'Connor's | store, at First and Twentieth street, during the cholera epidemic. We put 1t out with water"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

ritory is north to Eighth avenue. south [ to Avenue B, east and west to the linn it's of the city.
 Truck company No. 1 is also located at the city hall. in charge of Capt. w. M. Jourdan, 1903. This company handles the 85-foot turntable exten- sion ladder, ten other ladders, and is I practically the ladder brigade. His territory is limited to the business section.
 J. E. Kieth, acting secretary. is also captain of chemical No. 1, territory north to Tenth avenue, south to Ave nue D, East to Twenty-fourth street, and west to Eighteenth street. The chemical engine is used effectively on little fires where the flames are hard to reach, and requires quick motion as well as extreme care.
 Station No. Is located at Avenue 1 D and Nineteenth street, in an old two- story brick building that is dilapl- dated and unfit for service. A. Brown,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

MT Speaker remembered how Bir- mingham happened to get her first fire engine. Major Linn, president of the First National bank here, gave the en- zine as @ present to Montgomery be- fore Birmingham needed any. Later. Montgomery put in some improve ments, and made Birmingham a pres- ent of the old cast-on Imagine such a thing! The fire limits in the begin ming were from First to Fifth avenues, and from Eighteenth street to Twen- ty-first
 The only record of these old days is contained in the minutes of the Pioneer volunteer company which are
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

themselves ready to cover any fire which might break out at another point.
 However, if the chief finds that he needs the whole department he pushes the button five times, and all nine sta tions are at his command. This last emergency has never occurred Dut twice since Bennett has been chief. The feature of Bennett's admins tration has been the manner in which losses in the residence sections have been held down. Whilh there were 476 fires during 1906 and 300 of them in frame buildings, practically little
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

1902, is captain in command of the company, with a first size steam en- zine and hose wagons. The territory covers the entire Southside, as well as the central business section. Capt. J. M. Lovelace is in charge of the other truck company, located at No 2 sta tion. His territory is simply the bus mess section.
 Engine company No. 3. located at Magnolia avenue and Twenty-frst street, in a frame building, is offi- cered by Capt J. A. Browning. 1Ss0 This Is known as the Five Points sta- tion, with territory south of Avenue F. It is the hub of the Highlands and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17
BY BURR BLACKBURN.

" HE city which builded with a
 well organized and thoroughly A equipped fire. department is a city builded upon a rock. The winds may blow, the flames mount to the heavens, the fire demon assault with all the power of destruction, and, un- less something be really wrong, that city will stand.
 But if the city be founded upon sands, if there be but rotten dykes against the tides of creeping flames, if there be one broken wall, then
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

watch, for the day will come when least expected, the coals will be heat ed, the bellows will blow, or the mere kick of COW will wipe away whole city.
 Out of the mouth of panic Bir- mingham sprang. She has grown up, and spread out like vine in the night. Her creepers have reached out and put without anything to hold up or protect them. Often when thus un-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

still preserved at the city hafl They date from February 3. '73. The roll shows that nearly all the members are now either dead or departed from Birmingham. Among those living. however are K. H. Pearson, A. Speaker, J. l.. Lockwood, B. Plosser and number of others.
 The minutes show that w. H. Cress- man was the first secretary. The first annual firemen's ball was given during
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

guarded they have been destroyed in 8 day.
 Yet, all the time, day and night, there have been men with the inter- est of the city at heart. who have worked unceasingly to build the arbor larger and stronger, that the great vine might be held up out of reach of the fire worm, where the spray of healing water might reach it all, and when destruction began in one limb
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

the latter part of February, '73.
 A very unique entry is "A committee of three was appointed 10 raise funds to get the uniform belts from the ex- press office" The minutes eight months after show that the belts had not been taken out.
 On May 15, "A, the annual parade of the company was held. Company left engine house at 4 p. m. in the fol- .~---~~~>-~~-r~-- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3fJ
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

Chief Bennett is man bred a fire man. He entered the department as a fireman at the station located on Fifteenth street and Third avenue on September 31, 1890. Seventeen years in the service of the city has given him perfect knowledge of every twist in her streets, and every part of her buildings Calmest at the moment of greatest danger, leading, encourag- ing and exhorting, insisting upon sys-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

loss resulted in any of them. This is due partly to the increase of equip ment, the distribution of the stations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

and partly to the chiefs method of
 doing salvage work after the fire is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3iJ
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
AID. DUNN PLEADS
FOR VINDICATION

Alderman John c. Dunn asserted last
evening that LIT Is a bad thing for the
Third ward and IT is a bad thing for the
Democratic party when members OF that
party resort to mud singing. but when
John w. Hogan throws mud at me I in
tend TO dig a little deeper in the mire
and throw some at him. / am sorry that
he began this business, but in justice to
myself and friends must retaliate.
'In the years when Mr.. Hogan and Joe
Gamer were running on my ticket Hogan
never gave up a fve-cent piece for cam
paign expenses. / paid them ALL Now
he and Joe Gamer go about and say that
am affiliated with Republicans and ham
die Republican money
"All ask OF my constituents; all ask
OF the Third Ward Democrats next Tues
day, is vindication-for myself. for my
family, for my friends. I am a decent,
honest man, and i defy Mr.. Hogan or
Mr. Gamer to point to one act of mine
as a member of the city council which
savors OF wrong-doing."
Councilman John j. O'Neil and Dennis
T.. Donovan of the Third ward, and Coun-
Gilman Timothy f. Kelly of the Tenth
ward pleaded that the Democrats of the
Third ward elect a Democratic delegation
to the city council.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
Why Not Goddard?

Col. Goddard is such a Republican.
man of wealth both inherited and hard
earned; man of rare discretion. talent
and tact; loyal. patriotic. public-sprit-
ed Rhode Islander, who has an actual;
not a nominal residence here; who would
not be an object OF ridicule nor a waxen
clothing store dummy In a senatorial seat
who would not believe the height or MS
ambition reached when he became the
most letter perfect man In answering
roll calls; who has not used his unearn-
ed wealth to obtain unearned honors. who
is a creator, not an imitator; a potent
voice not an echo; a man who would
ably represent the state OF his birth ana
pride which has been Improperly repre-
sented the organ says. for II years past.
Why not. therefore, elect as the junior
senator from Rhode Island that fearless
champion of civic righteousness that
peerless. eloquent and uncompromsihs
foe OF bribery and corruption; that emil
nent choice of more than three-hfths OF
the states electors who pay four-ntths
OF the states taxes, COL. ROBERT
HALE IVES GODDARD?
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
Why REPUBLICANS SHOULD
HELP ELECT COL. GODDARD

by gift and which Is not i'm any way,
as In the case OF some other wealthy
men, an evidence OF ability on his part
TO accomplish things I'm the world. But
I'm his arrogant assumption OF
permanent proprietary rights In the
senatorship, he bolted his party's reg
ular nomination and brought the Re-
publicans OF the state, 10 whom he
owes everything, into all the difficult
les by which they are now beset.
To-day, even in Newport, as shown
in newspaper extracts lately printed
in these columns, he is publicly spoken
of as a man unfit TO be a United
States senator, without vital interests
In the state, unacquainted with its af-
fairs and its popular sentiment and I'm
all essentials no more than fitting
summer resident intent upon keeping
himself in secure exclusiveness against
what he considers the sordidness OF the
life and occupations OF the great ma
jority OF our people. In these circum-
stances, II he were a man OF refined
sensitiveness or even an ordinary be-
coming modesty he would take himself
out OF the way once and for all, main
tanning only such local connections as
those of other wealthy New Workers
who have summer homes I'm Newport
'If he does not do this. II he persists
In using his unearned money to seek
for himself the unearned honor OF a
high office for which he is not quail
fed. he must be prepared 10 hear ex-
pressed publicly some of the extreme
ly unfattering opinions which have
long been expressed of him In private
and which are, indeed. about the only
opinions that have ever been expressed
Of him !"
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
(Morning Tribune. May 29.)
An Alien Office Seeker

There are indications, II appears.
that, whether OF his own Initiative or
under the sinister advice of others,
Mr.. G.. +. Wetmore. who, as may be
learned from the state manual and the
congressional directory. was some
years ago governor of this state and
later United States senator there
from. is about to begin an organized
effort to have himself elected to the
vacant Rhode Island senatorship.
His willingness TO enter upon this
course OF self-seeking Is. in the cir
cumstances. one more proof of his ex-
treme ignorance OF the popular feeling
an ignorance that is not surprising I'm
view OF the fact that he Is still. as he
always has been. an alien. II he knew
at all intimately the people of the state
which he occasionally visits, especially
at the times when he desires them To
confer upon him some unearned honor,
he would know that he is. to put II
courteously, one OF the least admired
OF the titular citizens OF the commu-
nifty and that his lack of the qualifca-
tions OF n senator is almost unani-
mously recognized and now at last
openly discussed
ITO be sure, Rhode Islanders have
never been really deceived by him. II
has been clearly recognized from his
first appearance I'm the states public
life that he is "A man of exceptionally
small parts who could never have been
elected to any important office except
for his none too literally used money
money, moreover, which came to him
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
!. v. {. 7. j. HOLDS
ANNUAL MEETING
AND ELECTION

At the 26th annual meeting of the
Young Women's Temperance union last
evening the report of the work OF the
last year was received and accepted. All
the ventures OF the society have been
highly successful.
The matter OF raising the dues of ths
organization was considered. but no deft-
mite action was taken The annual cleo
tions were held. the ticket accepted being
in the main similar 10 that of last year.
The results were as follows:
President Miss Grace Il. Atkins: hon.
orary presidents Mrs. Harriet T.. Fuller.
Miss n. Il. Pearce; vice presidents. Mrs.
Bates. Miss Ellen A. Salisbury. and Miss
Emily r. Hall; recording secretary Miss
Lena s. Fenner, corresponding secre-
tary. Mrs r. II. Whitman: treasurer,
Miss Clara NJ. Law: superintendent, MRS.
Charles A. jacques: directors tterm ex-
pires 1909. Mrs. II A. Breckenridge, Miss
Charlotte Blundell; term expires 1sO9),
TiHsleys Cerm expires 1910, Mrs. Morton
l.. Brayton. Mrs. Joseph H. Kendricki
auditor, Albert G.. Day: tea room COM
mittee, Mrs. l.. l.. Angel. Miss G. r.
Bates, Mrs. NJ. L. Brayton. Mrs. Moses
Fiheld, Miss +. F. Greene, Miss A. A.
Hathaway. Mrs. c. A Jacques and MISS
Pesrce: library committee, Mrs. A. ID.
Gliding. chairman: Mrs. George w.
Bates. Miss S. s. Brayton Miss c. Is.
Clarke. Mrs c. Il. Dennis, Jr., Mrs. A
w Ham and Miss NJ. j. Schubarth.
Supper was served in the dining room
during the intermission. The evening
meeting opened with devotional exercises
president-at-large of the state W. G. t.
IT, Miss Caroline NJ. Caswell OF Boston
reviewed the work of the Frances Will
lard settlement in Boston.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
MARINE INTELLIGENCE

ARRIVED.
Steamer Dorchester, Johnson, Balu-
more.
steamer Tuscan. Page, Philadelphia.
steamer Pequonnock Daboll. New
York. ~,
York. - wi,
Steamer City OF Newport Ricketson'
Newport. -, -, pau
Tug scully. varnum, New, York.
Tug Buccaneer New YORK.
Tug Vigilant. New York.
Tug H. A. Baxter. New YORK.
Tug J. A. Hughes, New YORK.
Barge No. 1O1, New York ,,o. 49,
Barge Tobasco, Port Reading, l4S9 toiis
coal, Pawtucket. Go. .,,o,, con
Barge Alison, White, South AnipoS' wv
tons coal Pawtucket ,
barge Harriet r. Whine, South Amooy'
GEO tons coal, Rhode Island company.
Barge Graham's Polly, Sou,n no0''
Barge Clinton Point, New Jersey. W"
chemicals. General Chemical company
Barge Sargent, Baltimore. eot55 tens COAL
u,Srse washington. Baltimore. $500 tons
coal. railroad. oo, ,ors
coal Burton a Curran. -,
Barge Sailor, Weehawken, 90 TONS eo"''
Providence Coal company.
barge Jennie, Port Reading, 40 tons
coal. railroad. ,.,-
tug Il. f. Luckenback. Baltimore
SAILED -
Steamer New shoreham, Block is,ai'o
steamer City of Newport, Newport.
steamer City OF Haverhill, Fail RIVER
steamer Edgemont, JOY line.
Steamer Penrock. Providence line.
Tug Vigilant, New York. with barge
Daisy. , -,s
Schooner Jennie S. Hall, FLORIDA, ,,,,
Tug H. A. Baxter, New YORK. WIZ"
apy Island CITY.
Tug John Scully. with barge New Jer-
sew Newport News. >,ou
Tug Browner. with barge Dessong' New
MARINE NOTES.
The United States Transportation coln. n
pany has absorbed the JOY Steainsinp
company. and now controls three nnes
The 10y line steamers Will run as uley
have during the past both In regard 10
freight and passengers -,
IL is rumored that the Edgemont anu
Tennessee, the steamers running iro'n
This city TO New York. will be replaced
for the winter by the Rhode Island ana
Connecticut.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
Incredible Audacity

..rbe reannearance here the other day
~ Mr. George Peaboiy Wetmore, on
one of those rare flying visits he has
been accustomed TO pay the state OF
his nominal residence, was made the
occasion for something like confer
ence between him and some OF tne
managers of his late bolting cam
paign for the United States senator
shin. In consequence the suSgestioh
has been heard in some quarters that
he may be planning to make another
effort 10 recover the office which a
majority OF the Republicans or the
state some time ago decided that nc
had held long enough
..It can hardly be believed, however
that either on his own initiative or
through the sinister persuasions OF
others he will really enter upon SO
audacious and defiant course.
Everybody knows Mr.. Wetmore
cross disloyalty to the Republican
nartv and his direct personal respon-
sibility for the failure so far to elect
a senator and for the consequences
thereof TO the party. He stands. there
fore in a new and extremely unfavor-
able light in the eyes of the whoie
state.
..Never a popular man In any sense
of the word. having few active politi-
cal supporters here who were not oo-
tanned by methods OF which IL Is as
agreeable to speak, he Is today pc
cause OF his treacherous dealings win
the Democrats and his dog-ln-the-
maneer position i'm the late contest,
thorourhly discredited and generally
denounced party man, lower In puphc
esteem than perhaps any other man
whom Rhode Island Republicans ever
iniudiciously honored TO their supse-
ouent regret In these circumstances
To offer himself again as candidate
would he almost insolent defiance ana
certainly incredible audacity.
"Moreover. even II he had not fal-
len from party grace by MS recent
holt there are other and conclusive
reasons why his candidacy for the
senatorship could not be favoraply
considered at this time. A man OF less
than average ability, OF inactive tenn
perament and hardly the slightest per-
sonaI force. never I'm close touch with
Rhode Island people and interests. ne
has during his two terms at Washing
ton conferred no distinction upon US
and. indeed. subjected us To some ridl-
Guile. Our people have tolerated him
as senator: that Is all. They nave
been waiting courteously but none TOO
patiently for his retirement and the
opportunity to fill his place with a lar
ger man.
mo one not blinded by prejudice or
under even more unworthy influences
can deny that during the momentous
wears now ahead Rhode Island will
need to represent her I'm the junior
senatorship at washington much
abler, stronger, more active and force
full man and more thorough Rhode Is
lander than George Peabody Wetmore.
His candidacy. therefore, could not be
considered even IL he were able To
come before the people with clean
party record apd hands undehled by
having been Joined with Democrats In
the temporary Illustration of the desire
OF the controlling elements OF the
states population that straight Re-
publican senator be elected"
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02

Col Henry J. Spooner. former Republi-
can congressman from this district, and
Sidney A. Sherman. submaster in the
Democratic and Lincoln meeting at As
weybosset street yesterday afternoon.
Col. spooner, who was presented by
Thomas F. Cooney, chairman of the meet
ing said:
IT am n nsnOnal Republican, have
been so al m, sc. / am In favor OF
Roosevelt ana sr'ntre him. But / have not
been able 10 endure the machine which
in this state r. :nasquerading in the name
OF the Reprbi party. I want to see a
stop put 10 bcodling and grating.
ANY intelligent citizen who wants to do
the right thing should ally himself with
the Democratic party and the Lincoln
Union. and thus save the old ship of state
from the piratical crew which now con-
trolls II.
II have been identified with the reform
movement in this state for many years.
and / am glad to see the fruition OF our
hopes approaching.
"Who was 1t that was called upon a few
our banks, that the people might be re-
assured at time when panic threatened? :?
Our candidate for senator-the man who
is In this fight, not because he aspires to
be senator, but because he is interested
In rescuing the state from the clutches of
the piratical crew that now controls It,"
IF the Republican legislature had pass
ed the bank examiner act when It should,
instead of suppressing It, perhaps we
might not have had any trouble with our
financial institutions at all. They had the
opportunity. but they didn't pass It, An
old saying is, IF a man deceives you once
II is his fault; IL he deceives you twice, it
Is your fault"
Sidney A. Sherman said:
IF this was n partisan platform
should not be here, but | believe in the
reforms advocated by the Lincoln -Effiorf
and the Democratic party. / think II the
matter were left to a jury of non-resi-
dents, the decision would be unanimously
I'm favor OF the position we take
THE system OF representation is at the
bottom OF the system of bribery and boss
ism. Nearly every other state in the Union
bases its representation on tho population
OF the towns and cities
'Why don't We have IL I'm Rhode Island?
II Is because those who are profiting by
the present system are 10th to give II up.
and also because those I'm the smaller
towns are fearful that the cities would
impose upon them This has not been
found to be the result In states where the
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-02
DEMOCRATIC RALLY
HELD IN PASCOAG

A well-attended Democratic rally was
held in Music hall i'm Pascoag last night.
The meeting was presided over by Rep
resentative John j. Lace, Jr. There were
speeches by the following: Senator Fd-
gan, j. II. Barth, who spoke In French
and English: Senator Rathbone Gardner.
James III. Thurston and Thomas +.
Cooney.
The Providence party. Rathbone Card
ner. James III. Thurston and Thomas +.
Cooney, had considerable difficulty in
reaching Pascoag They started in an
automobile. but this broke down. then
after walking two miles they telephoncd
Mr.. Lace, who sent n wagon. When some
distance from Pascoag the pole OF this
vehicle broke and the party finished tho
Journey on foot