Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-07-03
THE ALEXANDRIA FIRE DEPART
MENT

pamphlet, printed, as is stated, at the
Alexandria Gazette Office, in 1860,
nearly half century ago. 1t is called
claws of the State aud Corporation rela-
tive to Fire Companies" and has the fur
Their title of Regulations for the Gov
eminent of Fire Companies and Bylaws
of the Fire Department of Alexandra. "
It is probably the only copy in existence
andis the property Of Father Csrne, who
prizes it greatly.
As Richard l.. Carne, jf., he particl-
mated in a ridiculous march from the old
courthouse where officers bad been elect
ed (eyidently by collision between the
candidates) and were endeavoriog to
keep 240 men 10 order until they reach
ed the old ice house on the hili
which bore that name. OF course they
did not succeed, and dead rats, bricks,
pieces of iron and tin, &c, sd inhnitem
few at the heads of the forward ranks
and were answered by torrent OF un-
ssemly calculations from the recipients
in front. Having heard that there we're
no such doiugs in other places, the young
man above mentioned wrote to the author
lies 10 Richmond and was rejOiced to ind
that though fremen were enrolled IN the
militia, they were entirely free from &C,
tual service as long as the company had
an engine and kept it in good order.
Alexandria had FIVE, 80 all who pleased
could be exempt if they would work at
fires. That they were ready to do, as II
was rather an amusement to them than
otherwise.
The Common Council then took 8
hand. probably at the instance Of the &C.
tive Young man and appointed a chief
engineer at a salary of 800 per annum
aud a number of wsrdsns, who assisted
him without pay. The officers and mem
bers of the companies we're required 10
wear such caps, badges, &C., as the
Mavor directed and were furnished these
free of cost. Nobody else was allowed to
wear them.
The engine houses had TO be Kept
locked and the keys kept by suitable
persons in the neighborhood and their
names designated on the engine house.
and no engine could be carried Out "a
FIRE TO the contrary notwithstanding un-
less an officer or two members were
present. The town bell was TO De
rung AID t. indicate the direction OF the
fire, and no engine, holk AID ladder or
bose-reel was to be run or placed on
Sidewalk, end false alarm required the
payment of So by the offenders.
The law took effect in 1851 when
R,bert Jameson was President OF OOun-
Gil and Lawrence B. Taylor, Mayor
Nv 1859 a Board of Aldermen had been
created by the State law and Mr.. Taylor
was made President OF that body while
Lewis Mckenzie filled that post in the
Common Council and Wm, ID. Ma1sey
was Mayor.
Regulations for the uniform manage
meut of the FIVE cOmpsnies-the Friend
ship. Sun, Relief, Hydrsulion and Star
were carefully made. No boy under
IS was to be o member, unless as torch
bearer, when six were allowed to each
company. No boys we're SLOWED to stand
around or 20 into engine houses and no
members ever could collect in them ex-
cent for meetings or other matters ex-
cept for legitimate purposes. When
fites took place, the bells were to be
tung for short time only and the num-
Der of the ward was struck at brief in
terysls; but they might be ruDg on days
Of public rejoicing or when aprOcession
was passing or tolled not more than ten
minutes for meetings. The bells OF any
or all might be tolled during funeral,
while the use of intoxicating drinks or
plsying of cards, &C., imam engine house
subjected the company to hne OF $lO,
or the offending members were to De ex-
PEELED. .r
Apparatus might be run to Gtes at full
speed but no other piece OF apparatus
should run in front Of another to cut II
off. Pumps could be taken BY the first en-
CINE arriving and FIRE plugs could be taken
by the first hose carriage, but the chief
engineer could change the position OF one
company or require it to ill the engine
of another, and no company could leave
the fire without his permission and nont
could stay without if be forbade. Tht
Relief could remain in the First ward; thu
Gun in the Second; the Hydraulion IL
the Third aud the Friendship 10 th'
Fourth. He could also loan the hose O.
one to another, but must inform th'
company from which ne took it. The
Star might be kept by him to put out
FIRE anywhere. 10 returning to thell
houses the company should go at a WALK
On the 7th Of July, 1859, "The Fir'
Department OF Alexandria was or
gsnized with the usual officers and thu
public might attend its meetings, unles
forbidden. The order of business wa
the usual one, but offenders in the com
pauies could be tried and the witnesse
sworn, and the result tried by the de
partment, the offenders being tried ant
acquitted or found guilty as the cas-
might be.
The officers of the Fire Department
for 1S5O-6O were: Stephen Shinn, of til
Relief president; George I. Whiting
ton of the Friendship, LIST vice president
Hugh Latham, OF the Sun, End vic
president; Richard L. Csrne, IT,. OF IN
Hydrauliou, secretary; 1. Louis KeipEel
of the Star, treasurer. The member
were: John L. Smith, Chief Engineer
Milton Glasgow, John Lesdoeatei
James w. Atkinson, Richard l.. Osrnt
IT,, Charles W. Neale, james (. Doug
las, John Birrel, Richard h. Stsbler
Ferdinand Knight, and VIM. T.Wslkel
and George Wilmington, President