The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-19
STAMFORD
Fire Matters Disposed of Escape of the Porter Building = Eutertaiumeats = Coming of Spring g-LOst Bracelet.

After all that has been said about consolidating the fire department, and placing it upon a practical and effic- tent footing, 1t is sadly depressing to be told that Git is not possible for a town like Stratford to have a perma- nent fire department" Exactly when the interim is expected to take place has not been foretold, but if the de- partment should break down at the moment of a serious conflagration, something might happen. Insurance rates are likely to advance las soon as it becomes known that the fire depart ment cannot be permanent" If any, thing needs to be on solid founda- tion, which can be depended upon in time of need it is a fire department It is announced that at last the two fire companies in town have been con- solidated, without as much friction as would light a. match. The Hook and Ladder and, the Chemical Company have embraced and they are now one and the same under the name of the Stratford Fire Company. The Select men have named Allen Judson as the new chief, and he will soon name his assistants. The officers of the new company are Henry Meachen, presf- dent; Roger Warehouse, vice president; Louis Burritt, treasurer, and John Wdlcoxson, secretary. There are now funds on hand to the amount of $l16.17. So the great question which has hung fire for a long time has been settled, and everybody feels relieved.
 Wednesday afternoon there was little Hurry of excitement in the busi- ness district when the report spread that the Porter building was on fire. A chimney had become overloaded and if not attended to a really serious fire might have resulted. But the chem ioo yvh hia1 iC itYct "a street was speedily on the scene and the soot in the burning chimney was soon quenched from it's burning. MT. Porter, unfortunately, is in Los An geles. where he has been passing the winter. He has not as yet paid his promised visit to Japan. This little fire, coming just before the meeting of the two fire companies, undoubtedly promoted the consolidation, and hast ened the appointment of chief by the Selectmen.
 Mrs. William CIiborn has given valentine party to a whole lot of young folks, in honor of her daughter Edna's 17th birthday. Some Is or IT guests were present.
 ". I. Bradley entertained party Of friends last night from New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford and this town. He resides in one of the COnine houses in Main street near Hands corner.
 1Co1'SC ffyST Ol LilS lOWil iloS O class of 16 ladies in Bridgeport, whom he is teaching how to dance
 Some notion of the number of clanas consumed in this town may be gained from the fact that Capt. c. D. Wickes gets ten barrels every week from Long Island for the local market.
 There was an old lady in town yeS- terday from Derby, who used to live up Milford way, who is sure spring has come She says skunk cabbages have shown their heads in the meadows, and this is a sure sign which she never knew to fail. Cabbage heads are wise, and they seldom take the risk of getting frost bitten.
 Capt. A. Bedell Benjamin, being on the sick list, has postponed for the present his trip to Palm Beach, Flor ida.
 Mir. and Mrs. Dunhar are now living in Benjamin Holmes house in Elm street.
 The rummage sale of the Neiglrbor- hood church was in progress this aft ernoOn.
 The Selectmen have been looking over the highways since the storms abated and are gratified to find the roads in such good condition. There have been very few washouts.
 The Women's Auxiliary of Christ church have adopted resolutions of sympathy and affection on the death of Miss Susan c. WilcoXson.
 Miss Bessie Houghton, who is teach ing gymnastics, already has a class of q pupils.
 A bracelet has been found in town