The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-02-04
FLAME FIGHTERS FEAST
Celebrate Several of Their Birth
days In Bunch

This week brought around the ami
versaries of several members of the
Ocala Fire Department, both paid and
volunteer, so the boys decided they
would celebrate the event in a spread.
The repast was partaken Of last night
and the feast was held in the dining
room Of the Merchants Cafe. and was
most skillfully served by Mr.. ]. r.
Dewey and his force of walters.
\ long table was set with covers
laid for 80 people. The entire member
ship of the Ocala Fire Department was
present and the boys had as their
guests Mayor ]. D. Robertson, Judge
Leslie Warner and the fire committee
of the city council, Messrs. II. A
Fausett, c. r. Tydings and r. r Car
roll
The supper was most appetizing and
different styles, and there were many
other good things TO eat and drink and
good cigars to wind up with The
dinner was highly enjoyed both by the
firemen and their guests
After the cigars had been passed.
Chief Chambers asked the members
and their guests TO come over and in
spect the fire station. This was done.
the committee going through the
building and inspecting the depart
ment's headquarters and they got a
more comprehensive idea of its work
ingS than they had ever had before
The horses We're drilled in getting out
under their harness and the men in
'hitching them up at the sound of the
big gong alarms that work by cleo
tricity automatically on the rining of
the telephone, and the committee was
mazed at the perfect clock-like work
of the horses. These magnificent ami
mails, powerful, but gentle, and unex-
citeable, are, we believe, as we'll train
ed as any horses of any fire department
in the land. The committee found the
equipment of the Ocala Fire Depart
ment, the building and its entire con-
tents in perfect condition, as far as it
goes, and as far as the men are re-
sponsible. but sadly lacking in many
respects in the matter of new and
needed equipment.
The matter of new equipment was
discussed and the committee pledged
themselves to do all they could as
fast as they could 10 get the depart
ment better and more modern equip
ment. The matter of the direct pres
sure was discussed. and the depart
ment assured that this would be put in
as soon as the equipment necessary
to make the changes could be secur-
ed, which il was thought would not
exceed a month.
While efficient in men as any de-
partment in the state. the Ocala Fire
Department is poorly equipped and the
men are underpaid. The citizens of
Ocala do not properly appreciate the
Importance of the auxiliary depart
ment and how much depends on il. The
paid department is absolutely unable
to cope with a fire of any magnitude
and without the assistance of the aux
Hilary boys would be well nigh help
less at a big fire.
Following is the personnel of the
Ocala Fire Department.:
II. S. Chambers. chief driver chem
ical wagon; f. c. Anthony, foreman.
driver hose wagon; r. c. Thagard.
driver hook and ladder.
Auxiliary
Leland Smoak, assistant chief: Fred
Vogt, foreman; George Woods, fire
marshal; Leo LaRue, assistant fire
marshal; Wilbur Counts, wagner;
Frank Gates. secretary and treasurer:
George Chambers. Frank Bishop, Jes-
sic Smoak. Charles Leitner, Conner
Smoak, Lawton Bailey, r. c. Bennett,
John Morris. Wilbur Smith and Claude
Haycraft.