Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-16

dington. John Coyle, Henry Ingle. DAN
lei Rapine. afterward mayor: Samuel II.
Smith. who established the Intelligencer.
and Simeon Matlock. a merchant tailor.
later OF the well known firm of Griffith
& Matlock.
These companies manned the engines
and were organized In divisions Besides
these the navy yard had an engine which
was worked by the employees. Marmaduke
Dove, the sailing master. attached to the
yard for many years. having direction.
august IL. 1906. fire DESTROYED the
residence OF Mr. Wilson on + street east
of 18th. with two adjoining houses. and
damaged the home of McDermot Roe.
september of the same year the
hotel building of Mr.. Carroll on LIST street
caught fire. but this blaze was extin-
guished with little damage.
April III. lS8 fire took place on
Coombes wharf, foot of Sd street east,
and was extinguished after considerable
loss.
January 81. 1907. fire broke out at
the residence Of John Dempsie. on vir-
ginia avenue near the navy yard. at
which the Columbia Fire Company rem
dered valuable service. and such was
the conduct Of the navy yard people
under Capt. Cassin that the thanks OF
the Columbia, as we'll as the citizens,
was given them.
Started Building Engines.
q
persmith. engaged in building fire engines
On High street, GEORGETOWN. but later
moved to Pennsylvania avenue, near the
Seven buildings. Mr.. Achman had learn
ed to make fire engines i'm Europe
March 1909. the Columbia Fire Com
pany contracted for an engine. costing
about $500 At that time John Coyle
was president and Nicholas L. Queen,
Griffith Coombe and Henry Timms were
members of the committee to collect
subscriptions
NORM and John Sessford advertised for
proposals for pipes to convey water
from Caffrays spring, named after.
Father Caffray, the first pastor OF st.
Patricks Church. located at the north
west corner of 9th and f streets. TO
Pennsylvania avenue and along ii.
Water prior to this time had been con-
veyed from the spring on the north side
| or e street between ~ and 9Th streets
| to the Avenue and some of the houses
in the neighborhood.
In 1910 reservoir was constructed
| near the Eastern branch market, and
| this was fed by the spring at budding.
ton. Mr.. Carrolrs home.
In 1911 an engine house was erected
on the Capital plaza and fire engine
| purchased for the Columbia company.
Peter Miller was at that time the presi-
dent and ]. T. Frost. secretary. The en-
| CINE house was a simple structure for
housing the apparatus, and the company
held meetings at STILES, Longs. Pics
| and other hotels or taverns nearby.
Company Is Reorganized.
The second fire ward at that time took
in that part of the city, between Sd and
| 18th streets east and north of G. street
| south. May. 1912. a meeting was held
at Davis Tavern, the site of which Is
now occupied by the Metropolitan Hotel,
to recognize the Union Fire Company Of
| the second ward. 1t appears that sub
| sequent meetings were held in the coun-
| ell chamber at the old Masonic Hall, on
18th street near C. street, and at the
engine house, north of the Treasury, In
the months following. This company
used the Treasury engine.
November. 1913, the corporation made
| an appropriation for an engine, for the
second ward. to be located on 9th street.
south of the Avenue. 1t appears that by
August, 1914, this engine was procured
and located. for at that time a meeting.
Of the second fire ward company was
held at Keowin's Hotel. and a commit
tee appointed to examine 1t, and the
members were ordered TO meet at the
| Center Market with their buckets to ex--
ercise it. 1t does not appear. however,
| that this company went into service, for
with the invasion of the British in that
| month all interest In fire matters died
1 nait 50