The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-03-08
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
HOSE COMPANY NO. |
What the Boys Are Doing-Are
Great Fire Fighters and Always
Mt Fire-Working for
Chemical Engine,

! FhSilt.
! Honesdale is to be congratulated
upon its fine volunteer fire depart
ment and the day is not far distant
before 1t will have paid depart
ment. The boys of both Protection
Engine company No. 3 and its auxi-
liary, Hose Company No. / are am
bilious, faithful and efficient and an
| sWer to every call of fire that is sent
in. Both companies are under Chief
II. A. Oday and work in harmony at
all conflagrations.
We have reviewed history and re-
produced considerable matter of late
concerning members of Protection
Engine No. 3, but ii would not be
complete until a brief historical
sketch is written about the boys who
form the downtown auxiliary to the
! 'Honesdale fire department-Hose
| Company No. /.
The South Main street section,
which is more susceptive to fires,
than possibly other sections of the
town, was without adequate fire pro-
lection until September, 1910. The
property owners and merchants, feel
ing the absolute need of proper pro-
lection against fire, agitated the or
| ganization of hose company. A
call was issued asking all young
men and others to be present at
mass meeting to be held at City
Hall, the instigators being Robert
Murray, John Rickert and Leon Katz.
Each of the above mentioned gentle
men prepared a list of ten names,
selecting young men and others
whom they thought would be inter-
ested in a fire company. To their
surprise over fifty were present at
the preliminary meeting. The object
and purpose was thoroughly explain
ed and temporary organization re-
suited by electing Robert Murray
president; Leon Katz, secretary;
John Wasman, treasurer, and John
Rickert, foreman. At the second
meeting all temporary officers were
elected to hold their respective Off
ces for one year. Owing to John
Rickert resigning to accept a position
as travelling salesman, Benjamin F.
Loris was elected foreman in his
place. Since organization E. Z. Will
llams has been elected vice-president
and is also first assistant foreman.
+. X. Murray, Jr., holds the Office of
second assistant foreman and Rev.
DR.. j. w. Balta, chaplain. Hose
Company No. l organized with 80
charter members. 1t now enjoys
membership of AZ and is limited to
so members.
After organization was perfected
the merchants of the downtown dis
trict asked the town council for an
equipment for the hose company,
which was readily granted. AS a re-
suit l 800 feet of hose was procured
and an up-to-date hose truck pur-
chased. At the suggestion of Coun-
Gilman George w. Penwarden the
Delaware and Hudson Railroad COM
pany donated the use of the old
| canal pay office for a fire house. 1t
was remodeled, wired and painted,
, and to-day serves the purpose for
| which it is used.
Hose Company No. | is without
uniforms of any kind and is only
! partly supplied with rubber coats and
other bodily protection needed for
fighting fires. The boys have re-
sponded to every alarm given since
| organization, whether it has occur
red in the daytime or in the silent of
the night. Wherever in town the
merry monster has reflected its long
and destructive tongue-there the
members of Hose Company No. 1
Ho'C peeA IouHu ana always worked
hard to quench the fire from endan-
gering otner property and life.
Wherever placed they have stood by
their post and did good service.
The company has made it a prac-
tice to make but one appeal a year to
the public by holding an annual ball
on Easter Monday evening of each
year. Their advertisement is now
running in The Citizen, calling your
attention to this eventful time in the
boys and public's life. When the
committee in charge calls upon you
to purchase tickets be liberal.
The receipts will be applied to-
ward the purchase of a modern hand
chemical engine, two barrel capacity;
| also for securing large rubber tar
paulins for the protection of furni-
ture in homes and goods in stores.
They are 12X24 feet and are invalu-
able in protecting household effects
from possible damage by water or
chemicals used in extinguishing
fires. Yes, you want to attend the
Easter Monday ball at the armory.
1t is for better protection of your
property and that means a saving of
perhaps many dollars to you. Put
your shoulder to the wheel and help
make the ball q success