Norwich bulletin., 1912-03-06
MINNErExlT HAND ENeINE.
Sold in 1898, Now Returned to De-
partment by II. o. Atwood of Viii
Evansville.

who knows but it may come back
to US and fill a niche prepared for it.
side by side with other relics. cher
ished for cid associations sake These
words, written in May, 1898. nearly 10
years ago, relative to the sale Of the
old MinneteXit hand engine, have prov
ed prophetic, for the old engine is back
in DanielsOn and once more the prop
erty Of the borough, which sold it at
the time mentioned TO II. 0. Atwood for
the sum Of just $50. He took it to
Nilliamsyille, where it has since been
kept as "A relic. and also as an ade-
quate protection against fire
Recently Mr.. Atwood who has dis
posed of his heaviest interests in VIII
Evansville and established business
IN Danielson, offered the fine old ma
chine as q gift to the borough and it
has now been delivered into the pos
session Of the same from the Killingly
Manufacturing company, which recent
~ acquired the mill at Williamsville.
i is now at the Central fire station
on Academy street, and il is probable
that if viii never again pass out OF
the ownership Of all Of the citizens Of
the town, who will be deeply apprecia-
tive Of the generosity that makes it
possible FOR them to have it here again.
In an article printed at the time that
the machine was sold to Mr. Atwood
much Of the history Of the engine in
question appeared. Up to the time
Of the purchase Of our steam engine, %
the article says. the Minnetexit had
been for a period Of thirty years our
sole mechanical reliance against ire
in this village. IT was purchased about
36 years ago NOW 55 years ago.. Be
fore that time there was 3 fire COM
ptny whose machine was a primitive
two wheeled engine. called the Enter
prise. When the Minnetexit was
bought il was considered a decidedly
crack machine. II was what was
known from the name Of the manu-
facturer as 4 Button machine
The service that it has done this
place can never be fully known, bat
some fires that threatened great dis
aster were checked in their course by
the agency Of the old Ainnetexit. and
II saw service at what would make a
very long list Of fires. with the ad -
vent Of the steam engine General
Putnama the MinucteNit's usefulness
was virtcally ended.
THE sale 81 the engine was author
lied BIZ a woke Of borough meeting
about two nov ~ years ago. The en-
CINE was accordingly advertised, but
time went by and there was no bid .
der. Il was at last decided 70 offer ii
at definite price and a low one at
that. so IL was advertised for sale for
$50 9'his had tine desired effect. H. c.
Atwood snatchlns up the bargain and
securing almost for nothing a vaIua
Bile machine. The original price IF the
machine, by the way. was $500, and
now II has gone for song"
The article also reviews how disap-
pointed the veteran fremen were over
the selling Of a machine that through
associations held much tlat appealed
10 their sentimental side. But it is
back again now, and one Of the first
suggestions that has been heard in
connection with its arrival is that
sometime after the weather gets warm
that a parade be held some night, with
hc line old hand engine and these ei
the men who remain that manned il
i'm places Of honor in the line,
The engine still is a valuable piece
OF property. MIR, AtsVeod in speaking
Of the machine only a few weeks ago
said that he would not take $500 fer
ii, but the chances are there will be
~ price liRket on il hereafter. 1t is d
relic IF lhs Rast thst will 10 prizes