Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-01-06
HOPE FIRE CO.'S
TOOTH ANNIVERSARY

[Continued From First Pagel
from two dwellings. From the start
of the "Hivers'' until the present day,
Harrisburg's No. company ranks
among the leading volunteer COM
panies in the State for having a men,
bership of representative citizens.
Members Young and Old
On the roster of the Hope Steam
Fire Company have been many mem-
bers who have seen from ten to forty
years service. There are but two
old-timers living who have seen fifty
years, William f. Mccoy, 261 Forster
street, and Fred Russell who was last
heard from at Dillsburg. Both these
gentlemen are seventy-five years OF
age. "Billy" Mccoy who has run with
the machine since 1852 Is at present
the only member of the Hope COM
pany who is able to tell much about
the company's early history.
What occurred prior to 1852 Is an
interesting collection of various in
cidents and records handed down
from one generation to another. J..
II. Rupley, better known as THE
Judge who has been at the Soldiers
home at Dayton, Ohio. has some of
the records. He was member 40
years ago. Jacob Houser. retired
Pennsylvania railroad roundhouse
fireman was q director thirty-eight
years ago and is still living. the ola ,
est trustee is Oliver Osler, local
printer. who has held office for twen-
ty years.
Much Of the data now on record
was furnished by William Mccoy. He
tells about the first carriage which
followed the old hand engine and was
drawn by hand for a long time until
the company moved to Second street
and purchased a horse. He was the
first engineer to take care OF steam
fire engine for the Hope company.
His early membership was associated
with many prominent citizens includ-
ing the late General Simon Cameron
who was Secretary of War, and who
was fined twenty-five cents in 1925 for
not cleaning the hose after q nre.
Statesmen. lawyers. physicians and
other prominent members who helped
build up the company have died, in
cluding Wallace Dewitt, a prominent
attorney; Samuel Ettla, Jacob Schlay-
er, Eamuel Eberly. Al Weltmer. Alfred
7. Black and many others.
The Apparatus
Starting with a hand engine, the
Hope company later ran hose car
riage and then came the first button
engine in 1857, which was succeeded
by the present engine some years ago.
The Hope company also ran hook
and ladder truck at one time.
This truck was painted white and
for many years was prominent In nre-
lighting throughout Harrisburg until
sold to Milton, where it was destroyed
in a fire at that place. This truck
at one time came nearly disruptine
the Hope company through a legal
proceedings against the sale of 1t, as
the company thought 1t had the
right to the proceeds of the sale.
About the time the truck was sold,
horses came in fashion and the Hope
company settled down with a steam
fire engine and a hose carriage. Later
the single horse carriage was discon-
tinued for the present combination
chemical.
Presidents of the Hope
Members of the Hope Steam Fire
Engine company boasts of having only
three presidents in thirty years. Rec
ords show William H. Kepner, Harris
burg's first mayor, to have been the
president Of the company in 1855.
holding office for a long time until
succeeded by the late Harry Kohler
which marked the beginning of the
Kohler boys experience as flremen,
and they were prominent for many
years. Jacob Kohler was a chief
engineer of the department. The
late Wallace Dewitt, one of Harris
burg's prominent attorneys, was
president for ten years and then came
the late Alfred T. Black, who was
later city treasurer. T.. Levi Title fol-
lowed President Black an declined a
reelection, George Huffman being
elected and serving one term. Alfred
T. Black was again elected and on his
death Louis Shoemaker was chosen.
Three years ago A. H. Kreidler, the
present head of the company. was
chosen and was reelected last Friday
night.
Trips and Trophies
The Hope company has an interest
ing record of trips made and trophies
won. This company covered thousands
of miles on weekly visits to neighbor-
ing States, the last trip including New