The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1915-01-22

with the aid of persons carrying
water i'm buckets. The fire was con
Y fined to an opening between the cased
wall and the chimney, in which were
the studding and pieces OF sheeting,
and it is supposed to have been
caused by the heated brick of the
N chimney coming i'm contact with these
dry materials. The entire damage
amounted to about SIS.
The last alarm of the year was
given on November 3, at 2 ID m-, for
fire at a stable on the property OF
Mr.. William B. Thomas, on East
" Green street The fire had gained
strong headway before the alarm was
given, SO that Notwithstanding the
W prompt action OF the department, the
building was destroyed. The fire had
spread to the roof of small shed
on the Methodist Episcopal Church
parsonage property, and the build
| ing was so badly damaged that it
had to BE- torn down The stable on
the property of Miss May Gardner
was slightly damaged, and was pre-
vented from being destroyed by
throwing on several streams OF
water. The origin of the fire is un-
known Damage about $500
\ All apparatus IL in excellent con
dition, including 2e00 feet Of hose.
Mr.. Wantz, the retiring president,
then made the welcome announce
ment that the last payment had been
made during the year on the in
debtedness of the Department, and
that its splendid building and equip
ment, costing about $4,000 is now
fully paid for
President Thomas, who had pre-
sided after the election of officers,
then invited all present to the ban
Quet room, where the banquet was
served. There, after the blessing had
been invoked by Rev. w. L. Seabrook,
the second and oldest surviving presi-
dent Of the Department, the splen-
did and efficient corps of firemen,
serving ID walters, cared for the
wants Of those who surrounded the
three great tables, supplying them
with oysters, raw, steWed and fried,
turkey, ham, coffee, cigars and other
good things.
About $50 o'clock the company re-
turned to the meeting hall. Presi-
dent Thomas again occupied the
chair, and called on State President
Fairall, OF Laurel, OF the State Fire
mems Association, as the first speak
er. MIR. Fairan expressed his great
pleasure at being present and I'm q
splendid address paid worthy trib-
ute to the department. its officers
and men, laying especial emphasis
on the fact that every man who serv.
ed whether as president or in serv-
ing tables, in holding nozzle Oh
sounding an alarm, was entitled tc
equal honor for faithful service.
Rev Edgar II. Read, pastor OF thr
Methodist Protestant Church, was the
next speaker. He planted a seed
which IL IL hoped will not only sprout
and grow but soon bring forth the
blade, and then the ear and the
full corn in the ear IL told OF the
work or the DepartlABnt and the need
of the most modern, up-to-date equip.
ment, including auto-truck and auto
reel. Mr. Harry r. Gorsuch in .
characteristic address, replete with
humor, wit and soundest argument
emphasized the thought OF the first
speaker, watering the seed sown, an6
expressing the hope that the equip
ment spoken of might soon BE- g.
cured, suggesting as possible equi
table means of procuring the needed
protection "A slight increase in taxes
and recommending that the matters
!, be thoroughly considered by our citi-
Eens, and some plan adopted to g.
cure the desired end. The next
speaker, Rev. Calvin S. Slagle, d. D.
pastor OF the Reformed Church, came
along with the hoe, and In a strong
and most forceful address cultivated
the seed sown and watered by the
former speakers.
Mr.. George r. Gehr took as his text
Lest We Forget" and told the story
! OF the inception OF the idea or fire
company; Of the first meeting at the
Office of the American Sentinel in
1878; OF how five young men gave
their note for 5000 and purchased the
lot upon which the first building was
erected; Of the old guard, who fought
SO nobly, and who laid the founda-
tions for the splendid success, which
has since been achieved Between
the addresses a quartette composed
of Messrs. Smith Billingslea, Francis
\ Reese, Walter Zepp and J. Gloyd Diff
fendal, sang number OF selections,
including in the Valley of the Moon,
when / Dream of Old Erin,' "Bill
of Fare and "A Long Way to Upper
ary." During the evening the West
minister Orchestra rendered delight
full music.
The supper committee was
Messrs. Joseph G. Hahn, chairman,
Luther Long, Peter SANTOS, Samuel
J. Helm, William J. Utz. The enter
tainment committee was Messrs. Os-
car Id. Gilbert, chairman, Harry IT'D.
FowbIe, Qber s. Herr.
The walters who served at the
tables were. Il. %. Diffendal, chair
man, Paul Whitmore, Fillmore Flater,
Harry Schweigart, Harry Thomson,
William Long, Luther Wimert, Will
lam Helm, Clarence Stoner, Edwin
Gehr, Edward Orendorff, Arthur Ar
baugh, George H. Eckenrode, r. B.
billiard, Ober Herr and Robert
Ebaugh.
4 In the serving room, where raw
oysters, turkey, ham, &C., were kept
were Joseph Hahn, Samuel Helm and
Luther E. Long.
NJ I'm the room where fried and stew
ed oysters were served were Harry
Cootes, William Utz and Frank
SchWeigart
W In order that no one would enter
the banquet room but honorary and
active members and guests, tickets
were presented To each, which were
, to be presented to Officer John Stem
at thn door nnn hundrad and thirtv-