The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-23
Fourth Anniversary of
the Do wn-Ri ver-
Tow Firefighters
Largely Attended
GRAFTON BY THE
REV. B. L, G. BAER
Orator Compliments Members for Not
Allowing Booze in Fire House After
Eulogizing George Washington
Whose Birth Was Celebrated

An energetic committee of the Cjti.
Gems Fire Company, of Hlghspire,
spared no pains to make the fourth an
niversary ard banquet of the company
the leading social event of the season
The affair was held in the parlor of the
fire house and the prog. am was varied
with addresses by prominent members
interspersed with music by the High
spire band.
John S. Weaver, a charter member
of the company, acted as master of
ceremonies and the first speaker intro
duced was the Rev. B. l.. c. Baer, pas
tor of the Highspire Church of God,
and member of the company. The
speaker delivered brilliant oration on
Washington, in whose honor many cele'
brations were held throughout the eoun'
try last evening.
He gave lucid description of Wash
ington. as a boy, man, sotdher, a
President and compared the lasting
success of the Father of his Country
with the barren success scored by the
more brilliant Napoleon. The speaker
closed by complimenting the members
with not allowing intoxicating bever-
ages inside the engine house at any
time since its organization.
A historical sketch of the company
was given by John +. Weaver, He told
how twenty-seven men of the town
met on December 20, 1909, and on the
following Monday the company elected
its first officers. These men were:
President. c. C. Cumbler; vice presi-
dent, r. W. Lerch; secretary, W. j.
Morgan and treasurer, NJ. V. Cover.
Mr.. Weaver told of the facts that
lei up to the purchase of the chemical
engine He said this was brought
about by the knowledge that the bor-
ough lacked high pressure of water,
and that a chemical engine was phr-
chased the latter part of 1910. A sig
nal system was installed on June 2,
1912, and on October IA, 1913, con
tract was closed for an auto truck. In
December. 1914, a hook and ladder was
constructed and housed with the chem
ical engine. All this would not have
come to pass, Mr.. Weaver said, had it
not been for the Willingness of the bor-
ough citizens to aid the iremen in all
they tried to do.
In concluding his historical sketch of
the company Mr.. Weaver paid glow
ing tribute to the laddies of Highspire,
who 50 ably assisted the members of the
company in holding the annual fair in
November of each year and to this
noble assistance he ascribed much of
the financial success of the company
during the four years of its ex-
istence.
Harry Ulrich. president of the coun-
ell, in short address, spoke of the
efficiency of the local fire department,
and he was followed in his remarks by
Homer Etter, president of the company,
who in a neat speech thanked the
Highspire band for its generosity in as
sisting the fire company by furnishing
splendid musical programs at each re-
curing anniversary. He also thanked
the borough council, for the company,
for its cooperation in all the attempts
made so far for the betterment of the
fire service of that town.
Band Master Shelley, who took
tor, January 16. 1915, was at his best
last evening and carried his musicians
with Linn in the various moods of the
pieces which were rendered with snap
and vigor scoring big hit with tine au-
dience which vociferously applauded at
the end of each selection or march. The
band itself was well balanced, the
strong reed section splendidly har-
monizing with the finely played brass
section and the following varied mu-
steal program was rendered: George
Washington, Jr. Selection" George NJ.
Cohan; march, 'Glorious Flag"
George Rosenkrans; Tipperary," H.
Williamson; "Grand American Fau-
bas,' Theodore Bendix; Eighteenth
Regiment March," Panatella; "Melo-
dies From Faust C. W. Dalbey;
"Rajoh March," Althouse; "Blue and
Gray Patrol" C. w. Dalbey; "Su-
perba Grand Medley" G. W. Dalbey;
when You Wore Tulip and I wore a
Big Red Rose" Percy Wenrich;
America. -
At the conclusion of the program,