Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1916-02-23

the committee on plans, visited
Dover and Middletown. After a
lengthy discussion the committee
was instructed to get bids on both
brick and frame buildings, the cost
not to exceed $4,000.
On Nov. 20, 1889, Mr.. Wright
submitted sketch Of a house de-
signed by Mr.. Carswell, of Will
mington, which was approved by
all present. Bids were at once
received for a brick building ac-
cording to the plans, the con-
tract to be given to the lowest
bidder provided the cost did not
exceed $4,000. At the next meet
ing the motion in reference to
limiting the price was rescinded,
and the contract given to Joseph
T. Willis, the lowest bidder, for
the price of $2392. Work was be-
gun at once, the building upon it's
completion Immediately becoming
the center of town affairs.
The building soon became the
center of civic activity. On Feb.
II, 1891, a resolution was adopted
which provided that a room be set
apart for a Council Chamber; in
June 1891 band was formed, and
a lower room offered for practice;
in 1896 Aetna Base Ball Club was
granted use of a room for enter
tanning visiting clubs; in 1906 the
use of a room on the second floor
on the second Thursday of each
month was granted the Board of
Trade; and in June 1906, the fire
company was appointed a commit
tee as a whole to invite the ladies
of the town to use the room the
first and third Thursdays of each
month. Since 1911, the New Gen.
fury Club of Newark has been
granted the use of the second floor
room every Monday afternoon.
On the minutes of the company
under date of October 7, 1898, we
find the entry: "The Company
turned out to greet the returning
soldiers of Company E, First Reg
iment Delaware Volunteers"
The company by means of fairs
and subscriptions has furnished
it's own equipment. In 1901 Council
appropriated $3.50 annually to the
Company, upon provision that $50
feet of hose is kept in good condi-
ton, that the Company pay all
the expense of heating and jani-
tor, and all apparatus in good
condition. Two years ago this
amount was doubled owing to the
greater expense of maintaining
added equipment. In 1915 an ap-
preparation of $500 was granted
by the Legislature, toward the
maintenance of the company, ow-
ing to the location of state build
ings here.
The Company since it's begin
ming has given good and effective
service whenever the call has
come. Their first response to the
fire alarm was Immediately fol-
lowing their organization. Dur
ing the day barrels, boxes, and old
lumber had been quietly hauled to
a vacant lot. In the evening the
pile was fired, and the alarm
sounded as test of the quickness
with which the men would assem-
BILE and the work they would do.
Since that time the Company
has responded to Is calls, the
first being at H. M. Campbell's
store, August 26, 1898.
The largest of these were the DR..
Haines barn, burned September 6,
1899, and the American Vulcan
lied Fibre Co., July 81, 1900. The
last thirty-three calls have been
responded to by the new automo-
bile triple combination pump,
chemical engine and hose car
riage which was added two years
ago. The company has now 100
members.
The treasurer in his talk at the
banquet last evening showed
wonderful advance within the
last five years. His figures fol-
low
July l, 1911, Bank ac-
count S 202.33
Value of equipment 33,80O.O0
After five carnivals this has
been brought to date:
Bank account $3,O31.6O
Value of equipment 9,773.82
Value Building and Loan 100000