The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1917-07-14
DISCUSS FIRE
MENACE At
MEETING
Citizens Meet at Court House to
Discuss Means of Prevent
ing Fires
A. III. HOWE Is CHOSEN
CHAIRMAN OF MEETING
Volunteer Fire and Patrol Organi-
cations Decided Upon to
Combat Menace

AS a result of numerous fires
and the fear of citizens that fire
may lead to destruction of the
town, and in order to devise mean
for preventing serious conflagra-
tions in the business district, a
meeting was held last night in the
district court room in the court
house.
A. H. Howe was elected chair
man of the meeting and William
Sharp was elected secretary. The
chairman appointed a committee OF
seven, consisting of Walter Drab-
nick, chairman; F. B. Mechling,
A. S. Odds, F. C. Favier, Willis
Lawrence, F. S. Hunt and Frank
~Friendman, to meet with the com
missioners. sheriff and fire chief
and devise ways for carrying out
the purpose of the meeting.
There was considerable discus
sion by the 100 citizens present of
matters that it is believed can and
will be remedied as a result of the
meeting. 1t is believed that volun-
teer police and fire departments
will be organized, the latter to
work under Chief Murphy and to
be composed of men selected by
him for their fitness.
Chief Murphy spoke of the man
ner in which he and his three
men are handicapped by the lack
of assistance at the start of fires
occurring late at night and stated
that he was in favor of a volun-
teer department, with %lieutenants
who would take charge of lines of
hose and keep water on a fire
where he directed and who would
stay where he placed them until
ordered to move.
The chief also strongly advocat-
ed hat owners be compelled to
close with boards all empty build
ings in the business district that
are now frequently used by child
rem as places to play and hat are
a fertile field for the start of a
fire.
The committee me- last night
after the public meeting and
remedies were discussed. The for
nation of a volunteer fire depart
ment was decided on and means
will be taken to patrol the alleys
at night. The commissioners have
temporarily employed a Waterman
to ride the alleys.
"Smiler," Mrs. Smiler'' and
Mrs. Dempsey" the names by
which these three alleged dope
fiends are known, were arrested
last night by Chief of Police Morri-
son. They and their kind were
discussed by the committee and it
was the opinion that they should
be eliminated. 1t is known that
there are many dope fiends in
Goldfield and that their sole object
in life is the hunting of the neces-
sary 1.-TWO bits" to relieve their
suffering.
Some of them wander the streets
half the nights, everlastingly in
search of the magic two bits
which, when properly rubbed, pro
duces for them more magic than
Aladdin ever saw. They hurry
down the street with the precious
1.-TWO bits" the sweat rolling from
them, as they are in great agony.
A little later they may be seen
coming up the street, with eyes
shining and wearing the air of a
conqueror. They have had a
shot" 1t is known that they
are at all times irresponsible and
the citizens are in favor of q
cleanup.
Everyone knowing anything re,
garding rumors of how the last
first started is of the opinion thai
it vas started accidentally by dope
fiends. All rumors of deep laiC
plots to destroy the town are
secuted.
For further discussion of the
subject the committee will meet,
with the sheriff, county commits
sioners and fire chief at s O'Clock
lHlS evening III lHe court mousse
Members have been requested to bt
present.
The local officials of the Nevada
California Telephone Telegraph
company lost no time in repairing
lines and restoring service aftel
the fire. which destroyed severa
telephones and quantities of ser
vice wires. Local Manager Walters
announced that all service had beer
restored last night and his efforts
have aroused much favorable com
ment, in view of the extent of dam
age to the company's lines.
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