The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1919-05-27
Firemen's Day

; Firemen's Day
Saturday afternoon was devoted t
the firemen of Mount Holly, it bein
the occasion of housing the new hos
carriage of Union Fire Company
4, which had recently been motorized b
James Forbes, and was ready for sci
vice as soon as it was put in il
quarters with the ceremonies that gen
orally go with such occurrences.
The main feature was a parade
which took place about half past thre
O'Clock. The line was formed as fol
: lows: Chief Of the Mount Holly de
partment with his aids; the new Uniol
hose cart r. d. Wood band, O
Florence; Endeavor Fire Company, o
Burlington, with it's chemical appara
tus; Florence drum corps and Relic
Fire Company, of Mount Holly anC
its steam engine; Union Fire Com
pany, headed by the Perseverance
band, OF Philadelphia, chemical engine
and the old hand engine used many
years ago. On this machine rode John
Deets, as old as the engine itself, but
feeling as young as the little boy who,
dressed as Uncle SAM" sat beside
him; Good Intent Fire Company and
apparatus America Fire Company
and apparatus.
After going over an extended route
the parade ended at the house Of Union
Fire Company where the hose carriage
was christened by the foreman of
the Endeavor Company. and the
machine was presented by vice presi-
dent Fairbanks of the same company.
The speech of acceptance of the new
motor machine was made by Robert S.
Gaskill, president OF the Mount Holly
Fire Department, who extended the
thanks of Union Company and the de-
partment to the Endeavor Company
for their kind and considerate act in
coming to Mount Holly for this pur-
pose.
Mr.. Gaskill made reference to some
of the early history of Union Com
pany, when it was located on the
Friends meeting land on Garden
street. He told OF some of the struggles
of the company, at times, to maintain
it's existence, and of the acts of re-
juvenation performed by new men,
Der, John, better known as Jack
Forbes.
When the company, in 1882, re-
ceived notice to vacate the Friends
land. they purchased a lot Of land on
Washington street and moved the
small fire house thereto. This house
now stands in the rear of the present
fine building which was later erected.
The romance surrounding the new
motor wagon is that Jack Forbes, one
of the old shining lights in the com
pany, has son Jimmy, whose fertile
brain and skilled hand constructed the
new machine at his garage on Water
street. This young man has been con-
nected with Union Company for most
OF his life, having been made its mascot
when only two years of age.
From an inactive company, Union
by the hard and united efforts of it's
large membership. has become one of
the most active and effective fire COM
panies in the county, possessing new
and modern motor apparatus.
In the course Of his remarks Mr.. Gas
kill made reference to the fact that the
Northampton Fire Department en-
braces among its membership the old
est fire company in active service in
the United -Relief-organize
in 1852.
He referred to the dangerous duties
Of firemen when in action, requiring
sometimes acts of heroism equaling
those of war. He referred to a sad case
in the community illustrating the
danger OF fire-Joseph S. Shreve, a
good citizen, who is manned and help
less as the result of flames
The speaker told of the blowing up
of the Madison hotel, few years ago,
when number OF acts of heroism were
performed by fremen.
In conclusion Mr.. Gaskill said: "And
now my friends of the Union Com
pany, word to you. We all have con-
fidence in YOU and YOUR ability, willing
ness and bravery to perform your
duties as fremen with alacrity, per
severance and skill, and to you, l am
sure, we can intrust this beautiful,
modern and useful apparatus which
our good friends of the Endeavor Com
pany have just presented, and l now
turn it over into your present and
future care"