Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-12-17

ana niRnly -eSitpfneu
Henry Banning notable as banker
and recalled as II gentleman of the
"old school and also George Rich
nrdson, also n banker md hend OF enc
OF the old distinguished families Of
Wilmington; Ijauduy Simmons. Sam
ucl N. fnney, Charles Warner, promi-
nent In business and highly esteemed.
David Woolman. Lewis pnynter, John
Stewart aud others epunlly wcll
known.
To this roster the names OF many
more citizens Of prominence were add
Cd from time to time. That the com
pany enrly established fine record
for efficiency has always been conood-
ed. and 1t is noted on the early min-
utes OF the organization that the head
of the Delaware Bank and the Quater
president Of the Farmers Bank wer.
regularly at their station for every
call of duty.
The Fame in It's early days was re-
garded as the "blue stocking" organ
iyatlon Of the entire group II APP
peared to have been made up Of men
largely interested IN realty and 10
have spent money even more than
generously IN the outflttng of the
early headquarters " enjoyed al
most OF all the luxuries In the way of
interior decorations and fittings that
were known NJ the time. It largely
took the place OF club and was ,e.
garded With some little envt by mon-
bers of the organizations whose houses
were less sumptuous.
Every Home Owner Fireman.
Every business man OF tho CITY and
most of the professional men were NJ
one time or another members OF the
fire companies and lent their time
and energies |unstintedly to the up
building OF the service. Many who
Joined the COMPANIES as young men
retained membership as long as they
| lived. perhaps dropping out OF the
active part of the work as the new
conditions demanded younger men ac.
customed 10 physical work, and not
/ like a venerable West Chester fireman
who died recently at 1903. after hav-
ing served his company for 70 years
and who ran 90 fires as long ae his
condition would permit
! The other companies that stepped
aside for the paid service were no les,
capably manned but th6y all cam,
on the scene at latter date and pos.
sibly from an historic viewpoint ar,
less Immediately interesting In suct
a sketch as this.
Last had Fire Was In 1910.
Whether Wilmington has had m
efficient service all these years or no
may be questioned. but 70 is admtte,
that she has had few bad or big FIRE.
There have been no general confiagra
tions, such as have swept SO man,
other towns ana cities, the firemei
seemingly having been able to confin
the flames TO their point of origin
Possibly the most menacing fire tha
occurred here. was in 1Sao. az Fourtl
land Market streets, when severa
buildings aud chief stores wer
damaged or destroyed. " was believ
ed at the time 10 have been the worl
lof nm incendiary.
Friendship Oldest Organization.
The Friendship dissolved and aui
several months ago. but not before /
had ascertaiued that tho swan SON
Iof the volunteer department wa
being sung. and that It's dissolution
ended its career in time to avoid tn
recent experience of the firemen wit
city Council, SO lt did not repeat II
threat TO go on a strike, a form o
lcoerclon II used more than 100 year
before. to compel recognition and al
from the city. The Friendship at tn
time of ita dissolution was about 10
years OF age, undoubtedly the oldes
active organization OF any kind q
this State.
| In noting tho passing Of the oil
Volunteer fro department of Whining
ton, it is well within the bounds @
accurate statement to declare it {
have been one of the very best in tn
country. 10 was not excelled in Of
liclency by any other volunteer de
partment I'm tho entire country. an
was known abroad as well as at hom
for its excellent service In tho day
before it's morale weakened IN the fac
of its impending dissolution, TO MAX
way for the paid service which be
gan to function some days ago.
CONVICTED or MURDER