Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-10-14

that lmpelS every red-blooded boy to
follow the progress of the truck
through the streets with heart abeat
with excitement. and when the boy
grows up this same feeling sends him
flying to the window at the first
screech of the siren to see the teams
go by. Perhaps this in a measure
accounts for the big attendance pres
ent Thursday evening in the assembly
hall of the Hartford fire station where
Chief Roy K. Small and his men were
hosts to the city fathers of 192o-21,
1922. prominent Augusta insurance
men and others. It was a real old
fashioned house-warming. The guests
inspected The station from cellar TO
garnet, enjoyed an excellent shore din
ner, and series of most interesting
impromptu remarks from some Of
those present.
Guests Inspect the Station
The guests assembled at the station
shortly after $50 p. NJ and were taken
by Chief Small on a personally con-
Quoted tour of the building. The big
motor truck was started time and
again by the electric button on the
wall by the telephone, the patient dap
pied horses trotted from their stalls
and were harnessed in record time.
and the big doors flew suddenly open
as though by an unheard Sesame
When the guests had had the work.
ings of the system explained to their
satisfaction Chief Small led the way
upstairs, whire. in the main hall, long
tables with snowy cloths were set to
accommodate the party.
Shore Dinner a Feature
The menu forthcoming was a sur
prise to all guests. Refreshments had
been announced, but few expected
that they would take the form of a
most excellent shore dinner. There
was lobster stew, pickles, a whole lob
ster for each guest, potato chips. not
rolls. cookies, coffee and doughnuts.
Perry did the catering. After the ci-
gars had been passed around and
chairs pusjed back. Mayor Sanford
l.. Fogg, who acted as chairman for
the gathering. arose and started the
speaking program of the evening.
Mayor Sanford L. Fogg
"Chief Small had for a long time
the idea of properly dedicating this
building" said Mayor Fogg, but he
deferred the housewarming in hopes
that some member from the Hartford
family might be present. Letters have
been exchanged for some time, and
it is only recently that we have had
definite word that it would be impos-
sible at this time for any of the
Hartford heirs to attend this season
They sent word to "go ahead" and
this gathering tonight is the result
Mayor Fogg then read a letter from
Mr. Hartford expressing his regrets
at not being able to come TO Augusta
for the formal opening of the sta
ton, and followed the letter with an
eloquent tribute to the Hartford fam
iiy. through whose generosity and
kindly feeling the ideal location for
the station was made possible-as a
gift to the City.
Ex-Mayor BurIeigh Martin
IT can't help thinking of those days,
about two years ago. when Chief
Small and Alderman Folsom We're al
most daily visitors at my office plead
ing the need of new house for the
department. I remember how they
pointed out that to 9tenths of all
water poured on a fire was wastage,
and that the whole science of fire
fighting rested in assailing the blaze
at it's inception. The people were
made to realize the necessity of hav-
ing the department there on the spot
at the sart of a fire, sentiment grew,
and the measure providing the new
building was passed.
There was no good location at that
time. We knew of Mr.. Hartford's in
terest in the city, and after an ex-
change of correspondence this ideal
site was donated to Augusta through
the generosity of the Hartford fam
ilv. We all regret that there are no
members of the Hartford family pres
ent tonight. for it was hoped that we
might personally express to them our
deep gratitude for their gift. This
fire station was magnificenty con-
ceived. there was no Interior motive
fjehind the gift. it was presented to
the CITY to do honor to the name OF
G. 6. Hartford. and too much credit
cannot be given the family that pre-
scented it.
"Much credit is due the old city
government, and especially to the
members of the Fire Department
committee of those days, for they
watched the growth of the idea, work
ed hard. and had the satisfaction OF
seeing the work so successfully car
ried out by the present administra-
ton. We are proud Of the record OF
our fire department. 1t has reached
the scene of all fires at their incep-
ton. and we have had no bad ones or
serious losses. We sincerely nope
that they will. in the future, as in
the past. keep the department free
from politics. and continued unsur-
passed in intelligence, bravery and
efficiency"
Other Speakers
Following ex-Mayor Martins talk
brief remarks weer made by Hon.
George f. Macomber. City Clerk
Frank F. Southland, City Solicitor
Melvin f. Sawtelle, City Treasurer
wilbert s. Wilson. Albert E. Folsom,
chairman of the fire department
committee in 1920. George S. Will
liams, chairman of the present COM
mittee and Lester NJ. Hart member
of the 1920-21 government. None Of
the men had received previous noti-
fication that they were to speak, and
deserve great credit for the interest
ing talks that they gave without
,ruitaJ