Evening star., 1928-06-07
OLD FIRE-F|GHT|NG
HISTORY RELATED
Washington Topham Tells
Association of Oldest In
habitantS of Career.

Turning back the pages of history to
the days when Washingtons prominent
citizens. not excepting the President
himself. took their places in the volun-
teer bucket brigade at downtown fires,
washington Topham last night de-
scribed to the Association of Oldest
Inhabitants the founding and early
career of the old Union Engine Com
pany, in whose venerable building at
Nineteenth and Pennsylvania avenue
the association has its headquarters.
Next July 4, Topham pointed out, will
be the ninety-firSt anniversary of the
building of the old f1rehouse, which has
become landmark linking the modern
Capital with the glamourous days of
long ago.
The greatest firemen's parade ever
held on Pennsylvania avenue marked
the near completion of the brick build
ing. october "a. 1886 he declared. The
apparatus of other companies was drawn
down the Avenue by cheering COM
panies of volunteers. The engines"
consisted of carts mounted with hand
pumps and tanks. Even after the
bucket brigade methods we're scrapped
In favor of the hand pumps the tanks
on the engines had to filed with
buckets passed from hand to hand.
Markets Protection.
The present site of the building was
purchased in April, 1886, and work
was started at once. The decision to
locate a fire company in that section
of the city was an outgrowth OF an
order for the protection of the cltys
four principal markets. The Union
Company was to look after the inter-
ests of old Western Market, Mr.. Top
ham explained. The company was
organized in 1915 and was located first
at Twenty-flrst and Pennsylvania ave-
nue..
Reporting for the entertainment COM
mittee. Topham announced that the
Fourth of July celebration of the asso-
citation will be held at Hams Point. Mai.
Gen. Charles P. Summerall, chief of
staff, will speak. John Clagett Proctor
will read an original poem and refresh
ments will be served. The celebration
will be held from IL to o'clock.
The association voted to join with the
Columbia Heights Citizens Association
in honoring Judge Charles S. Bundy,
on the occasion of his ninety-seventh
birthday anniversary, in Meridian Hill
Park, July 3.
DR.. william Tindall gave reninis-
cent eulogy of the late Matthew Trim
BILE, member of the association, who
died recently.
Shepard an Applicant.
Alexander r. Shepard, son of Gov.
Shepard of the District, was introduced
to the members as an applicant for
membership in the association.
j. F. Duhamel presented to the asso-
citation a part of the chair rail from
Abingdon, old home of Capt John
Parke Custis, at Four Mile Run and the
Potomac River, now being dismantled.
On motion of Percy B. Israel, the as
sociation voted to thank Col. U. S.
Grant, Sd, director of public buildings
and public parks, for his interest in
preserving and marking historic build
ings in the Capital, as exemplif1ed in
the unveiling of a tablet Monday on
the old canal lockhouse at Seventeenth
and B streets.
The association received an invitation
to attend the dedication of the rejuva-
mated Presbyterian Meeting House in
Alexandria tomorrow night at 8 o'clock.
William H. Whiting was admitted to
membership.
Vice President Proctor presided in the
absence of Theodore w. Noyes, presi-
dent.