Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-15
President Join HdamS SSrUed in Fire Bucket Line

Thomas H Glis first ward; James Hoban,
second Nicholas VoSs, third, and Griffith
CoombeS fourth ward. An act was passed the
same day, appropriating $400 for the purpose
Of sinking wells and erecting and repairing
pumps in the streets.
On August II, 1904, just one month after
the approval Of the foregoing act, meeting OF
citizens was held at the West Market to
organize themselves into fire company.
Joseph Stretch was elected chairman of the
meeting, and Thomas H. ellis secretary.
Joseph Stretch, John Woodside and Thomas H.
ellis were appointed a committee on rules.
On the goth of August, following the citizens
of the second fire ward met at Rhodes Hotel
at the call of Capt. James Hoban, distinguished
as the architect of the White House. At this
meeting James Davidson was president and
John Hewitt acted as secretary.
The third fire ward does not appear to have
taken any immediate action, but the citizens
of the fourth fire ward met at Stelle's Tavern
on Tuesday. September "a, 1904, and elected
John Coyle and Daniel Rapine-who succeeded
Brent as mayor-a committee to draft rules
and regulations for the government of a COM
pany to be organized in that ward.
The earliest reference to a mark of distinc-
ton to be worn by fremen is contained in
the act OF March T. 1915. This, however, only
provides for the carrying of white wand or
staff, at least feet in length, and good
speaking trumpet" by the person commanding
any fire company. Uniforms were not used
until later period
Out of the meeting held at Rhodes Hotel, by
citizens of the second fire ward, came the adj
journed meeting of September g. 1904 when
James Hoban made president: Andrew
Way, jr, vice president; Washington Boyd,
treasurer and James H. Kearney, secretary.
Clotworthy Stephenson Peter Lenox, Lewis
Main and Henry Langly were elected as en-
gineers Fourteen firemen were elected, eight
laddermen and six sentinels, and John Hewitt
was elected to represent the company on the
board of general superintendent.
THE question of the first volunteer fire
company in the city was for years an
unsettled issue, until finally decided, in July.
1857 by representatives of five of the organized
companies then in Washington. These COM
posing the committee were: Tyler Southall,
president of the Union Company; John Y.
Dom of the Perseverance, John T. Halleck
of the Northern Liberties, James A. Ingraham
of the Metropolitan Hook and Ladder Com
pany and Francis Garrett of the American
Hook and Ladder Company.
After reviewing all the evidence. the CONF
mittee gave the first place to the Columbia
Company of Capitol Hill because of its con-
tfnuous existence under that name from 1904.
The Anacostia, at the Navy Yard. disputed this
claim, but the evidence submitted by this
company was insufficient. While it was adj
mitted that the Union was the first company
on record, yet 1t was conceded that it only
remained in existence short time when it
diSbanded and did not come into existence
again until 1886, being located from that time
on in the old engine house at Nineteenth and
H streets northwest, the home of the
Association Of Oldest Inhabitants.
When one sees the old, hand-drawn fire
engines, such as are stored at the old Union
Engine House, he has little idea of the weight
of the apparatus particularly the engine, and
unless he attempts to move them he cannot
appreciate what heavy load the volunteer
fremen had to draw. Two years ago, the
writer had a forceful demonstration along this
line which he shall not soon forget.
1t seems that James F. Duhamel one of
the Oldest Inhabitants most oblging members,
prevailed upon the association to turn out
with its reel and engine in the Districts
firemens parade. The next thing was to get
enough men to turn out with it, which proved
not so easy. However, on that eventful Labor
day morning just few members showed up.
and after dressing in red shirts and fitting
themselves with firemen's hats of many years
ago. proceeded on their way to New Jersey
avenue and F street
Some one in authority in the Fi.c D@.;~rI-