The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1934-02-15
Community Club Dinner
Was a Fine Success

both In personnel and apparat-
us Of any city of it's size in the
state Of Minnesota.
The writer is a charter MEN,
Der of the department and has
served as active member for
so years, about half the time as
Chief. ...-. ...
The writer is an honorary
life member of the State As
ISOLATION and has been honored
by serving on many important
6 committees.
In 1909 / was elected one of
two delegates to attend the In
ternational Convention of fire
chiefs and engineers held at
Grand Rapids, Mich. The con-
vention lasted one week.
q In 1925 I was honored by
being elected on the board of
directors of the Volunteer
Firemen's Benefit Association,
have been a member of this
board all the time since its or
ganization and have yet two
years to serve before time ex-
pires.
This Benefit Association takes
in volunteer firemen only. The
association has paid out for
claims to injured and sick
f1remen more than 100000.
It started with nothing. It
has between $1,000 and $1,000
in its treasury today, with all
claims paid. We have been do
ing business about five years.
I have been honored by be-
ing appointed chairman of the
1884 Fire School committee.
This school is called the North
west Fire School and is spon-
sored by the University of Min
nesota, and the Municipal
League of Minnesota taking in
four States and Canada.
This department is working
very nicely with our City
Council. It is our aim to keep
the expense of the department
as low as possible. we are all
tax payers and have the inter-
est of our city at heart.
In the last three years we
have used about 100000 of
our own money in purchasing
fire apparatus, sheep lined
coats, rain coats, rubber boots,
mittens and other supplies.
The active members at the
present time number 80; our
men are selected on their mer-
its politics, religion and nation
atty not considered.
V. G. Wedge introduced Miro,
Rockne, mayor of Zumbrota, an,
active in state volunteer fire depart
nent circles, who made a very fin
,alk, expressing his pleasure at be
ng in Sank Centre to honor tn
and Chief Fish. H
,omplimented the city and the de
oartment upon thes plendid equip
nent they had to work with. Tn
Eine record of the Sank Centre fir
department in keeping the losse
IN this city, a minimum, was favor
ably commented upon. DR.. J. A
Dubois gave an interesting resum
Of the, department and the spler
did service it had rendered tn
community.
J, To1an McCihhoo ~ O ,avo ;r;soa,
talk, in, an unassuming manner de
lighted his hearers. with some of tn
experiences Of early day FIRE fight
ing. -. - =. = =:
Secretary G. I. Dobbs, on behal
of the. department. presented Chic
Fish with gold badge inscribed
Chief s. c. Fire Dept, SO Year
Service" a. .:.-
Chief Fred Pfaender, of the Nel
Ulm department, was introduce
by Chief Fish. He said the al
tendance at the dinner was eV
dence that Sank Centre was one @
the few communities fully appre
ciating their fire department. H
paid particular tribute to Chic
Fish and his work in every brancl
looking toward the betterment Q
The condition of the volunteer fire
men of the state. On behalf of tn
state association he presented MI
Fish with a basket of beautifu
lowers.
In conclusion he read the follow
ing ariginal poem:
While the citizen generally rests a
ease
The volunteer firemen, the soldie
of peace, ..
Is ready at all times, day an
night
To take up the battle. ready to agh'
The chief at the head Of those he
roes Of ours
Outlines the battle, against tn
flame that devours.
With eyes wide open and ears 8
keen
He watches the enemy, often un
seen.
The responsibility rests upon hi
head
To see that the flames of destruc
ton are dead.
And his men stand by him, one an.
all,
70 do their duty. answer his call.
They go into buildings, through
smoke, they go;
But never a sign of wavering the.
show.
like soldiers upon a battlefield.
They go in to win, and not I,
yield. ,i.l.ai@ix
Tor hours thew work. through da,