The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-04-02
Study Of Records Brings to Light
Much of Interest Concerning Libby
Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary

In 80 continuous years of fire.
fighting, special meetings, regular
meetings, gatherings with the town
council, picnics and annual Easter
balls, the Libby Volunteer Fire De-
partment has left in its wake a
trail Of interesting records.
Since its beginning, the organiza
ton has had a host Of staunch,
loyal firemen who have given their
unstinted support not only in labor
but also in time and cash donations
to build up the department to its
modern present day status.
Sunshine Fund
It is said that in its earlier years
of existence, the Ladies Auxiliary to
the department really kept the or
ganization going and at one time
this auxiliary maintained a So
called Sunshine fund available to
the firemen any time they needed
it.
w. S. Mcguire was the first fire
chief and on June 8, 1911, there was
a special meeting of the citizens of
the town of Libby for the purpose
of perfecting volunteer fire de-
partment for the town of Libby
according to official records. Men
present for this meeting were w. II.
Kemp, Dan Welsh, w. w. Blew, Jr.,
f. c. Howe, r. Gass, George Will
lis, r. T. Fleek, J. M Duthie, A. F.
Howe, O. K. Rosebaugh, Sam Kam-
! BIO, Matt Christie, Jack McCarty,
"A. L. Thompson, A. Moultier, John
i Gehrke. Gus Gehrke, and Mr. Glenn
ems. Mr.. Fleek, Mr. Blew and Mr.
Kemp were appointed to prepare a
skeleton constitution and bylaws
for the department, Permanent or
ganization was perfected on Nov. 2
1911.
Begin with s Slickers
Also at this early November
meeting the department began its
purchase of firemen's regalia by
ordering six slickers and six caps
July 4, 1911, saw the beginning o.
dances to raise company funds anc
on Christmas night of that veal
the department held its seconc
dance with net profits of $685.
Third money raising affair was tht
concert and ball presented by Tux
Hallowell Concert company undei
the auspices of the firemen IN Jan
uary, 1912 The next dance turned
out with lower profits than ever
S3.75, but when the Ladies Aux
iliary took over they Melted S254.8
from their Easter benefit ball ant
donated that sum to the flremen
In a resolution made following thu
welcome donation, the flremel
, stated they were under Measure
less obligation to the generous WON
en- of the city of Libby /. 4 am
voted to purchase badges for OF
ficers of the auxiliary.
Auxiliary Popular
The auxiliary was popular am
memberships were eagerly sough
after. Ivan Rogers membership /
/ the fire department was used as
; basis for the entrance of four WON
! en- into that ladies group The
were his three sisters, Mrs. M. z
4 Shanahan, Mrs. All Hamel and Mr.
: Walter collars and his mother Mr.
). A. B. Rogers.
First Fire Truck in 1914
$ Problems swapping the depart
ment in its early years include
J. the gaining of fire hall from tn
I city, getting necessary equlpmen
), filing an especially decided" con
+ plant against the city for dDuS
: in the use Of a fire hose in seWt
i flushing and others. Then on re
5, 1914, it was decided to purchas
fire truck to replace the old d.
livery wagon system and 10 fir'
men offered personal donation
amounting to $500 to be apple
1t on purchase price Of the truck.
k In June Of the same year the fir
d payment of $4,000 was made {
IS the truck and in August the d
II partment accepted the offer Of ]
70 7. Fleek to FURNISH the paint 4
10 this first truck which cost the q
e. partment $500. A few mont
@. Continued on page 81