Evening Star Newspaper, February 22, 1890, Page 10

10 THE FIREMEN OF OLD Men Who Belonged to The Vol- unteer Department. KNIGHTS OF THE SPANNER. ins ‘The Veteran Firemen’s Association and It Members—Yicn Who Were Distin= guished as Firemen —Storics From Their Experiences, + —_ HAT the Oldest Inhabitants asso- ciation is to the District gen- erally in preserving memory of the incidents happening in the early days of Washington the Vet- @ran volunteer firemens association is to the old volunteer fire organizations of the past. The association. though smail in numbers, being yet in its infancy, is a uniformed organi- fation and is one of the chain of the veteran associations which have been formed in all the large cities and between the membersof which there is ever flowing fraternity of feeling quite the opposite of the feeling which existed be- tween the rival dands of “hangers on” with whom they ran when boys. The same old-time friendship existing when the “vets” were active Mewbers, mellowed somewhat by years, throbs im the hearts of the old boys when they meet each other, and if one can show that he was ‘ knight of the spanuer” or a deck hand on a gallery engine, or that he did any service in an authorized company, he will find much truth im the old saying, “A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind” Cne object of the organization other than to keep alive the associations of the past is that the ris- ing generation may not be kept in entire ig- norance of the old-time methods. Since the old-fashioned hand engine with gallery has been superseded by the splendid steamers and chemical engines and the two-wheel hose carts by the fine hose carriages with web hose there are hundreds who do not have the least idea of what now appear to be the primitive apparatus and simple methods of the old times. The appearance on the streets today of one of the Paddy Lion engines of three-fourths of a century ago would attract about as much atten- tion as an old-time stage coach. What the as- sociation 16 anxious to do next is to obtainsome Permanent place for the relics of the olden time and. if possible, to form a museum. At Present there are in the possession of members some of the old-time painted hats and caps, a few old spanucrs, several of the massive silver horns or trurapets and other paraphernalia, 4 SKETCH OF THE ASSOCIATION. The Washington association was organized April 4, 1387, at a meeting held at Cosmopoli- ran hall. The veterans of Baitimore paid a visit to this city on February 22 previously. Having written to Mr. J. J. Peabody of their Projected visit a meeting was called here and about one hundred and fifty of the “vets” met the visitors, escorted them through the city, and im the afternoon visited Alexandria with them. The first officers were John J. Peabody of the Columbia, president; W. H. Hines of the Union, vice president; L. H. Fisher, Franklin, Secretary; F. W. Kablert, American hook and ladder company, financial secretary, and L. H. Neumyer, Northern Liberties, treasurer. The association met at Cosmopolitan hall for a few months and then moved to St. George’s hall, llth street, but since November, 1888, the meet- ing place been Myer's hall, 7th and N streets northwest. Not to be behind their fellows in other cities it was not long before the project of uniform- ing was taken up and on the roll there are now about forty uniformed members and about the same number non-uniformed. The project of Uniformiug was one which led to much discus- | sion. but the old boys tinaliy came to an under- ! Standing. adoptm: coat, ¥ col with the word ‘Vetcran” in| white letters on blue panel, black silk neck tie | and white gloves. They also looked about for @ machine to draw. Owing to advancing years of members something jight was given the preference and the handsome hose carriage | Torriwrly used by the San fire company of Alex Sudria was chased by five of the members and presented to the association. Since the organization several very pleasant trips Lave been made by the association. July 4, 1588, a visit was paid to Baltimore, joining the Baltimore “vets” in the procession closing the sengerfest. A deleg Stitutional celebration in F A visit was made to Alexan. 188%. A second trip was made September 9, 1589. Keceptions were given the New Orieans excursionists of Philadelphia vol- unteer firemen March 10, 1858, and the Brook- lyn veterans on September 1i last, Though hot strong in nambers, uniformed as above described. drawing the handsome hose car- riage, the officers carrying the silver horns of olden times, with stalwart axmen, pipemen and torch bearers, thes e ever made a pretty | show and attracted attention when on parade. | THE OFFIC[RS AND MEMPERS, The present roster is as follows: James H. Richards, Anacostia, president; Godwin Pierce, | Columbia, vice president; J.J. Peabody, Co- fumbia, seer . Kablert, American | book and ladder ¥. financial secretary; Wm. Julius | olitan hook | and ladder, and Jno. A.Goodrick, Perseverance, | standing committee. On the roil of the association the following | fepresent the American hook aud ladder com- | pany, which was located in the ezstern part of | the city: John W. Thompson, F. Aablert, Herman Kablert, A. H. Vermilion. and G streets southeast— George Keithley, Joshua Smithson. ersey avenue between B and | C streets southeast—John J. Peabody, James Kt. | Dobbyn. Jos. Ac’ i y. Hitz, Godwin | Preree, PH. > Thompson, W. H. . John W. Miller (life member), Con- Srait (live member), L. T. Follausbee, D. | Genau, Wm. Seherger. | Franklin, D near izth street northwest—Wm. Cammack, Jacob Coddington, J. W. Carr, F, H. Fridley, John Hurst, Joshua Rollins, J. H. Spillman, W. H. Stewart, John L. Vogt, Andrew | Jackson. John Maddox, Thomas J. Martin, | Robert Sutton, H. L. Gettier, George Kahl, Joba T. Given. Metropolitan hook and ladder, Massachusetts @venue between 4th and Sth streets northwest— d. H. Shacield (of Atlanta, Ga.). Joseph B Walling, John T. Suter, Joba T. Chauncey, Northern Liberty, New York avenue and 6th street uorthwest—Charles P. Coomes, Cornetius Furmer, Thomas Meintire, L. Neue myer, Jobu D. Schotield, John H. Glick, Thos, F. Cuwell, W. J. Walker, John Eagleston (life member), George H. Turpin, Edward’ L. Lawson. Perseverance, 8th street and Pennsylvania avenue—Juiius Strobel. J. A. Goodrick, Henry Lyles, John Bb. Lord, Jobn Rainey, W. A. Smith, Snyder, H. C. Thorn, B. FP. Throop, E. G. Wheeier, H. H. Hempler, W. 5. Martin, Jobn Collins, James B. Harrover. West Washington—D. E. Union, 19th and H streets northwest—J. R. P. Carpenter, W. W. Goddard, Fred Mobler, BLS. MeGiue. Viguant, High near Bridge, West Washing- tou—Jobo M. Palmer, A. Rodin and J. Q Lar- man Western hose, 23d street near Pennsylvania svenue—James Ragan, J. R Brown, G. B. Mickum, Bernard Kumartin, James A. McDer- moit Franklin—Tbomas Walsh, Jas, W. Springman and Edward Voigt are honorary members and iliam H. Douglass and James Croggon are Stine toe sgselnksen tha Setiowing tl tion foliowi: have died: John Dickenson, Perseverance; Conrad Kauffman, Columbia; James A. bp Anacostia, Joho H. Sessford, Franklin; Edwar Union; James Ward, Northern Lib- th | Columbia company. | among the vast number which I attended were JAMES H. RICHARDA, Mr. James H. Richards. the president and the most active of the veterans, now in his fif- ty-fourth year, graduated asa fireman in the old Anacostia company. on the Navy Yard. He was born on 6th between G and I streets south- east. Taking short runs asa boy by the time he was seventeen he was a steady runner, but under the rales he could not become a member till twenty-one years of age. “Then I lost no time in enrolling my name.” said Mr. Richards to a Srar reporter. “We numbered then about 80 members. About the time I went in Jonas Ellis was the president and a more active fireman I never saw. We were a fully equipped company and did good service, often having, on account of the convenient distance from the navy yard, all the help we needed to man the ropes or brakes. We had powerful machines, engine and suction, and two reels, one a 7-foot machine, suitable for the brawny workmen of the yard. I remember well the Capitol tire. It was a bitter cold day and the snow was on the ground several inches deep and no tracks had been broken, but we managed to tug the machines to the Capitol and went into service. Then there was the § ear the American house, where several stores and build- ings were destroyed, and the alms house fire; but itis no use to enumerate them. By the way the Auacostia had some traditions we were proud of. Two of the older members, Tom Goss and John Yucker, away back in the "40s were said to have saved tha navy yard, or at least a portion of it. I think that it was in 1343 when au explosion took place in the laboratory, and I believe some Lilled. Atoneend of the yard was a small magazine in which several els of powder were kept, Well, the floor and and while others were getting outof the way. fearing the explosion. Goss and Tucker with the pipe of the Anacostia went for the fire and remained playing on the powder until the magazine was thoroughly drowned. Then it was discovered that the timbers im- mediately above the powder had been scorched, but providentialiy not a spark fell. The act created such a sensation thai the commandant t 6 department, and sued an order, to nd at all stations, emen by uame,” GODWIN PIERCE. Godwin Pierce, the vige president, is upward of sixty years old. He is one of the few mem- bers of the association born beyond the Dis- trict limits. He is a native of Philadelphia, where he ran with and was a member of the Western hose. He catne to this ¢: mm 185 and while working on the Capitol joined the He was soon known as | one of the most active firemen. being one of | the regulars who attended every fire and took | 5, ine honse. **L isit of the Weca- his turn at bunking at the recail,” said Mr. Pierce. ‘the coe company of Philadelphia and the fires at the libr: Col. Benton's house. West market and others, and have reason to remember some of the runs. On the night of the June election, before poor Greenup was killed. I stumbled and fell and thebig reel passed over me, cut- ting my chest, and I still have the scar.” Mr. John J. Peabody, one of the most promi- nent of old-time firemen, is now ih his fifty- ninth year and was born on I street between 1ith and 18th streets, soon after removing to Georgetown. “My first r tion of running with a machine,” Mr. P id to a Stan reporter, “‘was about 1838 and the first com- panies were the Vigilant aud Western Star, in Georgetown. The Union apparatus wes then located at the West market. Frou: 1340 to 1870 I never missed a fire that I could get to and those of the National theater in March, 1845, and February, 1857; Nailor’s stables, early in he library of Congress, December the "50s, and 24.1551, ‘This last was on a bitter cold day, the thermometer being four degrees below ‘zero. The worst expericuce Lever had was at the burning of Col. Benton's house, on C street near 4}5 street, and this was a bitter day. I was then a pipeman or director of the Northern Liberty. ‘There were no ladder ¢ es in the city and the fire had burned the stairs, so that we could not get to the upper floors.’ The re was raging. here and ft was pushed up a tree in front of the house by the late Jonzs Eulis, then president of the acostia com) sothatwe could play into he windows. pipe was handed to me and I got the stream into the upper rooms, but while doing so two of the largest spouting en- Pegere! to run in. were ing and one of the Franklin mem- begin carat could =e hear. Running im ont, just escay the falling walls One of the men pee 4 ex- claiming, ‘What in h— did you get out of the way for; 've cheated us out of a big funeral.’ en there was the fire at the stables on 12th street below the avenue. Dan Barron, John Smoot, Ned Gatton, James Smith, Patrick Smith, Joe Acton and myself were on the second floor, when it commenced to give way and some were about to run. ‘Stand where you are!’ was the order and they all remained. going down with the door in a heap. Had they started to run the jar would probably have caused the walls to fall and loss of hfe might have resulted.” ¥. W. KAHLERT, F.W. Kahlert, the fiuancial secretary, is now forty-nine years of age and is a native of Balti- more. He came hero in 1860 and settled in East Washington. Soon afterward he joined the American hook and ladder company, then lo- cated near Odd Fellows hall, 8th street east, and was particularly active in the two last years of the existence of the company and of the volun- teer department, “There were but few fires the truck did not get to,” remarked Mr. Kublert toa Sraz reporter, “and we had no purticulur We made fast time to the fire ut President Lincoln's stables, the laundry near Pennsylvania avenue and lith street, the explosion at the arsenal, where twenty-one girls were killed, and others that I cannot re- eal.” gines, the Union and Fraukiin, were playing directly over we with their gallery streams and soon I was covered with a coating of ice, but I continued to direct the stream till danger waa over. This was in the winter of 1334 and 1555 and for the District it was a most advantaceous fire, for it demonstated to Col. Benton. who. if 1am not mistaken, opposed the appropriation for Potomac water—the necessity for an in- creased supply—and he urged and voted for the measure.” TRE ou UNION. “In April, 1849." contined Mr, Peabody, “I became a member of the Northern Liberty, of which the late John ¥. Bryant was president and Mr. Charles P. Wanneil vice president. From that time to 1855 was a pipeman, In the latter year I joined the Columbia and re- mained with it till the paid department came into existence in i864, holding every official po- sition In the Columbia excepting the treasurer- ship. From 1862 to i864 1 held the chief engi- necrship of the volunteer department. Thi Mr. J. H. Sessford having been made chief, was appointed @ fire commissioner, but de- ‘In that time,” continued Mr, Peabody, have’ been in sume tight places ‘and witesiwod some narrow escapes. th the corner of Prop alley (as it was then called) and Pennsylvania avenue. A three-sto: house was smoking from ery door pitas es a and the walls were swaying while two of rn men were endeavoring take the hose up the steps, afer os = them several times they wero ig force and the walls came | made. | attention of the WM. CAMMACK, Mr. Wm. Cammack, the treasurer of the asso- ciation, is now in his sixty-eighth year, and was reared on G between 1th and 14th streets. Be- fore entering his teens he ran with the ma- chine, and as soon as he was eighteen years old he became a member of tho old Franklin tire company, retaining his membership until the disbandment, When he joined the company it was located on the triangle south of Pennsyl- yania av@muc and east of 1th street. McClin- tock Young was then the president, John C. Rives, vice president, and Thomas Rich, secretary, and the company had a membership of about 125 men, The company was in the inaugural procession of Gen. Harrison. wearing red couts, capes and hats, “I rem@nber.” said Mr. Cammack toa Srax reporter, “when Gen, Harrison's funeral was in progress I was in the belfry with others tolling the bell, using a sledge hammer, and I recollect the bell was cracked. I remember, too, the fire at the post office, the old Blodget hotel building, corner 8th and E streets, but was a boy then and re- member only a fight there, I was present when the National theater burned March the night after inauguration. There trouble xbout the Franklin's apparatus being used at the time, but it was in service, uders’ Empire club had come on from rk to take part in the inauguration and tue members were uniformed something like President was some firemen, and they did good service that night working the Franklin apparatus. I recollect, too, the fire at Clagctt's, corner 9th and D streets, and the wall failing out, but fortunately no one was injured, though there were somo narrow escapes, Up to the time of the Mexi- can war, when I went into the United States service, I ran to nearly all the fires, After my return I again ran with the machine, and I re- member well the fire at Senator Benton's, on C street between 3d and 4 bitter cold day, with rain, sicet aa the thermometer near and D str iter, but I did not get there. the alarm aud covered my head up; so I did not hear it, ‘The fire at the Capitol took place in the morn- ing and I was there. We had our suction on the east portico of the building. I cannot re- cull all the fircs nor when they were. _[remem- ber well the fire at the aqueduct. when several of the Franklin men were burned by falling in a vat of creosote (used for t ug timbers), the fire at Slate Yard alley the night Kagan was killed by Camper and I might if 1 studied some recall many others, OLD “RATTLE AND CRACK. id you ever hear of the peacock nuisance?” continued Mr. Cammack. “One of our mem- | bers found two willow trees near the present south front of the ‘freasury and from the branches made whistles by which a noise pre- cixely like the cries of a pea fowl could be It was not long before some of the tin- ners belonging to the corapany made a number of thein from tin and then the whole population ang men seemed to be provided with | them, As may be supposed, it being something to be a nnisance. The cis wascatied to it and the mayor instructed the police to put at down, What did the pea-fowl boys care. when there were but two officers to a ward? Pea-fowl new, the pea-fowl ery m serenades were given a number of citizens, par- ticularly those who were active in complaining, but finally some one saggested that if the boys were let alone they would soon tire and the pea- fowl cries at last ceased,” JULIUS STROBEL. Julius Strobel, the engineer of the associa- tion, is now fifty-three years of age. He was born and reared in South Washington, and though in the old department but the five clos- ing years he saw much service. ‘The first fire I remember going to,” said Mr. Strobel toa Stan reporter, “was at the Capitol, and though a young boy I ran with the “Persy"” whenever I gotac! afterward. I worked on the suc- tion in front of nue, the when the fire atms in the gan shop 3 explode. I recollect that the engine took water from the old canal aud there was no strainer on the sleeve. While doing our best at the brakes word was sent that we were throwing more chips than water. Then there was the fire on the avenue east of the American house, which spread through to 7th street, where I piped in seven ‘difter- ent houses. The navy yard workmen brought out one of the hand engines to this fire. One of the most exciting runs in the old days was that in going to the fire at the corral near the observatory in the winter of 1861, I believe. It was at night and we started through the south grounds of the Presi- dent's house. Here we met the stampeding horses, aud they came on in such numbers that the apparatus was abandoned and we got on the walis and by hallooing and throwing stones at the frightened horses kept them off the machines. In a few minutes, however, we resumed the es and in running across the commons the hose carriage came in contact with a pile of lumber, but was not demolished, a8 we expected,” There are two churches in South Wash- ington which were saved by the Perseverance— Grace Episcopal, corner of 8th and D streets, and Westminster Presbyterian, 7th street between DandE. At the first we took water from a pond and at the second from a pump. The distance in the case of the first was too great to draw and throw water effectively, so I first filled the box with water and got an increase of pressure, by which, with a smaller nozzle, a am was forced to a sufficient height to save the building. A change in senti- ere Magers firemen resulted. ‘ter the id department was organ- ized Mr. Strobel served as extra man of No. 2, foreman of the hook and ladder, and also with No, 4 company for over four years. He has since railroaded some and is now in charge of the Jefferson school building. JONN W. THOMPSON. Mr. John W. Thompson, for many years a resident of East Washington, is now in his sixty-third year and was born at the corner of 7th and F streets. Subsequently he lived on F street between 6thand 7th streets. One of the first fires he attended was convenient to his residence—that of the Post Ottice depart- ment, in the Blodgett hotel building, E and Sth sireets, in 1836, Tho predecessor of the Per- severance tire company was then located in a one-story frame building on the west side of 7th street between E and F streets and the company was known as the Patriotic. The ap- paratus was the property of the government, purehased in 1620, ‘The Perseveresce fire com. pany was formed in '36 aud located near Penn- vania avenue and 8th street. and Mr. hompson says he ran with the machine till 1845, when he went to Baltimore and hved there five years, In that city he was a member of the first Baltimore hose, No. 10, which was the first company there to procure and use a Steamer. This they presented to the city on condition thata steam paid department be or- anized, which was finally done. When returned to this city,” continued Mr. Tompson, “Iran with’ the Anacostia and was a member till the American hook and ladder was orgunized, in 1855. This was located in a frame building near Odd Fellows hall, 8th | between E and G@ streets southeast. The first president was George Brown. I was vice presi- dent and was soon after elected president, with Joseph Swift, now a gunner in the navy, vico president. George Lawrence was the first fore- man and F. W. Kanlert assistant fireman or di- rector, There were about fifty active members of the company and the uniform was the red shirt and fire hat. ‘The company was quite an efficient one and during its nine years service did good work. At the alms house especially the company rendered excellent service, mak- ing good time and by their efforts getting every- body out of the building. The company went out of existence when superseded by the paid department, of which t became one of the commissioners, serving under Mayor Wallach, audalso afew months under Mayor Bowen, wien I resigned on account of the attempt to run the department as a political machine.” ANN JOMN T. CHAUNCEY. Mr. John T. Chauncey is now sixty years of age and was born in the lower part of the old second ward. In 1844, when a lad of fourteen years, he commenced ranning with the Frank- lin fire company. He became a regular en- rolled member of the company six years later, in i850. Tu 1855 the Metropolitan hook and ladder. the first one in the city. was organized and Mr. Chauncey left the Franklin to become & member of it and was president of the com- ten years between this date and the dis- andmeut of the volunteer firemen in 1864. A short time before the advent of the paid de- partment he was chosen chief engineer of the volunteer department, holdiag tuat position at the time the change took effect. He was ap- pointed foreman of the truck company under the paid system and served until s. J. Bowen was elected mayor, thus terminating a service of over twenty-four years as an active fireman, Since that time asacitizen he has on many occasions been of assistan:e at fires, where his knowledge and expericnce has becn of great value. GEO. H. TURTON. Mr. Geo. H. Turton, residing on K_ street near 10th, was bornon 11th street within 200 yards of his present home in 1837. That part of the city was then sparsely settled and but fow streets were more oo Why some of the boys bunked in engine house and there were always some awake. Then whén there was a cry of fire the bell would commence its clatter. eee ee | the fact that the streets, if improved at all, eenyg natn apg angen ep ae) holes, the time made was within a mile of the from the strike of the fire was a long JOSEPH B. WALLING, Mr. Joseph B. Walling of A street northeast was one of the most active of the old-time fire boys and is active now in the association, Born in West Washington uly 21, 1832, and moving to the lower part of the old second ward, he early fell into the habit of playing about the old Franklin engine house on 14th street and Penn- sylvania avenue. “My apprenticeship.” said Mr. Walling toa Stan man, “began with the first burning of the National theater, on the night of March 5, 1845, when I was less than thirteen years old, ' The engine house was closed at the time by the mayor because a charge war pend- ing against the company of engaging in a stone battle, The office of the Globe adjoined the theater and was in great danger of sharing its fate. Jobn C. Rives. one of the owners of the Globe, was a member and officer of the Frank- lin company and he took the responsibility of getting the apparatus out, and I then assisted at a fire for the first time. I continued after thistorun with the machine whenever an alarm was given and remember well the fire at Willard’s hotel in the fall of 1847 und others. The limitation as to age was eighteen in the Franklin, and assoon as I reached that age I was elected and enrolled as a member. Irecall the fires at Fitzgerald's, on the avenue near 41¢ street, and the Columbia engine house, Farrer's ten-pin alley, on E street between 12th and 13th; Senator Benton's house, on C street between 3d and 433; Buker’s hotel and the Capito} library, December 24, 1851; West mar- ket, Marble alley stables, in 1852; Perseverance engine house, in 1854, the second burning of the theater, in February, 1857. The conflagra- tion in Georgetown, when the liquor ware houses burned and the flaming fluid ran down the gutters is vivid in my memory, as well as the last of three runs over the road to Alex- andria, The fire at Shreve'’s stables on 7th between Hand I streets is one which will always be remembered with sorrow, owing to the death of a noble qoune fireman, Ben Greenup, who was killed by the Columbia suction running over him when coming down Capitol Hill to the fire. The manner of his death is depicted on the monument to his memory at Glenwood, COLUMBIA. “Tt was with the hook and ladder boys,” con- tinued Mr. Walling, ‘that I was at home. This company was organized by a few of the mem- bers of the Franklin and Northern Liberty companies, An old building on Massachusetts avenue between 4th and 5th, which had been used as a stone cutters’ shop, was remodeled and in this we placed ourtruck. Our first fore- man was John T. Suter, and [ don’t think that either under him or John Chauncey we failed to make a record for good service. As when a boy I made the Franklin engine house almost my home so when not engaged at work I could always be found at the truck house. Metropolitan hook and ladder w: strong one, but most of the boys went soldiering in 1861, enlisting in the Metropolitan Rifles under Capt. W. H. Nalley. The last fire I went to was at Willard’s hotel in the spring of 1861. We were doing guard duty on F strect in the rear of the hotel, Just about daylight I noticed smoke coming from the roof and was impatient to go, but to re- main till relieved, which was but a short time. I then started on a donble quick to our quarters in the patent office, where I got rid of my riffe and then made good time to the truck house. Here were some of Ellsworth’s fire zouaves, who were quartered at the Capitol, They had broken open the door leading to the upstairs room and were trying to kick down the parti- tion to get to the truck. I at once unlocked the door and they took possession of the truck. The red pantalooned and turbaned zoo-zoos fairly flew over the streets, but few of which were paved then. I thought that I had better keep with the truck, and so mounted it. They ran the machine along F street to 14th street, and in turning toward the avenue it fairly whizzed. I thought it the next to my last ride and that they were making a job for the under- taker, but they got it around all right, Flying around the corner of tie avenue to the front of the building they soon had the ladders in service.” J. RP. CARPENTER, Mr. J. R. P. Carpenter, residing on 25th street near K, is a well-known plasterer and is one of the youngest of the veterans, being now but forty-eight years old, He is'a native of Charles county, Md., but has resided here from early boyhood. He was a “runner” from the time he was large cnough to follow a machine and for some years was oue of the torch bear- ers. He was elected a member during the war, continuing on the roll of the Union till the company went out of existence. tinned Mr. Goddard. “having a taste for fire matters, joined the Union com- pany in the first ward. ran with that com- pany from about 1858 til! 1864 and then went ‘the | : 1868, No.l company, When the government, dari the war, brought the steam engines here and the Union house was occupied by the govern- ment department our company was given a on the north side of H street oppos site, and subsequently a frame building was erected near the circle, which we left when the paid department went into operation.” THE DATE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS. The oldest of the volunteer companies was the Columbia, on Capitol Hill, organized in 1904. It was given by the convention the first number on proof that the name Columbia had been borne continuously. It was first located near the Washington statue at the east front of the Capitol. There is reason to believe that other companies were formed the same year, among them the Union, in the Western market, 20th street and the avenue, but the organization of the latter was not continuous. The dates of organization of different companies were given on the uniforms and belfries as follows: Ana- costia, 9th street and Virginia avenue south- east, and Union, 19th and H streets northwest, 1815; Franklin, 1827; Perseverance, 8th street aud Pennsylvania avenue, 1836; Northern Lib- erty, 8th and K streets, 1840; Metropolitan and = hvok and ladder and Western hose, pt — 200 _ OSE GIRL FROM THE WEST. Some Interesting Observations of an Oc- cidental Type in its Purity. A CONVERSATION AT A HOTEL TABLE IN WHICH A DASHING DAMSEL HAS SOME REMARKS TO MAKE ABOUT LOVE, GENTILITY AND OTHER THINGS OF PASSING INTEREST, ,F course she was from the west. f The least acute observer could have ;seen that ataglance. She looked as {*pretty as a picture in the feathery . white garment that covered her bare neck and shoulders as she sat down at table in the big hotel dining room and plunged at once into animated conversation with the others of her party. “Do you know,” she giggled, “that Col. Bil- ger told me today that I was the prettiest girl and the sweetest that had visited Washington from our city this year. He said I had only one rival, and who do you suppose it was? Why, Aggie. She's a rather tough rival, too, you know. To begin with, she's awfully hand- some, I never could see it myself, I confess. Funny, but she always seemed tome quite plain. However, she is really beautiful and no end of a belle, I know she's a belle because I saw four or five men talking to her at once in the corridor the other evening.” GOING TO THE BALL, The theological student on the other side of the table smiled in a sickly sort of admiration and made some remark to the effect that he understood the fair damsel was going to a party that night, “Well I should most everlastingly—that is to my, I do so anticipate. I hope the colonel will ask me todance ten times. Ho's awful sweet, I think. And: by the way, ma, don’t forget that note I told you to write in answer to the Jones’ invitation, If I come back tonight from the ball and find it unwritten I'll drag you out of bed and make you do it.” “Ma,” who was a matron of that de; of avoirdupois which is properly an attribute of the motherly woman and who sat close by at the end of the table, decorated, though not in evening dress, with a profusion of large dia- monds, smiled submissively and replied: POINT FOR A WAGER. ‘Tl bet you that you will come home to- night and tell me that you've had the best time you ever had in your life “Tl bet you I won't,” rejoined the maiden poutingly. “I'll bet you a dollar you will.” “No—I'm busted, so I can’t.” “Weil,” said ‘ma,’ “here comes the waiter with the soup. Hadu’t you better take off your gloves?” The damsel hesitated in responding to this suggestion, remarking that her dress had no sleeves worth mentioning. However, she solved the difticulty finally by unbuttoning the long mousquetaires at the wrists, thrusting her dainty little hands through the openings thus made and pulling the gloves back up the forearms sufficiently to get them out of the way. Thus she was enabled to consume the soup and subsequent courses without embar- Tasement, LOVE AS A TOPIC. From the opposite side of the board the theological student continued to gaze upon her with soulful admiration and the same sickly smile. Hewasavery pallid youth, all the color which should have given to his coun- tenance the hue of health having apparently sctreated to an abnormally large pair of ears, which stood out on each side of his head like bat wings. Although the maiden was talking and acting at him chiefly he could find nothing to say im response save now and then a mono- syllable, But a shade of pale pea green seemed to steal over his physiognomy when “‘Ma” sud- denly remarked: Gln think Col, Bilger’s in love with you, aire.” “Oh, rats!” giggled the pretty girl. “He ain't at all.” “I'm sure he is.” “Oh, you're always imagining that every man’s in love with me.” “Well, so they are, most of them.” “Ma, you fatigue me awfully. It’ siliy to talk that way, just because a few tlemen have been attentive.” GENTILITY DEFINED. “Any way, the colonel is a very refined gen- tleman.” “Yes, and an elegant gentleman as well. It isn't every refined gentleman that is elegant too.” fectly gen- “What is the—er—precise distinction, Miss Claire?” asked the theological student timidly, “Oh, it’s simple enough. In our part of the country we emphasize distinctions of that sort, Very likely they are not understood here in the east. To begin with, a man who as good man- ners and a character without flies on it, so to speak, 18 a perfect gentleman. If he is excep- tionally weil-bred he is termed a refined gen- tleman. Supposing that his distin; mark is that he dresses nogewegerg Se e is an elegant geutieman. Maybe he is both cult vated and well —— Foe rpediney re called very properly an elegant refined gentle- man. But fi you want to express the highest possible praise, such as may rarely be be- stowed, you say that he isa perfectly elegant refined gentlemay. You see SUCH DISTINCTIONS ARE REALLY NECESSARY, “The most refined gentleman may be far from elegant. It may be that he is well bred, but the cut of his coat and his pants is against him, So, when we call a mana refined gentleman it is usually with a mental reservation, as it were, to the effect that his clothes don’t fit him. The same remarks will apply rigger ysl to ladies, who may be perfect ladies, re: ladies, ele- gant ladies, elegant refined ladies, or, in cases necessarily rare, perfectly elegant refined ladies and ladies. In the same way we divi gentlemen into classes, A lady is aged the — thing as ogee refined woman who is jut not while a" third-clase tad a, one possesses refinement can’tafford coarple good dressinaker.” a ep ea bs e! in ir more essential than—er—mere refinement?” “Why, of course. And properly 80. we no hes- perf very of Col. oT gentleman, Would you, PA HAS A WORD To Say, RAILROADS. ICHMOND AND DANVILLE 5 Seheduie iv efiect J ASirtiy 8:30am. —seet Lenuessce sen, ton, le, “Chaciottesvaiie, ane Staitons Retween Aiexamiris nd Lyvelibusx temnosy ouvitie, Chattat oars cap Pollman ay feu io . Stations ‘Rout Rocky Me anv and Stathone te bare siville, Greensboro’, fa ity Chavoné, Columbia, Aucusty,” Adant mueham, Moutgomers, New Crleans, Texns «. Caltiornia. “Pullmat Sleeper New York te e 30 p.m.—Deily, except Sunday, for ure atid Suterinesiass “atioon” amen, 1? pm.—Daily vi webburs, Bristol and Ch tancoma, Pullman Vestibuie Sleepers Weslestce te Mempbte, counecting thence forall Aruawess netona’ ¥40 pm.— Western bxpres: A for Ma a Coarlottosvitle, Pullman Vestibale train Weabing- with » Pullman sleeper for Louis Cui " x vile, Cincinnati, ton to Cincinnati and . Washi: to llbe and Sclssbury. Alo Washington to Augusta vin Dau Trains on Wa and Ohio division lente Wash ‘ashington facto 9-00 am. dail t Sunday aid daily <arrive ltound Hal 1130 aan and reti returning leave Wound Hill ps bl ‘Strasb: jocal yin car reservation and information: Failnoed, Ot and i i ic posits read JAS L. TAYLOR, Gen. Pam. Agwat, EAS NSYLVANIA ROUTE STERL RALLS "| MAGALFICENT LQUIEMENT, wa a 1, LNwO. % ect Ji " TRAINS LEAVE Wasi Ne FROM STATION, COk: BS! SAN FOLLOWS: o Limit Sk 6TH AND For Pittsburg and the W. soa f Pull Veatibuled Care at 10 ‘est, pre am. cally; us aud with Sleeping Care from Pittsiung to co ! peter 10:50 a.m. daily to Coiun! Pawn. daily, with euro and St. 0:00 pan. daily, for the West, 200 pau. sfor Pittsburg and th me Pith thron to Pittsburg, and Pittsburg BALTIMORE AND POTOMAC RAILROAD : > Kane, Couandaicua, Rochester and N. . daily, except ~unday, 8-10 au, Serene For Eric, Canandaixua and Kochister daily; for Bat. falo abd Niawarauailyexceyt Sat p.m. With Slee) ihe Car Waslicwton to hochenter, For Williamsport, Lock Haven and Eluure at 10.00 a.m. daily, except Sunday. For Williamerort aay, 9-7 pom. FOR PHILADELPHIA NEW VORK AND THE RAST, 20, 9:00, 11-00'abd 11:40 aan. 2-10, 3-2 $3194, 10-00 gua a 7 8.0, , 2 Bio Limited Express of Pullman Parlor Carg =40 a.m. daily, except Sunday, aud 4.00 pun “yu mata DEL FUR #HILADELPHIA ONLY. Fast Express 8:10 4.10, week dayeaua Siiopm cat, Accu. 6:00 p.m, For Boston without: p.m. every day. For Brovklyu, N.¥., all’ through trains cont jersey City with bostsef Brookiyn Annes, ing direct transfer to Fulton street, dvuble terriage across New \ork C ay. =) For Atlantic City, 11:40 am. week days L For aitimore, 6:35, 7:20, Tisvusud 1146 aan dl, S21 a UU, ¥.00, 10:0 je 3:00 4:10, 6:04, Bonne Ca 900 2 : ae nuapolis, 7:20, Ys am.,12-05and 4-20 pan, daily, except Sunday. 8; a 900 wm, 410 FREDERICKSBURG 2 \DKIA AND WASHL reek Line, 7:20 am. = y AY. LN LEFEC! BU, 12204 u00L, Bu oS and 12 7:43, B45, LOD and 10:05 pun, Accuuumedation for | Pall, Week days. For tuchwond aud ‘$:19 pau, tic, 7 7:45 au. St the boutu, 4:. Ac yat 9:10 wud 14 ¥:20, 10:32aud 10: " sud juformation at the office, northeast cor tu street Retina ivauia avenue, aud af the station, where orders can be left fur the cuvckitg 2 pth ge to destination tole ce Cor tf a 0) a A TO u eS Burrowore Asp O. Ranroan. Schedule fuedect bectmber Tee, Leave Wi station corner of New Jersey avenue and C street. For Chicago and horthwest, Vestibuled Limited daily 12:20 a.m., express 9:30 p.m. is and express and Cleveland, Vestibuled Limited ‘and express 5:40 p.m, Salons tly 0am Sundays, 8: a ay Stations, 14:35 p.m For Gaithersburg and interumeuiate poiuts, "9:00. mis 11200, 20:99, T1130 pau, For Boyds intermediate stations, 17-00 p.m, £19200 pein Chureh train leaves Washington on Sunday at 1:10 P.lu., stopping at all stations on Metropolitan, For Frederick, 16:45, 11120 a.m, 15:10, 14:30 B Mm, Sundays, 1:10 pan F jtown, 711-2 230 p.m. ‘Trains arrive from Chicago daily 11:45 a.m. and 4:05 p.m, ; from Cimciuna and St, Lous dally 3780 Sm and 1.50 pal; dois Mitievurs TeV aun, Used mn. daily. DES SORE AND PHULADELPUIA DIVISION, lew a frenton, Newark aud Alizabeth 3 34 °4:00, 18:00, "9-20, “12 st mtd Pa oy Parior cars on Blevping car on the 10/00 p.m open st Y-U0 pa For Puiladely ium ark, Wilusucton and’ ce U, *F si between Bultimoresnd Pui 2, *O200 pan “az: rains leave Philadelphia for Washington *4: *B:1d, "11-10 aay, Hdd, ed 4D, “Os ao For Ataute City *4:00 "au. wid *42:00 a." sume Ses ane ee sSunday: ae called for and chucséd from hutels and fem idences by Uniou Jrsuster Co. on orders lett st Wokes Offices, 619 aud 1361 Pa. ave. aud at Depot. 3.1. ODE: CHAS. 0. SCUL lum, 2 3:00, “¥:20, *12 200 am, *2.50, 230 Pan. POTOMAC RIVER BOATS. NO NORFOLK AND FOuT MONEE ‘tux o1 OKIE BL PE Fav BIEAMEL Appointments Srst-class. Ty Toulus large, coufortable and heate: Gb attepuve Ciicers. I borouyn disci From Oto pod MONDALS ¥ 5 hive. EDNESDAYS PO! 2: South —On and acter MUNDAY, November i newly turLished, will jeave Sixta-street whart, ier i tor New Lork, state rooms and information rewarding freight. at Muuri or Telephone Call v4. Also B. and O. Ticket QOlhhews, G19 and 1551 Ps ave., and Hawiey's