History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, 1879.

The Fire Department.



The first meeting for the organization of the old "Fire District" was held "at the school-house on Chestnut Street, on Wednesday, December 25, 1850," and the warrant was signed by Smith, Day, and Chapin, selectmen. Enoch Blood, constable was ordered to "post" in three public places in the "New City." R.G. Marsh was chosen clerk of the meeting, and it was voted "to establish a fire department for and within the limits of School District No. 1." C.B. Rising, W.H. Carter, and Dr. A.S. Peck were designated to draft the by-laws. The second meeting was held at the office of Miller & Newell, when the officers were chosen, as follows: Jonas Kendall, Chief; R.G. Marsh, S.K. Hutchinson, A.S. Peck, and E. Allen, Assistants; J.M. Davis, Clerk. Kendall and Allen declines, and Marsh was chosen chief, and Kendall and Gallaudett assistants. The old fire district organization remained until the city was chartered, when it was dissolved, its property turned over to the city, and the ordinance for establishing the present department passed the common council June 22, 1874, and the board of aldermen, the 29th of the same month.

The chief engineers of the old "Fire District" were as follows: 1851, R.G. Marsh; 1852-53, Daniel Bowdoin; 1854, Thomas H. Kelt; 1855-58, W.B.C. Pearsons; 1859-60, Jones S. Davis; 1861-62, W.B.C. Pearsons; 1863-64, W.H. Dickinson; 1865-67, L.P. Bosworth; 1868-69, R.P. Crafts; 1870, O.S. Tuttle; 1871, R.P. Crafts; 1872-73, R. Patee.

The first officers of the present department were as follows: Benjamin F. Mullin, Chief Engineer; J.W. Davis, J.D. Hard, M.D. Sullivan, and E.P. Ford, Assistants.

Reliance Engine Company.—S.W. McKown, Foreman; C.H. Knapp, Engineer.

Relief Engine Company.—J.W. Roby Foreman; George E. Hoag, Engineer.

Mount Tom Hose Company, No. 1.—J.W. Doran, Foreman.

Mount Holyoke Hose Company, No. 3.—M.F. Fitzgerald, Foreman.

Rescue Hook-and-Ladder, No. 1.—L.M. Tuttle, Foreman.

Dexter Hose Company, No. 4.—J.M. Fox, Foreman.

The following have officiated as chief engineers from the organization of the city to 1879: B.F. Mullin, 1874-75; John D. Hardy, 1876-78; B.F. Mullin, 1879.

The department is now in a good condition, and consists of two steam fire-engines, one hook-and ladder company, four hose companies, and an extinguisher company.





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