J -
The Alliance Herald
Firemen's
Edition
HEAD BY KVKJIY MFMI1KH NKHIl ASRA STOCK OIUNVKIW ASSOCIATION'. ALL TIIU NKW8 OF AUJANCK AND WKNTKHM M.llKAMi
OFFICIAL OIU.AN NKUKA.SKA VOLl'NTlCbJt FlltKMKN'8 ASSOCIATION. IT KKACIIKS IIKAIKjUAHTKItS K1UI IB.OUO FlIll.MKN
VOLUME xx
ALLIANCE, BOX BUTTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, DKCKMHKK 2, 1915
NO. 52
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Nebraska Volunteer Fire Departments
1
Several months ago we wrote to
each volunteer department in the
state, asking for a list of the officers
of the departments, with a report of
the equipment and other items of In
terest. While all of the departments
did not answer, we received enough
to make some very Interesting read
ing. The reports rendered to us are
given herewith:
Alliance Volunteer Fire Dcpart
mciit. There are 75 active members
in the department and a number on
the waiting list. The department is
housed in the commodious city hall,
the club rooms with shower bath and
gymnasium fixtures being on the
upper floor. The combination auto
truck, hose carts and hook and lad
der truck are on the first floor, fac
ing large sliding doors, balanced
with weights. Besides the paid driv
er of the truck, three other volun
teers sleep in the quarters provided
In a separate room directly behind
the room occupied by the trucks. The
Alliance department has a large
swimming pool, erected during 1915
with funds subscribed by members of
the department and with material
and labor which were donated. This
swimming pool is heated by a steam
coil and Is constantly used during the
summer months. Firemen ha i free
use of the pool, while a no. nal
charge 1b made to the public, excit
ing children, who are admitted frc
during mornings. Fire alarms are
given until 10 o'clock at night by
siren whistle and fire bell. From 10
o'clock at night until 6 o'clock in the
morning no public alarm Is given un
less the fire gets beyond control of
the night crew of four who sleep at
the quarters. So far, although the
truck has been installed over a year,
it has not been necessary to sound
the public alarm after 10 o'clock. Of
ficers of the department are: Lloyd
C Thomas, president; Penrose E.
Ronilg, vice president; Percy Uolf
aon, secretary; Dr. George J. Hand,
treasurer; Charles Hill, chief; Leon
ard Pllkington, assistant chief.
llellwood Fire Deutrtiiieut. At
the annual meeting of Hellwood Vol
unteer Fire Department, held Nov
ember 1, 1915, the following officers
were chosen to serve: H. A. West,
chief; D. E. Burkey, assistant chief;
Roy Day, secretary and treasurer. J.
U. Keeruts, I. 11. Teffel and J. P. De
laney were elected trustees. J. P.
Delaney, A. T. Curtis and J. H.
Keeiuts were appointed on the exam
ining committee; T. Tox, L. Loveless
and Ray Clossen appointed on the
grievance committee; and D. E.
Buckey, A. G. Peck and Joe MrGaf
fin on the finance committee. This
department was organized March 25.
1913. incorporated March 25. 1913.
aud now has 37 active members,
meeting regularly on the first Mon
day of each month. Practice on the
second and third Tuesdays of each
month. The attendance at each
meeting is large. Equipment in
cludes 800 feet of l'fc inch No. 2
Mill hose, one chemical engine, one
gasoline engine, bell on 40-foot tow
er (which cost $HO), water press
ure 80 pounds, 300 feet water mains
and 3 hydrants. Value of property
belonging to'department, $50; value
of property used by department,
$2750. Number fires in 1914. four,
amount of damage, $4 50. Value of
buildings before tire. $35,000. A
mount of insurance tax collected
last year, 570. Cash on hand June
7, $75. 40 feet extension ladder, a
ladder wagon and a hose cart.
Itroken How. Equipment consists
of one Anderson combination hose
and chemical w:.gon, one hook and
ladder truck, two hose cans and tour
thousand feet of hose. This is all
stored in the basement of the city
hall, and the department also has a
furnished room, used as a meeting
place and lounging room by mem
bers of the organization.
KrncMiaw. A. B. Turner, presi
dent; J. T. Hampton, vice president;
I. H. Johnson, chief; H. E. Palmer,
assistant chief; C. E. Evans, fore
man; C. B. Palmer, Jr., treasurer;
C. A. Sininger, secretary. This de
partment was organized January 3,
1908, by the following members: A.
B. Turner, Wni. Sirrs, Edwin Miller,
C. E. Trump, C. W. Gardiner, Harry
E. Palmer, F. E. Bowees. Claude Mc
Coy. W. H. Mason. J. E. Selover, I.
H. Johnson. J. E. Myers, Sam Belch
er, T. A. Hatton, R. W. Taylor, J. T.
Hampton. D. A. Sabdall, C. B. Palm
er. Jr., C. D. Coburn and J. B. Good
rldge. The department at first con
sisted of two hose companies which
were consolidated a short time later.
Early in the year 1909 the members,
realizing the need of a suitable meet
ing place, circulated a petition ameng
themselves and the citizens, for the
purpose of erecting a building th"
result is a neat little brick building,
entirely out of debt. Equipment in
cludes 950 feet of good hose, 3 noz
zles, a hook and ladder truck with
60 feet of ladders.
Crawford. The Crawford depart
ment baa 60 active members. It is
equipped with hook and ladder
trucks. Alarm is given by bell and
whistle. The water works are grav
ity pressure, with direct pressure of
80 pounds for fires. The department
U now housed in the new city hall,
recently finished. It ia equipped
with shower baths and other modern
conveniences. Oflicers of the depart
ment are Clyde J. Hornsby, presi
dent; Thomas Beans, vice president;
L. M. Davis, secretary; Clyde Beck
wlth. treasurer; William Sherrill.
chief; Dr. A. Sprague, assistant chief.
Columbus. Organized August .:!.
1873, and has b.?en In continuous
service since th.it time, having on
the active list of members seventy-!
two volunteers, who have uniforms. !
The following companies compose the
Columbus Fire Department, namely:
Hose Company No. 1, Hose Company
No. 2, W. T. IBssell Hose Company,
Chemical Engine Company and Pion
eer Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.
The officers of Columbus Fire De
partment are: President. G. M. Mat
son; vice president, Bert L. Parker;
secretary, C. S. Kenayer; treasurer,
Arthur Vierqutz; chief. Bert J. Gal
ley; assistant chief, Will F. Plage
mann. Officers of Hose Company No.
1: President, Arthur Schack; vice
president. A. H. Vierqutz; secretary.
Henry Wolfe; treasurer, A. W. Rum
mer; foreman. Gus Boettcher; as
sistant foreman, Paul Pheifer. Hose
Company No. 2: Foreman. Otto oJ
hannes; assistant foreman, Walter
Vierqutz. W. Y. Bissell Hose Com
pany: President. Fred Burgenger;
vice president, Clarence Cornell;
secretary, C. S. Kenoyer; treasurer,
E. It. Launer; foreman. C. S. Kenoy
er; assistant foreman. Clarence Cor
nell. Chemical Sugine Company:
Foreman, W. Carl Rector; assistant
foreman, Clarence Umland. Pioneer
Hook and Ladder Company. No. 1:
President, John Stauzel; vice presi
dent and foreman, Herman Kauf
mann; first assistant foreman, Julius
Speecher; second assistant foreman.
Herman Wolfe; secretary, Guy M.
Matson; treasurer. Wni. F. Plage
maun. Equipment consists of one
combination chemical und hose motor-propelled
Searrave, one Sea
grave hook and ladder truck (horse
drawn), two hose carts (each carry
ing 650 feet hose), one emergency
;hose cart. 450 feet rubber hose.
'3000 feet 2 Vi inch cotton covered
I hose, tire alarm system (special tel
ephone ulariu), also fire whistle and
j balls, water works system, electricity
and steam direct pressure at fires 90
to 100 pounds, mains and hydrants
(12 miles), size 18. 12. 10. x. 6, t ;
7'J hydrants and 12 steamer connec
tions.
IteMgTN-de. Organized January 22
1912. with a membership of 25 ' con-
sisting of two companies of 1 2 each
and a chief. Oflicers n re- lr..i,K.ni
l.oii Dopr; vice president, N. J. Pen
fielJ; secretary. 11. T. Jackson; treas
urer, F. W. Brown; chief, A. J. Ruz
icka; assistant chief, 11. J. Phllama
le; trustees, D. M. Dodge. E. A.
Andrews and Chas. West. The de
partment has the following equip
ment: two hose carts. 1000 feet of
ho.;e, two Pyrene extinguishers, ex
tension ladder, robber coats, axes,
and a fire bell.
IMooiiitield. Ortani.ed January
24, 1902. Equipuieut consists of two
hose carts, 1200 feet of hose, one
hook and ladder cart, one sixty-gallon
chemical engine. The depart
ment has a membership of thirty
two active members. Officers are:
President, A. F Heires; vice presi
dent. !. W. Hugh; chief, E. H. Ber
ryman; assistant chief, H-nry Wag
ner; secretary and tieasurer. If. F.
Cunningham; board of directors. N.
N. Baker. W. E. Graves, A. H. Lux.
In Chief Berry man the department
claims the distinction of having the
oldest and the best ire chief in the
state, he being sixty-four years of
age, and can run hundred yards in
twelve seconds. Ulooin field is pre
paring to build a city hall to cost
$8,000, of which the department do
nates $650.
Cedar JtluflV Organized in 1898.
The oflicers are: Chief, August Ost
rand; treasurer, A. F. Bockemuehl;
secretary, J. 11. Mackprang. The
equipment Includes two 55-gallon
chemicals, two hose carts, 1250 feet
hose, oire hook and ladder truck.
Cedar Itapid. This department
has 24 members in good standing
ami holds Its meetings on the first
Mond.iy of each month. Members
missing two consecutive meetings are
fined 25 cents and the fines are col
lected. Officers are: President. W.
G. Green: secretary. D. A. Beach;
chief, F. J. BauiH. Equipment con
sists of two hand hose carts and hook
and ladder wagon, bell used for
alarm. Also owns a piano in city
hall, and grandstand at city ball
park.
Crete Volunteer Fire Dcitnrtment .
Organized 1888, reorganized 1903.
Number of members. 50. Officers
are: President, k. E. Eckert; vice
president. Paul Lutz; secretary, L.
C. Dredlu; treasurer. F. J. Kobes;
chief. Frank Dredla; assistant chier.
Ham Dillon. Foreman Hose Co. No.
1. Ed aVsatka; assistant foreman,
Wm. Brauer. Foreman Hook and
Ladder No. 2. Howard Denny; as
sistant foreman. Jerry Elias. The
equipment consists of 4000 feet of
hose, 2 hose carts, 1 book and lad
der, rubber coats, gloves and boots
for all members, uniforms for all
members, 26 miles of water mains,
reservoir with 75-pound pressure.
Meetings are held every second Tues
day of each month
Frecuont - The Fremont depart-
ment is the largest volunteer depart
ment In the state, having 190 active
members. It has two auto fire
trucks, hook and ladder, hone carts
and hose wagons. Alarm is given by
telephone and whistle. Fire protec
tion is by water works with direct
pressure of 100 pounds. Harry J.
Hauser is chief.
Malum Volunteer lire IH-utrtiiicitt.
First established December 20,
1911. with an enrollment of 14 mem
bers. In the fall or 1914 the town
of Malmo built a cement block for
the benefit of the lire department,
and in this building the firemen hold
their meetings and keep their appar
atus. At the present time theie are
twenty active members, and the of
ficers are us follows: Chief, H. W.
Olson; assistant chief, J. H. Holtorf,
Jr.; president. Erlck J. Erickson;
vice president. Thos. Holtorf; secre
tary and treasurer, Emfred Potndle;
foreman, Alfred Brodahl; assistant
foreman, Ei nest Holtorf; sergcant-at-arms,
Hairy Lyon; police. Art
Berggren and D. A. Anderson; trus
tees. Pearl Saum. 11. W. Olson and
Jerry Holtorf. Equipment consists
of a 32-foot ladder with a truck, 1
hose cart with 600 Teet of hose, 2
respirators, and a 30-foot tower, re
cently erected, within which the tire
bell Is hung.
Neligli Mre Department. Neligli
department was organized In 188s,
having a membership of 35, and all
meetings well attended. The olliccis
are as follows: Chief, Geo. Fergu
son; president. Ed Dewey; vice pres
ident, L. E. Jackson; secretary. 1J. W.
Wattles; treasurer, ('has. Pagel;
foreman, L. E. Haberstrok; assistant
foreman. Ceo. Zlemens; captain of
chemical department,' J. Amer.
Equipment comprises 2 hose carts,
1200 feet of hose, 1 chemical engine,
4 Pyrene extinguishers. 1 electric si
rene whistle and 1 bell.
The Ijooinis Volunteer Hook ami
I .adder oiiihui). Organized May
12, 1911. For three and one-half
years after its organization there was
fortunately no demand for its serv
ice. On November 21. 1914. a dis
astrous fire occurred in which the
department did efficient service.
Again, on the evening of December
. iv m, tiie 1,001111s Mill was buruc.'
This fire had gained such a start
! when discovered that it was utterly
! impossible to extinguish it, but in
'OII"""1 tH blaze to the structure
hMH il origii.ated and saving other
' prop,'rty n,el'a,'d. the dep.irtn.i iit
I accomplished a most dlllie lilr task at
great personal risk. Efficient service
was also rendered at the tire which
destroyed the Bolen blacksmith and
repair whop in February, 1915. Again
the blaze was confined to the build
ing where it started and valuable
structures nearby thus saved. The
department Is divided into two divis
ions, Nos. 1 and 2, each of which
chooses its own officers. The pres
ent officers of the company are as
follows: Chief. C. M. Bruner; assist
ant chief, Kob't Weissenfluh; secre
tary and treasurer, F. E. Young. Ol
fl.ee rs of divisions: No. 1, foreman,
F. E. Young; ussistant foreman, S. C.
Carlson; nozzleman, J. N. Lumlin;
assistant, M. Abramson. No. 2, fore
man. A. W. Lappart; assistant fore
man, Nels Hendricks; nozzleman, C.
A. Bragg; assistant, W. C. Seeman.
Equipment of the company consists
of 2 chemical fire engines of 4 ((-gallon
capacity, extension ladders, tire
hooks, and other necessary equip
ment. Deshler, Nebr. This volunteer de
partment consists of two companies,
each having a roll of 22 members.
The department officers are as fol
lows: Chief. Fred Buntemeyer; as
sistant chief, Harry Grebe; secretary.
F. E. Ileinenover; treasurer, Henry
Sittler. Each company has officers
namely: Captain, assistant captain,
secretary and treasurer. The equip
ment comprises 2 hose carts each
with 500 feet of hose. Regular
monthly meetings are held by each
company and by the department.
Dodge lire leparUiieiit. On June
4. 1915, the eigtheentb annual in
stallation of the officers was held at
the city hall, and the following were
elected: President, J. B. Miller; vice
president, Jos. J. Ruzlcka; secretary,
G. J. Borgmeyer; treasurer, Wm. E.
Vlach; chief, Guy M. Porter; assist
ant chief, Ray Hall. After the usual
business meeting a luncheon was
served and the evening closed with
songs by a chorus. The equipment
includes 2 hose carts, a hook and lad
der truck, 1000 feet of hose, and all
equipment that is necessary to make
up an up-to-date fire company.
Emerson, Nebr. Organized May
25, 1903, this volunteer department
Is now divided Into two companies,
and consists of 29 members. The of
ficers are: President, James A. Ire
land; vice president, Chas. A. Belers
dorf; chief, Ernest Enke; assistant
chief, H. O. Luth; secretary, eGo. 11.
Haase; treasurer, II. 11. Stolae; cap
tain company No. 1, Lee J. Wood;
assistant captain, C. W. Harris; cap
tain company No. 2, C. A. Beiersdorf;
assistant captain, E. C. Lenderink.
On July 11, 1905, a contract was let
by the department for a building for
its use, and a two-story brick build
ing 24x40 feet was erected at a cost
of $2000. The first story is used for
the storage of the department's
equipment and the second story for
its meetings. The equipment con
sists of a honk and ladder wagon, a
hose cart and a chemical cart and
800 feet of standard hose. Emerson
has about 2 4 miles of water main.
Fire loss very Flight since the exist
ence of the department.
Hardy Honc Co. No. I. Organized
February 2. 1911. and lift 19 active
members. Officers are: ('resident,
J. B. Barton; vice president, P. Q.
Chambers; secretary, C. L. Cramer;
treasurer, .1 C. Gavin; chief. Goo. S.
McDowell; first assistant foreman, P.
D. Chambers; second assistant fore
man, W. H. Scott. Equipment con
sists of 500 feet of 2 hose, one hose
cart, and good air pressure system.
Have had twelve fires since being or
ganized, resulting with a loss of $5,
710, mostly covered with Insurance.
Islington Volunteer Fire Depart
ment. Organized in 1891 with s
bucket brigade of 38 men and In the
fall of the same year the water works
were installed. At present there are
65 members In good stand lug, all
fully uniformed. The officers are as
follows: Chief, W. 11. Tlllery; assist
ant chief, Robert Rodebaugh; secre
tary, C. II. Mallett; treasurer, Isuac
Nisley; attorney, I. J. Nlsley; pub
licity reporter, C. C. Corder. The
board of control consists of foreman
of hose company No. 1, D. C. Mullln;
foreman hose company No. 2. C. 11.
Mallett; foreman hook and ladder
company No. I. P. G. Welch; fore
man chemical company No. 1, M. E.
Huffman; chief. W. H. Tlllery; as
sistant chief, R. II. Rodebaugh; at
torney, 1. J. Nlsley; property men, Al
King and Carey Messenger. In 189 2
the first two hose carts were pur
chased, aud in 1893 the first hook
and ladder truck was purchased.
Since that time a chemical engine
has been added, a smoke helmet, a
search light, and several other things
needed to help fight Urea.
.Mitchell Volunteer Fire Depart
ment. There are 33 members enroll
ed In this department 27 in hone
company, and 6 in chemical com
pany. Financial conditions reported
in such a good condition that Im
provements can b'- made from time
to time as needed, the treasurer's ac
count having gradually increased by
the insurance companies remitting
their occupation tax pro -iptly. The
inclination for the members to keep
up this department in prime condi
tion has been greatly aided by the as
sistance anil encouragement of the
business men and citizens, ail taking
interest In the success of the depart
ment. Thru the persistent watchful
ness and carcfulnchS of the members,
two years have passed without u fire,
which is considered a good record
for a town of 1,000 people. Work
ing equipment consists of 2 carts.
1.000 feet of hose, and 2 chemicals.
Xortli Platte VoLtutcer r Ire De
partment. Organized in September,
1887, in four companies, namely: P.
H. N. Schleslnger Company No. 1; B.
I. Hinman Co. No. 2; Wild West
Company No. 3; Buffalo Bill Hook &
Ijidder Company No. 1. The de
partment was under the direction of
Chief John McCabe ami Assistant
Chief R. L. Graves.. The city built
three hose houses and furnished very
good equipment. Each company had
its own officers and held regular
monthly meetings. In January. 1911,
the city purchased a lire waon, nec
essitating hose companies No. 1 and
No. 2 to consolidate, namely, Patter
son Hose Company No. 1. In the
tan or J9U me city purchased an
auto truck ami cfienncal equipment.
which is said to be the best of its
Alliance, Nelitaska, Novctiiocr 13, 1H5.
INVITATION
Te llie- ineioWis ef the: N. S. V. K. A., aiiel to all members
of Volume e f Hit Departments in the? State of Nebraska :
Tlie Annual Convention of the Nebraska State Voltint.e r riremei, s Association will be held in
Crawford, Nebr., on .January lth, 19th and 20th, 1916.
The Alliance Fire Departme nt and the Commercial Club of Alliance- cxt.-i.d a eordial invitation to
all delt'Rates to this annual convention to come to Alliance on the dav following the Convention in Craw
ford, which will be Friday, Januxry 21st, 1916.
The Alliance Fire Department has planm-d a reception and a fceiod programme for all delegates
who come to Alliance, consisting vi auto rides, shows, athletic ente rtainment and smoker and boys we
can sure do it right when it comes lo entertaining, because that is part of our business' and'the Com
mercial Club and the business men of Alliance an- the- best on the- map and are behind 'im in whatever
we do.
Some of the Brother Firemen in the state visited Alliance for probably the first time when Alli
ance had the annual convention s-veral years ago, and this prohahlv has been the last time they have
visited Alliance, too, but all delegates are urged to stop ove r with us a day after the convention iti
Crawford. Alliance has made many improvements since the convention was in Alliance and we are
proud of them and want every one to see them when in Alliance. '
Some of the fire departments in the- state may go to Crawford in special cars, but they can route
them via Alliance on the return trip, and stop over one dav. Some of the fire- departments may go via
the Chicago and Northwestern, both ways, but if such be the case, they can make arrangemnts very
easily for the car to lay over in Crawford on Friday, and come to Alliance and upend one day and leave
here on No. 41 Saturday morning, ami this way will arrive home but one day lateil '
Mayor Romig and Mr. Guthrie- will be- on hand to help entertain all the dekgau-s, so, toys let us
see all of you in Alliance on FRIDAY, JANUARY 21st, 1915. When you leave yo.ir hwue town for the
Convention, be sure to plan on staying in Alliance this one day.
Iloping to see you all in Alliance' on this date, and wishing the N. S. V. F. A the best of success
and prosperity, and wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we remain,
Fraternally yours,
(i. .1. HAND,
T. 1. KOLFSON, I
LKK HASYK,
L. K. IMLKINGTON,
( j G. H. ELLIS,
... - J Committee on Entertainment.
kind in the state, and valued at $K
100. This department now consol
idated Into one company, claims the
distinction of being the best In the
slate of Nenrhsktt and one of the best
In the United States. OHIcrrs at the
present time are: President, .1. It.
Basking; vice president, William J.
Landgraf; chief. Si Russell; assistant
chief, John Jones; secretary, Ceo. R.
Tighe; treasurer, Fred W. Dick. The
social activities of each year Include
an annual ball and picnic, a Fourth
of July celebration at which time
this department competes in races
with (lOthenbui k. Lexington and
Kearney and rep rt victory In nearly
every event, and the regular monthly
meetings, at wh ch a smoker and a
Dutch lunch are among the pleasing
features. This d partment Is not un
mindful of the tick, but respond to
the call of the needy, and also ob
serve Decoration Day In the forming
of a parade to 1 1 . cemetery and dec
orating the graves of deceased mem
bers. Among the list of tlreR at
which this department served nota
bly and efficiently is the great North
Platte fire In April, 1893 (when 60
residences of the city were destroy
ed), the big U. P. ice house fire in
January, 1906, and the Hinman Gar
age fire, April 18, 1915, where 20
automobiles were totally destroyed.
Norfolk Fire Department. -Offic
ers comprise the following: Presi
dent, Matt Shaeffer, Jr.; vice presi
dent, E. E. Tru' tock; secretary, A. J.
Pasewalk; trea arer, H. W. Winter;
trustees, Ernest Raasch, Dan Klug,
John Schelly; chief, V. A. Nenow; as
sistant chiefs, John Rice, Dan Klug;
day fire driver, Iouls Novak; night
fire driver, A. W. FlnkhauB. The
equ'pment consists of one hose wag
on and team, one hook and ladder
truck, two hand hose carts; one fire
helmet, respirators, rubber coats,
nozzles and 2500 feet of hose.
Overton Volunteer Fire Depart
ment. Organized in October, 1911.
under the direction of Chief G. II.
Beltner, who h.-.s served in this ra
pacity up to the present time. The
work of this department is reported
very efficient, an I the regular me -f
inga are well ntt nded. Recently the
boys suffered a i '-eat loss when their
ciud rootu wiin i una been eiecieu
for their use, bu nt down, with an es
timated loss i $100. A moii l' the
social events of the season under (tit
direction of ti e ire department i'; a
"Firemen's Fail Festival", which is
given with no idea of financial gair
but to show the people surrounding
ihe town that, lighting fires is net th
only accomplishment of the tit part
inenl. The equipment consists of 2
Nott chemical engines and u pfir of
extension ladders. Oflicers are us
follows: Chief. H. II. Beltner; as
sistant chief, D. R. Peaker; secre
tary. Leo A. Rengler; treasurer.
Ralph Wallace; captain Co. No. 1.
Edward Anderson; assistant captain
Co. No. I, Ray Gobel; captain Co.
No. 2, J. M. I'ullen; assistant cap
tain Co. No. 2, Tim Ryan; captain
hook and ladder No. 1, J. H Bailey.
Rising City Volunteer Fire Ifc-pari-meiit.
Organized in 1911. and now
claimed to be the best little fire de
partment In the state of Nebraska,
comprising twenty-two active and en
thusiastic members. All good fire
fighters, and prompt In answering
the call at any time. Officers at the
present time are: Chief, W. S. Scott;
assistant chief, R. E. Thomas; secre
tary and treasurer, J. F. Bates.
Equipped with one hose cart, two
ladders and six fire extinguishers.
Schuyler Fire Dcimrt meiit . The
origin of u lire department in Schuy
ler dates back to May 14, 1877, when
the Star Fire Company was organiz
ed. A year and a half later, Nov. 11,
1878. the Hescue Fire Company was
organized. On January 13, 188i,
the Red Jacket Hook & Ladder Com
pany was organized, and on June 19,
1899, all former companies were re
organized under the name of the
Schuyler Fire Department, which is
the present imiuo of the department,
now having 73 members. The fol
lowing are Ike wfllcers: E. F. Kloba
sa, presideat; H. C. Smith, vice pres
ident; R W. Huzicka, secretary; F.
W. Shoiika, Jr., treasurer; Joseph
Sever) n, Jr., chief engineer; C. C.
Watts, assistant chief. The standing
committee consists of J. J. Laiu
brecht, Mllo Ballon, C. C. Watts. Tho
foreman and assistant foreman ef
the different companies are as fol
lows: K. A. Re build, foreman Chem
ical Co. No. 1; E. E. Ruzlcka, assist
ant foreman; 11. C. Smith, foreman
Hook and ladder Company; L. VV.
Gohr, assistant foreman; J. J. Lam
brecht, foreman Hose Company No.
1; N. C. Jenkins, assistant foreman;
Joseph J. Kubik, foreman Hose Co.
No. 2; Geo. F. McKenzle, assistant
foreman. The equipment of this
fine organhioel department consists of
two hose cwts, carrying 1,400 feet of
hose, one chemical engluo and one
hook and ladder. AIbo ono racing
cart and complete set of harness.
This department is comfortably
housed in the fine new city hall, the
firemen having two large rooms for
their exclusive use one for the ap
paratus and the other for a meeting
room. The latter room is splendidly
furnishe-d la mansion style of furni
ture. A running team composed of
members of thin department, altho a
new organization, has won several
purses, and with a little more prac
tice will undoubtedly be one of the
fastest tea me in the state.
Verdlgre Volunteer Fire Dcart
ineiiU Three years ago, March 12,
1912, the eWmire for organized fire
protectiou resulted in the enrollment
of volunteers, and at this time 43 is
the number of Active members which
make up one of the best departments
in the state. The officers of the Ver
digre Fire Department are at pres
int: Chief, Frank Drassal; assistant
chief, O. E. Brun; secretary, W. A.
Brine; treasurer, L. J. Bartak.
About $1200 has been Invested for
equipment by 4he department and
there Is hose and a hose carl beside.
Considering the- age of this organiza
tion they are wel! equipped. It has
in its possession a chemical, 4 0-gal-lon,
hose cart, 1000 fe-et of hose, a,
hook aud ladder truck fully equipped
and 6iPyiene The town hoard has
the credit of treating this flourishing
department very royally and togeth
er with that bod aud the commercial
club they are working band in hand
for h bigger and better department.
Several informal banquets hel ddur
ing July and August (spring chicken
time) were enjoyed by the members.
Kcttt.tsblitiY Volunteer Fire Depart -meitt.
Officers are: F. G. Warrick,
president; W. Re oft, chief; Dan E".
Ayer. secretary and treasurer. De
partment consists of 23 active mem
bers, who readily respond to the
alarms. 3 hose carts, 1.000 feet, or
hose, 1 hook and ladder wagon well
equipped, comprise the materials
which this department owus. Main
tenance reo ivtul by this department
comes from collections of $5 per an
num from th- companies writing fire
insurance.
I'lih endty I'Uce Volunteer Fire
Department. The I'nlverslty Place
(Continued on last page)