Reprint of this story from the April 18, 1902 issue of The Grand Encampment Herald brought to you courtesy of Grandma’s Cabin, Encampment, Wyoming. Preserving History - Serving the Community.
LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS
The Department is Organized and Sufficient Fire Protection is Assured
The Grand Encampment fire department met Monday evening at the office of Davis & Ashley for permanent organization. Nearly all the volunteers were present and much interest was manifested. Jack Ball was elected chief of the department, Ad Ball assistant, Charles Comer secretary, and Frank Lordier treasurer. It was decided to divide the firemen into two companies as there are two hose carts and abundant material among the fellows for two good teams.
The officers and members of the two companies are as follows:
COMPANY NO. 1.
W. H. Reynolds, Captain; Joe Enkhouse, Assistant; Elmo Gordon, Frank Lordier, Frank Sherrod, E. Townsend, Fred Watt, Will Rosander, Frank Kellar, W. G. Wilcox, John Yensel, H. W. Britt, Jim Sowder, C. Leap, Al Anderson.
COMPANY NO. 2.
Charles Comer, Captain; George Eberhart, Assistant; Ad Ball, Byron Tillou, W. A. Forrest, Bert Drury, Earle Scott, F. Feder, Ed Wood, Fred Hunting, Will Drury, Aaron Myers, Fred Bentley, Shorty Anderson, Mike Carr.
The hose carts and hose arrived Monday and were brought into service at once. The down town hydrants were tapped, the hose connected, and two streams of water shot out into space, declaring to a large number of eager spectators that the Frambach Water Works Co. had at last brought to the city of Grand Encampment adequate fire protection and a system of water supply which should be much appreciated.
The sight of the water as it came rushing from the nozzles was really an inspiration to everyone who witnessed the performance, as the long looked for had arrived and more than that the pressure at the down town hydrants was found to be all that could be desired. At the Parkison corner, the water was thrown over the Toothacher & Cunningham meat market, two stories high, and the pressure is sufficient to throw the water over Wernli’s store, perhaps the highest building in the business portion of the city. The water works system for fire protection is sufficient to meet the demand.
The fire fighting apparatus to date consists of two hose carts and eight hundred feet of hose. Additions should and undoubtedly will be made at once. A hook and ladder outfit should be purchased, better nozzles secured, and that a fine new home for the fire department will be provided is now an assured fact, the city council having at the last meeting appropriated twelve hundred dollars for the purpose of building and equipping a “fire house.”
The fire department as named above includes among its officers and members several experienced firemen, and the boys are manifesting an interest which shows that they are anxious to get into the game as systematic fire fighters if the opportunity should ever be presented.
Grand Encampment has not been visited with any disastrous fires, but it has been the history of new towns that this coveted state of affairs is not likely to exist for a great length of time. Today the business portion of the town is amply protected, and should a fire get started down town anywhere it is altogether probable that it could be checked before much damage was done.
Had Saratoga prepared for fire in the days of her greatest prosperity, the Hot Springs Hotel would undoubtedly be there today, and it is now a well known fact that because of the recent conflagration the pride of Saratoga is gone forever and a day. The hotel in its original size or completeness will not be rebuilt.
On Wednesday evening the boys were out for practice, and will have regular evenings for practice hereafter.
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