USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Downingtown > History of Downingtown, Chester County, Pa > Part 12
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Chapter 10
Alert Fire Co., No. 1-Minquas Fire Co., No. 2-Down- ingtown Opera House.
Alert Fire Co., No. 1. Previous to 1887, Downingtown had no organization or apparatus for protecting the town against a fire. One or two attempts had been made prior to this time to form a fire company, but without success.
On August 18th, 1887, Robert McGraw, E. Vinton Philips, Edward M. McCaughey, W. Howard Buckwalter, John Stout, T. Filmore Lewis, Samuel P. Brown, G. B. Stringfellow, Walter Gracie, William Krautter and Ezra Brown met in the office of the Downingtown Review (a weekly newspaper then pub- lished in the brick building on the south side of Lancaster avenue near Viaduct). These men met for the purpose of discussing the urgent need of some protection for the lives and properties of the citizens of the town against fire, and the result of this meeting was the organization of the Alert Fire Co., No. 1.
The first officers chosen were as follows: President, Robert McGraw; vice president, E. Vinton Philips; secretary, Edward M. McCaughey : treasurer, J. Leighton Guest : trustees, W. How- ard Buckwalter, John Stout and T. Fillmore Lewis.
A committee appointed to solicit subscriptions for an equip -. ment reported at a subsequent meeting having met with little success.
The organization of a fire company did not seem to be a popular movement, particularly among those who should have been most interested.
At a meeting held September 12 it was decided to hold a fair in Odd Fellows' Hall. This was done, and the Fair being patronized quite liberally the boys were much encouraged in their efforts.
Some difficulty was experienced in securing a permanent meeting place, but finally the second floor of the Excelsior Paint Building was procured. This building stood on the site on which the new High School Building is now being erected. The com- pany occupied these rooms from December 19, 1887, to April 1st, 1889.
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On December 19th, 1882, the new hook and ladder truck pur- chased of Rumsey & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., arrived, and on the following night the company had its first run, fire having broken out at the Stove Works, located along the Downingtown & Lan- caster R. R., near Park Run. Heroic work was done by the com- pany in saving the moulding rooms connected with the building. The only means of fighting fire was by buckets, water being se- cured from Park Run.
During the years 1888 and 1889 the company had a struggle for existence, the only source of revenue being the annual dues of $1.00 from its members. Borough Council was petitioned for aid, but could give no assistance.
In the Fall of 1889 a fair was held on the vacant lot at the northwest corner of Lancaster and Downing avenues, and a neat sum of money was realized, which relieved the wants of the Com- pany, and enabled them to purchase additional buckets for the truck.
On April 1st, 1889, the place of meeting was changed to the G. A. R. rooms in the Masonic Hall, corner Lancaster and Stuart avenues. These quarters were occupied until December 2, 1891.
On May 4, 1891, a lot on the east side of Downing avenue was purchased for the purpose of erecting a suitable building for housing the truck and also for a place of meeting. Considerable difficulty had been experienced in securing a place to house the truck.
On the night of July 2d, 1891, the frame livery stable of Mc- Fadden Bros. was totally destroyed, and with great difficulty the adjoining property was saved. Assistance was asked.of the First West Chester Fire Co., and they responded promptly, bringing their large Hayes Extension Ladder over seven miles of rough country road on a dark night.
July 12, 1891, the contract was signed for the erection of the two-story brick building on the lot on Downing avenue. The building was completed December 1st, and the first meeting held therein December 7th, 1891.
On the night of April 8th, 1882, fire broke out in the Masonic Hall, which stood on the site of the Improvement Building, and the building was entirely destroyed, the apparatus of the company being entirely inadequate to control this fire. Assistance was asked of the Washington Fire Co., No. 1, of Coatesville, who promptly responded, bringing their engine and men on cars provided by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, the run being made from Coatesville in six minutes. A supply of water was secured from the old quarry of the P. R. R. Co., the site now being used as a freight yard.
The lesson learned by the experience of this fire and also of
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the livery stable fire in 1891, so impressed the citizens of the necessity of procuring suitable fire apparatus, that when Mr. Thomas Pedrick canvassed the town with a petition to Council, every property-owner, with the exception of two, immediately signed it.
On the petition of the citizens, Council promptly purchased the latest type of Silsby Steam Fire Engine, and on July 16th, 1892, formally turned the same over to the care of the company. The building not having been dedicated, this ceremony was also performed on this day. A great number of visiting firemen being present to participate in the parade and ceremonies, a large dem- onstration was made to commemorate the event.
The membership of the company was largely increased at this time, and with the new Silsby Engine and 1500 feet of hose was well equipped for fighting fire. The efficiency of the com- pany was further augmented by the installing of the new water plant and fireplugs by the borough, which were completed and tested December 24th, 1894. Previous to that time water could only be secured by pumping from the streams.
Fairs were held at various times and the proceeds applied to the debt on the building. On November 22th, 1899, the last pay- ment was made and the company was entirely clear of debt.
On October 24th, 1902, the first appropriation of $100 was received from the Borough Council. Since that time Council has been making an annual appropriation to the company. The meth- od of giving the alarm of fire, up to this time, has been by strik- ing a bell. The first bell purchased was a very small one, and vas not satisfactory. A locomotive tire was placed in the tower and used for some time. This, too, proved unsatisfactory, and a larger bell was purchased. This bell has since been exchanged for the present 1500-1b. bell, and is now doing service on the Bap- tist Church.
In May, 1905, a pair of horses, street sprinkler and wagon were purchased, which were a great source of revenue to the com- pany.
In 1906 the company was in a prosperous condition and working in perfect harmony. Early in this year a change in the location of the fire house was agitated and a committee was finally appointed to investigate the advisability of purchasing the Opera House, on Brandywine Avenue, a number of shares of the stock of the Opera House Company having been donated for the benefit of a fire company east of the Brandywine Creek.
The committee, after viewing the building and site, reported unfavorably. Some time after a committee was appointed to se- lect a suitable site.
Two reports were submitted at a meeting of the company,
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November 26, 1906. one recommending the purchase of the Thomas Downing lot, on East Lancaster avenue, for $5000, and the other the purchase of the lot on West Lancaster avenue, on which the new High School is being erected, for the sum of $1575. A large attendance was present, at this meeting, and on motion action on the matter was indefinitely postponed.
During the year 1902. the membership from the East Ward was considerably increased, giving that section of the town the majority and on February 24, 1908, a resolution was offered to remove the Alert Fire House and apparatus to a location to be selected east of the Brandywine Creek. This action aroused in- tense feeling. The resolution being put to a vote was declared carried. Legal action was threatened, and in order to adjust the difference, it was decided to make a division of the property, giv- ing to the new company to be organized east of the Brandywine Creek, the horses, wagon, street sprinkler and cash o'n hand, amounting to $1925. It was also agreed that Council be request- ed to turn over to the new company the Silsby Fire Engine and that they purchase a new combination chemical wagon for the use of the Alert Fire Co.
The cash on hand and all the personal property having been turned over to the new company, a committee was immediately appointed to purchase a new outfit, consisting of a pair of horses, a street sprinkler and a wagon.
A fair and carnival was held on the lot adjoining the fire house early in July and sufficient funds realized to pay for the team, and leave a balance of over $1000 in the treasury.
Previous to holding this fair, a Ladies' Auxiliary was formed, with a membership of one hundred and fifty (this was the first organization of the kind in connection with a fire company, that was formed in Chester County). The ladies were very enthusias- tic to aid the company, and it was mainly through their untiring labors that the fair proved such a success.
The Ladies Auxiliary is a permanent organization, with monthly meetings on the first Thursday evening of each month. The membership now numbers over two hundred.
On November 1st, a new addition to the fire house was completed, providing for the stabling of the horses and the hous- ing of the wagons, etc.
On November 2d, the new combination chemical wagon ar- rived, and the Silsby Steam Engine was turned over to the Min- gnas Company, No. 2.
On November 7th, the new annex was dedicated, and the chemical wagon, after being christened by Miss Marguerite Gib- ney, was housed by the Brandywine Fire Co., No. 2, of Coates- ville.
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Several visiting fire companies were present to participate in the parade and ceremonies, and the occasion was made a memor- able event.
The company issued a handsome program of the events of the day, with a short history of the borough. The book was much appreciated, and without doubt will be preserved as a souvenir of the occasion.
The company at this time is in an exceedingly prosperous condition, with the membership working in perfect harmony. The roll now contains 329 members.
The present executive officers of the company are as follows : President, Joseph H. Johnson ; vice president, Allen E. Keim; recording secretary, Howard E. Laird ; financial secretary, Lewis Moses ; treasurer, Thomas Pedrick.
The Minquas Fire Company, No. 2. After the divison in the Alert Co., No. 1, already noted, steps were taken to organize a company in the East Ward, and the Minquas Fire Company was duly incorporated May 4, 1906. Several locations were consid- ered and the present property, formerly a part of the Matlack Estate, on East Lancaster avenue, was selected, and purchased. The cornerstone of the new building was laid with appropriate cere- monies October 8, 1908. Chief Burgess J. Hunter Wills read a his- tory of the organization, and addresses were made by Howard Coates, representing the Washington Fire Company of Coatesville, and Joseph H. Johnson, Esq., representing Alert Fire Co., No. 1. The handsome structure just finished will be dedicated with for- mal ceremonies on Saturday, May 29, in connection with the semi-centennial celebration. The old barn has also been remod- eled and connected with the new structure, forming a convenient and commodious stable for the fire horses. The fire house is a credit to the building committee and an ornament to the town. The parlor, meeting room and game room have been tastily furn- ished. There is a strong and efficient ladies' auxiliary, which at a fair held in the opera house, realized a large sum for the treasury, and the company is in excellent financial condition. There are two hundred and eighty members. The complete list of officers and committees is as follows :
President, Samuel P. Bicking ; vice president, John P. Noll; recording secretary, William W. E. Ash; financial secretary, Charles W. Reel ; treasurer, Everett P. Fisher ; trustees, Horace A. Fetters, Ellis Y. Brown, Jr., J. Penrose Moore ; chief, J. Ha- vard Downing ; assistant chiefs, Andrew G. C. Breese, T. Vance Miller ; engineer, Frank P. Miller : assistant engineers, Harry Ma- gill, Albert Moore, William H. Carey, B. Frank Zittle; truck di- rector, Harry Worrall; assistant truck director, Dr. Isaac H.
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Whyte : hosemen. E. E. Entrekin, E. J. Griffith, Horace S. Car- penter. J. Kirk Smith. Frank Laird, Clemson King; fire police, Levi A. Moore, August Dickman, William McClure, Jr. ; Repre- sentative to State Firemen's Convention, John L. Weldin ; Alter- nate Representative to Firemen's Convention. John W. Dennis ; Bill Committee, Wilmer K. Biles, T. Vance Miller, William Mc- Clure. Jr. : Team Committee. Harry Worrall, Horace A. Fetters, Joseph A. Bicking.
The Downingtown Opera House Company was incorporated March 10. 1902. The applicants for charter were Alexander P. Tutton, Charles G. Hess. Howard E. Laird, Dr. Edward Kerr, & S. Austin Bickin. With authorized capital stock, $20.000, 400 shares at $50 each. The directors for the first year were Theodore Hallman, Joseph T. Miller, J. Hunter Wills, Joseph H. Johnson. & J. T. Carpenter. Eber Garrett, a stockholder. was elected treasurer. Upon organization of the Board of Directors, Theodore Hallman was made president, J. T. Carpenter secretary.
Theodore Hallman offered a site in "Center Square," next to "Coral Hall," 60 by 90 feet, at a very reasonable price as a suita- ble location for the opera house. Frank H. Keisker, architect, was employed to prepare plans for the opera house in keeping with the location. Bids were received for the erection of the same, and also for its erection on a modified and less expensive plan : but the bids for both plans being in excess of the subscrip- tions and the legally authorized capital stock, said plans had to be abandoned.
Subsequently a new plan for the opera house was prepared by J. T. Carpenter, of Downingtown, and approved by the stock- holders, another site selected, and in the year 1903, the "Down- ingtown Opera House," as it now stands, was erected with all its paraphernalia at a cost of about $13,000.
In the year 190? a large block of the capital stock was pur- chased by the company and retired, the remainder of said stock outstanding was donated by the holders thereof to Minquas Fire Company, No. 2. Said fire company is now virtually the owner of the opera house, having control of all the stock of the said opera-house company, but the same being a separate corporation, must be officered and conducted under the name, style and title of "Downingtown Opera House Co." The original stockholders numbered sixty-four, holding two hundred and five shares, and of those Theodore Hallman and Mary H. Hallman held ninety shares.
Chapter 11
The Borough Council-Interesting Events-Fire Protect- ion-Street Lights-Water.
Isaac Yearsley Ash, of Downingtown, furnishes the follow- ing compilation from the Minute Books of the Borough of Down- ingtown, which books are in his possession, and the historian desires at this point to acknowledge the zeal and interest mani- fested in this work by Mr. Ash :
On June 2, 1859, the first meeting of Council was held in the office of William Edge. The Chief Burgess and all the Coun- cilmen-elect being present, the "oath of office was duly adminis- tered to each and all of them by Esquire Rogers." and organized by electing William Edge secretary pro tem." David Shelmire was duly elected Assistant Burgess ; James Humphrey, Secre- tary, who afterwards declined, and J. Stuart Leech succeeded him. William Edge was elected Treasurer. The security of the Treasurer was fixed at two thousand (2000) dollars, and his salary twenty dollars. The compensation of the Secretary was fixed at fifteen dollars. Rev. A. G. Compton was chosen Street Commissioner.
The question of organization of a borough was under con- sideration for more than two years before final action was taken, and one of the strongest arguments set forth by the projectors of the act was the utter inability to secure a good, clean thor- oughfare between the two ends of the town by constant appeals to the township supervisors, who, in their long-legged cowhide boots, had no sympathy for the dudish villagers, who once a week, at least, brushed and polished their fine boots to wear to meeting and on other laudable and interesting occasions. It was quite natural, therefore, as an act of good practice for Coun- cil to consider the betterment of the principal highway in town for pedestrians, for, be it remembered, that trolley cars, auto- mobiles and even bicycles were then unthought of, and perhaps would not have been tolerated. The very first act, therefore, of the first Council at their first meeting was to appoint a com- mittee, consisting of William Edge, David Shelmire and R. D. Wells, to confer with the president of the Philadelphia and Lan- caster Turnpike Company to make certain arrangements in
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reference to sidewalks along the said turnpike. At this meeting a committee was appointed, consisting of the Burgess and Coun- cilmen, to draft a constitution and set of by-laws. William Edge and James Lochart were appointed to secure a seal, and William Butler, Esq., of West Chester, was elected the "legal counsel of the Corporation."
The next act was an ordinance naming the point of inter- section of the Lancaster Pike and the Wilmington State Road "Centre Square," and naming the other established roads lead- ing to or through the borough-sixteen in all.
On July 28, 1859, J. Stuart Leech and William B. Hoopes were appointed a committee to procure a map of the borough, and on August 3, same year, the Chief Burgess was authorized to procure a lock-up, and an ordinance passed "for the punish- ment of disorderly conduct in the Borough of Downingtown."
On September 1, 1859, an ordinance for raising supplies to defray expenses was enacted, fixing the rate at 3 mills. On October 15, 1859, Esquire Lewis was paid the sum of ($1.50) seven dollars and fifty cents for five days' leveling and surveying on the streets, civil engineering evidently being at a low ebb. On December 29, 1859. Rule 2? was enacted, granting citizens the privilege of attending the meetings of Council, but to take no part in the deliberations, except by invitation determined by a majority of the members present.
On January 6, 1860, communication received from William Butler, Esq., Borough Counsel, enclosing a decision of Supreme Court in reference to non-taxing money for borough purposes.
On April 4, 1860, the first street committee (or "Strect Regu- lations") was appointed, being the only standing committee of Council, to whom complaints from sundry citizens from time to time were referred.
September 22, 1860, a petition of citizens was presented to Council, asking that an ordinance be passed prohibiting inter- ments within the borough limits, which was referred to William Edge and R. D. Wells, who were directed to consider the subject of organizing a cemetery company and report to a subsequent meeting.
January 31, 1861, Committee on Public Cemetery made a report, which was accepted, their selection of ground being a part of lands of Joshua B. Sharpless, containing about twenty acres, on the road from the borough to West Chester, outside of the borough limits, with some preparation to having same incor- porated, which project, however, was never completed, for what reason is not stated, although the subject was "earnestly recom- mended to the public spirit and enterprise of the citizens of the borough and surrounding neighborhood to consummate the de-
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sign." (For a description of Northwood see another chapter.) On May 21, 1861, it was resolved, in repairing Bradford avenue, to have the western line straightened from "Walton's gate to the hydraulic ram," or further, if necessary, landmarks now obliterated.
Much concern was exercised in the repairs of streets and bridges and in requiring citizens to repair and keep in good con- dition the sidewalks on their respective properties, and on May 1, 1862, the sum of two hundred and twelve dollars ($212) was appropriated for repairs and improvements on bridges and ave- nues for the ensuing year.
The matter of grade crossings engaged the attention of the young borough, for as early as 9th mo., 4th, 1862, Robert W. Forrest and Enos Worrall addressed a communication to Coun- cil representing that on that day they ran a very narrow chance of being killed on crossing the East Brandywine and Waynes- burg Railroad, on account of want of proper care and attention of those in the management of the road. The matter being re- ferred to a special committee, all further danger was avoided by the railroad company erecting a board at the crossing reading, "Look Out for the Locomotive."
The borough, composed largely of members of the Society of Friends and Democrats, was none the less patriotic, for, on June 17, 1862, pursuant to a request made at a town meeting held in Odd Fellows' hall, at which Rev. M. Newkirk and Caleb Baldwin were appointed to represent them, a special meeting of Council was held and the following resolution was presented : . "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by the president, whose duty it shall be to call on the Burgess of the borough with the request that he convene the Council for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of pledging the faith of the borough in raising a sum sufficient to relieve the necessities of the families of those patriotic citizens who have volunteered to march in defense of our invaded State. Signed, M. Newkirk, Jr., Secretary of the meeting."
When, on motion, it was resolved that the Borough of Downingtown be pledged to supply the families of such volun- teers residing within the borough limits as are now leaving their homes in defense of the State with such necessaries as may be needed for their support during the absence of such, the said sup- plies to be purchased as directed by a committee appointed for that purpose.
R. D. Wells and C. Zigler were appointed a committee to attend to the same.
Sanitary conditions were not neglected, for, on May 14, 1866, at a special "session." the Burgess was requested to have printed
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and distributed to every housekeeper within the borough limits notices setting forth the necessity of cleaning and purifying their cellars, sinks, gutters and all places about their premises cal- culated to create disease, especially the apprehended cholera, and in view of a committee from Council visiting their premises.
During the war of the Rebellion it was thought necessary to resort to draft to secure recruits for the depleted ranks of our soldiers, and certain townships and boroughs, anticipating such methods. would raise by subscription enough money to "fill the quota" of their respective districts by paying substitutes to en- list, the price ranging from a few dollars to many hundreds of dollars for each substitute, who, in many cases, would desert on the first opportunity and engage somewhere else, called bounty jumpers.
Downingtown entered into this method of escaping the draft. tor we find where Joshua Kames, in October. 1864, petitioned Council to pay to the First National Bank the sum of one thou- sand dollars, which had been advanced by said bank.
On May 19, 1866, on motion, the whole Council resolved itself into a committee to wait upon every citizen within the bor- ough limits and inspect all places liable to invite disease, and especially cholera.
The grade crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Brad- ford avenue was considered so dangerous that on October 4, 1869, a committee of Council was appointed to confer with the officers of the said railroad company as to their intention of making a culvert under their road on Viaduct avenue, and on December 2, 1872. Bath alley ordained, and Bradford avenue from Lancaster avenue to Bath alley vacated, the Railroad company having opened the culvert under their tracks at Viaduct avenue.
Among the many improvements and enterprises introduced by Joshua Kames was the erection of a large hotel on the south side of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in the West Ward, known as the "Aston Terrace," which was destroyed by fire about the time of its completion, supposed to be the work of incendiaries, on the night of June 18, 1820, for the arrest and conviction of whom the Borough Council offered a reward of five hundred dollars, the same to be published in the "Journal," "Record" and "Jeffer- sonian."
March 4, 1872, a map of the borough. made and presented by Messrs. Townsend, Hoopes and A. V. Trimble, was accepted and adopted as the official borough map.
In order to encourage the erection of manufacturing estab- lishments in the borough, an ordinance was passed. February 10, 1813, exempting from borough tax for a period of ten years all
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property used directly in the manufacture of woolen, cotton, iron, glass or paper goods.
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