AREA HISTORY: Anthracite Fire Company: Northumberland County File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sandy Jensen. BSJENSEN@mhiconn.net USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. History of Mount Carmel Northumberland Co, Pa These stories came from the Mount Carmel Ledger, 1892 Anthracite Fire Company Anthractie Fire Company, No 1, of Mt Carmel, came into being on a very quiet May evening, ten years ago, in the old grammar school building on Second Street. A majority and a minority attended the ceremonies. The former wanted an engine; the latter, a hook and ladder company. An engine was bought, and though there was no fires for years and years there was unmeasured fun-at the time 'twas called excitement. On election days there werre no republicans, no democrats: we were for or against the "ho- house boys." The firemen bought their green shoulders at one place, the anties at another. And so we grew and the excitement with us. By and by the Mt. Carmel Water Company was organized. Reservoirs were built on the mountain side higher than the flag pole on the Mt. Carmel House. The fire company opponents were not in high glee and decided unanimously that a hose carriage provided all the protection necessary. Hostilities were renewed and for months the battle raged. Finally, a white flag was hoisted, and a messenger came from the other side to say that if they couldn't shoot a tream over the Mt. Carmel House with the natural pressure, a trial with the engine should be made, and the war, would cease. A Saturday afternoon was fixed for the trial and the streets were crowded with people to witness the contest. The hose was attached. The stream was turned on. The third story was reached, but the flag pole remained as dry as the Mt. Carmel Water Company's treasury will be after this season's defficits have been made good. Next came the engine with some smoke rolling from the stack in clouds, the stream hissing sounds of defiance to those who had believed in the efficiancy of natural pressure. "A stream will go over that building or I'll bust the boiler," exclaimed the determined engineer. The boiler was not "busted." One half the spectators felt very much like some of those who listened to the returns in Clarkson's Tuesday night. Time, the balm for wounds, however, long ago healed all the wounds and naught, save a few scars, now remain to remind us of the days gone by. Only once in the history of the town has there been a fire of any importance. That was back in 1873, when the only building saved on the west side of Oak Street bwtween Second and Third, was the old landmark lately occupies ny John Dolbin. Though the town has been singularly fortunate, the fire company has been always on the alert and their promptness is responding to the alarm has done much to prevent the spread of the flames. Fires which the hose company responded to are: Alaska breaker, Locust Spring breaker, and the Pennsylvania Colliery boiler house; Maturly's row, Fastz's property occupies by S.C. Hickie, Brophee's buildings, Walnut street; Wert's hotel, Enoch Lubeski's row, Patrick Donahoe's home, Joseph Blanch's Market street dwelling, Polish Church, Joseph Hughes' Oak street property, Edward Reed's Avenue block, O.H. Sullivan's residence, Squire Lewis' dwelling, Mt Carmel House and Mr. Lazarus' property, Maple street. The department has apparatus valued at about $7,000, consisting of a La France engine, a hose carriage and cart, 1,600 feet of hose, axes, gum coats and other paraphenalia which go to equip a modern engine house. The only thing they lack is a team of horses to move the engine with more rapidity and this will be furnished with the beginning of the new year. On the apparatus Anthracite Fire Company paid by their individual exertion about $2,000; the balance was donated by the town council in return for which the entire equipment of the department became borough property. These were the first company officers: W.H. Stecker President Charles Snyder Vice President John O'Tool Secretary W.C. Jones Financial Secretary H.P. Helwig Treasurer C.D. Wright Trustree P. Mutchler Trustee Dr. Samuel Trustee The company was officered in 1892 by Charles Cope President John Adams Vice President Henry Betts Secretary Levi Deitrich Treasurer There have been but three foreman since the company's birth: Richard Amour served one year, Samuel Dietrich served as his successor for a period of five years, George Coupe was the present chief in 1892, and a prime favorite with all the ladies. TOWN POSTMASTERS Mount Carmel, first enjoyed the luxury of a post office June 13, 1846. It was discontinued the following year after Richard YARNALL and Jeremiah C. PERKINS had tried to keep it going. In 1850, Felix LERCH tried his hand at it and successfully conducted it until 1855 when his son, William H. LERCH the Second street merchant succeeded him. He in turn was succeeded by Squire LEWIS, April 26, 1856. From that time on they came in this order-Frederick FAHRION, coal operator and proprietor of the National Hotel, September 8, 1858; James B. WELCH, July 2, 1860; John HOUGH, December 26, 1860; David HEISER, April 4, 1861; Abraham LERCH, December 21, 1863; Charles BOLICH, father of D.D., September 27, 1865; Amelius F. STECKER, father of the present incumbent February 10, 1868; Andrew GALLAGHER, August 4, 1868; Abraham AYERS, father of Superintendent Ayers, Dec 4, 1868; Ann AYERS, Jun 14, 1879; John BROPHY, April 6, 1886. HUNTING Mount Carmel at one time was the hunters' paradise. Within the recollection of several residents, game of every description was shot on the mountains and fisherman dropped their bait in the sulphur creek with success. Distinctly do these residents remember when the announcement that a panther had been seen on the mountain caused a rush of hunters to the woods. Said old Mrs. Rebecca Reeder, who was born in the Orchard, now a part of Grand Army park, in 1803, and who died about the time the first locomotive whistle in these parts announced the approach of civilization; "Our nearest neighbors for some years were Isaac Tomlinson and John Thompson, who had settled down the valley some miles toward Shamokin. We visited each other occasionally and were always glad to see each other. Game was very plentiful at that time. My father in one year shot forty deer, six bears, and three panthers, beside smaller game. At nights we would hear these wild animals scream. Their noise was frightful to hear. Wolves were very troublesome to us. One night they dug under the stable, dragged out a sheep, and took it away. it was not safe to be out after night without firearms. Shamokin creek abounded with fish, and in a short time we could catch a nice string."