The Turn of the Century

In 1901, the Trustees reported at their June 3 meeting the receipts of rental fees from elections, the Daughters of Liberty, and Borough Council, the latter being $13 for six months.

Three fires were reported in 1902, one a house fire, one in some piles of rails, and the third at a meat plant. On November 9 the Chief reported "Fire at Sausage and Scrapple Mfg. of William White in stable of James Davis— Woodland Ave., The Fire had great headway when Alarm was sounded—The Company went into service but on account of headway gained by the Fire and the very inflammable nature of it little could be done. The Building was entirely consumed and when we could get at the ruins, the body of William White was found in stable terribly charred and burned." A "slight fire" was reported in December, at the residence Auctioneer George P. Cafey, but the flames from the chimney fire were checked "before much damage was done." (DLN)

Seven fires were recorded in the Chief's log in 1904. The first was January 4 at the stables of the Duffryn Mawr Hotel at Green Tree Station. "Building almost entirely destroyed when the alarm was given. Went into service to protect surrounding property."

On January 12: "Fire at the Coach House and Stable of Henry B. Coxe. This Company went in service quickly and done good service. Loss, about $60." Mr. Coxe, a member of a prominent Philadelphia industrial family, lived in the red brick house on what is now the Layman's Retreat on Warren Avenue. This property was his summer home. Reportedly, Mr. Coxe gave the Company a $1,500 gasoline engine in the spring of 1904, reputed to be the first such engine in Pennsylvania. It is a treasured piece of Company equipment which still runs today. Mr. Coxe died August 31, 1904, while on a trip to Belgium.

A stable fire at the home of Mrs. Bennett Cox May 8, was quickly extinguished and the house, only 12 feet away, was saved. A small loss was sustained May 9 in the gable of the RT. Warner Carriage Paint Shop. A smoke stack fire at the Charles E. Hires Plant August 28 was too small to require the services of the Company.

The first reference to its use by the Chief was at an October 11 fire "al the Large barn of T. Wesley Goodwin, on G. T. Ruth property—Fire had great headway, coming out through roof and sides when the alarm was sounded. The Gasoline Fire Engine was quickly putting a very strong stream on it, but on account of great headway the building could not be saved."

The first recorded false alarm was noted on November 4. A fire extinguisher was used December 27 to put out a fire at the home of Mr. Westwood on Ruthland Avenue.

The Chief's Log shows five entries for the year 1905. "False alarm of fire was sounded, caused by crossed wire on street alarm boxes, Company quickly responded." (January 6) A chimney fire April 2 caused little damage at the Isaac D. Smith residence on Lancaster Avenue. "Fire (July 19) at the Stable & Undertaking Establishment of G.B. Passmore, this Company quickly responded and although the fire had gotten considerable headway, they succeeded in extinguishing and saving the building. Our success with this fire was very praiseworthy." Another false alarm occurred July 19 while the men were working on the fire alarm wires.

The Company responded lo an alarm from Paoli November 15, but returned upon learning the fire at the railroad was out. On December 12, "About 9;30 a.m. the Knickerbocker Lime Co. phoned for assistance, as a row of six Houses of theirs was on Fire. With 3 horses from A.L. Craft Company quickly responded, while we had a run of over 3 miles, we succeeded in saving one of the Houses entire and another one partially. We had Engine taking water from Valley Creek."

An attic fire July 14, 1906 In a home at Miner Street and Lancaster Avenue was confined and the "rest of the building not Injured except by water." Another chimney fire on Lancaster Avenue November 27 was quickly put out and damage not exceed $25.

The Company responded to a fire in the engine house of the Hires Condensed Milk Co. pumping station June 3, 1907. On August 17 a fire alarm from the Weaver Farm in Chester Valley was briefly noted in the Chief's Log, because "on account of there being no water near the Company did not go."

The Company responded to an October 22 fire on the roof of E.E. Williams' barn , "but their services were not required, as fire was put out by a few buckets of water—-damage trifling." A newspaper report said "A locomotive spark was supposed to have caused the trouble." (DLN)

The Company was called August 8, 1908 to protect the property of Robert Matthews in Chester Valley during a barn fire.

The Chief recorded nine fires in 1909, in Paoli, Chester Valley, and Malvern.

The most serious was the Commisky Farm house in Chester Valley June 29. "The fire had great headway the roof of back portion had fallen in, we were in service and had a good stream on in 20 minutes from time alarm was received—Alter a fight of about 2 hours we had fire out, but house was damaged beyond repairs."