CHESTER'S FIRE HOUSE.
It is Opened to Public Inspection Tuesday,
LARGELY ATTENDED RECEPTION.
The Enterprising Village has a Splendid Water Supply and a Well Equipped Fire Department - The Officers and Members of Walton Hose Co.
The hospitality of Walton Hose, of Chester, was highly enjoyed and heartily appreciated by a delegation of Middletown firemen Tuesday afternoon.
A reception committee, composed of Messrs. Restcome P. Conklin, Fred. L. Conklin, Fred Vollmer, Edward May and Ira Carman, was at the handsomely appointed new building and extended every courtesy to those who called during the afternoon and evening.
The thriving village of Chester may well feel proud of its fire company, which is composed of the representative men of that borough and Greycourt as well.
The enterprise of its citizens has been demonstrated in the building of one of the most complete water systems to be found anywhere in this part of the State, at a cost of more than $50,000
The fact that Chester has been visited by several disastrous conflagrations, and has had a remarkable growth within a few years past, awoke its taxpayers to the necessity_ of fire protection and accordingly water works were built and on Nov. 9, 1893, Walton Hose Co. was formed
The best water obtainable in the locality was at Little Long Pond or what is now known as Walton Lake, near Monroe, seven miles away. It was an extensive undertaking, but with the leading men behind the enterprise there was no difficulty to complete the works, which are now on a handsome paying basis.
The water surface of Walton Lake covers 130 acres with a watershed containing over 1,000 acres. It is natural spring water of the finest quality, and is ninety feet deep in some parts.
The water pressure at the Howland House, one of the lowest parts of the village, is 112 pounds to the square inch and at Greycourt the pressure is 120 pounds.
A photograph hangs in the parlors of the new building which shows a stream from a hydrant on the hill, or the highest point of the village, being thrown to the top of the Catholic Church steeple, considerably over 100 feet in height.
In erecting the new structure the village Board of Trustees very wisely concluded to build for fire purposes and also quarters where the municipal affairs of the village might be transacted as well. The building is of brick and three stories high, and is arranged with all the modern conveniences.
The lower floor is devoted to the corporation rooms, and when necessary it can also be used as a place where supper may be served in case of entertainments.
In the extreme rear portion is the trustees room, where the village fathers conduct their business. They are W. A. Lawrence, President; George R. Vail, Clerk; Thad. Durland, George M. Roe, Joseph Board and Joseph Durland. A centre room is intended as the place where justice will be dispensed, and in the extreme front portion of the basement, just off the court, is a lockup supplied with two iron cages.
Walton Rose Co. is equipped with four hose jumpers and 1,200 feet of hose, 300 feet to each. The jumpers are kept at the following places: One at Joseph Board's barn, Chester proper; one at W. A. Lawrence's, West Chester; one at the new firehouse, and the fourth one in John R. Proctor's barn, Greycourt.
They Expect soon to have an electric system perfected in case of fire for alarm purposes, which is to connect with a bell at Lawrence's creamery, which may be rung from several distant points in case of fire, notifying the night watchman there who will at once blow the alarm signals on the creamery whistle. The present system of alarm is by the church bells and locomotive whistles.
The first service of Walton Hose was at the old hotel in the upper village, and the excellent work done there in saving the property prevented a serious conflagration and won for the company the praise of the citizens who saw at once the necessity of such an organization, and have ever since done everything possible for its support.
The carpenter work of the building was done by Mr. P. F. Miller, of Middletown. Mr. T. A. Miller did the mason work and Mr. Fred L. Conklin was the plumber.
The officers and members of Walton Hose Company are as follows:
Foreman - Theodore A. Miller.
Assistants - John R, Proctor, at Greycourt; Fred Wilkin, at Chester, and J. D. Rutan, at West Chester.
President - C. W. Kerner.
Vice President - R. P. Conklin.
Secretary - Joseph Noonan.
Assistant Secretary - H. C. Duryea
Treasurer - G. M. Roe.
Chaplain - Rev. Edwin Hunt.
Trustees - W. A. Lawrence; Frank Durland and Enos Deney.
W. W. Bodle, E.G. Masten, C. H. Masten, Albert Wilkin, C. D. Courter, H. Decker, J. J. Diffily, F. L. Conklin, Fred Vollmer, C. F. Dunning, George R. Vail, Frank D. Vail, C. F. Wood, E. D. Backman, W. H. Bennet, Fowler Banker, Fred Murray, Ira Carman, Theodore A. Lawrence, Edward May, James Murray, Charles Murray, C. A. Miller, W. Waldron.
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The following is from our Chester correspondent:
Tuesday afternoon, from two o'clock until nine, Walton Hose Co. gave a formal opening of their new building to the general public.
The rooms of the new building are nicely arranged for such an occasion, and at this time everything looked new and glittering.
On the main floor the company's trucks are kept, there being four in number, and this large room will also be used as a drill room, as our boys are endeavoring to be proficient in this line. Here also any entertainments given by the company will be produced.
On the upper floor is located the parlor, handsomely furnished with new furniture and carpet and supplied with literature for the advancement of our fire laddies.
In the basement is located the trial room and cells for the confinement of prisoners. On this occasion the basement was the dining room to supply the appetite of the inner man.
The rooms have been furnished with the money raised by the different entertainments given under the auspices of the company the past two years,
Our fire boys now feel that they have a home wherein they can gladly welcome visiting firemen. Our citizens have already had occasion to appreciate their worth by their prompt response at the few fires we have had since the organization of the company.
After nine o'clock Ball's orchestra furnished music for dancing, which was heartily enjoyed by all of our citizens. May our citizens forever strive to benefit Walton Hose Company.
