AMERICAN HOSE COMPANY #1
American Hose Co # 1 A "Reliant" Start
Tamaqua American Hose Co #1 began in 1878, representing a reorganization of the 1860 Reliance Hook & Ladder Co which along with Perseverance Fire Co provided fire protection in the community during the civil war era.
Reliance was part of the Tamaqua Fire Dept. which started in 1852 with the boroughs purchase of a hand drawn hose carriage.
When American Hose Co grew out of Reliance the company then had 36 members. The borough constructed a firehouse for the American Hose Company in 1885, our present building.
As for Perseverance, the borough built a firehouse for that company in 1879 Perseverance evolved into today's Citizens Fire Co
One of Tamaqua's early historians, Sam R Beard, wrote that by 1881 American Hose Co was "in good hands and members are rapidly perfecting their arrangements for making their services effective in case of fire."
In Sept 1881 A.H.Co. appointed a police force" to do duty at fires by caring for furniture and other personal property carried from a burning building," and to keep the crowd within a certain distance from the scene of action.
According to an old edition of the Tamaqua Evening Courier, then a weekly owned by Robert Harris;" May articles have been stolen at fires in this town. We hope that this move of the American hose will have an effort of stopping such thieving."
AN IMPRESSIVE FIREHOUSE
According to records of the Tamaqua National Historic District, the American Hose Company firehouse was constructed in 1885 by Weaver & Alspach, a local builder, after design by architect, name unknown.
The style in a Romanesque Revival and the materials are brick and terra cotta.
As desired by Tamaqua Borough Council, the building is two stories high, 25x54 feet.
"The cellar will be divided so that it can be used jointly by the hose company and the borough and the interior will be arranged to accommodate a hose carriage, hook and ladder truck (built in Reading for AHC) and room left for a steamer in case the borough or hose company should ever feel rich enough to purchase one."
And while council wanted the main entrance on Mauch Chunk Street, it also wanted the building arranged "so that the fire apparatus can run out at the Pine Street entrance with equal facility."
The upper story was for company meetings and council promised to furnish it "neatly and substantially."
On Jan. 3, 1958, AHC members were told that the property next door was available but the company declined to buy it because the price was too high, according to an appraisal. Ten years later, the company purchased the; lot for $4000, a price that had been negotiated downward from $10000.
In 1977, the company turned over the adjoining lot to the Tamaqua Community Ambulance Association and the Tamaqua Borough, to construct a building to house two ambulances and the borough's Ariel truck.
Alarm System and Equipment
A new fire alarm system was the hot topic in 1912, with the new system partially installed by the end of 1913. On May 15, 1914, installation was completed when AHC purchased the town's first whistle for $50. But even as the alarm system was completed in Tamaqua, there were indications of a greater alert, World War 1.
On the same day- April6, AHC agreed to attend South Ward Fire Co Annual Ball, war was declared by Congress.
In 1916, AHC agreed to exonerate from duty all members "doing duty at the border". A month and a half later, death benefits were raised from $75-$100. In 1918 the company's patriotic fervor included a $15 donation to the War Chest, which was paid out of the pool table fund.
Further modernization came in 1914 with the purchase of a Boyd Fore Truck with one tank. It cost $5595, of which $4000 was borrowed. Dr. Kate Freudenberger capped off the purchase by buying a siren for the vehicle. The initiation fee as changed in December 1917. First purposed as $3 for anyone between 18 and 30 and $5 for those 30-35 with $2 for each additional year, the proposal was modified to; 18-25 $2; 25-30 $3; 30-35 $4; 35-40 $5 and $1 for each year of 40.
Woman, Children and New Members
Woman began appearing on the scene, although not with the membership's blessing. An unknown member or members brought woman into the Hose House in 1922 and a committee was formed to find out who has violated the male domination.
The culprit or culprits were never found and the committee was discharged.
Children also were a concern and it was proposed that "small boys" be kept out of the Hose House, a motion that was modified to let them on only when accompanied by their parents. Another time members voted to jeep children away from the company picnic.
New members were looked at as lifeblood of the organization.
At the start of 1927, AHC members agreed to "make a drive for 25 young members." Then, to make new members feel welcome, a special meeting was held to vote on them so they could belong to the company in time for the 50th anniversary celebration on Feb 21. Fourteen new members joined in time for the banquet.
The new members were later able to take advantage of something else- the cellar, which was being improved. The company took over the cellar in 1928 and advanced $200 to get started. In March, The cellar committee was told to investigate the prices of beverage and to purchase where they get the best price.
Women were officially allowed into the company premises in the 1930's but the idea wasn't universally embraced. On Aug. 4 1939, members voted against fixing up the woman's restroom, but then turned around at the next meeting and approved bids for remolding the social room, and held a meeting to select furniture.
Tradition was falling everywhere. In Nov 1938, the once popular annual ball was suspended in favor of a New Years Eve Party.
Naturally, with a social room, members decided to set up a social membership, established at $3 annual dues. Late in 1939, they agreed to have different colored membership cards to distinguish beneficial members from social members. In June 1940 there were 328 active members, 21 pensioned and 16 social.
In January 1941, women were further recognized when at a company meeting it was decided to include wives and sweethearts at the anniversary banquet and charge fifty cents per member.
The Phone, Prohibition & the Social Room
On June 18, 1915, the company paid for its first telephone bill- $1.58, to United telephone Co. A far cry from today's technology of cell phones, pagers, wireless internet and GPS systems.
The telephone became a problem in 1931, according to the minutes; "on motion of Walter Hicksetter and Charles Sweeney that the trustees see the manager of the bell telephone Co and find out if we are paying for private of two party line and if it is a private line why is there another party on it and we would like to reimbursed for the difference from the time the other party was connected on it."
Minutes showed that both the Untied Mine workers and the Carpenters Union were allowed to meet at the Hose House. On May 1, 1925 the UMW sent a check for $100 to help the AHC pay for remodeling costs.
The bar was a busy place soon after the repeal of Prohibition. Late in 1933, the company decided to purchase a liquor license. The first one cost $60 and was paid on Nov.19, 1934. On March 1, 1935, the trustees reported doing $678.74 in social room business in Feb with expenses of $441.41. The steward was owed $118.78; one new beer dispenser cost $125; the expense for a new tub, lining and plumbing was $31.28; building two new tables cost %5.55; painting the social rooms and beer bar $30.58; and one new board for the bar cost $10.32. A balance of $250 was turned over to the company. (The figures don't add up- but that's the way it was reported.)
By April, the profit rose to $239. 18. With the business doing so well, the company accepted R. Becker's $1542 bid to remodel the second floor into a new social quarters and meeting room.
Becker's bid did not include painting, wiring and plumbing. At the same meeting, AHC decided to purchase a second hand elevator from Hoppes.
Improvements to the social room included $950 paid to Samuel Whetstone for the bar back and front bar tile drain, Wesley Kale charges $539 for refrigeration; Elcelsio Machine Co of reading was paid $285 for the under bar and William Reed charged $54.75 for toilet fixtures.
To make it official, members rescinded the rule to forbade drinks and amusements on the second floor. They also agreed to buy a fright elevator and repair the steps. On Aug. 20 1937, they agreed to purchase a payroll; book as recommended by the IRS.
Interestingly, Ira Reinhart, secretary, who was also a beer distributor who sold beer to the AHC, was forced to resign his post because of Pa Liquor Control Board rules against interlocking relationships However, Reinhart signed the company's liquor license application and his signature appears on the license as an AHC officer.
In 1974, the Social room underwent a major renovation, from the long bar (which was situated in the area now occupied by the pool table), huge arched windows nearly 20' ceilings and the old meeting room (located where the present bar stands today), to the existing layout of the horseshoe bar, kitchen, and relocated meeting room, In an attempt to raise revenue, the decision was made in 1981 to "rent out" the back room for small functions.
Social Activities A Mainstay
Members of American Hose always have been prominent figures in the community, and appreciative of society and its advancements.
Funerals were a source of company turnout. In May 1892, the company purchased four dozen funeral badges. Costing a total of $10.25, the badges were sold to members for 20 cents a piece, which means that is every badge sold, the company received $9.60, taking a 65 cent loss.
The death benefit was increased in October1900, to $75. It had been $50 as early as 1892. On May 2, 1894, member Frederick Krell was burned in an explosion and was in serious condition when the company met two days later. AHC members asked Moses Morgan to attend to Krell and later authorized the employment of Morgan at $ 1.25 a night "to continue as long as necessary." A month later, Krell was reported improving.
In December, 1897, members once again were concerned with the plight of a fellow firefighter.
This time, Michael Harbig broke his leg "while not yet off duty." Sometime in August. The relief committee, which proposed paying thirteen weeks of benefits to Harbig said, "He will never again be able to follow his usual occupation."
Although not mentioned in newspaper accounts. Harbig probably was injured when fire destroyed the Eagle Iron Works Aug. 10, 1897.
From the begining there were annual balls, the company's social event of the year.
Even the old Reliance, grateful to Town Council for providing meting space, showed appreciation by giving a grand ball in Seitzingers Hall.
So moved were members in 1897 after hearing a special sermon on Nov 28 by the Rev. W.T. Nichloss, Primitive Methodist Church, that the company adopted a resolution of special thanks;
"In such an able, upright, pure, pleasant and agreeable way. That we will ever endeavor to imitate the example of a good fireman as he defined him- always ready to sacrifice our life for that of others no matter what creed, color or race, all fellow men alike with courage and promptness in case of fire."
The New Years Eve Ball of 1889-90 had a chairman and seven - member committee, and once the ball began, there were three floor managers to keep the peace.
The annual event was popular and in the words of Mrs. Frank Behr, who attended them in the early 1920's, "they were jammed because at that time dancing was all the go."
Tickets were sold through the community and the fireman wore their uniforms, a practice that ended years before the balls came to a halt.
World War II and After
By 1941 a war was coming and members were asked by Spanish American war veterans if they could use part of the company's yard to erect a memorial. There was no record of a reply, but in the minutes decided the company's lawn was no place for a monument. Although they agreed the company would not refuse any veterans' group request.
Arthur Hess was called to serve his country, and submitted his resignation as ambulance director to join the army. The company had $5920 in Defense Bonds on hand by March 20, 1942.
ON June 5, 1942, AHC members agreed to purchase a service flag with sufficient stars for members serving in WWII.
The war cost the Hose House three members- George Mock, Walter Hochstatter, Jr. and Robert Seligman.
When the war was over, new members flocked to the company. Forty-six of them were initiated on May 3, 1946, and were known as the Mock-Hochstatter-Seligman Memorial Class in honor of the war dead.
The influx of new members perhaps is reflected in this Sept 19, 1947 entry in the minutes; "the secretary was instructed to compile a list of all members under twenty one years of age for the use of the steward at the bar."
New members or not, a month later "the steward was instructed to devise means of creating interest to increase the attendance of our meetings." It reached its lowest point on Feb. 20 1948, when the lack of a quorum forced cancellation of the regular meeting.
The death benefit was increased to $200 on Oct 7, 1949.
The family picnic was an annual affair for many years. But each year finding a grove to hold it was getting harder, so on July 3, 1959 the picnic committee requested the company look into the matter securing a grove for AHC.
A month later, it was reported that s site for the picnic grove had been found in West Penn Township. Carl Dreisbach was appointed chairman of the committee to have charge of improving the grove. Some money was needed to get things started, so the cellar gang donated $249 to the company to get things going.
Social related business continued to be heavily discussed. The 1953 picnic was cancelled because of stringent rules by the liquor control board. In October the steward was told to eliminate unnecessary noise in the social rooms and the captain instructed to do so in the engine room and the cellar.
In 1954, a family picnic took place at the grove with 300 in attendance. In June 1991, the decision was made to end the lease with the land owner of the grove by the end of August, due to increase insurance liability.
Early in 1955, Fire Chief Frank Behr, informed members that another exit was needed from the social room and a committee was appointed.
The company has been active in many things other than fire fighting. An AHC little league Baseball team was once the pride of the organization. The company also sponsored a softball team and three bowling teams.
To this day, the company remains a strong community supporter through our history of sponsorship for the American hose Little league teams, along with numerous donations to area fishing derbies. A yearly visit by Santa to the engine room has been a tradition for local children. In recent years we have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society, resumed holding annual block parties which includes an increasingly popular Poker Run, Chicken Barbeque dinners and hosting live bands in the social quarters.
Apparatus - Then and Now
After the purchase of the Boyd Fire Truck in 1918, the company gave notice to the town council it would no longer haul garbage, and the trustees were instructed to sell the three horses.
Later the members agreed to get out of the coal business and to sell the remaining horse. A month later the agreed to advertise the sale of the sprinkler wagon. In December, the hay and straw that was left in the stable was given to George Sandrock for cleaning it out.
A new chemical truck was in the fold. It ran gasoline and was supported by tires. The times were changing. In May, 1919 the wagons and harnesses were sold. Seventeen months later the company members discussed buying an Ariel truck and in March 1921 an American LaFrance Type 31 (known as the Cricket) with front wheel drive and 75 foot extension ladder was bought for $15,850.
The company purchased a 12 cylinder engine, 750 GPM Seagraves pumper for $8044.10 but after the Seagraves arrived in Feb 1937 it was out of service unless a second call, "because its license had not yet arrived."
In 1951, the company purchased a new open cab Seagraves fire truck for $12,625. This engine would serve as our company's "first in" piece until 1981, when it was sold to Donald Zehner in Iowa for $1000.
On Oct. 21, 1955 another Ariel truck was purchased, which consisted of 1937 LaFrance "tractor" pulling an 80' 1934 LaFrance Chassis. The old Cricket was then sold for scrap for $275.
In 1971, the company was able to purchase a 1,000 gallon per minute pumper from Mack Trucks for and approximate cost of $37,000. This truck had one unusual feature- its color was blue and the company's color scheme for future apparatus purchases for the future has remained the same. The 71 Mack replaced the 1937 Seagraves engine.
In 1981, a committee headed by Captain Tom Wertman proposed to the company to purchase a new Darley pumper to replace the 1951 Seagraves. The purchase price was approximately $65,000 and the truck served as the hub of all major fires until 1997. This truck was our first truck purchased under the States 2% loan program for updating fore apparatus.
In 1996, a committee was formed to put together specifications for a new truck to replace the 1981 Darley.
By April 1997, the work of the committee paid off when the company took delivery pf the new custom pumper from KME. The Darley was then sold for $28,000.
This new engine matched the color of the 1971 Mack which was painted 1968 Cadillac Blue. The new truck sports a 1250 GPM waterous two stage pump, a 750 gallon water tank, on board generator, Detroit Diesel 450 HPO engine. It also contains a Fire Commander Engine governor system, a brand new concept at the time and an enclosed 10 man cab, the first of its kind in the borough. This truck came with a price tag of $219,850. The short wheelbase makes the unit easily maneuverable on the streets of Tamaqua.
After delivery of the new Engine 775 in May 1997 the unit due to its color and "state of the art" features became a show piece for KME fire apparatus. It was a display piece at the Harrisburg Fire Expo along with many advertising publications for KME.
Engine 775 is well equipped with all the latest equipment and has won numerous awards over the years, including best functioning pumper at the 1998 Pennsylvania State Fireman's Convention in Gettysburg.
Marching Club- A chance to Strut, A time for fun
A trophy case long deemed to small for the many awards for the company's triumphs over the years of marching in various parades, stands as a tribute to the current Marching club as well as the men who represented the American Hose Company in the many years gone by.
On parade day, some gather at the Hosie early, their uniforms laundered and their white shirts and gloves clean. Others pack their families into cars and drive off. It is the big day… the county convention… six county… maybe even state. A chance to strut, a time to have fun, Flowers for each uniform's lapel are distributed at parade time and the men are arranged-the tallest up front.
Virtually as old as the company itself, the Marching Club has been a fun side of many a fireman's life. But it's also been a competition weeks in advance, making sure their uniforms are in order and their marching mates aware of the parade.
But where today's Marching Club members are merely informed of an upcoming parade by "word of mouth" in the early years members were ordered to march. In those days when the American Hose was but 18 years old, the entire company was ordered into parade lineup.
In 1894 the members began discussing the purchase of uniforms, but after receiving a report on prices and seeing samples of uniforms, the members postponed further discussion.
A year later, at a special meeting, the members agreed to purchase 50 belts and caps and to provide regulation shirts to members who did not have them in time for the parade in Reading.
In 1897 the members decided to purchase more complete uniforms "of the long coat style" with pants and regular hats. The uniform eventually was described in the company minutes as thus; " Coat to be as follows, double breasted with rolling collar, two rows of buttons on breast 8 in a row, three small buttons each sleeve, six buttons on a shirt, 3 on each side. Two outside pockets with flaps, one inside breast pocket, strap seams, coat to measure 12" from the floor to the bottom of shirt. The whole to be lined with good serge throughout. Hat of lightweight regulation style."
In preparation for the 1901 State Firemen's Convention in Philadelphia, the company purchased 40 new uniforms at a cost of $13.32 each. The new style uniforms consisted of a single breasted coat with a low- cut collar that had a monogram on the left sleeve. The military style cap had a drop peak and on the plain pants with 5 pockets (two side, two hip, one watch) there was half a braid. The uniform was worn with a white lay down collar shirt and a black tie. Eight years later the company purchased and additional 105 uniforms.
The "mascots" or young children who marched with the company apparently came about formally in 1910 at a parade in Shenandoah.
With new uniforms and growing ranks, the company moved to ensure the uniforms were kept well. To the end, a by-law was adopted requiring members to appear at the company every Memorial Day for roll call and general inspection. Members who missed inspection and did not have a "good veritable excuse in writing either from his employer or his doctor" were subject to a $1 fine or loss of the uniform.
During World War I, members who were in the armed services were required to turn in their uniforms and the company agreed to purchase new uniforms for them when they returned.
The company's first ambulance, purchased in 1925 was taken to a parade in Hazleton and received special prize of $25.
In 1948 the company decided to charge each member $15 for uniforms. The uniforms changed again back to the double breasted style abandoned in 1909.
In May of 1955, the Schuylkill County Fireman's Association was formed and Fire Chief Frank Behr was elected their first president. In October of that year, the first Schuylkill County Fireman's parade was held in Tamaqua.
Uniforms became so important that a uniform committee was named annually.
In 1973 eighty new uniforms were purchased they followed the same style as the old ones with one exception; the silver braid was changed to blue.
The Marching Club voted in December on 1991 to update the current marching uniform which replaced the older, much heavier uniforms. It was also decided that each member would purchase their own uniforms.
From the time Marching Club was formed to the present day, they have been honored with many top awards. From the first trumpet won by John Drated n 1893, which is proudly displayed in our trophy case, to the present string of first place finishes at virtually every appearance, The American Hose Company has a long and proud tradition of marching history, including the occasional appearance of the "Ladies Auxiliary".
History Of The American Hose Company #1