A photograph of two pieces of fire equipment once owned by the Millersburg Fire Company, Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. At the left is 1922 American LaFrance pumper truck with hard rubber tires and at the right is a 1929 LaFrance chemical and hose truck used to put out oil fires. None of the men in the photo are identified.
The Millersburg Fire Company was established on January 23, 1896.
In December 1964, Clarence “Tony” Snyder reflected on his time with the Millersburg Fire Company, 1922-1964, in an article which appeared in the Upper Dauphin Sentinel, December 26, 1964:
“In order to join the Millersburg Fire Company back in 1922, you had to be 18 years of age. However, since I was tall for my age I ‘fibbed’ and joined when I was 16, and served for 45 year thereafter.
“We had the first firemen’s convention in Millersburg in 1922. In those days the firemen met on the second Tuesday of each month.
“On July 10, 1922, they formed a committee to purchase a new fire truck. After two month, the company bought an American LaFrance 600-gallon pumper for $9,500. At the same time we installed an efficient alarm system at a cost of over $5,000.
“In 1929, the old Ford truck was replaced with a modern LaFrance hose truck, which carried foamite equipment and a large size ladder.
“The next firemen’s convention was held in Millersburg in 1931. Mark Sausser was president of the fire company for many years, while Thom Jones was fire chief until 1946.
“For many years the company had as its regular activities a carnival, membership drive, and an annual sauerkraut supper at the Miller Garage. The Hoke brothers (Paul Hoke, Clifford Hoke, Herman Hoke, and Marvin Hoke) always conducted the cake stand at the carnivals, while James Baer served the fire company faithfully as financial secretary for many years.
“In 1938, we purchased the Center Street schoolhouse for the fire house for $4,000.
“We formed the Marching Club in 1939 which consisted of 68 members. Each bought his own uniform.
“During the year of 1942, a special effort was put on by the carnival and a scrap drive to benefit local men in the Armed Forces. We raised $7,875 at the carnival and netted $2,625 from the scrap drive to raise $10,500. Each of the 175 servicemen received $15 each.
“In 1947, we conducted fire schools for the first time. The instructor was “Whitey” Blankmyer, who was a state fire instructor.
“In the years 1947-1963, the company had ten men attend the State Fire School at Lewistown.
“A new air horn was purchased in1950 to replace the old one on top of the municipal building. Along with the new horn, a new air compressor and air storage tank was purchased for a total of $2,200.
“During the next several years the company purchased and placed five new fire alarm boxes and replaced wire for the alarm system, using a total of 35,600 feet for the town.
“The Fire Company Marching Club, being active in many parades, received 51 new uniforms in 1953 from the company, at a cost of $2,150. They attended many parades and won many prizes.
“In 1954, on the 8th of July, while working for Frank Lenker, I fell out of a buttonwood tree and landed on a block of wood and broke two vertebrae. After some length of time I was finally discovered by Mike Seiler, who summoned Rahn Hottenstein, and I was taken to his office. I lay there for a long time until we could get an ambulance, driven by Unie Enders, to take me to the Harrisburg Hospital.
“Herb Hoke, who was fire chief, came to visit me many times while recuperating, and suggested the fire company take over the ambulance. So after I was discharged in September, we had a meeting the following month and decided to take over the ambulance on the first of November, under one condition: I suggested we buy a new one.
“Stryon Jury and I put on the ambulance drive, and on June 6, 1955, a new Oldsmobile ambulance was put into service, replacing the one given to the company by the American Legion. An appeal was made to the citizens for funds, and through their generosity, the needed amount of $6,200 was raised. The company then gave one year free ambulance service to those who needed it.
“On June 1, 1956, the Millersburg Fire Company Ambulance Club was formed with 3,300 members paying $1.00 each, assuring them ambulance service for one year. Skyron Jury and I also formed the ambulance club.
“During 1956, the company purchased and installed a radio system for all three pieces of equipment. This included a base station and three radios, and two walkie-talkies to be used at fires. The company had 1,391 members on its roster. Irvin Warfel, at 75 years of age, was the oldest.
“I was a member of all the carnival committees, the firemen’s drives, and ambulance drives. We received no financial aid from the township. The borough contributed $500 a year when available.
“We had the last firemen’s convention in Millersburg during the year of the Centennial in 1957.
“In 1958 we macademized the Center Street parking lot, which Ed Wilt contracted for $5,000 and removed the large trees.
“In 1959 we put an addition onto the fire house to house the ambulance, which amounted to $6,000, constructed by Oscar Rowe. A shower room, rest room, and 12 lockers were installed.
“In the sixties we had a firebug in the town and several building were destroyed before the culprit was caught and arrested.
“Along about that time, in July, we had a barn fire on Ed Spicher‘s farm, when green hay ignited, which was removed and wet down in order to save the barn. The fire burned through the hay to the bottom of the floor. We were there from 5 a.m. until 4 p.m., wetting down the bales. Herb Hoke and I lost a day’s work but were rewarded with a sizeable donation for the fire company from the owner. The fire company in return repaid us for our lost wages.”
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