This Day in History: February 6th, 1911

This Day in History: February 6th, 1911

MILLTOWN PLANS FIRE DEPARTMENT

Citizens at Public Meeting Stand for Protection-One Thinks There Are Other Improvements More Badly Needed.

MILLTOWN, Feb. 6-Seventy citizens met at the Borough Hall on Saturday evening to voice their opinion on fire matters.

Mayor Richter opened the meeting by explaining the reason for calling it and showing the need for fire protection. He advocated a chemical apparatus and pointed out the advantages of it. He then asked the opinion of those present.

A number of leading citizens expressed a favorable opinion on the subject. All excepting one, who expressed their ideas heartily endorsed the Mayor in his project.

One citizen, who did not favor a chemical engine, claimed that the borough needed other improvements more than fire protection at the present time.

The Mayor answered this argument by stating that this was only the first of many improvements that the borough Council hoped to further during the administration.

After the opinions had been expressed, Mayor Richter passed around a slip asking all those to sign their names who wished to become members of the fire department.

On Tuesday evening the members of the department will organize at the borough hall. All citizens of the borough who wish to become members are required to be present at this meeting. In an interview yesterday, Mayor Richter expressed himself as being much pleased at the manner in which the citizens had supported him in his endeavors at securing fire protection.

When asked what kind of an apparatus he thought the town needed, he stated that in his opinion, a combination of hook and ladder and chemical engine was just what the borough should have.

The borough hall, which has lately been improved, has a place prepared for the apparatus: the hall also provides for a firemen’s club room.

Reverend W. F. Barny, Professor W. A. Roe, William Glock, J. M. Brindle, Conrad Richter, H. S. Dehart, George Kuhlthau, George Heyl, enjoyed the banquet of the Educational Board at Perth Amboy on Saturday. They expressed themselves as very much interested in the address of Doctor Green, principal of West Chester Normal School.

John Richter is suffering from rheumatism at his home on Richter avenue. Harry Stein has opened a fruit stand in South Main street.

Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Kuhlthau were New Brunswick visitors yesterday afternoon..

James Rosse, has opened a boot and shoe repair shop in the place owned by Isaac Vanarsdalen on Main street.

FOR RENT Four rooms, corner of Lincoln avenue and Main street, Milltown. Inquire Mrs. John Geer, Milltown.


This Day in History: August 10, 1911

This Day in History: August 10, 1911

MILLTOWN FIRE APPARATUS IS A SUCCESS

Test Last Night Shows That Motor Truck Will Do the Work – Other Borough News.


MILLTOWN, Aug. 10.-At 7.45 o’clock last evening the whistle of the Michelin Tire Company announced the time for the test of the new Fire apparatus. At 7.43 a pile of boxes, barrels and other inflammable material were set afire on the grounds belonging to the Richter Brothers, on the corner of Richter Avenue and Clay Street.

 In the meantime, the Mayor, four Councilmen, two firemen, two mechanics from Boyd Brothers, Philadelphia, and the Home News correspondent were at the Borough Hall, wandering about the premises. At the sound of the whistle all ran for the apparatus, the motor was started and the machine wailing down Main Street to Richter avenue, to the fire. The distance was made in three minutes and twenty seconds. The hose was quickly fastened to the tanks and the chemical stream was played upon the fire. In four minutes and fifty seconds after leaving the borough hall, the fire was practically extinguished.

The test was all that could be desired in showing the efficiency of the machine as a fire fighter. Previous to this the apparatus had been put through a running test, which proved satisfactory in every particular.

Mr. Zehn, of Boyd Brothers, directed the fire fighting last night with the aid of Foreman Henry Kuhlthau and assistant Foreman Aubrey Kuhlthau. The borough officials present expressed themselves as much pleased with the test.

“Billy” Killeen, a local fireman, who’s very active, did efficient work in putting out the blaze and was highly applauded. This called forth a speech and “Billy” gave his opinion that the apparatus was the best ever. After the test the local firemen were shows how to manipulate the chemical tanks and the motor.

Mayor Conrad Richter expressed in self as highly pleased with the apparatus.


Young People Draw the Crowd

The Young People’s Society of the German Reformed Church were having their annual supper in Milltown park last evening. As the grounds where the test was given adjoins the park, the large crowd proceeded to the picnic after the test and enjoyed of the society. Terry’s . orchestra, of New Brunswick, furnished fine music, while supper and refreshments were being sold. The affair was a great success.

Fred Gowen was one of the New Brunswick firemen who witnessed the test last, evening.

Mrs. R. M. Huesic, of Highland Park, was a guest of borough friends yesterday.


This Day in History: August 5th, 1911

This Day in History: August 5th, 1911

THIS IS MILLTOIWN’S BIG DAY

Parade, Picnic and Fireworks Will Help Celebrate the Arrival of Borough’s First Fire Apparatus- Boy Badly Burned.


MILLTOWN, Aug. 5. The day of great import to Milltown history has at last arrived and every resident from the ages of 5 to 90 will do honor to the firemen who take charge of the day.

Homes and public buildings are prettily decorated with the red, white and blue and the air of the town is one of gaiety. The borough hall is covered with flags and bunting and is a fit home for the borough first fire apparatus.

Picnic at Milltown Park.

The big picnic, which is staged at Milltown Park, begins at 3 o’clock, when Sheridan’s full orchestra plays for all who care to dance. On the adjoining grounds the Crescent A. C. are battling for supremacy over Spotswood and slump or no slump a Milltown team cannot lose today.

Parade Begins at 1 O’clock.

At 1 o’clock the firemen will meet at the borough hall to form the line parade. The line will be lead by the borough’s stalwart marshals followed by the Milltown Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps, which will reel off the tunes as never before. Then will come the Mayor, Council, and other borough officials In automobiles. Following these there will be the firemen and visiting firemen and last but not least the new apparatus which will be the cynosure of ail eyes.

Line of March.

The line of march will be from the Borough Hall on Main street to Church street, to Clay street, to Ford avenue, to Main street, to Booraem avenue, countermarch to Riva avenue, Riva avenue to grove.

When darkness has sufficiently covered the town a brilliant display of fireworks will be given at the grove. Great preparations have been made to accommodate the large crowd.

Mayor Richters’ Day.

This will be a great day for Mayor Conrad Richter, who has been the instrument in organizing a fire department and whose vigor has finally obtained fire protection for the borough. This is his day too.

Boy Badly Burned.

The four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lee, met with a painful accident last night at his home on Clay street. While passing a kerosene light on a table, his clothes caught on the table cover upsetting the lamp. In a twinkling he was In flames. His father was standing near and managed to quickly beat out the flames, but not before the son was badly burned,

The boy was removed to the hospital where it was said that he was in a critical condition. The damage to the room was slight.

Mrs. William G. Evans, Miss Pearl Evans, and Russell Evans have returned from a visit to Long Island.

Miss Alma Kuhlthau has returned from Troy, N. Y., where she has been entertained by friends.

Mrs. Charles Sevenhair returned home last evening after a visit with Mrs. Henry Dorn at Avon.

Dr. N. N. Forney has purchased a Reo touring car.

Mrs. S. E. Stelle, Miss May Evans Miss Mildred Stelle and Clarkson Stelle were Asbury Park visitors on Friday.

Miss Florence Snediker starts tomorrow for a visit with friends in New Haven.