The year is 1908...

NEW AUTOMOBILE TRUCK

-Thompsonville Fire Department is

Pleased with the Apparatus

(Special to the Courant)

In June at the annual district meeting a motion was made by M. W. Hullivan that the sum of $3500, or any part thereof be appropriated for the purchase of the auto-chemical engine and hose truck for the use of the fire department, many will remember the debate, which was spicy at times, but the motion was carried by a large majority."

circa 1908

"But the vote was carried by a large majority." Who is this large majority? Clearly there wasn't a "large" number of commissioners, one would have to come to the clear conclusion "large majority" would be the district tax payers. The year is 1907 and there is voting for large expenditures such as fire apparatus by the district tax payers.

Knowing the district tax payers have a far longer history of voting history that was taken away with little to no thought of it's effects has been frustrating at best.

That said, lets get back to the truck.

THE CHEMICAL FIRE-FIGHTER

It's Arrival Celebrated by Street Parade, with Bands of Music and Red Fire.

"The machine is handsome in design, and will compare favorably with any similar fire wagon in the large cities of New England."

"It has the capacity of one thirty-five gallon chemical tank, two three gallon hand extinguishers, carries 200 feet of one-inch chemical hose, 500 feet of water hose, a 24 foot extension ladder and a 13 foot roof ladder, besides having space for six men."

A far cry from the fire apparatus of today.