1914.....On This Day - At 6:00 p.m. the first two motorized rigs in the HFD officially went into service. A Morton truck, built by Morton Truck and Tractor of Harrisburg was assigned to the Friendship Engine No. 1 and an American LaFrance, similar to the one shown below was assigned to the Goodwill Engine No. 7. Each had one 35 gallon chemical tank, 1,000’ of hose and minor tools. The old combination wagon at No. 1 was sent to the Royal No. 14 with both horses. The old hose wagon at No. 7 was placed in reserve and within a couple of months would be sold to the Excelsior Fire Company of Enhaut which would change their name to Goodwill, due mainly to taking ownership of this rig. During the afternoon both combination hose and chemical wagons were tested and approved by Fire Chief Kindler and Assistant Chief Ed Halbert. The test was made on the steepest hill in the area, Conestoga Street in Steelton. Both pieces were driven halfway up the steep incline loaded with men, stopped, turned around and backed up the remainder of the hill. Both rigs had been ordered on July 8th and combined cost was $7,700. Much heated debate was entertained in City Council on who the manufacturers would be. Fire Commissioner M. Harvey Taylor led one faction for American LaFrance because of their extensive experience building fire apparatus. Another faction led by Commissioner Lynch strongly supported the locally built Morton. Bids were advertised then thrown out to be re-bid again. Both times the Morton was low bid and American LaFrance high or near high bid. Eventually an agreement was struck to purchase one of each. George Irwin who drove the horses on the Friendship wagon was assigned to drive the new Morton. Goodwill member Samuel H. Lehman, was newly appointed Oct 15th as the driver on Goodwill’s new American LaFrance combination wagon. Earlier in this year, the city assumed the responsibility for hiring, paying and dismissing drivers of its apparatus which was formerly handled by the individual companies.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:02:40 +0000
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