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Russell Fire Department From big fire to present In May 1915 the first adequate fire equipment was purchased. Two soda and acid chemicals. Before delivery of this equipment on June 6, 1915, at 9:30 a.m. Burn Murray's Tin Shop started a fire that wiped out the entire business centre of Russell. Fanned by a strong wind the fire burned all day. Frantic calls were sent out to the Ottawa Fire Department who sent out a steam fire engine by flat car on the New York Central Railway. This upright fire engine was placed in the Castor River just west of the present Bridge, and was fired by the late Arthur Fraser. By evening the fire was under control. It was reported later that the locomotive engineer was suspended on this run as he made the distance from Ottawa to Russell in too short a time making it dangerous to the rails and railway property. This La France steam fire engine was purchased by Russell Village. It was used in stopping many fires, aided by the two 60 gallon soda and acid chemicals. Later a three inch pipe line was laid along the main street with hydrants. At this time the Fire Department consisted of Village Trustees and anyone capable of operating the steamer and the chemicals. Arthur Fraser, Charlie Buckley, Andrew Walker and Milton Walker were a few of the old time firemen of the boiler. In 1952 a new Bickle Seagrave RUSSELL FIRE DEPARTMENT '80 Members of the Russell Fire Department are front row, from left, Ron Hubbard, Dave Davies, Chief Norm Inglis, Don Garvey, Roger Pharand, Wilton Gamble. Middle row, John Hayward, Jack Feeley, Rolly Staal, Cliff Cullen, Ian Wade, Al Rothenberger, Mike Pygas, Sheldon Box. Top row, Harry Honey, Bill Cherry. Absent, Deputy Chief Irvin Sunstrum, Bill Paul, Mike Fletcher, Rick Corneau. (Michael Van Dusen Photo) CONTINENTAL MUSHROOM FARM GROWERS OF SOME OF THE FINEST MUSHROOMS IN THE WORLD is happy to be part of the team that will help make Eastern Ontario prosperous by working hard and working together we will succeed Research by Norm Inglis, Fire Chief. pumper carrying 500 gallons water, an auxiliary FZZ. two booster lines with advanced pressure, 1200 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose, 1200 feet of 1 1/2 inch hose, were purchased and also a new fire hall. A Volunteer Fire Depart- ment was established under the direction of Fire Chief Joseph Payette. Regular practices were held and the department became more capable to cope with the fast service required in today's firefighting. A 40,000 gallon water tank was purchased from the New York Central for extra water sup- ply, and today many sources of supply can be utilized with the aid of the FZZ auxiliary. Due to sickness in 1953 of Chief Payette, Russell Phair was named Chief, and at that time a Junior Fire Department was formed. The new year our department entered the Fire Prevention contest and was honourably mentioned for all of Ontario. In 1956 we were honourably mentioned again. In 1951 a Mutual Aid Agreement was formed with Embrun Fire Depart- ment and in 1954 with the Vars Fire Department. With our com- bined efforts we were able to establish a good record in saving the Russell Hotel. In 1956 Russell joined the Russell Prescott mutual aid association and remains a member to this city. Through the 1960's Russell won several awards and was honourably mentioned several times in the Ontario Fire Prevention Contest. The present fire hall was built in 1971 through the efforts of the Lions Club and many volunteers from the village. The pump house which fed the hydrants along Con- cession Street was removed from the river bank because of its deteriorating condition and last year the fire hydrants were remov- ed. A 2,000 gallon milk tanker was purchased and adapted to fire department use. In 1973 Russ Phair retired and James Eadie took over as fire chief. Jim was successful in ac- quiring a new Thibeau pumper in 1977 to replace the 1952 model. The new truck has a larger pump and water reservoir than the old one. The 1952 pumper is still in operating condition and can be us- ed as a back up unit. A new equip- ment van was also purchased that same year to carry the various pieces of equipment needed by the department. In late 1979 Mr. Eadie retired from active service and Norman Inglis was appointed as the new Fire Chief. The department now consists of 21 members, 2 pumper trucks, 1 tanker and 1 equipment van. Page 9 r A very unusual fly By Margo M. McCallum Meg has as you know, recently become a teenager. Now this is often a difficult time in a young lady's life. So I think we must take our leave of her for the moment, 'though I daresay she will visit us now and again.' Meg has introduced me to a friend named Alfred, and he has given me some stories to pass along to you. Now as Alfred moved away from the auctioneer's hammer, he lit on the very chair that had "'Pardon me," said Alfred. "Not at all," replied chair, Not just your ordinary not the least bit surprised to everyday garden variety sort of find herself conversing with a fly. Dear me, no. Alfred came fly. from a long line of survivors. "I do love auctions," went His family had been around on Alfred. "This has been a since the great flood. They had lovely spring so far. The sun is adjusted to all the well-known so warm." flybaits and pesticides and any "*Yes,"' said chair, '"'but Iam fly worth his salt could keep very old and what with sitting out of the way of flyswatters out in the yard for the last and flicking dishcloths. while waiting for today's sale, Alfred loved to travel. He my poor rungs and streachers sometimes hitched a ride from are aching badly. The night air one end of the country to the affects me you know, to say other. he never ventured into nothing of all the twisting and the northernmost parts, turning these bargain hunters although he heard that doors have given me."' and windows were wide open "'Oh! Oh! Looks like I am to up there and didn't even have be loaded on that truck," said screens. chair. "Say why don't you How lovely, thought Alfred, come along for company?" to fly in and out as one pleas- "Yes I would like to go ed. along," said Alfred. "You But Grandad Whirlygig fly have a very agreeable rock. I'll spoke up with the wisdom of just cling to this crack and do old age -- being 105 -- and allowed that "if a place with doors ajar and no screens did exist it would be a good place to stay away from. Whoever got rid of the flies there in the first place, would make short work of you Alfred." Alfred agreed and never did go North, but kept on with his travels having a fine old time. Now Alfred, as I have said, was a very unusual fly. He was thirty-seven years old. He had very large ears and he could understand and speak every ing so low I expect. I'm sure it language and even read and will refinish beautifully, Dad. write. It is about the same age as the Oh, I don't mean plain fly pitcher on the shelf. "Oh! If talk. No, Alfred understood only they could talk! What the mayflowers and swamp iris tales of long ago they would and could tell the big maple tell."' what the nesting birds were "Ho, Ho,"' chuckled Alfred whispering. to himself. When people remarked, "They can talk -- and I can ""My! if only those walls could write it all down. I will do speak, I bet we'd hear a tale or chair's story first and then the too," or again, "What I others here, and they shall all wouldn't give to be a fly on the begin with '"'Once upon a wall.'? Alfred knew just what time" for its a well known fact they meant. He had been pre- that all the very best stories sent at many important start with Once upon a time."' meetings. Never once did he Alfred searched his knap- tell any secrets. Alfred had sack for pencil and paper, then been strictly reared and knew settled back comfortably. It right from wrong. was going to be a very exciting been sold. Going, going, gone! Alfred moved just as the auctioneer's hammer fell, closing the bid- ding on the old rocking chair. Alfred is a fly. ' we ride."' tires as they ground to a halt. "Well mother," called the man as his wife appeared at the back door. '"'I brought you a high backed rocker. I'll just set it here in the workshop."' Mother came in looking at the chair carefully. "Well now," she said, "This is a find to be sure. It's a nursery rocker, a cricket rocker my ma called them, on account of be- my upside-down exercises as "Squeak,"' sang the truck | visit, yes indeed. 2 NORTH OF HWY. 417 LIMOGES EXIT. PROUDLY PRESENTING DOROTHY PORTEOUS come To CHATEAU 417 FOR THE BEST IN DINING PLEASURE DELICIOUS FOOD AS ONLY CHEF PEPPI CAN PREPARE IT on her 100-year-old Honky Tonk Piano -- singer of Western and popular tunes 443-5126 Fri. --Sat..-- 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. Sun. -- 3 p.m. -.10 p.m. > DANCING PARTY RESERVATIONS FULLY LICENSED Boutique La Couturiere Tissus a la verge -- Remnants Drapery fabrics and all needs - for sewing, crochet, macrame... NOUVEAUTES POUR LE PRINTEMPS NEW SPRING FABRICS Francine Dignard, Mgr. 528 rue Notre Dame HOURS Mon. to Thurs.: 9-6; Fri.: 9-9; Sat.: 9-5 Embrun .__.... ERVICE/REPARATION -- SINGER -- OTHER BRANDS 443.3119)