Benton Volunteer Fire Department

History

The Benton Volunteer Fire Company has a target "significant completion" date for the former Little Lumber Company site of June 28.

If you turn to the article about the Long Wagon Works you can find a picture of one of the first fire trucks the volunteers owned. When we have a chance, we'll show you pictures of the 1938 Hahn and later we'll dig out some pictures of the old International pumper truck and the old Cadillac ambulance.

But lets head back--way back--to the days of the bucket brigade and the spat of fires Benton had over the years and the water carried from wells and from Fishing Creek in time of need. To be accurate about our facts, we consulted an article loaned us by Helen Kent Karns and Susan Thursby, written many years ago by Edna Shaw. Fighting fire in Benton changed after July 4, 1910, the day of the terrible fire in Benton. Rather than duplicate a lot of information, we suggest at this point that you consult the article about the Fire of 1910, written by Prof. George Turner. We have lots of pictures and a good description of the fire and the town. When you have read that article, if you haven't read it by now, come on back and finish this article.

After the fire of 1910, a concentrated effort began to organize a water department. But a truly organized fire department didn't start until 1934. Officers of this fire department were President R. W. Rabb; Vice President, Ward McHenry; Treasurer, Columbia County Farmer's National Bank; Secretary, John S. Baker; Fire Chief, Charles W. Hess; Assistant Chief, Doyle Sutliff. The only equipment available was a Model T Ford. This first fire department had 20 members and the yearly dues were $1 and the monthly dues were $.10. Interest in the organization was lacking, however, and from May, 1935, until August,1938, no meetings were held. Pressure from fire insurance companies writing policies for Benton forced a renewed interest in fire protection.

The fire company got a renewed burst of enthusiasm in 1938, reorganized, and bought a Hahn pumper built in Hamburg, PA, for $4,000. The equipment arrived May 6, 1939. The committee who purchased the truck consisted of Hurl Hess, Bruce Fritz, E. P. Chapin, Hilbert Davis, and Harry Knouse. In 1939, the first Fire Police of Benton, consisting of 15 men, were appointed. Interest in the organization began to grow as a result of acquiring the Hahn pumper. By the time that the years 1943 and 1944 rolled around, membership was up to 107. During the war years, no actual meetings were held, but the members of the community were always there for emergencies.

According to Ben McHenry who was in charge of the event, the very first fire company carnival in Benton was held in 1917 on the school grounds of the old school. The first carnival held in Benton Park ran from July 26 to July 1, 1939.

By 1949 as membership grew to about 300, the fire department needed newer and more modern equipment. A committee of Ross Harrison, Eugene Bardo, Elery Hess, Harry Knouse and Joe Dalto was chosen to purchase a high pressure fog fire truck. A truck was selected and purchased from J. Paul Laubach in 1951: an International First Truck at a price of $11,000.

About the same time, P. J. Holcombe discontinued the ambulance service in the area. After years of appreciating the service to the community, the fire company stepped in and purchased a Chevrolet ambulance from Doyle Sutliff in 1952 at a cost of $4,512.48.

In May, 1952, the Town Council decided to remodel the Town Hall and the Fire Department stepped in to help by loaning the town the money. The money was subsequently repaid to the fire department. During these years, the fire department raised money by small dances, festivals, food sales and games. But most of the money was raised by fund-raising drives, and people of the area responded with donations.

In 1957, the Chevrolet ambulance was turned in for a 1954 Cadillac. In 1959, the 1954 Cadillac was traded for a 1958 Cadillac.

The Volunteer Fire Company operated the Benton Park and the Farmer's Picnic until 1953. In the spring of 1953, the Benton Borough Council appointed a new commission to serve the town. The commission, known as the Park Commission, was originally composed of Karl Fritz, Chairman; Ivan Chapin, Secretary; with members Ross Harrison, Robert Brewington, Otto Little, Dallas Baker, Joseph Sutliff, Elery Hess and Ray Davenport. The commission was put in charge of the care and upkeep of the park, was custodian of the park and of all the money produced by the Farmer's Picnic.

Through 1962, Benton has had five fire chiefs: C. W. Hess, T. C. Smith, Harry Knouse, Ross Harrison, and Eugene Bardo.