Historical
Notes
Synopsis of
Clayton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
Clayton, NY
(Written by
Lorna Flake)
May 8, 1886-
Rescue Hook & Ladder Company of Clayton Legally Incorporated
May 19,
1886- Helmets cost $27.00 doz. Blue Jackets cost $28.50 doz.
June 26,
1886- Village Authorities donated $8.00 for trumpets.
June 29,
1886- First Excursion- 336 tickets @25 cents-Boat Rent $40.00
Profit $39.75
July 5,
1886- First Drill in Gananoque, Hook & Ladder Co. won $15.00
prize.
March 29,
1887- St. Lawrence Hose Co. No. #2 formed. Minutes ran till
Feb. 12, 1895.
February 2,
1888- Joined State Firemen’s Assn.
March 2,
1888- Attempted to purchase a Hook & Ladder truck for $400.00.
Village Board Refused
May 3,
1888- Purchased 30 Gold Plated Badges $15.55.
August 21&
22, 1890- Attended State Firemen’s Convention in Watertown by
train excursion.
Purchased
30 new caps @$12.00 a doz. Total cost $55.10
February 2,
1891- Calumet Engine Company #1 formed. Minutes till 1897.
April 18,
1891- Had trouble collecting Foreign Insurance from local
insurance agents.
October 5,
1891- Calumet Engine Co. #1 held first meeting in New Engine
House.
April 4,
1892- Engine Co. #1 purchased first Exempt Certificates @50
cents each.
April 6,
1895- Discussion on By-Laws
May 4, 1896-
Chief Haap presented badge to Dept. he received for service.
September 2,
1896- Joined Jefferson County Volunteer Firemen’s Assn.
October 5,
1896- Received Bids for janitor to clean Engine Hall.
G.B.
Hubbard bid 75 cents a month to clean hall, build fires and
light lamps for all meetings.
January 18,
1898- First Annual Ball Tuesday, January 18 -Tickets $1.00 per
couple for supper and ball.
May 2, 1898-
Committee appointed to arrange for racing team to compete in
prize contests at Alexandria Bay,
Jefferson County Convention, June 15 & 16.
August 6,
1900- Committee appointed to get a banner
June 15,
1900- First Jefferson County Convention in Clayton.
December3,
1900 -Initiated Ray Pelow into First Degree by introducing him
to
the “White Feather” in the tower.
October 7,
1901- Pool Table purchased and gymnasium equipment for fire
hall.
May 8, 1903-
Paraded with Clayton Fire Dept. Band-58 members paraded.
December 5,
1904- Gordon Denny joined Fire Dept.
May 5, 1904
- Responded to fire at T.I. Park. Engine loaded on scow and
towed by Steam Islander.
Everything loaded in 25 minutes- 30
members went on scow.
February 7,
1910- Mrs. William Smithers and Thomas Collins donated silver
trumpet.
February 12,
1917- Wall case for banner ordered built.
October 3,
1921- Voted to bond treasurer and Chief of Company to sign
checks.
All reports are to be in writing and
signed by fireman presenting the report.
Feb. 6,
1928- Village Board purchased two new pumpers for Department.
Nov. 2,
1931- Purchased Lincoln Squad Truck for $950.00
August 4,
1936- Chief A.J. Bennett died from injury of accident in
answering alarm July 29 at 6:30 at
St. Lawrence Chateau.
Dec. 7,
1942- Received tank truck from Town of Clayton.
May 1943-
First monthly letters sent to members in Armed Forces. All
letters received from
those members in service put in scrap book to
be kept safely for future.
September
1944- Blow siren every noon except Sunday.
November
1945- Steamship sunk at Consaul’s dock.
March 4,
1946- Formed First Aid & Salvage Company.
May 1946-
Bought Cadillac chassis for $1836.45-committee; Lawrence Pelow,
Lee Phillips, Elton Lingenfelter
May 1946-
Village Board bought new 5 man cab truck for out of town fires.
May 1946-
Bought new typewriter.
May 1947-
Charles Heath made new case for axe.
June 1947-
Held Northern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Convention.
September
1951-Voted to Incorporate Department.
November
1951- Bought 1948 Chassis for tank wagon.
November
1952- Wedding gift to Dick Locke-only Fire Chief married while
in office in history of Dept.
July
1953-Officially Incorporated Department.
August 1953-
New Banner with Calumet Castle painted on $170.00.
December
1953- First Annual Xmas Party held December 21st.
December1953- Purchased 2000 Watt generator and equipment for
portable lighting $870.00
January 4,
1954- Village purchased GMC fire truck.
August 2,
1954- Purchased 6 doz. fireman sweaters.
November 1,
1954- PA System purchased.
June 1955-
Held Northern NY Convention.
February 6,
1956- Purchased New Ambulance-Clayton 1st in
Jefferson County to give ambulance service-
Ford
Station Wagon.
September
1959- Jefferson County Convention in Clayton.
March 3,
1960- Voted to put in dial telephone alarm system.
Sept. 20,
1960- Purchased new tank truck.
Dec. 5,
1960- J.P. Lewis donated Fire Boat “Last Chance”.
Pump for boat $500.00
January 4,
1965- Purchased new ambulance-Chevy Station Wagon.
January
1965- Ordered double breasted new uniforms for entire dept.
April 5,
1965- First meeting in New Municipal Bldg. - Chief Ted Thomas.
November 22,
1967- Set up Memorial Fund for donations to ambulance.
May 6, 1968-
Purchased Emergency Van from Schell-Dominy Chevrolet.
May 6, 1968-
Purchased outboard motor & Boat & Trailer.
October
1969- Purchased New ambulance.
December
1970- Purchased Riverqueen Fire Boat with pilot house powered by
twin 290 HP Chryslers just rebuilt. Invoice value $13,500
trade-in-allowance $4,500 difference paid $9,000.00.
January
1971- Purchased New Poker table.
February
1971- Stopped hauling water and withdrew from United Fund.
February
1971- Racing Team formed and squad truck repaired.
June 1971-
Hosted Northern NY Vol. Firemen’s’ Convention
October 10,
1971- First Annual Visitation to Churches in a body in full
uniform.
November
1971-Purchase of Service Award pins.
December
1971-Requested citation of Valor from Village Police, Constables
Assn. for
James Narrows for saving life of
Richard Brown in river.
March 1972 -
Snowmobile trailer donated by Clayton Snowmobile Club.
August 1972-
Water Ball Court completed and water ball teams formed.
October
1972- New Ambulance bought for $11,000.00.
