Saturday, May 26, 1906, was a big day in the history of the town
of Bryn Mawr. All the stores had been shut for the day. Many of
the houses were decorated with bunting and flags were flying.
Yes, it was the typical scene of a small town getting ready for
a big parade. For today was the day that the town's new
firehouse was to be dedicated and the apparatus housed. The
route of the parade was crowded with thousands of people; all
talking to their friends and neighbors till the parade time
arrived. Finally, the band was heard in the distance. Everyone
craned their necks to try to be the first to catch a glimpse of
the marchers. First to appear was a platoon of Lower Merion
mounted police in their Rough Rider outfits and cavalry hats.
Behind them was the fire chief, giant "Is" Supplee, and his ten
mounted aides. As quite often is apt to happen at one of these
affairs, a fit of extra-unexpected excitement was added when
Charles W. Humphries, one of the aides, fell off his horse. He
was carried into the firehouse, though he was not badly hurt.
Besides the Bryn Mawr Fire Company, there were 16 other
companies, of which nine brought along bands.
After the parade, the different companies formed in line along
Lancaster Avenue and Merion Avenue and the dedication ceremonies
got underway. President Alba Johnson welcomed the visiting
firemen from Conshohocken (two companies,) the groups from West
Chester, and one company from each of the following places:
Malvern, Norristown, Clifton Heights, West Conshohocken, Colwyn,
Lansdowne, Berwyn, Radnor, Bala-Cynwyd, Narberth and Ardmore.
Amid cheers and the blaring of the bands, the Ardmore firemen
rolled in the chemical wagon, while the other two Lower Merion
Township fire companies, Narberth and Bala-Cynwyd, contributed
the services of some of their volunteers to roll in the steamer.
Then came the speeches. Congressman Irving P. Wanger and Edwin
S. Stuart, ex-Mayor of Philadelphia, both spoke about the
history of fire fighting. The latter pointed out that Benjamin
Franklin had been one of the best friends that firemen ever had.
Incidentally, Mr. Franklin was the founder of Philadelphia's
first fire company. State Senator Algernon B. Roberts, President
of the Union Fire Association, spoke. John H. Converse, the
first president of the Bryn Mawr Fire Company, who had been
called by one of the speakers, "the father of his company",
followed him. He declared that Bryn Mawr had the finest brigade
in the state and would do great things for the community. After
him came the Rev. Dr. Charles Wood of Philadelphia who said: "I
love to see the fire engines go out to a fire. I like to see the
driver skillfully guiding his team along and the firemen
climbing over the engine, dressing as they hurry to the blaze."
Though things have been modernized since that time, it still
seems to describe the feelings of a typical spectator. Dr. Wood
also warned the firemen not to swear, not even to say so much as
"gee whiz". Ex-Burgess Charles H. Pennypacker of West Chester
finished the oratory. The visitors then went to a field nearby
where luncheon was served after which the firehouse was opened
for inspection. The new firehouse, at the time it was built, was
one of the finest in the whole state. It was heated by gas and
electricity and had a billiard table and bowling alleys in the
basement. There were six horse stalls. Bryn Mawr was known as
the Millionaire Fire Company, yet the fire house and equipment
had not been paid for by any of its millionaire members, but
instead, by the combined efforts of the company members of the
town and of the citizens of Haverford Bryn Mawr and Rosemont.
Rich or poor, they all worked together to make their fire
company the best.
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