Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 209, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1915 — Crown Point Officials Praise Our Fire Department. [ARTICLE]

Crown Point Officials Praise Our Fire Department.

iLakc County Star. Mayor Krost, with a bodyguard of several councilmen and members of the fire department, and a few civilians, visited Rensselaer last Sunday, chiefly to inspect the fire department, which for a city the size of the Jasper county capital, s a wonder and strictly .up to the minute. Mayor Krost and the members of the public safety committee and members of the fire department have about arrived at the conclusion that something must be done to increase the I fire fighting efficiency of the city and the trip was made to Rensselaer to look over the little department which is heralded as the best of its size in the state, and more han that, the best managed under the leadership of (Chief Montgomery, whose heart and soul is given to the work. He talks about fires in the daytinWand dreams of them at night and no doubt it is partly due to him if not entirely for the efficient departmorit that Rensselaer can boas. The department is housed on the public square and consists of a truck, carrying hose and chemical tanks, ladders, axes, etc., and is drawn by two handisome horses, “Dick” and “Prince,” who are excellently trained and at the tap of-the gong are ready to go. A demonstration of the rapid work of the company was given to the .visitors and Chief Montgomery swelled with pride as Dick and Prince dashed down the avenue on their spin. Eleven men make up the company and they are paid a dollar for the first hour of labor aa a fire, and fifty cent 3 for each following hour. The fire .wagon, including all the accessories and team, cost in the neighborhood of $1,2007 and the team is also used on the sprinkling wagon, but is never allowed to leave the public square, so that they may be ready at all times when needed.