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Fire Department History Farmersville Fire Department Since its organization 48 years ago, the Farmersville Volunteer Fire Department has come a long way – literally from a one-hose shay to a modern mechanized two-truck unit with all the latest fire-fighting equipment. Organized in May, 1904, the small but ambitious department named as first chief the late Cap. Jerry Worden, who served until 1906. Dan Neathery was secretary-treasurer of the infant organization, whose equipment consisted of a horse drawn hose card, 500 feet of 2 ½ inch hose and – appropriately enough – two nozzles! In 1906 John R. Rike was installed as fire chief to succeed Capt. Worden. During Rike’s tenure a horse drawn hook and ladder wagon was bought from the Waxahachie department. Chief Rike rebuilt the outmoded wagon and managed to secure a 50-gallon chemical tank and two hand extinguishers for the by-now well-established fire department. The late Dan Neathery was elected fire chief in 1911 and continued in office until 1924. Joe Aston Sr. and John C. Hale, both now dead, were assistant chiefs during the 13-year period of Mr. Neathery’s tenure. Jesse M. Evans was secretary-treasurer. It was during Dan Neathery’s term as chief that the first Model T truck was raised by the fireboys themselves, who sponsored carnivals on the old jockey yard to defray costs of the new equipment. In 1924 John C. Hale was elected fire chief and served a one-year term, with Joe Aston Sr. assistant chief and Jesse M. Evans continuing as secretary-treasurer of the organization. Richard I. Kesterson was named chief to succeed Mr. Hale in 1926 and he in turn was succeeded by Joe Aston Sr., whose term as fire chief lasted until 1934. Evans remained as secretary-treasurer during Mr. Aston’s tenure. The first truck with a modern look purchased by the city was added to the department in January, 1929. This truck was equipped with a 500-gallon pump, a booster, and 1000 feet of 2 ½ inch hose and 500 feet of booster hose. Other equipment obtained by the fire department at this time included one Foamite and one chemical extinguisher, 20 feet of hard suction and 20 feet of soft suction hose. A 20-foot roof ladder, an axe, a bar, and a first-aid kit, also added at this time, were other milestones in the march of progress of the Farmersville Fire Department. By 1932 the Model A Ford was converted into a chief’s car, with pump, 70-gallon booster tank, 50 feet of booster hose, two extinguishers, and an axe and bar. In 1934, last year of the late Mr. Aston’s tenure as fire chief, a Brockway chemical and hose truck was added to the department. It was about this time that, due to up-to-date equipment and modern water mains and fire plugs, insurance key rates were reduced from 76 cents to 30 cents per one hundred. Succeeding Mr. Aston was Frank L. Davis, who served as chief from 1933 to 1942, with James M. Hale assistant chief and M. K. Millican secretary-treasurer. During this period, the city sustained fewer fire losses than at any time during its history. James M. Hale became chief in 1943, with O. A. Cooper assistant chief. Mr. Millican remained as secretary-treasurer. Fire losses continued at a minimum during Hale’s tenure. From 1944 to 1951, O. A. Cooper was fire chief and Gip Smith assistant. N. O. Wright was secretary-treasurer. Raymond R. Brandon succeeded Cooper as fire chief in 1951, with Gip Smith and N.O. Wright holding their former offices. Formal organization of the department took place in 1950, with A. W. Wilcoxson elected as first president. An additional truck with capacity of 500 gallons per minute was purchased in 1941. The truck had a booster tank of 500 gallons capacity and modern chemical extinguishers, fog nozzle, 150 feet of 1 ½ inch hose, 1000 feet of 2 ½ inch hose and necessary booster hose. The department now boasts two modern fire trucks, both equipped with 1000 feet of 2 ½ inch hose. Today Farmersville has approximately eight miles of six and eight inch mains. All fire hydrants are standardized, with some older hydrants already replaced with the more modern type. A modern fire station was constructed in 1950 and the entire upper floor equipped as a fireboys’ recreation hall. The new hall was named “Aston Hall” as a memorial to the late Joe Aston Sr. Serving as volunteer firemen today, including fire chief Brandon, are the following Farmersville business and professional men: Gip Smith, N. O. Wright, A. W. Wilcoxson, Doc Norman, Al Jennings, John Harris, Corlee Thomas, Elmer Jones, Glen Tapp, Rayford Jackson, Willard Kesterson, Howard Langley. Leburn Knox, Jake Hickman, O. A. Cooper, Aubey Henson, J. W. Clark, S. W. Miller (Marshal), and V. E. Morrow. Homer Ballew is chaplain. Dr. Jack Webb, J. W. Spain, Rob Miller and Jack Hendrex are auxiliary firemen. Jimmy Nelson represents his people in the department. |