Dougherty Fire Co. becomes Vauclain Fire Co. and 12th night costume party!!

 

The original Vauclain Fire Co. was the J. F. Dougherty Fire Co. till it was renamed in 1917. The company was renamed for Samuel Vauclain, president of the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Eddystone. This picture was taken in the 1400 block of Chester Pike. Crum Lynne.

 

Dougherty Fire Co. Becomes Vauclain Fire Co.

 

NOTE: Special dedication today, long time friend, Police Lt. Bill Henderson of Ridley Township died last night of a heart attack. A great guy and good friend he will be missed by all. Bill was chief and a member of Vauclain Fire Co. for some 40 years, this article is for him.

 

 

      The changing of the name of the fire company at Leiperville a few nights ago, will go down in history as a very important event.  To the outside world it may be but a trifling incident in the course of human events, but to two men, James F. Dougherty, and Samuel M. Vauclain, it means much.  The former organized the Leiperville Company and since its organization it has been known as the James F. Dougherty Fire Company.  It is now known as the S. M. Vauclain Company.  Mr. Vauclain performed what he believes to be a public service in having the name of the company changed and Mr. Vauclain has certainly shown his great respect for the members of the organization in permitting his name to be used and has promised to give the company the value of his service as one of the leading captains of industry of the world. It was with great reluctance that the good men of Leiperville consented for the change, but Mr. Dougherty, their friend, pointed out in unmistakable language what it would mean for the advancement of the company and the good people of Leiperville.

                EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES – In turning over the affairs of this organization to Mr. Vauclain, Mr. Dougherty made a most interesting speech.  He traversed the events occurring from the time of its inception up to the hour the organization became known to the world as the S. M. Vauclain Company.”  There was no flower language used by Mr. Dougherty. He told his story in the way that is so characteristic of this well-known hotelman and public servant of the people of Leiperville. it would require too much space to quote all that Mr. Dougherty said but a few of the thoughts expressed in his talk of Mr. Vauclain, will show how keenly he is interested in the finest company of the county and his home town, Leiperville.

                “Knowing that you have some up and worked hard from a poor boy yourself,” writes Mr. Dougherty to Mr. Vauclain, “you realize the point that I am going to be at.”

                Mr. Dougherty follows with a recital of how the citizens of Leiperville have been looked upon by certain citizens in the adjoining boroughs, and he pleads with Mr. Vauclain for his assistance to lift the good hearted boys and men of Leiperville on a plane where they will not be styled “rowdies and thugs,” undeserving criticism.  Mr. Dougherty spoke of an incident that occurred in this city a few days ago when the reputation of the people of Leiperville was put in question.

                “I never was so hurt in my life,” Mr. Dougherty wrote to Mr. Vauclain, “because it inflamed the same old spark through my blood that I had always thought was there.”

                Mr. Dougherty then recited the great work done by the young men and citizens of Leiperville at the time of the great disaster at the Eddystone Ammunition Corporation plant, and how heroically they worked to save lives and property.  He also recalled how promptly the boys of Leiperville had responded to other fires, and what great interest the citizens have evinced in everything for the betterment of the place.  Then he says in his letter:

                “After next Monday night, this fire company will be known as the S. M Vauclain Company, and I hope that you accept this with the same gratitude as we are offering it to you. As I said before, it will be a mark of gratitude toward you for the things you have done for this neighborhood, and perhaps, later on after this meeting, we will take the new members, free of initiation and re-organize and elect new officers, when we hope to have yourself, and other leading men of our country to appear before these young men and have something of interest to say to them.”

                REPLY TO MR. VAUCLAIN – Mr. Vauclain’s replies to Mr. Dougherty accepting the honor of having the fire co. named for him. In part he said “ The terrible week of which we had gone thru, has bought out more clearly than ever, this great department to be placed to the common people among I am proud to be honored.

 

 

 

 

 

The Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation Presents...

First Annual

Twelfth Night Masquerade

Saturday, January 4th, 2020

6:00pm to 9:00pm

The beautiful Hunting Hill Mansion at Ridley Creek State Park will set the scene for our first annual Twelfth Night Masquerade. Who will be the King or Queen of Twelfth Night? One lucky winner will be selected to receive a special prize and command of the party. The evening will feature hors d’ouevres, dinner, dessert, wine and beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. Wassail, the traditional Twelfth Night beverage, will be served, along with a Twelfth Night cake. Guests will enjoy live music from the 18th century, compete in a "Best Mask" contest and play games common to 18th century parties. Colonial costume and masks encouraged but not required. Those not wishing to come in costume may dress in cocktail attire.

 

Tickets are $45 ($40 for members) & may be purchased at colonialplantation.org or by calling 610-566-1725.

What Is Twelfth Night? This holiday has all but been forgotten in the 21st century, but Twelfth Night was arguably THE most important day of the colonial year next to New Year’s Day. Twelfth Night is the last day of the midwinter festival, known as "Yuletide," which begins December 25th and ends January 6th. Colonists celebrating Twelfth Night feasted and made merry before returning to winter drudgery