This is another
“then and now” type article. The then is from 1924; the now is a work in
process. I was asked to research the purchase of a fire truck in 1924. The
request was to assist the department in the restoration of the truck, now out
of storage and awaiting the needed work.
March 24, 1924,
Village Board meeting minutes, “On motion made and duly supported and carried
that L P Detro be appointed a committee of one to contract for chassis for
Fireman not to exceed three hundred ninety dollars ($390.00).”
On April 4,
1924, the Interlaken Review had an article praising the village
board. “The village trustees have made a wise move in buying a Ford ton truck
chassis from N. R. Boyes & Son, which will have a body added built
purposely to carry fire hose, and which will replace the old Chase truck that
has been used for several years.”
Among the
records at the Historical Society are the oldest minutes for the Fire
Department. April 25, 1924 “Committee on hose chassis body reports that he is
not ready to report at this time.”
Fire Department
minutes May __, 1924, “com[mittee] on Hose Body reports that bids for same have
been rec’d and under consideration, and specifications ready to submit to
bidder and contract to let in few days, same to be completed within 60 days
from date of contract.”
July 25, 1924
“Report committee on siren whistle for new hose wagon reports whistle rec’d and
ready for installation.”
The minutes for
August 30, 1924 “Bill of Joe Depard for shop work for building hose wagon
body $16.00. On motion made and duly supported bill was ordered paid.”
“Committee on siren horn reports horn installed and satisfactory.”
It was a few
lines later that in the officer reports, “Foreman
Donnelson reports new hose wagon received on August 6th, accepted
and loaded and turned over to Dept.”
The April 4,
1924 Interlaken Review article also noted, “This [new truck] is a much-needed
addition to the fire department and places our equipment in the front rank
ready for instant use at home, and where the Interlaken Fire Department can
soon be of assistance to neighboring villages whenever their services may be
needed.”
Fast forward to
2016, the old truck, now in parts and pieces is retrieved from a barn where it
had sat for many years. The current department personnel moved it to a location
where they could begin the process of restoring the truck. The work continues,
and at some point, the refurbished truck will again be on display, though not
in use.
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| 1924 Truck being transported to work area. Photo provided by Chief Jim Borden |
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| 1924 Truck being loaded for transport to work area Photo provided by Chief Jim Borden |
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| 1924 Truck view of the passenger side. Photo provided by Chief Jim Borden |
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| 1924 Truck driver's side with Jim Wyckoff and Matt Barkee. Photo provided by Chief Jim Borden |
Dewitt’s Diary, Wednesday, August 6, 1924
We drew in 4
load of wheat this afternoon.
It rained this
morning about 4 o’clock so we could not thrash today.
You can help
with the restoration, attend the 2017 Car Show on Sunday, August 13, 2017.
Vintage cars and trucks, vendors and of course the Bar-B-Q at noon. (Click here
to read about the Fire Department Bar-B-Qs March 24)
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