Digby Courier – December 22, 1950Tom Farnham's ColumnMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year"It's not news – but"It was Sixty Years Ago It was a False AlarmIn order to give you readers' facts about the Digby Firemen's ‘False Alarm' I will copy the newspaper report of the event with comments: "A false alarm brought our firemen from their homes at three o'clock yesterday morning (August 18, 1885) when it was found that, fortunately, their services were not required. This discipline and efficiency of the company is shown by the fact that in seven minutes from the time the alarm was given, the men were in their places, the engine on the street, and the horses on their way. The alarm was occasioned by a fire in the dock, where some men were working will the tide was out."I would like to make a few comments on just how, when and where, from this new Digby Fire Department worked. I will begin at the alarm system and whence it came.There were sixteen volunteer firemen, each had an alarm bell similar to a telephone, but no receiver. This alarm was placed at the head of every firemen's bed at home. When the alarm sounded all the firemen jumped from their beds, dressed and beat it to the fire station, which then was located where the Information Bureau is now. The first to arrive would open the doors of the fire house and run the apparatus to the street, which consisted of engine and hosereel equipment. Then a coke fire was started in the engine to get steam sufficient to force the water through the hose. The fireman nearest the fire would touch his alarm thus notifying the others. They would come from the north and south ends, as well as from over the hill. Some just finishing tucking in their shirt tail on arrival. As soon as sufficient number of men arrived to man the hosereel and ladders it was sent to the nearest water tank. It required ten men to operate the equipment, two on the ropes in the lead, three on each side of the pole and two in the rear. These men had a tough job pulling the apparatus through the streets and always on the run. Compare their labour with those of today. When the ladder truck passes by now the firemen are comfortably seated on the auto truck anxiously awaiting the scene of action. Referring back sixty years ago, part of the outfit was at the scene of the fire, the other part was still waiting for George Wilson and his span of horses to come from Maiden Lane and take the fire engine.In the false alarm item above, it said that "the horses were on their way." Yes, I well remember, the horses were on their way along Water Street to the fire house, not on their way to the fire. The horses were too heavy to run and George was too old, so he waited. The engine crew were Gus Viets, Captain; James Keen, engineer; Ned Dodge, assistant; and Tom Farnham, fireman, with a good head of steam ready for action. Finally we were on our way, bell ringing, horn blowing, and George could be heard above the noise saying "Get up there you nags." We did not have any "all out" signal but the firemen soon returned to their homes. I will add one more thought to sixty years ago. Captain Viets decided to have fire practice, so ordered all firemen – including the horses – to meet at the fire house on a certain day and hour. The horses were hitched to the engine, the men were in their respective positions ready for orders and behind closed doors. After a short talk the Captain said that at the sound of the whistle they were to make all haste to a supposed fire at the corner of Queen and Prince William Streets, near the Methodist Church, where they would find a water tank nearby. There they were to connect the hose to the engine and turn on a stream of water. The whistle blew, the doors opened, and the rush was on. All completed in twenty minutes. The boys were pleased with the rehearsal. There were a lot of husky boys around Digby in those days, some of them could move mountains-or thought they could. I cannot recall any of the boys living today. I am really glad this story is ended. How do you feel? It is very trying to the sub-conscious mind.