Digby Courier - May 14, 1953Tom Farnham's ColumnAre there any Veterans Digby Fire Department?In speaking of veterans I mean men who volunteered their services about sixty eight years ago, did a good job and passed along to others their records as firemen.The new fire apparatus recently purchased by the Digby Fire Department, and given to the Town of Digby, passed along Queen Street South. It reminded me of olden times, when James M. Keen was chief engineer, E. C. Dodge assistant engineer and T.S. Farnham, fireman of the first fire engine in Digby. There were also hose-reel and ladder trucks.A few days ago I was fortunate in finding a letter written by Gus A. Viets, the newly elected captain of the Digby Fire Brigade, dated May 19, 1887. No doubt it will be of interest to the readers of the Courier and members of the present Digby Fire Department.The letter as follows:To the Citizens of Digby,Dated May 19, 1887"As a matter of general interest, I may say that our system for the protection of the Town of Digby from fire is complete. It consists of an organized body of firemen furnished with sufficient modern appliances for checking conflagrations, including a system of electrical alarms extended to houses of the firemen. The ringing of any one bell acts upon all the others, and creates an alarm to which every firemen is bound to respond. It will readily be seen that all unnecessary sounding of the alarms will disturb the whole brigade, and this should be avoided. I hope that children and others, who have no right to touch the alarms, will cease ringing them, as they are only intended to be used when a fire demands their use.""The alarms are placed at the following houses where anyone may run and give warning on discovery of a fire:A. B. Churchill; E. Biden; George Wilson; Stan Titus; John Bingay; Botsford Viets; H. B. Short; Fletcher Stark; Digby House; F. A. Branian; James M. Keen; Rpyal Hotel; John G. Rice; A. J. S. Copp; Edward Dodge; C. E. Farnham; T.S. Farnham; H. C. Guptil; Harry Dennison.""The key to the engine house (?) next door. NOTE: next door referred to was the home of Mr. McCormick. The house is now occupied by Len Eldridge."