Sylvanius Jackson Quinn

“ They were disbanded before the Civil War, and since that time, until the year 1885, the town was without a fire department, and was without any means of contending with the flames, save the feeble efforts of citizens in what was styled "the bucket brigade." This name was applied to the large number of citizens, who, in times of fire, carried water in buckets to extinguish it, and used "wet blankets" to prevent the flames from spreading to adjoining buildings. ”

“ We have no means of ascertaining where the fairs previously referred to were held or how long they were continued under the act of 1769, or any similar act that might have been passed by the Legislature after Virginia became a State. In the first of the nineteenth century an agricultural fair was held on the Kenmore farm, near the Kenmore building. The gate leading to the grounds was on Lewis street, where it intersects with Winchester street. The stock was exhibited on the fair grounds and the ladies' department was kept on the upper floor of the present city hall. ”

“ The water is taken from the Rappahannock river, which is known to furnish the softest and purest of water, the analysis showing that it is free from any foreign substance, and the reservoirs are so well arranged that the citizens are seldom served with water that is the least discolored. The works are under the control of a committee of the Common Council and a superintendent. Since their construction they have been under the superintendency of Captain S. J. Quinn, and they are in good condition and a paying investment to the city, at a comparative small cost to the consumers. ”

“ In some instances the town paid rent for the houses for the families who would take one of the poor, and in others a stipulated amount per month for their maintenance. This manner of providing for the poor caused much complaint, both from the city and its dependents. ”

“ Our plant is one of the most modern in the country, and no small plant now built surpasses it. Mr. Wm. Fitzpatrick, who had faithfully served the city as superintendent of the old plant for many years, retired upon the completion of the new plant and Mr. B. F. Bullock was made superintendent. Gas is $1.00 per thousand, and Mr. John C. Melville is chairman of the committee.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT.
Fredericksburg was rather tardy in obtaining an electric light plant for street lighting, either through a private company or by city purchase. ”

“ Early in May, 1905, ground was broken and work progressed rapidly, and on the 25th of November the first gas was made in the new plant, and by the 28th everything was working smoothly and the old plant was abandoned. The plant is what is known as a coal gas works, using soft coal for manufacturing the gas. The manufacturing end of the plant consists of two benches of inclined retorts, four to the bench, with half depths regenerative furnaces, and has a manufacturing capacity of 100,000 cubic feet of gas each day of twenty-four hours. ”

“ It is not stated in what part of the town the first poor house was located, but for many years before the Civil War it was located on the Lang property, near Gunnery spring, and afterwards the poor were quartered in a brick house near the western limit of Princess Elizabeth street, which was rented for the purpose and which is now owned by the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad Company.
After the war, for about eighteen years, the poor were maintained at the private houses, with such families as would agree to take them. ”

“ On the south corner of Main and Charlotte streets stood the Indian Queen Hotel. This was a fine, old building, erected probably in colonial times for a hotel, with a porch the entire length of the building, with colonnade. It was the favorite stopping place for members of Congress and other travellers going to and from Washington. The first proprietor of the Indian Queen, in the memory of our oldest inhabitant, was Jacob Herndon. ”

“ While the propriety of constructing a plant by the town was under consideration by the citizens, and often before the Council, application was made by a private company to erect one and the privilege was at once granted. In 1887 a plant of the Thompson-Houston system was erected by a Mr. NcNett. Soon after its construction Mr. McNett formed a company, many of whose members were citizens of the town. ”

“ Since the poor have been kept at the almshouse they are better provided for and are better satisfied, besides they are more comfortable than under the former system, and the expense of maintaining them has been reduced fully one-half. ”

“ The reservoir pressure is from fifty to fifty-six pounds to the square inch, according to draught, which is sufficient to throw streams of water over any of our ordinary buildings. The pressure, by the use of the pump, can be raised to one hundred pounds to the square inch. ”

“ The town authorities, concluding that our streets could be lighted better and at less cost if they had a plant of their own, arranged and purchased an outfit of machinery, wired the town and now have some seventy-five lights running. Those who opposed the city owning its own light before the plant was constructed have now changed their minds, not only as to the constancy and brilliancy of the light, but also of the cost of lighting the streets. The plant is located between the silk and woolen mills and is in charge of the Light Committee, Mr. ”