HISTORY OF BETHANIA FIRE DEPARTMENT Vol 8 Records of the Moravians in NC May 2, 1825 ...at daybreak we were roused from slumber by the terrfying cry: "Fire! Fire!" Fire had broken out in the stable on the former school house lot, now occupied by Br. Samual Thomas Hauser.  By God's grace there was practically no wind, so the adults and children, white and black, who rushed to the spot, used the fire engine, and tore down the stable, were able to put out the fire before it spread. For this gracious protection of our town, we gathered in the evening and on our knees gave thanks humbly and from our hearts. May 3...in the evening the men of the town gathered, and arranged to procure fire hooks, and to provide for testing and improving the fire engine.  January 18, 1828...there is no news concerning the results of the fire in the Bank which occurred December 20th of last year.... July 4, 1843...lightning struck Ddr. Wilson's barn and set it afire.  The sight of this burning building was terribly beautiful.  It was the first time that lightning had done damage in town.  In half an hour the burning building had disappeared.     COPY OF RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT A MEETING OF THE BETHANIA FIRE COMPANY ON THE 20TH OF FEBRUARY 1837     Resolved that each individual shall pay the sum of one dollar and 50 cents within ten days after adopting these resolutions to the proper Officer of the Bethania fire Company for the purpose of repairing the fire engine now belonging to the inhabitants of the Town and also proceive four ladders two of forty feet long and two of twenty feet each and one of each length to be deposited at the upper and lower part of the town in a good convenient and dry place. 2.  That said Company shall consist of the following Officers, one Chief Engineer and two Assistants. 3.  That there be one President and one Vice President, one Secretary, one Treasurer and one Collector. 4.  That the Engineer select eight individuals for the purpose of getting and operating the engine and also select individuals for the purpose of getting and adjusting the ladders as he may direct. 5.  That every individual not employed as before determined shall assist in furnishing the engine with water and bring a vessel for that purpose unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Engineer. 6.  That said Engineer shall have engine exercised once in every month in order to keep it in repair and to discipline the men and also that he at each time notify his men the day and hour when the exercise shall be again performed and that those refusing or neglecting to attend either in person or by Proxy at the specified time and place shall forfeit and pay to the proper Officer 121/2 cts unless a reasonable excuse be offered and accepted by the Engineer. 7.  That Joseph Harmon, E. Cash, J. E. Lehman and Adam Butner be exempt from all duties connected with the monthly exercise of the machine or engine. 8.  Resolved that there be appointed a Committee of three to put, keep and examine the engine and that the Chief Engineer be one of the Committee and also that the Committee shall make all contracts for carrying out these resolutions which contracts shall be out to the lowest bidder and as soon as any account be presented to them they shall examine the same and if found correct shall endorse on the back of said account - examined and approved and signed by the Engineer which account shall be presented to the President, he shall issue an order to the Treasurer countersigned by the Secretary for said amount. 9.  That the treasurer pay all orders signed by the President and countersigned by the Secretary and charge the same to contingent expenses which account shall be allowed in his annual settlement. 10.  That the Treasurer render at every annual meeting a full statement of receipts and dispursements and amount remaining in the Treasury and if there should a sum plus occur more than the immediate wants of the Company require it shall be the duty of the Treasurer to put said amount in safe hands to be approved by the President and all interest thus arising shall be applied to the use of the Company. 11.  That the Secretary shall make out all accounts and hand them to the proper Officer for collection and that he furnish each Officer a manuscript copy of these resolutions and that he procure a book in which he transcribe these resolutions and minutes all proceedings of the Company at every meeting and read the same when requested. 12.  That the Collector shall present all accounts delivered him for collection by the Secretary and receive the same and pay it over to the Treasurer and take his receipt. 13.  Resolved that it shall be the duty of the President to call a meeting of said Company on the first day of January in every year and at any other period when he may deem it necessary or when vacations or resignations occur and make known what Office is vacant and forthwith call an election to fill such vacancy and preside as Chairman at every meeting in case of failure or inability of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties assigned the President. 14.  That all questions arising at any meeting of said Company shall be decided by a majority of the whole number of individuals signing these resolutions and all votes shall be taken viva voce. 15.  That it shall be the duty of all the company to asemble and meet at the call of the President at the time and place specified. 16.  That in case any Officer neglects or refused to faithfully perform the duties assigned him by the foregoing resolutions they shall be subject to a fine of fifty cents for each failure unless a reasonable excuse be offered and accepted by the President and if the President neglects his duty excuse shall be offered to and excepted by the Company or fined one dollar. 17.  That any individual holding property in this Town and refuses to sign and abide by these resolutions shall not receive the assistance of the Company any farther than to save the property of those who belong to said Company. 18.  That in case any member remove from this Town with all his effects his membership shall cease, should anyone with a family move into town these resolutions shall be presented to him by the Secretary for his signature and upon his signing them he shall be considered a member. 19.  Resolved that we now bind ourselves firmly and consider ourselves firmly to adhere in every particular set forth in the above resolutions and in case of failure to comply with them in any particular that a legal process may be instituted and any sum so forfeited be recovered by Law before any Justice of the Peace of said County. 20.  That all single persons who hold no property in the Town be exempted from the payment as set forth in the first resolution but subject to all other resolutions. A. Conrad, Chief Engineer, William H. Lash and Chris Grabs, Assistant Engineers I. G. Lash, President and Solomon Transou Vice President, E. Lehman Secretary, G. Wilson Treasurer, Peter Transou Collector Committee for keeping the Engine in Repair be H. Conrad, E. Shoub and Joe Transou Appointments by the Engineer  H. Butner, D. Butner, E. Lehman, Edward Butner, Joe Transou, William Lehman to attend to the Engine and Solomon transou, Michael Butner, Tim Transou and Lewis Grabs     E-Mail Us | Home Page   | Early History | Later History  |Bylaws   Charter Members