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A meeting of the state's volunteer firefighters was held at Bogart Hall in Greensboro
on September 26, 1888. The purpose of the gathering was to organize the North Carolina State Firemen's Association.
The 8:00 p.m. meeting was called to order by Greensboro Fire Chief Frank Thomas.
Mr. E. B. Engelhard, of Raleigh, was appointed
temporary secretary and Mr. C. D. Benbow of Greensboro was required to explain
the purpose of the meeting.
A roll of all volunteer fire companies in North Carolina was called.
Companies from Durham (1), Fayetteville (1), Greensboro (2), Raleigh (4), Reidsville
(1), Salem (1), and Winston
(1) were represented.
A committee of three, composed of Fayetteville Fire Chief
J. D. McNeill, Raleigh Fire Chief T. W. Blake, and Greensboro Fire Department
President C. D. Benbow, was appointed to recommend a plan of organization.
They suggested the Constitution and By-Laws of the Virginia
Firemen's Association be used as a basis for their own Constitution and By-Laws.
The recommendation was carried and an election of permanent officers was
conducted:
President
C. D. Benbow, Greensboro
Vice-Presidents
J. R. Donnell, Greensboro
H. E. Heartt, Durham
F. H. Lumsden, Raleigh
J. D. McNeill,
Fayetteville
F. C. Meinung, Salem
J. F. Stultz,
Reidsville
J. T. Thacker, Winston
Recording and Corresponding Secretary
E. B. Engelhard,
Raleigh
Treasurer
F. H. Vogler, Salem
Statistician
H. J. Elam, Greensboro
Executive Committee
C. D. Benbow
T. W. Blake
H. E. Heartt
J. D. McNeill
J. T.
Thacker
Legislative Committee
T. W. Blake
J. D. McNeill
William Palmer
It was moved and carried that the members now joining the
Association were charter members, and each paid $1.00 as their annual dues.
Future members would pay a $1.00 initiation fee and $1.00 annual dues.
With the new organization in place, the group adjourned to
meet at the same time and place on September 27.
The following day, the roll and minutes of the prior day
were read. Motions regarding fees and annual dues were made.
The Secretary was ordered to have applications printed and
to forward to each fire department in the state. The Secretary was also ordered
to have the proceedings printed and distributed to the state's firefighters.
Raleigh was selected as the next meeting location, and the
Executive Committee was empowered to name the time of the meeting. They were
also instructed to select the topics for discussion.
After a unanimous vote of thanks to H. J. Elam, C. D.
Benbow, and others, as well as to the Fire Committee and the citizens of
Greensboro, the meeting was adjourned.
The following charter members joined the newly organized
North Carolina State Firemen's Association on September 27, 1888:
Durham
H. E. Heartt
Fayetteville
J. D. McNeill
Greensboro
C. D. Benbow
A. T. Boyd
J. R. Donnell
J. G. Fowler
H. J. Elam
J. W. Griffith
C. F. Thomas
R. E. Waggaman
C. Whittington
S. D. Wilson
Raleigh
T. W. Blake
F. Brannan
E. B. Engelhard
F. H. Lumsden
Salem
A. B. Horney
F. C. Meinung
F. H. Vogler
Winston
W. F. Keith
S. A. Sink
C. A. Snipes
J. T. Thacker
Source: Not recorded!
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