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History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

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572 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1797.<br />

son liv<strong>in</strong>g near the Scliool House <strong>in</strong> Lick<strong>in</strong>gwater, whose<br />

duty it shall be to take care <strong>of</strong> the Build<strong>in</strong>gs and see that<br />

the Preceptors obey the orders <strong>of</strong> the Town respect<strong>in</strong>g<br />

Fires." They were also <strong>in</strong>structed to procure two stoves<br />

for the Center School-House. The scholars had been heret<strong>of</strong>ore<br />

warmed by huge fireplaces, and no doubt they were<br />

very uncomfortable <strong>in</strong> cold weather, and the build<strong>in</strong>g was<br />

liable to take fire <strong>from</strong> carelessness or neglect. There is no<br />

<strong>in</strong>dication that either <strong>of</strong> them had suffered <strong>in</strong> this respect,<br />

but some danger <strong>from</strong> that source was feared, else these<br />

special precautions had not been taken.<br />

other Precautions to In November <strong>of</strong> the same year still farther<br />

Subdue Fires. precautious Were taken. The fire-war-<br />

dens were directed to " fasten ropes to the<br />

Fire Hooks, and they are also to be vigilant and alert at all<br />

times <strong>in</strong> convey<strong>in</strong>g them to any part <strong>of</strong> the Town where a<br />

Fire may happen." At the same time the wardens were<br />

ordered to procure four ladders, to be placed " one on the<br />

Pla<strong>in</strong> [upper part <strong>of</strong> Bridge Street], one <strong>in</strong> Lick<strong>in</strong>gwater,<br />

one <strong>in</strong> New Boston [upper Elm Street], and the other <strong>in</strong><br />

the center <strong>of</strong> the town, and <strong>in</strong> care <strong>of</strong> some Persons with<br />

Instructions not to lend them, except <strong>in</strong> Cases <strong>of</strong> Fire." The<br />

selectmen were also empowered to procure a dozen leather<br />

buckets for the use <strong>of</strong> the eng<strong>in</strong>e to be deposited and kept<br />

with the mach<strong>in</strong>e.<br />

No Visible Reason Some spccial reasou must have existed for<br />

for Activity about all thesc additions to the fire-department.<br />

Fires<br />

Towns do not usually wake up so thorough-<br />

ly and appropriate money for any such object unless there<br />

is some excit<strong>in</strong>g cause. Yet noth<strong>in</strong>g appears to have occurred<br />

<strong>in</strong> this town to call attention to the need <strong>of</strong> more<br />

and greater safeguards aga<strong>in</strong>st fires. The newspapers may<br />

be searched <strong>in</strong> va<strong>in</strong> for anyth<strong>in</strong>g bear<strong>in</strong>g upon this po<strong>in</strong>t.<br />

They were not <strong>in</strong> the habit <strong>of</strong> publish<strong>in</strong>g local news.<br />

Everybody knew what was go<strong>in</strong>g on at home, and as every<br />

local item was published at the expense <strong>of</strong> so much foreign<br />

news, or <strong>of</strong> some aged item <strong>from</strong> Boston, Philadelphia or<br />

New York, it is va<strong>in</strong> to look for anyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the k<strong>in</strong>d.

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