“This town having been visited by three disastrous fires within a year, the first at A.H. Uhler destroying his barn and other out buildings on May 11, 1912, putting the whole upper end of the town in jeopardy, one on March 22, 1913 destroying a fine residence belonging to Messrs. Heise and Currie with other out buildings. . . . It was deemed advisable by the citizens of this community to organize a Volunteer Fire Company, and for this purpose a mass meeting was held in Landstreet Hall on May 9, 1913 presided over by Prof. H.H. Murphy at which time it was decided to hold a picnic and supper in order to raise funds to start said Fire Company. At this meeting a committee of the following ladies Mrs. S.S. Yingling, Mrs. Jas. Gore and Mrs. J.M. Currie were appointed to take the charge of and conduct the picnic and supper which was held May 30, 1913 in the grove on Chatswoth Ave. and which proved a grand social and financial success, there was raised the sum of $412.29 which is now held by the treas. H.H. Russell deposited in the Reisterstown Savings Bank subject to the order of the community. There were elected that day the following temporary officers, S.S. Yingling President H.H. Russell Treasurer and W.I. Stevenson Secretary who’s duty it was to co-operate with the ladies in the settlement of the affairs of the picnic and as soon there after as possible to call a public meeting for the purpose of announcing the financial result of the picnic also organize a Volunteer Fire Company and elect permanent officer for the same, and here we are now assembled to attend to these duties.

Proved and read    W.I. Stevenson Secretary”
June 11, 1913