On board the Cole chemical engine on the left are: John Godshall in the driver’s seat with Chief Elmer Zepp sitting next to him; standing behind are (l to r) Lincoln Benner, Walter Kriebel, and J. Lloyd Wagner. Driving the Packard pumper on the right is Frank Slotter, with Asst. Chief Horace Davis; the others on the Packard are (l to r) Isaac Rosenberger, Frank Price, Roland Smith, George Stoneback, and Archie Smith. (Credit: Hatfield Museum & History Society.)
A daily feature from our surrounding historical societies.
In 1919, the Hatfield Vol. Fire. Co. replaced their 1910 wagon-mounted chemical apparatus with a new shiny red Packard twin six with a Hale pumping engine.
The following year, in September 1920, the fire company purchased a second-hand eight-cylinder Cole touring car that was "in good condition."
Unfortunately, it turned out to be a "mechanic's special." It wasn’t until February 1921 that mechanic Clayton Kulp reported that after $161.96 in parts and many hours of donated labor, the Cole was "running in first class condition."
By the May 1921 meeting, it had been painted, the chemical tanks from the 1910 apparatus installed on it, and it was ready for service.
In our photo, the Hatfield firemen are ready to participate in Lansdale’s 50th Anniversary Parade in 1922.
