Special Notices

Volunteer Engine Company, No. 7. -- An adjourned Monthly Meeting
of your Company will be held THIS (Friday) EVENING, at 8 o'clock.
By order. J.BREWSTER, Jr., Sec'y 


Knickerbocker Engine Company, No. 5 --- Attend a special meeting
of the Company, to be held THIS (Friday) EVENING, at 8 o'clock.
Punctual attendance requested.
H.G. LANGLEY, Sec'y.


Empire Engine Company No. 1 -- The monthly meeting of the
Company will be held THIS (Friday) EVENING at 8 o'clock. By order.
EDWARD B CUTTER, Sec'y.

Daily Alta California

Volume 11, Number 243

2 September 1859

In the 1850s, fire companies competed to be the first to fires. Hundreds of men pulled engines ( large, heavy, hand operated pumps) through muddy streets. Since only the first company at a fire was paid, the crews sometimes engaged in massive brawls to decide who would have the honor.

Well heeled patrons purchased engines, hired captains, and established fire houses that were more like club houses.

Apparently, the competition extended their competition to holding all their meetings at the same time.