THE PANDOLPHINS
Under date of August 18, 1855, a petition was presented to the board of
delegates by J. M. Van Syckle, setting forth the formation of a fire company under
the title of The Pandolphins. It stated that the company had organized in
the regular order, elected their officers (the names of the officers do not
appear in the minutes of the board) adopted a constitution and by-laws, and
requested admission into the Stockton Fire Department. The board recommended
their admission and the petition so endorsed was ordered sent to the Council
for their consideration. One week later the board met and the secretary was
instructed to request the Fire and Water Committee of the Council to refer the
petition back to the board of delegates for further action. No further mention
is made of the company in the records. We learn from a pioneer resident that
the company was brought together by Mr. Van Syckle after the fire of July 30,
1855. Having no apparatus other than a small engine owned by Wells, Fargo &
Co., which had been used by that corporation to protect its building, lack of
interest soon became manifest and the company dissolved. The engine was
subsequently presented to the Eurekas by Chief Van Syckle. It was newly painted
and the name of the donor placed on each side of the box in gold letters.
THE VAN SYCKLES AND YOUNG
AMERICAS
A company of about twenty boys was formed and the Eurekas furnished them with
uniforms of red shirts, black pants and straw hats. These youngsters were
between the ages of 8 and 12 years and became very popular, making a fine
appearance on parades. They elected their own officers, R. Fisher being their
Foreman. Among the members were the following:
George H. Tinkham
George Sanderson
Henry Underhill
Frank
Wilkins
Charles Williams
Edgar
Whitney
Andrew Chase
Thomas Fowler
Another company of boys formed
later under the title of the Young Americas. Their uniforms differed from the
Van Syckles, or Junior Eurekas, only in the color of the shirts worn, those of
the Americas being white. The engine drawn by them in parades was built by Mr.
George Kroh and, through a small machine, performed good service in saving
property on a number of occasions.
Transcriber Sally Kaleta.
Proofreader Betty Vickroy.
© 2002-2007 Nancy Pratt Melton.
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