March 16, 1999
By Edward Fuller
When the town hall and all the records in it were destroyed by fire in 1899, the people of Belchertown realized that the need for some kind of fire apparatus was imperative.
In September of that year two town meetings were held. At the first of these meetings plans were discussed for fire protection. An objection to purchasing fire fighting equipment was that this protection would not benefit the farmers outside the town limits. A committee of the three selectmen, Bridgeman, Randall, and Bartlett, together with S.W. Dillon, and S.M. Clough was appointed to investigate the different types of fire protection apparatus. At the second meeting, $900.00 was appropriated for apparatus, and $500.00 for a building to house it. About one hundred voters were present at this meeting, and only three voted against purchasing the equipment.
On Tuesday, October 3, 1899, the committee reported to the board of selectmen. Plans were made to purchase both a chemical and a water engine. Plans were also made to form a fire company of approximately thirty members.
On December 12, 1899, the chemical engine was delivered. The water engine, "Mary Jane," arrived shortly afterwards. The chemical engine was purchased from the town of Belmont for $125.00. "Mary Jane" was purchased from C. W. H. Moulton for $646.00. A shipping charge of $10.80 was paid, since she was shipped from somewhere near Boston. An additional $30.99 was spent for extra equipment. She was pumped by two long poles, one on either side. Five or six men on each side worked her. Six or eight men pulled her by a long rope attached to the front.
On March 5, 1900, the town voted down an article for the construction of a building for the fire department on the ground between the Old Town Hall and the Congregational Church.
Sometime shortly after the purchase of the "Mary Jane" a ladder truck was purchased. Three fire companies were established with S. W. Dillon as Chief Engineer. Foreman of the Water Company was H. F. Shaw. The Chemical Company had S. W. Jackson as its foreman. H. A. Hopkins was foreman of the Ladder Company. In this first fire department there was a twenty-five cent fine for absence from a fire, and a ten cent fine for absence from a meeting or a drill.
"Mary Jane" was used up until 1924. She was used in the fire that burned down the Center School. She was also used in the big Jensen fire. It was on the way to this fire that "Mary Jane" received some rough treatment. The men pulling her lost control of her and ran her off into a ditch. She was taken back to the station to be repaired, and the fire was put out with buckets.
On February 19, 1929 the Belchertown Fire Fighters Association was formed with Milton Baggs as Chief. This association is still important today.
Today "Mary Jane" is in excellent condition. The members of the Fire Fighters Association obtained permission to restore her. They took her apart, piece by piece, painted her, and reassembled her. She looks as if she were fresh out of the factory.
"Mary Jane" served her purpose well, and has already taken part in several parades and musters. This December will be her 100th birthday, and we hope she will be a part of the association for another 100 years.