Morristown’s' First Motorized Fire Truck

Morristown Gazette - Wednesday, June 21st 1916

Morristown Board Spent Day in the City

    In company with Mr. L. M. Coaney, a representative of American-LaFrance Auto Fire Truck Company of Detroit, members of the Morristown fire company, and the mayor and members of the board of alderman spent today in Johnson City witnessing demonstrations given by the local fire company with the new American-LaFrance auto fire truck.
    The Morristown party arrived here on train No. 4 and were met at the station by members of the fire company and citizens. The party consisted of Mayor W.B. Whittaker, Alderman J.E. Burke and C.D. Barger, H.F. Mims and J.R. Neil, fire commissioners; W.R. Toney, captain of the Morristown fire company, J.F. Mathes and S.J. Felknor, assistant fire captains.
    The Morristown board of Mayor and Aldermen are preparing to purchase fire fighting equipment and have visited a number of cities in order to get a chance of seeing the machines used and methods employed for fighting fires.

The party returned to Morristown this afternoon - Johnson City Staff

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Morristown Gazette - Wednesday, June 21st 1916

Morristown Board Spent Day in the City

Last week the city closed a deal for a new automobile fire truck which is to be one of the most modern makes. It was bought from the American-LaFrance Fire Engine Co., and the price paid was $9,000. The truck has a six cylinder, four cycle motor with a 5 1/2 inch bore and a six inch stroke furnishing 100 horse power, which is one of the most powerful engines made.It is sold as a type 75, triple combination pumper, chemical engine and hose car. The company from which it was bought is to take the old three horse chemical and ladder wagon in on the new one at $1,000, and the balance of the amount is to be made in yearly installments of $1,000 each, the first payment to be made the first of next November and the last will be taken up the first of November, 1920.  The truck is to be delivered in about 60 days and will be one less of a long list of necessities that the city has needed for a good while.