With the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, my research into an 1879 Fourth of July celebration in Aberdeen opened a window to Columbus’ Rough and Ready volunteer fire company of 150 years ago.
In the 1870s, there were three volunteer fire companies that made up the Columbus Fire Department. One of those companies was the African American Rough and Ready Hand Engine Fire Company.
The Rough and Ready Company, though little recognized now, was once a major component of the Columbus Fire Department. In 1870, the Columbus Fire Department was composed of two white volunteer companies. They were the Hercules Hook and Ladder Company and the Luxapalila Steam Fire Company. That changed on Sept. 18, 1872, when the city council accepted “the tender of service of Fire Company No. 2 consisting of 45 men.” Those 45 African American men became known as the Rough and Ready.
It was the Aberdeen newspaper account of the 1879 Fourth of July celebration in Aberdeen that got me looking into the heritage of the Rough and Ready. The following account appeared in the July 10, 1879, Aberdeen Examiner:
“The colored Fire Company No. 1, of Aberdeen, in conformity to usage that has obtained with that element of society since the war, celebrated the Fourth of July, by turning out in full force and uniform, and giving a huge Barbecue at the railroad tank, about a mile from the city. … (The celebration was held) last Friday at the railroad tank, as afore said. The Rough and Ready colored Fire Company of Columbus, in response to invitation, joined them on this occasion, and arrived in Aberdeen at an early hour on Friday morning, having been transported over the country upon wagons, in consequence of the low stage of water in the Tombigbee not admitting of an excursion upon the Little Corporal, as per original programme. After the two fire companies, and those of the white citizens who had been invited and requested to attend, had arrived upon the grounds, the programme was begun by the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Beny Ward. … An important and very commendable feature in the government of Company No. 1 is the universal absence of politics at their meetings; at no time during the sessions of the company, or at their celebrations, are political speeches permitted to be made, and all who addressed the assembly on the occasion of the celebration last Friday, confined themselves exclusively to matters pertaining to education, domestic concerns, anecdotes and other subjects of a non-political nature. After the reading of the Declaration Of 1776, C.F. Westbrooks, a colored teacher, was introduced, and made a speech in which he advised his race to improve every advantage and facility afforded them for the education of their children, and gave other good advice. Mayor T. B. Sykes being called for, responded in very appropriate remarks concerning their duty as firemen, and devoted the remainder of his talk to relating side-splitting anecdotes and humorous stories, to the delight of his hearers. Capt. J.W. Lee (J W Leigh’s brother, Frank, owned the steamboat Little Corporal) was also called, and in a short speech “tickled their fancy” and retired, with applause. At this juncture dinner was announced, and the two companies formed into line at the tap of a drum, and took their respective places at the tables, while the invited white guests were conducted to tables which had been prepared for them …”
Who were the members of the Rough and Ready? In period newspapers I could only find a few accounts which listed only their officers.
In 1874 the Columbus Fire Dept. consisted of the following:
Joseph E. Leigh, marshal
John B. Hudson, assistant
Lucien Crusoe, adjutant
John A. Martin, aide de camp
Cornell Franklin, aide de camp
Luxapalila Stream Fire Company, No. 1
D.S. Mitchell, foreman
A.E. Atwater, first assistant
J.T. Harrison Jr., second assistant
C.H. Dale, engineer
G.C. Tucker, assistant
R.L. Teasdale, secretary
C.M. Ottley, treasurer
Hercules Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1
C.R. Tucker, foreman
J.W. Benoit, assistant
Jos. D. Stevens, secretary and acting treasurer
Rough & Ready Hand Fire Company, No. 2
Henry Lovelace, foreman
Digg Blewett, assistant
Mark Brownlee, secretary
Jas Moore, treasurer
An account of the status of the Columbus Fire Department in 1877 shows Jack Rabb, a member of the Rough and Ready, serving as an aide to the fire chief and shows the officers of the Rough and Ready.
Columbus Fire Dept.
Chief – M.W. Hatch
Assistant Chief – S.B. Street
Aides – R.F. Hudson, James Gilmore and Jack Rabb
There were three fire companies. The Luxapalila Steam Engine Company, the Hercules Hook and Ladder Company and the Rough and Ready Hand Engine Company. The officers of the Rough and Ready were Henry Lovely, foreman; Dig Blewett, first assistant foreman; Titus Gilmer, second assistant foreman; Rev. Wright, secretary; and James Moore, treasurer.
Edward R. Hopkins, in 1937, wrote an account of the Rough and Ready fighting a fire on a cold winter’s night.
“One cold night while the Rough and Ready Company was fighting an up town fire from the cistern in Main Street, Mr. Julius Nathan of the Wholesale Liquor House of Nathan and Oppenheimer gave this company a water bucket full in which was a tin dipper. The night was bitter cold but this large supply of stimulant braced them to keep at work until the fire was put out.”
Hopkins also wrote that “Henry Lovely, called Captain Lovely, was foreman of Rough and Readies and reveled in roaring hoarse orders through his speaking trumpet. … The first fire bell the City of Columbus owned was originally made for and used as a steamboat bell. (On the steamer Fashion) It was later used as a fire bell. It was sold to Missionary Union Baptist Church. It still calls the faithful to prayer and tolls the knell for departed members.”
The Rough and Ready were noted for their bravery and for the speed at which they could assemble and arrive at the scene of a fire. Their heritage is a story that needs to be celebrated.
Thanks to Carolyn Kaye for helping with the research for this column.
Rufus Ward is a Columbus native a local historian. E-mail your questions about local history to Rufus at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
