As originally covered in our Williamstown: Reflections & Echos #15 from about 2012, a fire hose cart was located in a former Mount Hope Farm barn on the property of Maurice & Myril Filler. The high-wheeled device was identified as being one of the two hose carts donated by John B. Gale to the fledgling Williamstown Fire Department in 1895.

The following are excerpts from the Gale Hose Company, Inc 2013’s annual fundraising notification letter, explain and return of the cart.

The Gale Hose Co. is named in honor of John Benjamin Gale, Williams College class of 1892. While Mr. Gale was working in Troy, New York he remained close to Williamstown. In 1884 a massive fire destroyed the Danforth Block on Spring Street; shortly after, Williamstown established a corps of volunteer firemen. However, it wasn’t until John Gale donated 1000 feet of hose, axes, bars, lanterns, and two hose carts that this fledging group began to function as firefighters. In 1909 the Gale Hose Co. was named in honor of Mr. Gale.

The Gale Hose Co. is a not-for-profit, benevolent organization made up of active and retired firefighters who complement the work of the Williamstown Fire Department. The Gale Hose Company is named after John B. Gale, who was the spark behind the expansion and achievement of the original Williamstown corps of volunteer firemen. His donation of 1,000 feet of hose, axes, bars, lanterns, and two hose carts provided the group with the necessary tools to provide safety. The Fire Dept. held the equipment and the firefighters were separate from the Fire Dept. and the Gale Hose Company is where the firefighters came from. The Gale Hose Company was then made a social club when the fire department took the responsibility of the equipment and personnel. The Gale Hose Company was able to to start a Benevolent Fund which has been able to provide the firefighters of the Williamstown area the reassurance in knowing that they will be supported in times of need. Since firefighters are exposed to copious amounts of stress, physical labor, and mental demand that can impact our daily lives. Many times we are asked to put the lives of others before our own as we leave our families at all hours of the day and night.