Past stories echo from vintage fire engine
If a fire engine could talk, what hot topics might it reveal?
Perhaps the vintage 1925 La France fire truck, on display at the Milam County Historical Museum, would tell us flaming stories of heroism and bravery in early 20th century fire fighting. This truck was proudly used by the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department from 1925 to 1972.
The City of Cameron purchased this 1925 La France fire engine new for several thousand dollars. Today, new fire engines cost upwards of $350,000.
The La France was the second fire truck purchased for the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department. Prior to the early modern-day gasoline powered trucks, Cameron firemen used a bucket brigade and a wagon that was two-horse-powered, literally.
According to former Cameron Fire Chief, Henry Horelica, the two horses used to pull the wagon were named Tom and Jerry, Horelica said, “they were a well trained team, and when they would hear the fire alarm sound, the two horses would run to the barn where the fire wagon was kept. There these two intelligent animals would stop and stay in place waiting to be hitched to the wagon and ready to rush to fight the fire. Tom and Jerry certainly earned notoriety in the stories of Cameron’s fire fighting history.”
Replacing the bucket brigade, horse drawn wagon, and an earlier predecessor, the 1925 fire engine is considered a pumper truck. It has the ability to mechanically pump water from a pond, stock tank, stream, or river.
Equipped with a transfer box, water is moved from the rear wheel area to the middle of the vehicle and is pumped out when engaged. This process would render the truck immobile when water was being pumped. The vehicle could be parked near or right on top of a water source to assist the fire fighting. Several hundred feet of hose could be attached to the pump to send much needed water to fight large fires, especially in rural areas.
It is estimated that over 500 volunteer firemen may have served on and operated the 1925 La France pumper truck in its 97 year history. That is, 5-6 men manning the vehicle for 97 years; a large number of Cameron citizens. If that old truck could just tell us…
The fire truck originally featured a flat head 6-cylinder engine and had a 6 volt system when new. However, the original engine was replaced with a small inline 6-overhead valve engine and now also contains a 12 volt system.
The truck’s original radiator was also replaced with a smaller one which has an electric fan. Plus, the late Harold Soefje created a wooden mock-up to fit the radiator’s new size. Much of that work was done when the truck was 60 years old in the 1980’s. All this restoration and replacement made it possible for the vintage truck to be used in Cameron parades and VFD events.
When asked if this particular fire engine saw action in any major fires in Milam County, Henry Horelica stated that when the Milam Theater (or Matson-owned theater) burned, it was one of the largest fires where this truck was used. That fire in the 1960’s ironically happened on First Street where the Milam County Historical Museum headquarters is today.
The Cameron VFD’s vintage 1925 La France Fire Engine is now retired.
Former fire chief Horelica said, “the last call this truck ever made was to a house fire at Maysfield in 1972.”
It now resides quietly in a new Milam County Museum exhibit. Recently opened to the public, the Barbara Harry Hajovsky Memorial Transportation Exhibit is the new home of the “fire engine red” classic truck.
Mr. Bud Hajovsky, who generously donated this new exhibit building has acquired the fire engine and a 1959 McLane delivery truck.
Hajovsky, a member of the Milam County Historical Museum Board said, “we would like to encourage visitors to view these two restored vehicles when visiting the Old Jail Museum in Cameron.”
Come by both the historic Milam County Museums at 112 W 1st Street and 201 E Main Street. Visit the new Transportation Exhibit next to the Old County Jail. The museums and Transportation Exhibit Building are open Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment at other times.
See for yourself if the old buildings, artifacts, or classic vehicles on display can tell you about the historic past of our area of Texas. Find out if they speak volumes on the rich heritage and legacy of Milam County and its people.