THE HISTORY OF
SOUTH CASS CITIZENS' FIRE COMPANY
IN THE BEGINNING
With the establishment of any organization informal discussions are held prior to its actual formation. Although there is no known written account of any discussions, itis believed that some were probably held in Primrose Tavern operated by James Kelly. We do know a meeting was held April 22, 1945 at Kelly's Hall for the purpose of organizing a volunteer fire company. The actual minutes of that meeting follow: April 22, 1945, Primrose PA - A meeting was held at Kelly's Hall, Primrose by the citizens of the community for the purpose of organizing a fire co. John Brilla acted as temporary Chairman, John Witcofsky acted at temporary Secretary. Those present at the meeting were John Brilla, Andy Morasky, Lyle Devers, Ik Ireeney, Ed Shupacki, John Nitcopski, Geo Hoffstetter, Mike Brilla, Nick Lozarchick, Bill Gibbons, Thom Reilly, Steve Starzetsky, Chet Clark, Mike O'Breen, Jas Potter, Michiall Quinn, John Zabrozney, Walter Zabrozney, Business was discussed and a motion by Thom Reilly to pick a Committee to see Shreader about grounds for fire co. Committee picked as follows: Andy Moraski, Mike Brilla, Ik Ireeney, John Witcofski, Francis Reilly, Jas Patton, Emmit Reilly. Motion by Emmit Reilly seconded by Lyle Devers to purchase a new minute book. motion by Mike Brilla a second by Ike Reilly to Advertise our next meeting for Sunday, April 29 in Republican & Journal. No more business the meeting was adjourned by motion of Andy Moraski sec. by Ed Shrufski: Acting Rec. sec was John Witcofsky. As noted in the minutes an ad was published in both the Pottsville newspapers: The Journal and the Republican. The Actual ad as it appeared Notice There will be a meeting in Kelly's Hall, Primrose, Sunday April 29, 1945 at 2:30 p.m. for the purpose of forming a Hose Company in Primrose. All those people interested are asked to attend. Signed-John Witcofsky, Secretary a26-3t. On April 29, 1945, another meeting was held at Kelly's hall and the South Cass Township Citizens' Fire Company was organized. The following individuals were elected to serve as its first officers: President: George (Jerry) Callaghan Financial Secretary: John Witcofsky Recording Secretary: Andrew Musick Treasurer: Nicholas Sukeena Directors: John Brennan John Brilla John Demcher Lyle C. Devers Enoch Witcofsky The newly formed company moved its meeting place from Kelly's Hall to the Cass Community Center Building, today the sight of the South Cass Veterans' Memorial. Work was under way to secure a charter and was completed on July 23, 1945. The first of many :campfires" was then held on July 30, 31, and August1, 1945. Also in August, realizing the need for a permanent home, the company acquired 5.29 acres of land, part of the Wolf Creek and Primrose Tracts of the M&S Coal Co., the last company to own and operate the Lytle Colliery. The first Apparatus purchase was made on the 10th of September 1945. A 1937 GMC was purchase in Philadelphia from the United States Government. In November 1945 additional equipment which included a siren and skid pump was acquired from the city of Hazleton, PA. With no facility to house the new truck and related equipment it was kept in the former mule stable of the Lytle Colliery for a time. With the arrival of this initial fire fighting equipment the company elected its first Fire Chief, Joe Stephanosky. Shortly thereafter Joe resigned and Victor Shynock was appointed Fire Chief and Emmitt Reilly, Assistant Fire Chief. March of 1946 saw the company submit a bid to the Cass Township School Board for the HBobb Factory in the amount of $235.00. The bid was accepted and members dismantled the factory. The lumber they salvages was utilized in the construction of the new fire house. Steve Musick was hired as building contractor and on October 29, 1946 the cornerstone was officially laid. On March 16, 1947 the company purchased a Buick Ambulance from Sonny Stramara Used Car Exchange. Two months later on May 30, 1947 our present day firehouse was formally dedicated. Later in June 1949 a 1921 Hahn Chemical Truck was purchased from Liberty Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven. During these early years the company held many dances at the old Primrose Hall, and showing of "moving pictures" at the fire house was a popular pastime. On October 11, 1948 the company purchase its first television.
"THE 1950'S"
As with any organization the early years were critical. Fortunately the "founding fathers" were a strong willed and determined lot. Evermindful of the future, they realized the value of land, and when the opportunity arose in March 1950, they acquired another 9.5 acres of land from Harrandon R. Randall of Kingston, Luzerne County. The property was once the sight of the Primrose "Mansion House". A popular area landmark it was once a meca for social gatherings of the region. The Mansion has been a part of the Lytle Coal Co. operations of the Susquehanna Coal Co. Its grandeur, however, was lost forever when it was destroyed by fire in November, 1935. Just two months after the acquisition of the Randall property, it became the sight of a company-sponsored carnival. The W.C. Kaus Show was contracted and became the only time on record that the circus came to Primrose. It proved to be a very successful adventure and brought the company some much needed revenue. After many attempts to organize into a single township association the South Cass Citizens' Fire Co. Firemans' Relief Assc. was chartered in May of 1953. The company-sponsored ambulance service ended in 1954. There were numerous reasons for its demise but it should be noted that it was not for lack of effort by one of the strongest supporter, Charle Fucci. As time marched on, the need for a new fire apparatus became real. One was purchased from Gene Bendigo Fire Equipment of Tower City, PA. It was equipped with a 1957 chassis from Cressona GMC and oufitted with a 500 gallon per minute pump from the Oren Company of Roanoke, Virginia.
"THE 1960'S"
In March 1962 the interior of the fire house was remodeled covering the old stucc wall with their many murals. In October 1963 the company purchased much of what would become today's picnic grove form Peter Laychock. This followed in June by a purchase of property from Joseph Russial and Anthony Pellish. These properties make up much of the present day western boundaries of the fire house. What would be our last purchase of property occured in July of 1967. Fifteen additional acres were purchase from Charle Martin, much of which was the former grounds of the Primrose Grammar School, better known as the "Red Building". Although a relatively small company, South Cass was one of the first in the area to Purchase self Contained breathing apparatus in March of 1968.
"THE 1970'S"
The 1970's brought many changes to the company, vandalism among them. this necessitated the installation of a burgler alarm system. Change also came dramatically in regards to our membership. In May of 1978 the by-laws were amended to allow for admittance of woman to the company, and Mary Ann Oakill became our first female member. Over twenty years had passed since the purchase of our last fire apparatus. With determination and resolve on their side the company purchase a 1978 Hahn 1000 GPM Pumper from the Hahn Fire Apparatus Company of Hamburg, PA< The engine which was much larger in size called for the addition of a new engine room. The new truck was housed on August 19, 1978 and with it the new engine room was formal dedicated in memory of John Emitt Reilly. The GMC pumper that had served the company for many years was sold to the Mount Pleasant Fire Company in Buck Run, PA.
"THE 1980'S"
In June of 1980 the company purchased its first emergency vehicle radio and with it brought an end to the private dispatch service which had been faithfully handled by Tony Pellish for many years. Realizing there was a viable resource often ignored in the community, the company began a Junior Volunteer Fireman Program in June of 1980. Currently three of those original Junior Fireman are officers in the company. They are Fire Chief and Trustee Pete Ricigliano, Captain and Financial Secretary Frank Kuchta, and Foreman and Trustee Ray Machita Jr. On October 5, 1981 the company's first stat certified school in the Fundamentals of Firefighting began, with Tom Towers as instructor. Always mindful of the problems small rural companies face, South Cass initiated the drive to organize these local companies into an association that would provide organized assistance in emergency situations. This resulted in the founding of the West Schuylkill Mutual Aid Association which organized on January 20, 1983. Many a rural fire company can attest to the havoc brush fires can bring. Rather than chance damaging their primary piece of fire equipment when fighting these fires, the company requested and recieved a 1953 Dodge Army Weapon Carrier to aid in our efforts. After much toil and many hours of work Brush Truck 269 was put into service. It would prove to be an asset to not on it the local community but also to neighboring companies as well. Age forced its removal from service in April 1992.