The
election of the first Board of Fire Commissioners in Independence, in
1931, was held in a way that could have only taken place in an era when
expediency prevailed over the law. It was a period in Inyo County history,
never to return, when there was a more personal touch in government, a
time of direct action.
Edwin
B. ‘Red" Austin, now an Independence businessman, who was a member
of that first commission, recalls quite vividly how it all came about.
He
was an employee of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. One day
he received a telephone call from Superior Court Judge William Daniel
Dehy, who was a man of stature in the community, and a telephone call from
him most certainly would not be about any trivial matter. Austin recalls
that he spoke with the voice of authority: "Eddie, I would like to
see you in my office at 3 o’clock this afternoon!"
Young
Austin was in the throes of suspense as he made his way to Judge Dehy’s
chambers. Had he unknowingly run afoul of the law, to be summoned before
the bar? Arriving at the judge’s chambers, the judge seemed affable
enough, and two others, residents of Independence, Allie Robinson and Van
Lutzow, were present. Judge Dehy did not keep them waiting long to reveal
what he had in mind: "Gentlemen, we have long needed a Fire
Commission in Independence, and yesterday an election was held, in the
courthouse, and you have been chosen to serve. The terms are for one, two
and three years. I have three straws in my hand and I ask you each to draw
one".
Austin
got the longest straw and the three-year term. The judge then explained
their duties. They were to check the equipment and to take steps to get
money from the County. Judge Austin had not only selected the candidates,
but he had "campaigned" around the various offices in the
courthouse with a box of candy as an inducement.
For
"Red" Austin it was the beginning of an active association with
the Independence Fire Department for 25 years. He received a citation on
February 17, 1956, signed by Fire Commissioners G. E. Gillespie. Henry O.
Schmidt, Paul Passage, and Fire Chief Richard I. Puddicombe. But Austin
never did actually retire from the Fire Department, although he no longer
fights fires. The urge is still here and today when the siren wails,
whatever, the hour, "Red" responds, not unlike the traditional
old fire horse. There are times when his wife, Martha, thinks
"Red" is following his impulse a bit to the extreme, as when he
hops out of a warm bed in the small hours of a cold night, lured by the
siren.
The
equipment in those days consisted of two hose carts with two wheels,
pulled by four men. Each cart had 600 feet of inch and a half hose. Four
men, pulling a cart was an outmoded way of fighting a fire, so, Austin
says, a move was made to get a surplus fire engine from the Los Angeles
DWP at Bishop. This was successful and the engine was brought to the DWP
yards in Independence.
After
that, W. J. Land, a Fire Marshal from Los Angeles, came to Independence to
help organize a department. It had been a sort of free-for-all, with no
regular roster, but with townspeople turning out, usually in force,
whenever the siren sounded. The early hydrants were an inch and a half,
and the Fire Commissioners began to have them replaced with the two and a
half inch size. Austin made a trip to Los Angeles to buy the first lot of
larger hose.
One
of the most threatening fires that occurred, in the days of the two-wheel
carts, was where Bobbie’s Hair Shop is now located, at 129 South Edwards
St. In the front part of the building was the barber shop of Max Fausel,
while in the rear was a dress shop, run by Jenny Hutchison, wife of the
Sheriff. Austin says the flames were fanned by high winds, but the fire
was kept from spreading. Saved was the postoffice, which was next door,
where the Independence Garden Club is now located.
MASONIC
LODGE
By
T. Eugene Barrows
When
we first came to Owens Valley, some of our Los Angeles acquaintances
asked, "What can you see in such a God forsaken country?" They
did not know anything about Owens Valley. We found that God had blessed it
with scenic beauty, busy communities and wonderful people. As we were
being welcomed into the community, I, being a Mason, was invited to attend
the Masonic Lodge. I greatly enjoyed the friendship I found in the lodges
of Independence, Bishop and Bridgeport, which comprise the 500th Masonic
district of the Grand Lodge of Masons in California. Desiring to become an
active member here, and not wanting to withdraw from my Montana Masonic
Lodge. I joined Inyo Lodge No. 221 by dual membership. Inyo Lodge No. 221.
as a lodge, and by its individual members, has played an important part in
the history of the valley. It has strongly supported public schools and
the education of our young people. I went through the chairs and was
Master in 1962. Later. I was secretary for over 8 years.
In
1972, Inyo Lodge celebrated 100 years of active service in Independence.
The Worshipful Master of that year, Ned T. Bell, is the grandson of one of
the Wardens when the lodge was instituted in 1872. Neel’s father and a
son, Allan, also being members, make a four-generation family in the first
100 years of the lodge. Appropriate ceremonies marked the centennial of
the lodge.
Inyo
Lodge has several living members who have been a Master Mason and 50 or
more years of continuous membership. In January 1975, I became eligible
for a 50 year membership pin. Thru my dual membership, the California
Grand Lodge recognized the total time. Representing the Grand Lodge of
California, Past Master Wilfred Partridge, Inspector of the 500th Masonic
district, presented me with my 50 year membership pin and certificate.
My
wife, Nina, and I were members of San Fernando Chapter of the Order of the
Eastern Star when we first moved to Independence. We were welcomed by the
members of Kearsarge Chapter No. 378, Order of the Eastern Star. Thru the
Eastern Star we made many friends in Kearsarge and other Chapters. We
demitted from the San Fernando Chapter and joined Kearsarge Chapter and
became officers. In 1958, I was Worthy Patron serving with Jackie Riesen,
the Worthy Matron. In 1962 Nina served Kearsarge Chapter as Worthy Matron,
with Robert W. Fisher her Worthy Patron. Nina also was Deputy Grand Matron
on our district in 1965. Even now we find pleasure in keeping busy in
Eastern Star activities.
Nina
and I both have served years on the Rainbow Board. Kearsarge Chapter is
the sponsoring body for Independence Assembly No. 114, Order of Rainbow
for Girls. I have been honored by being "Rainbow Dad" several
times and have received the Grand Cross of Color. It is an honor to be
associated with such a grand group of girls. Unknown to me, the Assembly
submitted my name for Grand Marshal of the Independence Fourth of July,
1975 parade. I knew nothing about it until I was informed I had been
chosen Grand Marshal for the parade. I rode in an open car with Nina and
Lisa Benson, the Worthy Advisor of Independence Assembly No. 114. We were
escorted by the members of the Assembly.
{*Copied without permission from Saga of Inyo County
©1977 by Chapter 183, Southern Inyo American Association of Retired
Persons.}
