Cape Girardeau Fire Department to celebrate 100 years Saturday

A celebration on Saturday marks a 100th anniversary for Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

The party, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cape River Heritage Museum, 538 Independence St., will include a host of fire trucks, games for children and light refreshments.

It's one way firefighters Sam Welker and Mike Ramsey are working to preserve and share department history.

For more than two years, the men have worked to gather information, photos and memorabilia stretching back to the city's earliest firefighters. They've tracked documents back to 1866 and found the most common name for the initial volunteer force was "The Good Intent Fire Department."

One hundred years ago today, the department made a huge technological leap, when two horses arrived on a steamship to provide fire transportation. Up to that point, firefighters grabbed a cart with a hose and ran to the fire sometimes up to 15 blocks away. After a 1916 fire that radically changed downtown Cape Girardeau, the city council agreed to buy a motorized fire engine.

A handful of retired firefighters gathered Thursday to talk about their experiences on the job.

"I don't think I'd trade it for anything," said Mearlin Allen, a firefighter from 1967 to 2002. His son, Kelly, is also a Cape Girardeau firefighter.

Though firefighters often save lives, most remember losses more vividly.

David McLain's face still shows emotion when he speaks of rescuing a little girl from a house fire years ago -- but she died two days later. The child's sister survived and their mother was later charged with abandoning the children, said McLain, a firefighter from 1974 to 2001.

Paul Kesterson, a 42-year veteran, said he joined the department in 1951, following in the footsteps of his brother, Wilbur "Bun" Kesterson. As the department expanded work from fire prevention and response to other emergencies, he found himself specializing in vehicle extractions. He said such work is more difficult than fighting fires, because the extensive injuries people suffer in wrecks are haunting. He said firefighters often would just talk about it among themselves but later a counseling program provided help. Kesterson's one regret is never getting a chance to help deliver a baby -- a sentiment expressed by several other retirees.

Welker and Ramsey are planning a book on the department's history and hope to see many other firefighters and their family members at Saturday's celebration. The party coincides with the Cape River Heritage Museum's

celebration of Jerry Ford Orchestra's contributions to the community.

Pertinent addresses:

538 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO