The "Rough and Ready"
On the 18th of August, 1855, the "Rough and Ready" arrived in Westfield — a large crowd being at the freight station to unload her. J. M. Morse assembled his band and the new machine was hauled through Elm street with a large procession following until Park square was reached and then she was given a try out. At that time it was customary to play out vertically instead of horizontally, as is the custom at present. There was then a large cistern in front of what is now the Hampden National Bank and at the point where the Soldiers' Monument now stood is a flagstaff 185 feet high. Over this the new "Rough and Ready" threw a stream, and it was a satisfied body of firemen that took her to the engine house in the Town Hall that night.
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