Some History of the Ledbetter Fire Department as it Turns 75

The Ledbetter Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate its 75th anniversary at the department’s annual Firemen’s Feast this Saturday, Oct. 8. Back in 1997, when the department celebrated its 50th anniversary, several members compiled a history of the local fire department. The following was researched and compiled in 1997 by the late Rodger Matthijetz in collaboration with Kermit Blume. Edited by H. Margaret Eaves and Jan Matthijetz.

Ledbetter was a railroad town established about 1870. The unique geography of the area, between the Colorado and Brazos rivers, determined the placement of the railroad. Due in part to the railroad, Ledbetter became a thriving community receiving lumber and shipping out coal and gravel by rail. At its peak, Ledbetter boasted of numerous businesses: two lumber yards, several restaurants, Sander’s Drug Store, Sander’s Pool Hall, two hotels, a furniture store, two doctors, E.M. Stuermer’s Store, Krause’s Store, Dinkler’s shoe store, gravel contractor Frank McClellan’s office, etc. In March of 1934, the first of three fires mentioned earlier destroyed many of the buildings on the north side of town. The fire started in Kruse’s store as Mr. Kruse was attempting to start a fire in his wood stove. Fanned by strong north winds, the fire spread quickly and burned Mc-Clellan’s office, Sander’s Pool Hall and Drug Store, Kruse’s store, Dinkler’s Shoe store and many other buildings despite the efforts of both the Giddings and Carmine Fire Departments. The second fire occurred on April of 1942 at the Will Rauch residence when grease, being used to fry fish, given to them by a neighbor, Reinhardt Stephan, ignited and caught the house on fire. The house and all the Rauch family belongings were completely destroyed.

The third fire occurred on September of 1947 of unknown causes, and this time the Eliza Ruckert house was burned to the ground. One of the townspeople who tried to put out the fire. Buddy Vanderworth, who was on the roof of the house, said that he could have put out the fire with a water hose. This fire was the catalyst which sparked the development of the LVFD.

Therefore, prominent citizens including Buddy Vanderworth, Kermit Blume and Ben Braun decided to call a town meeting to see if enough interest could be generated to establish a fire department. This meeting was attended by Kermit Blume, Ben Braun, Wallace Levy, Louis Mitschke, Otis Rauch, Will Rauch, Lee Rethke, Edgar Rummel, Ruben Rust, Fritz Schmedicamp, E.M. Stuermer and Buddy Vanderworth. This meeting led to the first formal meeting of the LVFD on September 29, 1947, and was attended by the following: Kermit Blume, Ben Braun, Eddie Drawe, Albert Hannes, Wallace Levy, Wilbert Matthijetz, Milton McClellan, Louis Mitschke, Otis Mitschke, Otis Rauch, Will Rauch, Edgar Rummel, Ruben Rust, E.M. Stuermer, Valdor Stuermer and Buddy Vanderworth. At this meeting, Ben Braun was elected president and Otis Rauch secretary treasurer.

The second meeting took place on October 20, 1947,when members decided to buy a 25’x 60’ lot from C. W. Sanders for $25 on which to build a firehouse. Also, at this meeting, the First Fireman’s Festival (now the Fireman’s Feast) was scheduled for November 23,1947.

On October 27, 1947, this group voted to build a 14’x 20’ firehouse with materials purchased from the cheapest bidder. The Firehouse was built with volunteer labor by the LVFD fire fighters. At the December 1, 1947 meeting, the volunteer firemen decided that the old school bell was to be moved to the fire house to notify citizens of fires by ringing the bell.