McMahan VFD celebrates 50 years of service

By Martha Aiken

I asked George Jones how they put out fires in the “old days“ in McMahan before this rural community had a fire. The nearest town with a truck was maybe 30 minutes or more away, so folks had to be their own fire-fighting hero. 

Outdoor running faucets were scarce. One might dip enough water from a well too wet two sacks. I was told that worked for small places. For a large area, like their hayfield or one belonging to a neighbor, farmers would use their tractors to cut fire breaks. It was a group effort. It had to be, as one fire could spread like “wildfire.”

As the years progressed, the need to transport water was critical. In 1960, Caldwell County requisitioned and purchased three used trucks from Texas Surplus Property Agency. McMahan got the first one. Costing $385, it was not a fire truck, but it did have 2 pumps, spray cans, and a 4-wheel drive.

County Judge Edgar Black, McMahan resident Curtis Jeffrey, and Caldwell County Civil Defense Director Ross Andrews, inspected it, and deemed that the refueling service truck would work. It was brought to McMahan and parked behind Jeffrey’s gas station. Jeffrey volunteered as the primary firefighter driver of “Ol’ Yeller.”

McMahan landowners got a lot of use out of Ol’ Yeller. Jeffrey must’ve spent a lot of time making repairs to keep it going. It didn’t matter what it looked like — big, ugly, no cab over the driver, and words on the side relating to its former life. Story has it that a fireman from the City of Lockhart brought one of their trucks to tackle a big fire way down a country road, coming upon a yellow old truck that said “FLAMMABLE,” “FUEL,” “KEEP AWAY FROM FIRES.” He cautiously went around it on the narrow dirt road.

Once at the site of the fire, he was alarmed to see that same old gasoline truck had followed him, driving right up close to the fire itself. 

Time passed and Curtis retired. Ol’ Yeller had served well, but now was broken down and useless.

Once again, McMahan had no fire truck.

Newcomer Randall Notgrass worked on the relic. He had talent and zeal for working on vehicles. He visited with Jeffrey, who gave him the quote. “Go ahead, see what you can do.” Notgrass began analyzing the condition. Pretty soon, he got the truck running. The next step was to organize. He asked Curtis Owen, a well-respected lifetime McMahan resident, to be president and Adrian White, the new owner of the McMahan gas station/garage, to be chief.

As reported in the Lockhart Post-Register on April 24, 1975, a meeting was called, officers selected, and seemingly all the community came together, participating in the McMahan Volunteer Fire Department.

Fundraising began and a proper fire truck was purchased. It, and every truck since, has been used and retrofitted for firefighting. Grants started coming in for more equipment. A garage was built. Responders were notified of fires by neighbors passing the word by phone. Anyone available helped. It was a community effort, neighbor-helping-neighbor.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the official organization of the McMahan Volunteer Fire Department. History and heroes are to be honored. Many faces come to mind, including Tim Adams and Tim Jones, who built the big fire station that is in use today. They had some helpers, but they got it done.

Bobbie Dan Gideon gave the land in honor of her father, J. D. Reed.

Many people have served in various ways — business, fundraising, upkeep, answering medical emergencies, and fighting fires.

Hero Adrian White’s legacy has lived on through his daughter, Cindy Wooley. She and her mother, Ottie Lee, answered many calls, and Woley continues today with the Delhi Fire Department.

Now, heroes are to be honored. This community is still blessed with fine people dedicated to helping one another, young men and women who have daytime jobs, freely give evenings for training and respond to emergency when available.

Another hero, as records show, is Chris White. He answers almost all of the calls. Yes, he’s retired, and lives nearby, but wow! He is willing, able, and dependable. Thank you, Chris. And thanks to his supportive wife.

It’s still a volunteer organization. The trucks are easier to drive than Ol’ Yeller. Even a 5-foot, 2-inch lady in high heels can do it. Old firefighter Jim Crowley often recalled that particular occasion.

The department welcomes anyone to apply for membership. Anyone who participates, contributes to, and helps with the volunteer fire department, is a hero.