By KALEY LYON

klyon@dailynews.net

Two fire engines that served Hays in the early 1900s have been returned and restored as local firefighters continue working to preserve city history.

The local branch of the Kansas Firefighters Relief Association have been raising funds and laboring to restore the trucks and hope to soon construct a permanent home for the historic vehicles.

"This is part of the history of Hays, not just the firefighters," said Darin Myers, secretary/treasurer of the association and a firefighter with the city of Hays. "These trucks served the people of Hays, not just the city of Hays firefighters."

The Hays branch of the relief association, which consists of nearly 30 members, is working with the Ellis County Historical Society to create what will become a permanent museum exhibit.

The idea is to create a small replica of the original city hall fire station, which will house the two trucks and other historic memorabilia.

The museum would be about the size of a triple-car garage and cost about $10,000 to construct.

The group is working to collect cash donations and building material to make this vision a reality, Myers said.

As much Hays history as possible will be included in the project. A marble face piece from the former city hall building could be included, and it's hoped the floor can be paved with old Main Street bricks, he said.

The two main attractions, a 1927 International and a 1936 Ford, were among the first motorized fire engines purchased by the city. They are stored in the former armory building, where public viewing is limited, Myers said.

"We're trying to raise funds so we can have this truck back out for the public to see," he said.

In fact, the 1927 model has not been seen by many, said Richard Shubert, who retired after 30 years of service with the Hays Fire Department. He serves as Catharine fire chief with the Ellis County Rural Fire Department.

The truck was the second motorized truck obtained by Hays, at a cost of about $7,000, and was in service until the city sold it to Utica.

When it was finally taken out of service in the 80s, Shubert's brother-in-law in Liberal bought it, restored it and sold it back to the Hays firefighters.

Another unusual feature about this truck is it is the first model Bendix air brakes were installed in, he said.

"I don't think many people have seen that truck -- very few," Shubert said. "Bendix would like to have that truck, International would like to have that truck. They would like to have it back in their museums."

The truck was purchased when a new city hall was constructed and also came with the hiring of the first two full-time firefighters, whose salaries were not to exceed $115 monthly, Shubert said with a laugh.

Unfortunately, the truck has been tucked away since it suffered engine damage about six years ago. Fundraising efforts also are being conducted for repair costs.

Unlike the 1936 model, the truck still has its original motor, which makes it more valuable, but also presents difficulties when it comes to finding replacement parts or a mechanic to do the repair, Myers said.

The group has identified a vendor and mechanic willing to provide services, which should speed the repair process along once funds are raised, he said.

"It takes a certain application to put stuff on," he said of restoring the vehicles. "There's a lot of intricate detail that goes in. All that is a lot of labor and time and money."

While the city of Hays owns both vehicles, maintenance, repair and the current exhibition project are the responsibility of the relief association.

The other truck is more well-known. It appears in most city parades and serves as Santa Claus' carriage for the annual Frost Fest parade. It also is used in funeral procession when a firefighter dies in the line of duty.

Nationwide, firefighter museums are well-received, Myers said.

"The brotherhood of the fire department is outstanding when it comes to going to other places and looking at what they have," he said.

"It's not just the firefighters who enjoy what they have. It brings in a lot of people who want to look at the apparatus."

*To donate money or building supplies, call the Hays Fire Department at (785) 628-7330.