USA > California > Sacramento County > History of Sacramento County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, 1913 > Part 44
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Warren Post No. 54 was instituted August 4, 1883, with the fol- lowing charter members: W. A. Houghton, Charles Reihn, C. W. Wallace, J. B. Pierpont, Fred Dustman, J. N. Moore, M. J. Smith, Dan Meagher, E. C. Jordan, M. Wood, N. Hamm, J. H. Carrington, Dr. C. F. Pinkham, N. T. Gould, W. W. Fuller, W. W. Meyer, T. J. Kiernan, S. S. B. Brigham, W. C. Gnet, Charles Ludwig, J. H. Marsh, W. M. Wilbur, H. Yuhre, Charles Foster, A. Richardson, E. P. Snyder, J. S. Easterbrooke, A. T. Browsher, George Vogelgesang, A. W. Sefton, J. J. Trarbach, J. T. Bartlett and S. MeKearney. It is still in existence, and numbers over fifty members. Fair Oaks Post No. 120 was organ-
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ized in May, 1886, and after continuing a number of years surrendered its charter.
Sumner Relief Corps No. 11, auxiliary to Sumner Post, was or- ganized in March, 1884, and is still prosperous.
Fair Oaks Relief Corps No. 13 was organized in May, 1884, as auxiliary of Fair Oaks Post, and is still in existence, although the Post has been discontinued for several years.
Clara Barton Circle No. 11, Ladies of the G. A. R., was organized May 26, 1886, and is in a prosperous condition.
SPANISH WAR VETERANS
J. Holland Laidler Camp No. 5, Department of California, United Spanish War Veterans, was chartered under National Encampment, Spanish-American War Veterans, April 18, 1904, as No. 286. (Subse- quently the general organization was amalgamated with other kindred associations, and became United Spanish War Veterans.)
Chartered under United Spanish War Veterans, January 17, 1905, effective April 18, 1904, with the following charter members: O. J. Addison, J. Alexander, O. W. Anderson, F. F. Atkinson, W. D. Bes- sey, F. W. Birchmore, O. J. Boden, D. C. Bush, F. F. Canon, *John Cooke, F. W. Coyne, W. R. Coyne, M. J. Cunningham, *O. N. Faulk- ner, A. P. Gadbois, J. W. Gray, *Fred Gunter, *W. F. Hayden, J. H. Hayes, J. E. Hicks, W. J. Hanna, D. O. Hildebrand, E. C. Hunt, S. W. Kay, Rube Lee, S. W. Leitch, C. Lucey, F. L. Martin, C. D. MeDermit, *J. G. Merle, J. M. Milliken, L. C. Moore, Haywood Reed, J. F. Sher- burn, W. O. Smith, H. E. Speas, H. G. Teasdale, C. H. Weden, W. I. Woodman, Mark Wormer.
The first executive officers of the camp were: Commander, S. W. Kay; adjutant, J. Alexander; quartermaster, O. W. Anderson.
J. Holland Laidler, in honor of whose memory this camp was named, was connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company's hospital in Sacramento prior to the commencement of the war be- tween the United States and Spain. At the outbreak of hostilities (or when the opportunity presented itself) he joined the Hospital Corps, United States army, and was killed in action during the Philippine insurrection, April 24, 1899, at Quinqua, Philippine Islands. He was born in Elko, Houston county, Ga., July 11, 1876. There is a movement on foot at present for erecting a monument to his memory in one of the city parks.
Admiral Robley D. Evans Camp No. 33, Department of Cali- fornia, United Spanish War Veterans, was organized through the efforts of Colonel F. F. Canon, assisted by a few other veterans. It was mustered in August 14, 1908, by Department Commander M. M. Moulton (now Past Department Commander) at the armory of Com-
* Deceased.
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pany E, Second Infantry, National Guard of California, which was located at that time in the old pavilion, Sixth and M streets.
The charter members were G. A. Bahran, W. T. Hildebrand, C. C. Craver, W. H. Phillips, C. E. Connolly, Charles J. Stephens, B. W. Gardner, Johannes Gienger, F. F. Canon, T. H. McDaniel, F. C. Childs, E. Storror, James Fricke, G. W. Waldron, F. W. Barber, F. E. Kimple, H. C. Carvell, F. W. Strachauer, F. E. Elliott, Fred Shrader and Herbert Gray. The first executive officers of the camp were: Commander, F. E. Elliott; adjutant, F. F. Canon; quartermaster, B. W. Gardner.
The camp was named in honor of the noted admiral of the United States navy, "Fighting Bob" Evans. About the time of organization Admiral Evans had just completed his trip around the world. Again, the naming of the camp was appropriate, for during the Spanish- American war he had taken a very prominent part, being in command of the U. S. S. Iowa, off Santiago, and taking an active part in the naval engagement which resulted in the destruction of Cervera's fleet, July 3, 1898.
Cynthia E. Moore Auxiliary, United Spanish War Veterans, anxil- iary to Camps J. Holland Laidler No. 5 and Admiral R. D. Evans No. 33, was instituted in Elks' hall, Sacramento, Jannary 15, 1909, with thirty-five charter members. The name Cynthia E. Moore was chosen because Cynthia E. Moore (born November 9, 1873, and a graduate of St. Luke's hospital, San Francisco) was a nurse in the United States army service who served from November 14, 1898, to September 30, 1900. She was honorably discharged because of illness, was cared for at the general hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco, died May 11, 1901, and was buried in that city.
The presidents have been: Gertrude Gould Speas, first, January 15, 1909, to January 4, 1910; Alice Milliken, second, Jannary 4, 1910, to January 17, 1911; Sarah Thompson, third, January 17, 1911, to January 5, 1912; Anna Gardner, fourth, now serving.
The first set of officers were: Gertrude Gould Speas, president ; Alice Milliken, senior vice president; Ada Hildebrand, junior vice president; I. May Sydeham, chaplain; Addie Kelly, secretary; Mary Kimple, treasurer; Mamie Kay, condnetor; Lillian Lee, gnard.
The history of Cynthia E. Moore Anxiliary since its admission into the organization has been one of prosperity and success. Its members have ever striven for advancement and to place the anxiliary upon a high plane. The personnel of its membership is commendable and their work an example.
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CHAPTER XXXVI
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The first fire department in Sacramento was organized in 1850. On April 4th of that year the first fire of any considerable extent oc- eurred on Front street, between J and K, eight or ten buildings being destroyed, with their contents, within thirty minutes of the time it started. The loss was stated at $100,000. A fire department was im- mediately organized. On November 9th following another fire oc- curred, destroying the New York, Eagle, St. Francis and the Galena hotels, the Home of the Badger, Rowe's provision store and other buildings. On August 13, 1851, the Tehama theater was burned.
The greatest fire of the early days occurred November 2, 1852, when fully seven-eighths of the city was destroyed and several lives were supposed to be lost. This was the most widespread and disas- trous fire in the history of the city, and the total amount of loss was estimated at $10,000,000. Although it was a frame building, the Con- gregational church on Sixth street was the only one out of the many churches that was saved. The efforts of the citizens managed to keep the conflagration from extending east of Ninth street and north of I street. The fact that a strong wind was blowing when the fire started was undoubtedly the cause of its becoming so general.
The second general conflagration in the city's history occurred on the afternoon of July 13, 1854. It started in a small frame building in the rear of Newcome's furniture store, near the center of the block between J and K, Third and Fourth streets. This time it was caused by the upsetting of a spirit lamp used for heating a glue-pot. It reached the Sacramento hotel almost immediately, and in a very short time the blaze was tremendous. The day was very hot, the thermometer standing at one hundred degrees in the shade. The fire- men turned out in force, but the furious element would not be denied, and in spite of the heroic efforts of the members of the department and the citizens, it destroyed successively the Oriental hotel, the Amer- ican House, the old courthouse, the New England House, the State House, Congregational church, the Sewanne House, Crescent City hotel and Number 4's engine house. By good luck the waterworks had just been put into operation, and but for their efficiency the loss would have been much greater.
Governor Bigler had been working from the beginning of the conflagration wherever help had been needed, and when the State Capitol was threatened, he asked a number of bystanders to aid him in saving the furniture. They demurred to doing so on the ground that the state could better afford to lose its property than private parties could. Pointing to a full-length portrait of Washington that hung on the southern wall, Governor Bigler said: "See! there is the 24
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portrait of the father of your conntry; will you permit it to be de- stroyed ?" His appeal was successful, and they made a general rush and saved the picture.
The Golden Eagle hotel, a substantial brick building, finally checked the fire until it could be controlled. The news of the fire hav- ing reached San Francisco, the Monumental Engine Company of that city made an earnest effort to reach Sacramento in time to be of as- sistance, but was unable to arrive until the next morning, when they were cordially thanked by the citizens for their generous attempt.
The next important fire that occurred was on July 3, 1855, which burned over the whole triangle between the levee, I and Sixth streets, but as the buildings were mainly old shacks occupied by Chinese, the loss was not heavy. Several fires, each occasioning a loss of from $10,000 to $20,000, ocenrred in the following nineteen years.
Abont 5:30 o'clock A. M. on September 15, 1874, the Capital Woolen mills caught fire and were destroyed, cansing a loss of from $75,000 to $100,000. The mills were soon rebnilt. November 21, 1886, they were burned again, and were not rebuilt.
Jannary 9, 1875, a fire started in the afternoon in the lamp room of the Western hotel and spread rapidly to the whole building. By desperate efforts the fire department, which was promptly on hand, managed to confine it to the hotel building, which was totally de- stroved, and three lives were lost, two of the ill fated victims being compositors in the Union office. The financial loss was estimated at abont $100,000.
The honor of having organized the first fire company in the state belongs to Sacramento. February 5, 1850, the first steps were taken toward the organization of Mntnal Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. The following officers were elected: Demas Strong, foreman; J. S. Fowler, first assistant; M. D. Eyre, second assistant; T. A. Warbass, treasurer; H. G. Langley, secretary; J. O. Derby, steward. The com- pany turned ont to the fire of April 4, 1850, using a fire engine be- longing to Lewis & Bailey. They continned in active service nntil October 30, 1859, when they disbanded by mutual consent, turning over their apparatns to the fire department. They had twenty-six mem- bers when they disbanded, and had ocenpied the same building with Confidence Engine Company No. 1.
Alert Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 was organized September 27, 1852, electing Thomas W. Noyes, foreman; Charles W. Cook, as- sistant foreman; Alexander C. Folger, secretary; W. B. H. Dodson, trustee; John L. Polhemns and Joseph F. Clontman, delegates. Their building was a two-story brick one, located on Eighth street, between J and K. Both this company and the Mutual received an outfit of hooks and ladders in 1853. In 1860 the Alert had twenty-nine members, and M. McManus was their foreman.
On March 6, 1851, Confidence Engine Company No. 1 was organ-
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ized with W. S. Eakins, foreman; William D. Hunt, first assistant ; John J. Balentine, second assistant; H. E. Urner, secretary; Leander Culver, treasurer. It was housed in a two-story building on the east side of Third street, between I and J. It maintained its organization until the introduction of the paid fire department, when it numbered sixty-five members.
Protection Engine Company No. 2 was organized March 22, 1851, electing William Arents, foreman; Francis R. Folger, assistant; H. Burdick, secretary. It had sixty-five members and its house was erected on the west side of Eighth street, between J and K, after- wards for many years known as Exempt Firemen's Hall, and torn down in 1911 to give place to a new building.
Sacramento Engine Company No. 3 was organized March 27, 1851, by electing J. R. Beard, foreman; Hl. J. Beams, assistant fore- man; F. MeGilvery, secretary; J. C. Freeman, assistant secretary ; it had erected for it two years later a fine house on the west side of Second street, between K and L, and in 1860 the company num- bered fifty-nine members. The building is now occupied by No. 1, of the paid fire department.
Eureka Engine Company No. 4 was organized August 15, 1853, electing W. H. Jones, foreman; John H. Burgess, assistant; Jacob Greenbaum, secretary; H. P. Osborn, treasurer. They occupied a two-story brick, the present Corporation house, on Fifth street, be- tween J. and K, and numbered sixty-five members in 1860.
Knickerbocker Engine Company No. 5 was organized July 21, 1854, officers being as follows: H. Polley, foreman; James Calwyn, first assistant; P. Holland, second assistant; John F. Hall, secretary; Jolın C. Keenan, treasurer. The company numbered fifty-eight mem- bers, and its building was a two-story brick on the east side of Fourth street, between K and L.
Young America No. 6 was organized by the residents of the Third ward June 21, 1855, with Robert Robinson, foreman; E. Kimball, first assistant ; Sylvester Marshall, second assistant; Anson Perry, secre- tary; Charles S. White, treasurer. Its house was a two-story brick, located on Tenth street, between I and J, and is at present used by a company of the paid fire department for No. 2.
Tehama Hose Company No. 1 was the first hose company in this city. It was organized April 21, 1853, but disbanded November 24, 1855.
Neptune Hose Company was an independent company organized October 6, 1856, with C. T. Ingham, president; P. Holland, foreman; Thomas Bartlett, assistant foreman; A. P. Norton, treasurer; Alex- ander Badlam, secretary. The company had considerable trouble in being admitted into the department, and a building was erected for it on the north side of I street, fronting on Fourth street. It had a membership of twenty-five.
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Broderick Engine Company No. 7 was organized June 1, 1860, by electing Matthias Ault, foreman; R. B. Bishop, first assistant; Ber- nard Riley, second assistant; D. O. Brown, secretary, and W. S. Hig- gins, treasurer. Its membership was sixty-five. The company was named after United States Senator David Broderick, and was faithful in its attendance at fires, but was not admitted into the department, and was disbanded immediately after the flood of 1861. It occupied a one and one-half story building at the corner of Third and R streets. The building was removed a number of years ago and converted into a residence, and the engine, hose, etc., reverted to the department.
Several other companies of less note and continuance were organ- ized during the period of the volunteer department, and did good work when necessity required, but their names have passed from recollec- tion. The fire-fighters of the old volunteer days were men of daring; men who were in the ranks for the love of the game and the protec- tion of their own property and that of others. Many of them had been members of similar organizations in the east, and brought to their work here the experience gained in former fields.
The following were chief engineers of the volunteer fire depart- ment during its continuance from January 25, 1851, to August, 1872, their terms of office being one year: Hiram Arentz, David McDowell, R. M. Folger, I. M. Hubbard, J. H. Houseman, J. B. Blanchard, Henry Polley, Hiram Arentz, Joseph S. Friend, George H. Brickman, R. J. Graham, Hugh Kelly, George Schmeizer, David C. Wilson, John Don- ellan, W. Gillan, Frank Johnson, A. H. Hapeman, William D. Far- rell, George Schmeizer; Houseman and Kelly resigned, Blanchard, first assistant, succeeding the former, and Schmeizer the latter.
As was usual in the days of volunteer fire departments there was great rivalry between the different companies, and many incidents oc- curred, humorons and otherwise, that would make interesting reading if their history had been preserved. There were tournaments, races, balls, presentation of banners and prizes and various other features. At one time mnuch complaint was made against the companies, in the papers, being caused by these rivalries. It was charged that some of their members laid plans for getting ahead of the members of other companies by ringing false alarms, having warned enough mem- bers of their own companies sufficiently to enable them to have their apparatus ready and get to the scene of the supposed fire before their rivals could do so, thereby gaining credit through the papers of being the most active in the performance of their duties. The rivalry be- tween the volunteer companies often became so keen that bad blood was engendered and fights were common. Spanners, wrenches, any available weapons, were applied forcibly to heads, arms and shoulders, without regard to their proper use, and sanguinary encounters oc- curred on many occasions. One of the most notable and fiercest oc- curred at the burning of the first building erected for the Jefferson
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primary school. Two of the companies between which there existed a strong feeling of antagonism, met at a wooden bridge that spanned a little slough. near the school. Each was determined to beat the other, and they arrived simultaneously at the bridge. It was too nar- row for both to cross at the same time and, in consequence, one engine struck the railing, smashing it, and being precipitated into the slough. In a moment the fray was started, spanners and other weapons used freely and the fiercest fight in the history of the department was on, the combatants paying no more attention to the fire, which was burning fiercely. Several were seriously injured, and carried the marks of the combat to their graves. The men who comprised the volunteer department were fearless and aggressive, energetic and ready to court opposition, all of which qualities were valuable in fighting fire, and which found a vent in other directions.
PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT
A paid fire department for the city was established by the legis- lature April 1, 1872, and the volunteer department was superseded. A board of three commissioners was established, the first members to be appointed by the governor, and their successors to be elected by the people, one being elected each year, at the regular city election. The city was authorized by the act to issue bonds for $50,000, payable twenty years after date, with interest at eight per cent per annum. The first commissioners, appointees of the governor, were Sylvester Tryon, George Rowland and W. C. Felch, the latter being elected president of the board. Two engine companies and a hook and ladder company were organized the ensuing fall.
Engine Company No. 1 was organized September 15, 1872, and Henry Burnham was made foreman and O. Collier, engineer. There were twelve other men, but only the engineer, foreman and drivers were permanently employed. The engine-house is situated on Second street, between K and L.
Engine Company No. 2 was organized at the same time as No. 1, with J. W. Thompson as foreman and E. H. Williams as engineer. The engine-house is on Tenth street, between I and J.
Engine Company No. 3 was organized and placed in service on April 1, 1888. The engine-house is on Nineteenth street, between L and M, where Hose Company No. 1, organized June 11, 1884, had previously been located, and had disbanded.
The chief engineers of the paid fire department since its organiza- tion have been-William B. Hunt, 1872-74; William H. H. Lee, 1874-76; Henry Burnham, 1876-78; William H. H. Lee, four months, 1878; Cor- nelius Sullivan, 1878-87; M. O'Meara, 1887-90; H. A. Guthrie, 1890- 1910; Charles Anderson, 1910.
In 1887 O'Meara was elected chief engineer by the board of fire commissioners at a private meeting and Sullivan and his friends held
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that the election was illegal. Both parties claimed the office and both gave orders at fires. The situation became embarrassing, the matter having been taken into court, and the commissioners 'finally called in H. A. Guthrie, who was at the time foreman of No. 1, and asked him to take the position of acting chief engineer. He demurred at first, but consented, and on October 13th he was appointed acting chief engineer. On October 21st he was appointed assistant chief engineer. About three months afterwards the courts decided in favor of O'Meara. In 1890 O'Meara left the city suddenly and Guthrie was appointed chief engineer on September 29th, to succeed him. Janu- ary 22, 1894, when the new charter for the city went into effect, he was re-elected chief engineer and continued to hold the position until August 1, 1910, when he requested to be relieved and tendered his resignation, retiring of his own volition and being placed on the pension list. He had been a member of the old volunteer depart- ment, becoming a member of Alert No. 2, while yet only a boy, and previously had been torch bearer of Protection No. 2. He was pre- sented with his certificate by Alert No.' 2, January 29, 1872, and became a member of Hook and Ladder No. 1, in the paid fire depart- ment. During his term of service as chief engineer he brought the department up to a high degree of efficiency and by his aggressive energy and insisteney with the trustees was able to introduce many improvements, such as chemical engines, extension ladders, etc., into the department. Chief Engineer Anderson, who succeeded him, has already proven to the authorities that no mistake was made by them when they chose him as Guthrie's successor, and that his handling of his force and methods of controlling fires are thoroughly efficient and up to date. During his incumbency the annexation of Oak Park and other suburbs has been accomplished, and the erection of one or more engine and other houses for the use of the department and the protection of the outlying districts is being planned and carried into execution.
Station No. 4 on Twenty-sixth street, between L and M, was installed and put in service March 1, 1902, at a cost of $12,800, and the apparatus cost $5,550. Station No. 5 was put in service in June, 1911, at a cost of about $11,000, with apparatus costing $5,550. Two other lots were purchased in 1907, for stations, one on Twenty- second, between S and T, and the other on Twentieth, between C and D. These will be utilized before long. The department is thoroughly equipped with chemical engines, the latest one installed- being an auto chemical; also with up-to-date steamers, hook-and-ladder trucks with extension ladders and a water tower, besides an ample supply of first-class hosecarts and hose. The annexation of the suburbs will necessitate the building in the near future, of stations in Oak Park and other localities. Oak Park has already a volunteer fire company. The Board of Underwriters has stated that no city in the state has
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a better equipped fire department, or a more efficient force of firemen.
The city trustees are alive to the fact that the better equipped and more efficient the department is, the better the protection afforded to the property of taxpayers, and the more reasonable the rates of insurance. For this reason they have, of late, been more liberal in their appropriations for the purchase of apparatus to keep up with the growth of the city and its needs. The erection of six and eight- story buildings has become quite common within the past three years, and in view of that fact, the board, in January, 1912, purchased an auto hook-and-ladder truck, with an eighty-five-foot extension ladder, of the latest and most approved pattern, at a cost of $6,300. The next thing in contemplation is the purchase in the near future, of a water tower. With this, the department would be more up-to-date and better equipped than any in the state, except San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The most disastrous conflagration of later years occurred on Saturday morning, January 31, 1903, when the fine department store of Weinstock, Lubin & Co., at Fourth and K streets, running through to L street, was discovered to be on fire. The iron doors in the rear of the K street part were locked and could not be opened by the fireman until after the flames had gained such headway that they could not be controlled. They swept across the bridge connecting the annex, and the inflammable contents soon made the whole store a seething furnace. At daybreak only the walls were left standing. the loss being over three-quarters of a million. The firm moved to the Old Pavilion on M street and in twenty-four hours was doing business again with a limited stock. Within a year they were housed again in their present handsome building.
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