History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 61

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340

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" Mr. President,-I am directed by the chairman of the joint committee of the Engine and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 to ask of the Honorable Corporation of the town of Chicago to

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VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

grant the said companies the privilege of electing their engineer and other officers, in which the committee ask the concurrence of the Honorable President and Trustees of the Town of Chicago. " P. PRUYNE, Secretary."

In March, 1836, Company No. 1 adopted by-laws making its officers to consist of a foreman, assistant foreman, clerk, treasurer and steward, to be elected an- nually. The treasurer was to keep the apparatus in good order, or be fined $2 for each neglect; to see that all the men did their duty. enforce all the laws, and audit all bills against the company, or pay a fine of ȘI for each neglect. The fines were to be voted by the company, and any member fined by the foreman could appeal to the popular will of his fellows. The duty of the assistant foreman was, particularly, to attend to the pipe and leaders, when the engine was at fires. To the clerk and treasurer appertained the usual duties of such offices. The steward was "to provide suitable refresh- ments, so far as the officer in command may think rea- sonable." Fines were provided for members of the .company who did not respond promptly to the alarm of fire. At the alarm of fire the member first arriving at the engine was entitled to the pipe of hose and in case of the absence of the foreman and assistant foreman, the member arriving second took command of the company. No other fire organizations were effected for over a year.

On February 9, 1837, before the city charter was in force, the department elected candidates for chief en- gineer and assistants. A special committee consisting

of A. Calhoun, T. O. Davis and J. K. Botsford, on March 3, reported to the Board the following names: Chief engineer, John M. Turner; first assistant, Jere- miah Price; second assistant, P. F. W. Peck. The Board approved the department's choice of chief en- gineer, made February 9, but sent back the names of the assistants, with a request that they report other names, to be taken from each of the other districts of the town. The report of Hook and Ladder Company No. I, from their secretary, George W. Merrill, was presented and accepted. It announced the following individuals as officers and members of the company: John M. Turner, foreman ; J. K. Botsford, assistant;

John L. Wilson.

S. B. Cobb, secretary; S. F. Spaulding, steward; John L. Wilson, J. Meeker, W. H. Taylor, W. Osborne, E. C. Brockett, Joseph L. Hanson, Grant Goodrich, Charles Adams, Charles Cleaver, P. F. W. Peck, James .A. Smith, J. McCord, S. J. Sherwood, Isaac Cook and Tuthill King

John Calhoun, clerk of Engine Company No. 1, re- ported that at the annual election, held on the first Monday of December, 1836, the following officers were chosen: Alvin Calhoun, foreman; Thomas O. Davis, first assistant; John Calhoun, clerk; A. C. Hamilton, treasurer; John Rice, steward. In April, however, N.

R. Norton and David Cox were confirmed, as first and second assistant engineers of Engine and Hook and Ladder companies No. 1, in other words of the Fire De- partment.

Under the provisions of the charter, passed March 4, 1837, the Council were given power to organize fire companies, and were named as Fire Wardens, with power to appoint others. The Chief Engineer and two assistants were to be chosen annually thereafter. In May an ordinance was passed making more stringent regulations in regard to the prevention of fires, and de- fining more in detail the duties of the members of the department. The four Wardens were required, under

Tutter Nichals

the direction of the Council, to see that the new regula- tions were enforced. In the fall a Rochester engine was purchased for $775, and the Hook and Ladder Company was fitted up anew. A second company, the " Tradesmen's," was organized December 4, 1837. Its name was afterward changed to the " Metamora," and its headquarters was on Lake Street, east of the river. In December, Alexander Loyd was chosen Chief Engi- neer ; S. J. Lowe, first assistant. They continued in office until 1839, when Alvin Calhoun became Chief Engineer and Isaac Cook assistant. The next year Luther Nichols was elected Chief, but there was no fur- ther increase of the organizations until in September,

. I. dowe .

1841, when the Chicago Bag and Fire Guard Company (afterward better known as the " Forty Thieves ") was forined. With canvas bag, cord and wrench they fought fires, rescued and guarded property, and gave delightful "socials " for five years.

October 27, 1839, the department fought one large fire that broke out on Lake Street, extending west to B. W. Raymond's brick store, and east to the corner of Lake and Dearborn, consuming the Tremon: House. Eighteen buildings were laid in ruins. The loss was about $60,000.

A. S. Sherman acted as Chief from 1841 to 1844. On September 7 of the former year, Bucket Company No. 1, "Neptune," was organized. Its original members were twenty-five in number, its headquarters on the river at the foot of La Salle Street, and there were one hundred and sixty buckets. " Neptune " was provided with a carriage, was neatly uniformed, and admitted into the department in October. F. T. Sherman was its first foreman. In November. 1846, " Neptune " gave up the ghost, and her members breathed the breath of life into the "Red Jackets," a company famous in the annals of the volunteer department for twelve years thereafter. "Neptune's" uniform was a red jacket, white belt and cap.

Engine Company No. 3. "Osceolo," afterward called " Niagara," was organized November 21, 1844. It was at first stationed at the foot of North Dcarborn Street, and subsequently removed to the corner of Kin- zie and North Wells. G. F. Foster was chosen fore- man and W. M. Larrabee, assistant. No 3 was known

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HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

as the " kid-glove company," because its members were drawn from the very best material which the North Side afforded. No company was braver, more intelligent or more respected. The "Red Jackets " (No. 4) had not yet made their appearance to contest the field with No. I, the " Fire Kings." But when No. 3 had organ- ized and procured their engine, at the first fire which they attended, they had the supreme joy of being sta- tioned next to the river, and pumped with such vigor into the hose of No. 1 that the latter's machine was in- undated-" washed " clean.

From 1844 to 1847 Stephen F. Gale acted as Chief.

Arfihow It Sale Fale

Philadelphia Hose Company No. I was organized in January, 1845, its headquarters being on the North Side, near Clark-street bridge. Jacob B. Johnson was foreman.

In March, 1846, the Council was requested to dis- band the Chicago Fire Guards (bucket company), as it was thought they were no longer necessary. This was done, and they were assigned to other companies.

As previously noticed, on November 13, 1846, the members of "Neptune" Bucket Company No. I combined to form Engine Company No. 4, the "Red Jackets." From the start they worked to win success, and won it. They had worthy rivals to contend with in Nos. I and 3, and were especially anxious to triumph in some de- cisive way, over the former. The headquarters of No. 4 were at the foot of Clark Street, near the bridge ; and they were furnished with an old goose-neck engine which had been used by the " Fire Kings." They were afterward transferred to new quarters on the southeast corner of Washington and LaSalle. In May, 1852, the "Red Jackets" were made happy by a fine "piano" engine, (10-inch cylinder, 12-inch stroke) built by L. Button & Co. Therefter the contests with No. I were carried on under more favorable auspices. The following extract from the Fireman's Journal of July 3, 1880, gives a few in- cidents illustrating the rivalry between No. 1 and No. 4 ; also of the latter's great triumph in New York :

Once when it was nip and tuck between the "Fire Kings" and " Red Jackets" for the supremacy, a bet was made by the respective foreman. They bet an oyster supper for the two com- panies, each that his own engine would be hrst to reach the spot wherever the next fire was. The time soon came, and it caught No. I napping. A " still " was given the Red Jackets, and away they went for the locality designated. With muffled bells they hurried along the sidewalks, and as they ran, nowhere could they discern their rivals. Unfortunately they were compelled to pass Bradley's house, and just when they were in front of the place the sidewalk gave way, and the engine broke through. The sudden wrench loosened a muffler, one of the bells sounded its unwelcome warning. Bradley heard the sound, and in another moment, half dressed, and hardly awake, was on his way for No. I's house. But No. 4 beat them for all that, and after the fire had been put out the two companies went down to the St. Charles and ate oysters till they couldn't eat any more.

Subsequently No. I gave No, 4 a beating. There was a fire in the neighborhood of Fifteenth Street, on the South Side. They started about even from Washington street, with the "Fire Kings" having much the best of it all the way up town. Coming home, No. 4 took the sidewalk on State, and No. I the walk on Clark Street. It was a lively run. As one company crossed cach inter- secting street a glance to the right or left revealed their rivals on equal terms with them. Each company was endeavoring to reach first the corner of Washington Street. When No. 4 duished across Madison they could see nothing of No. 1. They had crossed Monroe together, and No. 4 could not understand how it was the

others had so soon disappeared. But when they reached Washing- ton Street corner, to their grief and astonishment, they were greeted with a terrible shout from No. I's boys, who had already reached the goal. Soon afterward it was discovered, however, that only a portion of No. I Engine had reached Washington Street. Just after the " Fire King " had crossed Monroe, the king-pin broke, and the heavier part of the machine dropped upon the walk. Determined not to be defeated, the boys kept on with the front wheels, and easily reached the corner in advance of their competi- tors. Only a short time previous to the big fire of 1871, in front of the Little Giant ( steamer ) engine-house on Dearborn Street, while some of the boys were relating certain things which hap- pened in the past, spoke one of the crowd : " Well, there is one thing I wish had never happened. I wish we had never had that row at the Rock Island depot. It was all well enough at the time, and I ain't going to say No. I boys didn't get their dues." The fight was one of the most desperate in the history of the Chicago department. The old feeling toward "Fire King" No. I had broken out badly among No. 4's boys, and when all came together at the big fire above Twelfth Street, there were a few old heads who scented a coming battle. Only a few minutes later and the rival companies were at each other with all theit fierceness. Span- ners were freely used, and many a fellow's head was swelled that night. The battle was with the strong, and they were the " Red Jackets." They not only whipped the " Fire Kings," but they cap- tured the engine and they " just turned her over " in the ditch.

Sometime in 1852 " Red Jacket" went East. There was to be a grand tournament in Providence, R. I., and they were desirous to win first prize. On their arrival in New York City the " Red Jackets " learned that the tournament was postponed. In no hurry to return they remained in New York one week, the guest of the "Live Oaks." U. P. Harris, who was Chief at the time, was of the party. The result was they received an invitation from the New York chief to show their skill in competing with some of the crack engines of that city. The afternoon of their debut before a New York audience arrived, and the "Red Jackets " were in fine spirits, thousands of persons had assembled in and around the city hall park to witness the skill of the Western company. Only a very few of the spectators had ever heard of such an engine, and it was considered absurd to attempt to beat New York's crack organ- izations. In the park there was a pole, it is forgotten how many feet in height. At the summit was a hgure of Justice with her scales in hand. There was never an engine company in New York that could force a stream as high as those scales. Presently. it came to the turn of the Chicago company. Three of the New York engines had tried and failed to throw a stream to the feet of Justice. Eighty "Red Jackets" were on the brakes, whose de- termination, individually and collectively, was to win a victory. When everything was in readiness " U. P." made . them a speech, in substance saying that if they failed never again would he recog- nize them as Chicagoans. Charley Moore, with trumpet in hand, stood midway of the pipe and the engine. The crowd was quiet, almost painfully still. ""Play away !" The brakes came up, then down, faster and faster, not a misstroke or a hit. Soon the lead of hose is stretched, then the stream is seen to leave the nozzle. Up- ward and upward it climbs toward the gilded figure The people begin to shout, and Eastern tiremen were fast realizing that the

Western men were mighty. "Down on her, 'Red Jackets,'" shouted Charley Moore, and the strokes grew faster and more furi- ous. Then Chieftain Harris seized the trumpet and with one of his well-remembered shouts, he yelled : "Work for your lives, you Red Jacketed sons of Chicago," and with that there was renewed vigor imparted to the men. Already the stream had reached the feet of Justice. A few more strokes and water would be where it had never been before. Jack Mclain and Robert Brown, of U'tica, held the pipe, the nozzle pointing at the apex of the staff. Then there was a grand shout from many mouths. Itgrew louder until it was heard from all parts of the park. The New York laddies took it up, and helped to swell the volume of sound. For the stream had not only reached the scales, but it had ascended even higher. . 1 few moments later the "Red Jackets" were receiving numerous congratulations, nor were they permitted to drag home their en- gine. That was done by New Workers who had witnessed the triumph of a comparatively unknown engine company.

Excelsior Engine Company No. 5 was organized in November, 1846; headquarters on Clinton Street, be- tween Randolph and Washington ; A. S. Sherman, fore- man.

In 1855 the first steam fire engine was brought from Cincinnati and given a trial. A special committee had been sent to that city to examine into the excellencies of "the machines." The Chicago firemen were hos- pitably entertained, and an engine, the " Joe Ross,"

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VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

was fired up, but the engineer was so careless that the boiler burst and he was instantly killed A second trial was entirely successful. Subsequently a trial was ar- ranged between the steamer sent to Chicago and the hand engines of the department. The result was that

AN EARLY STEAMER.

No. 2, No. 8 and No. 10 beat the interloper. No. 10's horizontal stream was greater than either of her com- petitors, while her perpendicular attempt was equal to that of the "Fire King." The steamer did not give satisfaction and was subsequently sold to the city of St. Louis.

"Rough-and-Ready " Bucket Company No. I was formed in January, 1847 ; Charles Harpell, foreman.

Because of the numerous incendiary fires which oc- curred in October, 1847, especially in the vicinity of the lumber and ship yards, a special committee of the Council was directed to take into consideration the ex- pediency of passing an ordinance to prevent the estab- lishment of planing factories, lumber yards and other dangerous mercantile business in thickly settled por- tions of the city. Two years thereafter (October, 1849) an ordinance was passed to "prevent the erection of wooden buildings within the following limits : South of the center of the Chicago River. and east of the cen- ter of the South Branch thereof, and north of Randolph and west of Wabash." Buildings used for warehouse purposes upon the so-called "wharfing privileges " were not subject to the provisions of this ordinance.

In October, 1847, was formed the Firemen's Benevo- lent Association ; S. F. Gale, president.

In March, 1848, the friends of Mr. Gale, to whose efficiency and zeal much of the good standing of the department was due, urged him to allow his name to be used as a candidate for the position of Chief. This was done, but, on account of ill health. he was obliged to withdraw, and the following ticket was elected: Charles E. Peck, Chief ; Charles M. Gray, first assistant ; James H. Rees, second assistant. Mr. Peck served from 1847 to 1849. During his administration-in March, 1848- " Hope " Hose Company No. 2 commenced its brilliant career. Says the Fireman's Journal :

" Hope" was always the brag company, not only of Chicago, but of the West. In St. Louis, " Tiger" No. 4 ; in .Alton, "Dol- phin " No. 4; in Springfield, "Young America" No. I, and in Keokuk. "Liberty," were the crack hose companies of these cities. But they could never he induced to meet " Hope " hoys. Not on- ly was the Chicago company the swiftest of font, the fastest in making a coupling, the speedies! in affixing the pipe, and the handrest in working at fires, but they were thoroughly imbued with the idea that only by strict discipline could they maintain their su- premacy. The strictest rules were laid down, and he who neglect-

ed these was unceremoniously expelled. The members were in sympathy with each other only so far as they strove to perpetuate the good name of their society. Having tired of the old cart purchas- ed for them by the city, they raised a large sum of money and se- cured in Philadelphia probably the finest hose carriage ever man- ufactured. She was a beauty-enriched with pure silver mount- ings ; her woodwork polished to perfection ; her reel was the admi- ration of every beholder. She was the pride of every member's heart, and the outsider who was permitted to look upon her charms was considered a favored being. So highly was she prized, that it was but seldom the laddies trolled her to fires. She was used of- tenest on State occasions-such as parades and annual reviews. Previous to her making an appearance the boys arranged her for inspection. You could see your face in the woodwork, while the silver shone almost as brightly as the noonday sun. The flaxen rope was so clean that white kid gloves were not soiled while grasp- ing it ; and the sweet-sounding bells with which she was adorned. how they struck chords in the souls of the hose-men ; neither piano nor violin were so musical as were those bells, which rang so blithe- ly with every move of the pride of No. 2. Occasionally there was something the matter with their every-day cart, and then " Hope " boys were obliged to run out their darling. It is something singu- lar, but nevertheless a fact, that almost every time the boys went anywhere with their silver carriage she got upset. If it were mud- dy, then her appearance was anything but pleasing ; and, until she had been cleaned and brightened up. not one of the company was happy. The company remained in service until the fall of 1860, when the cart was sold to a company in Michigan. The greatest achievement of " Hope " Hose was when she ran five hundred yards and made connection with three hundred feet of hose in one minute and seven seconds, or the second best time on record. For a long time " Hope " boys occupied a house at the corner of Frank- lin and Washington streets : but they afterwards gave up the place to " Illinois" No. 3. and made their own quarters in No. 4 engine house on La Salle Street, in the rear of the Baptist church.

The Legislature of Illinois passed an act February 10, 1849, exempting the firemen of Chicago from work- ing out any street or road tax, or from paying any money in lieu thereof. "Protector " Engine Company No. 6. was organized in August, 1849, while Ashley Gilbert was Chief. Mr. Gilbert was succeeded the next year by Cyrus P. Bradley, who remained in office for two terms.

At a meeting of the Council held August 1, 1850, the fire limits of the city were extended " so as to in- clude the district east of the South Branch of the Chi- cago River and west of State Street, north of the alley running between Randolph and Washington streets."

The Firemen's festival of October, IS50, was a grand affair for the boys who " run the machines " here. There were twenty-three companies in line, represen- tatives being present from Buffalo, Detroit, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha. The hospitalities of the city were tendered by Alderman Page, who had been an honored member of the "fraternity " for ten years. The dinner was at the Tremont. Among the organiza- tions which received a great share of the admiration were " Lafayette " Engine Company No. 4 of Detroit, "Ocean " Fire Company and Supply Hose Company, "Milwaukee," of the Cream City. The attempt to suc- cessfully engineer a torch-light procession in the even- ing, however, was a failure on account of the windy condition of the atmosphere. "Lawrence " Engine Company No. 7 was organized in September, 1850, and re-organized as the " Eagle," in 1852. In December, IS51, a third hose company was formed. called the " Lone Star," afterward, the " Illinois."

" Phoenix" Engine Company No. 8, organized De- cember 22, 1851, was changed to " Cataract " in Octo- ber, 1853. The company was composed principally of sailors, and consequently could not be depended upon during the season of navigation. " Illinois " Hose No. 3 was formed the next day. No further organizations were effected until February, 1854, when the "New England." subsequently known as the "America " No. 9, sprang into being. From 1852 until 1854 twoterms

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HISTORY OF CHICAGO.

U. P. Harris was Chief, being succeeded by J. M. Don- nelly, who served but one term in 1854. In January, 1855, was formed " Washington " Engine Company No. 10. An ordinance was passed by the Council July 23, 1855, dividing the city into six fire districts : No. 1, South Division, north of Madison Strect ; No. 2, South Division, south of Madison ; No. 3, West Division, south of Randolph ; No. 4, West Division, north of Randolph ; No. 5, North Division, west of Clark ; No. 6, North Division, east of Clark. Eight strokes of the bell constituted the alarm, the additional strokes indi- cating the number of the district. At this time the alarms of fire were sounded from the First Baptist church, which had a powerful bell. In February,

1855, the large bell was hung in the tower of the new court-house, and the honor of possessing the town fire alarm was transferred to that structure soon after- wards. A watchman was also continually on duty there to fling out his flags by day or his lanterns by night, in order to direct the firemen to the locality in which he had discovered the flames.

Silas McBride was Chief for three terms, 1855, 1856 and 1857. He was a great favorite with the depart- ment, and during his incumbency many new organiza- tions were formed. In September, 1855, "Lafayette " Hose No. 4, " Hope's " worthy rival, was organized and stationed at the corner of Clinton and Washington streets ; in November came " Rescue " Hook and Lad- der No. 2 ; " Neptune" No. 11, " Wide Awake " No. 12, and "Torrent " No. 13, in January and February, 1856 ; " Lady Washington " Hose No. 5 and " Liberty Hose No. 6, in January, 1857, and in March of the same year, " Empire " Hook and Ladder No. 3. On March 2, 1857, occurred one of the most destructive fires heretofore experienced. It originated in the five- story brick block corner of South Water and State streets, occupied by Hale's Chair Factory, and Dix & Harris, wholesale grocers. This was destroyed with the adjoining store west, occupied by Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., wholesale hardware dealers, and Jewett, Root & Co., a stove warehouse firm. The east wall of the first-named structure fell and crushed Mrs. James Carney's dwelling-house, the family narrowly escaping with their lives. O'Neill's Brewery, in the rear, was also somewhat damaged. The loss by this fire is covered by the first annual report of the department from March 1, 1856, to May 1, 1857. The entire loss by fire for that period was $553,000 ; insurance, $385,100. Ten engines were reported in good condition ; three in ordi- nary repairs, and two in process of building ; also six good hose carriages, connected with engines, and six more supply hose-carts. There were ten thousand feet of hose in use. The last contest of a purely volunteer department took place at the county fair October 12, 1857. The Cook County Agricultural Society had offered a Szoo-silver trumpet to the engine which should throw a horizontal steam of water, through five hundred feet of hose, the longest distance. The contest was exciting, and No. 7 ' J. M. Reis, foreman) triumphed, the engine throwing the stream to a distance of over two hundred feet. Nos. 3 and 4 burst their hose, and Nos. 6 and to their air-chambers. As the reader will soon see, the effects of this contest were seriously felt by the city.

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History of Chicago. From the earliest period to the present time, Part 61

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas Number of Pages: 1340

Author: Andreas, Alfred Theodore
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas
Number of Pages: 1340