A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 61

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826

USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 61

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Following the test made at the Studebaker works and the jollifications that succeeded, Mr. Colfax made one of his happy little speeches, briming over with interesting his- torical allusions. "This magnificent Christ- mas day." said he, "has opened a new era in the history of our busy and prosperous city. Over thirty years ago, the building of the three-story Washington Block," the largest frame building at that time in northern In- diana, was commenced with a special celebra- tion and opened the first era of the advance- ment of our town. Next, the construction of the dam, by the free and generous subscrip- tions of rich and poor alike, gave us our great water power, and was another and most im- portant forward movement. Then the great manufactures, which have caused our city to be known throughout the length and breadth of the land, gave us another impetus. While today, with the water works, which, from the experiments this morning, seem sure to render efficient fire protection, we continue our ad- vancing progress among the cities of the state, and take another onward stride toward the future before us."

The city water works continued under the management of a committee of the common council, known as the water board, until, by an act approved March 25, 1879,6 the legisla- ture provided for the election of a board of three water works trustees, the first board to be selected by the common council ; after which the trustees should be elected by the people. The first board so elected should be chosen one for one year, one for two years and one for three years. At every subsequent annual election one trustee should be elected for three years.

By the special charter," the water works were placed in custody of the board of public works, where they also remain under the municipal code.ª Under all these boards,-

a. On the north side of Washington street, from Main street to the first alley east.

b. Acts, 1879, p. 88.

c. Acts, 1901, p. 198.

d. Acts, 1905, p. 219.

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

the committee of the common council, the trustees of the water works and the board of public works -- the manner of conducting the business has been practically the same. The immediate control of the works has been in the hands of a superintendent selected by the board and under its direction. The finances have been cared for by a water works clerk.

The names of all members of the board of public works have been given in the list of city officers. The names of the members of the former water works boards are as follows :

1873. Joseph Worden. Peter Weber, Alex- ander Staples and S. R. King.

1875. M. N. Walworth. Dwight Deming and Alexander N. Thomas.

1876. Dwight Deming. Edmund P. Taylor and W. W. Giddings.

1877. W. W. Giddings, Edmund P. Taylor and George F. Nevius.

1878. George F. Nevius, Solomon W. Pal- mer and Nathaniel Frame.

1879. O. H. Brusie, John M. Studebaker and Alexander C. Staley.

1880. John M. Studebaker, Alexander C. Staley and Jacob Strayer.

1881. Alexander C. Staley, Jacob Strayer and J. M. Asire.

1882. Jacob Strayer, J. M. Asire and Pat- rick O'Brien.

1883. J. M. Asire, Patrick O'Brien and William Mack.

1884. Patrick O'Brien, William Mack and N. P. Bowsher.

1885. William Mack. N. P. Bowsher and John C. Birdsell.

1886. N. P. Bowsher, John C. Birdsell and Edwin R. St. John.

1887. John C. Birdsell, Edwin R. St. John and Alexander Staples.

1888. Edwin R. St. John, Alexander Staples and Charles H. Pavey.

1889. Alexander Staples. Charles H. Pavey and Robert L. Braunsdorf.

1890. Charles H. Pavey, Robert L. Branns- dorf and Jonathan Matthews.

1891. Robert L. Brannsdorf, Jonathan Matthews and Samuel L. Brubaker.

1892. Jonathan Matthews, Charles M. Col- lins and Charles W. Clapp.

1893. Charles A. Brehmer, Charles M. Collins and Charles W. Clapp.

1894. Charles M. Collins, Charles W. Clapp and Otto M. Knoblock.

1895. Charles W. Clapp, Otto M. Knob- lock and Samuel C. Loutz.

1896. Otto M. Knoblock, S. Wesley Hill and John T. Kelley.

1897. S. Wesley Hill, John T. Kelley and F. V. Krzeszewski.

1898. John T. Kelley, F. V. Krzeszewski and John F. Irvin.

1899. F. V. Krzeszewski, John F. Irvin and William Turnock.

1900. John F. Irvin, William Turnock and Marshal Hughes.

At first, only the water of the St. Joseph river was pumped into the stand pipe. While this gave the people fire protection, what they had looked for. and also the use of water to sprinkle the streets and lawns; yet they soon began to look for water for domestic use also. The first superintendent of the water works. Everett L. Abbot, made a happy discovery just in time to meet this want. He sank a driven well, about a hun- dred and ten feet deep, near the water works pumping station and not far from the river bank. This was our first artesian well. The water rose to the surface. and proved to be pure and wholesome. The question was whether wells enough could be sunk to supply the stand pipe. To test the quantity of water that underlay the great bed of clay through which the pipe had been driven, and partieu- larly to see how far, if any, the flow of the first well would be diminished by the sinking of an- other in the vicinity, well after well was sunk near the water works station, until thirty-four six-inch wells or over have been sunk in that locality. The problem was solved; reservoirs were constructed into which the waters from the artesian wells flowed freely; the river

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

water was turned off and the stand pipe and water mains were filled with the purest water in the state. To supply more wells as the population of the eity has increased, a new station, at the foot of North Michigan street. was erected and new wells, to the number of thirty-seven more were sunk. Still a third station has recently been secured further down on the river; and from all of these it is believed that an ample supply of the purest water for fire and domestic use can be obtained sufficient for a city of over one hun- dred thousand population.

It need hardly be said that since the supply of artesian water has been obtained the people have asked for water on almost every street of the city. Over eighty miles of water mains have been laid to this date, and the demand is still for more. No tax is more freely paid by the people than the water rents; and, while the original outlay by the city was large, yet the investment has been a profitable one. During the year 1907, the substantial sum of twenty thousand dollars was transferred from the water works rent fund to the general fund of the city treasury. At the same time the people have had an abundant supply of pure water at most reasonable rates, with no grasp- ing water works company to cut down the supply or raise the charges. The municipal ownership of the South Bend water works has been satisfactory from the beginning. The present valuation of the works is nearly one million dollars; the annual income has now reached almost one hundred thousand dollars. The expenses foot up about seventy thousand dollars, which ineludes interest and wear and tear, leaving to the city a net profit of thirty thousand dollars a year.

Sec. 4 .- FIRE DEPARTMENT .- The fire de- partment of South Bend has grown from a bucket brigade, taking water from wells or from the river, to the complete system of to- day, with its water received directly from the constant pressure of the stand pipe. The first fire organizations were volunteer companies, with a chief and assistants responsible to the

town trustees. The distinction awarded by the public to the bravery of the young fire fighters was usually sufficient indueement to keep up the organizations. To this were added certain favors, as the remission of eity poll taxes and exemption of a given amount of property from taxation, as was done by the common council April 19, 1866.

The first regular organization for fire pro- tection seems to have been in 1853, when a hand engine was proeured and a company formed, with Edmund Pitts Taylor as fore- man and John Caldwell as assistant. The company was named St. Joseph Fire Com- pany Number One. Fire Company Number Two was formed soon after, with Lot Day, ·lr., as foreman. In 1857. Union Hose Com- pany Number Three was organized, and a second engine was purehased.

Another step taken at an early day was the securing of a sufficient supply of water by constructing covered cisterns at convenient points. As shown above, in treating of our water works, there were 30 sueh cisterns be- fore the erection of the stand pipe; and the citizens were re-assured when they learned that "No steam fire engine can make any perceptible diminution in the depth." Per- haps that might not be the ease today, after our deep sewers have dried out the ground to a depth of ten to fifteen feet.

The next step in the volunteer service was to procure pumping apparatus, ladders and other implements and machinery necessary for the use of the firemen. One of the simplest styles of pumps was a hand engine placed upon wheels and worked by from two to six firemen on each side of the wagon. A noted improvement on this rude pump was the steam fire engine, which relieved the men of this hard labor, and was besides much more effective in throwing strong streams upon the burning buildings. The most famous of these old fire engines was "Young Hoosier," which gave its name to Young Hoosier Fire Com- pany No. Four. This company. after re- peated deliberations in the common couneil,

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

extending over a period of several months, was organized January 20, 1868. To show the high character of the citizens who honored themselves by serving in these volunteer fire companies, the original membership of Young Hoosier company is here given : George Hert- zell. John C. Knoblock, Alexander Staples, A. Buck, William Buck. John M. Pieree, Alexis Coquillard, Peter Weber, Elijah Hartzell, Warren A. Luee, Edward Gillen, Isaac Miller, Reuben Garrett, Seth F. Myers and Harrison M. Crockett. The company was authorized to increase its membership to thirty persons. taken equally from hose companies numbered one and three. Old number three was soon after disbanded; and on May 29, 1868, the present hose company number three, in the fourth ward. was organized.

A little earlier, on June 17, 1867, a citizens ' committee was appointed to report to the council the best means of protection from fire. The committee consisted of the following leading citizens: John Brownfield, chief of the fire department; Dr. Louis Humphreys, chairman of the board of health; Charles W. Guthrie; Clement Studebaker; Woolman J.

Holloway; Joseph G. Bartlett; Dr. John A. Henricks; Daniel M. Shively: Lester F. Baker; Dwight Deming; Francis R. Tutt, Daniel A. Veasey and Norman Eddy. The conferences of this committee foreshadowed the water works system and the paid fire de- partment that were to come in a few years.

In 1873, the common council re-organized the volunteer fire department and appointed Edwin Nicar as chief engineer. Captain Nicar served with great efficiency for three years, when Joseph Turnock was appointed to the place and served for a year, being sueeeeded by Orville H. Brusie, who served for three years. A. B. Culver was then ap- pointed engineer; and after him came Mr. Brusie again and then Isaac Hutchins.

The fire companies in the later years, and before the organization of the paid depart- ment, were Delta Hose Company No. 1; Eagle No. 2: Union No. 3; Young Hoosier No. 4;

Mazeppa No. 5; Stand Pipe No. 6, also No. 7; besides Relief Hook and Ladder, which was located with Young Hoosier, at Hose House No. 4. HIose House No. 4, where both Young Hoosier engine, and its company and also the hook and ladder company were housed, was the central fire station and headquarters of the department. This house was on the north side of Jefferson street, between Michigan street and the first alley west. Fire tourna- ments, in South Bend and in the surrounding towns, were a prominent feature of the old volunteer department. At these tournaments, or exhibitions, the South Bend companies al- most invariably carried off the prizes. The tournaments were of great value in keeping up interest in the service, as well as putting in practice the best features of actual fire pro- tection.

On February 23, 1874, a grand review of the fire department and inspection of the new stand pipe and water works system was held, to which firemen and fire committees from neighboring cities were invited. The last days of the old volunteer fire department were among the brightest. On October 6, 1873. the common council, although preoccu- pied with the completion of the new water works system, yet found time to express the formal thanks of the city to the fine city fire department and its efficient chief, then Capt. Edwin Nicar. Yet the change was coming. On October 19, 1874, it became apparent that the water pressure, present in full foree at every hydrant, made all fire companies, ex- cept hook and ladder and hose companies, quite out of harmony with the new conditions ; and they were accordingly disbanded.

On August 7, 1882, the Gamewell Fire Alarm system, for communicating alarms of fires, was adopted. On July 26, 1886, a com- mittee sent out to examine paid fire depart- ments in other cities reported in favor of the system in operation in Kalama- Zoo. They recommended for the city of South Bend the following plan: That the city should procure one 2-horse hose

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

carriage; two 1-horse carriages; one hook and ladder truck, with sixty foot extension lad- der, to be drawn by two horses; one 2- horse chemical engine; and that these should be manned by ten paid firemen and a fire chief, to be aided in emergency by twenty called men. The cost of making the change was estimated at nine thousand dollars. The recommendation of the committee was adopted by the common council. The paid fire depart- ment was formally organized, November 26, 1886. On January 10, 1887, the department was reported by fire chief Isaac Hutchins as in full working order; and, on his recom- mendation, all the volunteer companies were disbanded.

Since the establishment of the paid depart- ment, in 1886, the work of improvement has gone forward, year by year, until South Bend, without question, has one of the best fire de- partments in the land,-water works; hose houses; telegraphic fire alarm; efficient of- ficers and men; trained horses; trucks and hose wagons; and all other apparatus neces- sary for first-class modern fire service. In- cluding the central station, there are eight fire stations and hose houses, distributed at the most advantageous points throughout the city. At the central station there are three companies .- one truck company; one chemi- cal engine company; and one hose company. At each of the other seven stations is found a hose company, provided with full apparatus. The cost of transforming the volunteer de- partment into a paid fire department, in 1886, was estimated at nine thousand dollars. Com- pared with this is the following expense ac- count for the year 1906: Paid out in salaries, $46,384.29 ; paid for running expenses during that year, $10,664.32. Total expenses for the South Bend fire department, for the year 1906, $57,048.61.

On the Fourth of July, 1907, the anniver- sary of the Declaration of Independence was celebrated by the South Bend fire department in the greatest public display ever inaugur- ated by the "fire laddies" of the city. The

day was delightful; and the street parade one of the finest ever seen in Indiana. The dis- play then made was an exhibition of what may perhaps be regarded as the culmination of efforts to make the department a perfected fire force; for we can hardly conceive of a more complete and efficient fire department than that which South Bend now possesses.

On June 4, 1907, in anticipation of the Fourth of July demonstration, the South Bend Tribune gave an interesting summary of events connected with the history and present condition of fire organizations in the city ; and this summary may fitly conclude our historical sketch :

"South Bend has a fire department second to none in the country. It has a reputation that is not confined to this locality, but which is spreading to all parts of the country. The announcement several months ago that the fire department intended to give a Fourth of July celebration this year has attracted the attention of people all over the country, but especially fire departments and parties en- gaged in the manufacture of fire fighting equipment. As a result many people have in- spected the local service and pronounce it the best in the world for a city this size.

"South Bend's paid fire department was organized and pressed into service Nov. 26, 1886, following a resolution of the common council passed the year previous. Since that time it has been maintained and has been under the control of the city government. The present fire department consists of 58 men, 28 horses and the following rolling stock in active service : Seagrave hook and ladder truck, chemical engine, two chief's wagons, supply wagon, electricians' wagon, eight hose wagons. Ten fire companies and eight fine stations are represented in the complete ser- vice. In reserve the department has a hook and ladder truck, a hose wagon and a spring wagon.

"The present paid department is the out- growth of the old volunteer fire department. Prior to the year 1853 South Bend had no

380

HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

fire department or organized system of pro- tection in case of fire. The first organized effort in that direction was made in this year. when the St. Joseph company, No. 1. was or- ganized and a small hand engine was pur- chased for its use. Another company was soon after organized and in 1857 Union hose company No. 3. was formed and another en- gine added to the department. In 1865 a steam fire engine was purchased, which was called the Young Hoosier. After that date various volunteer organizations were formed until the present efficient fire fighting system was given its inception and placed in success- ful operation.

"Many of the men on the present fire de- partment were leaders in the volunteer move- ment and did very effective work for the city in that capacity. It is no wonder that the impetus given the fire fighting system by them has developed into the great department of today. Isaac Hutchins, an old time volunteer, was the first chief of the paid fire department, which when organized had but 11 men and 20 call-men. He had two assistant chiefs. John Donahue and Jacob F. Kerner. Later one of the assistants was dropped from the position on the fire department and the call- men plan was also abolished.

"The first companies were those at the central station and consisted of the hook and ladder, or truck company, No. 1, and the chemical company. No. 1. These were located in a small brick building on the north side of Jefferson street between Main and Michi- gan streets. Later hose company No. 1 was organized. It was across from the Sheridan hotel on the north side of La Salle avenue and was located in a two story frame building. which was not in the best of condition and many a cold winter wind and not a few de- luges of water poured into the leaky roof.

"The present central fire station at the southeast corner of Wayne and St. Joseph streets was completed in 1902. Into it the central station companies from the old build- ing as well as hose company No. 1 moved.

The latter company made the transfer July 31. 1902. and the former the day before. This centralized the different kinds of fire fighting apparatus and gave the central a full equipment, greatly strengthening the effi- ciency of the service. Twenty-one men. nine horses, a truek, a chemical, wagons for the chief and the assistant chief and a reserve truek and a reserve hose wagon are housed in the building, which is one of the best, and the most complete as well as the largest station of the kind. according to investigations, in the country.

"Chief Wilfird Grant and his worthy assist- ant have been on the department ever since it was organized. They also served in the old volunteer companies. the chief two years with hose company No. 4 and his assistant, William Smith, with hose company No. 3. Mr. Smith entered the vohmteer service in 1877. Grant was elevated to the captaincy and was later promoted to chief. a position he has filled with the very greatest credit since Sept. 1, 1902. Smith was appointed second assistant in 1892 and was made first assistant in 1898, a posi- tion he has filled with acceptancy and thorough efficiency all these years.

"The chiefs of the paid fire department have been as follows: Isaac Hutchins, Wil- liam Baker, Jacob F. Kerner, Irving Sibrel and Wilfird Grant."

The valuation of the property of the South Bend fire department, as estimated by the board of public safety. at the close of the vear 1906, was $131,461.68, distributed as fol- lows :

STATEMENT OF ASSETS-FIRE DEPART- MENT.

Central Fire Station, house

and lot

$40,000.00

Less amount still due. 12,223.31

Total $27,776.69

Contents of Central Fire Sta- tion, including Truck Co. No. 1, Hook and Ladder, Hose Co. No. 1, and Chemical Engine No. 1. Total. . $28,883.20

Chief's Barn and contents at

Central Fire Station, includ- ing wagons, horses, etc.

$ 1,047.80

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

No. 2 Hose House and Lot .... $ 4,900.00 Contents

3,857.45

Total $ 8.757.45

No. 3 Hose House and Lot. $ 7.199.87

Contents 3.640.10

Total $10,839.97

No. 4 House and Lot. $ 5,628.00

Contents

3,941.65

Total $ 9,569.65

No. 5 Hose House and Lot. $ 5,135.00

Contents

3,918.45

Total $ 9,053.45

No. 6 Hose House and Lot. $ 4.965.00

Contents 3,458.43

Total $ 8,423.43

No. 7 Hose House and Lot. $ 7,929.49

Contents

3,656.00

Total $11,585.49

No. 8 Hose House and Lot. $ 6,478.04

Contents

3,920.36

Total $10,398.40

Supply Barn and Sheds at No. 3

Hose House $ 1,500.00

Contents 3,574.65

Total $ 5,074.65

Blacksmith Shop at Central

Fire Station. Contents ..... .$ 51.50

The organization of the fire department and the location of the several companies for the vear 1907 is as follows:

Chief Headquarters. Central Fire Station, No. 202-204-206 E. Wayne St.

Wilfird Grant . Chief

William Smith Assistant Chief

Harry E. Coil. . Secretary

Truck Company No. 1, Central Fire Station. John Haney . Captain

Otto Lockstidt Lieutenant

George Vahlert . Driver

Charles Moritz Ladderman

John F. Howard Ladderman

Harry Brazy Ladderman

Chemical Engine No. 1, Central Fire Station.

Irving Sibrel Captain

Charles Warrell Lieutenant

James Auer . Driver

Percy Alford Pipeman

John Hull Chief's Driver

Hose Company No. 1, Central Fire Station. Adam Seifert . Captain

Edward Luther Lieutenant

Roy Knoblock .Driver

William Bernhard Pipeman

August Bailey Pipeman

August Kraszewski . Pipeman

Hose Company No. 2, West Sample Street. Henry Entzion . Captain William Freeh Lieutenant

Joseph Shirk . Driver

Frank Kuliberda . Pipeman Thomas Harrens Pipeman

Hose Company No. 3, North Hill Street.

John Stoney . Captain

Alfred Virgil . Lieutenant

Louis Lederer . Driver

William Furey Pipeman Frank Kubiak Pipeman

John Schroth . Pipeman

Hose Company No. 4, West Thomas Street.

Camile De Vleeschouwer

. Captain

Henry Czajkowski Lieutenant

Karl Yensen . Driver

John McKeel Pipeman

John Borkowski Pipeman

Hose Company No. 5, East Sample Street.

August Hoglund

. Captain

William Heiman Lieutenant

George Stilwell Driver

Edward Tohulka Pipeman

Louis Torok

Pipeman

Hose Company No. 6, Portage Avenue and Lindsey Street.

Frank Strickler Captain

Alex. Frederick Lieutenant

Paul Egresces Driver

Harry Hinkle Pipeman

Paul Wegner Pipeman

Hose Company No. 7, South Bend and Notre Dame Avenues.

Oscar Stallard . Captain

Thomas Hartford . Lieutenant

Edward McNulty . Driver

James Scott Pipeman

William Baker Pipeman

Hose Company No. 8, Washington and Olive Streets.

John Wentland . Captain

Michael Touhey

. Lieutenant

Anton Sroda

. Driver

Andrew Anderson Pipeman

Anton Topel

Pipeman

Chester Vanarsdel

. Houseman and Weighmaster

Edward Koehler

. Lineman for Department

Sec. 5 .- THE CITY HALL .- Until a little prior to the year 1899, the eity of South Bend does not seem to have made any move towards securing a city hall for the transac- tion of its affairs. During the whole period of town and city government, up to that time, the business of the municipality was conducted in offices leased for the purpose. In the '70's and early 'SO's. these rented offices were on Washington street, between Main and Michigan; after which, a. disas- trous fire compelled a removal to Michigan street, between Washington and Market, now

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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

Colfax avenue. In the later '80's and early '90's, the offices were on Jefferson street, be- tween Main and Lafayette; and afterwards on Michigan street, in what was long known as Price's Theater.

On October 18, 1899, the mayor and com- mon council entered into a contract with James Oliver for the erection of a city hall suited to the needs of the growing metropolis of the St. Joseph valley. Not long previous to this time the city had purchased a site for a. building, on North Main street, between Colfax and La Salle avenues, with the in- tention of erecting a permanent home for the municipality as soon as funds sufficient for that purpose could be procured. But South Bend was nearly up' to the constitutional limit of its indebtedness, and it became evi- dent that if a city hall was to be built within a reasonable time, it must be built by private parties.

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A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1, Part 61

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 826

Author: Howard, Timothy Edward, 1837-1916
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 826