USA > Indiana > Vigo County > History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections > Part 46
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At the election held May 7, 1855, the whole number of votes cast was 992. The following persons were elected: James Hook, mayor; Henry Ross, James Wyethe, Arba Holmes, T. A. Madison, H. Jamison, R. Wharry, N. W. Conn, B. M. Harrison, J. B. Edmunds, George M. Sibley, councilmen; E. B. Allen, clerk; T. Houghton, treasurer; William P. Bennett, assessor; William J. Ball, civil engineer; John L. Humaston, street commissioner; Samuel Dodson, marshal.
At the election held May 7, 1856, the whole number of votes cast was 1,173. The following persons were elected: C. Y. Pat- terson, mayor; Ezra Reed, J. H. O'Boyle, J. G. Adams, John Haney, G. M. Sibley, G. C. Welch, W. H. Sage, J. S. Wallace, Samuel Conner, J. W. Hunley, councilmen; Joseph H. Blake, clerk; A. E. Taylor, treasurer; Samuel Dodson, marshal; Joseph E. Jones, street commissioner; B. B. Ebbitt, civil engineer; R. H. Hebb, assessor.
At an election held on May 7, 1857, the whole number of votes cast was 1,231. Under a revised act for the incorporation of cities the terms of office of the mayor and one-half of the council- men, were extended to two years. The result of the election was as follows: C. Y. Patterson, mayor; Erza Reed, T. C. Buntin, J. H. Kester, S. Conner, A. O. Hough, councilmen for one year; J. S. Beach, R. Tousey, Thomas Burton, C. N. Collamer, C. R. Peddle, councilmen for two years; J. H. Blake, clerk; J. B. Edmunds, treasurer ; C. M. Crooks, marshal; H. D. Milns, street commissioner; I. M. Dawson, assessor; B. B. Ebbitt, civil engineer.
In 1858 .-- Mayor, Chambers Y. Patterson; marshal, William Van Brunt; clerk, Joseph H. Blake; treasurer, James B. Edmunds.
The common council meets in City Hall, Market street. One councilman from each ward is elected every year, for two
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years the other half holding over. First ward-James Turner, 2 years; John S. Beach, 1 year; John S. Beach, 1 year. Second ward-Ralph Tousey, 1 year; Pat Shannon, 2 years. Third ward -Joel H. Kester, 1 year; Allen Pence, 2 years. Fourth ward-B. M. Harrison, 2 years; John Haney, 1 year. Fifth ward-George Hedges, 2 years; A. B. Barton, 1 year.
Street commissioner, William McNutt; civil engineer, Benjamin Ebbitt; attorneys, Scott and Booth; board of health, Drs Helm, Young and Thompson; superintendent of cemetery, H. D. Milns; assessor, William Naylor.
Magistrates: Lambert Duy, Zenas Smith, Warren Harper, John Sayre.
Notaries public: M. M. Hickcox, William Hendricks, George C. Duy, Aaron B. Burton, B. W. Hanna, Joshua G. Cannon, David S. Danaldson, Edward B. Allen, Leonard Barney, Solomon Clay- pool, T. H. Nelson, Alexander B. Crane, Charles T. Noble, Edward E. Bassett, C. Y. Patterson, E. S. Wolfe.
Thomas Burton, trustee; D. Hartsock, treasurer; William Pad- dock, clerk.
Constables: L. Miller, John W. Dodson, Thomas Barr, E. War- field.
A. P. Willard, governor; A. A. Hammond, lieutenant-governor; Daniel McClure, secretary of State; John W. Dodd, auditor; A. Jones, treasurer; William C. Larabee, superintendent of public instruction ; William E. McLean, State senator,
Representatives: Solomon Claypool, William H. Bryan ; annual election second Tuesday in October.
Solomon Claypool, judge of circuit court; John W. Jones, county judge; Andrew Wilkins, clerk of county and circuit courts ; W. H. Stewart, sheriff; Charles M. Crooks, deputy sheriff; N. F. Cunningham, treasurer; Alber Lange, auditor; David Bell, sur- veyor; Thomas B. Long, prosecuting attorney common pleas court; M. A. Osbourne, prosecuting attorney circuit court; Paul K. Mc- Cosky, coroner.
Commissioners: Jacob Jumper, Simpson Stark, Samuel W. Edmunds.
R. S. Cox, chief engineer; W. C. Lupton and T. H. Barr, as- sistant engineers.
Mohawk Fire Company No. 1, engine house Fourth street, south of Ohio; Joseph H. Blake, president; Vigo Engine and Hose Company No. 2, engine house Fourth street, south of Ohio, W. C. Lupton, president; Northern Liberty Company No. 3, engine house Lafayette street, north of Market, W. A. Thomas president; Union Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, house Fourth street, between Ohio and Walnut, C. Reichert, president.
Thomas de. Nellano
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Firemen's Association: B. M. Harrison, president; Joseph H. Blake, secretary.
May 7, 1878, was election for the purpose of electing a mayor to fill the vacancy, caused by the death of Hon. Henry Fairbanks, to fill the term expiring May, 1879, the vote was as follows:
First ward-Adam R. Link, 230 votes; Joseph M. Wildy, 280 votes; William K. Edwards, 421 votes. For councilmen in said ward: Phillip Schloss, 365 votes; Samuel McKeen, 337 and F. H. McElfresh, 224 votes.
Second ward-For mayor: William K. Edwards, 389 votes; Jo- seph M. Wildy, 154 votes; Adam R. Link, 154 votes. Councilmen : J. W. Cruft, 368 votes; J. C. Reichert, 120 votes, and V. G. Dick- hout, 213 votes.
Third ward-Mayor: W. K. Edwards, 240 votes; Adam R. Link, 265 votes; Joseph M. Wildy, 374 votes. Councilmen: Henry Appman, 392 votes; H. P. Polk, 368 votes; Charles Feltus, 116 votes.
Fourth ward-Mayor: W. K. Edwards, 212 votes; Adam R. Link, 306 votes; Joseph M. Wildy, 306 votes. Councilmen: Jacob White, 323 votes; Joseph Briggs, 249 votes; R. Walker, 257 votes.
Fifth ward-Mayor: W. K. Edwards, 144 votes; Adam R. Link, 216 votes; Joseph M. Wildy, 302 votes. Councilmen: James B. Harris, 297 votes; James Grace, 246 votes; W. H. Holmes, 112 votes.
Sixth ward - Mayor: W. K. Edwards, 199 votes; Adam R. Link, 291 votes; Joseph M. Wildy, 212 votes. Councilmen: J. Lockhard, 82 votes; Patrick C. Mohan, 362 votes; S. Owen, 260 votes. Joseph M. Wildy was duly elected, and the following coun- cilmen: Phillip Schloss, J. W. Cruft, Herman Appman, Jacob White, James B. Harris and Patrick C. Mohan.
Board of health, 1878-Drs. W. H. Roberts (chairman), Charles Gerstmeyer and L. J. Willien.
At the May election, 1879, Benjamin F. Havins was elected mayor, receiving 2,022 votes; Joseph M. Wildy, 1,942 votes, and James Hook, 920 votes. Treasurer: James P. Foley, 1,987 votes ; Frank Smith, 911 votes; Hugo Duenweg, 1,988 votes. The latter's plurality was one. For clerk : Eugene V. Debs, 2,468 votes; Grove R. Crofts, 1,054 votes; Clifford W. Ross, 1,331 votes. Marshal : John H. Kidd, 1,928 votes; James Hogan, 1,283 votes; Albert M. Buckingham, 1,651 votes. Assessor: Joseph Kuntz, 1,932 votes; Charles H. Paige, 895 votes; Jackson Stepp, 2,056 votes.
First ward-Councilmen: John F. Regan, 435 votes; Oscar F. Miller, 388 votes; Henry McIntyre, 145 votes.
Second ward -Councilmen, W. T. Beauchamp, 383 votes ; Isaac N. Pierce, 342.
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Third ward-Strawder Robinson, 442 votes; Henry P. Polk, 453.
Fourth ward-Jesse H. Clutter, 408 votes; Herman L. Miller, 245; George Hammerstein, 218.
Fifth ward-Joseph Frisz, 317 votes; Isaac N. Adams, 100; Lewis O. Sheets, 235.
Sixth ward-Robert M. Harrison, 315 votes; James McCutch- eon, 273; George W. Hamilton, 137.
May, 1880 .- Councilman First ward, Samuel McKeen, elected over John G. Williams; 583 to 361 votes.
Second ward-George E. Farrington over William H. Roberts; 430 to 279 votes.
Third ward-Edwin Ellis, 510 votes; W. P. Bartlett, 354; John G. Dobbs, 41.
Fourth ward-Joseph Briggs, 537 votes; Robert Flinn, 419; George H. Purdy, 17.
Fifth ward-James Grace, 364 votes; James B. Harris, 363.
Sixth ward-James McCutcheon, 442 votes; Adolph Reinhardt, 251; Henry A. Byers, 25.
May election, 1881 .- Mayor, James B. Lynn, 2,262 votes ; Phillip Schloss, 2,218; W. M. Slaughter, 766. Treasurer: H. Duenweg, 2,502 votes; W. H. Crawford, 2,059; G. H. Mills, 681. Clerk: Eugene V. Debs, 2,460 votes; J. W. Barnett, 2,222; H. A. Byers, 560. Marshal: J. H. Kidd, 2,343 votes; John Clive, 2,227; J. Gottschalk, 658. Assessor: J. F. O'Reilly, 2,299 votes; J. Mc- Adams; Jabez Smith, 755. Councilmen: First ward, S. C. Beach ; Second ward, Andrew J. Crawford; Third ward, William Sudbrink; Fourth ward, L. F. Purdue; Fifth ward, Nicholas Dodson; Sixth ward, David Phillips.
May election, 1882 .- Councilmen elected: First ward, Leonard S. Briggs; Second ward, B. F. Swofford; Third ward, George W. Crapo; Fourth ward, Joseph H. Briggs; Fifth ward, James Grace; Sixtlı ward, Jacob Kolsem.
At the opening session of the new council the mayor submitted a list of committees. Dr. B. F. Swofford then offered his list as a substitute, and it was adopted. Council then elected as follows: William Mack, city attorney; city engineer, George R. Grimes; chief of fire department, John Kenedy; board of health, Drs. A. W. Spair, J. R. Crapo, W. B. Spencer; street commissioner, Barney Dougherty ; city sexton, Martin Kercheval; board of public improve- ments, L. S. Briggs, James Grace and Kelogg; police board, Crapo, Grace and Wildy; market master, Charles Kelinger.
May election, 1884, to elect one councilman from each ward .- First ward, Leonard S. Briggs; Second ward, William F. Arnold; Third ward, William Poths; Fourth ward, Joseph H. Briggs; Fifth ward, Joseph A. Wimer; Sixth ward, Jacob C. Kolsem.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Election, 1885 .- For mayor (whole vote 5,345) as follows: Jacob C. Kolsem, 2,891; Hugo Duenweg, 2,454. Marshal: J. Frank Morrison, 2,743; E. L. Kizer, 2,580. Treasurer: James Fitzpatrick, 2,731; Charles A. Robinson, 2,615. Clerk: George W. Davis, 2,870; James A. Dodson, 2,471. Assessor: Shepherd Watson, 2,674; Fred Cornell, 2,659. Council: First ward, William Haslit; Sec- ond, James E. Somes; Third, Emil Friz; Fourth, J. H. O'Sulli- van; Fifth, John Hirst; Sixth, George Klug.
Officers 1886-87 .- Mayor, J. C. Kolsem ; treasurer, J. Fitzpat- rick ; clerk, George W. Davis; marshal, John F. Morrison ; assessor, Shepherd Watson; attorney, T. A. Foley; civil engineer, George R. Grimes; street commissioner, J. R. S. Garrettson; superintendent police, M. D. Lawlor; chief of fire department, Joseph H. Schell; superintendent cemeteries, James Bain ; market master, D. O'Hearn ; Councilmen : First ward, W. H. Haslett, George Grimes ; Sec- ond ward, J. E. Somes, S. C. Preston; Third ward, E. Teitge, W. Fuhr; Fourth ward, J. H. O'Sullivan, S. H. Hybarger; Fifth ward, John Hirt, J. V. Mattox; Sixth ward, George Klug, H. Schroeder.
Police commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; W. S. Clift, J. R. Coffin, J. F. Brinkman, L. Finkbiner, secretary.
City commissioners : J. H. Turner, M. Schoemehl, Joseph Frisz, J. T. Scovell, J. L. Humaston.
Park commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; George E. Far- rington, William C. Ball, L. D. Thomas, John T. Scott, secretary.
Cemetery commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; R. W. Thomason, William Mack, W. R. McKeen, John S. Beach, T. C. Buntin, W. T. Beauchamp, George W. Davis, secretary.
Equalization : W. H. Haslet, First ward; James E. Somes, Second ward; Emil Teitge, Third ward; J. H. O'Sullivan, Fourth ward; John Hirt, Fifth ward; George Klug, Sixth ward.
Health: W. W. Haworth, M. D., president; F. W. Shaley, M. D., secretary ; George W. Crapo, M. D.
Public improvements: Emil Teitge, John Hirt, George Grimes. School trustees: J. R. Kendall, president; Nicholas Boland, secretary ; W. H. Scudder, treasurer.
1887-88 .- Mayor, J. C. Kolsem ; treasurer, J. Fitzpatrick ; clerk, A. C. Duddleston; marshal, A. J. Thompson; assessor, James W. Haley; attorney, H. C. Nevitt; civil engineer, George R. Grimes; street commissioner, Joseph A. Wimer; superintendent of police, M. D. Lawlor; chief of fire department, Martin Hunter; superin- tendent of cemeteries, James Bain ; market master, F. A. Boyd.
Councilmen: First ward, George Grimes, L. J. Weinstein; Second ward, S. C. Preston, R. W. Van Valzah; Third ward, William Fuhr; Fourth ward, S. H. Hybarger, J. H. O'Sullivan; Fifth ward, J. V. Mattox, John Hirt; Sixth ward, H. Schroeder, F. C. Stortz.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Police commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; W. S. Clift, J. R. Coffin, J. F. Brinkman, L. Finkbiner, secretary.
City commissioners: J. H. Turner, M. Schoemehl, Joseph Frisz, J. T. Scovell, J. L. Humaston.
Park commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; George E. Far- rington, William C. Ball, L. D. Thomas, John T. Scott, secretary.
Cemetery commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; R. W. Thompson, William Mack, W. R. McKeen, John S. Beach, T. C. Buntin, W. T. Beauchamp.
Equalization: George Grimes, First ward; S. C. Preston, Second ward; William Fuhr, Third ward; S. H. Hybarger, Fourth ward; J. V. Mattox, Fifth ward; H. Schroeder, Sixth ward.
Health: W. O. Jenkins, M. D., president; E. E. Glover, M. D., secretary ; E. L. Larkins, M. D., treasurer.
Public improvements: L. J. Weinstein, John Hirt, F. C. Storz.
School trustees: W. H. Scudder, president; Joseph Richardson, secretary ; N. Boland, treasurer.
1888-89 .- Mayor, J. C. Kolsem; treasurer, J. Fitzpatrick ; clerk, A. C. Duddleson; marshal, A. J. Thompson; assessor, James W. Haley; attorney, David N. Taylor; civil engineer, George H. Simp- son; street commissioner, Thomas W. Kinser; superintendent of police, J. W. Stout; chief fire department, John Kennedy ; superin- tendent of cemeteries, James Bain; market master, David H. Berger.
Councilmen: First ward, L. J. Weinstein and J. B. Walsh ; Sec- ond ward, R. W. Van Valzah and Fred. W. Hertwig; Third ward, H. H. Sanderson and Fred Siedentopf; Fourth ward, J. H. O'Sulli- van and S. H. Hybarger; Fifth ward, John Hirt and H. C. Steeg; Sixth ward, Frank Storz and Thomas Donham.
Police commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; S. H. Hybar- ger, R. W. Van Valzah, B. H. Sanderson.
City commissioners: J. H. Turner, M. Schoemhl, Joseph Frisz, J. T. Scovell, J. L. Humaston.
Park commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; George E. Far- rington, William C. Ball, L. D. Thomas, John T. Scott, secretary.
Cemetery commissioners: J. C. Kolsem, chairman; R. W. Thompson, William Mack, W. R. McKeen, John S. Beach, T. C. Buntin, W. T. Beauchamp.
Equalization: L. J. Weinstein, First ward; R. W. Van Valzah, Second ward; B. H. Sanderson, Third ward; J. H. O'Sullivan, Fourth ward; John Hirt, Fifth ward; Frank Storz, Sixth ward.
Health: W. Moore, M. D., president; A. W. Spain, M. D., secre- tary; F. W. Shaley, M. D.
Public improvements : H. C. Steeg, R. W. Van Valzah, J. B. Walsh.
School trustees: N. Boland, president; W. H. Scudder, secre- tary; Joseph Richardson, treasurer.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Officers 1889-90 .- Mayor, Frank C. Danaldson ; treasurer, James Fitzpatrick (treasurer-elect, whose term began September 2, 1889, William M. Hanck ) ; clerk, A. C. Duddleston; marshal, A. J. Thomp- son ; assessor, James W. Haley; attorney, David N. Taylor; civil en- gineer, Donn M. Roberts; street commissioner, Thomas W. Kinser; superintendent police, J. W. Stout; chief fire department, John Kennedy ; superintendent cemeteries, James Bain; market master, David H. Berger.
Councilmen : First ward, John B. Walsh and William E. Burns; Second ward, Fred W. Hertwig and Worth B. Steele; Third ward, Fred Siedentopf and John J. Thomas; Fourth ward, Samuel H. Hy- barger and William O. Weldele; Fifth ward, Henry C. Steeg and James P. Leinberger; Sixth ward, Thomas L. Donham and Frank Storz.
1889-90 .- Councilmen: First ward, John B. Walsh and Will- iam E. Burns; Second ward, Fred W. Hertwig and Worth B. Steele; Third ward, Fred Siedentopf and John J, Thomas; Fourth Ward, Samuel Hybarger and William O. Weldele; Fifth ward, Henry C. Steeg and James P. Leinberger; Sixth ward, Thomas L. Donham and Frank Storz.
Police commissioners: F. C. Danaldson, chairman ; S. H. Hy- barger, J. B. Walsh, Frank Storz.
City commissioners: J. H. Turner, John Moorhead, Joseph Frisz, Jolın L. Humaston, Bezaleel Holmes.
Park commissioners: F. C. Danaldson, chairman; George E. Farrington, William C. Ball, L. D. Thomas, John T. Scott, secretary.
Cemetery commissioners: F. C. Danaldson, chairman; R. W, Thompson, William Mack, W. R. McKeen, John S. Beach, T. C. Buntin, W. T. Beauchamp.
Equalization: John B. Walsh, First ward; Fred W. Hertwig, Second ward; Fred Siedentopf, Third ward; S. H. Hybarger, Fourth ward; H. C. Steeg, Fifthi ward; Thomas L. Donham, Sixth ward.
Health: F. W. Shaley, M. D., president; H. W. Spain, M. D., secretary; Wilmot Moore, M. D.
Public improvements: H. C. Steeg, F. W. Hertwig, W. B. Steele.
School trustees: Charles W. Hoff, president; N. Boland, treas- urer; Joseph. Richardson, secretary.
1890-91 .-- Officers: Mayor, Frank C. Danaldson; treasurer, William W. Houck ; clerk, A. C. Duddleston; marshal, A. J. Thomp- son; assessor, James W. Haley; attorney, Robert B. Stimson; civil engineer, Frank H. Cooper; street commissioner, Andrew Nehf; superintendent of police, Robert P. Davis; chief of fire department, Josialı D. Jones ; superintendent of cemeteries, James Bain; market master, Chauncey Deming.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
Councilmen: First ward, William E. Burnes, Henry M. Gris- wold; Second ward, Worth B. Steele, C. Bird King; Third ward, John J. Thomas, John W. Ross; Fourth ward, William O. Wel- dele, E. A. Hess; Fifth ward, James P. Leinberger, Edgar L. Lar- kins; Sixth ward, Frank Storz, William Haggerty.
Police commissioners: F. C. Danaldson, chairman; W. B. Steele, H. M. Griswold, William Haggerty.
City commissioners: J. H. Turner, John Moorhead, Joseph Frisz, John L. Humaston, Bezaleel Holmes.
Park commissioners: F. C. Danaldson, chairman; George E. Farrington, William C. Ball, L. D. Thomas, John T. Scott, secre- tary.
Cemetery commissioners : F. C. Danaldson, chairman; R. W. Thompson, William Mack, W. R. McKeen, John S. Beach, T. C. Buntin, W. T. Beauchamp.
Equalization : William E. Burnes, W. B. Steele, John J. Thomas, William O. Weldele, James P. Leinberger, Frank Storz.
Health : W. O. Jenkins. M. D., president; E. E. Glover, M. D., secretary; Leslie McClain, M. D.
Public improvements: James P. Leinberger, W. B. Steele, William O. Weldele.
School trustees: Charles W. Hoff, president; N. Boland, treasurer; M. H. Waters, secretary.
Fire Department, June 9, 1838 .- The first engine house in Terre Haute was ordered built by the common council, and I. W. Edwards, T. A. Madison and Curtis Gilbert were appointed by the council as a committee to obtain a suitable situation. Mr. J. D. Early, representing the council, effected the purchase of an engine from Merrick & Agnew, of Philadelphia, at a cost of $511.11, upon which a cash payment of $88.32 was made. July 14, 1838, the fol- lowing gentlemen were appointed fire wardens, the first wardens selected: First ward, John Crawford; Second ward, Zenas Smith; Third ward, Thomas Houghton; Fourth ward, John S. Burget; Fifth ward, Thomas C. Clayton. These gentlemen were appointed to hold office five years. May 1, 1839, Thomas Houghton was ap- pointed to take care of the engine and engine house. May 17, 1839, ordered that the following premiums be awarded by the common council: For the first hogshead of water delivered at a fire, $3; for the second, $2, for the third, $1, and that the sum of 25 cents be awarded by the common council for each on every hogshead of water so delivered until the fire be extinguished. There were then no public cisterns and few private ones. The people used well water, and would hire draymen to haul water from the river for washing purposes. When a fire alarm came every drayman in town started in a wild mad race to the fire, but first it was helter-skelter
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to the river where his hogshead was quickly filled. It was all a wild and exciting scramble of odd-looking men and old drays and spav- ined horses. John B. Hager drew a picture of one of these scenes at a fire fifty years ago. Drayman Foreman with his dray and hogshead tipping over and water spilling out is in the lead of the procession, closely pressed by Sam Earle and " Old Lot "-the col- ored drayman laying the whip on his mule and his hat sailing away unheeded. The old cut is very animated indeed-in those days everybody went to the fire and the volunteer bucket brigade was a lively institution.
January 3, 1840, an appropriation of $300 was made for the pur- pose of constructing cisterns in each ward, and a hook and ladder apparatus ordered to be purchased. January 3, 1840, ordered that Samuel Easly be allowed $6 for water hauled at the late fire; also $5 to Tilliam B. Taylor, same account.
February 12, 1840, the fire guards appointed in pursuance of the order, regulating the same, reported as having organized them- selves into a company, with Demas Deming, captain; James Was- son, first assistant; Thomas .H. Blake, second assistant; Joseph Cooper, third assistant; Chauncey Rose, fourth assistant.
First Hook and Ladder Company .- The hook and ladder appara- tus previously ordered having been procured, a company was organ- ized as follows: Foreman, T. A. Madison; laddermen, John Craw- ford and A. L. Chamberlain; axmen, F. McGrew and James Hook; hookmen, John Warner and P. H. Hardy; ropemen, Z. Smith and R. Miner; pikemen, John O'Brien and Mahlon Newman; steward, William Ramage; secretary, William Porterfield; treasurer, John Crawford.
First Engine Company .-- Captain, Samuel Crawford; first lieu- tenant, Jonas Seeley; second lieutenant, Noah Beymer; third lieu- tenant, Rufus St. John; fourth lieutenant, S. Musselman; engineer, Stephen Stratton; secretary, R. Tillotson; treasurer, H. Fairbanks. Among the rolls of this company appear the names of such men as Messrs. Jacob D. Early, John Dowling, Wait Williams, George C. Warren, Joseph Graff, Z. C. Hovey, Thomas Parsons, J. O. Jones, Richard Blake, H. Fairbanks, D. S. Danaldson, Alexander McGregor, L. G. Warren, James Farrington, Tom Dowling, Rufus St. John, H. Westfall, Curtis Gilbert, L. Surrell and Robert Wharry.
May 16, 1854, Mr. S. E. Gibbs was elected chief, the first after the incorporation of the city. August 14, 1856, Mr. T. C. Buntin was elected chief. May 19, 1857, Mr. Robert S. Cox was elected chief. Mr. Cox's administration of the affairs of the de- partment was a vigorous and valuable one, and produced much of good in the way of developing the system. June 13, 1859, Josephi C. Yates was elected chief. May 13, 1861, John D. Bell
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was elected chief. Terre Haute never had a more efficient fire chief than this gentleman.
December 18, 1857, Mr. Haney reported to the council that the Northern Liberty Engine house was completed. (House now occu- pied by the No. 1 hose company of the present department. ) The Northern Liberty fire engine cost the city $1,337; purchased of Button & Blake.
May 15, 1860, the chief of the fire department reported the mem- bership of the department, as follows: Chief, engineer and assist- ants, 3; Mohawk Engine and Hose Company No. 1, 94; Vigo En- gine and Hose Company No. 2, 42; Northern Liberty Engine and Hose Company No. 3, 75; Union Hook and Ladder Company No. 4, 36; total 250. He reported fourteen fires during the year with losses of $4,410, of which $1,500 was covered by insurance. May 5, 1868, an order was issued establishing a paid fire department and was adopted by the council.
April 20, 1869, hand engine No. 1 was sold to the Crawfords- ville authorities for $600; shipped C. O. D. April 20, 1869, an alarm bell was purchased at a cost of $300 and placed on the furni- ture factory. May 11, 1869, John D. Bell was re-elected chief of the fire department. May 13, 1868, the expenses of the department for the fiscal year ending May 18, 1869, were $13,269.27. The cost of the hook and ladder wagon was $750.
May 17, 1870, John D. Bell was again elected chief. July 12, 1870, Mahoney and McManimee were appointed engineers. July 12, 1870, the first steps were taken toward establishing a system of water works. April 18, 1871, John D. Bell resigned his position.
September 21, 1869, the Mohawk hand engine was sold to Effing- ham for $1,380, of which $500 was paid cash. May 12, 1871, William Van Brunt was elected chief.
December 19,1870, the Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company was disbanded and the chief was ordered to employ five men at the same salary as hosemen, for a period of one year.
October 1, 1872, the American fire alarm system was adopted and six boxes, one repeater and a three large and one small gong, purchased and placed at a cost of $2,500. May 21, 1872, William Van Brunt was re-elected chief.
January 5, 1873, the residence of the late Patrick Shannon, on the corner of Eighth and Ohio, was destroyed by fire.
May 13, 1873, William Van Brunt was re-elected chief. May 12, 1874, Stephen Mahoney was elected chief.
September 8, 1874, the lot on the corner of Farrington and Fourth streets was ordered purchased, and the old engine house on Fourth, between Ohio and Walnut, was ordered torn down.
January 16, 1874, Henry Stakeman was appointed to take charge of the fire alarm telegraph at a monthly compensation of $25.
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HISTORY OF VIGO COUNTY.
February 3, 1876, the firemen of the city gave a grand benefit ball at the Market House.
May 9, 1876, Henry Ramme was elected chief of the depart- ment. May 14, 1878, Joseph H. Schell was elected chief. May 16, 1879, V. G. Dickout was elected chief. May 24, 1880, V. G. Dick- out was re-elected. September 21, 1880, William Burnett was elected chief, vice Dickout, resigned. May 17, 1881, William Bur- nett was re-elected, and on May 9, 1882, again elected. December 5, 1882, William Burnett was suspended. December 19, 1882, Mr. L. G. Kretz was elected chief. His control of the department dur- ing a long term of service was productive of the best possible re- sults. He was a natural and practical fireman, and it can be justly said that the perfect working of the fire-alarm system in this city is mainly due to his intelligent management.
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