USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of the Fort Wayne Fire Department : extracts from Fort Wayne, Indiana, newspapers > Part 10
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PAPER UNKNOWN
01/01/1880
* Wilson (George H.) and Muhler (Charles F. ) Hardware Store, 87 W. Columbia street was destroyed by fire. The three upper floors were completely gutted. The building owned by the Ewing Estate.
PAPER UNKNOWN
01/03/1880
* Charles Bulger, age 11, son of Patrick J. Bulger 61 Clinton, driver fire department.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Monday 01/12/1880 Page 4, Col. 2.
The residence of A. Schonsenburg, 37 Barr street, was discovered to be on fire on Saturday morning. The flames were extinguished without the aid of the department.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 01/14/1880
Page 4, Col. 4.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The committee appointed to look into the differences existing between Chief Vogel and the council reported that Mr. Vogel had consented to live up to the requirements of the council, and that their differences had therefore been amicably adjusted.
The committee on fire department and chief engineer were instructed to make out a list of those persons exempt from taxation on account of being firemen and report to the next meeting of the council.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 01/15/1880
Page 4, Col. 2.
A chimney in the residence of Wm. Emes, on Montgomery street, took fire early yesterday morning, creating quite a scare among the female members of the family. The floor of the chamber, where the chimney passed through, caught fire from the heat. No alarm was given.
On Tuesday night next a private hop will be given by the minute men of the fire department, at Mrs. E. Dunfee's, corner Pearl street and Maiden lane. The Fort Wayne firemen are always prompt at the sound of the fire alarm, but upon this occasion they will answer the call of other belles.
1030
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 01/16/1880
Page 4, Col. 4.
BAD FOR ORFF.
THE FIRE FIEND VISITED HIM LAST EVENING.
At 8:30 o'clock last evening, fire was discovered in the second-story of the building occupied by Orff & Co., dealers in dry goods, millinery and notions. No. 5, Columbia street. The alarm was instantly given from Mayer & Graffe's. In less time, almost, than it takes to write it the sprightly fire laddies were at the scene of the conflagration, and in ten minutes had the fire completely extinguished. Up stairs, where the fire caught, is the office of the Dispatch newspaper. Near the table, upon which much of the writing is done, are two gas jets. One end of a rubber pipe was attached to one of those jets, and the other end to a portable burner sitting upon the table. At a quarter to eight the young man who sleeps in the store, left the building, and this light burning very dimly. At that table was where the fire originated, but whether from the burning gas or not can not be determined. Much of the papers belonging to the Dispatch were burned, and many pieces of velvets, and hats, flowers, ribbons, laces, feathers, rusches, etc., belonging to Orff & Co., were totally destroyed. The principal loss was from water, however, the full extent of which, of course, can not be definitely stated. Below most of the goods were upon shelves, and those stacked upon the counters were removed to the shelves, before they were much damaged by the water which soon began pouring through the ceiling.
The building belongs to Bissel & Co., of Hartford, Conn., and is insured for $3,000. The damage to the building will be from $100 to $200. The damage to the stock will be from $2,500 to $3,000, which is fully covered by insurance. The entire stock in the building is worth about $28,000, so that there was a chance for a first-class fire.
When the alarm was given Mr. Orff and family were attending the sociable at Mr. McCulloch's. So soon as Mr. Orff was told that his store was on fire he rushed for the place, and arrived there in a very excited condition. A policeman was guarding the door, but before he had time to ascertain who sought admission Mr. Orff placed his hand against the glass in the door and broke it, a fragment of which cut his wrist quite seriously. The stock will be placed in shape in a few days, so that the business of the house will not be suspended.
1
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 01/17/1880
Page 4, Col. 2 & 3.
The damage to Orff & Co's. store, by fire and water, will not foot up quite $2,500. The store was closed all day yesterday, awaiting the action of the insurance companies.
A burning chimney at the Tremont House caused considerable excitement in that part of the city, on yesterday afternoon. For a time the smoke rolled up as from the smoke stack of a Mississippi steamboat, and the way people did scamper about for a few moments was a caution. The department was not called out.
THE FIRE AT ORFF'S - A CORRECTION.
To the editor of the Gazette.
There is no truth whatever in the statement of the daily press that the fire of Thursday night originated in the part of the building used as the office of the Dispatch. The fire broke out near the head of the stairs, close by the desk used by Frank Orff for filing correspondence and papers for Orff & Co. The sanctum of the Dispatch is at the north end of the room, and no documents, books or other adjuncts of the paper were injured in the least.
James Mitchell.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Monday 01/19/1880
Page 4, Col. 2.
At 7:15 last evening an alarm of fire was sent in from box 16, corner Chicago and Calhoun streets, caused by the explosion of a lamp in Hartnett's saloon, No. 12 Chicago street. The fire was extinguished before the department arrived on the scene. Damage slight.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday
01/21/1880
Page 4, Col. 3.
THE MINUTE MEN.
The minute men of the fire department assembled at the residence of Mrs. E. Dunfee, on Maiden lane, last evening, to enjoy themselves as only the "fire laddies: know how. Their lady friends, as a natural consequence, accompanied them, among them being Misses Alice McCafferty, Lizzie Weekman, Addie Gassett, Lizzie McKee, Lizzie Ringwald, Maggie Lahey, Emily Smithers, Laura Broach, E. and Ida McNeil, Carrie and Emma Snyder, Lily McMullen, Mary Bender, Lida Ayres, and a score of others. Dancing was kept up until a late hour. Had a vote been taken, all present would have voted in the affirmative on tendering a vote of thanks for the courteous treatment they received at the hands of the hostess, and would have further expressed the wish that the time is not far distant when another such occasion may be enjoyed.
1033
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 01/28/1880
Page 1, Col. 3 & 4.
THE CITY COUNCIL.
The committee on fire department reported that they had prepared a list of persons exempt from taxation, on account of being firemen; in favor of a fire alarm box corner of Main and Van Buren streets; in favor of the purchase of a galvenometre bell magnet, switch board, testing board and a street box testing apparatus, and that the Francis street dock had been repaired. Received and placed on file.
RESOLUTIONS.
That the chief of fire department erect a fire alarm box at the corner of Main and Van Buren streets.
That the bill of W. Chandler, for galvenometre, etc., amounting to $250, be allowed.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 02/11/1880 Page 4, Col. 2.
A flag suspended above one of the windows, on the east side of Arion hall, took fire, last night, but it was extinguished before materially damaged or alarm created.
A slight blaze broke out in James' shoe shop on Barr street, yesterday morning, which was promptly extinguished by the application of a few buckets of water. Damage slight.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 02/13/1880
Page 4, Col. 2.
A fire at the residence of Conrad Norwald, 61 Williams street, on yesterday morning, did about $25 worth of damage. The fire was extinguished before the fire department arrived at the place.
1034
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Monday 02/16/1880
Page 4, Col. 2.
An incipient blaze was discovered, about 1 o'clock this morning, by Policeman Ryan, at the corner of Washington and Harrison streets, on the premises of Charles Koch, caused by emptying hot ashes. The officer, with the aid of a few buckets of water, extinguished the fire without sending in an alarm.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 02/20/1880 Page 4, Col. 2.
Yesterday morning, between eight and nine o'clock, a fire was discovered at the base of the dome of the court house. The incipient conflagration was arrested by means of a pail of water in the hands of Mr. Pohlmeyer.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Monday 03/15/1880 Page 4, Col. 2.
A burning chimney in the residence of H. R. Schwegman, corner of Jefferson and Clinton streets, yesterday forenoon, called out the fire department. A portion of the ceiling around the chimney was torn away, but no further damage was done. Loss, about $10.
A fire broke out at 8 o'clock on Saturday evening in the stable of Miss Mary Green, corner of Ewing and Berry streets. It was occupied by E. W. Prescott for storing sea grass. Loss on building and contents about $1,000. Mr. P. Hoagland's barn, adjoining, was damaged to the extent of $100. The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 03/27/1880 Page 4, Col. 3.
A small fire at the residence of Mrs. Young on Brandriff street burned a hole in the roof, but was extinguished before further damage was done. Our fire department is a squelcher on fires.
There was a lively rush of fire engines, hose carts, etc., to the corner of Harrison and Pearl streets last night at about 8:30 o'clock. The cause was an incipient fire in a small building belonging to Robert Klahn, and situated half a block back from Calhoun street. The damage will be about $25. The place was set on fire.
1035
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 03/31/1880 Page 4, Col 3 & 4.
A Kendallville dispatch of last evening says: "Last night the extensive planing mill of L. A. Reed took fire, and, but for the well-timed efforts of the fire department and of Mr. Reed and his employes, would have burned to the ground. Considerable lumber and coal was around the shops, besides very valuable machinery."
HOT NEIGHBORS.
THAT IS THE CONDITION OF THE "GAZETTE'S FRIENDS.
THE FIRE FIEND CALLS UPON THEM, AND DESTROYS $25,000 WORTH OF PROPERTY. THE FIRE LADDIES DO THEMSELVES PROUD, THOUGH AT THE PERIL OF THEIR LIVES.
At about eight o'clock last evening the fire bell ding-donged its warning, and in an instant, the fire department rushed from their quarters to the scene of the conflagration, No. 19 West Main street, three doors east of the Gazette office. The fire was discovered to be in the third story of the building, occupied by H. J. Trentman & Bros. as a packing room. At first it was thought that the flames could be easily extinguished, but, despite the strenous efforts of the firemen, it rapidly spread, and soon secured a footing between the upper ceiling and the Mansard roof. From below it was impossible to reach the flames, and from above the almost melting roof precluded the possibility of the firemen rendering any further service than to merely throw water upon it. Soon, however, a hook was raised to the roof by means of a rope, when an opening was quickly made, but the surging flames seemed to defy the action of the water and only raged more furiously than before. From below the energetic firemen worked with might and main, braving the clouds of smoke and steam that ever anon hovered in impenetrable clouds about them, yet their action seemed as but a toy in the hands of the monster they were fighting. Onward sped the dire destroyer, and not until the structure in which it found its birth was laid in utter waste did it succumb to the influence of the streams poured upon it by the groaning engines and the active fire laddies. At 10:30 the flames had communicated to the adjoining building occupied by Noll Bro's, wholesale milliners, and in a brief period had gutted the upper story so effectually that an entire reconstruction will be necessary.
The building in which the fire originated, is occupied by H. J. Trentman & Bros., wholesale dealers in china, crockery and glassware, the damage to which, consodering the loss on stock, etc., will not fall short of $15,000. The damage to the building and stock, occupied by Noll Bros., will be between $5,000 and $10,000. Of course these figures are but estimates and may vary largely when the true loss is ascertained.
The block, consisting of three stores, is owned by the Kane Bros., who have an insurance
1036
probably sufficient to repair the damages.
FIRE NOTES.
The Gazette got its thinking cap on about the time the fire was the warmest last night. The proprietor, editors and devils had about made up their minds to change quarters.
A fire was discovered in the third story of the Gazette building at about 10:30 o'clock. Whether it originated in an accidental or a willful manner is a debatable question.
How the fire originated in Mr. Trentman's store is a mystery. No fire had been in that part of the building, and whether it was spontaneous combustion or carelessness or otherwise is not fully decided as we go to press.
Trentman's will probably be closed for several days. It will take sometime to place their goods to rights and repair the building.
Many suppose that crockery cannot be damaged by water. This is a mistake. The stains from the charcoal colored water will completely destroy china and crockery ware.
Noll Bros.' stock was terribly damaged by water. They will find considerable trouble in assorting the damaged goods from those not damaged, and it is not likely will be able to resume business for several days.
Hanna, Wiler & Co., wholesale dealers in notions, etc., were considerably "broke up" last night. The only loss they will sustain, however, will be in the trivial inconvenience they are put to.
A young man named A. M. Jones, a base ballist, is a good shot. He threw stones through the fourth story windows, over Noll Bros.'s store, last night, when the stream from the hose failed to break them.
Some of the windows were broken by shots from a pistol last night. A good idea.
Asa Lewis, Solomon Berger and Fred Michaels, firemen, were up stairs over Trentman's store last night, when the roof fell in. Each of them was quite severely injured by being cut about the head and bruised on the back and shoulders. Lewis was the only one injured so severely that he could not return to duty. He was carried to his home and is unable to be out.
The firemen worked like heroes, and deserve great credit for subduing the flames as early as they did.
About 4,000 people took in the fire.
Several gentlemen from Logansport purchased a pitcher of beer and jocosely whiled the "flickering" hours away.
An old lady taking in the sights was nearly drowned by the accidental turning of the stream from the hose upon her.
Effectual work was done by the firemen ascending the roof of a building on the opposite side of the street, and throwing water from there upon the roof of the burning building.
LATER.
Noll Bros. have an insurance of $3,000. They carry a stock valued at from $25,000 to $80,000. The insurance will probably not cover their loss.
Hanna, Wiler & Co., wholesale dealers in notions and furnishing goods, removed much of their stock to the Home Billiard rooms. The only loss they will sustain is the damage to the goods by removal, and the trouble in doing so. They carry a stock valued at from $75,000 to $100,000. Their loss will be covered by insurance.
1037
H. J. Trentman & Bro. carry a stock valued at from $40,000 to $45,000. The greatest damage is by water.
Darrow & Warner, who own a printing office located in the Gazette building, in their fright, removed a quantity of their material across the street to a place of safety.
The work of repairing the damaged buildings will be begun immediately. The police officers were vigilant last night.
The firemen had not left "the scene of the disaster" at 2 o'clock this morning.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 04/02/1880 Page 4, Col. 3 & 4.
ANOTHER FIRE.
THIS TIME IT IS WORTH BUT A COOL THOUSAND.
At 12:50 this morning an alarm of fire was sounded, and, quick as lightning, the fire department responded to the call. The fire was found to be in the woodsheds and coal houses of Mayor Zollinger, E. F. Carry, and O. P. Morgan, situated on the alley between Washington and Jefferson, Clinton and Barr streets. The sheds, three in number, were almost totally destroyed, besides outhouses, stables, etc. The fire was well under way before discovered, it evidently, being the work of an incendiary, who, to make his work sure, kindled it in each of the places destroyed. All the buildings are the property of O. P. Morgan, who will lose about $1,000 by their destruction. Whether insured or not the reporter could not learn, but those who occupied them were of the opinion that they were not, The loss to the individuals who occupied the buildings will be but trifling. Mayor Zollinger had a few cords of wood destroyed, which is his only loss. Mr. Carry had about twenty cords of wood burned, and O. P. Morgan suffered a loss, aside from the buildings, about the same as Mr. Carry. The flames were entirely extinguished at 8 o'clock this morning.
1038
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 04/07/1880
Page 4, Col. 3.
A SMALL FIRE.
A fire broke out in the drying room of Peters' Box and Lumber company, at 1:30 yesterday afternoon. The fire department responded to the alarm with their usual alacrity, reaching the place and extinguishing the flames before any very serious damage was done. The mansard roof of the building was torn up in several places, to give the firemen an opportunity to reach the fire, and in this consisted the greatest damage. The place was filled with light box timber, pail and tub bottoms, etc. The stock had been in the drying room four days, and in another twenty-four hours would have been removed. It is but little damaged.
The building has an insurance in the Springfield Fire and Marine of $1,000; Niagra, $1,000; Phoenix, $1,500; Howard, $1,000; North American, $2,000; and the Liverpool, London and Globe, $2,000.
Aside from the delay in adjusting the loss, the company will lose nothing.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 04/10/1880 Page 4, Col. 2.
The Kerr Murray fire engine is out of sorts. It was being taken out to fill cisterns, yesterday afternoon, when a portion of the gearing gave way. It will be taken to the shops for repairs.
A small dwelling on Third street, occupied by John Murphy, one of the employes in the telephone office, took fire yesterday afternoon and was slightly damaged. The building was owned by Peter Veith, who will have to expend about $75 upon it before it is again habitable. The fire caught from the chimney.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 04/13/1880
Page 4, Col. 2.
The firemen are not angry, nor are they on their nerve, but they would kindly suggest to the street drivers that if they would just "whoa" while the fire engines and hose carts are passing, it might be the means of avoiding an accident sometime.
1039
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 04/14/1880
Page 4, Col. 2 & 4.
Chief Vogel is a tiger on selling hand engines.
CITY COUNCIL.
PETITIONS.
For a fire alarm box at the corner of Dewald and Minor streets. Referred.
From Gustave A. Strodel, a fireman for an increase of pay. Referred.
The resignation of C. F. Pohlmeyer, as driver of the fire department supply cart, was presented and accepted.
From the minute men of the fire department, for an increase of pay. Referred to the committee on fire department.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS.
The chief engineer of the fire department reported that he had sold one of the fire department horses for $120, and purchased another for $185, and had sold a hand engine, horse cart and five hundred feet of hose, not fit for steamer service, to the city of Antwerp, for $800, to be paid for in one, two and three years, at 6 per cent interest from date.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 04/16/1880 Page 4, Col. 2.
A burning chimney on West Main street called out the fire department yesterday. No damage.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 05/12/1880
Page 4, Col. 4.
CITY COUNCIL.
The candidates for chief of fire department were Frank Vogel, Fred Boltz, Dr. Brooks and Clark Slocum. The first ballot resulted in the selection of Vogel, he receiving ten votes, Boltz four, Slocum three, and Brooks one.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 05/19/1880 Page 4, Col. 4.
CHILD BURNED TO DEATH.
HORRIBLE WORK OF YOUTHFUL INCENDIARIES.
Yesterday afternoon, about 2 o'clock, a small barn located at the corner of Archer street and Franklin avenue, belonging to a Mr. Zimmerlein, was totally destroyed by fire, and with it a little three year old daughter of Mr. Christ. Mehlenger, who occupies the premises as a tenant. The locality where the fire occurred is about two miles from the engine house, in a north northeasterly direction, and as soon as it was discovered an alarm was sent in from box No. 8, which is a mile distant from where it occurred. The department responded promptly, but on arriving at box No. 8 they were told that nothing but a lot of brush had been destroyed, so they retraced their steps. The painful facts of the case were soon received, however, when Chief Vogel, accompanied by several of the firemen, visited the scene.
They found that the barn, which was a small frame structure, had been set on fire by a couple of young vagabonds named James Miles and Charley Cemesky, but for what reason, or on what provocation is not known. At the time of the fire little Leity Elizabeth Mehlinger aged three years, and her brother aged eight years, were in the building playing. The boy succeeded in escaping with a severe scorching, but his unfortunate little sister was unable to get out in time, and her remains were found among the ruins, burned to a crisp. The family residence is located only about sixty feet from the barn. The father of the children was away working, and the mother was at home, but in her great grief and excitement was unable to give any explanation of the sad affair.
An adjoining barn, belonging to S. F. Buth, was also destroyed, the entire financial loss being in the neighborhood of five hundred dollars.
The names of the young miscreants who were guilty of this hideous crime are known, and the officers are after them, but up to the time of going to press they had not been captured.
1041
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 05/26/1880 Page 4, Col. 4.
CITY COUNCIL.
Report of committee on fire, allowing Messrs. Fred Michaels and Asa Lewis, the two men injured at fire, twenty dollars apiece was concurred in.
Fire department estimate for ensuing year $15,000.
A communication from chief engineer of fire department was read. Geo. Strodel has been appointed first and John Gowan second assistant engineer. Report concurred in. Balance of report calling attention to inefficiency of the department was referred to committee on fire department. Annual report of chief engineer was referred to fire committee without reading.
A resolution to locate a fire alarm box at the corner of Spring street and St. Mary's avenue, was referred to committee on fire department.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 05/27/1880 Page 4, Col. 3.
PRESENTATION TO A WORTHY FIREMAN.
The Alert Hook and Ladder company, No. 1, had a special social meeting last evening, at which Mr. George Swain, a driver of one of the wagons, was presented with a new suit of clothes, consisting of silver cloth and blue buttons. The presentation speech, which was very eloquent and appropriate for the occasion, was delivered by Mr. Charles McCulloch, and was responded to by the happy recipient in excellent style. The presenters, some fifty in number, adjourned after the presentation ceremonies to Entemann's, where a banquet was indulged in and a number of eloquent speeches promulgated. Among the strangers present were Dr. McDowell, chief of the fire department at Arcola, and A. J. Stewart, of Bluffton. Dennis O'Brien performed the wonderful war dance act to the great edification of the guests. The entire gang of banqueters were engaged for several hours in hunting up Tom Hedekin, but the search was fruitless. Altogether the affair was a very pleasant one and will long be remembered, especially by the happy recipient of the new garments.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE
Thursday 06/10/1880
Page 4, Col. 3.
FIRE.
A FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR BLAZE AT THE LUMBER YARD OF COOMBS & CO. YESTERDAY MORNING.
About 10 o'clock, yesterday morning, a fire was discovered in the lumber yard, or the house used for storing lumber and manufactured wood work by Coombs & Co., located in the southern part of the city, near the Pittsburg railroad. The fire department responded promptly, but the fire was in a portion of the building which it was impossible to get at promptly, and for a long time they were compelled to fight the enemy blindly. The firemen also experienced the difficulty of having no water convenient so that it was found necessary to make connection with the Pittsburg shops and Bass' foundry, which consumed considerable time. The department, however, soon made the necessary arrangements to fight the destroying element, and in a short time, though the fire had gained considerable headway, they had it under control. There was no insurance on the stock. The loss is estimated at almost five hundred dollars, but it may turn out to be more than that sum. The origin of the fire is unknown.
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