USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of the Fort Wayne Fire Department : extracts from Fort Wayne, Indiana, newspapers > Part 14
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 10/13/1881
Page 5, Col. 3.
Last Tuesday night Van Wert, Ohio was visited by a serious conflagration, resulting in the destruction of six barns on West Main street. The fire was of incendiary origin, a man being seen to run from Hal Moran's barn, the first one to burn, just as the flames burst forth. There were six barns all on fire at one time. The fire engine had been tampered with and a plan had evidently been laid to burn the town.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 10/15/1881
Page 5, Col. 3.
Chief Vogel's resignation is final unless the fire committee suspend Swain. Mr. Vogel very properly believes that while he is chief of the department he should be allowed to exercise some discretion in his authority over his men. If he is to be constantly harrassed by the committee in these small matters he thinks it is time he stepped out.
If the Chief of the fire department should in any event not be re-instated in his position the question of the candidacy of other individuals arises. We know that George Strodel whom we should most favor in the event of another chief being needed, doesn't want the position, believing that a man of business should not be chief of the fire department. However, Mr. Strodel and others of his associates who are friendly to Vogel will remain gallantly by the department as they always have done.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 10/15/1881 Page 5, Col. 4 & 5.
MUCH MUDDLED.
IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF FT. WAYNE.
CHIEF VOGEL REFUSES TO REINSTATE GEO. SWAIN AND IS SUSPENDED BY THE MAYOR.
THE CHIEF WILL RESIGN TO-DAY-BOTH SIDES OF THE DIFFICULTY.
The other morning the Gazette contained a two or three-line item stating that George Swain, driver of the truck, had been suspended from duty in the fire department by the chief, F. B. Vogel, for insubordination. It was not then anticipated that this supposed trifling matter would lead to a serious rupture in the fire committee and the suspension by the mayor of the chief, and his consequent resignation. Yet all these things have come about, and it is in this wise. Yesterday morning, the fire committee, consisting of Councilmen Wolf, Boltz and Yergens, agreed to re-instate Swain, and after reprimanding him ordered him to go to work. Swain went to his duties about noon yesterday and was met by George Thieme who informed him that he had been placed in charge of Swain's team by the chief. Swain waited on the fire committee and reported the situation. The mayor was advised to order the committee to place Swain's reinstatement in writing and present it to the Chief. Councilman Wolf, one of the members of the committee, happened to be unavailable just then, so Messrs. Boltz and Yergens, the other members, signed the document. Chief Vogel happened to be passing about this time and Councilman Boltz stepped out upon the street and asked him if he meant to submit to the ordering of the committee and allow Swain to be reinstated. Mr. Vogel replied "no," whereupon he was shown the order signed by the fire committee, or rather two members thereof. The chief rejoined that this was not sufficient authority and Councilman Boltz reported the matter to the mayor who, considering the chief of the fire department had been guilty of disobedience of orders, suspended him in writing, the suspension being conveyed to Mr. Vogel by the city marshal. The mayor will bring the matter before the council next Tuesday evening to be acted upon by that honorable body.
A reporter heard the statement of the mayor, which is to the effect that Swain started out of the engine house, Wednesday morning, to go to the alleged fire in Duck alley, without notifying the engine drivers of the location of the fire. The chief suspended him and the fire committee agreed with the chief so far as to reprimand him. The mayor stated that it was proven that the chief used boisterous language to Swain and in fact told him to "go to h- . " Consequently, Swain whose offense seemed to be of the head and not of the heart and taking into consideration the aggravating language of the chief to his subordinate, was re-instated. The refusal of the chief to obey orders of the committee (or two of them) was, the mayor thought, a sufficient ground for the officer's suspension. First Assistant Chief Engineer George Strodel was placed in charge of the department, and the men were so notified by the mayor.
The reporter then saw Mr. Vogel, who said little except to deny the statement that he has
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used profane language toward Swain. He said he should obey the orders of the mayor to the letter until he sent in his resignation as chief of the department this morning. If the city could spare his services well and good. He believed he had acted perfectly in accordance with his duty.
Councilman Wolf, who was not at all inclined to let off Swain with his light punishment, a reprimand, but was in favor of suspension, though he finally came around to the way of thinking of Boltz and Yergens for the sake of preserving harmony, upholds Mr. Vogel. Mr. Wolf says he did not sign the order of re-instatement, which is true and intimates that he would not have done so had an opportunity been offered him. He says Councilman Yergens is inclined to agree with him.
From what we personally know, we think that the quarrel between Vogel and swain is a personal one. Swain has not been any too fond of Chief Vogel since that gentleman had occasion to sharply reprimand him some time since for what is alleged to be the careless upsetting of a truck. We think Mr. Vogel has made, in the whole too excellent a fire chief to allow him to resign. The matter can no doubt be amicably arranged.
Just here, however, we would remark that there are altogether too many disturbances in this municipal department, and some efforts should be made to have the machinery run a little more smoothly. The public are getting tired, as it were, of so much dissension.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 10/18/1881
Page 5, Col. 2.
Chief Engineer Vogel, of the fire department, has not yet tendered his resignation, nor will he until after the result of the council meeting tonight. Meanwhile the structures of several city papers are in very bad taste.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 10/19/1881
Page 5, Col. 1 & 2.
Acting Chief Engineer Strodel was for the first time called to direct matters at the fire engine house yesterday. Happily it was but a false alarm.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 10/20/1881
Page 5, Col. 2.
Mr. Frank Vogel, it is said, hesitated to send in his resignation as chief of the fire department because he feared it would be too quickly accepted by the council. We hesitate to believe this report. Mr. Vogel himself claims that he don't want the position, which should settle it.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Sunday 10/23/1881
Page 5, Col. 2 & 3.
Last night at 12:30 o'clock, the alarm summoned the fire department to the rear of J. G. Thieme's residence, East Wayne street. A barn belonging to that gentleman, with its contents consisting of fuel, etc., was destroyed. Loss about $125. A valuable horse belonging to Joe Clark, and much frightened was removed from the barn immediately behind the burning structure.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Sunday 10/23/1881 Page 5, Col. 3.
THE FIRE CHIEF.
We understand that the bitter and unjust opposition of an evening handbill to Mr. F. B. Vogel is on account of the fact that they know and have been informed by him that he cares not a straw for their opinions or advice. The special committee of the council have yet made no report, and it would be in much better taste for Mr. Page to preserve silence until the committee make some report. As yet they have taken no action. It is also understood that the hand-bill has a scheme on foot to displace Vogel and place ex-Marshal H. M. Diehl'n the position at $1,000 or $1,200 per year. Mr. Diehl is an excellent gentleman but we doubt his fitness for the position of fire chief. We think Mr. Vogel will be retained, not at all that he desires to be, but because he is generally conceded to have experience and ability. However, the committee will do as seems proper to them, without consulting the opinion of Page and his hirelings.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 10/26/1881
Page 5, Col. 2.
Chief Vogel was censured last night by the council but was reinstated as chief. This is just the result we expected. Mr. Vogel was proven so efficient in charge of the fire department that even his enemies hesitate to lose his services. Whether he will return to his duties remains to be seen. He believes he was right in his action and may at once tender his resignation. For the interests of our city, we ask him not to do so. The fire department needs his experience and his faithfulness.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 11/01/1881
Page 5, Col. 1.
The fire department has been enlivened by no rows for several days.
A large barn belonging to L. S. Maples, of Maples was destroyed by fire Sunday.
Frank Casso's house, 7 Oak street, was damaged by yesterday morning to the extent of about $25. The flames ate up most of the roof of the back kitchen.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 11/08/1881
Page 5, Col. 1.
We hear of no trouble lately in the fire department. This is passing strange.
1
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 11/10/1881
Page 5, Col. 4 & 5.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT MUDDLE.
WHAT THE LITTLE GAME APPEARS TO BE.
An evening handbill thinks that the mayor is to be commended for his action in demanding an overhauling of the fire department. So he may be, but it may be asked why as executive of the city he has allowed so much dissension, not only in this department, but has winked at abuses in the police department. A number of the firemen, especially the assistant chief and minute men, feel insulted at the mayor's remarks at the council meeting Tuesday night. If the mayor is in favor of the reorganization of the fire department, as the handbill says he is, he must then be willing for the city to stand the expense of a paid department, and do away with the present half pay, half volunteer system. What the fire committee in making their investigations will do, is quite evident. They don't like Mr. Vogel and rather favor the clique of aspirants for the position of fire chief, who are in turn in league with several insubordinate underlings about the engine house. In case of the retirement of Vogel, the present system goes under. We are assured that the volunteers will leave and the paid system will have to be inaugurated. The city is not able to stand this additional expense. $20,000 has to go to the water works, and Captain Hettler was informed Tuesday night by City Treasurer Barton that no money was in his hands for water works purposes. Next year is time enough to disburse money for the fire and police departments, the streets and for other needed improvements. The tax payers, whose friend the Gazette is and ever has been, will appreciate this. We don't see why the mayor felt insulted at Vogel's communication. Thieme, the truck driver, made a complaint, and in discharge of his duty, Mr. Vogel reported the matter to the council.
In conversation with a member of the council yesterday he stated that in case the so-called investigation was merely a scheme to destroy the present volunteer system and gratify the ambition of the aforesaid aspirants, then he, the councilman, would sharply and publicly call the mayor, whose duty it is to see that municipal matters run smoothly, to account.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 11/12/1881 Page 5, Col. 2.
Emmet Dunphy, minute man, who left the fire department in disgust some time ago, on account of some trouble about his salary, says he has been invited to return to the department.
The minute men of the fire department who turned out at the display during the fair and for the benefit of the Adrian delegation were promised two dollars each by a member of the fire committee. They will wait for it.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 11/17/1881
Page 5, Col. 2.
The mayor and fire committee are investigating the irregularities in the fire department. Though the mayor invited our representative to be present at the investigation, the young man found several pad-locks on the door when he called as requested. The seances will not be over before the 20th.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 11/19/1881
Page 5, Col. 2.
The fire department investigating committee yesterday finished with the case of George Swain, charged with subordination. They have adjourned until Monday.
Yesterday morning early, a lively mill occurred at a Calhoun street saloon between a fireman and one Scarr, a butcher, in which the fire laddie got the best of it. This is the affair written up as a prize fight in a disreputable evening publication.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 11/25/1881
Page 5, Col. 1.
Issues will be made in several of the wards at the next city election growing out of the bouncing of Geo. Swain from the fire department.
page 6, col. 1 & 2.
The prevailing opinion seems to be that Chief Vogel will have a tough time of it before he gets through.
Last evening an alarm of fire from box 34 called the department to the house of George Knapp in the Sixth ward. Knapp has been on a drunk, and yesterday afternoon drove his family into the street and then left himself. Shortly after his exit flames were observed issuing from the house, but were extinguished ere much damage was done, some furniture only being burned. Knapp could not be found.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 11/26/1881
Page 6, Col. 1 & 2.
There was a false alarm of fire from box 13, yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. The department had a lively run to the Peters box factory, in Bloomingdale, for their pains.
Jake Kern climbed up to the dome of the court house yesterday afternoon to take observations as to the whereabouts of the fire. Jake reached his lofty position puffing as loudly as the fire engines, and was disgusted to see them returning. Mr. Kern is a pious young man and shocked those exemplary young men. Willis Maier and Dave Spencer by emitting a very audible "damme."
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Sunday 11/27/1881
Page 6, Col. 1.
George Swain is now in the hack business. We wish him luck.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 12/13/1881 Page 6, Col. 2.
On Sunday morning the barn of John Ferguson, at Ferguson Station, on the Muncie road, burned, the structure and contents consisting of horses, cows, hay, grain, feed, carriages, implements, &c., being destroyed. The loss is estimated at $8,000, a small part of which must be borne by John Greer, who had several hundred bushels of corn stored away. Mr. Ferguson carried $1,200 insurance.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 12/30/1881 Page 6, Col. 2.
BADLY BURNED.
TONY HEIT WRESTLES WITH FIRE AND COMES OUT SCORCHED.
Last night, just as the exercises commenced at the Third Presbyterian church, Tony Heit, who assumed the character of Santa Claus, was very badly, though happily not fatally burned. His clothing was covered very thickly with raw cotton, and as he came upon the stage he crowded too closely upon the Christmas tree, and one of the candles falling upon the inflammable material of his dress, in an instant he was wrapped in flame. Several persons rushed immediately forward and pulling the cotton from his clothing and whipping the fire, succeeded in extinguishing it. He was taken across the street to Detzer & Bro.'s drug store where it was found that he was very badly burned in the hands and on the front part of his neck, the skin in places coming off.
Everything was done to alleviate his sufferings, which were intense, and Mr. Heit can be grateful that his injuries were not very much worse than they were.
He was taken to his home in a hack, and it will be some time before Mr. Heit will have much use of his hands.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 01/01/1882 Page 6, Col. 3.
A FIREMAN MADE HAPPY.
Last night Fred Becker, jr., foreman of Vigilants No. 2, was invited from his home, at which place his father is lying low with hemmorhage, to George Strodel's, where he met a room full of his companions, and when order was restored, Mr. John F. Daly addressed him as follows: Mr. Decker- your comrades of Vigilant engine company No. 2, recognizing your sterling honesty and integrity as a man, and your many excellent qualities of head and heart, and remembering our many years of pleasant association with you, both as a private member and as foreman of Vigilant engine company No. 2, take this opportunity of presenting to you this cane as a small mark of our respect and esteem for you as a man, and a souvenir of pleasant memories of your association with us minute men of the Fort Wayne fire department. Accept, then, this cane as a New Year's gift from your comrades of the old Vigilant, and may the coming year find our associations as gentlemen and members of the department as prolific of pleasure and good will as the year of the past. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Daly handed to Mr. Becker a fine gold-headed, ebony cane, on which was engraved:
"F. BECKER, from THE MINUTE MEN OF ENGINE Co. No. 2, 1882."
Mr. Becker was unable to say anything, his surprise was so great, but his face showed the gratitude he felt at the manner in which he was held by his associates.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 01/03/1882 Page 6, Col. 3.
Sunday afternoon the members of the fire department, both paid and minute men, marched to the residence of their chief, Mr. F. B. Vogel, on West Berry street, and through Assistant Chief Engineer Strodel presented him with a beautiful perfume casket formed as a fireman's lantern. Mr. Vogel was taken completely by surprise, and tears came to his eyes as he thought that the boys should thus remember him in his time of trouble. The boys of the fire department seem by this to stand by their chief, and it evinces their feelings louder than words could express.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 01/05/1882 Page 6, Col. 2.
Both the friends and opponents of Chief Engineer Vogel were hard at work yesterday, button-holing councilmen, and this labor of love and antagonism will be vigorously kept up to- day.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 01/06/1882
Page 6, Col. 2-3-4.
The question arose last night at the investigation of Chief Vogel, as to the absence of Alexander Lavanway, an important witness for the prosecution, but the evidence of his father was very straight forward and conclusive that the boy had not been spirited away.
THE VOGEL TRIAL.
THE EXAMINATION COMMENCED -THE EVIDENCES OF THE WITNESSES - RECESS UNTIL TO-NIGHT.
Last night the council met as committee of the whole to try the charges against Chief Engineer of the Fire Department Frank B. Vogel. The entire council was present. Hon. R. C. Bell appeared for the defendant, and filed a general denial of the charges, which are that Vogel kept Dunfee on the pay rolls of the fire department for three months after Dunfee had been discharged; that one Frederick Pohlmeyer was also kept on the pay rolls of the fire department after he had been discharged, and that Vogel had collected the wages of these men the same as though they had been actually employed; also, that Mr. Vogel had purchased, as chief engineer of the fire department, from Mr. Lavanway, a certain amount of oats, which he delivered at his private stable, and yet gave his voucher as an official. The charges were brought by George Swain, formerly a member of the fire department.
Mr. Colerick, the city attorney, stated that he was not ready for trial on account of the absence of a very important witness, and asked that it be continued. Mr. Hettler did not want any "skulduggery" but wanted the case to proceed. Mr. Bell stated that he was willing to admit whatever the prosecution might expect to prove by the absent witness, as claimed by the city attorney; as his (Mr. Bell's) mode of defense would be entirely by documentary evidence which would disprove the charges filed. Mr. Colerick said the law made him the prosecutor of this case and expected that the council would try the case with dignity. He could not believe that any "skullduggery" was intended and a charge of that kind was entirely out of place. Mr. Bell suggested the propriety of proceeding at once. His client was charged with a grave offense and he desired that as the case would be a lengthy one, and might take more than one night, that it would be better to get at the bottom as soon as possible. He did not want to admit, he said, anything which the absent witness might be expected to swear to, which would hereafter militate against his client. Mr. Hettler insisted that the council was here for something or for nothing, and that the case should go ahead and examine those witnesses who were present.
Mr. Wise took the floor, but was interrupted by Capt. Hettler. Mr. W. in a very cool manner sat down upon the irate captain, who winced under his reproof. A long discussion followed as to whether the case should begin, and it was concluded to proceed with the case at once.
Mr. Colerick thought that the council should be sworn in cases of malfeasance in office by a city officer, but he would leave the matter to the council. He read a decision in the New York reports to show that if a board of aldermen sit as a court and were not sworn, that a
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conviction would be void.
Mr. Hettler (sotto voice) - "I'll not be sworn."
Mr. Bell read from the laws of the state of Indiana that an officer could be removed from office by a vote of a city council.
The council was not sworn and the trial commenced.
Mr. Colerick stated, in opening the case, that he expected to prove malfeasance in office on the part of defendant. He would not ask that a single blot be placed upon the defendant but he would prove that men had been kept on the pay rolls of the fire department for several months after they had left the department. And that Mr. Vogel had collected this money and put it in his pocket. He also said he expected to prove by Mr. Lavanway that oats to the amount of $6.75 had been bought on a voucher of the city by Chief Vogel and that these oats had been carried to his private residence.
Mr. Bell, in answer to Mr. Colerick, said that his client was prepared to disprove all the charges brought against him, and that they had only been brought through malice and ill will. He said that he would prove that Mr. Pohlmeyer had never drawn a penny of the city's money after he left the department. He said that he had looked into the city government affairs and found that it had not been unusual for city officials to draw money for others, and even in advance, as he would show before the case concluded, and that it probably would be a matter of economy to the city that he make the revelation. As regards the Dunfee charge, he said that Mr. Vogel could not recollect in regard to it; that perhaps the resignation had been handed to him, but if it had, he did not recollect it. Mr. Bell said that he would make the evidence so clear before he finished the case that his client would be adjudged guiltless of the charges.
Fred Becker being sworn said he had been a member of the fire department nine or ten years; was foreman of Vigilant hose company; said Pohlmeyer quit the service sometime last March; eight men in my company last March; never kept a roll and of could not remember the names of the company; Mr. Pohlmeyer on the first day of last January was one of my minute men; don't know whether he was on the payroll in February; I reported him for discharge, I think, in March; I reported him for neglect of duty; he neglected to meet three or four runs; I got a man to take his place; think it was John Doley; the chief kept the time of my men; can't recollect when Pohlmeyer went to the last fire.
On the cross-examination a letter written by witness and dated March 8, 1881, and postmarked the 9th reporting Fred Pohlmeyer for neglect of duty was fully identified by him. I had always been in the habit, as foreman, to report a man who did not do his duty, to the chief and asked for a man to be put in his place.
Fred. Pohlmeyer, being sworn, stated that he had been a member of the fire department, and had drawn pay to March 9 last; never was notified of my dismissal; I scarcely ever drew my pay myself, Mr. Kiser and others used to draw it; one month my name did not appear on the pay- roll at all, but the chief afterward put it on; I was away for a while at work in the country, told somebody to attend to runs for me; do not know whether they did or not; I owed Mr. Vogel money and gave him an order for six months pay; I have never had a conversation with Mr. Vogel in relation to his troubles.
On the cross-examination, witness said that he drew for the month of March 1881, 2.40; I was a member of the minute company until the 8th of March; I did not know it until after that, when I came to a fire and was informed to that effect; at that time I authorized Mr. Vogel to draw my pay; I owed him for clothing; I did not tell Mr. Vogel at one time when I went away to
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