USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of the Fort Wayne Fire Department : extracts from Fort Wayne, Indiana, newspapers > Part 19
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The old man's eyes flashed as he said; "I'll never give it up! I'll build it, and there are men enough in this city to see that it has a fair trial, and it shall have it. When it is finished it
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will be heard from at the first fire and woe to those who stand in its way."
With that we separated. As the time approached for the public trial of the engine the volunteer firemen were in a ferment. It would never do to destroy the engine before it had a trial, and to destroy it after a successful exhibit of its powers was made equally useless, so it was understood that no demonstration, pro or con, would be made on it until it should come to a fire. Then it was to be rendered useless, and all who had a hand in its working were to be rendered useless, too. The public trial came off. The engine far exceeded in efficiency anything that had been claimed for it by its inventor, or by his backers, and a feeling of satisfaction swept over the city at the knowledge that such a great auxiliary power was with them to fight fire. Still it was known, or believed generally, that its first appearance at a fire would be the signal for as bloody a riot as had ever disgraced the city. The volunteer fire department was there, as everywhere else, a political ring far more efficient under ordinary circumstances at the polls than at a fire, and its members were to a man selected for their "influence" at the voting precincts and for their ability to make the contents of the ballot-box when it was emptied show "by a large majority" their man ahead no matter what kind of ballots had gone into it. Then, if this "steamer" was of any account it would ruin and break up not only the companies but their friends and backers, and the manufacturers who built them.
One night an alarm rang out from some great warehouse on Third street, near Main. A minute or two elapsed to the listeners on Main street above Fourth, and then down came the great steam fire engine, four mammoth gray horses in front of it, at a gallop, the smoke streaming from its stack, the fire flashing from its grates, its ponderous wheels grinding the cobble stones into powder as they struck them, and, as the great monster went down the hill, people woke as out of a trance and started after it.
The engine was brought in front of the block, and soon stream after stream shot from it. The warehouses were among the most valuable in the city, and were stored with costly goods. The time had come, the engine was there, four streams had been gotten on, when the cry, "The hose is cut!" rang out. Then the melee began, but the citizens were stronger than the volunteer firemen, and after a struggle the "steamer" drowned the fire and was taken home.
The next morning Moses Latta awoke to find himself famous, and the action of the appreciative citizens of Cincinnati soon put him in a position where his genius was made more available to the world. The "steamer" of to-day has little in it outside of the fact that it is built to effect the same purpose as was Latta's engine, but that was the germ of all those which now at the tap of the electric bell seem to hitch themselves to the horses and tear down our streets when an alarm is struck.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 01/01/1884
Page 6, Col. 1.
A chimney burned out on Walnut street yesterday, at the house of Mr. McLean. The department had a run
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 01/03/1884
Page 6, Col. 2.
Last night, an alarm from box 62 called the department to Montgomery street, between Clay and Monroe streets. A smoke-house, belonging to one Stratletzsky, burned. Loss trifling.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday
01/03/1884
Page 1, Col. 6.
There was a $40 blaze this afternoon at the residence of Leopold Wolf, corner of Van Buren and Jefferson streets. A coal of fire dropped from the stove and ignited the carpet and floor. The department was not called out. Glutting, Bauer & Michael, the insurance men, will make good the loss.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 01/04/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
The house of C. H. Aldrich, of South Calhoun street, caught fire yesterday afternoon, but was extinguished without the aid of the department.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Friday 01/04/1884
Page 4, Col. 2.
Yesterday the residence of Charles H. Aldrich, esq., caught fire from a defective grate. The damage done can scarcely be covered by one hundred dollars. Insured in the Lumbard agency.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Monday 01/07/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
This morning, at 5:30, the fire department was called out from box eighteen, at the corner of Lafayette and Leith streets. The cause of the alarm was a wood shed on fire. That being beyond the point where water mains are laid, the department was obliged to carry water in buckets. The shed was the property of a widow and the loss is small.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Monday 01/07/1884
Page 4, Col. 2.
At five o'clock this morning the Fire Department was called to the corner of Lafayette and Leith streets, at the south-east limits of the city, by the burning of a barn well filled with stove wood. The loss will amount to two hundred dollars.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday
01/10/1884 Page 3, Col. 4.
A burning dwelling was recently extinguished in Auburn by means of snow balls. No water was available and the crowd began firing the "beautiful" into the burning building so rapidly that the flames were soon subdued.
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1
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS
Thursday 01/10/1884
Page 1, Col. 5.
CONFLAGRATION.
THE BUSINESS PORTION OF MAYSVILLE GUTTED.
Last night the smart little town of Maysville, in Springfield township, experienced a calamity such as it has never before known. The business portion of the town was blighted by fire to such an extent that it will be difficult of restoration.
Dr. Franklin K. Cosgrove, of the place, informs us that the flames originated in the meat market of Dresback & Patte, and before they could be checked, communicated with the hardware store of O. Minnick, with George James' bakery, and with James Weaver's grocery. All of these buildings were completely destroyed and the side of the building owned by the Free Masons was badly damaged.
The establishment of Weaver was not insured, and the others were partially protected by risks in Fort Wayne agencies. Some declare that the origin of the fire must have been incendiary, but this is easier stated than demonstrated.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 01/11/1884
Page 6, Col. 5.
A $2,000 FIRE.
THE POST OFFICE BUILDING CATCHES A BLAZE- MORE DAMAGE BY AXES AND WATER THAN BY FIRE.
Last at 11:30 o'clock that vigilant officer, Lieutenant Wilkinson was passing the postoffice building on Court street. His sensitive nostrils smelt smoke and he paused. A moment later Frank's keen optics saw smoke issuing from the second story of the building, and he straightway ran to the fire engine house where Mike Connors was on duty. It was but the work of a few moments to arouse the department who, by their energetic efforts, saved the building from incineration.
The fire originated in the law office of Hays & Wilson, and so far as could be learned was occasioned by a cigar stump or match thrown upon the floor. For a long time the firemen were unable to locate the original starting place of the fire, but when they did so they promptly extinguished it. Their intelligent efforts under Chief Hilbrecht's direction are deserving of our highest praises.
The building was of course most damaged by water and the axes of the firemen. The third story is occupied as the meeting rooms of Fort Wayne lodge No. 14, I.O.O.F, Concordia lodge No. 152, I.O.O.F., and the Daughters of Rebekah. The second floor, where the conflagration started is used for lawyers' offices and the Boys' World establishment. Brother Rine Caps remained in charge of the society rooms all night.
Messrs. Fred Drake and D. C. Sutton, of the post office, were present early, and the latter took charge of matters. The delivery department was slightly inundated by water but not enough to do serious damage.
The building is owned by Henry Burgess, of New Haven, and is amply insured. The tenants are also insured from loss. Chief Hilbrecht estimates the damage at about $2,000.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 01/11/1884
Page 3, Col. 2 & 4.
FOUND A BLAZE.
FRANK WILKINSON DISCOVERS A FIRE IN THE POST OFFICE BUILDING A BIG CONFLAGRATION PREVENTED.
Last night Lieut. Frank Wilkinson discovered smoke issuing from the upper windows of the post office building. He ran to the engine house and had Mike Connors turn in an alarm. The department was soon on the spot and the fire pointed out in the office of Hays & Wilson. A big hole was burned in the floor and the blaze was rapidly spreading, when a fierce stream of water was turned on it. The post office below was flooded and considerable damage done the mail material. The fire had crept up to the third floor and burned into the woodwork, but was easily quenched. The third story is occupied as the meeting rooms of Fort Wayne lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F., Concordia lodge No. 152, I. O. O. F., and the Daughters of Rebekah. The second floor, where the conflagration started, is used for lawyer's offices and the Boys' World establishment. Rine Caps remained in charge of the rooms on the third floor all night. The damage by fire and water will fall considerably below $1,000. Henry Burgess, of New Haven, owns the building. All losses are covered by insurance.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Monday 01/14/1884 Page 6, Col. 4 - 5.
A BLAZE CHECKED.
WITHOUT RECOURSE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT-LILLIE & MUNSON'S WAREHOUSE SET ON FIRE BY THE ACTION OF WATER ON LIME.
Yesterday what might have been a destructive conflagration at Lillie & Munson's warehouse was prevented with slight loss. The thaw of yesterday melted the snow and ice, which trickled down on the floor of the lime-house and upon the lime in sacks, and about $100 worth of the calcinable substance was destroyed. About 2 o'clock Mr. Lillie had occasion to visit the warehouse and discovered the fire, which was checked without calling on the department.
There is full insurance. It is fortunate that the fire was discovered in season to prevent the destruction of some $25,000 worth of property.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Monday 01/14/1884
Page 1, Col. 3.
A hand grenade, which is said to contain a substance that will readily extinguish fires when thrown into burning buildings, will shortly be exhibited to the municipal authorities.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 01/19/1884 Page 7, Co. 1.
A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TEST.
Yesterday at the base ball park Mayor Zollinger, Chief Engineer Hilbrecht, several members of the council and about three or four hundred prominent merchants and citizens, witnessed a test of the Harden hand grenade, a patent device for extinguishing fires.
Mr. T. B. Mapp the agent, was present and looked after the arrangements. A piano packing case about ten feet high was smeared inside and out with pine tar, a lot of shavings and kindling wood thrown in and the whole saturated with kerosene oil. The inflammable material was then ignited, and when in full blaze Mr. Mapp threw in several hand grenades which burst and totally extinguished the conflagration in less than a minute.
The Harden hand grenade consists of a glass globe filled with a chemical fluid, highly charged with and generating in fire heat, a gas in which it is claimed, it is impossible for combustion to continue. A broad surface of flame is covered when a grenade breaks, while the large quantities of the fire extinguishing gas and the action of the fire on the fluid causes still further generation of the gas. The test yesterday was highly successful, and it is quite probable that the fire committee will purchase a lot of the grenades which cost from $9 to $5 per dozen. Mayor Zollinger is in favor of it, and so are the councilmen who were present at the test.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Sunday 01/20/1884 Page 6, Col. 1.
A serious fire occurred Friday night at Leipsic, at the crossing of the Dayton & Michigan and the Nickel Plate roads. The fire broke out shortly before midnight, and destroyed seven business houses and two dwellings.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Sunday 01/20/1884
Page 6, Col. 2.
The Alerts are arranging an excursion to Chicago to witness the panorama there, "The Battle of Gettysburg", said by those who have seen it, to be startlingly realistic.
Last night there were two alarms of fire. The department first turned out to the Mayer house where a chimney burned with no damage. The next alarm was from the corner of Barr and Jefferson streets. A chimney of the frame building occupied by Gus. Mossheimer and George Pettis, burned out. There was no damage reported in this case.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Monday 01/21/1884
Page 1, Col. 2.
On Saturday evening after the Mayer House scare, Chief Engineer Hilbrecht, of the Fire Department, unscrewed the brass top of the Lowry hydrant he had attached at the corner of Clinton and Wayne streets, and was inspecting, with a lighted torch, that part of the hydrant that is sunk below the street, when suddenly a quantity of gas that had gathered in the hydrant exploded, knocking the Chief over and singing his mustache and eye-brows. The gas probably leaked in from a ruptured gas main.
At 5 o'clock Sunday morning, the barn of Isaac Lauferty, esq., corner of Berry and Webster streets, caught fire in some unexplained manner, and was nearly a total loss. The walls will have to be taken down. An insurance policy of $500 is held in the Lumbard agency. This amount will hardly cover the loss. Mr. Lauferty's family carriage was saved.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE
Tuesday 01/22/1884 Page 6, Col. 3.
A BURNED SMOKING CAR.
THE SMOKER ATTACHED TO WABASH NO. 3 TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE NEAR THE CITY.
Last night reports were rife that Wabash No. 8, the fast train due here at 8:40 o'clock had left the track. A reporter hastened to the depot and found the accident was quite of another nature. At Nelson's crossing east of the city, between New Haven and this city, the stove in smoking car No. 43 overturned and spilled the red-hot coals about the floor. The car took fire immediately, and the passengers hustled out with great unanimity and celerity. The burning smoker was cut off the train and left to be destroyed. The lurid glare of the flames could be seen from the city. The engine ran on here and took back a wrecking train and in short order, under the direction of Yard Master Newton and force, the track was cleared of the debris. The fast train pulled in here at 11:50 o'clock and train No. 4, which was held here, was enabled to get out. The destroyed car was an old one and the loss will be total amounting to about $3,000. Of course there is insurance.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Tuesday 01/22/1884
Page 1, Col. 3.
A SMOKING CAR.
A COACH OF THE WABASH FAST LINE BURNS TO THE TRACKS.
The west bound fast line on the Wabash due at the south depot at 8:40 last night, did not arrive until a few minutes before midnight, when the passengers for Fort Wayne made a raid on the restaurants and hotels and devoured their late supper with an unusual relish.
The delay was caused by a most singular and very expensive accident, being nothing less than the burning to the tracks of the smoking car. It seems that the stove in the smoking car had been insecurely fastened and had been rattling about a good deal from the time the train left Toledo. On account of the very severe weather a big fire had been kindled and unnoticed by the trainmen or passengers, a quantity of live coals were thrown out and were allowed to lie in close proximity to the inside walls of the car, which was heavily coated with paint and varnish. A flame resulted, and in a few moments ran around the interior of the coach, to the great terror of the passengers, some of whom had been sleeping in their seats. The accident happened just after the train had passed the Nickel Plate crossing at New Haven, and was running at a speed of forty miles an hour behind Grover Mattoon's engine. The conductor as soon as apprised of what had happened signalled the engineer to stop, and a halt was made on the grade just west of the point where the New Haven pike crosses. There was no water at hand, and it was apparent, immediately, that the coach was doomed, and the only efforts made by the trainmen was to save the other coaches. Accordingly the train was backed and the cars to the rear of the burning "smoker" were set far behind and at a safe distance. The engine then started ahead with the baggage and mail cars, and the smoking car was left to its doom. The engine was then uncoupled and came on to Fort Wayne for relief, and an engine and a wrecking crew were at once sent to the scene of the accident. Most of the passengers had left the cars and were found watching the fire, which lit up the heavens and created in the eastern portion of the city, the impression of a conflagration in New Haven. The wrecking gang pulled the burning coach from the track, the engine collected the balance of the train, and Fort Wayne station was reached three hours late. The matter created a great deal of excitement on the streets last night, and the report gained credence that a terrible wreck had taken place.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 01/25/1884 Page 6, Col. 3.
Last evening there were two alarms of fire both of which proved to be false. The water pipes at Hardung's tailor shop on Calhoun street burst and some waste water went into the cellar where the temperature being warm, generated steam which issued from the cellar grating. The department did not go, though Mr. Gotleib Steup, the clerk, was notified at the Academy. Then O. A. Simons, esq., thought he detected a blaze in the McDougal block, and hastily ran to the engine house. The engines went out but to be fooled.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Monday 01/28/1884 Page 6, Col. 3.
CHIEF HILBRECHT'S ADVICE.
"I would like to give housekeepers a valuable hint," said Chief Hilbrecht, of the fire department, yesterday. "It is this: Never pack away with other rags the cloths used in cleaning lamps." The reason why I speak of this now is because a small fire was caused recently by the non-observance of the rule I have just mentioned. A lot of rags had been stuffed into a bag, and among them some which had been used for wiping lamps and chimneys. The result was a case of spontaneous combustion, clearly arising from heat generated by the coal oil and lamp-black on the rags. As a result of my investigation, I deduce the rule I mentioned just now. It is poor economy to save a few cents worth of old cloth at the risk of a conflagration.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 01/29/1884 Page 6, Col. 4.
Fire was discovered at 9 o'clock Sunday morning in the rear of Cianey's dry good store at Warsaw. The building being a frame the fire was soon beyond control. Cianey's loss will reach $8,000; insured for $10,000, as follows: German American, $2,000; North American, $1,000; Pennsylvania, $1,000; London Assurance, $2,000; Niagara, $1,000; Continental, $1,000; Commercial of New York, $1,000, and $2,00 in a company unknown. McCalley's hat store, adjoining, suffered a loss of $300; no insurance. The notion store of Mayor & Zimmermann was damaged about $800; no insurance. Funk's drug store suffered to the extent of $2,000; insured in the Pennsylvania for $1,000, and in the Star, of New York, for $1,000.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Sunday 02/10/1884 Page 8, Col. 1.
Last night the fire department ran to one of John Taylor's houses, between Clay and Hanna streets. A chimney burned out with no further damage.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 02/15/1884
Page 5, Col. 2.
Yesterday morning, the residence of Frederick Shigley, at Bluffton, caught fire from a defective flue. The loss was about $200. The household goods were considerably damaged.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 03/01/1884 Page 6, Col. 4.
A $600 BLAZE.
THE FIRST CONFLAGRATION FOR SOME MONTHS - JIM BOWER'S HOUSE ON GARDEN STREET BURNS DOWN BY THE CARELESSNESS OF AN M. E. COLLEGE STUDENT.
Last night about 10 o'clock there were two alarms of fire from boxes 36 and 37, and the department made the long run with their usual promptitude, George Thieme's four-horse team hustling mightily with the ribbons in George's skillful hands.
At 69 Garden street has lived Jim Bowers, a fireman on the Pittsburg. He made a mistake one day and rented a room to an M. E. College student, who went to bed and left a hot fire. The defective stove-pipe became over-heated and set fire to the building, a one and one- half story frame. Mr. Bowers and his family had retired, but escaped in their night clothes. The flames promptly devoured the structure, which is quite uninhabitable.
The department did efficient work and succeeded in subduing the fiery element when the house was half consumed. There is $700 insurance, and Chief Hilbrecht tells us that $600 will about cover the loss.
page 6, col. 2. Policeman George Lee narrowly escaped a horrible death at the burning of Jim Bowers' house, on Garden street, last night. The vigilant officer went into the house to help take out the furniture, and in the second story was shut off from escape except by the window. Ambrose Geary, of the Alerts, placed a ladder in position down which the policeman descended, wet to the skin and nearly suffocated.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 03/05/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
Mrs. Urilla Hilgeman was taken to the asylum to-day by Deputy Sheriff Hance and George Thieme of the fire department. Years ago Mrs. Hilgeman was made to marry a man she did not love. When her reason was shattered, of course, the fellow abandoned her.
The roof on the office of Lewis Stapleford's livery stable, corner of Lafayette and Columbia streets, caught fire this morning at 7 o'clock. An alarm was turned in and the fire department arrived promptly on the scene and extinguished the flames. Loss only about $5.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 03/20/1884 Page 3, Col. 4.
Near Churubusco night before last incendiaries set fire to the barn of Peter Karst. The fire was discovered between eleven and twelve o'clock, but the flames had gained such headway that but little could be saved. On horse was taken from the building, while three horses, a cow and several calves were burned to death. A large quantity of grain and hay, together with agricultural implements and farm machinery, including in the latter a self-binding reaper, was also consumed.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 03/26/1884 Page 3, Col. 4.
Chief Hilbrecht's term of office expires in May. Mr. Hilbrecht has made such an admirable officer he will have no opposition for chief of fire department.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL
Thursday
03/27/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
At the next regular meeting of the city council, Chief Hilbrecht, of the fire department, will submit a request for the distribution of the fire apparatus according to the plan heretofore detailed in The Sentinel.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday
04/09/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
The firemen have not had a run for three weeks. Chief Hilbrecht may arrange daily practice runs as soon as the weather moderates and the roads improve. The fire laddies get out of practice.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 04/10/1884 Page 2, Col. 2.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
As required by the ordinance, I herewith submit to you my annual report of the fire department for the year ending March 31, 1884:
Number of fires. 50
Amount of property destroyed.
$ 5,293.79
Insurance on same.
30,520.00
Insurance paid.
4,755.79
Insurance above loss
$25,226.00
The working force of the Department consists of one Chief Engineer, two assistant engineers, eight full paid men, two foremen, fourteen minute men and one volunteer hook and ladder company.
The strength of the Department at the present time is two fire engines, one hook and ladder truck, two double horse hose carts, one single horse hose cart, eleven horses, all in actual service, two steam engines and one hand engine, (the latter not reliable,) 4,400 feet of good hose and 1,400 feet of unreliable hose.
Running expenses of the department.
$13,717.89
Amount turned over to the City Treasurer for horses,
coal and old hose sold.
1,036.56
Total amount expended. $12,681.83
The extra expenses of the Department for the past
year were as follows: Paid to the Gutta
Percha and Rubber
$
363.00
Company for hose purchased in 1879
Paid to the American Fire Company for hose
945.00
Total
$ 1,308.00
The expenses of the fire alarm telegraph lines, which have been rebuilt, amounts to $100. This is largely due to the full paid men, the work having been done by them. A serious accident occurred to the electric bell strike, which cost $270 to repair. It could not be repaired at the Engine House, the Department not having the necessary tools with which to do the work.
Five old and condemned horses have been sold for $710 and their places filled with sound young horses at a cost of $1,215.
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