USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of the Fort Wayne Fire Department : extracts from Fort Wayne, Indiana, newspapers > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
In a previous report I called the attention of your honorable body to the necessity of the distribution of the Fire Department and I respectfully renew my recommendation. Should a fire occur in some of the outer portions of the city, great damage might be done before the Fire
1166
Department could reach the scene.
I also recommend that swinging harness be used in the department. I consider them a saving of time in hitching up, a very great saving in the wear of the harness and a great relief to the horses.
I most gratefully return thanks to Your Honorable Body for your support of the Department, to the Fire Committee for their council in all matters pertaining to the improvement of the Department, to the Marshal, Chief of Police and Patrolmen for services rendered at fires, and to the members of the Department for the intelligent and efficient obeyance of all orders on all occasions.
Henry Hilbrecht, Chief of Fire Department,
Referred to the Committee on Fire Department.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 04/22/1884 Page 4, Col. 3.
A house belonging to Dave Robinson, at No. 286 East Washington street, caught fire this afternoon and was damaged $200 worth. The department did good service.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Monday 04/28/1884
Page 3, Col. 4.
Yesterday afternoon the fire department ran to Baker street, where a house belonging to John Cartwright was ablaze. A terrific gale was blowing at the time and it looked as if that end of town would be swept by fire. Chief Hilbrecht got his men at work and confined the blaze to Mr. Cartwright's two houses. They were damaged to the extent of $800. The fire boys never did better work, and the result shows that Chief Hilbrecht has as good a company as ever served the city.
1167
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 05/01/1884
Page 3, Col. 4.
Last Monday night at Coesse, Whitley county, the building and nearly all of the stock of goods of Allen Brothers was burned. From there the flames spread to the saloon and dwelling of George Graves and the building and goods were destroyed. Allens' loss is $4,000 with $2,000 insurance, and Graves' $1,000 with $500 insurance.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 05/10/1884 Page 4, Col. 2.
Two frame buildings in the rear of the Kerr Murray foundry, burned yesterday. The buildings will be replaced by Mr. A. D. Cressler, manager of the foundry.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday
05/14/1884 Page 1, Col. 7.
FRANK B. VOGEL DYING.
Yesterday afternoon Frank B. Vogel, the merchant tailor, was stricken suddenly ill, and up to 3 o'clock this afternoon had suffered thirty-one hemorrhages. About a year ago Mr. Vogel had pneumonia and his lungs were affected. No man in Fort Wayne is better known than Mr. Vogel. In 1858 he joined the volunteer fire department as torch boy. He was promoted to first assistant chief engineer in 1866, and was elected chief of the department in 1873. He was vice- president of the National Association of Chief engineers and possessed a store of information that served him well in that position. Mr Vogel has traveled extensively in Europe and America, and is but forty-three years of age. At 3 o'clock his life was despaired of. His mother and wife, child and sister are at his bedside.
1168
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 05/21/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
The fire department is putting up a new line and an alarm box on Wayne street, near the Methodist college. The box is number 38.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 05/24/1884
Page 1, Col. 7.
The house No. 15 East Jefferson street caught fire from a spark this afternoon and the fire department promptly quenched the blaze. The damage is about $100 from fire and water. Andrew Bitner resides in the house.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 05/24/1884 Page 5, Col. 2 & 4.
At about five o'clock yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in Wilson & Son's hardware store on Columbia street. The department was promptly on hand and the blaze was extinguished before much damage was done. The loss is not more than $10.00.
Chief Hilbrecht and his men have invented a novel crossbar to hold the harness over the places where the horses stand when attached to the trucks and engines. By this clever arrangement the horses are relieved of their harness, except when on the run. The harness is so arranged that it can be dropped on the horse in a second and snapped together quicker than it takes to tell it. This scheme will effect a great saving in the expense of the department and Chief Hilbrecht and his clever assistants deserve much praise.
1169
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 05/27/1884
Page 1, Col. 7.
The burning of a quantity of gasoline called the fire department to the fruit store of Thorward & Dendel, on West Columbia street this afternoon.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 05/28/1884
Page 1, Col. 6 & 7.
A summer kitchen, in the rear of a house on Oak street, caught fire this morning and was slightly scorched. The Anthony Wayne engine horses ran out of the engine house before they could be tackled onto the steamer, and ran wild to the scene of the fire. There they were caught and returned.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 06/04/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
The fire alarm wires are being re-arranged by Chief Hilbrecht.
The fire department committee will make another effort to sell the Decatur people one of our fire engines.
1170
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 06/05/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
THE DECATUR FIRE.
The Sentinel contained an article on Tuesday in regard to a destructive fire at Decatur. The particulars are as follows: Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock D. O. Jackson's planing mill and stirrup factory caught fire from a spark. The building is three stories high, and, there being a strong wind, in a short time it was entirely enveloped with flames. The fire spread to the lumber yard adjacent, and from there to the residence of Louis Springer, which was totally destroyed. A tenement house opposite, belonging to John King, was also burned to the ground. At one time there were six or eight houses on fire, some of them six squares from the factory. A general conflagration was expected, but by the heroic efforts of the citizens it was prevented.
D. O. Jackson's planing mill is a total loss, $10,000. Louis Springer's loss, $800. John King's house, loss $400. Indiana House damaged $100.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 06/07/1884 Page 3, Col. 3.
The chains in front of the engine house were charged with electricity to-day and the fire laddies were convulsed with laughter as unsuspecting people leaned comfortably on the chains and then executed a somersault.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 06/21/1884 Page 5, Col. 3.
James C. Peltier, funeral director, is negotiating for the purchase of a fine team of horses from the fire department, to drive in his hearse.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 06/24/1884 Page 3, Col. 4.
While the Wells street bridge is being built a hose cart will be stationed in Bloomingdale for ready service there.
1171
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 06/25/1884
Page 3, Col. 2 & 4
One of the fire engines acted badly at the Hoagland school fire last evening and was tested after returning to the engine house. It threw a stream that deluged the court house from the old court street cistern.
Yesterday a large barn on the premises of Valentine Fox, who lives out on the Bluffton road, was destroyed by fire, together with its contents, hay, grain, wagons, and agricultural implements. The loss will reach about $1,500 with only a $600 insurance on the building. Mr. Fox is an uncle of Louis, Gust and Joseph Fox, of this city.
The fire department was given a big run last evening, the first in three weeks. The call was to box seventeen, and the department had a run to the corner of Butler street and Hoagland avenue, where the Hoagland school building was discovered to be in flames. The school building is a frame structure, two stories and a Mansard slate and tin roof. In the garret, just under the roof, was stored a lot of paper and bundles of crepe bunting, which were inflamed from the extreme heat of the roof. The fire department boys worked manfully and soon had the fire under control. The loss will be about $3,000. There is an insurance of $9,500 on the building, so that all losses are fully covered. The building will be repaired immediately.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 07/08/1884 Page 3, Col. 2.
A petition has been presented to the mayor and chief engineer by the citizens of the ninth ward, praying that an engine and hose cart be stationed somewhere in that ward during the erection of the Wells street bridge, as their property may be invaded by the fire fiend while communication is cut off.
Isaac W. Campbell was in the city yesterday for a few hours, to sign a deed of his East Berry street property to C R. Higgins. Mr. Campbell now resides in Pennsylvania, and his family may shortly remove there. (Isaac was a member of the volunteer fire department in this city.)
1172
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 07/09/1884
Page 3, Col. 2 & 3.
William Birdsell will have charge of the hose cart which will be placed at Peter's Box and Lumber company in Bloomingdale, during the construction of the Wells street bridge.
Last evening Mr. A. Wolf, chairman of the fire committee, reported to the council that he had stationed a hose cart, line of hose and four minute men in the Ninth ward during the erection of the Wells street bridge. The council will concur in the action.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 07/15/1884 Page 1, Col. 7.
CITY COUNCIL.
The chief of the fire department was empowered to employ five minute men to do work on the Alert hook and ladder truck, because that company would not turn out. The estimates for the different municipal departments for the ensuing fiscal year were read. Councilman Wolf reported that it would cost the sum of $14,500 to run the fire department for the ensuing year.
page 3, col. 2 Huntington Herald: "Mr. George Thieme, of Fort Wayne, a member of the fire department of that city, came down over Sunday, visiting with Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Wallace, of the Second ward, Mrs. Theime has been here for the past two weeks and all returned home this noon."
1173
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 07/17/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
The use of water at the fire yesterday sent the water in the filter basin down to a very low notch. The situation now is alarming, and in the event of a fire people who know say the supply in the filter basin would not last three hours.
County Commissioner Briant built a fire near the old Wells street bridge yesterday to loosen the earth. He did not thoroughly extinguish the blaze on leaving and soon the old bridge structure was in flames. The fire department ran over there, but had to let the timbers drop in the river. The loss is considerable, as the bottom timbers were to be used for the temporary bridge. Mr. Briant superintends the construction of the bridge.
page 3, col. 4. Chief Hilbrecht has as yet employed no minute men in accordance with the resolution passed by the council last night.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 07/24/1884
Page 3, Col. 4.
Chief Hilbrecht has appointed as minute men Ambrose Geary, Si. Lavanway, John Baker, William Schwier and George Fry. One of these men will probably be made a foreman at a monthly salary of $15. The others will receive $10 per month each.
1174
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 07/26/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
The Alert Hook and Ladder Company will pay no more attention to fires, but the organization will continue to exist.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 07/29/1884 Page 3, Col. 5.
Mrs. Henry Saunders, wife of the member of the fire department, is better. Her child was buried yesterday.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 08/02/1884
Page 1, Col. 6.
Yesterday Mike Connors was in the service of the fire department twenty-one years, and no more faithful man ever served a city.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 08/07/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
Last evening a stable in the rear of the residence of Engineer Tom Tully caught fire and was damaged to the extent of $200. A buggy and hay and grain "perished" in the flames. Mr. Tully's horse was taken out. The fire was incendiary and threatened to spread but the firemen subdued it.
1175
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 08/12/1884
Page 4, Col. 1.
The firemen are paving the stalls in the stables connected with the department with cedar blocks.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 08/16/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
There was a false alarm of fire this morning.
Mason Long writes to Mike Conners, of the fire department, from Roodhouse, Ill., saying that one of his fine gray horses died the other day. For this team Mr. Long paid $600 to the city. Of the four fine horses he left here with, Mr. Long now has but one. He has driven 2,700 miles.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 08/19/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
Last evening the fire department was called to box 17 in the Sixth ward where stables belonging to J. Sion Smith and Tom O'Hearn were ablaze. Part of the fire department was flushing sewers in the west end and others were at the same work in the east end, so that by the time they got to the fire the stables were almost in ashes. It is quite evident the work of flushing sewers must not be put on the fire department and Councilman Wolf, who is chairman of the fire committee, will raise a vigorous objection to it at the next meeting of the council. Mr. O'Hearn's loss is $600 and Mr. Smith loses $400. Both gentlemen hold insurance policies nearly sufficient to cover the loss.
1176
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 08/21/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
A new cedar block floor has been laid in the engine house stables. The firemen did the work without cost to the city.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 08/26/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
A smoke house on the property of Charles A. Munson, on Spy Run avenue, burned early this morning. The loss is about $20.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 08/28/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
There was a fire alarm last evening, at 6 o'clock, and the department made a run to the residence of Mrs. Eix, on West Washington street, where a chimney was on fire. There was no damage done.
1177
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 08/30/1884
Page 3, Col. 2 & 3.
Chief Engineer Hilbrecht has moved into a portion of the Graham property, corner of Wayne and Clinton streets. A fire alarm was placed in the house yesterday.
A meadow belonging to George Dukes, near Votaw station, on the Grand Rapids and Indiana road, in Wayne county, caught fire from sparks and despite the utmost efforts of twenty men who were fighting the flames, the fire spread very rapidly, burning the grass, stuble, fences, and everything in its way, and finally reached his stacks of hay, containing about twenty-five tons, which were consumed. Plows were brought into requisition to save the barn and outbuildings, and the fresh dirt thrown proved an effectual barrier to the flames.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 09/05/1884 Page 3, Col. 2 & 4.
Last evening a barn, the property of Joseph Auth, who resides near Hesse Cassel, was destroyed by fire, together with its contents, 300 bushels of oats, 150 bushels of wheat and a quantity of hay and straw. The damage is nearly $2,000. Mr. Auth is a brother of Henry Auth, who is with Emil Haberkorn.
PANIC STRICKEN.
A little smoke, only a little smoke, has produced a scare among our would-be clothing merchants that is really amusing. Piteous, whining appeals strike the eye in every column of the press, showing to what extent the coming raid in prices by Sam, Pete & Max is feared.
Hold your horses, gentlemen! The profits of the clothing trade will be very thin in Fort Wayne this fall and winter, but lots of fun is in store for the consumer.
Owing to a slight blaze in our third loft a little blue smoke was forced through the button holes of fifty thousand dollars worth of the best of clothing in Fort Wayne. Through the liberality of our insurance friends we have been allowed a damage of 25 per cent on every dollar's worth of stock in our large establishment. Think of it; for every little curl of blue smoke passing over every dollar's worth of goods, 25 cents was deducted from its actual value, not its original cost but present value. Now this reduction we offer the people of Fort Wayne and vicinity for thirty days from the date of reopening. For example: a pair of Jeans pants, worth $1.00 cost to make 75 cents, will be sold for 60 cents, and so on through the entire stock.
Wait for us; watch the date. Our loss your gain. We expect to sell all the clothing, hats, shirts, etc., sold in Fort Wayne for the next sixty days.
1178
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 09/05/1884
Page 4, Col. 2.
The fire department was called to John street, in the Seventh Ward, this morning, where a barn, the property William Horstmeyer, was destroyed. Loss, $50. Another barn, belonging to Henry Rust, was also burned down. Loss, $75.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 09/10/1884
Page 1, Col. 6.
A leading member of the fire department remarked yesterday: "Before the fire apparatus is distributed the city might as well get something to distribute. The business part of town needs the appliances we now have and with an excellent service the outside wards are as safe as they can possibly be made with our present resources."
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 09/12/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
The fire department was called to No. 14 Force street, in the Seventh ward, last night, where the tenant house of Mrs. Fred Berleman was in flames. The house was partially destroyed. The loss is about $500, fully covered by insurance. Chief Hilbrecht found a bundle of saturated rags under the rookery and is satisfied the premises were fired by an incendiary.
1179
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 09/18/1884
Page 1, Col. 6.
A MORNING BLAZE.
At 5:30 this morning the fire department was called to the corner of Wayne and Webster streets, where a small dwelling on the alley between Wayne and Washington streets was ablaze. Engineer James Neal, of the Nickel Plate, lives in the house and arose to light the gasoline stove. He did not notice that the oil had leaked out on the floor during the night, and instantly he was enveloped in flames. His right arm was severely scorched, but other than the blistering of the kitchen no damage was done. The firemen quenched the oil flames. Hon. Wm. Fleming owns the house and holds insurance to cover the loss of $50 sustained.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 09/19/1884
Page 1, Col. 6.
George Theime, of the fire department is lying at the point of death.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Monday
09/22/1884
Page 3, Col. 2.
George Thieme, the fire engine driver, was very sick last night and still his life is despaired of.
1180
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 09/24/1884
Page 1, Col. 6
The funeral of George Theime occurs Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from St. John's Lutheran church.
page 3, col. 4. DEATH OF GEORGE THIEME.
Early this morning George Thieme succumbed to disease and peacefully passed away. About two weeks ago he was taken suddenly ill and grew rapidly worse until his life was despaired of. Mr. Thieme long drove the Anthony Wayne fire steamer, was a valued member of the department, and a young man of exemplary habits. He was a member of the Jeffersonian club and had hosts of friends. Mr. Thieme leaves a wife and two small children, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Thieme, of Broadway. The engine house is draped in mourning out of respect for the dead fireman.
1181
THE DAILY GAZETTE FORT WAYNE, IND. Thur. Morning 09/25/1884. Page 8, col. 4
Resolutions of Respect to the Memory of GEORGE THIEME
FIREMEN'S HALL, FORT WAYNE, Sept. 24. '84.
At a meeting held this evening, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: Whereas, The Fort Wayne fire department has lost by the grim sergeant, Death, George Thieme, one of its most loved and active members, the members of the above organization are desirous of giving expression to the respect and esteem we entertained for him while living amongst us, as well as to the feelings of sorrow we experience in his untimely death; therefore.
Resolved. That the Fire Department mourns in the death of George Thieme, one of its bravest and most active members, and one who was over ready to respond to the dread alarm, whether it were noonday or midnight.
Resolved. That whilst we grieve for his departure from amongst us, yet we cannot and will not repine at the will of the Supreme Being who caused his transmition from our turbulent world to his bosom and his sweet heaven where sorrow is eternally hushed.
Resolved. That our warmest sympathy and condolence be offered to his bereaved family and our prayers ascend to the everlasting God that His benign and gracious comfort and consolation may be given them in this dark hour of grief.
Resolved. That our engine house be draped in mourning for thirty days.
Resolved. That a copy of these resolutions be given to the family of our late brother, and be also published in the daily papers.
Johnnie McGowan, John Daley, Emil LeGraw, Committee.
1182
THE DAILY GAZETTE FORT WAYNE, IND. 09/25/1884. Page 8, col. 4.
RAISE THE LADDER
George Theime, the well known fireman, expired yesterday morning after we went to press. The immediate cause of death was inflammation of the bowels, and such a violent case as to defy medical skill. Deceased was member of the fire department, a native of Fort Wayne and 26 years of age. He has been for the last four years an active and intrepid member of the fire department, for some time driver of the Zollinger engine, and loved and respected by the entire city of Fort Wayne. His associates of the department are deeply grieved and affected by his premature decease.
The sympathy of all classes will be extended to his widow and orphaned children.
The funeral will be conducted by Rev. Mr. Kucher, and will be under the auspices of the fire laddies and the Jeffersonian club, of which Mr. Theime was a member. At 2 p.m. to-morrow, from his home on Clinton street, the services will be held, and his sorrowing friends allowed to gaze upon what was once George Theime.
FORT WAYNE GAZETTE 09/25/1884
Page 3, Col. 1-2.
The engine house is draped appropriately in memory of George Thieme.
A blaze made an abortive attempt to assert itself at the central house yesterday.
There is going to be a new second story floor put in the fire department's quarters. The workmen are now engaged upon it, and will put it in, in such a way as not to impede the movements of the laddies.
The building owned by Judge Carson on West Columbia street, and occupied by an agricultural implement firm, which had the roof injured by a conflagration last week, has been thoroughly repaired by the insurance companies.
1183 1
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 09/25/1884
Page 3, Col. 3.
The city officers have been invited and will attend the funeral of George Thieme to- morrow afternoon.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 09/25/1884 Page 3, Col. 4.
FUNERAL OF GEORGE THIEME.
To-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock the late George Thieme will be laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery, on South Broadway. The services will be at St. John's church and relatives have selected Gottlieb Steup, John Baker, Simon Boerger, William Schwier, John Daley and Henry Becker as pall bearers.
At a meeting held last evening by the members of the fire department, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, The Fort Wayne fire department has lost by death George Thieme, one of its most active members, and being desirous of giving expression to the respect and esteem we entertained for him while being among us, as well as to the sorrow we experience at his death, therefore
Resolved, That the fire department mourns, in the death of George Thieme, one of its most valued members, one who was ever ready to respond to the dread fire alarm, let it be noonday or midnight.
Resolved, That whilst we grieve for his departure from among us, yet we cannot regret his transition from the sufferings of this life to the bosom of his Father and his God.
Resolved, That our warmest and sincere sympathy be offered to his bereaved family, and we pray that the Almighty God may minister to their comfort and consolation in the dark hour of need.
Resolved, That the engine house be draped in mourning for the period of thirty days. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be given the family of the deceased and published in the daily papers of the city.
John McGowan, John Daley, Emil LaGraw, Committee.
September 24, 1884.
1184
THE DAILY GAZETTE FORT WAYNE, IND. 09/27/1884. Page 8, col. 5
FUNERAL RITES OF GEORGE THEIME
The vicinity of the late fireman's home on Clinton street was crowded by his sorrowing friends who gathered yesterday to pay the sad tribute of respect to his memory. At 2 p.m. the band formed in front of the engine house and marched slowly to the residence, the fire department and a battalion of police forming in the rear. The pallbearers placed the casket in the hearse as the band breathed the strains of "Nearer, My God, to Thee."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.