USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of the Fort Wayne Fire Department : extracts from Fort Wayne, Indiana, newspapers > Part 24
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 04/16/1886 Page 5, Col. 2.
Charlie Thieme, the fireman injured in the runaway, was resting easy last night although suffering at times great pain from the amputated limb.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 04/20/1886
Page 5, Col. 3 & 4.
If the stage door in the Masonic Temple is wide enough a fire engine will be put on the stage next Tuesday evening.
Mrs. Con Schenck has presented to Chief Hilbrecht a handsome silver horn given her husband by the Hope Hose Company in 1871.
At 2 o'clock this morning the fire department was called to the corner of the Maumee road and Division street, where Brooks grocery store was on fire. The building was saved. Damage to stock by flames and water, about $300; insured.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 04/21/1886 Page 6, Col. 3.
Henry Immel has a picture of himself taken twenty-five years ago, when he was a member of the hook and ladder company. Mrs. Con Schenck found it among her late husband's effects. Henry will have it enlarged and put a big gold frame on it.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Friday 04/23/1886 Page 5, Col. 4.
On Decoration day Chief Hilbrecht will have the fire department make a test run to an imaginary fire in a contest for the championship of the United States. Fire departments all over the country will contest and the results telegraphed by judges to Washington, D. C., where the decision will be announced.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Tuesday 04/27/1886 Page 5, Col. 3.
There was a small blaze at Barcus' candy store, on Calhoun street, last night, caused by the exploding of the gasoline stove in the back part of the store. The damage was slight and the boy is supposed to be blame.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 05/01/1886
Page 5, Col. 3.
The residence of Wm. Franke in Madison township, burned yesterday. He is a brother of Officer Franke, of this city.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 05/12/1886 Page 6, Col. 3.
CITY COUNCIL.
It was decided to pave the yard in the rear of the Second ward engine house with cedar blocks.
The election of officers was then declared in order. Messrs. Doehrman and Michael were named tellers, and Mr. Henry Hilbrecht being nominated for chief of the fire department, he received the unanimous vote of the council.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Wednesday 05/19/1886 Page 5, Col. 2.
The large barn once belonging to Si Tam, corner Clinton and Hamilton streets, was destroyed by fire last evening. Loss on building, $600. It had been vacant for some time, and was doubtless ignited by tramps.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday
05/29/1886
Page 6, Col. 1.
The dwelling of James Cunnison, in Pleasant township, was destroyed by fire about midnight last night. Nearly everything in the house was burned. The building was insured in the insurance company of North America, James E. Graham & Son, agents.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Thursday 06/08/1886
Page 5, Col. 1.
Charley Thieme, the member of the fire department whose leg was torn off in a runaway accident seven weeks ago, was able to ride out, on Sunday last, and yesterday was able to go to his father's house, on Broadway, for dinner. Dr. Dinnen will soon adjust a wooden leg. The recovery is a remarkably good one.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 06/19/1886
Page 5, Col. 4.
There was a little fire at Captain Reese's house, on Montgomery street, yesterday afternoon. No particular damage.
FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Saturday 06/19/1886 Page 5, Col. 4.
E. L. CHITTENDEN DEAD.
HIS DEATH OCCURS AT TEN MINUTES PAST THREE THIS MORNING.
It will be sad news to a large circle of friends and the entire city of Fort Wayne to learn of the death of Hon. Erastus L. Chittenden, which occurred at ten minutes past three this morning, caused by Brights disease of the kidneys.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY GAZETTE Sunday 06/20/1886
Page 8, Col. 3.
THE LAST OF EARTH.
DEATH OF HON. ERASTUS L. CHITTENDEN - ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNERAL.
No sadder news has ever been conveyed to this community than that the Gazette bore Saturday morning in its announcement of the death of Hon. Erastus L. Chittenden. It could scarcely be realized and its confirmation was required on every hand. To the deceased, the Sentinel of last evening, paid the following tribute:
Hon. Erastus L. Chittenden died yesterday at 3 o'clock a.m., at his home on West Berry street. For a number of years Mr. Chittenden has suffered from a form of Bright's disease, and although assured it must some day prove fatal, his genial disposition dispelled the cloud and he circled among his host of friends in all his brightness. A week or so ago he was stricken suddenly ill and his case presented a dangerous phase, but his immediate friends never anticipated the sudden end that shocked them and saddened the community yesterday morning. The doctors did not realize instant danger, and in fact, Drs. B. S. Woodworth and W. H. Meyers arranged for a consultation yesterday morning. It was too late, for in the presence of his wife, daughter, brother and mother, Mr. Chittenden passed away as if in a dream. He realized not that he was dying and spoke not a word as tender hearts bent in grief about his bedside.
Mr. Chittenden was born in New York City, and was in his fifty-second year. He served as city clerk from 1863 to 1869. He was also an assistant in the office of county clerk, was long the representative of the Third ward in the council, held other responsible and important positions, and served honorably and with distinction one term in the state legislature. In his youth he participated in all the local affairs and his reminisences of events and men were always interesting. He leaves not an enemy in the world and a mountain of good acts stand as a monument to his memory. He has contributed to local history and the press sketches of the lives of most all the prominent men in the city, now dead, little dreaming that his own would come so soon. He was always light-hearted and his face beaming with kindness and good will. No more genial companion, agreeable friend or better citizen ever lived. He leaves a place in the hearts of a wide circle of acquaintances that no man can fill, and he goes down to his grave with the esteem, love and respect of everyone who knew him.
Mr. Chittenden leaves a wife, daughter and mother, to whom he was devoted. His brother, Ward B. Chittenden, of the boot and shoe firm of Abner & Co., St. Louis, is in the city.
Mr. Chittenden's funeral occurs Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock, under the auspices of the Knights Templar, who have charge of all arrangements. The services will be at Trinity Episcopal church, where he was communicant.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Saturday 07/03/1886
Page 1, Col. 5.
A PAIR OF FIRES.
This morning an alarm of fire from box 4-3 took the Seventh ward department to the frame residence Frederick Freidlein, No. 68 LaSalle street. The loss which is placed at $200 was to the rear portion of the house. Shortly afterwards the department was called to a burning barn a considerable distance beyond the old Reidmiller brewery in the Fifth ward. The barn was completely destroyed. The alarm came from box 3-6 corner of Union and Pritchard streets.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Friday 07/09/1886 Page 1, Col. 3.
Last evening the clothing of a servant in the house of Wabash Ticket Agent J. B. McConnell, took fire from a gasoline stove at which she was ironing. The flames were extinguished without any serious results. The fire department from the Seventh Ward engine was on hand, but no water was thrown.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Wednesday
07/14/1886 Page 1, Col. 5.
THE CITY COUNCIL.
A resolution instructing the Committee on Fire to advertise for bids for changing the fire alarm system from an open to a closed circuit, and for a new hose cart, was adopted.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Friday 07/23/1886 Page 1, Col. 4.
A BIG FIRE.
DESTRUCTIVE CONFLAGRATION AT THE CASPER KERN FARM YESTERDAY.
After the News had gone to press yesterday, intelligence was received of the burning of the barn on the Casper Kern estate, with valuable contents. The farm is reached by the Maysville gravel road after a journey of four and a half miles. Mr. Jacob Kern, Deputy County Clerk, furnishes the Journal with the following interesting particulars:
The fire was first discovered shortly after 2 o'clock, by a young lady who makes her home with Mrs. Kern. She was standing in front of her house when she suddenly saw flames bursting through the roof of the barn. She at once gave the alarm, and some neighbors who discovered the fire about the same time, hurried to the place. Within ten minutes, probably, from the time the flames were first discovered, there were no less than 100 people on the premises. Three gangs of threshers in the vicinity reached the farm about the same time, bringing with them their water wagons used in supplying the engines, and it is mostly due their almost superhuman efforts that the house was saved from destruction too. The barn was a large frame structure, 90 x 45 feet in dimensions and was nearly filled with the present year's hay and wheat crop. It was at once apparent that there was no salvation for the barn, and every effort was turned to saving the house, which stood not over 100 feet away. Fortunately, there was very little wind, and what there was, was in the direction from the house. All the furniture was speedily removed by willing hands, the doors and windows were taken out, and the carpets and bed clothing were saturated with water and spread over the roof and side next to the burning barn. The heat was intense, but the hardy farmers stood their ground and kept the carpets, etc., deluged with water all the while and succeeded in saving the house. The barn, wagon shed, corn-crib, cattle shed and other out buildings were entirely consumed together with their contents. In the barn there were about forty loads of hay, the wheat crop from twenty acres, three horses, one of which was valued at $350, two calves and a lot of farming machinery, such as mowers, reapers, wagons and etc., all of which were destroyed. The entire loss is estimated at about $3,500, upon which there was an insurance in the Adams Township Mutual for $1,800 or just about one-half.
The origin of the fire is unknown, no one having been in the building for at least an hour prior to the breaking out of the flames. The theory of spontaneous combustion in the hay mow is advanced by some, and the theory is not altogether improbable, as instances of a similar nature are quite frequently reported. Mr. Lunce, a neighbor, was overcome by the heat and fell, injuring himself somewhat but not seriously.
1232
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Friday 07/23/1886
Page 4, Col. 2.
For several years past Mr. Jacob Kern had taken out a special policy on grain stored in the barn at the Kern farm and kept up the policy until after the grain was sold. This year he forgot the matter, and yesterday the barn and contents were burned.
At the conflagration at the Kern farm yesterday, young Frankie Maier, son of the county clerk, being unable to save property, contributed to the excitement by tugging at the rope of the farm belfry until it broke. Frank had assembled the farmers from miles around.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Thursday 07/29/1886
Page 1, Col. 5.
BARN BURNERS.
SET FIRE TO FRED TROUTMAN'S STABLE LAST NIGHT.
Fred Troutman, truckman, was awakened at half past one o'clock this morning at his residence, 115 Wilt street, by neighbors, who told him his barn was burning. The alarm was timely and a few buckets of water extinguished the flames.
This morning upon examination there was found under the sills of the barn a number of balls of cotton waste well saturated with oil. Mr. Troutman is at a loss to know who his enemy may be.
1233
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS
Wednesday 08/04/1886
Page 1, Col. 3.
COL. HUMPHREY.
THE HERO OF TWO WARS DIES AT NOON TO-DAY.
SKETCH OF HIS EVENTFUL LIFE.
The News of yesterday stated that Colonel George Humphrey was sinking rapidly. Death came to his relief at twenty minutes after the clock had struck the noon hour, to-day, at his residence, No. 175 West Berry street. He had been in robust health until two months ago when he received a fall, resulting in a fracture of his limb. From this he had so completely recovered as to be able to attend to business, the union being complete. One week ago erysipelas supervened. This was followed by extreme prostration and death.
His son, James, a clerk in the U. S Railway Mail Service, reached home this morning, and all members were present when the old hero slept into eternity.
Colonel Humphrey was born February 2, 1825, at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, whence he emigrated to America, landing in New York July 5, 1837, and came to Fort Wayne with his brother, James Humphrey, September 30, 1837, coming up the Maumee in a pirogue, that being the only way of reaching here in that day, except by wagon. He served an apprenticeship with Charles G. French, the builder, and afterwards worked for four years as a master carpenter.
On the breaking out of the war with Mexico, in 1846, he was a member of the "Mad Anthony Guards," which tendered their services to Governor Whitcomb. The command afterwards became known as Company E., First Indiana Mexican Volunteers. Mr. Humphrey was the First Seargeant, but soon was appointed to a Second Lieutenancy, and served with honor at Metamoras, Monterey and Santilla. After the war he returned to Fort Wayne and married Miss. Bingham, daughter of Rev. A. S. Bingham, of Eel River township.
In 1858 he established himself in business, and was a prosperous manufacturer, when the opening, in 1861, of the rebellion, re-kindled his martial spirit.
He raised troops at the second call of the Governor, and went with them to Indianapolis, but the State quota for the three month's service was more than filled, and these men were reorganized as the Twelfth Indiana Volunteers, and were retained for State service for a period of twelve months. John M. Wallace was elected colonel, Wm. H. Link, lieutenant colonel and George Humphrey major, and these elections the Governor confirmed. On the resignation of Colonel Wallace, he was advanced to the colonelcy. The regiment had a bloody experience in Virginia.
At the end of his term of service, he returned to Fort Wayne and raised the 88th Indiana, of which he was commissioned colonel. The regiment participated in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Stone River, the battle of the Tullahoma campaign and other historical conflicts.
In a charge made by his brigade, which checked the enemy's advance at Stone River, a minnie ball pierced his shoulder, and was not removed until seven years after. The regiment had been greatly depleted and his factory at home was burned in his absence. On these accounts he resigned to give his private affairs attention. Afterwards Governor Morton tendered him the command of the 139th, a newly raised regiment, with which he performed good service in
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Sherman's Atlanta campaign. His last position under the government was the first superintendent of the federal building now in course of construction at Fort Wayne.
In business affairs he has been prominent for many years as a member of the firm of Cochrane & Humphrey. In private life he was highly esteemed for the nobility of his nature and his love of humor and strict integrity. He leaves a wife, three daughters and two sons. The funeral will probably be on Sunday.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Saturday 08/07/1886 Page 1, Col. 4.
FULL OF HONORS.
FUNERAL OF COL. GEORGE HUMPHREY - LAST TRIBUTE OF SOLDIERS & CITIZENS.
As the News goes to press this afternoon, the muffled drums of the Knight Templar Drum Corps beat mournfully on West Berry street. The drummers are leading the long procession that slowly moves from 175 West Berry street to the beautiful Lindenwood , the city of the dead, where sleep so many of the good and bravest.
The funeral of Colonel George Humphrey has been the occasion of an unusual convocation of old soldiers and citizens, come to pay honors to the distinguished dead. From all over the State and from other States there have come those who followed their old commander through the bloody battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga and on the March to the Sea to the battle of Bentonville, where the 88th regiment sustained its greatest losses.
The old battle flags, mere shreds of their former gay selves, are carried at the head of the long column, wreathed in black. One was presented by the ladies of Fort Wayne, the other by the State of Indiana.
The Fort Wayne Veterans Company L., 1st Regiment, form the guard of honor about the hearse. They march with arms reversed. Following come his old commands, or rather a remnant of them, a hundred men or more, gathered from the ranks of the 12th, the 88th and the 139th Indiana. They are commanded by the Adjutant of the 88th, H. B. DuBarry, whose left sleeve is empty. The two Grand Army Posts, Sion S.B. and Anthony Wayne follows, and the Caledonian Club. Last come the citizens and family friends in a long line of carriages.
Pastor Northrup has preached an eloquent sermon at the house, and the Haydn Quartette sang. The soldiers will fire a salute over the grave. May he sleep well.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Saturday 08/07/1886
Page 1, Col. 4.
$3,000 FIRE.
WILLIAM LAHMAN'S BIG LOSS IN LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
At 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon the large bank barn of Farmer William Lahman, ten miles southwest of the city, caught fire by spontaneous combustion, as is supposed, and was entirely consumed. The loss is fully $3,000, and the insurance was but $1,100, in the Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company, which had the policy on the big barn of the Kerns' estate. The barn was in Lafayette township, a mile south of the Wabash track, and near Giddings' saw mill. The property destroyed consisted in part of all of this year's crops of wheat, oats and hay, 500 bushels of last year's wheat crop, all the harness and much more of value. The horses were saved.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Monday 08/16/1886
Page 1, Col. 3.
This morning a fire in the small brick residence, No. 51 Barr street, caused a nominal damage. The building is the property of Hon. Isaac Jenkinson, of Richmond, Ind.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Tuesday 08/17/1886
Page 1, Col. 2.
Yesterday afternoon during the thunder storm, lightning struck the large barn of Conrad Tillker, a prosperous Wayne township farmer, completely consuming the building with its valuable contents. Tillker is the man who said when Hayes was made President that he would not cut his hair until a Democratic president was elected. He kept his word and when Cleveland was chosen the hair cutting was made a social event of the neighborhood. Tillker was placed in a chair in his front yard and his long locks were shorn and there was drinking and merry-making.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Friday 08/27/1886
Page 1, Col. 3.
Charley Thieme, of the Fort Wayne Fire Department, will shortly perambulate in a wooden limb, which will supply the place of the one lost in the terrible runaway accident of last winter.
The committee on fire department and finance of the city government will meet next week to agree upon the best system of fire alarm boxes to be used. The agent of the Gamewell Company is confident that his system will be adopted.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Wednesday 09/01/1886 Page 1, Col. 2.
Last evening the committee on fire department and the finance committee met and decided to recommend to the City Council, the purchase of the Gamewell System of fire alarm telegraph. Chief Engineer Hilbrecht highly endorses it.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Monday 09/06/1886 Page 1, Col. 4.
The engine room of the Chicago and Atlantic Railway shops at Huntington took fire yesterday morning and was entirely destroyed.
Last evening an alarm from box 1-6, called the department to T. B. Hedekin's building, No. 1 Railroad street. There was damage to the basement to about $100. The basement was used as a shop by a shoemaker named Havens.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Friday 09/10/1886
Page 1, Col. 4.
GREAT FIRE.
HALF A BUSINESS BLOCK AT KENDALLVILLE A CRUMBLING RUIN.
LOSS UPWARDS OF $50,000. THE FORT WAYNE DEPARTMENT CALLED UPON.
Last night the people of the neighboring city of Kendallville were aroused about midnight by the cries of fire and the ringing of bells. Kendallville is not a very large town and their fire apparatus is not the best, and their source of supply for water is a lake a half mile away from the town.
The fire when discovered was blazing out from the rear of Lohman's drug store on Main street, the sixth door south of the Kelly House. A number of citizens with buckets were soon there, and the chemical engine, spurting against the rear windows, and after the fire broke the glass, partially into the building, but with no effect whatever. The fire burst forth more energetically and a slight breeze bearing northeastward, the blaze was carried to the woodsheds filled with oil barrels in the rear, setting the adjoining building on fire from the rear, and, rushing across the block northeastward to Mitchell street, setting the Loeb & Hall livery barn, east of Kelly House, then eastward to several wood structures to the Banta building, an old pressed brick two-story structure occupied by Baker & Son, on the corner of Mitchell and State street. While this devastation was going on in the rear, the buildings adjoining Lohman, Emerson and Severance on the south, and all the buildings up to the Kelly House were being burned out. The ground is fire swept around the Kelly House, across the block on the east, and half the block on the south. The house itself is badly scorched and but for the iron shutters on the south side, would have gone with the rest.
An immense quantity of merchandise was carried out of nearly all the commercial houses, and piled up on the opposite side of the street.
Mayor Charles Aichele telegraphed to Fort Wayne for assistance by the fire department.
The cause of the fire is unknown. It began in the rear of the Brust building, occupied by George H. Lohman, druggist.
The fire would have been stayed sooner but for the fact that small frame buildings in the rear of the brick blocks increased the fury of the flames.
The Seely building, occupied by John Emerson, grocer, and S. F. Sevcrance, hardware merchant, was damaged to the extent of $3,000 on the building. The Pike building which stood next suffers only the loss of the removal of the stock.
On Mitchell street the losses are: Hall & Loeb, livery barn; stock all saved; the building had an insurance of $1,000. T. L. Groves' building, occupied as a laundry; building insured. Two small wood structures, occupied as residences, with paint and shoe shops in front; buildings owned by M. M. Bowen; no insurance. Banta building, occupied by Baker & Son, lamp manufacturers; contents mostly saved.
At 2 o'clock this morning, the Mayor of Kendallville telegraphed Mayor Muhler, stating the destressing situation and asked that assistance be sent them. Chief Hilbrecht immediately set to work for the relief of the stricken city.
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The G. R. & I. Ry. Company generously gave sufficient transportation, as Supt. O'Rourke did in the matter of the Decatur fire. The apparatus was about to be loaded, when a despatch came stating that the fire was under control, and the sending of assistance became unnecessary.
The Kelly House, the principal hotel of the city, was saved with much trouble. Guests vacated their rooms. Baggage was stacked up in the office, and everybody prepared to move out. Like Warsaw, like Decatur, the City Council of Kendallville will find out that the purchase of a fire engine or two is the proper thing. They come high, but we must have'em.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Tuesday
09/14/1886 Page 1, Col. 3.
The Committee on Fire Department has decided to recommend the Gamewell Fire Alarm system. There will be new boxes throughout the city. The expense will $3,300.
FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Tuesday 09/21/1886
Page 1, Col. 2.
A barn belonging to Mr. Kaempe, of Fred Eckart's, was destroyed by fire this morning, on West Lewis street.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY NEWS Monday 09/27/1886
Page 1, Col. 3.
THE FIRE DEMON.
WAGNER'S DRUG STORE RECEIVES A CLOSE CALL, AND WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A
DISASTROUS CONFLAGRATION IS PREVENTED BY THE EFFICIENCY OF THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This morning about 9 o'clock, the fire alarm, sounding 61, called the fire department to the corner of Calhoun and Main streets, where heavy volumes of black smoke were seen issuing from the first and second stories of H. G. Wagner's handsome drug store. The department got to work early, and in a few moments several streams of water were turned on the fire which was found to be in the basement of the building. A half hour had elapsed before the fire fiend was conquered and the flames extinguished. The cause of the fire was due to the accidental burning of a can of varnish. One of the clerks, a young boy named George Kreig, went into the cellar to fill a can of varnish for a customer, and while he was doing so the varnish caught from the gas, which was a few feet above him, and instantly everything about him was on fire. The boy's face and hair were covered with varnish and he beat a hasty retreat to the store above, receiving some bad burns about the face but suffering no severe injury. The cellar was deluged with water and the floor of the storeroom, over which the hose run, was pretty thoroughly soaked.
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