USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of the Fort Wayne Fire Department : extracts from Fort Wayne, Indiana, newspapers > Part 7
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FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The department, which is reorganized since June, 1878 consists of 1 chief and 2 assistant chiefs, 7 full paid men, 1 half paid man as tillerman, and 16 minute men, and the Alert Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, which are running as volunteers up to the present time.
The wants and necessities of the department are intrusted to the committee on fire department and the management to the chief engineer by an act of the city council.
On these gentlemen devolves a heavy responsibility, and the citizens generally look to them for the good standing and management of the department.
The position of a fireman is one of much responsibility and great trust. It requires a man of more than ordinary intelligence, of quick perceptions, and honest, as well as being active. I do not hesitate to say that the members of the department have these qualifications.
EXPENDITURES ONLY OF RUNNING EXPENSES.
.
A voucher for every cent expended for running expense can be seen and referred to at my office.
The total expense for running the department for the past year is $12, 736. 19. My financial report which accompanies this report will give the details what the above amount has been expended for.
The cost for the repair of the Frank Randall and Vigilant engines is not included in the above amount, which is $1,975, but was ordered by your honorable body not to be paid, which really does not belong to running expenses.
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HOUSES.
The houses are in good condition since the floor which was rotten and dangerous in the engine room has been taken out and replaced by a new one, and the stalls in the hook and ladder and hose carriage room changed, by which the efficiency is very much improved and adds a great deal of comfort to the horses.
APPARATUS.
One new first class Amoskeag engine has been added to the department within the past year in compliance with instructions from your honorable body. At present the department consists of four steam engines, of which one is in first class order in every respect. The condition of the other three engines has so often been reported by the committee to your honorable body, that I need not mention anything further in regard to them. There are also two hand engines which are not in service, and I would recommend the sale of them.
One hook and ladder truck in first class order, two hose carriages run by double teams, and one hose cart run by one horse, all of which are in good order.
Three old hand hose carts, out of service, and one I have sold to Michigan prison for $50.
HOSE.
There are 2,400 feet of hose in service which may stand the necessary fire pressure, and 1,500 feet out of service, which are only good for filling cisterns under low pressure.
HORSES.
The number of horses belonging to the department is eleven, all being in good healthy condition, and by a system of constant training are well drilled to the business, and to perform the duties required of them. One horse was sold and two purchased during the past year.
FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH.
Three new boxes have been added and three miles of line have been put up during the year by the men of the department under my personal superintendence.
The number of boxes now in service is twenty-six.
CISTERNS
There are thirty-three cisterns located in different parts of the city which are all in good condition, and are constantly kept full of water for fire protection.
WORKING OF THE DEPARTMENT.
There have been sixty runs and fires during the year, of which there were forty-five fires and
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fifteen false alarms.
The value of property in which the fires occurred amounted to $83,700. The total loss by fire on the aforesaid property was $11,325; insurance on same, $38,925.
CONCLUSION.
It will be noticed that our city has been extremely fortunate in having so small an amount of losses of property destroyed by fire during the past year, owing to the able manner in which I have been served by the members of the department, who have been so prompt in responding to the signal calls. To them all I hereby tender my thanks, and in addition will here state that since the reorganization of the department all the members belonging work in union and harmony with each other, and are found ready and willing to harmonize on all occasions. These things alone are the first steps towards the organization of any department for prompt action and efficiency in saving the loss of property as well as life from that fatal destroyer, fire.
I use every effort to improve and maintain though discipline in the department, so that the community will derive the measure of protection which their outlay of money entitles them to expect. It has ever been my aim to have the Fort Wayne fire department up to the highest standard of efficiency. To the committee on fire department and members of the city council, whose support and confidence have been so generously extended to me whilst I have been obliged to contend with many difficulties and discouragements, I hereby tender my grateful acknowledgments. I also beg leave to tender my sincere thanks to all municipal officers who have so promptly aided and encouraged this branch of public service.
Most respectfully submitted.
Frank B. Vogel, Chief.
Johnnie Schroeder, of the fire department lost his watch in going to the fire last night.
Chief Engineer Vogel to-day discharged John Downey, driver of a hose carriage, for neglect of duty. His action was sustained by the fire committee.
The fire alarm wires are being constantly tampered with by some infernal scamps who will be brought to grief sooner or later. These constant false alarms are a perpetual annoyance to the citizens and an outrage upon the fire department.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 04/23/1879 Page 4, Col. 7.
SMALL BLAZES.
The fire alarm at 6 last evening was caused by a blaze in the two story frame stable of Chas. Graffe, at No. 27 West Jefferson street, which was extinguished with a loss of not to exceed $15. The fire was caused by some wicked small boys playing with matches.
The alarm from box 1-6 this morning was caused by a blaze in Arthur Whitehead's chicken coop, at No. 216 Calhoun street. The loss was confined to several millions of chicken lice, which were not insured.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 04/24/1879
Page 4, Col. 3.
The alarm last night was caused by a small blaze in Johnson's tin shop near the south depot. It was extinguished with purely nominal damage.
There are thirty-three fire cisterns and twenty-six fire alarm boxes in the city.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 04/25/1879 Page 4, Col. 5.
CAUGHT AT LAST. TWO BOYS ARRESTED FOR TURNING IN FALSE ALARMS
THEY FALL INTO A TRAP.
For the past three years there has been more or less tampering with the fire alarm boxes. At all times of the day and night the fire department has been called out and made to run long distances, only to find when the location indicated by the bell was reached that the alarm was the work of some scamp and that there was no fire. Various theories have been advanced by the people and some were even ready to believe that Mr. Vogel was directly interested in the business, and were not anyway backward in giving utterances to their opinions. This of course caused Mr. Vogel a great deal of uneasiness, and he has tried very hard to detect the rascals, but until last night, although the guilty parties had long been suspected, nothing positive could be brought forward to convict them or warrant their arrest. Within the past two or three months these false alarms have been very frequent, in fact of almost daily occurrence, and it was plainly seen that something must be done to put a stop to them. On Tuesday last the city papers announced the discharge of John Downey, a hose cart driver, by Chief Vogel for negligence of duty, and the sanctioning of the act by the fire committee. Last night Downey hired a buggy, and meeting Will Delzell proposed a ride. Delzell accepted, and after driving around for about an hour they found Russell Kiser, and he too was invited for a drive. He accepted the invitation and the three started for a ride. They visited several saloons, and in the course of the evening Kiser proposed that they "bring the boys out." The proposition was readily accepted by Downey and Delzell, and box 2-7, located near the Lutheran College, was agreed upon as the place to turn in the alarm. Upon arriving at the box Kiser was assisted by Delzell to mount the alarm box and from this position fastened a wire to the telegraph line and then by touching the other end to the pipe below the box, caused the alarm to be sounded. The number intended to be sounded was 1- 2, but they did not succeed in working it right and no particular alarm was turned in. After finishing their job they started for town. Kiser proposed that they turn in another alarm from box 8, at the corner of Wells and Hoffman streets, across the feeder canal. This was agreed to, but Downey proposed first to ride about the city a while and go to the engine house and see if the men went out. Upon arriving at the engine house, Kiser and Delzell were immediately put under arrest. Both furnished $100 bail for their appearance this morning and were released. Young Kiser failed to appear at police court this morning, and his father, Peter Kiser, who was on his bond, stated to the court that some rascals had advised his son not to appear, and requested the court to continue his case until he could be brought in. The case was continued until Monday morning at 9 o'clock.
Delzell was on hand and announced that he was ready for trial. John Downey was sworn and testified as above stated. Several other witnesses were called and testified on minor details. Delzell admitted being concerned in the offense last evening but swore that he had never been engaged in that business except once, and that was last Tuesday night, when he was with Kiser
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and drank a little. Kiser told him he would turn in an alarm, and proceeded to do so by the use of a wire arrangement extending from the upper windows of Kiser's store to the telegraph lines.
The mayor said there was no doubt of Delzell's guilt but the decision would be reserved until next Monday morning. The ordinance provides that a fine may be assessed in any sum not more than $100.
Chief Vogel has in his possession the apparatus which was used in turning in the alarms. It is a wire arrangement coiled in circular form. This job was well worked, and will probably put an end to these malicious and inexcusable offences for a time. Kiser and Delzell threaten dire vengence against Downey.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 04/29/1879 Page 3, Col. 3.
Will. Delzell, who was fined $100 and costs for turning in false alarms of fire, will appeal the case.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 05/01/1879 Page 4, Col. 2.
FIRE.
The alarm at 11 o'clock last evening was caused by a fire at No. 126 Wilt street, in the two- story frame house occupied by Mr. N. Sickner and owned by Jos. Rhouner. The building was damaged about $200 and the furniture $100. Mr. Sickner had a light insurance on his household goods, but the house was not insured.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 05/06/1879
Page 4, Col. 4.
A frame building is being raised on West Wayne street, between Webster and Harrison streets, in open violation of the fire limits ordinance. Wardens Breen and Chittenden will please take notice.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 05/13/1879
Page 4, Col. 3-4.
Tom Mannix is out for chief engineer of the fire department.
The organ factory was damaged about $100 by fire at 10:30 this morning.
The alarm at 3 this afternoon was caused by a fire in a house about one mile east of the city. It was totally destroyed. The engines stopped at the city limits.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 05/14/1879
Page 4, Col. 3.
The fire east of town yesterday was in the smoke house of C. J. Winch. Loss small.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 05/15/1879
Page 3, Col. 4.
Martin Schram has entered upon the discharge of his duties as market master.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 05/17/1879 Page 4, Col. 4.
The fire committee have addressed a letter to the Silsby Manufacturing Company, with specifications as approved by the council, enclosed. The manufacturers are requested to draft a contract and insert the distance to which water will be thrown, and send said contract back to this council for their acceptance, or refusal.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Monday 05/19/1879 Page 3, Col. 4.
BLAZES.
AN INCENDIARY FIRE SATURDAY NIGHT AND A BURGLARY - ANOTHER FIRE YESTERDAY.
On last Saturday evening a fire broke out in an open shed on the John Taylor brick yard in White's addition. The building was entirely destroyed, including a lot of brick-making machinery. It was insured for $600 in the Hamburg-Bremen Company, by J. B. Comstock, but the loss is estimated to be above that sum. The fire was doubtless the work of incendiaries for the purpose of covering the movements of some burglars who, during the progress of the fire, forced an entrance into the dwelling house of Mrs. Meyers, residing about a block west of the brick-yard, and abstracted about $200 in cash which she had received on the sale of some property quite recently. No arrests.
At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, an alarm was turned in, caused by a blaze in the frame building at 307 West Washington street, owned by Wm. Gerke, and occupied by Sim. Bernard. The fire was caused by a defective flue; damage on building $1,000; fully insured; on furniture, $200; no insurance. Some difficulty was experienced in getting a supply of water on account of the distance to a cistern.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 05/21/1879
Page 3, Col. 3.
Fred Pohlmeyer of the fire department, will be married one week from tomorrow.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 05/22/1879 Page 3, Col. 4.
John Downey's case will come up before the fire committee and chief tonight. On account of past faithful services he will probably escape with a reprimand.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 05/23/1879
Page 4, Col. 3-4.
The fire committee met last night. No action was taken in the case of John Downey, as no charges was presented.
The fire committee received a letter and contract from the Silsby Manufacturing Company, last evening. The contract specifies that they will warrant the engine to throw a stream of water, 240 feet through a one and one fourth inch nozzle; the cost of repairs, according to specifications, being $725.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 05/24/1879
Page 1, Col. 3.
FIRE NEAR MONROEVILLE.
Last night about 6 o'clock the dwelling house of Arthur Howard, about one and a half miles southeast of Monroeville, in Monroe township, was totally destroyed by fire, together with the contents of the same. The total loss is estimated at not less than $1,000; no insurance.
Mr. Howard is one of the oldest and best known citizens of Monroe township, and the loss will be quite a blow to him. He was absent from home at the time, as was his family, who had gone to a neighbor's house in full sight of their home. The fire is supposed to have originated through a defective flue, as no other cause can be assigned. The house was log building weather- boarded, and was very comfortably arranged. In addition to his household furniture and clothing, the house contained 37 bushels of wheat, a lot of bacon, meat, etc. Not a single article was saved, and Mr. Howard knew nothing of the occurrence until he came home and found his house in ashes.
The sound of the fire bell last evening, was caused by the repairing of the wires.
The stove was taken out of the station house this morning. The stink still remains.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Monday 05/26/1879
Page 3, Col. 3.
The fire steamers should be repaired right away, as the department is now in an almost helpless condition.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 05/28/1879
Page 3, Col. 4-5.
COMMON COUNCIL MEETING.
A bill in favor of the Manchester Locomotive Works of $4,324.88, for the Zollinger steamer, was referred to a special committee of five consisting of Hettler, Holmes, Lillie, Reese and Bash, to report at the next regular meeting.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The fire committee, recommended that the proposition of the Silsby Company for the repair of the Anthony Wayne steamer be accepted; also that some action be taken as to the distribution of the fire engines: received and placed on file.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS.
The chief of the fire department reported the appointment of George Strodel as first assistant and John McGowan as second assistant. Concurred in.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 05/29/1879 Page 3, Col. 2.
The steamer Anthony Wayne was shipped to Seneca Falls to-day.
Lafayette is proud and puts on airs and struts because she thinks she is getting metropolitan. She had a fire engine explosion the other day, but didn't succeed in hurting anybody seriously. The city proposes to replace the engine with a horse syringe to be hung up in the public square, so that when a fire breaks out they can remain right in the square and throw water all over the city. It is to be a 6-oz syringe, as the council thought an 8-oz syringe would squirt clear out of town.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Thursday 05/29/1879 Page 3, Col. 4.
The employes of the fire department suffered a slight change, some for the better, others for the worse, The chairman of the committee on fire department suggested that it would be better to equalize the pay of these men, taking a little slice off from one set, and adding it to others who were understood to be receiving too little for the services rendered. The engineers of the steamers were compelled to surrender $10 per month of their $85, a portion of which was added to the two horse hose carriage drivers, making their pay $55 instead of $50. The engine drivers are reduced from $70 to $65.
Fred. Pohlmeyer was married at Emanuel's Church at half-past 10 o'clock this morning. As Fred. And his bride drove by the engine house the boys sounded a general alarm, but he failed to respond. He was too busy. It is expected, however, that he will be on duty to-night.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 05/30/1879
Page 3, Col. 5.
BIG BLAZE. ROBERTS & CO.'S FACTORY AT MAPLES BURNED DOWN. LOSS ABOUT $6,000; NO INSURANCE.
It has been some time since Maples has been represented in these columns and that little burg, feeling aggrieved about the matter, wakes things up and furnishes an installment to make up for lost time. As an item of direct interest the following is a success: The factory and sawmill of Wm. Roberts & Co., manufacturers of coiled hoop felloes and wagon stock, was completely destroyed by fire this morning. The fire was discovered about 1 o'clock and an alarm given but it was too late for any practical good, as the whole factory building was in flames. The fire is supposed to have originated from a spark from the furnace and may have been smouldering for hours before bursting into flame. Both buildings together with all the machinery, shafting, engine, circular saw, mill, etc., are a complete wreck. Several carloads of stock ready for shipment were also destroyed, the cars not arriving until this morning. The loss, including buildings and stock, is between $5,000 and $6,000. There was no insurance.
The dry-kiln of the Indiana Stave Works was set on fire last week by sparks from the stack, but the blaze was extinguished without any damage.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Saturday 05/31/1879
Page 3, Col. 3.
Yesterday about noon an effort was made to burn down the property of Mrs. Didier Duplein, whose troubles have occupied so much space in the papers of late. One hay stack was burned to the ground, and the fire was then extinguished. A man was seen running from that locality toward the woods shortly before the fire and he is supposed to have been the guilty party.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 06/04/1879
Page 4, Col. 2.
The boys of the fire department have given Fred. Pohlmeier a handsome easy chair for a wedding present.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 06/10/1879 Page 3, Col. 3.
A tar kettle caught fire in front of the bus barn this morning, and sent out clouds of smoke which indicated a large conflagration.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 06/11/1879 Page 3, Col. 3-4.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The fire committee reported that the Silsby manufacturing company refuse to sign contract for the repair of the Wayne steamer, as 250 pounds hydraulic pressure is too great for the boilers. Received and filed.
RESOLUTIONS.
That the mayor and fire committee contract with the Silsby Company and change the terms of the present contract for rebuilding the Anthony Wayne steamer so as to make the amount of hydraulic pressure to be sustained by the boiler 200 pounds, instead of 250 pounds as it now reads.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 06/13/1879
Page 3, Col. 2.
The Silsby Company has accepted the modified contract for the repair of the Anthony Wayne steamer, and the "masheen" will be forwarded at once to Seneca Falls.
989
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Monday 06/16/1879 Page 3, Col. 3.
The alarm from box 5-2, Saturday night, was not the result of a fire. The alarm was tapped to summon the firemen to make arrangements for Capt. Putnam's funeral. This bell should not be sounded for anything but fires, unless previous public announcement is made.
A question of jurisdiction has arisen in the city government, whether the chief engineer of the fire department shall run the mayor, fire committee and common council, or vice versa.
The attention of merchants, manufactures, etc., is called to the notice of the fire committee, published in another column, warning them against the furnishing of supplies for the fire department, except by the proper order. The present ordinances empower the fire committee alone to make requisitions for everything necessary to the running of the department.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 06/17/1879
Page 1, Col. 2-3
The fire department war is increasing in fervency. It got so hot this morning that it bursted the lighter on the Frank Randall engine. It was the first gun and made more noise than a 46-ton Krupp gun. No damage.
There is no trouble between the chief engineer and the fire committee as is generally supposed. The committee have heretofore been giving the chief too much rope, they are now simply hauling in the slack.
Why not call it the war department instead of the fire department?
991
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Tuesday 06/17/1879 Page 3, Col. 3-4.
COUNCIL MANIACS. THE COURT STREET PEST HOLE TO BE WHITEWASHED.
THE FIRE CHIEF ORDERED TO SEND IN NO MORE FALSE ALARMS.
Mr. Chittenden offered a resolution instructing the chief engineer of the fire department not to send in any more false alarms for any purpose whatever without the consent of the fire committee, and making any violation of this order sufficient cause for his dismissal, and the imposition of the fine as fixed by the ordinance. Carried.
A FIRE FUSS.
A LIVELY BREEZE IN THE "WAR DEPARTMENT." WHAT CHIEF VOGEL AND THE COMMITTEE SAY.
There is war in the council respecting the various duties and rights of the respective branches of the fire department. The committee state that hereafter all purchases for that department must be made by the fire committee, as provided by the ordinance. The committee say they have been very lenient and complimentary to the chief in allowing him to make his own purchases, etc., but that in consequence of his having acted in open and insulting violation of the expressed order of the council and the wishes of the chairman of the committee, they propose to unitedly and consolidatedly sit down upon him. Chief Vogel, on the other hand, says he is satisfied either way. If the committee want to run the fire department, they can run it; and that if he is to run it, he wants to run it. He says there must be one head to the department, but he don't care a d- n who it is, He says that when he issues an order to any of his men, that order must be obeyed and if he can't have control of the action of his men he don't want to have anything to do with the business at all. And, as far as tolling the fire bell was concerned, he states positively that he was never ordered to have the bell tolled and in fact was not ordered to turn out his men, and came near ordering his men back to the house when the first tap of the bell was sounded, thinking that it was an alarm of fire. He was requested by Councilman Muhler to turn out but was not ordered to do so by any member of the committee. He is glad the matter has occurred as it will decide a question of authority.
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FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Friday 06/20/1879
Page 4, Col. 4.
The Randall steamer was pumping water out of the city well on the north side yesterday afternoon.
FORT WAYNE DAILY SENTINEL Wednesday 06/25/1879 Page 3, Col. 2.
John Schroeder of the fire department handles a thirty-two pound ball to perfection.
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