USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 50
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3. Fr, Eggleston
491
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Fuller, 318 votes; Townsend E. Gidley, 304 votes; Valorius Meeker, 11 votes; Theodore Foster, 11 votes. For State Representative, August D. Hawley had 319 votes; Benjamin Copelin, 327 votes; Leander Chapman, 281 votes; Jerry G. Cornell, 268 votes; Horace Fowler, 12 votes; John M. Reed, 13 votes. For Sheriff, Jonathan L. Videto had 332 votes; John L. Butterfield, 270 votes; Israel S. Love, 15 votes. For County Clerk, Fairchild Farrand had 303 votes; Fidus Livermore, 292 votes; Henry H. Gilbert, 13 votes. For Treasurer, John N. Dwight had 332 votes; Benjamin H. Pack- ard. 264 votes; James D. Cowden, 16 votes: For Register, George Byrne had 317 votes; Merrick C. Hough, 253 votes; Seymour B. Treadwell, 14 votes; William E. Perrine, 28 votes. For Judge of Probate, William R. De Land had 327 votes: Giles Bloomfield, 272 votes. For Commissioner. John Belden had 330 votes; Franklin Pierce, 271 votes; Horace Dean, 15 votes. For Associate Judges, Henry A. Francisco had 330 votes; Samuel Shelden, 331 votes; Daniel Porter, 268 votes; Guy C. Chatfield, 268 votes; Thomas McGee, 15 votes; George L. Densmore, 14 votes. For County Surveyor, John T. Durand had 329 votes; Anson H. Delamater, 261 votes: George L. Densmore, 15 votes.
1841 .- Township meeting. April 5: For Supervisor, James Gan- son had 243 votes: Jotham Wood, 236 votes; Berthier M. Shelden, 63 votes. For Justice of the Peace, Merrick C. Hough had 350 votes; George Munroe, 135 votes; Seymour B. Treadwell, 17 votes. For Township Clerk, Jason B. Packard had 261 votes; Albert Fos- ter. 238 votes; John McLean, 24 votes. For Township Treasurer, John W. Sachett had 266 votes; Edward Higby, 240 votes; James D. Cowden, 20 votes.
1842 .- Township meeting, April 4: For Supervisor, William J. Moody had 272 votes; Benjamin G. Mosher, 179 votes; Berthier M. Shelden, 53 votes. For Justice of the Peace, John Garrow had 255 votes; Lott C. Steele, 208 votes; Seymour B. Treadwell, 45 votes. For Township Clerk. Edward Higby had 224 votes; Albert Foster, 219 votes; James T. Burchard, 51 votes. For Town- ship Treasurer, Levi P. Gregg had 232 votes; Lyman Case, 191 votes; John T. Wilson, 44 votes.
1843 .- Township meeting, April 3: For Supervisor, Marcus Wakeman had 317 votes; Jotham Wood, 169 votes; Cyrenus Smith, 49 votes. For Justice of the Peace, Lott C. Steele had 289 votes; James A. Dyer, 193 votes: Seymour B. Treadwell, 51 votes. For Township Clerk, Warren N. Buck had 304 votes; Albert Foster, 181 votes: Cyrus H. Thompson, 54 votes. For Township Treas- nrer, Berthier M. Shelden had 247 votes; Levi P. Gregg, 238 votes; Benjamin Hazleton, 50 votes. William J. Moody, Warren N. Buek, Clerk.
1844 .- Township meeting: For Supervisor, Marcus Wakeman had 300 votes; John T. Durand, 189 votes; Horace Wheelock, 123 votes. For Justice of the Peace, Berthier M. Shelden had 258 votes; Fidus Livermore, 241 votes; Seymour B. Treadwell, 110 votes; For Township Clerk, Warren N. Buck had 295 votes: Mil-
30
492
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ton J. Holbrook, 177 votes: Norman Allen, 128 votes. For Town- ship Treasurer, Ichabod Cole had 260 votes: James Munroe, 218 votes; Frederick Johnson, 129 votes.
PRESIDENTS OF THE VILLAGE.
The village of Jackson was organized under the Legislative enactment of March 7, 1843, after which time the following were the presidents:
Abram V. Berry. 1843
John Sumner 1850
Abram V. Berry 1844
John Sumner . .1851
Abram V. Berry. 1845
G. Thompson Gridley
1852
Jerome B. Eaton
.1846
G. Thompson Gridley
1853
John Sumner
1847
John W. Hulen. 1854
Alva Gould.
1848
Fairchild Farrand. 1855
Orson W. Bennett.
1849
Samuel Higby 1856
The act of 1857 organizing the city of Jackson, was amended in 1871, dividing it into eight wards, and granting the full representa- tion of 16 aldermen. Its topographical sections read tlins:
SEC. 1. That so much of the county of Jackson as is embraced in the east half of section 33, sections 34 and 35, the west half of section 36, the southwest quarter of section 25, the south half of sections 26 and 27, and the southeast quarter of section 28, all in township 2 south, of range 1 west, and in the west half of section 1, sections 2 and 3, the east half of section 4, the northeast quarter of section 9, the north half of sections 10 and 11, and the northwest quarter of section 12, all in township 3 south, of range 1 west, be and the same is hereby declared to be a city by the name of the "City of Jackson," by which name it shall be hereafter known.
SEO. 2. The freemen of said city, from time to time being inhabitants thereof, shall be and continue a body corporate and politic, to be known and distinguished by the name and title of the mayor, recorder, and aldermen of the city of Jackson, and shall be and are hereby made capable of suing and being sued, of pleading and being impleaded, of answering and being answered unto, and of defending and being defended in all courts of law and equity, and all other places whatever; and may have a common seal, which they may alter and change at pleasure, and by the same name shall be, and are hereby made capable of purchasing, holding, convey- ing, and disposing of any real or personal estate for said city.
SEC. 3. The said city shall be divided into eight wards, as follows, to-wit: The first ward shall embrace all that portion of the city lying west of Grand river on the north side of Ganson street and west of Mechanic street, on the south side of Ganson street, north of Main street and east of Blackstone street, and to Lansing avenue, and east of Lansing avenne to the north limits of the city; the second ward shall embrace all that portion of the city lying north of Main street and the continuous line thereof, and west of Blackstone street to Lansing avenne, and west of Lansing avenue to the north limits of the city; the third ward shall emhrace all that portion of the city south of Main street and the continuous line thereof, and west of First street and the continuous line thereof: the fourth ward shall embrace all that portion of the city lying between First and Mechanic streets and the continuons lines there- of, and south of Main street; the fifth ward shall embrace all that portion of the city east of Mechanic street and the continuous line thereof, south of Main street, between Mechanic and Francis streets, south of Liberty street, between Francis street (at its point of intersection with Main street) and the Grand river, and west of Grand river south of Liberty street ; the sixth ward shall embrace all that portion of the city south of Main street, east of Francis street, north of Liberty street, and east of Grand river south of Liberty street : the seventh ward shall embrace all that por- tion of the city east of Mechanic street, south of Ganson street, and north of Main street ; and the eighth ward shall embrace all that portion of the city east of Grand
493
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
river and north of Ganson street: Provided, That whenever a street or river is mentioned in this act as a boundary or division line, the center of said street or con- tinuation thereof, or river, shall be deemed to be the said line."
To give the history of Jackson from this period to the present time, in the most solid form, we will divide the matter topically.
VOTE OF THE CITY FROM 1857 to 1880.
Year.
Office.
Name of Candidate.
Total Vote. Maj
1857
Mayor 66
J. C. Wood, dem
479. .
55
. Chas. W. Penny, rep.
424.
66
Recorder 66
E. Pringle, rep. .423.
1858
Mayor
P. B. Loomis, rep.
143
66
66
J. L. Holmes, dem
410.
1859
Mayor
.Wm. Jackson, rep.
473. . . 31
44
66
Fidus Livermore, dem 442.
471.
9
1860
Mayor
Amos Root,, rep.
35
66
Recorder.
.F. M. Foster, dem
16
1861
Mayor
. Amasa B. Gibson, dem 530
33
. Daniel Upton, rep.
497
.Enoch Bancker, dem. .561. .107
E. H. Ring, rep .. 454.
1862
Mayor 46
.Jas. E. Dyer, rep.
409
4.
Recorder
C. C. Esmond, dem 522 .... 104
Levi J. Burr, rep 418.
1863
Mayor
A. B. Gibson, dem. . .545. .
. . 31
66
Recorder James O'Donnell. rep
.537 ..
15
66
B. L. Carlton, dem.
522
1864
Mayor
Delos Fisher, rep. .
.550.
1
Recorder
James O'Donnell, rep.
.590.
82
66
.66
.H. F. Knapp, dem.
.508.
1865
Mayor
. D. B. Hibbard, dem.
624. ... 140
16
Recorder
James O'Doud, rep.
.563.
20
1866
Mayor
M. A. McNaughton, rep.
.697.
54
66
.A. B. Gibson, dem. .
698.
26
66
Edward Crowe, dem
.672
1867
Mayor
W. N. Buck, dem. 774.
38
Recorder 66
. Thomas J. Conely, dem
.781. 33
1868
Mayor
.Geo. H. Lathrop, rep ..
.872.
Recorder.
Thomas A. Wilson, dem.
986. . .. 117
1869
Mayor W. M. Bennett, dem.
982. . .. 110
66
Recorder .Thomas A. Wilson, dem
.986. . . . 117
16
66
W. W. Andrews, rep
.869 ....
46
Recorder
.J. D. Conely, dem.
462
H. A. Hayden, dem.
.G. W. Brown ..
.A. B. Gibson, dem. .535.
126
M. A. McNaughton, rep.
.514.
Henry A. Hayden, dem.
.549.
484.
Thomas J. Conely, dem
.543.
.643.
Recorder
James O'Donnell, rep
.E. A. Webster, rep .736.
Erastus Peck, rep .. 748. . .
. W. N. Buck, dem .902.
30
46
W. W. Andrew, rep.
.869
66
J. L. Mitchell, dem 492. . 69
406 ....
Recorder
.J. C. Wood, dem.
Ben. Newkirk, rep 545. . .. 135
J. W. Hulin, rep.
Recorder 6.
Wm. Jackson, rep.
. George H. Lathrop, rep. 872 ....
494 1870
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Mayor W. M. Bennett, dem.
1242. .... 354
M. A. McNaughton, rep. .888 ...
Recorder T. A. Wilson, dem.
1130. . .. 143
James O' Donnell, rep. .987
Mayor Jasper H. Noyes, dem 1252 .. .256
W. L. Seaton, rep. 996 ..
Recorder A. M. Tinker, rep.
1169 .. 63
L. M. Powell, dem.
1106 .. . .
1872
Mayor
.B. G. Mosies, dem.
1355
.. 513
Recorder
.G. A. Foster, dem. . 1277. . .. 137
1873
Mayor
B. G. Mosies, dem
1061.
75
Recorder
G. A. Foster, dem.
1298. . .. 519
S. C. Rodgers, rep. . .
779
1877
Mayor
James O'Donnell, rep.
.236
64
Recorder J. S. Harrington.
48
1878
Mayor 44
Cyrus W. Higby, dem
66
Recorder
H. F. Knapp, dem.
64
J. S. Harrington, greenbacker.
.358
66
C. R. Taylor.
1880
Mayor
.Joseph Mabley, dem. 1207
.518
66
.N. C. Lowe, rep.
689.
...
66
Milar MeLaughlin, greenbacker.
665. .. .
Recorder
Geo. R. Holden, dem 794. ...
16
Wm. A. Ernst, rep ... 1260 .... 450
66
Jonn Harrington, greenbacker 810 ....
The city officers holding positions in January, 1881, were Joseph Mabley, Mayor; Wm. A. Ernst, Recorder; Albert Stiles, Treasurer; Wm. Dilley, Chief of Police; Erastus Peck, City At- torney ; Nathan H. Williams, City Physician; John W. Orr, Overseer of the Poor ; Charles B. Hyde, City Engineer; Cyrus H. Fountain, Superintendent Public Works ; Lewis D. Welling, Horace Hunt, Minard F. Cook and David G. Palmer, Justices of the Peace.
The Common Council, with Reuben S. Clark as president, in- cluded Frank P. Snyder and John L. Mitchell representing the 1st ward ; Christopher Van Horn and Geo. O. Woodworth, the 2d ward ; Reuben E. Clark and Wm. B. Reid, the 3d ward ; Wm. Brown and Charles H. Palmer, the 4th ward ; Edward Sellers and Homer D. Fisher, the 5th ward; John C. Blaisdell and Oscar B. Driscoll, the 6th ward ; George Clinton and Patrick Casey, the 7th ward; Charles W. Cook and Howell T. Howells, the 8th ward.
The Board of Public Works comprised Nathaniel B. Hall, Pres- ident; Chester Warriner, James L. Holmes, Edward A. Webster and Hiram H. Smith. This board supervises the water-works, streets and parks, sidewalks, sewers. public buildings, lamps and bridges. .
The Board of Health is composed of President Abram L. Craw- ford, C. A. Baldwin and C. C. Page.
The Board of Assessors comprised Jonathan H. Emmons, Wm. Page and Geo. F. Rice.
B. F. Eggleston, rep. .842 ....
64
A. M. Tinker, rep. 1140 ....
James O'Donnell, rep.
986. . .
Douglas Gibson, dem
Wm. F. Johnson.
James O'Donnell, rep.
.240
1871
495
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
The Board of Cemetery Trustees, under the presidency of Andrew J. Gould, is formed of three members, the president, Samuel O. Knapp, and Geo. Webb.
AN OLD TIME DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLAGE.
In 1838 the Gazeteer of Michigan was published, and in the pages of the quaint old volume a reference was of course made to the central village of Jackson. This description, though brief, is particularly interesting, since it will the better portray the rapid strides of the city within a period of +2 years:
"Jackson, a village, the seat of justice for the county of Jack- son, in a township of the same name, situated on the east bank of Grand river, contains a postoffice, court-house, jail, banking association, printing office, a druggist's store, a tannery furnace, two saw-mills, a flouring mill with four run of stone, tour dry goods stores, eight lawyers and three physicians. A Baptist church is now erecting. A church, called the Union church, to accom- modate several denominations, will be completed soon. The State penitentiary has been located here, and is in progress of con- struction. Here is likewise the location of a branch of the Univer- sity. The Detroit & St. Joseph railroad is to pass through here. There is a fall of eight feet in the river at this place, and any amount of water-power can be obtained in the vicinity. Within half a mile of the village is a quarry of fine sandstone. It is very flourishing, distant 80 miles west from Detroit, 606 northwest of Washington city."
Such was Jackson village of 1837-'8. What a change ! What advance ! During the year 1839 the industries named in the description given by the Gazeteer increased, so that instead of one bank there were two; instead of one printing office there were four, publishing two weekly papers and two semi-monthly journals, viz. : Jackson Sentinel, Michigan Democrat, American Freeman, and the Michigan Temperance Herald. During the same year there were added to the business establishments of the village one drug store and six-dry goods stores. Instead of two there were five churches. The population of 1837-'38 was 400, inhabiting 75 dwellings ; a year later this number rose to over 1,000, claiming 200 buildings, and with 80 more large stores and dwellings in pro- cess of completion. The year of 1839 was the first building era -the era of progress, in which the inhabitants resolved to raise their village to the pinnacle of its greatness.
THE MODERN BUILDERS.
The building of a city. or rather that epoch in its history when the capitalist steps forward to order the erection of houses for trade and dwellings for the people, is the most important, if not the most interesting, record. To review the works gotten up from
496
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
time to time by the enterprise of the modern builders would re- quire volumes. Here it will be only necessary to refer briefly to those erections of the seventh and eighth decades of this century, the fourth and fifth in the history of Jackson. Let us take up a list of such improvements, written in 1871, examine it, and give honor where honor pointeth. Toward the close of that year the following buildings were completed, or in process of completion :
Mr. E. A. Webster had erected 36 houses, at an average value of $4,000 each, and was engaged in completing a magnificent resi- dence for himself on one of the most sightly and most beautiful lots on North Main street. Mr. Silas Heyser built 24 houses, at an average value of $1,800 each. Mr. Wilcox built 21 houses, at an average value of $2,000. Mr. Rufus Heaton erected nine houses, valued at $2,500 each. I. N. Harwood built seven houses, worth on an average 82,000 each. Dr. Palmer built five houses, worth on an average $1,200. Dr. M. A. McNaughton is entitled to credit for placing within the reach of people of limited means, material and ground for building many houses, aiding and en- couraging the providing of comfortable homes. Mr. B. C. Harris also did a good work in this direction. He made an advance of money to aid in building some 21 houses, at an average value of $2,000, and he furnished the ground upon which to place them. This is upon Harris street, on the east hill, so called. This street is 50 rods long, and has been made one of the best-built streets in the city. There are quite a number of other builders and real estate owners who have erected three, four and five houses each; also a number of citizens who have built for themselves splendid homes.
BUSINESS BLOCKS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC.
The principal buildings of the city include the Bennett Block, Calvert, Courter and Crystal Palace blocks, Bronson, Durand, Goldsmith, Hanover, Hollon, Kennedy, Lathrop, Merriman, Mor- rison, Mosher, Reynolds, Sammons, Warriners, Wilcox, Smith Bros., Metropolitan, Keystone and Marble Front blocks. The Hurd House, Hibbard House, Union Hall blocks and the Glass Front Structure. Buildings, metropolitan in character, will soon occupy the sight of the old Marion House and adjoining property, destroyed by fire on the morning of Dec. 31, 1880. Another large building will occupy the place of the old church at the south- west corner of Mechanic and Franklin streets, new churches and residences are projected, so that the present promises a full re- vival of the building era, the removal of frame structures from the business center of the city, and the possibility of obtaining a home or commercial house at a reasonable rent.
The Citizen building, county court-house, county jail, Jackson Gas Light Co.'s Works, and water-works buildings are all preten- tious structures. The Odd Fellows Block, County Agricultural Society's buildings, and Opera House Block, are extensive and
497
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
valuable; while the churches are numerous, commodious and beautiful. The First Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Congregational, Free-Will Baptist and Protestant Episcopals are structures worthy of a Christian people. Of the other churches in the city few are below the character of such institutions as are found in large cities. The school buildings, modern in architecture, are elegant structures, and, like the churches, bear testimony to the character of the citizens. The buildings given up to the manufacturing in- terests are, as a rule, plain, but well adapted to their use.
The incorporated manufacturing institutions of the city comprise the Austin, Tomlinson & Webster Manufacturing Co .; Withing- ton & Cooley Manufacturing Co .; Jackson Gas Light Co .; Porter Coal Co .; Bortin Manufacturing Co .; Michigan Coal Co .; Jackson Bonanza Gold and Silver Mining Co .; and the Burtch Washing- Machine Co.
The press is represented by two daily and four weekly news- papers, one of which, the Michigan Volksfreund, was projected in 1877, and is now published by Rudolph Worch.
There are five banking establishments, all resting on a firm foundation, and each of them well administered.
Six lines of railroad enter the city, thus rendering it one of the most important railway centers in the United States.
The Greenwood and City parks are limited recreation grounds for the citizens. These little parks, when compared with the five cemeteries now used as so many places of sepniture, would lead a stranger to believe that death was the only thing the citizens have in view. The public and private buildings, the hum of business, and the genial character of the people are magnificent contradic- tions of such a belief.
The other hotels of the city include the Central City, Central House, Commercial, Farmers, Franklin, Junction, Union, Mont- gomerie, Mosher, Railroad and Transient.
There are 78 insurance companies represented in the city by the following agents: R. Livermore, J. C. Lowell, W. B. Webb, Tinker & Brown, A. J. Gould, G. W. Kennedy, John McDevitt, E. A. Hough, Hall & Lowe, Wm. T. Gibson, G. W. Ford and Wm. M. Campbell.
The streets and avenues number 222, all graded, and many of them possessing a double line of shade trees. Main street, east and west, is the great artery of the city; west from Cooper street it presents a scene of commercial life similar in many respects to the great thoronglifares of older and larger cities.
The principal business offices, stores and manufacturing estab- lishments number 865, not including the minor houses.
JACKSON CITY POSTOFFICE.
There is no record extant to show at what date the postoffice was established; but it is safe to conclude that very soon after the nucleus of civilization was planted in the "oak openings," a
498
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
repository for the weekly newspaper and the occasional letter to the pioneer settler was provided. But in the days of twenty-five- cent postage, portmanteau mail bags, and equestrian postmen, the duties of the postmaster on the frontier were not arduous. With the introduction of railroads, cheap postage and the growth of the commonwealth the postal business of Jackson has become an important feature, as the statistics of 1880, kindly furnished by Mr. Seaton, the postmaster, will show. There are 11 persons em- ployed in discharging the duties in connection with the office in the several capacities noted below:
W. L. Seaton, Postmaster; Frank Knowles, Mailing Clerk; Lillie Smith, Money Order Clerk; Flora Taylor, Delivery Clerk; Julia Taylor, Stamp and Delivery Clerk; W. C. Howe, Superintendent of Carriers; W. E. Carter, E. B. Cooper, C. H. Smith, George Thompson and Frank McCracken, Carriers.
GENERAL BUSINESS.
Receipts from the sale of stamps, stamped envelopes, postal cards, etc .. $22,009.79 Receipts from box rents .. . 886.50
Receipts from sale of waste paper. 7.60
Total
$22,903.89
Expenses for salaries, clerks, rent, lights, fuel, etc. $ 6.952.10
Net income.
15,951.79
MONEY ORDER DEPARTMENT.
7,227 domestic orders issued.
$83,207 00
Fees on same
794.00
193 British orders issued.
2,661.24
Fees on same ...
76.90
11 Canadian orders issued.
156.73
Fees on same.
3.65
Total.
$86,899.52
7,281 domestic orders paid.
$97,061.00
16 British orders paid. .
253.70
20 Canadian orders paid.
366.71
Total
$97,681.41
REGISTERED LETTERS.
Registered letters sent ..
1,514
Registered letters received.
2,966
Total
4.480
CARRIERS' DEPARTMENT.
For the ten months after the carrier system was adopted, March 1 to Dec. 31, 1880.
Registered letters delivered.
1,688
Mail letters delivered 377,682
499
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Postal cards delivered
143,750
Drop letters delivered.
18,427
Drop postal cards delivered ..
18,475
Newspapers, etc., delivered.
289,967
Total delivered.
849,989
Letters collected.
178,329
Postal cards collected
77,185
Newspapers, etc., collected.
22,345
Total collected
277,859
Total number of pieces handled
1,127,848
The following are the names of the postmasters in the order of their succession :
H. Thompson, Mr. Coleman, George B. Cooper, Wilbur F. Story, James A. Dyer, R. S. Cheney, Joseph P. Shoemaker, Amos Root, W. L. Seaton.
Fire Department .- The first fire company in Jackson was organ- ized in 1843, with Peter E. De Mill as foreman. The first engine, " Protection No. 1," was a goose neck. The fire department was reorganized in 1856, the old engine sold to the State for the use of the prison, and two new engines purchased, "Protection No. 1," J. B. Tomlinson, Foreman; and "Neptune No. 2," L. A. Pen- noyer, Foreman. In 1858 the third engine was bought, "Liberty '76," Calvin T. Beebe, Foreman. This engine was sold in 1865 to the city of Marshall. In 1866 the name of "Neptune " was changed to " Germania." Three hose companies were formed, "Protection No 1," Charles Beebe, Foreman; "Germania No. 2," George Fleisher, Foreman; and" Liberty' 76," Edwin Hague, Fore- man. Peter B. Loomis was first chief engineer in 1857. He served two years and was succeeded by Henry A. Hayden, who served in 1860-'61. In 1861 T. E. Hayes was elected chief engin- eer. He performed his duty in a manner so satisfactory that he wasre-elected annually to the time of his death. He was succeeded by Thomas Budington. Thomas E. Lusk was chief engineer from 1864 to 1876. George Lake was chief engineer from 1876 to 1877. Thomas E. Lusk is now chief engineer. J. W. Hewitt was connected with the fire department from its organization until two years since.
The fire department of Jackson in all the days of hand engines, was one of the best organized and decidedly the most efficient of any in the State. In the several contests and tournaments with companies from the other cities and villages of the State, their suc- cess reflected great credit upon Jackson. When the chief engineer of the Jackson fire department called upon his forces to "man the brakes," whether at a fire or in a friendly contest, it was under- stood that work was to be done such as any company might well be proud of. In every contest Jackson fire companies were victors. They carried off the prizes at seven tournaments. Each
500
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
chief engineer can boast of his silver trumpet, and Jackson won and held the champion banner against all competitors.
In 1865 the city bought a rotary steam fire engine, called " Phil Sheridan," afterward changed to "Gen. Sherman." From this time the hand engines fell into disuse, but the efficiency of the fire department of Jackson has been in no way impaired by the change, and its members feel the same pride in the discharge of their duty as when their predecessors stood by the brakes.
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