History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II, Part 26

Author: Mills, James Cooke
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Saginaw, Mich., Seemann & Peters
Number of Pages: 838

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"Next morning the result of our day's sport was thirty barrels, then worth and sold for five dollars per barrel. These fish were in schools, and the water black with them. An Indian stood in the bow with a spear, while one in the stern would hold the canoe still on one of these schools, and the spearsman would fill the canoe, often bringing up three or four fish at a time. averaging from three to six and eight pounds each. We used to take a good many with seines in the Saginaw, opposite the city, but it was not a suc- cess, there being so much sunken floodwood."

Summary of Trade of Saginaw in 1858

Fur Trade $ 30,000

Shingle Trade $ 30.000

Fish Trade

40,000

Stave Trade ... 30,000

Lumber Trade

872.000

Ship Yard Trade 50,000

Lath Trade

20.000 General Trade 200,000

Total $1.272,000

The Extension of Business to Hamilton Street

In the seventies a two-story brick building was erected at the corner of North Hamilton and Ames Streets, and some time after the space between it and the larger block on the corner of Franklin ( Hancock ), was filled by a two-story brick structure. The entire property was then owned by the late Arthur Barnard, and became known as the Barnard Block, where he made his home for a number of years. Mr. Barnard also acquired the property at the corner of Niagara and Hancock Streets, originally the Ritter Block, which was the second brick block erected on the west side of the river. This block was occupied for many years by the "Saginawian." the paper established by the late George F. Lewis.

In those days the west side of Water Street, between Hancock and Ames Streets, was devoted entirely to business, and it was here that George Streeb, the veteran grocer, established the business which, about 1870, was removed to the present location on North Webster Street. Years after, the building at the corner of Niagara and Ames Streets was erected by Mr. Barnard, who owned the entire square.

It was in 1871 that the most pretentious business building in Saginaw City was erected at Hamilton and Hancock Streets, and was the appropriate home of the newly established dry goods house of Dawson & Moore, which occupied the double store next to the corner which was used by John C. Ziegler with a fine stock of jewelry. The second and third floors were filled with offices, including the law office of Gaylord & Hanchett, which was composed of Augustus S. Gaylord and Benton Hanchett. Leading physi- cians and other professional men had offices in this prominent building.

The depression following the panic of 1873 proved too great a handicap for the successful development of the dry goods business, and after a time Dawson & Moore retired. Ammi W. Wright was behind the business, and he would not allow it to go down to failure, and for some years after the leading dry goods house in Saginaw City was maintained at this location.

HAMILTON STREET, LOOKING SOUTH FROM JEFFERSON (CLEVELAND) ABOUT 1875

VIEW ON SAGINAW RIVER, LOOKING NORTH FROM MACKINAW STREET BRIDGE, ABOUT 1875

CHAPTER XII SOME MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS

The City Officials in 1868 - The Fire Department - First Volunteer Fire- Fighters - Primitive Hand Engines - Rivalry of the Fire Companies -A Test of Their Mettle - Advent of Steam Engines- Reorganization of the Department -- Stewart S. Ellsworth Becomes Chief - George W. Wallis, Veteran Fire-Fighter - Fire-Fighters of Saginaw City -Some Big Losses - The Great Fire of May, 1893 - The Hofly Water Works - The West Side Water System - AA Consolidation of the Water Systems - The Police Department- Controlling the "Red Sash Brigade"- Enter a New Element, Patrick Kain - When Changes Were Rapid -Saginaw an Orderly City.

1 N searching out and examining the dim records of the past, often musty and discolored with age, it is interesting to trace, step by step, the de- velopment of the municipal organizations which governed the two cities of the Saginaws. From the time of their incorporation as cities, in 1857 and 1859, to their consolidation in 18'0, both enjoyed a period of uninter- rupted prosperity. The timber and salt resources of the valley were pro- ducing wealth to many sturdy and energetic men of capital and brains : trade and commerce was creating competence to others ; and the ablest men in the community were directing the business of the people. None, however engrossed in his private affairs, declined to serve the public, or refused to give of his time and means to promote enterprises and improvements calcu- lated to advance the material interests of the city.

The men at the head of the various departments constituting the city governments were the biggest, brainiest and most progressive citizens of their time, and they conducted the municipal affairs with probity and policies of conservatism. In 1868 the city officials of East Saginaw were: James L. Keteham, mayor: Charles 11. Camp, recorder; Albert R. Wedthoff. treasurer : C. V. DeLand, controller : Gilbert R. Chandler, marshal ; Martin Smith. F. W. Carlisle, B. B. Buckhout, aldermen of the first ward; Peter Geisler, George W. Morley, William Zimmerman, aldermen of the second ward: A. B. Wood, John G. Owen and L. 11. Eastman, aldermen of the third ward. Hezekiah Miller, G. A. Flanders and E. A. Sturtevant were the justices of the peace: Noah C. Richardson, Egbert Ten Eyck and Volusin Bude were the sewer commissioners; Morgan L. Gage, Chester B. Jones and Charles V. Deland were the cemetery commissioners, and E. A. Moore was street commissioner.

About this time the city offices were located in the Derby Block, on the west side of Water Street between Genesee and Tuscola. Public improve- ments were being made in the business section, which extended to Jeffer- son Street, stumps and rubbish being cleared away, side streets opened up and sidewalks laid. A good system of sewerage had been put in a few years before, and the bayous that formerly were so obnoxious to the eye and so detrimental to health were both drained and filled up. The most string- ent measures were adopted to insure the good health of the city; and an efficient police organization. under the metropolitan system, was formed for the public safety.

208

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

The same year ( 1868), the city officials of Saginaw City were: Alfred F. R. Braley, mayor: J. B. Scheick, recorder ; Emil Schuermann, treasurer ; Edwin Saunders, controller ; and J. T. Burnham, C. T. Brenner, N. D. Lee, G. R. Stark, S. B. Williams, M. T. C. Plessner, A. A. Brockway and J. S. North were the aldermen of the four city wards, each of which was entitled to two.

At that date the city had a good school system, and besides several ward school houses had recently finished the new Union School, which, according to Fox, "is perhaps, in point of architectural beauty and convenience, the finest edifice in the west." A gas company had recently been organized, "which proposes to furnish the city with gas, soon:" the "Saginaw City Street Railway extends from the foot of Mackinaw Street bridge to the foot of Genesee Street, East Saginaw." A fire department, with a steamer and hook and ladder company, had been organized some time before.

The Fire Department

In the olden times the Saginaws, as villages, suffered all the losses by fre which usually befell settlements in the western wilderness. With no means at hand to fight fire, except the primitive "bucket brigade" taking water from the river, or wells and cisterns, very little could be done to check a raging conflagration, which generally burned itself out. The log cabins and first frame houses in the villages were widely scattered, and when a fire started it seldom spread to neighboring buildings; but the populace turned out and there was great excitement and confusion.

The men and able-bodied boys quickly formed a line, and an endless chain of pails, pans and anything that would hold water, was kept in hurried motion between the nearest supply of water and the burning building. Meanwhile, the women hung blankets and quilts on the exposed sides of the nearest houses, and by the use of tin ware and dishes kept them wet. Other persons, no less active, removed the contents of nearby buildings, or made themselves useful in other ways. But there was no leader to direct the fire fighters, and their efforts were quite ineffectual.

As the villages grew up after extensive improvements had been made. and houses and business blocks filled the vacant places, the danger of a con- flagration was greatly increased, but no adequate protection was afforded to save valuable property. The villages had not yet had their first experience with a big fire.

The First Volunteer Fire-Fighters

The disastrous fires of 1854, however, awakened the leading men of both places to the necessity of some effective means of fighting fire. Discussions were held at various times and information was sought from eastern cities, but it was not until early in 1857 that any definite action was taken toward organizing an efficient fire fighting force. At East Saginaw this took the form of regularly organized volunteer fire companies, the first company tak- ing the very appropriate name of Pioneer No. 1, with the motto "Always Ready." It had a membership of forty-one, and was provided with neat and attractive uniforms which, together with its engine, hose cart and other equipment, were kept in an engine house located on the southeast corner of Water and Williams ( Janes) Streets.

The list of charter members and officers of Pioneer Fire Engine Com- pany, No. 1, is transcribed from Fox's History of Saginaw County, 1858: George J. Dorr, Foreman George Schram

T. W. Hawley. Ist Ass't Foreman John Swift

James F. Brown, 2nd Ass't Foreman A. L. Rankin

Alexander Ferguson, Secretary J. Hutton

F. N. Bridgman, Treasurer E. A. Moore

GENESEE STREET, LOOKING EAST FROM WATER STREET

RUINS OF JACKSON

HALL, BURNED MAY 26, 1873

THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1873 ACROSS GENESEE STREET BRIDGE

MORLE BRO'S STOVE

GENESEE STREET, LOOKING

WEST

FROM WASHINGTON, ABOUT 1868

GENESEE FROM STREET, LOOKING WASHINGTON, ABOUT

EAST 1872

WATER FROM

STREET, LOOKING GERMAN, GREAT FLOOD 1873

NORTH

210

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

Charter members of Pioneer Fire Engine Company No. 1-continued :

Z. W. Wright B. B. Buckhont R. A. Eddy D. G. Holland (). J. Quinn J. H. Springer W. C. Yawkey I. L. Ilayden J. S. Estabrook

G. W. Phillips

F. P. Simpson

C. Merrill

James Lewis

G. C. Warner William Weeks O. J. Phillips

Moses Garner Martin Smith

As a component part of this company of fire fighters there was an organized hose brigade or "smoke eaters," named Pioneer Hose Company. No. 1, composed of the following members :

1. E. Mershon, Foreman H. A. Pratt

Sanford Keeler, Ass't Foreman

S. A. Pratt

James Ruan. Secretary C. H. Gage

H. Woodruff

William J. Driggs F. A. Van Antwerp C. H. Hayden John Weller

AAlthough the population of the village at this time did not exceed six- teen hundred, the spirit of co-operation was strong among all classes, and soon a second company, named Jesse Hoyt Fire Engine Company, No. 2. was duly organized. It had a membership of thirty, its motto was "Rough and Ready," and, like the first company, was fully equipped with appro- priate uniforms, hand fire engine, hose cart and fire-fighting tools, all of which was kept in readiness for instant use in a separate fire engine house on the west side of Water Street at the foot of Tuscola. The members of this company were:

T. A. McLeese, Foreman

Thomas Coats

J. E. Burtt, 1st Ass't Foreman

Thomas Safal

1 .. Newton, 2nd Ass't Foreman Henry Marks

Charles T. Harris, Treasurer

Thomas Garry

Robert Haddon, Secretary

Patrick Connor

D. D. Keeler, Steward

George Perkins Willis Abel

Charles Allen

Dennis Mc Donald

Charles Blodgett

Thomas Derry

John Haggerty

(. Tebo John Earow

Hosea Pratt

Albert Bates

Lewis Causley

Thomas Redson

Jasper Englehart

Samuel Allen

George Rowell Aaron Ketrich James l'erry

Connected with this engine company was an efficient hose company, named Jesse Hoyt Hose Company, No. 2. with a membership of seven, as follows :

Samuel Hewitt, Foreman E. Bissell, 1st Ass't Foreman Thomas Abbott William Bodeno

John Connor

Edward McGunn W. McGraff

B. P. Derby M. Jeffers H. C. Burt

James Hillier

M. Wakeman A. Dann H. C. Sawyer

G. C. Sanborn 11. 11. Beatty F. H. Hall

T. H. Humes

G. F. Corliss Jesse A. Burdick

Henry Horton

211

SOME MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS

Not to be outdone by these energetic townsmen, other men. prominent in the business and social life of the place, formed a very necessary adjunct to the volunteer fire-fighting forces. This was the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, organized August 14, 1858, and was composed of twenty- five members, who were:

William J. Bartow, Foreman

Clark M. Curtis

W. L. Webber, Ist Ass't Foreman John Sharp

L. H. Eastman, 2nd Ass't Foreman

B. E. Brown

Charles B. Mott, Secretary

P. Mumford

Jay S. Curtis, Treasurer

Frank R. Copeland

S. Bond Bliss Thomas Willey

J. A. Whittier

William H. Beach

John F. Driggs

William Final

J. H. McFarlin Moses B. Hess

Charles O. Garrison

J. C. Godley

R. II. Loomis

Seth C. Beach N. Whitney

Charles W. Grant

The Primitive Hand Engines

The hand fire engines which afforded the first real protection against fire, were a unique feature of the volunteer forces and a source of great pride to the members of the respective fire companies. They were of mechanism wonderful to behold and when in action, manned by twenty stalwart men clad in bright red and yellow uniforms, they were an endless joy and delight to the small boys. The dimensions of the engines, as de- termined by S. R. Kirby, then chief engineer of the department, were as follows:

No. 1

Length of Brakes

1842 feet 712 inches

No. 2 feet

Diameter of Cylinders

Area of Plungers ... Average Stroke of Piston

834 inches

44 inches 612 inches 00 inches inches Capacity of Cylinders 287 sq. inches 36034 square inches 1 Diameter of Suction Pipe inches 412 inches 212 inches Diameter of Delivery Pipe 212 inches Diameter of Nozzle 7g - 15/16 in. 7g -1 1/16 in.

When worked at their normal speed of sixty strokes per minute, the dis- charge of engine No. 1 was sixty-two gallons, and of No. 2 seventy-eight gallons, the ratio of capacity being one to one and a quarter. For sixteen years these engines were in active commission, and for half of that period, in conjunction with a third engine named Cataract Engine, No. 3, provided the only mechanical means of fighting fire.

Rivalry of the Fire Companies

AAlmost at the beginning of organized fire-fighting a spirit of rivalry and daring seized the members of the two engine and hose companies; and there were keen contests of speed and endurance between them, the first company to reach a fire and throw a stream being declared the winners. The com- panies drilled and practiced with great zeal, and were often called out to make a short run to an imaginary fire, when they quickly manned their engine, laid their hose, and threw water on somebody's house or barn. Each man thus became thoroughly familiar with his duties, so that when an alarm was sounded all responded promptly and worked with precision.

William Gallagher

PAINT SHOP.

PEAK F&WILT

GENESEE AVENUE BETWEEN BAUM AND JEFFERSON, ABOUT 1860

213

SOME MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS

After a while this practice grew irksome and they longed for a real fire to give zest and danger to the sport. As none occurred they proceeded to make their own - to order - huge bonfires in out of the way places. Some of the side streets, not far from Genesee Plank Road, were then being cleared of standing timber, and were littered with brush, bark and refuse, all dry and highly inflamable. This material the enthusiastic firemen gathered and piled in big heaps, and at appointed times applied the torch. One or other of the fire companies would then assemble at their engine house, the alarm would be given, the men fall in the traces and rush to the bonfire and quickly extinguish it, the hose company doing their part.

A Test of Their Mettle

The first real test of the skill and endurance of the volunteer firemen occurred on July 26, 1857, on the occasion of the burning of Beach & Moores' store, which stood on the site of W. L. P. Little & Company's warehouse, which was burned in the memorable fire of July 5, 1854. It was about four o'clock on Sunday afternoon when the fire was discovered, and had gained such headway that the buikling burned to the ground, though by hard work the firemen saved the adjoining property. After this exciting event the self-made bonfires palled on the doughty firemen, and they resorted to the actual thing for their sport.

Some of our older residents still relate with reminiscent favor, not devoid of humor, of the frequent fires, generally of a trifling nature, which occurred on the outskirts of the business section, after the Beach & Moores fire. Both sides of Genesee Street between Cass ( Baum ) Street and Jeffer- son, were then lined with one-story frame houses and shanties, of the most flimsy construction and of little, if any, value ; and were occupied by a shoe shop. a paint shop, two or three saloons, a cheap clothing store, a small bake shop, and a few shacks used for dwellings. In one or the other of these rows of buildings there was a fire almost every Saturday night.

Late in the evening the various companies would meet in their respec- tive engine houses and, clad in their bright uniforms, would stand in readi- ness for the alarm, all eager and impatient for the contest. At the first tap of the bell out they would come in a mad rush for the scene, and the com- pany which had been informed in advance of the exact location of the blaze generally arrived first, and had the first stream playing on the fire. Such fires seldom entailed much loss, but after a time, when by their frequency it became apparent that they were caused by premeditated intent, a strict watch was kept and they then stopped. In justification of the practice the firemen used to say that, for the appearance of that end of the street, and as a preventative against a big fire, the little old buildings ought to be burned down. The owners and village officials evidently thought differently.

The Advent of the Steam Fire Engine

In 1865 East Saginaw attained a population of about six thousand and spread far beyond the original limits of the village. For six years it had enjoyed the city form of government, and during this time some important buildings had been erected, including the Bancroft House, the Bliss Block, Crouse Block, Little Jake Seligman's blocks, the Methodist, Congregational and Episcopal Churches, and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and many pretentious dwellings. To safeguard this valuable property, and insure against a disastrous fire, it was deemed advisable to reorganize the fire de- partment, purchase a steam fire engine, hose carts and complete equipment. and make it a really efficient fire-fighting machine, with minute men as its standby. Then, too, the novelty of the volunteer organization, with its

214

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

competitive element, had worn off, the men no longer assembled and prac- ticed in fire-fighting for the mere sport of it, and it was becoming more difficult every year to keep the companies recruited to an efficient working force, The glitter of the uniforms had disappeared, and only stern duty and the need of protection remained.

Early that year the common council entered into contract for the pur- chase of one No. 2 Rotary Steam Fire Engine, of Silsby's Island Works, Seneca Falls, New York, together with hose cart, hose and tools. The contract for the engine, the Valley City No. 1. provided that it should dis- charge five hundred gallons of water per minute, throwing one stream through one and a quarter inch nozzle, two hundred feet; through one and one-eighth inch nozzle, two hundred and thirty feet; through one thousand feet of hose and one-inch nozzle. one hundred and sixty-five feet: and two streams through three-quarter inch nozzles, two hundred feet.

14 .

"VALLEY CITY" BOYS, 1864

Thomas Stolze Nick Raup John Kinney Charles Smith 3. Morgen Eugene Drapet Josse A Burdick Eddie Burdick Fen Potter Virk Hestm

The engine was delivered in November, 1865, and on the seventeenth the trial tests were held. In every test the engine more than met the con- tract stipulations, and accomplished the far more difficult feat of throwing a stream, through fifteen hundred feet of hose, with one and one-eighth inch nozzle, a distance of one hundred and forty-six feet eight inches. On the following Monday, in a trial for the purpose of initiating a new engineer. the "Valley City" threw a stream from one and one-eighth inch nozzle, two hundred and thirty-seven feet, taking water from the river.

The committee on fire engines of the council, composed of Messrs. Jeffers, Lewis, Wickes. O'Brien. Keeler, Ward, Deitz, Buckhout. Hovey.

215

SOME MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS

Joslin and Swartz thereupon voted unanimously to accept the engine and hose cart and twenty-five hundred feet of rubber hose, the report to the council being signed by M. Jeffers, Chairman, and George F. Lewis. Secretary.

To properly house the new fire engine, hose cart, hose and other equip- ment of the new company, together with three horses, a new brick fire station was built at the southwest corner of German and Cass (Baum) Streets. This was a small two-story structure, substantially built, with a lofty tower in which was hung a large fire bell. The fire engine horses were then always kept in harness, so as to be ready for action at a moment's notice. and the engineer, Jesse A. Burdick, and his family lived in the upper portion of the building, and he was required to be always on hand, or furnish an able substitute during his absence. The other members of the Valley City Company were minute men, who were expected to respond quickly on call.

Soon after the inauguration of the new company, the engine houses of Pioneer Engine Company. No. 1, and Excelsior Engine Company, No. 2. ( formerly the Jesse Hoyt No. 2), were removed from their original locations to the lot adjoining the new brick fire station, and the department thuis con- solidated. Cataract Engine Company, No. 3, with its hand engine was also housed here. With all the passing years the old Valley City engine house, with its several additions, is still in use as headquarters of the department : and the old bell rings out the alarms as it did many years ago.

In those days, long before the inauguration of the water works system, the fire engine took water from the river, and sometimes pumped through two thousand feet of hose to reach a blaze some distance back in the out- skirts of the city. It big fires the old hand engines were brought out. manned with volunteer firemen. and pumped dry all the wells and cisterns in the vicinity. As the city expanded and the outlying sections needed better protection, large cisterns and tanks were placed under ground at suit- able places, and kept filled with water by the steamer working at the bank of the river. Many disastrous fires were prevented by having an ample supply of water at hand, and a steam fire engine to throw steady streams. In the case of nearly all fires down town, the steamer would pump water from the river, furnishing one strong effective stream, but in some instances threw one stream on the fire and pumped water through another line of hose to one or two of the hand engines working near the fire.

Labor at the hand engines was then compulsory, rendered so by State law, and every able-bodied man was required to work at the brakes, when called on by the chief. Byron B. Buckhout was chief of the department for a number of years and, though short of stature, was a picturesque figure at fires, clad in uniform with red helmet and belt, and carrying a huge speaking trumpet, which he used very industriously. On one occasion when a big fire threatened on Water Street. being short handed at one of the engines, he ordered a strapping limber-jack to take a place at the brakes. Being refused by him in an insolent manner, the chief struck him a stunning blow on the head, knocking him down. This act had a salutary effect on the by- standers, and there was no further trouble in manning the engines.

In those days nearly all the buildings were of wood of flimsy construc- tion. and great quantities of saw dust and slabs scattered about, so that there were a good many fires for a small city. The firemen were often called out three times in a day, and once five times, but on an average there were about five fires in a week, and in summer four or five a month. There was no water works then, and the firemen often had to work with long lines of hose, and take water from the bayou, which was very muddy. Yet through all this hard and continual service, the "Valley City No. 1." as reported by

216

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

the engineer in 1869, "never gave out or failed to do its work in a perfectly satisfactory manner, and that all the repairs to it during the four years had not exceeded one hundred dollars; and it works just as well as on the day we got it." The engine was a part of the fire-fighting equipment of the city for about twenty-five years, although after the Holly Water Works was put in commission, in December, 1873, furnishing a direct pressure at the hydrants, it was kept in reserve. About 1800 the old steamer was sold to William Williamson, of South Saginaw.

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History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II, Part 26

Author: Mills, James Cooke Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Saginaw, Mich., Seemann & Peters Number of Pages: 838

Author: Mills, James Cooke
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Saginaw, Mich., Seemann & Peters
Number of Pages: 838