USA > Nebraska > York County > York County, Nebraska and its people : together with a condensed history of the state, Vol. I > Part 53
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The alarm was given about half-past three by Dr. George Shidler, who was returning from a professional call and saw the glare of the flames through the windows of the frame buildings. The fire had already made good progress when
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
discovered and the firemen found the houses in flames when they reached them. If is thought now that the trouble spread to the Baer, Building very soon after the adjoining structure broke into flames, the fire finding easy entrance to the furniture store by a door opening on the north, and creeping up the elevator shaft. The inflammable nature of the Baer stock made the progress of the flames rapid and the structure was soon a nest of fire. The rear second floor of the Chain building was used as storage space for furniture. The flames entered the storage rooms and ruined the goods there; burning the contents of the first room and smoking and blistering everything in adjoining apartments.
When the back door of Kleinschmidt's grocery was found to be on fire, Mr. Kleinschmidt decided that it was a wise precaution to remove his stock to a place of comparative safety and within twenty minutes after he arrived at this con- clusion the entire contents of the store, even to the pietures on the walls, were piled up across the street, the efficient work of many citizens making the rapid change possible. Such a portion of the Baer stock as it was possible to remove was taken into the street early in the tight with the fire; but the larger part of the furniture was destroyed with the building. Meradith & Wallander removed a part of their goods and office furniture and merchandise were carried out of the Huff- man Supply House and the Johnson Post Card and Art Store. No attempt was made to move goods from the office of E. E. Olmstead or the rooms occupied by the New Teller plant, but tenants on the second floor of the same building left their homes taking their possessions with them.
The most spectaenlar part of the fire was over when the frame buildings fell in and the first burst of flames that came from the roof of the Baer building had been subdued. Then the firemen settled down to grim fighting inside brick walls where the heat was like that of a furnace and every move was hampered by unexpected obstacles. Onlookers who watched breathlessly the attempts to keep the fire from spreading to the roof of the Chain Building did not realize that in the rear of the structure men were struggling in the narrow hallways with the fire monster and that on their success or failure in the struggle lay the fate of the rest of the block, quite as much as on that of their comrades who were working in the open. A broken water faucet in one of the back rooms spurted a steady stream of water for some time and did its little part towards saving the building. It was after seven o'clock before the fire was under control but the water was not turned off the smoldering ruins until hours later. Indeed it was necessary to soak the debris in the furniture store thoroughly again Monday forenoon. The endurance of the firemen was tested to the utmost during the more than three hours of the battle, and there were several narrow escapes from serious injury or death. A. A. Metz found his overcoat on fire once, but a prompt application of cold water from a hose in the hands of a fellow worker gave him something else to think of. A heavy table got away from a man who was trying to rescue it and fell from the balcony in the Baer Building to the first floor. In the fall it gave W. Cline a close shave, a portion of the pedestal tearing open his trousers pocket and knocking a well filled purse into the fire. There were plenty of manifestations of real courage during the fire, but the men who had the best opportunity of witnessing them were so busy being brave themselves that they could not stop to give praise.
The water pressure was about what may be expected in York. Undoubtedly great quantities of water were used, but the force was plainly inadequate. The
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origin of the fire is altogether uncertain. When Charles Shreck took possession of the south half of the building in which the fire was first discovered, he put in new wiring in the most approved fashion. He had been in the new location barely three months, so the theory of neglected or defective wiring does not hold good.
The heaviest losers by the conflagration are the Baer Furniture Co. and Mr. Charles Baer. The furniture stock was valued at $15,000 and the building at $10,000. Insurance to the amount of $6,000 was carried on the stock while policies to the amount of $4,000 stand in favor of the building. Charles Shreck lost his entire stock of electrical fixtures worth $1,600. He was well insured. The stock of cigars belonging to the York Cigar Store, located in the room adjoining that occupied by the electrical store, was all lost. It was valued at $1,200. C. B. Crone lost his office fixtures and furniture. Meradith and Wallander. H. C. Kleinschmidt. Huffman and Son and J. M. Johnson suffered small losses from removal and water. The frame buildings were the property of F. C. Power and because of their loca- tion have always rented readily.
Tuesday morning at four-thirty. Peter Hesler, who was sleeping in a room ad- joining his office at 114 West. Sixth Street, was awakened by smoke and found the building on fire. He lost no time in giving the alarm but the mischief was already done and the firemen waged a losing battle for several hours. By sheer hard work the fire was confined to the half block of frame buildings between the alley and Platte Avenue, the Chilcote Building and the structures facing on Lincoln Ave- nue escaping, though at times it seemed inevitable that the flames would spread. As it was, daylight found the Hesler Suitorium. the Emerson grocery store, E. C. Knight's harness shop, the York Transfer Association and the implement store of Belcher & Belcher homeless, with stocks and possessions of all kinds wrecked or destroyed. The larger warehouse of Belcher & Belcher on the corner was not burned down and a large part of the machinery was removed to places of safety. A part of E. C. Knight's new stock of harness was carried across the street before it was too late but the contents of Emerson's grocery were burned and it is said the stoek was uninsured. The Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company had large quantities of goods. in- cluding instruments, wire and equipment of all kinds, stored in the room in the rear of the ITesler Suitorium. There was nothing saved.
The building next to the alley was the property of Christian Hild, who had it insured for $2,000. It was one of the oldest buildings left in town having been erected in 1877. Though all the structures burned were frame they had been covered with sheet iron in the rear and the Belcher warehouss were practically encased in the iron. The fire-fighters were in dangerous situations many times during the struggle and the effort to keep the flames within bounds was no child's play. The cold was greater than that of Sunday morning and icicles formed rapidly. The side of the Chileote Building was a sheet of ice, so thoroughly had the brick walls been deluged with water as a precautionary measure.
The destruction of the old Phillips Building and the structure which was known for many years as the City Hall removes two more from the rapidly lessening list of landmarks in the business portion of the city. The City Hall was ereeted in 1897 by Read and Brandhofer and while the lower floor served to house several pioneer business firms, the big room in the second story was used as a court room. for church services, dances, lodge meetings and social gatherings of all kinds. W. W. Wyckoff recalls that when he came to York in February, 1881, Judge Post was holding court
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
in the room, and he visited court as one of the few places of interest in town. For some time the Methodists held services in the hall after the congregation had out- grown the little church and before a larger house of worship was erected. Mr. Phillips occupied this building, which originally stood on the corner of Sixth Street. as a place of business. His residence, which is now occupied by the New Teller, stood on the adjoining lots. Both houses were moved as the town grew.
YORK FIRE DEPARTMENT
York's pride in her fire department's team, which had won the championship at Fremont in 1886, when this was repeated in 1887, and the world's record lowered at the same time is most adequately reflected in the following press accounts of this and the 1889 vietory,
The annual tournament of the Nebraska State Firemen's Association took place at Kearney in July, 1887. The weather was unusually pleasant, the whole week being all that could have been asked for. The exercises of the week begun on Tuesday with a firemen's parade at nine o'clock on Tuesday morning participated in by all the firemen on the ground. The York running team appeared in the pro- cession with running pants and stockings, white shirt and white tie with the regula- tion eap and made by far the finest appearance of any company on the ground. The boys were widely complimented on their novel uniform, and created a decided im- pression. The races of the day opened at two o'clock the 45 hook and ladder race being first. Three teams were entered, York, Kearney and Holdrege. The Holdrege company had been organized but a short time and were a very green teamn. They made an excellent run and scored in 52 seconds. The Kearneys then came on the track and covered the 300 yards in 3914 seconds and called time in 461/2 seconds. The never beaten York team covered the ground in even 39 seconds and called time in 4534 seconds winning first money, $200. The 41 hose race was won by the G. Kra- mer hose team, of Kearney, in even 40 seconds, beating all records, and taking first money, $200. The ladder climbing contest took place on Wednesday and was won by Tom Kinney, the Kearney ladderman, in 7 2-5 seconds, Geo. Chilcote of this city, making an average of ? 3-5 and Mr. Schmidt, the Holdrege climber, in : 14-15. York has perhaps the most graceful and easy climber in the world. He never makes a slip or a balk in a race and can always be depended upon. In the ladder contest his opponent was a much taller man and saved three steps on each climb of the ladder which more than accounted for the average of 1-5 of a second faster time. The green races took place on Wednesday and were opened by the Holdrege Hooks who called for time in 50 3-5 seconds, a marked improvement over the day before. The H. Randalls, of Kearney, another green hook and ladder team, scored in 52 seconds, winning second money. The chief's race was won by J. E. Deirks, of Fremont, who crossed the sawdust in 11 seconds, leaving a large and numerously mixed field of chiefs to fight for second and third place. The coupling contest was won by the Neville hose team. of Plattsmouth, in 5 7-15 seconds, all the other contestants fail- ing to get time. The green hose race was won by the Nevilles of Plattsmouth. Thurs- day morning. the waterworks company gave an exhibition of their city waterworks. Eight streams were thrown at one time, with eighty-five pounds of steam, with sufficient force to drown any fire. Water was thrown from ninety to one hundred and fifty feet high. The works are the direct pressure, Holly system. The Walker
Vol. I-28
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
pump is used and is one of the best pumps in existence for fire service. Kearney may well feel proud of her waterworks. The great interest in the tournament ap- peared to be in the races to take place on Thursday afternoon. The championship hook and ladder race for $300 and the championship belt came tirst. The Kearney running team first took their position on the trap. The boys were in the best possible condition for the race, being in active training since last November, the greater part of the time under a professional trainer. The Kearney team and the citizens of Kearney have exerted every effort to win the championship belt. Neither time, pains nor money has been spared to make the team perfection. All Kearney ap- peared to be sanguine that the belt would fall an easy victim to their superior training. The team made a brilliant start and ran the race to a finish in even 45 seconds. The air was rent with Kearney cheers, and in fact every one on the grounds cheered the great run. The green team of Holdtrege then started and made their best run, calling time in 4934 seconds. The York team then walked up the track to the starting point, with a firm step and firmer resolution to beat the record or die in the attempt. Fire was in every eye, determination in every look. Every member recognized the fact that 45 seconds to the top of a thirty foot ladder was a hard record to beat ; but the record of the York hook and ladder company was in peril, the eredit of the city of York was at stake, and thirty of the flower of the young manhood of York were there to vindicate themselves, their company and their city. The word go, was given, and the greatest hook and ladder run ever made in the world begun. The truck went off the trap as if it had been shot from a cannon, and in the words of a Kearney writer, "the team flew over the track as fleet footed as deer." The first 200 yards was perhaps the prettiest run ever made by thirty men. The start was unfortunately too quick, as a number of good runners were thrown off their feet, and a mimber were forced to drop out. The speed was kept up until 250 yards were passed over when the team slackened. Those remain- ing on the truek made one last effort to save the day and crossed the score with six men on the rope. The ladder worked perfectly, Chilcote shot up the rounds like a squirrel up a tree and called time in 44 4-5 seconds, beating all records and winning for York the belt and the championship of the world. The time keepers failed to agree for over 20 minutes, a Kearney man who was acting as time keeper claiming the time to be 45 seconds. Three disinterested men were then called in and the watches handed them who promptly decided the time to be 44 4-5. An element in the Kearney team at once commeneed to kick and finally appealed to the board of control at eight o'clock that evening. The board sustained the report of the timers by a vote of six to one, the off man being the Kearney member. The York team invariably win their races on'the track and do it honorably. No member of the York team has ever appealed from the decision of the judges, neither has this company ever made a kick on any decision either of the timers, judges or board of control. The championship hose races then followed and were won by the G. Kramer hose team of Kearney in the unheard of time of 3914 seconds, winning the prize of $300 and the championship cart. Tony Cornelius, the Kramer coupler, is a prodigy. Ile breaks the coupling and applies the nozzle with two motions of the hands and does the work with rapidity and ease that is astonishing. The Pacific hose team of Giand Island took second money in #2 1-5, the Dorseys of Fremont third, in 5616. The Nevilles of Plattsmouth missed coupling and got no time. At a meeting of the board of control on Thursday evening it was decided not to run the free for all
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LINCOLN AVENUE, YORK, IN AN EARLY DAY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX AND TILDEN FLIN ALLONS
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
races on Friday, the necessary five teams in each class not having entered. Im- mediately after this decision, a portion of the teams left for home. and the York team was turned loose and took no further care of themselves. On Friday morning the committee of arrangements wishing to continue the tournament another day offered a first prize of $100 for hose and hook races. When the York team was notified of the new purse, a portion of the men had gone on a visit to Shelton and other points, making it utterly impossible to enter a race that day. A collection of sprinters was then got together under the name of Kearney, and a last etfort made to beat the record. This signally failed with all the professional runners that could be secured and running a light weight truck they only succeeded in tying the time made by York an the day previous. The Daily Journal of Kearney, a paper which never did the York team justice, intimated in its issue of Saturday morning, that the Yorks were afraid to run the Kearneys after the close shave of the day before. The Democrat is surprised that any respectable paper should claim anything for the mixed run made with the Kearney truck on Friday. The Kearney running team claims nothing for it themselves. If it is necessary to give the snap away. the Democrat is in a position to do it. In the team which made the run on Friday, there were no less than eight professional runners, none of whom can claim a legal membership in the Kearney fire department ; add to this the fact that the truck was unloaded and every possible pound taken off that could be removed, until nothing but a skeleton of the regulation truck remained. These are hard cold stubborn facts, which the Democrat knows from being actually present on the ground, and we defy any paper in Kearney or elsewhere to successfully contradict them. There are not legitimate firemen nor money enough in Kearney to beat the York champions on any neutral track in the United States. The claim of the Kearney sheet that the Kearney team " are justly entitled to the honors as the champions of the state," is rot, and is on a par with the characteristic and chronic kiekers of a certain element which infest that city. If the Kearney team wished to bear the honors of the cham- pions of the state, they should have won the honor on the track, and not after the race was over, through the mouth of an irresponsible newspaper. This claim is nothing more nor less that hog wash, and the Democrat does not believe that any respectable fireman in Kearney or out of it claims anything of the kind. The hose races closed the exercises of the day, and the tournament. First money was won by the Kramer's in 40 1-5. The Alerts of Cheyenne used service hose and a cart which weighed 1,160 pounds. With these two great disadvantages, the boys called time in 46 3-5 seconds. The Alerts also gave an exhibition run on the streets of about 400 feet, connected with a hydrant, and threw water in 36 seconds. The Stein hose team of Kearney made a run in 44 seconds. The Dorsey hose team of Fremont made the closing run of the tournament, but unfortunately their hose broke and no time was given. A pleasant incident took place on Friday morning at the York headquarters. A committee was sent out, and a $14 silk hat purchased, which was presented by Capt. Knapp, on behalf of the company to J. V. Hyder, the leader of the team. Hyder was paralyzed, and could say nothing in reply, but wears the tile in honor of the great run and of the fifth anniversary of his marriage, which occurred on the same day. The York team left for home on Saturday morning, and had their car gaily decorated with brooms, flags, etc. On either side of the car was the in- scription, "York running team, champions of the world, time t4 4-5 sec." The Kearney band and a portion of the fire department marched to the train and gave
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IHISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
the boys a serenade and grand send off. The best of feeling prevailed between the teams, and if it had not been for a few chronic kickers which curse the Kearney de- partment. the same good feeling might have prevailed all the week. York usually does itself proud. but on this occasion our city excelled itself. When the boys arrived at the B. & M. depot, on the 1:10 train from the west, a grand ovation awaited them. Apparently every man, woman and child in York, and for miles around were as- sembled to greet the victors. Ilook and Ladder Company No. 2, a new organization which was formed while the boys were gone, were there in all their beauty and glory under Geo. E. Marston as captain. Their new truck and their $50.000 horse, which was secured to lead the company, was there and assisted to give the boys a welcome home. The procession formed under J. H. Hamilton, marshal of the day, headed by the band and escorted to the city. A number of young ladies on horse- back wearing a scarf with the word "Welcome" made a fine appearance. The busi- ness houses of the city were profusely decorated with flags, brooms, bunting and mottoes of welcome. A grand triumphal arch was erected across Lincoln Avenue, near the northwest corner of the square. The procession was dismissed with cheers and counter cheers and the victorious running team invited to partake of an elegant banquet prepared at the Blodgett House. Mr. Blodgett had provided perhaps the finest spread ever sat down to in York. At 2:30 the members of the team with their ladies sat down to the following :
MENU
Chicken with Rice Soup. Potato Pattie, a la Cream Lobster Salad
Corn Gems Greens Celery
Joints Roast Sirloin of Beef with Brown Gravy Loin of Pork. Apple Sauce Boiled Ham, Champagne Sance Leg of Mutton, Caper Sauce Tongue. Tomato Sauce,
Entres Fried Spring Chicken. Minnetonka Style Boston Baked Beans Rice Apple Fritters, with Frugale of Pineapple
Vegetables
Mashed Potatoes Boiled Potatoes Wax Beans in Cream Sliced Cucumbers Green Tomatoes
Green Corn
Young Beets Cold Slaw
Pastry
Lemon Pie Green Apple Pie English Plum Pudding, with Brandy Sauce
Ice Cream Assorted Cake Fruit
Watermelon
Crackers Cheese Te Coffee Iced Tea Milk
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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY
At 8:30 a grand reception was tendered the company at the opera house, Lee Love was master of ceremonies. Mayor Scott in an appropriate speech, delivered an address of welcome which was responded to by H. H. Bowker, chief of York fire department. Mr. It. L. Spaulding, chief of the Norfolk fire department. in a few pointed remarks complimented York on her fire department and told the audience how the race was won, he being a member of the board of control was in a position to know. Appropriate toasts were responded to By E. A. Gilbert. F. C. Power, Ilon. N. V. Harlan, Geo. B. France and Edward Bates all of which were full of wit, humor and welcome for the boys and were hugely enjoyed by all present. The day and evening was one long to be remembered by the team and our citizens. The follow- ing is the personnel of the team who made the run and who now are the champion hook and ladders runners of the world :
W. R. Knapp, captain; Geo. F. Corcoran, assistant captain; J. V. Ilyder, leader.
W. C. Bishop, Frank Osborn, Frank Clapp, W. A. Beck, J. B. Maylard, L. IL. Dale, Chas. Elliott, O. J. Burns, S. A. Harper, Chas. Rosenlof, Fred Fahrbach, Frank Collier, Thos. Buchanan, J. D. Epley, E. Gould, J. C. Bishop, W. D. Fisher, C. D. Barnes, Alvin Stafford. D. R. Gould, August Peterson, W. R. Furman, Geo. E. Schoettler. T. E. Hamilton, John Bishop, H. J. Porter, C. II. Collier, Geo. E. Chilcote, ladderman.
CHAMPIONSHIP BELT
It comes back to York for the third and last time, and will remain the property of the York Fire Department forever.
As previously announced the running team of the hook and ladder company left for Red Cloud last week on Tuesday to participate in the seventh annual tournament. They were accompanied by a good crowd of friends and admirers, and altogether made as jolly a crowd as ever took a trip of the kind in the world. The boys appeared in the parade on Wednesday morning and gave the Kilpatricks of Beatrice a very close shave for the silk banner for the finest appearing company. The fine clothes of the Beatrice aggregation and the opinion of the judges gave them the banner. The York boys were generally satisfied, all agreeing that they did not wish to travel on their shape but preferred to win their laurels by fair and honorable contests. The tournament opened on Wednesday afternoon with green races, the first being the green hose race, which was won by the Hollands of Red Cloud in 531/2 seconds; Aurora taking second money in 54. The next was the race for chiefs and assistant chiefs. York was represented by W. Cardwell, who represented Chief Corcoran. Bert is a nice easy runner and covered the 300-yard dash in 35 4-5 seconds with his com- petitors far in the rear. thus winning the chief's hat valued at $15. This was the first blood for York and the York contingent velled themselves hoarse. The next was the race for foremen and assistant foremen. Will C. Bishop entered for the York hooks and won a decided and easy victory in 35 2-5 seconds, winning the fore- man's belt. This was the first knock down for York and the crowd yelled again- that is the York crowd. and they were capable of yelling to the queen's taste. As there was no race in which the York team could enter on that day and the crowd
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kept calling for the appearance of the York team on the track, the boys decided to give an exhibition run for a special purse of $25. The run was made in 51 4-5 seconds and it was then the turn of the delighted audience to cheer the fine work of the York boys to the echo.
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