USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Dover > Dover dates, 1722-1922 : a bicentennial history of Dover, New Jersey , published in connection with Dover's two hundredth anniversary celebration under the direction of the Dover fire department, August 9, 10, 11, 1922 > Part 9
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4. Following that fire came the Baker Corner, where now stands the Brick Building, corner of Blackwell and Warren streets. This fire started at about six o'clock P. M., in a clothing store about where the Insurance Office of D. R. Hummer is now. This turned out to be one of those terrible nights in winter with rain falling and freezing until the traveling was almost impossible, because of the ice underfoot. The engine was placed at the end of Warren Street next to the canal and things went well at first. The fire was well under way and five minutes more would have ended it; but unfortunately the hose burst and we had to stop the engine. When the hose was replaced and ready to start again the pump refused to work and when it did start the wind had fanned
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the flames so that they spread through the building. It was impossible to stop the fire until it reached the Brick Building of W. H. Goodale on Blackwell street and the open alley on Warren street, when it practically burnt out.
These fires seem to have occurred within a few years of each other. I forgot to mention the calling of a steamer company from Morristown to assist at the Lindsley fire. Had it not been for this assistance the loss would have been much greater. These fires have been the most destructive. The town decided to relieve the danger in 1885 by purchas- ing the steamer known as Number Two, made by Capp and Jones, I think, at Hudson, New York.
Following this, George Richards, then Mayor of the town, advocated a Water Plant, which is now a part of our present system. That gave us a water pressure of 74 pounds at the Mansion House Corners, 90 pounds at Point of the Mountain, 45 pounds on School House Hill, 35 pounds on Morris Street Hill. The system was completed and on the tenth day of December, 1887, the water was let in for service. I think the first hose connection was at the Baker Corner and the hose burst, causing a fountain in the street. The late James P. Kelly had a device similar to a pair of tongs to fit around the hose, having the same circular measurement as the hose when filled with water. This proved to be very good at the time for shutting off the water. This was made previous to the day when used.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF DOVER IN 1922
The officiary of the Dover Fire Department in June, 1922, is as follows :
Board of Engineers: Chief, George B. Carhart; First Assistant, Manchus H. Hann; Second Assistant, Charles W. White; Third Assis- tant, Otto A. Marquard.
Dover Engine Company Number One: President, A. B. Van Syckle; Foreman, Alex Ackerman, Jr .; Assistant, George A. Parker ; Clerk, Frank S. Hill; Steward, A. Russell Baum.
Vigilant Engine Company Number Two: President, Dr. A. L. L. Baker; Foreman, John M. Dehler; Clerk, Ernest L. Mortimore; Assis- tant Foreman, Charles E. Ripley; Steward, Daniel M. Dehler.
Protection Hook and Ladder Company, Inc .: Foreman, Dr. Lewis R. Fritts ; Assistant Foreman, Thomas Baker; Clerk, Charles K. Ely ; Steward, Jacob Nichols.
Board of Fire Wardens: President, Charles P. Cook; Foreman, Archibald Percy; Assistant Foreman, Sigvard M. Larson; Clerk, Arthur H. Goodale.
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EQUIPMENT
The equipment of the Dover Fire Department consists of the fol- lowing :
The Gamewell Fire Alarm and Telegraph System is installed in the town.
We have two hundred hydrants within the town limits, with a water pressure varying from 176 pounds at low point, to 40 pounds per square inch at high point, capable of taking care of a very dangerous fire should such visit the town.
We have 5,100 feet of 21/2-inch hose over three-quarters of a mile in length. Then comes the steamer that has stood ready for action for many years. We have chemical and hose car to carry our hose company to and from the fire. We have a Mack Fire Truck, plenty of ladders and pike poles and other necessary tools for the Truck Company's use.
We also have placed in different parts of the town hose carts pro- vided with 400 feet of hose. Should a fire occur in such parts the citi- zens have access to the hose.
A fire patrol autocar, carrying rubber blankets to protect goods in a burning building, has recently been added to our equipment. It belongs to the Board of Fire Wardens, who thus form a salvage corps.
GEORGE B. CARHART, Chief Engineer.
RECENT FIRES
In reviewing the fires of the past two years it can be said Dover has been very fortunate. There have been a large number of calls, both general and still alarm, but not of such a serious nature as the one of February tenth at the National Union Bank, where the firemen found the bank officials had made such thorough protection in regard to burg- lars that we had considerable difficulty in gaining entrance.
The fire at the Eagle Barber Shop, located in the Baker Building at the corner of Warren and Blackwell streets bid fair to be serious but for the fact that the metal ceiling held it down from above, giving the firemen a better chance to hold it where it started.
THE BICENTENNIAL
In relation to the two-hundredth anniversary of the town the firemen as a whole are trying to put forth every effort in promoting, conducting and directing the success of this historic event.
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DOVER WATER DEPARTMENT
This year commemorates the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Town of Dover.
There is no doubt but Dover ranked well among towns of its size two hundred years ago, for it is located in one of the most peaceful and beautiful natural valleys to be found the world over.
As the progress marked in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries brought in comforts, such as are experienced by the introduction of canal transportation, steam railroads, gas for cooking and lighting, elec- tricity, with its manifold uses, telephones, phonographs and radio, so the people of Dover, sticking to the true principle of progress, set out, in the year 1887, to promote and use a water works system and procure a potable water supply from the springs located on the George Richards, Brotherton and Bryant tracts, located to the South of Prospect street. A water company was formed, known as the Dover Water Company, and two three-million gallon steel reservoirs were built by the said water company on the property of George Richards. The springs were piped down to these reservoirs as the supply and the discharge was carried down into the town. For years this served its purpose, supplying potable water and fire protection to the homes of our prospering town.
It was ever the aim to deliver the most excellent water supply, but, as the outskirts of the town grew, the possibility of pollution to the springs was constantly feared, and in some cases actually met; so it became necessary from time to time to cut off some of the springs from the source.
The Dover Water Company could not be considered in the full sense as a money-maker for the original investors, and the Town Council, realizing the desirability of many improvements and the exten- sion of the water system, very wisely, in the year 1902, took over the Dover Water Company by purchase, issuing bonds to the extent of $200,000 to cover the purchase price and to allow of extending the system and adding necessary improvements thereto.
A Water Commission was then formed by the Town Council to operate the said water department. Mr. Leopold C. Bierwirth was president of the first Board of Water Commissioners.
For the purpose of increasing the water supply two six-inch wells were driven, one on George Richards' property and the other on the Bryant tract. It was the hope that in driving a well 80 or 90 feet a good and strong flow of pure water would be secured. This, however, did not develop as favorably as hoped for, the well on the Richards lot flowing but 10 gallons of water per minute and the one on the Bryant tract developing but one gallon per minute.
To protect their remaining springs, the Dover Water Commission bought the Bryant tract of forty acres of woodland for $2,000.00 in the. year 1912.
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The natural growth of the town made it necessary that additional water be procured and a Board of Water Commissioners, of which Mr. Martin V. B. Searing was president, in the year 1902, developed wells in the flat lands lying between the Rockaway river and the D., L. & W. Railroad. They found water at this point in good quantity, and purchased a tract of land consisting of about 6% acres.
A pumping house, well-designed and well-built, was then erected and a 450-gallon per minute triplex plunger pump was installed, together with a gas engine as a motor power.
Two new reservoirs of approximately one million gallons each were erected on the hillside south of West Blackwell street, the lower one of which was erected at a height equal to the six million gallon reservoirs on the George Richards property, and by means of cast iron pipe tied into the new million-gallon reservoir, the levels of the Richards reser- voirs and the new one being equal and tied together, it was possible to store up a reserve of seven million gallons.
As the town kept growing, the town's people realized that perhaps the best building sites for homes were located in the upper hill section, and many homes were located on these elevations. The water pressure from the Richards reservoirs and the new million-gallon reservoir were not equal to supply the higher pressure. Therefore, the second million- gallon reservoir above mentioned was built at the high point of the moun- tain (900 feet above sea level), and supplied from the same 450-gallon per minute pump located in the flats and the same 10-inch pipe line feed- ing the new reservoir. With this high pressure system supplying water to the hilltop section of the town considerable activity was shown in the building of additional homes at the most prominent and desirable high points to such an extent that it became necessary in the year 1913 to further increase our water supply and two additional pumps were then installed in the pump house, one of 315-gallon capacity per minute and the other 285-gallon capacity per minute. These were driven by an oil engine, giving a total available pumping capacity of 1,050 gallons of water per minute from the three pumps, which, however, were not needed ; but the consumption of water was so great as to make it essential that a factor of safety be preserved and the over supply of pumping capacity per minute be maintained, so that any break of machinery in one pumping station might not cripple the water works system.
The Water Works, being a municipally owned and operated depart- ment, was never intended to be a money-making proposition, but simply a self-maintained department of the Town and the water has always been sold at a very low rate.
Nine-tenths of the water used to-day in Dover is pumped from the low level, which item of expense is considerable.
Water meters were installed in service pipes where it was generally thought the amount of water consumed was greater than the water allowable under the minimum charge, but by only partly metering the service pipes, waste was allowed, due to carelessness or lack of attention on the part of the consumer. So it was concluded to 100 per cent. meter the town, and this became an accomplished fact in 1921.
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The gas engine, our first motor power in the pumping station, hav- ing served several years of useful work, finally became worn out. This was replaced with a 75-horse power electric motor.
The oil engine, having worked laboriously and well for years, being greatly in need of repair, was taken apart, repaired, set aside as an emergency factor and the two pumps which it had driven are now driven with two electric motors, the gas engine being held in reserve with the possible fear of some mishap at the electric power station, which might deprive us of our motor force.
Our present consumption of water is about 600,000 gallons per day.
It is generally felt that with the introduction of sewers in Dover a great building boom of general advance will occur and a much heavier demand will be made on the water system than even now exists.
The replacement value of water works system as to-day existing is approximately $1,000,000.00.
Due credit should be given to the Honorable Mayor and Council who, in years gone by, had the foresight to see the desirability of pur- chasing the Dover Water Company's property, for it has greatly advanced in value, and in the meantime the citizens of Dover have been enjoying water at a very low rate, which is cheaper than is usually charged by privately-owned public service corporations.
GEORGE F. STEFFANY.
ODE TO HYGEIA
Hygeia, well-beloved Muse,
Who would to thee a place refuse Among the mythologic powers
That regulate this life of ours?
To thee we would pay honor due; To thee we would for favor sue.
Hygeia, comrade of our youth, Help us elude Time's envious tooth !
Not length of days alone we seek, But health and strength, the vim to wreak Our finest powers upon our work, To toe the line and not to shirk.
But if the burdens grow too great, At least attend and cheer our late, Our lingering years, if such there be, With memories sweet, from grievance free.
Hygeia, well-beloved Muse, Old Friend, inspirer-who renews Our youth, as thou, when years increase ? May such good fellowship ne'er cease !
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HEALTH, PERSONAL AND PUBLIC
The health of an individual depends upon many causes, some of which may be within his control, and some not .. He is launched upon his career by heredity and the care provided by the home, but must gradually assume a dependence upon his own powers of self-determina- tion as applied to personal habits, self-control, morals. He is aided by instinct, good sense, intelligence, conscience.
But the individual who lives in a community cannot wholly deter- mine by personal hygiene all the factors which affect his health. Some of these factors, such as contagious diseases and public nuisances, have him at their mercy unless he can devise some way of protecting himself. Hence arise laws and regulations emanating from the National Gov- ernment, the State, the community. The local Board of Health is granted a legal authority and the means of exercising and applying that power which the individual needs when he comes to the end of his personal power over fellow citizens who endanger his health. The public Board of Health is a specialized arm of civic government. Dover has such a board. Its history began in 1882, consequent upon an act of Legislature dated April 1, 1880, "An act concerning the protection of the public health and the record of vital facts and statistics relating
thereto." Sections I and 2, "enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey," provide for the establishment of a Board of Health in every city, town and borough; said board to con- sist of five, six or seven members, including a keeper of vital statistics, a city physician and city health inspector ; said board to be nominated by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council or other governing body, and to serve for not less than three years. Not more than three of the members shall go out of office at any one time, unless in case of removal by death or change of residence. A health officer is required in all cities having more than ten thousand inhabitants. And more inspectors may be appointed as needed.
In townships outside of city limits the township committee, together with the assessor and township physician, shall constitute the Board of Health. The local board is required to prepare an annual report of the district and to forward a copy to the State Board of Health at Trenton. The following is a schedule of some of the subjects to be included in such reports :
A-Location, population, climate. B-Geology, topography, contour. C-Water supply.
D-Drainage and sewerage.
E-Street and public grounds. F-Houses and their tenancy. G-Modes of lighting.
H-Refuse, excreta (how managed). I-Markets.
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J-Diseases of animals.
K-Slaughter houses, abattoirs.
L-Manufactories, trades.
M-Schools, school buildings, other public buildings.
N-Almshouse, hospitals, other charities.
O-Police, prisons.
P-Fire guards.
Q-Cemeteries, burials.
R-Public health laws, regulations.
S-Registration, vital statistics.
T-Quarantine, contagious diseases.
U-Sanitary expenses.
V-Heat and ventilation for dwellings.
This outline indicates a wide field of activity for public Boards of Health working under the direction of the State. Other details are provided for relating to finances, vaccination, public nuisances, authority to enforce the law, epidemics, schools. Specific ordinances are passed from time to time.
DOVER'S BOARD OF HEALTH
The history and working of the Dover Board of Health is recorded in their minutes and in their annual reports. The first meeting was held May 18, 1882, in the office of the Dover Printing Company ; pres- ent, Messrs. Crittenden, Whitlock, Covert, Gibson and Lambert. Dr. T. R. Crittenden was elected chairman, and William H. Lambert secretary and recorder. Meetings were to be held monthly in the council room at the engine house.
Meetings proved to be quite irregular up to 1893. In April, 1893, a "Sanitary Code of the Town of Dover" was published, John S. Abel being then president, and Joseph V. Baker secretary. Various details were therein specified in print for the instruction of the community.
March 31, 1887, an ordinance was passed making Dover's Board of Health consist of five members serving four years, Horace L. Dunham being then Mayor, the members to be appointed and elected by ballot by the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Common Council at their regular meeting in May. Two hundred and twenty-five dollars was appropriated to pay salaries and expenses. April 1, 1894, the annual report was pub- lished in the local paper. Meetings were held frequently, and annual reports published, as shown in the minute book which ends January 25, 1909.
At a later date the terms of service of members of the board was changed to three years.
July 26, 1897, an ordinance was passed relating to the adulteration of food or drink and to prevent the sale of articles unfit for food; also an ordinance to prevent epidemics from spreading ; also an ordinance to compel the return of all births, deaths and marriages by physicians, mid- wives, nurses, clergymen, magistrates and others professionally officiat- ing
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July 17, 1899, John G. Taylor was elected health inspector, Eugene Buchanan being then president, and G. C. Hinchman, secretary. July 31, 1899, the by-laws for the regulation of the Board are spread upon the minutes in full in the clear handwriting of G. C. Hinchman, secre- tary.
In 1912, John G. Taylor passed the required examinations and was licensed a health officer. This qualifies him to act in this capacity in any city to which he may be appointed in New Jersey.
Many details are given in the minutes of the board relating to the application of the law to individual cases, showing the gradual growth of the Board's activity in protecting the health of the community by abat- ing nuisances and fighting epidemics. The Board of Health has been a veritable guardian angel of Dover.
Some extracts from the report of 1921 will indicate the scope of their work for the year ending December 31, William G. Hummel, president.
General health, good. Cases of communicable diseases, 423, of whom sixteen died. More diphtheria and scarlet fever than in any year since 1905. (Note .- Diphtheria was more prevalent in every State in the Union.) Five deaths from diphtheria, and none from scarlet fever. Death rate lowest since 1914, viz : (10.5 per 1,000 of population. Infant mortality low, being 67.3 per 1,000 living births, as compared with 102 per 1,000 in 1920. Mrs. French has helped to bring about this improve- ment by her work in behalf of the babies.
The construction of sewers is imperative. (Action on this matter is hoped for this year.)
A new milk ordinance requires pasteurization of milk unless obtained from tuberculin-tested cows. Milk to be graded according to bacteria count and dairy scores, and labeled. This is in accordance with the most modern ideas of preventive medicine.
Our food stores compare favorably with any in the State.
The disposal of garbage requires to be better provided for.
Estimated population of Dover, 10,200.
Marriage rate, 9.4 per 1,000.
Birth rate, 21.8 per 1,000.
Death rate, 10.5 per 1,000.
A tabulated view shows the precise number of inspections relating to quarantine, cesspools, chicken coops, streets, dumps, stables, ice houses, nuisances, violations of code, communicable diseases, being a total of I,455 inspections.
THE LABORATORY OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
By Martin E. Alpers, Bacteriologist
The laboratory of the Board of Health was started about 19II, in the rooms the Board occupied in the National Union Bank Building. The quarters were so limited and the equipment so small that very little actual work could be done. When the old fire house was remodeled so that it would house all the various departments of the town, the Board
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obtained two rooms, one of which was fitted out as a laboratory with wood and stone-covered benches, running water, gas outlets, incubators, glassware and a good microscope.
The actual work that the laboratory started with was mainly the examination of the milk supply of Dover. This was gone over thor- oughly. The chemical analysis consisted of taking the specific gravity, the amount of dirt present, the estimation of the fats, total solids and solids not fat, taste, odor and temperature. The bacteriological analysis consisted of the total bacteria count per c.c.
The analysis of the water supply is now one of its chief functions. The analysis consists of a microscopical and a bacteriological examina- tion. The microscopical analysis consists of the enumeration of the actual number of species of the various algae, desmids, diatoms and animalcules that affect the odor or taste of a water supply. The chief cause of a noticeable taste in our supply is due to the growth of the diatom Asterionella. Its most active period of growth is about the first of March. Often the trouble can be remedied by flushing the mains, as large numbers may be pocketed in some parts of the system. As far as known, none of these various algae or animalcules have any effect on a water in regard to health except being slightly offensive to taste or smell.
The bacteriological examination consists of testing the water for the presence of the bacillus Coli Communis, commonly called the B. Coli. These bacteria are normal inhabitants of the intestines of human beings and animals. The presence of these bacteria in a water supply is presumptive evidence that the supply is being contaminated by sewer- age. B. Coli found in a water supply in a smaller amount than 5 c.c. of water indicates danger not in the B. Coli itself, but as showing that typhoid fever may be in the water, as both bacteria come from the same source, the excreta of humans or animals.
The clinical work of the laboratory consists mainly of the examina- tion of sputum for the finding of the tuberculosis bacilli, the making of cultures from swabs taken by physicians from the throats of their patients for the finding of the diphtheria bacillus, and the examination of slides of gonorrheal smears sent in by the physician for the finding of the gonococci.
The making of these analyses is very important. Often tubercu- losis can be recognized by the presence of the T. B. in the sputum before the physical signs are too apparent and the sufferer can and will go to some place where he will receive proper treatment. The finding of the T. B. is as conclusive evidence as can be that the patient has tuberculosis. The not finding of the T. B. does not mean that the patient has not the disease, as often they are deep-seated and easily absent in the sample of sputum.
The diphtheria analysis is also of great importance. In the early stages, if found positive, it calls for the giving of the diphtheria anti- toxin, which so absorbs the disease as to almost remove the fear and dread that this disease once caused. Also, in the final stages, the making
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of cultures is of the utmost importance, as after the patient seems to be entirely recovered the diphtheria bacilli are sometimes harbored in the throat for months. If persons so affected were released from quarantine, they might easily inoculate a great many others with diphtheria.
OTHER PROMOTERS OF HEALTH
To the above summary of the history of our local Board of Health we add a few statements in regard to other agencies working for the public health of the community.
Our local Red Cross is still active in promoting community health. The history of our Woman's Club shows that they have been able allies of the Board of Health.
A special chapter could be written about the influenza year. Con- sult the report of the Red Cross and the Woman's Club, given elsewhere. The historian who tries to record all the good deeds done in Dover has his hands full.
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