Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 2, Part 26

Author: Greve, Charles Theodore, b. 1863. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1048

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The new department as already stated actually came into the control of the protection of the city from fire on April 1, 1853. In Mr. Green- wood's first annual report, that of April 1, 1854, he recommended the purchase of the lot then vacant on the south side of Sixth street between Vine and Race, urging its convenience to the lookout and alarm bell which it was expected would be placed on the adjoining Mechanics' In- stitute building. This purchase was made and at this point, from that time until 1903, has been located the headquarters of the department including the fire alarm telegraph.

For many years the one fire tower in the city stood on top of the Mechanics' Institute building at Sixth and Vine streets. At this point the lines dividing the city into four fire districts intersected. . The tower contained glass windows from which a clear view could be had of every. part of the city and two watchmen remained on duty there night and day, relieving each other every six hours. In the center of the tower was a large wooden cylinder resembling the mast of a ship through which by means of machinery worked four glass globes covered with red fan- nel cloth and fastened upon a shaft. During the day they appeared at a distance like solid balls but at night when illuminated they were brilliant red. Upon the discovery of a fire, the watchmen immediately hoisted one, two, three or four balls above the tower according to the district where the fire was located. Without leaving his place, with the aid of a lever he also struck an alarm upon a mammoth bell weighing 6,549 pounds placed at the further end of the roof of the In- stitute building. Next to the Institute building where the Gifts' Engine House now stands was the frame building of the Fourth District Engine llouse. A speaking' tube connected the tower with the engine house and through this the watchmen announced the location of the fire to the firemen below. The other engines as they

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. passed the engine house also learned where they were needed. (Cincinnati Fire Department, p. IOI.)

In the same report Mr. Greenwood gave an extensive account of the condition of the depart- ment, in which he says the utmost harmony pre- vailed. Among the different companies no other rivalry existed than that of trying to excel each other in faithfully discharging their several du- ties. Within six months all the property and ap- paratus of the different independent companies were in the possession of the city, except that of the Independent Company No. 2 at the corner of Symmes and Lawrence. This was shortly afterwards acquired by the city and the first re- port contains a complete inventory of the depart- ment. The satisfaction given by the first engine induced the purchase of a second known as the "Citizens Gift." In 1853 the department had 14 companies, a hose company, a hook and ladder company and 529 men, including officers. These companies were provided with 28 engines and 29 hose carriages and 24,750 feet of hose. To the two steam engines already owned was added a third in 1854. These three engines were able to throw 2,400 gallons of water a minute and upon pressure this quantity could be increased to 3,000 gallons. The department had 50 horses and its expenditures for that year aggregated $78,440.04.

The names of the officers of the department during its year of existence are worthy of per- manent record. Miles Greenwood was the chief engineer and his two assistants were Ferguson Clements and John Doran. The clerk was Lewis Gnelich. The office of the department was at that time at No. 65 Fourth street between Walnut and Vine in the building so long occupied by the Independence Company No. 3 and afterwards by the bookstore of The Robert Clarke Company.

During the year 1854 two new steam engines were added to the service with the necessary reels and hose. The public trial of the new steam fire engine the "Citizens Gift" took place on July 27th and was made the occasion of general rejoicing. The first serious calamity to the new department occurred at a fire in the rectifying house on Seventh street west of Sycamore dur- ing this same year. On this occasion one of the firemen, William Videll of the Washington Company, was killed and another, John Craw- ley, badly injured. This, company came from the east side of Vine street between Columbia and Front and still used the old engines, the "Ohio" and "Pat Lyon." Four new engines were contracted for the year 1855 at the cost of $22,-

000. One of these the "Washington" was as- signed to the Washington Company on Vine street just referred to; the "F. Clements" went to the Deluge Company at Third and Lawrence : the "Miles Greenwood" was located at the Mo- hawk Fire Engine House on Vine and Hamilton road and the "Marion" at the Marion Engine House on Cutter between Laurel and Betts. It was necessary to alter most of these engine houses for the purpose of receiving the new apparatus. In this year Mr. Greenwood felt that his services were no longer necessary to the success of the department and he retired with the thanks of the Council and the citizens, after "bringing or- der out of confusion and saving property and life by systematized and well defined rules and regulations and a personal supervision highly honorable to him and immensely valuable to this city." A handsome souvenir was presented to him by the officers of the department as a tribute of respect and esteem for his efficient services as fireman, his bearing as officer, and exemplary character as citizen. The inscription on the son- venir also modestly stated that the department was the best the world could boast of. Ferg11- son Clements was appointed chief engineer with Enoch G. Megrue as assistant.

Several serious accidents happened during this same year. One of these, caused by the explosion of one of the steam fire engines during the trial before a committee of the Chicago Council, re- sulted in the death of three firemen. Another fireman was killed by the falling in of a build- ing on Sycamore street between Main and Syca- more streets and the third met his death by be- ing run over by an engine. A most disastrous fire was that of October 15, 1855, which started in the carpenter establishment of Hinkle & Guild on Water street almost opposite the gas works. The origin of the fire which was most destruc- tive could never be ascertained and it was gen- erally attributed to incendiary origin. The build- ing, which was five stories high packed with in- flammable materials, burned to the ground with a loss of over $100,000. Another fire also at- tributed to incendiary origin broke out the fol- lowing day at the ropewalk of Charles S. Jacob near Seventh and Harriet streets.

In 1857 Mr. Clements was succeeded by Enoch G. Megrue with Lewis Wisbey as assis- tant. Mr. Megrue remained in charge of the fire department in Cincinnati for over 20 years, dur- ing which time he earned the everlasting grati- tude of the citizens and the envious admiration of all the small boys.

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An interesting incident in the history of the department was the procession given on June 3, 1857, in honor of the opening of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad in which the most conspicu- ous feature as of many processions to follow was the Cincinnati Fire Department, at that time consisting of seven steam engines, 14 hose carts and a hook and ladder company. The depart- ment was escorted by a fine body of soldiers and paraded the streets for several hours when sud- denly the bell was tapped and the engines started off at full speed for the Sixth street market place. Steam was gotten up upon the giving of the sig- nal just as if the engines were starting off for a fire. The engines took their places at the cis- terns in the neighborhood and the hose was brought into the square. At a given signal the water started from seven pipes which were held in such position as to cause the different streams to unite high in the air above the spectators. "The glistening drops sparkled like so many dia- monds in the air and the vast crowd assembled gave expression to their admiration by stentorian vivas."

An interesting picture of this scene shows one of the old-fashioned steam fire engines, the seven ascending streams, the old market house and the buildings surrounding it and the vast concourse of people with their quaint costumes. The men were mainly attired in the straight stovepipe hats, peg-top trousers, and clawhammer coats and the women rejoiced in the close fitting bonnets, large shawls and enormous hoop skirts. (Cin- cinnati Fire Department, p. 127.)

A serious fire of this year was that in the fur- niture factory of Meader, Johnson & Company on Smith and Front streets, which occurred July 2, 1857. This fire was one of the largest known in the history of the city and owing to the in- flammable character of the material in the build- ing and in the lumber yards the heat was so in- tense that the firemen could not approach close enough to render much service. The five-story brick of the furniture factory, the four-story brick and two-story frame adjoining it, as well as lumber in the yard, were entirely consumed as well as the Resor Stove Foundry on the south- west corner of Front and Smith which was a five- story brick building over 200 feet front, extend- ing from Front to Water street, and the largest establishment of the kind in the West. Other. buildings that were injured were the Coolidge and Closterman furniture establishments and the Me- chanics' Hotel on the southeast corner of Front and Smith. The loss was about a quarter of a

million dollars as well as the throwing out of em- ployment of some 300 mechanics. Two days later the celebration of the glorious Fourth resulted in a fire in the so-called Clinton Buildings at the northwest corner of Western row and Clinton street. These buildings were occupied by eight firms many of which sustained considerable loss.

In 1858 the department consisted of eight steam engine companies, three active hand engine com- panies and four outside or neighborhood com- panies. So rapid had been the development in the manufacture of engines that four of the steam engines were already rated as second class and this year the pioneer "Uncle Joe Ross" was placed ont of service as being too heavy. The govern- ing board of the department at that time was a board of supervisors consisting of the chief en- gineer and his assistants and the fire department committee of the City Council and according to the report of the chief the system was not a com- plete success by reason of the inability of the council committee to devote sufficient time to their duties .. The hand companies practically disappeared from the service during the follow- ing year and arrangements were made for two fire engines to take their places, one of which was to be stationed at Ninth and Freeman for the purpose of protecting the extreme western and southwestern parts of the city. As a result of the changes, the department consisted this year of 10 engines, a hook and ladder truck, a hose company, 60 horses and 142 men with but seven hand engines still in use. A large fire of this year was that of August 11, 1859, in whichi the wholesale liquor house of Stephen Boyle & Company at No. 53 Second street, consisting of four large stores, two of them five-story brick buildings all stored with liquor, was destroyed. Other concerns suffering loss were those of Crane, Breed & Company and G. Henshaw at Nos. 26 and 28 Sycamore street. Three firemen were badly injured and a colored woman watch- ing the fire inhaled the flames and subsequently died. This fire was a most spectacular one rendered so by the brilliancy of the flames and. the repeated explosions of the casks of liquor.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

In 1840 the organization of the police force was again changed. Before that time the watch had been appointed by the Council but by act of March 19, 1840, provision was made for the elec- tion of the night watch by wards in such mmm- bers for each ward as the Council should direct. The watchmen were elected at the elections held

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for City Council and were required to live in the wards from which they were elected. They were not permitted to receive fees as witnesses when called upon to testify for the city. The first elected under this provision were James Ewan, Peter Early, John Redhead, Robert Cappin, Jesse B. Baldwin, Aaron G. Dodd . and John Cordeman. Ira A. Butterfield was captain of the watch and James Wise, lieutenant. These officers were of course under the authority of the marshal. It must be remembered that this was a night watch and that no provision for day police in the city of Cincinnati was made until 1842 when on May 27th the Council created a day watch to consist of two persons selected by themselves who were to receive a compensation of $1.25 a day. The 10-years term of Mayor Davies ended in 1843 at which time he was suc- ceeded by Henry E. Spencer who like Davies was a Whig although he became a Democrat in 1856. He served as mayor for eight years, during part of which time the position of marshal lost much of its influence by reason of the control of the watch being put directly under the mayor. The immediate command was placed in the hands of a captain and during Mayor Spencer's term of IO years the captains were William Small and Jacob Jacobs. In 1844 an ordinance was passed increasing the police force by permitting the mayor and marshal, in case of riot or otherwise when necessary, to detail any number of persons not to exceed 10 from each ward who should be sworn in as deputy marshals and act in concert with and under the direction and control of the mayor and marshal for the preservation of the public peace. Two years later provision was made for the employment of private watchmen for the merchants of Pearl street or any other street in the city, which watchmen were to be paid by the merchants but to have the power of the other, watchmen of the city. James Saffin, who had been the marshal since 1835, was succeeded in 1847 by Ebenezer Hulse, who served but one term, at the conclusion of which James L. Ruffin became marshal. Ruffin was a son of William Ruffin the former city clerk and was born in the city December 22, 1813. It is said that his carly life and associates were of such a character as to give him large experience with people likely to come within the pale of the law and in fact his name seems to have been connected with a gang of toughs called the "Fly Market Rangers." He was afterwards a clerk in a mercantile house, then on a river steamer, again a bookbinder and finally deputy in the county clerk's office under

William Henry Harrison. Early in the "forties" he became a constable and the work seemed to be to his liking. He subsequently was chosen marshal in which position he was very successful and years afterwards he acted as chief of police for several terms.

In 1849 the captain of the watch was given the munificent pay of $1.75 a night while the two lieutenants received $1.50 and the watchmen, $1.35.

A reorganization of the force took place in the following year. At the last meeting in March, 1850, the Council provided for the election of six watchmen from each of the wards of the city at the following April election a few days later. These watchmen were to have the same terms as those of the night watch. A month later the Council passed an ordinance providing for a chief of police and six lieutenants of the watch to be appointed by the Council, cach for the term of a year. The duties of these officers were prescribed by the ordinance, that of the chief being of course supervisory. Four of the lieuten- ants designated by the committee on the watch were to be assigned for night duty and two for day duty and five of the watchmen in each ward were to act at night while but one was on duty in the daytime. The chief lieutenants and the night watch were required to assemble at the city watch house every night precisely one hour after sunset for roll call. The night lieutenants and watchmen remained on duty until sunrise, at which time the whole force headed by the chief once more assembled for roll call. A day force then went on duty and continued to act until sun- set. There seems to have been no provision for the hour between sunset and roll call of the night force. The force seems to have been directly under charge of a council committee on the watch which made the regulations necessary for its government. The salaries of the officers were as stated above and no one of them was permitted to be employed in other business except by writ- ten permission, granted by the committee on the watch. This ordinance we are told was not put into effect until 1853 at which time David T. Snelbaker became mayor. It will be remembered that Mark P. Taylor had succeeded Mayor Spen- cer in 1851 and as mayor was the head of the force. His captains of the watch were Peter Early, David Hoke and John C. Coutch. By or- dinance of June 25, 1851, the number of lienten- ants was reduced to one with three assistants. Provision was made at the same time for the ap- pointment of a sergeant of police for cach ward.

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The appointment of the first chief of police and the first organization of the department that in any way foreshadowed the present organization took place under Mayor Snelbaker in 1853, at which time Jacob Kiefer was made chief. His lieutenants were John Dunker, Joseph Cassidy, William Phillips, Simeon Rouse, Xavier Cramer and F. Housman. There were at that time 96 watchmen, six for each of the 16 wards. In ad- dition there were six river watchmen (among whom was L. M. Hazen), two canal watchmen, two watch-house keepers and two keepers each for the Hammond street and Bremen street sta- tion houses. The offices of the new department were in the new City Hall at Eighth and Plum which was occupied for the first time early in the year 1852. (Directory of 1853, p. 42.)

Kiefer served but a few weeks and was stic- ceeded by Thomas Looken. Looken's term was brought to a conclusion towards the end of the year as a result of the Bedini riots. As stated in the account of that disturbance the police force headed by the chief attempted to stop the rioters at the corner of Eighth and Plum. It was not until one of the policemen had been mortally wounded that the chief commanded his men to take the offensive, as a result of which came the clubbing which at this day seems entirely justified. A number of citizens were seriously injured and one of the rioters died as a result of his wounds. His funeral was one of the largest ever witnessed in the city and the feeling against the police was intensified by handbills distributed at the time denouncing them as brutal and tyrannical. As a result of the popular indignation Mayor Snel- baker was obliged to dismiss his chief who had simply done his duty. He became an object of general reprobation for a time and the words of his order "pitch in" were perpetuated in song and verse. We are told that popular music called the "Pitch In Waltz" was played by every brass band in the city. The result of such lawless senti- ment showed itself a few weeks later, even after Father Bedini had left the city, when on the 15th of January, 1851, another mob several thousand strong marched to the Archbishop's residence and burned an effigy of the Nuncio. Marshal James L. Ruffin with several officers attempted to quell this disturbance and as a result was knocked down and clubbed while Deputy Sheriff Thomas lligdon was stabbed to death. Looken was suc- ceeded as chief by David lloke who had been captain of the watch under Mayor Taylor. He too had his experience with rioters, at the time of the municipal elections in April, 1855, when the

so-called Know Nothing riot took place. In a struggle in the 11th Ward for the possession of the ballot box, the foreman of Link's Brewery was shot to death by one of the Know Nothings named .William Brown. The riot that followed made necessary the calling out of the police under Chief Hoke who finally succeeded in restoring order.

As a result of this election, James J. Faran was elected mayor and William Craven, city marshal. Edward H. Hopkins became chief of police. The name of Benjamin P. Churchill appears as a deputy and the lieutenants were Benjamin Ertel, William S. Hudson, L. M. Hazen, L. Parker and G. W. Rose. This was the first connection of the celebrated chief of detectives, Lawrence M. Hazen, as an officer of the Cincinnati police force. The Directory of 1856 gives the names of 72 watchmen as well as those of the six watch-house keepers located at that time at the Ninth, Pearl and Hammond street stations. The total police force at the time is said to have numbered 101. At the election of 1857 at which time Nicholas W. Thomas became mayor, Benjamin Robinson a Democrat slipped into office as city marshal as a result of the split in the Republican party. The famous James L. Ruffin became Mayor Thomas' chief of the police force which had at this time been cut down to go in number. Both of these men, Nicholas W. Thomas and James L. Ruffin, won for themselves lasting places as most effi- cient officers in the memory of Cincinnatians. Richard M. Bishop, so well known as "Uncle Richard," succeeded Thomas as mayor and with him was elected as city marshal Jolin S. Gano, the last to hold this office. Lewis Wilson was Mayor Bishop's chief.

At this time came a reorganization of the police force as a result of an act of the Legislature passed March 14, 1859. This act provided for the appointment of four persons by the mayor, police judge and city auditor, which four with the mayor were to constitute the Board of Police Commissioners. The board was to appoint a chief, lieutenants, the necessary number of watch- men and station house keepers and to formulate rules and regulations for the force. They were to receive no compensation for their services. The office of city marshal was abolished and its duties given to the chief who was to receive $1,500 from the city and $500 from the county. The city prison work house and superintendent of the same were also provided for. Consider- able excitement prevailed as a result of the pas- sage of this act known as the "Dobmeyer Act."

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Mayor Thomas was a Whig but Judge A. J. Pruden of the Police Court and City Auditor S. S. McGibbons were Democrats. The two latter ap- pointed the commissioners, naming Charles Rulc, Dr. Joseph S. Unzicker, Elbert Marsh and Will- iam P. Hulbert. In the spring clection of 1859 D. P. Lowe had been elected to the Police Court bench and Emanuel Wassenich had been made city auditor. These were both Whigs. Mr. Hul- bert and his associates were induced to resign their positions as commissioners on the theory that the law creating the commission was uncon- stitutional and that they would be individually responsible for the salary of the policc. (Roe's Our Police, p. 41.) At any rate as a result of these resignations, there were four vacancies to be filled. Judge Pruden had but one day more to serve when Mayor Thomas brought into court the newly clected Judge Lowe and introduced him. The presiding judge at once ordered the marshal to open court which was done. There- upon Judge Pruden the retiring judge and the retiring auditor with one day more to serve an- nounced the appointment of four new commis- sioners, George Hatch, Charles W. West, George C. Sargeant and Francis Beresford. When the commission attempted to meet at the mayor's office on April 7th, they found the door closed and as a result they organized in the hall by clecting Beresford chairman and Hatch secretary. Two days later they met in the office of the city marshal and appointed William S. Hudson as lieutenant of police. He was detailed by the newly appointed chief for service at the Police Court. Benjamin Robinson, the former marshal, was sworn in as chief and four deputy marshals were appointed policemen. The marshal-elect, John S. Gano, was refused the papers belonging to the marshal's office. In the meantime the new Police Court was organized with Judge Lowc on the bench and John S. Gano as marshal. Of course a contest followed in the courts. Mayor Bishop refused to act with the new commissioners and their officials were not able to obtain posses- sion of the city prison. The District Court sus- taincd the constitutionality and held that the office of city marshal had. bcen abolished and that the first commission which had resigned was legal but that no power existed to reappoint a com- mission. Mayor Bishop remained at the head of the force, acting through his chief of police Lewis Wilson until the Legislature on March 8, 1860, repealed the act appointing the commission. The chief of police was allowed to remain at the head of the force. It was said that the office of mar-

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Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 2, Part 26

Author: Greve, Charles Theodore, b. 1863. cn Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1048

Author: Greve, Charles Theodore, b. 1863. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1048