USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati, the Queen City, 1788-1912, Volume II > Part 9
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opposition, both in the city council and the volunteer firemen that would have completely discouraged a man of less determination of character and persistence. For three months after the organization of the paid fire department of the city, the council refused to recognize the change, or appropriate the money to pay off the men ; and during this time Mr. Greenwood advanced for this purpose fifteen thousand dollars to keep the men together by paying them regularly. Night and day he was constantly engaged fighting the opposition to the organization. He had no time to attend to his own business, but paid a man one thousand, five hundred dollars to attend to it for him. Eventually he triumphed over every difficulty, and today such a thing as a volunteer fire department is unknown in any city of the first class in Europe or America."
But Greenwood did not fight this battle alone. James H. Walker, A. B. Latta and Piatt were behind him. Piatt and Walker fought for him in council and helped in every possible way.
Latta, according to whose plans the pioneer engine was built, was of the firm of Shawk and Latta, while the engine was built in the shops of John H. McGowan. Latta had had experience in a cotton factory and then in the Washington Navy Yard, before he came to Cincinnati as an expert mechanic and became foreman of a machine shop. He made the first iron-planing machine used in Cincinnati. He built the first locomotive made west of the mountains; this was the "Bull of the Woods," and was constructed for the Little Miami railroad.
Latta was about thirty years of age when in 1852 he constructed the first steam fire engine in this city. He spent nine months upon it. It was tested Janu- ary I, 1853. He built in the next eight years about thirty engines which were used by the fire department of the chief cities of the country.
Joseph S. Ross, after whom the first steam fire engine in this city was named, was a member of the council and was chairman of the committee on the fire de- partment .. It was he who closed the contract with Shawk and Latta to construct the first engine.
The first and for a long time the only fire tower in Cincinnati was on the top of the Mechanics Institute. It had glass windows to give a view of the several parts of the city. There were on duty there day and night two watch- men, who relieved each other every six hours. Four glass globes, covered with red flannel, were used as signals. They were placed in a huge, mast-like cylin- der and moved by machinery. In daylight they appeared to be solid. When il- luminated at night they shone out brilliantly. The watchman, on discovering a fire, announced its locality by hoisting the appropriate number of balls. He also gave the alarm by striking the huge bell at the other end of the roof of the build- ing.
The watchmen also, by means of a speaking tube, notified the firemen in the Gifts Engine House, next door, of the location of a fire. As other engines came past this engine house they also had the means of learning where they were to go.
Cincinnati led in this great reform, while other cities still suffered from the old outworn system. Six months' experience of the new plan satisfied the majority of opponents. After one year, Mr. Greenwood said: "In the semi-annual report that I had the privilege to present to your honorable body, I could not refrain from congratulating the city council upon the triumphant success which had
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crowned their efforts in the reform of the fire department, which the peace and good order of society so imperatively demanded; the result of which, though scarcely six months had passed, the change for good was so manifest that soon the opposition of the most clamorous advocates of the old system were hushed into silence ; nor is the effect of the change now, after the first twelve months have elapsed, less manifest or worthy your confidence. Under the present control the engine houses are no longer nurseries where the youth of the city are trained up in vice, vulgarity and debauchery, and where licentiousness holds her nightly revels. The Sabbath day is no longer desecrated by the yells and fierce conflicts of rival fire companies, who sought the occasion afforded by false alarms, often gotten up for the purpose of making brutal assaults on each other, our citizens, male and female, pass our engine houses without being insulted by the coarse vulgarities of the persons collected around them. The safety and security of our citizens are no longer trampled under foot by men claiming a higher law, under the license of the name of fireman, to commit all manner of excesses with impunity. The temp- tation for the youths of our city to follow fire companies and attach themselves to them, is entirely done away. For all these good results let me congratulate the city council, and all who have so manfully and disinterestedly labored for the reform."
When in 1855 Mr. Greenwood felt that he had accomplished his work and re- tired from the position of chief engineer, Ferguson Clements was appointed in his place, with Enoch G. Megrue as assisstant. In 1857 Megrue succeeded to the chief position, which he occupied for more than twenty years, with great credit to himself and the respect and gratitude of the citizens.
Seven steam fire engines were in charge of the department in 1858. In 1860 there were eleven engines, with one hundred and fifty-one members, which num- bers included officers, besides two hook and ladder companies. Only one hand en- gine was still in use, that in the Seventeenth ward, for local use. That year the mayor declared the Cincinnati fire department to be the most efficient in Amer- ica. Chief Megrue stated : "At no period since the organization of the fire depart- ment has it reached so near perfection as now. As an achievement of human skill we point to it with pride, and in practical workings we have the attestation of an admiring world."
At this time horseless steam fire engines were put in service. In 1864 a new engine of this kind was procured for seven thousand dollars; it was called the "John F. Torrence." In 1868 the "A. B. Latta," named for the maker of the first Cincinnati steam fire engine, was bought.
In 1868-69 the expense of the department was two hundred and forty thous- and five hundred and odd dollars.
The people of Mount Auburn in 1861 made a request that a fire company be located in their vicinity. A new engine was accordingly bought and an engine house was placed on Webster street between Sycamore and Main streets.
The mayor and the chief engineer had for several years advised the installa- tion of the fire alarm telegraph system. The council at last issued an order to this effect. In 1865 a law was passed which gave council authority to procure the necessary money. In 1866 this system was installed by J. F. Kennard & Company of Boston. It cost for operation the first year twenty-five thousand
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THE OLD PILLARS CLUB, MADISON ROAD
OHIO RIVER LAUNCH CLUB
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dollars and the second year twenty thousand, eight hundred dollars. Besides its uses for fire purposes it was utilized by the police. In 1868 this system was ex- tended to Walnut Hills, Mount Adams, the west side of Mill Creek and the workhouse. As more suburbs were annexed, twenty-seven new signal boxes were put up in 1873.
The fire alarm telegraph was first located at the corner of Sixth and Vine streets. B. B. Glass was the first chief operator.
The first entry in the records of the Fire Alarm Telegraph Corps of Cincin- nati is as follows:
"February 7, 1866, the Tower Watchmen were withdrawn from their posts of duty at six o'clock this evening at which time the Fire Alarm Telegraph was accepted and went into service. Between eight and nine o'clock the same evening a test alarm was turned in and sounded upon the bells from Box Six (6) which proved satisfactory to all concerned. The first alarm of fire under the Telegraph system was given from Box Twelve (12) February 9, at eight o'clock, p. m."
At the great Chicago fire in 1871, part of the Cincinnati fire department was sent on and did much in aiding the department of that suffering city.
In 1872 the epizootic disease was prevalent, and the affairs of the city, of the street railways and the fire department were seriously interfered with. While this state of things existed there were no large fires. At the few alarms that were given, the engines were hauled by men, in the old fashion.
The Legislature in 1873 changed the whole organization of the department. It repealed the old laws and city ordinances that bore upon the fire department. The department was taken from the charge of the Council and put in the hands of a Board of Fire Commissioners. The members were appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Council.
The mayor appointed to constitute this board : P. W. Strader, president ; W. B. Folger, secretary; Charles Kahn, Jr., Henry Hanna, George Weber and George C. Sargent.
On the twenty-fifth of August, the Board organized. It did away with the offices of foreman and outside pipeman. It employed a sufficient force on full time and salary.
The department was at this time made up of one hundred and forty-nine officers and men. There were eighteen steam fire engines, four hook and ladder companies, the fuel and supply wagons and the fire alarm telegraph corps.
There were five first class engines, six second class and seven third class en- gines. All but one had been built in this city.
In 1875 Chief Megrue stated that during the year 1874 the losses by fire were less by two hundred and forty thousand dollars than in 1854, though the population of Cincinnati had doubled in the meanwhile.
On May 14, 1880, there occurred a fire at Glendale, fifteen miles from the center of the city, which notably exhibited the efficiency of the Cincinnati fire department. Within forty-five minutes after the telegram asking for aid was filed at the Glendale office Chief Engineer Bunker was at hand with an engine and fighting the fire.
The organization of the fire department was again changed in 1877, and was put in the charge of the Board of Police Commissioners. There was a pro-
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longed dispute as to this act, known as the "Ransom Ripper Bill." A conclusion was reached for the time being by the appointment of Charles Jacob, Jr., as president, George W. Ziegler, Enoch T. Carson, Charles Brown and Daniel Weber as police commissioners.
By the act of the general assembly, February 14, 1878, the law creating this board was repealed. Judge Moses F. Wilson of the police court then appointed as fire commissioners, George C. Sargent, William Dunn, C. J. W. Smith, George Weber and John L. Thompson.
This board appointed Joseph Bunker fire marshal, and as assistants Lewis Wibey, Thomas McAvoy and Henry Schildmeyer, as Chief Megrue had resigned and insisted on his resignation being accepted.
Megrue had been with the fire department more than twenty-five years, and had been at the head of the department for twenty years. His is one of the most notable and honorable names in the history of the paid fire department. Politics had entered toward the end of his service into the management of the fire department, and this fact had annoyed and grieved him.
L. C. Weir in 1879 succeeded John L. Thompson on the board, and in 1880 John Mackey Jr., took the place of George Weber. When the term of C. J. W. Smith expired, Chris Kiechler became fire commissioner in his room.
In 1882 there was held the Fire Chiefs Convention, and there were in at- tendance many of the most notable fire chiefs of the world. Among these was Captain E. M. Shaw of London. There were ninety-five chiefs present.
On account of the bursting of a large amount of the hose at a fire at this time, the burning of the oil establishment of Charles E. Coffin, it was evident that sufficient funds were not being provided for the proper maintenance of the departments supplies. A private subscription was raised. Council made further appropriation. New hose was purchased.
In 1882 Chris Kissinger took the place of William Dunn on the Board of Fire Commissioners. In 1883, J. M. Doherty succeeded George C. Sargent.
In 1883 there was a great flood. The fire department was much interfered with. In the bottoms an engine was placed on a flat boat for the protection of that neighborhood.
In 1884 Chief Bunker was killed by a collision of his buggy and a chemical engine while speeding to a fire. He had been in the department thirty years, and was an able officer.
Lewis Wisbey became acting chief on the death of Bunker in September and was regularly appointed to this position November 28, 1884.
In this year, Abe Furst was appointed to succeed L. C. Weir whose term had expired as a member of the board.
An act was passed during this year allowing the fire appropriations to be in- creased from $250,000 to $300,000. Another act permitted a change of the regu- lations so that an applicant for membership must pass a medical examination.
In 1886 a tournament of the old volunteer firemen was held. An association had been formed in 1869 of those who had been active members in the old vol- unteer department. The city publicly demonstrated for three days its enthusiasm for these men.
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In 1886 the Salvage Corps was organized. Herman F. Newman, who had been a fireman, became its head.
In 1890 W. H. Hughes became chief in place of Lewis Wisbey, who resigned.
. In 1891 a Board of Fire Trustees took the place of the Board of Fire Com- missioners. Mayor Mosby appointed Abe Furst, R. M. Archibald, James J. Faran, Jr., and John Goetz, Jr.
In 1893 W. T. Perkins succeeded R. M. Archibald as fire trustee. J. A. Archi- bald took the place of W. H. Hughes as chief.
In 1898 Faran was succeeded by William Rieker; in 1899 Goetz was suc- ceeded by Joseph M. Rice; and in 1901 Perkins was succeeded by John Mackey, Jr. Abe Furst was reappointed in 1900.
Mr. Faran in 1902 took the place of Rice.
A parade of the fire and police departments was held October 3, 1895. A review by Governor Mckinley and Mayor Caldwell was then held. General Andrew Hickenlooper was grand marshal for the fire department and Colonel Leopold Markbreit for the police department.
The Firemens' Protective Association of Cincinnati is an organization for the relief of firemen, their widows and orphans.
The firemen's pension fund provides pensions for disabled firemen and widows and orphans of firemen.
The large and thoroughly equipped fire department of Cincinnati today is so vast and elaborate that an extensive treatment of it would require far more space than can be here given. There are the forty-seven fire companies ; sixteen ladder companies ; two water tower companies; three fuel and supply companies ; a tool · wagon company ; an automobile company ; cistern and plug department ; a hose shop; fire alarm telegraph. In brief, Cincinnati has a thoroughly modern and efficient fire department.
· DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
The Board of Health was organized by the Council in 1865. The first yearly report was submitted on March Ist, 1868.
This board then consisted of : Charles Wilstach, mayor, and ex officio presi- dent of the Board; Hugh McBriney, S. S. Davis, L. C. Hopkins, J. C. Baum, Daniel Morton, and John Hauck. Dr. William Clendenin was health officer, and George M. Howels clerk.
The first orders of this board were sent out April 24, 1867. In less than a year after that date the Board sent out thirteen thousand and six hundred and twenty-four orders to be served by the sanitary police.
The health officer in that year received seventeen thousand, three hundred and fourteen reports of nuisances. When notifications were sent by the board most of these nuisances were looked after. But the board brought one hun- dred and thirty suits and collected seventy-two fines.
The act of the Legislature which had created this Board gave into its hands the medical relief of the poor of the city. During the first year of its existence there was a large number of people out of employment. A physician was selected
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to look after the sick among the poor in each ward. As the general health that year was good, it was found that thirteen ward physicians were sufficient. The poor treated during the year were four thousand, four hundred and thirty one.
The mayor in his next annual message stated that the board of health had rid the city markets of unwholesome meats and vegetables, prevented the sale of dis- eased cattle and decreased milk adulteration, as well as prevented the spread of "Texas cattle-fever."
The death rate of the city was considerably lowered.
In 1869, the Board of Health had the street-sweepings analyzed, and showed their utility as fertilizer.
In 1870, the Council ordered the construction of public closets, under the care of the Board of Health.
During a smallpox epidemic in 1872 the Board of Health made an inspection of the public schools, and as a result more than seven thousand children were vac- cinated at the public expense.
In 1872 eleven thousand, seven hundred and odd nuisances were abated.
That year medical attention was provided for seven thousand, seven hundred and fifty odd cases among the poor.
As it was apprehended that cholera might return at that time, a house to house inspection was made by the board. "Cries of Warning," printed announcements of the perils, were given out to housekeepers and landlords to the number of twenty-five thousand.
In 1876 the schools were again examined.
In 1878 bureaus of medical relief, sanitary inspection, markets and vital sta- tistics were created as part of this board.
In 1880 a police squad was detailed for sanitary service. The sanitary police in that year abated twelve thousand, four hundred and twenty nuisances, and made twenty-six thousand, seven hundred and ten inspections of premises.
The health officer is Dr. Mark A. Brown; sanitary superintendent Mischeal Lorentz, and assistant superintendent P. H. Goeddell.
Of the Bureau of Finance, John J. Winner is clerk of the Board of Health and Joseph M. Ray is chief clerk of the Board of Health.
Of the Bureau of Vital Statistics, E. Walter Evans is deputy registrar and William Kimmerling is assistant deputy registrar.
Of the Bureau of Infectious and Contagious Diseases, the medical inspector is B. F. Lyle, M. D. (resigned), Henry Dietz is clerk, Joseph Wagner and Charles Ortman are sanitary specials.
On the Bureau of Sanitary Inspection, Bernard Brengelmann is fumigator. There is in this bureau a chief clerk of the sanitary department, a clerk, and twenty sanitary officers.
Of the Bureau of Dairy and Milk Inspection, J. Stewart Hagen, M. D., is milk inspector, and there are seven assistant milk inspectors; also a clerk, a legal clerk.
There is a Bureau of Meat and Live Stock Inspection, of which Harry C. Winnes, D. V. M. is meat inspector, and there are seven assistant meat inspectors.
There is a Bureau of Fruit and Vegetables Inspection, of which George Le- brecht is fruit inspector.
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On the Bureau of Bacteriological and Microscopical Examinations Frank Lamb, M. D., is chemist and bacteriologist and Harry F. Truesdale is laboratory assistant.
Oscar W. Stark, M. D., is physician of the tuberculosis dispensary, with four nurses.
The Bureau of Medical Relief has a physician in each of the twenty-four wards.
In the Bureau of School Hygiene, Miriam Schaar, M. D., is chief nurse, with two nurses cooperating.
In 1909 there were six thousand, three hundred and three deaths, including three hundred and eighty-two still births, a decrease in the mortality of five hun- dred and twenty-eight compared with the preceding year.
Using the last figures of the census department for the year 1910 the popula- tion of the city is 364,463. According to these figures the death rate for 1909 was 16.24.
The births outnumbered the deaths, six thousand, eight hundred and ten; a birth rate of 18.68 per thousand. This was an increase in birth rate compared with the preceding year from 15.70 per thousand.
The explanation is that births are being better reported by physicians, and the rate of 1909 was based upon a more nearly correct estimate of the population.
The work in the laboratory has increased almost 33 and a third per cent over that done the preceding year, 7,483 examinations having been made. A careful perusal of Dr. Lamb's report will show a marked improvement during the year in the milk supply, both chemically and bacteriologically.
Dairy conditions are decidedly improved, as is evidenced by reports of samples of milk examined. The vigorous system of prosecution that was followed during the latter half of 1909 had a salutary effect and adulteration is much less frequent. Part of the good effect of this policy is lost through delays in having cases tried. The city solicitor's force is overworked, and arrangements should be made where- by the legal representative of this department could give first consideration to its business.
During 1909, one of the largest dairies in the United States marketing its milk in this city, had its herd tuberculin tested. A large percentage of the cows were found to be diseased, and a large number of these were slaughtered, subject to government inspection. At present this herd is under the care of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, and the milk supply from this source is prob- ably as good as can be obtained from any dairy in the Cincinnati district.
The Health Officer and Chief Milk and Dairy inspector are carrying on a system of education among the dairy men, and each year shows a material increase in the number of tuberculin tested herds. The milk commission of the Academy of Medicine aids in this work.
During the summer months certified milk, at nominal price, is sold or fur- nished free to people with infants in the congested districts through the milk sta- tions established by this department.
The work being done is as efficient as can be hoped for considering the num- ber of men employed. Inspection work outside of Hamilton county can only be done after the force has been increased.
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As to school inspection, the nurses follow up the recommendations of the as- sistant health officers in the homes of the people, give treatment in the schools, accompany the patients to hospitals when they need operations, etc. Fifteen pub- lic schools were served in 1909, and the results obtained show the importance of extending this work as rapidly as possible to all of the public, parochial and pri- vate schools in the city. Lack of funds interferes with this work at present.
Only forty-six deaths were due to typhoid fever, the lowest mortality from this cause for years.
The campaign for a more thorough reporting of tubercular cases resulted in 1,058 cases being reported during the year, with 850 deaths from this cause. This showed a marked improvement in case reporting. The work in the tuberculosis dispensary contributed materially to this result.
During that year there were reported 400 cases of measles, with two deaths ; 426 cases of diphtheria, with 38 deaths; 388 cases of scarlet fever, with 14 deaths ; 136 cases of whooping cough, with 21 deaths; 307 cases of chickenpox, with no deaths; 253 cases of small pox, with one death; cerebro spinal meningitis, 4 cases, with I death; mumps 16 cases; erysipelas, 91 cases, with 32 deaths.
Inspection in the Meat Inspection Service is limited to those slaughter houses not engaged in inter-state trade, to the hotels, restaurants, retail butcher shops and markets. The force is too small for thorough work, and steps should be taken to widen the field of usefulness of this department.
There is but one man employed at present in the Bureau of Fruits and Vegetables.
The total expenditures for the year ending December 31, 1909 were $71,- 878, general administration, sanitary services and supplies, quarantine, and in- spection of food products.
Out door relief Medical Relief of the Poor; in 1909, there were 4,032 new patients, 1,898 old patients; total patients treated, 5,930. Total visits by phy- sicians 12,116. Patients discharged 3,709. Sent to hospital 289. Patients re- maining, 1,897. Total cost of medicines, $509.
The deaths in 1890, with the smaller population of that period, were 6,44I and in 1909 were 5,921.
In this year, there was a total of 1,519 fumigations made; for diphtheria 393; for scarlet fever 340; for consumption 540; for smallpox 201. Miscellaneous 45.
The modern management of the tuberculosis situation recognizes three dis- tinct aspects of the subject which must receive due consideration if the work of stamping out consumption is to be successful. One is the education of public opinion in harmony with the tuberculosis campaign. Another is the isolation of the consumptive who is helpless and is in urgent need not only of medical at- tention, but of the ordinary necessities of life, such as food and healthful sur- roundings. The third and last, but by no means the least important feature of the tuberculosis situation is the care of the ambulant case or the treatment of the individual patient who is not sick enough to require hospital or sanitary treat- ment, but not well enough to be without medical attention and advice, more par- ticularly if the patient is poor.
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