USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of Erie County Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 36
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For the proper organization of this primitive fire brigade the town was divided into two wards, to be known as numbers one and two, being separated
321
THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
by Columbus avenue. The mayor was authorized to and did comply with the ordinance of the council by appointing Henry H. Wilcoxsen as chief fire- man ; James Hollister as fire warden number one of ward number one ; Will- iam Kelley as fire warden number two of ward number one; Erastus Gregg as fire warden number one of ward number two ; and Ezra Wells as fire war- den number two of ward number two; Isaac Carling and Moors Farwell as the committee of safety of ward number one, and William Leonard and Thomas Chesnut as committee of safety of ward number two. Also Cyrus W. Marsh as captain of the fire company of ward one, and Elias Hand as captain of the fire company in ward two. Josiah W. Hollister was appointed first engineer, and Amos L. Patterson as second engineer in ward one, while John Chesnut and John Mumford were to perform the same duties respectively in ward number two.
A further provision was made that men be enlisted for each company ; and that each man should provide himself with one substantial bucket, and in case of fire to appear "equipt " with his bucket. This was the original fire and bucket brigade of the town of Sandusky, and from the number of men ap- pointed to positions of rank therein, it would seem that every man in the place was in some manner connected with the department. One bucket and one hook was afterward provided for each company, and to be paid for out of the funds of the town. From this outlay it is not surprising that Sandusky has a large bonded indebtedness.
During the latter part of the year 1834 the subject of the purchase of a more approved and suitable means of fighting fire was under discussion, but it was not until February of the following year that the desire was consum- mated. The council then appointed Thomas T. White and John Wheeler a select committee to make the purchase. They entered into negotiations with James Smith, of New York city, and that person offered to sell the town a hand engine of such pattern as was then in use in his city for the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars. The finances of the town were then in a somewhat reduced condition, and voluntary subscriptions by the citizens of the town were received, and this, with the funds in the treasury, was used and the pur- chase made. This engine was named Ogontz, and the company that manned it was called Ogontz Fire Company No. I.
In 1839, with the growth of the town it was thought desirable to make some further provision for this branch of municipal service ; so the council, on the 7th of February, passed an ordinance providing for more efficient means of safety and security of the citizens against fire, and elected officers for the department as follows: Foster M. Follett, chief engineer; Ebenezer B. Sadler, assistant engineer; and William W. Witherell, William B. Smith, Page M. Ring, A. H. Barber, Abner Root and Isaiah W. Hollister as fire wardens.
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322
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
In the year 1848 there was organized a new company which was provided by the council to contain not less than forty, nor more than sixty men, to be designated as " Buckeye Company, Number 2 " and for this company was pur- chased the engine that was named "Buckeye." Not long after this a hook and ladder company was organized. In 1853 Hornet Company, Number 3, was formed.
Thus well equipped and organized for business the city seemed well pro- vided against a severe fire loss. To make the old hand engines available wells were dug in various parts of the city from which water was to be taken. In 1858 the officers of the department were F. C. Ford, chief engineer ; Enoch Weller, first assistant ; Charles Ruemmelle, second assistant. In 1859 Foster M. Follett was chief, Casper J. Parsons, first assistant and William Cook, sec- ond assistant. In 1860 Enoch Weller was chief, Casper J. Parsons, first and William Cook second assistant engineer.
But the time came when the old hand engines, like all other ancient contriv- ances, must give place to more modern inventions. In 1865 the council, as- sisted by the contributions of citizens, made a purchase of a steam engine of the Amoskeag manufacture. This is still in use in the city although it has fre- quently undergone repairs. Three years later a Silsby engine was purchased, and again in 1869, another of the same pattern. With this improved appara- tus and the purchase of a hook and ladder truck, it became necessary to re- organize the whole department, and the council wisely concluded to make it a paid department. By their ordinance, passed May 27, 1872, it was provided that each engineer should receive sixty dollars per month, the firemen or as- sistant fifty dollars, each teamster fifty dollars, and each minute· man ten dol- lars per month. Richard C. Cuthbert was elected chief engineer.
This ordinance, with some subsequent amendments, remained in force and by it the department was governed until the ordinance as passed and amended in 1884, came into effect. This provided that the fire department " shall con- sist of three hose companies and one hook and ladder company. Each of said hose companies shall be composed of six men, and said hook and ladder com- pany shall be composed of seven men. One of said men in each hose company shall be know as plugman, one as teamster and the other four as minute men. One of the men of said hook and ladder company shall be known as captain, one a teamster and the other five as minute men. The hose carts and hook and ladder trucks shall have one hose each." The compensation provided to be paid under this ordinance was : Each plugman, forty-five dollars per month ; each teamster, forty-five dollars per month ; each minute man, ten dollars per month.
The present officers are Daniel Myers, chief engineer ; John Unckrich, as. sistant ; Christian Zimmerman, chairman of fire company. The apparatus is located as follows: Engine House No. I, foot of Hancock street; Frank Cassady, plugman; A. Windisch, driver. Engine House No. 2, corner Market and
323
THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
Lawrence streets ; Frank S. Erney, engineer; Thomas Murray, driver. En- mine House No. 3, corner of Elm and Monroe streets; Adam E. Hartung, rugman ; Charles Spaith, driver. Germania Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. corner of Market and Lawrence streets; August Widemann, foreman ; Daniel Sprau, driver.
It may properly be stated in this connection that since the construction of the present system of city water works the steam engines of the fire depart- ment have become practically useless, but they are held in reserve for any emergency that may arise. in case of fire occurring out of reach from the water mains. In the thickly populated portions of the city the mains are of sufficient size and the pressure upon them so great that water can be thrown over the :p of the highest buildings, thus is rendered unnecessary the pressure of the steamers at fires.
The Police Department .- This department of the local government was or- ganized almost as soon as the town was created, although under a name and style somewhat different from that which entitles this sketch. It is found that in the year 1825 Lemuel Robinson was appointed town marshal, and in him was invested the police authority of the place. But as the population of the town increased it was found necessary to enlarge this department. In the year 1854 the council adopted an ordinance in pursuance of the act of the Legisla- ture passed May 3, 1852, and relating to incorporated villages, by which the powers and duties of the marshal were defined and further providing for the appointment of deputies of the marshal to such number as would ensure pro- tection against law breakers.
Under this protection the city lived until the ordinance of 1870, by which the department was reorganized, and provision made for policemen and night watchmen. From 1825 until 1870 the following named persons acted as mar- thals of Sandusky: 1825-26, Lemuel S. Robinson; 1827-28, Charles F. Drake ; 1829-30, Augustus Cooke; 1830-31-32-33, Elijah E. Clemons; 1834 to IS41 inclusive, Roswell J. Jennings; 1842, Charles F. Drake; 1843-44, George W. Smith; 1845. Alonzo Wade, Francis W. Pomeroy ; 1846, -; 1847-48, William Benschoter; 1849, William Spaulding; 1850-51-52, Oliver Rice ; 1853, (elected) James E. Mygatt ; 1854-55, Oliver Rice; 1856, Andrew Casey; 1857-58, Enoch Weller; 1859, Patrick Herr; 1860, George Littleton; 1861-62, William R. Chapman ; 1863-64, Samuel C. Wheeler; 1865, Samuel Currie ; 1866, Frank L. Myers ; 1867-68-69, Thomas Muldowrey.
The ordinance of 1870 provided for the appointment by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the city council, of one chief watchman, and one person from each ward to perform the duties of policeman and night watchman, each to hold office for one year. The same ordinance also provided for the like appointment of five persons from each ward as a reserved watch, subject to duty if called upon by resolution of the council.
324
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
But this ordinance by no means abolished the office of marshal, but contin- ued the same as established by the ordinance of 1854, and modified by that of 1871, which latter law materially abridged his powers and duties.
Under the provisions of the ordinance adopted on the 2d of February, 1880, and amended June 6, 1882, the department of police was organized as it at the present time substantially exists. ,By the terms of this local enactment it was provided that there shall be nominated in writing by the mayor of said city, at the first meeting of the new council in each and every year, for their approval. twelve persons as policemen and night watchmen, who shall hold such position for the term of one year, unless sooner removed for cause, etc. Also that one of the persons so nominated shall be designated as captain. A further section also provides for the compensation to be paid the captain and policemen.
The present force of police of the city consists of one marshal, a captain of police and eleven patrolmen. The council committee on police is composed of Carl Nielson, Charles Wellmus and George D. Lewin; marshal, Andrew Bow- en ; captain of police, John C. Langenberger.
The headquarters of this arm of the city government is at the mayor's office on Columbus avenue, the chief executive officer of the city having magisterial power for the trial of offenders against the ordinances of the municipality. The patrolmen meet in an old and dilapidated building on Water street, that was formerly used for housing fire apparatus. Here, to, is the city lockup in which petty offenders are temporarily confined.
The City Water Works .- The accomplishment of this vast undertaking with its attendant expense, was the most important of the city's achievements, and was brought about by the public-spiritedness and generosity of its citizens. It was not the result of an extravagaut idea hastily carried to an end, but rather the result of mature reflection and deliberation. There has been no half way work in the whole enterprise from beginning to end, and the effect is clear ; Sandusky is abundantly supplied with pure and wholesome water, and to an amount sufficient to meet the future growth of the place for many years. The plan was well discussed and arranged, so that when once under way nothing was required to be done a second time.
For many years prior to the establishment of the city water works system its necessity was seriously apparent to the people, and the city council as early as the year 1853 discussed the subject of constructing both water and gas works, but for a variety of reasons no steps were taken in the matter beyond agitating the question, and the real burden of the work fell upon the people of twenty years later.
In the year 1875, by an ordinance passed the I Ith of January, the question was submitted to the electors of the city for them to determine whether the wa- ter works should be established for the purpose of supplying the city with wa- ter, to increase its manufacturing facilities, to aid in the extinguishment of fires and prevent the destruction of property.
£
325
THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
The election was held on the 15th day of February, 1875, and at the polls it was determined by a fair majority to make the improvement contemplated. It will be observed that the question was submitted to the electors of the city, and not restricted to tax-payers. Had the latter course been pursued the meas- ure would have been defeated by a wider majority than that by which it was carried, for the proposition to bond the city to the extent of three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, at a rate of eight per cent. annual interest, was calculated to strike terror to the hearts of the most liberal of tax-payers, there- fore a majority of them voted against the measure, but it was carried by the votes of enthusiastic non-tax paying electors.
By a further ordinance passed March 8, 1875. it was provided " That water works are hereby ordered to be constructed in the city of Sandusky, the water for which shall be supplied from the Sandusky Bay, in accordance with the plans of J. D. Cooke, civil engineer, made to the council, or a modification of such plans as to reservoirs, unless a better quality of water can be procured from the lake or other source of supply at a cost not exceeding the estimate made by said J. D. Cooke in said report," and further, that "a board of trust ees is hereby established consisting of three members to be known as trustees of the water works, who shall have all the power, and perform the necessary duties prescribed by the municipal code and the amendments thereto," etc.
At the annual city election held on the first Monday in April, 1875, there were elected trustees of the water works : James D. Lea, for the term of three years; C. C. Keech, for the term of two years, and Peter Gilcher for the term of one year. This board of trustees met and organized on the first of May fol- lowing : James D. Lea being made president, and D. M. Arndt, secretary. J. D. Cooke was appointed chief, and Erwin Graves assistant engineer.
"From the 3d day of May until the 27th day of May sealed proposals were solicited to furnish two thousand six hundred and sixty-three tons of cast-iron water-pipes and special castings." Sixteen bids were received for this work from various sources, and the contract was awarded to H. R. Smith & Co., of Columbus, for the sum of thirty-seven dollars and eighty-three cents per ton for the cast-iron pipes, and fifty-five dollars per ton for the special castings."
For the work of trench-digging and pipe-laying Hochstader and Hartman, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., were the lowest bidders, and the contract was awarded to them at the following prices : For digging trenches and laying twenty-inch pipe, $1.80 per lineal foot ; for sixteen-inch pipe, $1.60 ; for twelve-inch pipe, $1.18; for eight-inch pipe, eighty-five cents; for six-inch pipe, sixty-three cents per lineal foot.
"On the 3d of June the trustees, in company with the chief engineer, started on a tour to inspect the practical workings of pumping machinery, fire hy- drants, etc., with a view of adopting the most efficient and economical plan. On their return the trustees reported to the council that they visited the water
42
326
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
works of Erie, Buffalo, Rochester, Poughkeepsie, Brooklyn, New York, Boston, Lynn, Salem, Lowell, Cambridge, Jersey City, Newark, Rahway, Philadelphia. Pittsburg, Cleveland and Toledo, and that after due deliberation, they were unanimously in favor of the Stand-pipe system.
" Having determined upon the general plan of the works, and having selected a site for the erection of the stand-pipe, engine house, bay crib and influent pipe, sealed proposals were asked from contractors (opened Septem- ber 20) to furnish the labor and materials to complete the above as per speci- cations." The contract for the construction of the stand-pipe, for the sum of $46,297, and for the erection of the engine and boiler house for the sum of $9,690 were awarded to John Carr, of this city.
The contract for furnishing materials and laying the influent pipe was awarded to Neil H. Moore, of Sandusky, for the sum of $19,790.
The pumping machinery was furnished by H. R. Worthington, of New York, at the contract price of $32,500.
Statement showing the cost of the Sandusky water works and the several accounts charged therewith ; also the amount paid out during the year 1878.
Amount paid prior Amount paid in to December 30, 1876. the year 1877.
Amount paid in the year 1878.
Total Cost.
Water Pipes and Branches,
$ 106,827 27
$ 1,530 95
98 86
$108,457 OS
Pipe Laying,
88,202 30
3,248 58
43 68
91,494 50
Stand-pipe, .
20,981 87
26,046 20
1,079 98
48,108 05
Engine, Boilers and Appurtenances
5.543 47
27,137 15
32,680 6:
Influent Pipe and Conduit, .
19,819 62
12 50
19,832 12
Bay Crib, ..
3,753 03
2 65
1,464 93
Hydrants,
9.135 15
579 50
9.714 65
Gates and Valves,
7,660 12
398 09
13 50
8,071 71
Engine House,
11,11I 54
2,056 91
13,168 45
Dwelling House for Engineer, .
513 50
757 62
1,271 12
Smoke Stack,
2,081 45
10 00
2,091 45
Traveling and telegraphing expens's
610 04
8 61
618 65
Implements and Tools.
704 87
172 23
34 02
911 12
Office and Engine House Furniture, including Iron Safe,
477 20
69 63
546 83
Filling and Ornamenting Engine House Grounds,
769 62
1,177 71
1,061 16
3,008 49
Office Expenses, Stationery, Adver- tising and Printing, .
1,136 16
178 62
12 40
1,326 82
Sundries and Incidentals, and anal- ysis of Water,
580 68
288 03
868 71
Ferrules, Stops, Boxes and Service connections, .
2,034 65
5,099 76
1,255 70
8,390 11
Officers' Salaries,
3,733 99
525 00
4,258 99
Engineering, Superintendence and Inspection,
7,016 45
500 00
7.516 45
Total amount paid out,
$301,740 46
$ 69,555 26
$ 4,356 92
$375,652 64
Deduct for Construction, and Ma- terials sold at sundry times,.
289 69
194 77
94 25
587 71
Net cost of the Works,
$375,064 93
3,753 03
Pump Well,
1,462 28
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
The city's water supply is taken from a crib in the bay located some eight- cen hundred feet from the stand-pipe and station. The crib has an outside diameter of forty feet, and on the inside of twenty-five feet, the space between being filled with broken stone. From the crib a wrought iron pipe, three feet in diameter, and one-fourth of an inch in thickness, extends to the pumping well. From the well the water is pumped directly into a metallic stand-pipe, one hundred and eighty feet high, and twenty-five feet in diameter, and from here it flows gradually into the street mains. Inside the main stand-pipe is an auxiliary stand-pipe, three feet in diameter and reaching to a height of two hundred and twenty-five feet. Than this there does not exist in this country a more complete and desirable water works system ; and in justice to all con- nected with its construction, in every branch, it may truthfully be said that the work was faithfully and honestly performed, in which there appears no material defects due to careless performance after a service of ten years.
The City's Cemeteries .- The first ground within the limits of the city as now constituted, that was used for burial purposes, was located in rear of the Second National Bank, on Columbus avenue, and not far distant from the spot on which stood the cabin of Ogontz, the recognized Indian chief and ruler of the place. Tradition says, we have no record, that this was used as late as the year. 1810, at which time the redoubtable John Garrison first appeared in the locality with his stock of goods for Indian trade and barter. But this place was not by any means used by the white residents after they became resi- dents of the locality. A small lot is said to have been set apart as a burial ground near the foot of Shelby street as early as 1817. However this may have been there appears no record of its existence, and it was closed, so it is also said, in the year 1820.
The first action of the town council looking to the establishment of a burial place was taken in the year 1830, upon the presentation of a petition of citi- zens of the town praying that a suitable " burying ground " be selected.
For this purpose the council authorized councilmen Root and Tuttle to make a purchase of a parcel of land containing between two and three acres on the southeast corner of lot number forty-nine in Portland township. This the committee did, at the cost of one hundred dollars; and here the first regu- lar burying ground of which definite knowledge is to be had was laid out.
In the year 1849 a committee of the council consisting of F. T. Barney, John M. Brown and Foster M. Follett was appointed to again select a location for a larger and more appropriate cemetery tract ; and in 1850 another com- mittee, consisting of councilman Solomon C. Moore, was appointed for the selection and purchase of a tract of land for the purpose of a cemetery and city poor farm. The negotiations of this committe resulted in contracting for a tract in Perkins township, and one hundred and thirty-six acres in extent. with Jane S Williams, at the agreed price of four thousand seven hundred
£
328
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
and one dollars and ninety cents. It was on this tract that the beautiful Oak- land Cemetery was laid out. The project of erecting a poor house for the city seems to have failed, and the city sold such part of the land as was not re- quired for the purpose of a cemetery. The portion retained comprises be- tween fifty and sixty acres, and only a portion of it is as yet laid out.
The Oakland Cemetery is well adapted for burial purposes, the grounds being laid out in exceedingly good taste. A large and convenient superin - tendent's residence is built upon the tract. Although not within the city limits Oakland Cemetery is one of the institutions of the city, and owned by it. Its management and control is vested in a board of cemetery trustees, a body created by an ordinance of the common council of the city, and, at present, is comprised of the following persons: W. G. Hastings, John G. Strobel and Louis Duennisch.
In addition to the institutions and properties owned and controlled by the city, it also possesses a tract of land on Market street, just west of Columbus avenue. This parcel has a frontage on Market street of four rods and extends back a distance of ten rods. The land was acquired for the purpose of city buildings and offices, but as yet no move has been made looking to the erec- tion of a building for that use.
Likewise the city exercises control over the parks, Washington and those situate on the Huron and Miami avenues, which were provided by the pro- prietors in their platting and laying out of the town in ISI8. The immediate control, however, of these parks is vested in a board of park commissioners, which board was created by an ordinance of the common council passed Au- gust 29, 1879, and supplemented by further provisions adopted January 19, 1880.
The City's Bonded Indebtedness .- These several institutions of the city, and the many local improvements made during the last eighteen years, while they have been a source of burden upon the taxpayers, have, nevertheless, been of the greatest benefit to the people and have given Sandusky an enviable posi- tion among the municipalities of the State. Every citizen has received a benefit from them and the taxpayers are paying for them; but, fortunately perhaps, the area of the city is so great that the severity of taxation is much relaxed through the wide scope of assessable property.
From the year 1871 to the year 1888 the annual statement of the bonded indebtedness of the city has shown as follows: 1871, $17,500; 1872, $18,- 500; 1873, $22,500 ; 1874, -; 1875, $33,000 ; 1876, $316,000; 1877, $448,500 ; 1878, $458,500; 1879, $465,900; 1880, $453.600; 1881, $401,- 600; 1882, $413,400; 1883, $505,600; 1884, $583,400; ISS5, $575,500 ; 1886, $537,500; 1887, $520,500.
This statement includes bonds issued for all purposes, whether municipal or for the encouragement and assistance of corporate enterprises outside the
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
government. For instance : The statement for the year 1882 shows an in- crease of more than one hundred thousand dollars over that of the previous year. This increase was in part occasioned by the bonding to assist a railroad enterprise.
The County's City Property .- The county's interest in the property within the city limits is comprehended by the magnificent court-house and the attrac- tive appearing and substantial jail building, both of which were erected during the years in which the city's greatest improvements were being made. The old court-house, while it was a well built structure, and served the purposes of the county for many years, was by no means an ornament to the city from an architectural point of view, and while ornamentation appears not to have been a factor in the old building the new more than compensates for the former lack of attractiveness.
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