USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
Late in the year 1858, a new engine was bought from Hunneman & Co. for $950. This engine had a six and one-half cylinder. It was given to the Jefferson company in place of the Old Row-boat which was nearly useless. 200 feet of "Gumelastic" hose was also ordered for this new engine, being the first rubber hose used by the fire departmnt.
In July, 1859, an advertisement costing $1 was inserted in the Fire- men's Journal, of Dayton, for the sale of the old Reliance No. 1, and he Old Row-boat engines.
A new hand fire-engine was bought from Wm. M. Jeffries & Co. for $1,400. It was delivered July 1, 1859, and turned over to the Reliance ompany.
Their old engine, Reliance No. 1, was sold to New Carlisle, Ohio, an. 16, 1860, for $225. These old fire-engines were provided with small ells mounted on a curved steel spring, so that when pulling them over he uneven surface of the streets the bell would keep up a continual inging. The bell of this old Reliance No. 1 was taken off and preserved y the late Frank Steiner, and is now in our collection of pioneer relics.
On Aug. 15, 1859, the Washington company received permission to ke their engine to the State Fair at Zanesville, for the purpose of com- eting in the state tournament of fire-companies. They also attended ne Firemen's State Parade in Toledo in June, 1861. These tourna- ents, though not always state functions, were held at intervals all over le country. Piqua was frequently represented by one or more of her re-companies, who often returned with a prize for their efficiency.
In 1859, three more fire cisterns were constructed for the city by . H. Hetherington. One at the intersection of Young and Downing reets ; one at the intersection of Main and North; and one at Main and ater. On Oct. 7, 1861, another fire cistern at the intersection of Boone
te
1
al
120
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
and Broadway was completed and tested. It cost $68, including cap.
In Nov., 1861, council ordered the fire-companies to ring the fire-bell not more than five minutes when giving notice of fire-company meetings, longer than that only in case of fire.
During the civil war very little interest seems to have been taken in fire-company matters, and although there was some talk of a steam fire-engine and an engine-house in the north end of town in 1864, it is not until May 16, 1866, that we find any record of their doings.
On that date the old Piqua house at the corner of Main and Water streets was partially burned, and the men of the different companies indulged in a fist fight instead of fighting the fire. Council soon after passed a resolution ordering the different fire-companies of the city to meet and select by vote some competent person to act as "Chief Engi- neer" of the fire department, who shall have full and exclusive control of all questions of precedence or positions of fire companies at fires, and who may direct any fire company what duty to perform, and whose deci sion in all matters shall be final. This was soon afterward done, and Dick Manchester was selected for the position.
On April 15, 1867, petitions were presented to council asking for the erection of an engine house in the 2nd and 4th wards. They were referred to a committee, but no further action was taken for severa years.
On Nov. 4, 1867, the old Row-boat engine was sold to R. S. Man chester for the performance of three years service as messenger to the Washington company ; said Manchester to furnish wood, oil, whisky, and other necessary items for the use of said company, and also to keep in good repair all hose, and have their engine in good working orde for three years, in payment for said Row-boat engine. In default of th above he must pay the city $75.
Manchester was a copper-smith, and had a shop on the south sid of Market street, just west of the alley. He tore down the old engin and used parts of it in other work, and sold the trucks to John Butle for a road wagon.
Whisky instead of water was used in the cylinders of these ol engines in the winter for the purpose of keeping the packing pliable, t prevent freezing, and to make them more easily started when called t a fire. Sometimes, however, a "leakage" occured that could not be trace to any defect in the cylinder.
On July 4, 1868, the Washington and Reliance companies attende a tournament at Wapakoneta, and it was on this occasion that Fran
121
MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Steiner received the fine silver trumpet for the efficiency of his company.
An appropriation of $50 was made by council to the firemen of the city to assist them in defraying the expense of a tournament held in Piqua, Sept. 10, 1868. On June 7, 1869, a communication was received from the Jefferson company in which they refuse to take charge of said engine any longer, and offer to sell their hose-reel to the city for $100, claiming it to be the private property of the company. Council decided to allow them to keep the reel, and also resolved to sell the engine if a purchaser could be found.
In Sept., 1870, Henry Rouzer, acting as a committee from council, bought a lot from Mr. Butterfield on the east side of north Wayne street, 20 feet wide and 40 feet deep, for $150. On this lot a brick building, known as the 4th Ward Engine House, was built by A. A. McCandliss for $1,500. It was completed Nov. 9, 1871, and the Reliance company, who had been in the Butterfield shop, took immediate possession. A bell for this house was bought in 1875, at a cost of $290.
A similar engine house was completed in Oct., 1873, for the reorgan- ized Jefferson company. It was on the east side of south Wayne street, and was built by E. Brilmier & Bro. at a cost of $1,700. The Jefferson company paid $100, and the city paid the balance. A bell for this house was bought in Jan., 1874, for $250.
Report of the condition of the different fire-companies on June 5, 1872.
The Jefferson Company has-
4 Sections new Rubber Hose 200 Feet
4 Leather Hose 200
Hose on reels
200
Total, 600
The Reliance Company has-
2 Sections new Rubber Hose. 100 Feet
3 Leather Hose 150
6 Old Rubber Hose 300
Total, 550 6
The Washington Company has-
5 Sections Good Leather Hose 250 Feet
6 Good Rubber Hose 300
2 Part Good Rubber Hose 100 66
Total, 650
After the completion of the Piqua hydraulic, and when a part of
te F
se ble le
f
122
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
the water mains of the city had been laid, the Reliance company made a test on one of the hydrants. The natural fall of the water gave them more of a supply than they could pump through the engine. This test was made on Thanksgiving day, 1875.
The formal opening of the City Water Works took place on June 16, 1876, and all the fire-companies took part in the exercises of the day. A full account of this function will be found in the chapter on water works.
At a meeting of the Reliance company on July 14, 1876, it was determined to reorganize as a hose company, as the engines were no longer taken to fires. This was done, and Stephen Genslinger was elected captain, with F. A. Hardy as secretary.
On Aug. 21, 1876, council passed an ordinance providing for the organization of a city fire department. This was to consist of not less than 40 men, to be divided into 4 divisions of 10 men each, and each division to receive $100 per year for their services. Each division, in addition to the city organization, was to form a separate company, and to annually elect a captain, lieutenant, secretary and treasurer. Thus the Reliance company became the 4th ward hose company, and each of the other three wards organized in the same manner.
The first electrical fire-alarm system in Piqua was ordered by coun- cil on Sept. 17, 1877. It was a single line from the City hotel to the pump-house. It was constructed by Lane & Machir at a cost of $600.
The fire department as organized in 1876 continued their services until 1882, when it was reorganized to suit the more modern utilities employed for fighting fires. Before leaving the history of the hand-engine period, however, we wish to relate an incident told us by one of the old members of the Washington company.
Such was the spirit of rivalry between the three companies, and the regard of the honor of having their respective engines at the scene of a conflagration first, that in one case at least, a certain company would meet, and having everything ready, one of their number would set fire to some old ram-shackle building, then sound the alarm, and his com- pany would be on the ground far in advance of the other two. Accord- ing to our authority a certain building on Spring street was thus fired four different times before it finally caught fire accidentally and burned down.
Another amusing incident was at the burning of the Piqua House in 1866. An eye-witness tells us that the firemen and others, wishing
=
-
123
MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
to save as much of the furniture as possible, threw the bedsteads, wash- stands, and mirrors from the upper windows, but carried the pillows and feather-beds down the stairway and gently deposited them on the opposite sidewalk.
We will now turn to the next epoch of our fire-fighting history. On Sept. 19, 1881, two one-horse hose reels were ordered from the Central Carriage Co., of Cincinnati, to cost $335 each. These carts arrived in December and were placed in the east room of the city hall. Two horses were soon afterward purchased, Mont Hardy and Mike Firman being placed on duty as drivers, and Dave Reynolds night man for the central company.
On May 4, 1882, a new organization of the department was formed with Stephen Genslinger as chief, at $180 per year, and Richard Lee assistant chief, at $100 per year.
Company No. 2 consisted of Henry Hasebrook, Wm. Schubert, Amos Abley, Wm. White, and John Barr as call men.
Company No. 3 consisted of Willis Dial, Wm. Danford, Geo. Dun- can, Thomas Aspinall, and Perry Thompson.
Company No. 4 were Frank Steiner, John Fessler, Jos. Glaser, Chas. White, and Frank Hunter.
These call-men received $25 each per year for their services.
The new hook and ladder truck was delivered July 1, 1882, and placed in the old "Wigwam," west of the market house, until a perma- nent location for a central station could be secured.
Late in the fall of 1882, council determined to build a new city hall at the northwest corner of the Public Square, (Plaza corner), which was to contain the fire department along with nearly every other business of the town.
This project failed to materialize and it was not until Oct., 1883, hat a suitable place for a central station was obtained.
At that date the old Spiker carriage shop on the east side of Wayne street, between High and Ash, was fitted up and the equipment moved n on Dec. 24th. The fire-bell was removed from the city hall and hung n the new quarters on Oct. 20, 1883.
On April 20, 1883, the old Reliance No. 2 fire-engine was sold to Spencerville, Ohio, for $600, and on Jan. 4, 1884, the old Washington vas sold to Ansonia, in Darke Co., Ohio, for the same price. The Jeffer- on engine was also sold at about this date to one of the small towns
Ho
0
124
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
in the vicinity of the Berlin reservoir, in Shelby county. This makes a total of six hand fire-engines that Piqua has owned, and these later sales mark the end of an interesting period in her progressive history.
An incident which occured on Oct. 2, 1883, a day which has since been known as "Fire Friday," should not be omitted.
Just as the funeral cortege of the late Stephen Genslinger was about to leave the residence for the cemetery, and while the bells were tolling, a fire broke out in the brewery of Chas. Kiser, only a few doors away. The fire department instantly left the procession, and responding to the call, soon had the fire out. Then returning to their places, the delayed cortege of their late chief resumed its march to Forest Hill. Perhaps such a coincident never occured before.
The history of "Fire Friday" would not be complete without the following verses written by W. D. J., which we have taken the liberty of copying.
THE LAST ALARM.
The tears of a sorrowing city crowned him, As he lay in state, with his men around him And the reverent people pressing near. And the fire-bells tolled, as in bitter grief, A solemn dirge for the fallen chief. Tolled and tolled; but he could not hear.
Near his coffin the firemen ride,
On the great machines that were his pride. On the slender trucks, and the ponderous reels, The big strong horses all seemed to know, Something, at least, of their master's woe, And quiet stand by the silent wheels.
Listen : The bells that slowly rang, Suddenly change to a hurried clang; Telling of wreck, and of ruin dire. Sounding along the silent street, Comes the hurried rush of a hundred feet, And a frightened outcry of Fire! Fire!
Away, away, have the firemen sped, Where is he who their ranks have lead Through many an hour of toil and danger? Led them oft in a struggle glorious, Over fire and flame victorious, Calm and serene, and to fear a stranger.
125
MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Almost it seems that the rude alarm,
Back to life might the dead chief charm.
Never before did it call in vain,
Never its summons by him denied.
Never failed he to be beside
The men he shall never lead again.
Yes, he is with them, that spirit brave,
Backward turned, from the open grave.
That steady courage that never swerved.
And it seems to his men, with an inward thrill,
That the soul of their leader is with them still,
And their hearts and hands by the thought are nerved.
Rest, gallant heart, thy course is run, Thy work well ended, thy duty done.
In the midst of the hearts that loved thee well,
And with the ending of life's great task,
What fitter requiem thy soul could ask,
Than the solemn boom of the fire bell.
On Oct. 5, 1885, Frank Hunter was appointed chief of the fire de- partment.
Jan. 5, 1886, the 4th ward engine-house bell was sold to Fletcher for $15.
June 18, 1886, the 2nd ward engine house was sold at auction to J. M. Henn for $980.
During the period of Chief Hunter's administration, more regular firemen were added to the force, and the "call" men were gradually dropped.
On July 1, 1889, orders were given the Enterprise Carriage Co., of Piqua, for two hose-wagons. These four-wheel wagons cost $272.50 each, and were designed to take the place of the cumbersome two-wheel carts then in use.
Feb. 5, 1890, the old 4th ward engine house was sold to Chas. Olin for $500.
The Gamewell Fire-Alarm System was installed with 12 boxes in different parts of the city, all connecting with the central station. The ines were completed and tested on Oct. 1, 1890. Total cost, $3,075.
On June 20, 1892, a Champion chemical engine was bought of the Fire Extinguisher Co., of Chicago, for $2,000.
126
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Sept. 6, 1892, an Ahrens No. 2 Steam Fire Engine was ordered from the American Fire Engine Co., at a price of $4,300. It was named the D. S. Bates, in honor of a councilman of that name who was then serving on the fire-department committee. This engine was delivered on Dec. 22nd.
A lot was purchased on the north side of Garnsey street, between
OLD FIRE DEPARTMENT ON WAYNE STREET
Main and Wayne, for a sub-station, and at a cost of $240. The contract for a suitable frame building was given to H. Sthromeyer for $1690, and he also finished five rooms in the second story for $200 additional. The new steamer was placed in this building, with team and men always on duty.
127
MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
On July 17, 1893, Frank Hunter resigned as chief of the department, and on Oct. 16th, Frank R. Dye was appointed to that position at a salary of $980.
On Nov. 20, 1893, "Old Colonel," one of the first horses bought by the department after its removal to the Spiker building in 1883, had his leg broken and was ordered to be killed, but members of the depart- ment asked to be allowed to keep him at their own expense, which was granted. His leg was set, and in due time he rocovered from the acci- dent and lived for some time as a pet of the firemen at the central sta- tion.
On Jan. 2, 1894, Adam Conover, John Fessler, Peter Hileman, Louis Lobenstine, Geo. Conover, John Gigandet, W. H. Harrison, and Frank Hardy, the last of the "Call Men" of the fire department, were paid off and discharged from further duty. Hardy had been in continuous serv- ice in some fire company for nearly 57 years.
The bell in the engine house on south Wayne street had been bought by Mr. Meinders, and was sold back to the city by him in 1895. It was then hung in the sub-station on Garnsey street.
Jacob Shaub was appointed chief of the department Feb. 3, 1896.
On June 19, 1896, the Babcock Ariel Truck, ordered by council, was lelivered and accepted. It was purchased from the Fire Extinguisher Jo., of Chicago, for $2,950. This machine was at once named "The Cherry "icker" by Captain Downs, and aside from its handsome appearance n parades, has been of very little use to the department.
Very little of interest occured in the department during the next ew years. In July, 1900, a petition for a sub-station in the 5th ward vas presented to council, but was not granted.
Agitation for a new central station became so strong that on June 4, 1901, the city council traded the lot then in use for a station for the Iamilton property on the west side of Wayne street, between High and Vater, paying a difference of $3,000. An election for the purpose of a ond issue was called and resulted in the defeat of the proposition, so he bids on the new fire station were returned to the bidders. Even he transfer of properties was declared illegal, and the re-transfer was made in Feb., 1902.
On June 16, 1902, the fire committee reported that it would be use- ss to try to repair the old building, the back part of which had been adly damaged by the fire of March 29th, and recommended building new station on the same grounds. Plans were submitted, and a bond sue of $10,000 was voted on at a special election Sept. 25, 1902, carry- ig by a majority of 166 votes.
1
128
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
It was decided, however, to expend $100 in fixing up the old build- ing to last through the following winter.
The new municipal code, passed in the winter of 1902-03, placed the fire department under the control of a board of public safety. At the next election, Dr. W. J. Prince and Chas. Suessman were elected for four years and two years respectively.
Previous to this time, however, council had decided to employ, as a chief for the department, an experienced fire-man from some larger city.
On March 1, 1903, P. J. Caulfield, of Dayton, was given the position and has served satisfactorily ever since.
On March 17, 1904, the Board of Safety ordered a steam fire-engine from the American Fire Engine Co., of Cincinnati, at a cost of $4,750 It has a capacity of 800 gallons of water per minute. This fine nev steamer was named the L. C. Cron, who was at that time Mayor of Piqua
Nov. 21, 1904, two combination hose wagons were purchased fo the department at a cost of $1,475 each. Five new fire-alarm boxes wer also installed at this date, at a cost of $75 each.
During the winter of 1903-04 several bond issues for building an location of the fire department were proposed and rejected, and it wa not until April 18, 1904, that council passed an ordinance permittin the Board of Safety to purchase the Frye property on Water stree between Wayne and Downing, for $6,000. On Aug. 10th, $14,000 wa voted to the safety board for the purpose of erecting a new central fir station on this lot. The contractor was Oscar Richardson, and wit C. A. Thompson as architect, this handsome new building was complete and turned over to Chief Caulfield and his men on Feb. 14, 1905.
The historic old fire-bell (bought in 1853) was again moved an placed in the tower of the new station, where its deep-toned voice fr quently rings out in the same business-like manner as of yore.
We will close this chapter with a partial list of the principal fire occuring in Piqua prior to the middle of the year 1907.
Name of Property. Damage. Date.
Carding Mill of Ross Bros.' in Rossville. Burned. . .. April 20, 18:
Bowdle's Shop, on north Downing St .. . . . . March 7, 18 Waterman's Stable, on Spring St., with 9 horses .
. . Sept. - , 18:
Manning's Mill, on east Water St. . . .. Mch. 20, 18:
129
MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Name of Property. Damage. Date. Piqua House, corner of Main and Water Sts. . Partially .. . May 16, 1866 O'Ferrall Shop, north Downing St ..
Burned. ... -, 1872 Harbaugh Store, corner Main and Greene Sts. Partially .. . Jan. 11, 1876 Shaffer Flax-mill, west of town Burned . . . . Mch. 4,1876
O'Ferrall Car-shop, west Water St. Partially .. . June 29,1877
Lock Mill, Main St., owned by Amendt .. Burned. . . . Apr. 26,1879
Orr, Leonard & Daniels, Oil-Mill, Main St. " .... Oct. 20,1880 Zeigenfelder Store and Odd-Fellows Hall ..... Partially .. . Dec. 30,1881 Bowdle Bros.' Foundry, north Downing St. ... Burned .... Apr.
7,1882 Twine Factory of Leonard & Blackie., Wash.
Ave.
66
.July 25, 1883
.Nov. 16, 1886
66
June 28, 1890
66 . April 5, 1892
66
.. Aug. 16, 1892
Two of the three new buildings of Cron & Kills
. Nov. 21,1892
Old Rouzer, Evans & Clark Shop, on north Main St.
66
Feb. 7,1894
Wright & Kuntz Lumber Yard, on South St ..
66
. April 14, 1896
il Mill, opposite the union station.
66
. Feb. 26, 1897
Old D. & M. Depot, at the crossing.
. Oct. 31,1897
ce House at Swift Run.
6
July
27,1899
Eagle Mill, on east Water St.
66
May
18, 1899
Boat House at east end of Echo Lake.
.. Jan. 29,1900
'iqua Wagon Co., Plant in lower end of town.
66 .Jan. -, 1900
ock Mill, and Orr's Oil Mill, on Main St. . .
66
. Mch. . 19, 1900
Artificial Ice Plant, on south Main St.
66
. July 31,1900
Old Humpreville Shop, on River St. Mch. 66 6,1902
Rear of Fire Department, (Old Spiker Shop) . . Partially .. . Mch. 29, 1902 Enterprise Carriage Shop, (Old Cheever Store) . Burned .... Oct. 1,1902
franson & Worley, G. W. Nash and New York Store . 66
.Jan. 14, 1903
Vood Shovel & Tool Co., South Ave.
July 13, 1903
chool Desk Factory, on Wash. Ave.
Partially .. . Aug. 6,1903
ld Spiker Livery Barn, Hubbard Gro. and Music Hall
Burned .... Sept. 8,1903
ower Paper Mill, on south Main St.
..... Jan. 1,1904
=
Sternberger Mattress Factory, west Water St. Old McCandliss Shop, north Wayne St. .. Cron & Kills Furniture Factory, Huntersville. Conover Opera House and Farrington Corn- Cribs
1. 7.1
le
130
FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Between this date and the middle of the year 1907 there were a number of fires, but our well equipped fire department was on the grounds so promptly that there were very few total losses.
PIQUA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Although we have a record of all the city marshals from Robert Shannon in 1835, to the end of Ed. Mason's term in 1903, it was not until after the attempted murder of Dr. W. P. Hall and wife that a
GROUP OF PIQUA POLICE, 1901
regular police force was appointed. This crime was committed on tl night of May 18, 1868, and twelve days later council passed an ordinan. providing for six night police, to be under the supervision of a poli board consisting of the Mayor (Sam'l B. Garvey), Mr. Rouzer and M Shipley.
131
MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
The men appointed for duty were J. S. Blood, Patrick Fitzgerald, J. W. Manson, Elza Julian, Adam Conover, and F. A. Hardy.
This force was reduced on Aug. 3rd of the same year and Manson, Julian, and Hardy were dropped from the rolls. A further reduction was made in 1870, and only Blood and Fitzgerald were retained. Of these six first Piqua police only one is now living-Adam Conover, of south Main street.
On Nov. 18, 1871, the force was reorganized and J. S. Blood, John Franz, John W. Morrin, and Patrick Fitzgerald were appointed at $2.50 per night.
In 1873, Fitzgerald was dropped out and the new force consisted of Franz, Blood, John Dankworth and Nelson French.
The number was again reduced in 1874, and only Franz and Dank- worth retained.
Although at this date Jerry Blood ceased to be on the regular force, he continued as a private night-watchman until old age unfitted him for service.
On Dec. 7, 1874, John Franz, J. W. King, Chas. Simons, and Mack Haywood were appointed at $2.00 per night.
This number was increased temporarily during the Western Ohio Fair in 1875, but after this date was entirely dispensed with in the sum- ner time, and served only irregularly on other and special occasions.
These irregular police were usually Geo. Simons, C. H. Hasebrook. . Brown, and C. H. Vogt, and we have no record of others until 1887, when John Adams and Chas. Eickmeyer were placed on the regular force.
It is interesting at this point to note that during the entire time of ohn Franz's second term as city marshal (1877 to 1885) a regular police orce seems to have been unnecessary.
Adams and Eickmeyer served in this capacity until Dec., 1890, when leorge Duncan was added to the list.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.