USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 38
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In the spring of 1872 the three villages were combined and incorporated as a city, with great benefit to all concerned.
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
May 29, 1872, an appraisement of property owned by the city covered the following fire equipment : One engine and hose cart, $7,150.00; one engine house, $1,800.00; runway to river and well, $375.00; stove and pipe in engine house, $15.00; firemen's shirts, caps, belts, trumpets, etc., $425.00; one Babcock hand fire engine and hose $000.00. Total, $9,765.00. On April 8, 1872, the first officers of the fire department of the city of Eau Claire were elected by the Common Council under the following motions: On motion of Alderman Deming, William Lea was elected chief engineer. On motion of Alderman MeDonough, John T. Tinker was elected first assistant engineer. On motion of Alderman Bullen, M. J. Argand was elected second assistant engineer.
About the first move towards a fire company on the east side of the Chippewa river was made by the following communication :
April 30, 1873. Communication from Mr. William Bonell, Sr., foreman of Eau Claire Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, informing Common Council of the formation of the company and asking such action by the council as would place the company upon an efficient working basis. Referred to committee on fire and water. Committee reported favorably and on May 7, 1873, Alderman Smith moved that a committee of two be appointed by the Mayor to visit St. Paul in company with Mr. Bonell to examine hook and ladder truck implements and that said com- mittee report thereon at next meeting of council. Motion carried and his honor the Mayor appointed Aldermen Smith and Kennedy such committee. A favorable report was reported back and on May 14, 1873, a resolution that the city clerk be and he is hereby anthorized to purchase from the city of St. Paul the hook and ladder truck offered by said city to be sold and which was examined by a committee of members of the Common Council of this city upon the terms offered by said city of St. Paul. Adopted. Truck received and placed in service shortly thereafter.
I might state here that said truck stood at or near our present government building site, exposed to the weather for abont one year ; at times it was necessary to chop the wheels out of the ice before it could be moved; finally a shed was provided to protect it from the weather. May 21, 1873, the officers of the fire depart- ment were elected under the following motions: On motion of Alderman Angel the council proceeded to the election of officers and elected Eugene S. Bullard chief engineer ; D. C. Whipple, first assistant engineer, and Arthur Smith, second assistant. On June 18, 1873, a communication from the Turnvereins, tendering their
391
EAU CLAIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT
services to the council as a hand fire engine company for present and for a steam fire Engine company, as soon as the city shall pro- cure another steamer. Services accepted. On July 16, 1873, a communication from Chief Bullard urging upon the council the necessity for another hose cart, 1000 feet of hose, a fire-alarm bell, and a heavy team and equipment. Referred to committee on fire and water. On August 20, 1873. Resolved by the Common Council of the city of Eau Claire that the committee on fire and water be instructed to purchase a good horse team, one hose cart and at least 1000 feet of hose immediately on the best terms possible and also to select and purchase a lot in some good cen- tral location on the east side of the Chippewa river and build a building of sufficient size to accommodate a new engine and hook and ladder truck recently purchased. The building to be built of some fire proof material, also to purchase two fire bells for the two engine houses. Passed and approved August 20, 1873.
George W. Deming,
President of Council and Acting Mayor. C. R. Gleason, Clerk.
On August 20, 1873, the chief of the fire department reported to the council the following officers as elected by the fire depart- ment:
Fire wardens: First ward, Frank MeDonough ; Second ward. W. A. Teal; Third ward, J. T. Tinker; Fourth ward, Mills Bain; Fifth ward, George W. Deming ; Sixth ward, Texas Angel. Treas- urer, W. H. Willard ; secretary, H. Slingluff. Election confirmed by the council October 17, 1873. Resolved by the Common Coun- cil of the city of Eau Claire that the committee on fire and water be and they are hereby authorized to purchase fifty feet front on Eau Claire street by eighty feet deep on Farwell street, of lots five and six of block fifty-nine at a price not exceeding $1000.00, provided perfect title thereto can be had and such terms of pay- ment agreed upon as the city treasurer can meet and that said committee proeure proposals for the immediate erection of a foundation and frame of a building thereon of suitable dimensions to accommodate the hook and ladder truck and a steam fire engine and hose cart and the teams necessary to handle the same. Passed and approved October 17, 1873.
C. R. Gleason, Clerk.
J. P. Nelson, Mayor.
January 22, 1874, the committee on fire and water reported an agreement entered into between them in behalf of the eity and
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
Graham and White Co. for the carpenter work on engine house, which was read and agreement ratified by the Common Couneil. The action of October 17, 1873, and of January 22, 1874, was the first move towards the construction of our present city building, and considering the entire absence of mention of eity officers, makes it quite evident that the first plans were for a building suitable for fire department purposes only. April 6, 1874. The report of the proceedings of the annual meeting of the fire depart- ment reporting the election of: E. S. Bullard as chief engineer ; William Bonell, Sr., first assistant engineer; Phillip Fitzpatrick, second assistant engineer; J. H. Minton, secretary ; John Joyce, treasurer. Fire Wardens: John Hancock, First ward; Elijah Ross, Second ward; Mr. Karlan, Third ward; George Wilcox, Fourth ward; H. G. Stafford, Fifth ward; John Clark, Sixth ward. Trustees : James Tarrant, John MeCoole and W. H. Willard. On motion of Alderman Spaulding the election was confirmed by the council.
April, 1874. At this time the city of Eau Claire bought and placed in the fire service a team of horses; however, they were under the control of the superintendent of streets and during the day were worked anywhere within the limits of the city with the result that they were very often not in evidence when wanted to haul apparatus to a fire. Frank Ferres was the teamster, he being the second full paid fireman doing service in the Eau Claire Fire Department. ITis service was a lone one, dating from April, 1874, until his retirement, April 1, 1902. On May 20, 1874, the committee on fire and water reported the result of its bids received for all mason work on Engine House No. 2; eight bids were received, of which the total cost under four of the lowest, upon an estimate of the amount of each kind of work required, are as follows: Nelson McNeal, $1,589.80; MeCool & Gray, $1,603.45; N. H. Nasher, $1,654.27 ; Isiah Nauman, $1,707.78. By Alderman MeDonough-Resolved by the Common Council of the city of Eau Claire that the mason work for Engine House No. 2 be and the same is hereby let to Nelson MeNeal, provided he will contract to do as good work in all respeets as is done in the Eau Claire Library company building, situated upon the south part of lot one, bloek sixty, plat of village of Eau Claire. Which was adopted and the clerk directed to have the city attorney draw the con- tract, therefore,
Resolved by the Common Council of the city of Eau Claire that the committee on fire and water be and they are hereby authorized to purchase a third class steam fire engine and a two
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EAU CLAIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT
wheel horse hose cart for same, capable of reeling one thousand feet, upon the best terms possible. Passed and approved February 10, 1875.
C. R. Gleason, Clerk.
G. E. Porter, Mayor.
Another resolution passed at the same meeting authorized the purchase of a two-horse hose cart for No. 1 Engine company (now No. 5). The carts and engine were purchased. Engine was named the G. E. Porter, and is at this writing in reserve service in this department. March 24, 1875. On motion of Alder- man MeDonough the election of the following named persons as offieers of the fire department was approved: Chief engineer, Engene Bullard; first assistant engineer, William Bonell, Sr .; see- ond assistant engineer, John Clark; treasurer, John Joyee; sec- retary, Phillip Fitspatriek. Fire wardens: First ward, John Han- cock ; Second ward, Joseph Lawrence; Third ward, John Foster ; Fourth ward, Noah Shaw; Fifth ward, G. A. Buffington; Sixth ward, Frederick Kutzner. Approved.
March 31, 1875. Communieation of hook and ladder company No. 1, asking for the control and management of the new steam fire engine, was taken up and considered. Alderman MeDonough moved that the control and management of fire engine No. 2 be given to hook and ladder company No. 1. Alderman Leinen- kugel moved that action upon said motion be postponed until the next regular meeting, which was lost. Motion of Allerman McDonough adopted. April 9, 1875. The committee on fire and water reported upon the four applications for the position of engineer of the fire engine G. E. Porter, and recommended that the position be given to Charles Cutler. Adopted. I might state here that Charles Cutler had charge of Engine G. E. Porter from this date until February 1, 1882; also being the third fu'l paid fireman to take service in the Eau Claire Fire Department. James Tarrant succeeded Charles Cutler as engineer of the Fire Engine G. E. Porter, holding the position until water works system was installed, thereby retiring the engine.
Free Press of April 10, 1875, had this to say: The new fire steamer G. E. Porter Thursday had a trial test with the old steamer named W. F. Bailey, previous to the acceptance of the new machine by the city council. We learn that entire satisfac- tion with reference to its efficiency was manifested by the eom- mittee of inspection, also states that our eitizens ought to feel a degree of satisfaction with reference to the efficiency of our fire department. New Years night of 1875-1876 the firemen held
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
a dance that was patronized by over seventy couple. Fowler's band furnished the music. Supper was served at the Peabody House and during or immediately following the banquet Mr. Wil- liam Bonell, Sr., foreman of the hook and ladder company, was the reeipient of an elegant silver trumpet as a testimonial of esteem from his company. The presentation was made by Alex- ander Meggett, Esq., in a neat speech and some appropriate remarks in acceptation was made by Mr. Bonell.
On June 1, 1875, Mr. Eugene Bullard tendered his resignation as chief engineer, which, upon being referred at this meeting, was accepted June 16, 1875. On June 16, 1875, A. M. Sherman was elected as chief of the fire department. March 23, 1876. Com- munication from the fire department informing the council that the officers elected for said department for the ensuing year were: Chief engineer, W. F. Cook; first assistant engineer, William Bonell, Sr .; seeond assistant engineer, Edward Oliver; treasurer, John Joyce; secretary, Phillip Fitzpatrick. Confirmed. Sep- tember 12, 1876. Secretary W. E. J. Deming submitted the annual report to the foreman and members of Engine Company No. 1, placing the loss for the year at $38,140.00, and the membership of Engine Company No. 1 as follows: J. H. Tarrant, I. R. Soath, W. H. Willard, W. E. J. Deming, Jere Murphy, S. F. Benjamin, J. H. Minton, J. J. Merritt, C. E. Bullard, G. T. Rowlings, Frank Lampman, F. H. Green, John Wells, J. W. Kiddell.
This report would indicate a somewhat independent action between the two engine companies at this time.
February 3, 1877. Report of Chief Cook gives manual force as follows: W. F. Bailey, Engine Company No. 1, eleven men ; G. E. Porter, Engine Company No. 2, fourteen men ; Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, seven men. Apparatus-Two steam- ers in good working order; three hose carts, with recommenda- tion that they be changed from one horse to a two horse hitch ; one hook and ladder truck in serviceable condition; 1500 feet good hose; 1200 feet inferior hose; 40 alarms with a fire loss of $24,585.00; insurance loss, $19,810.00; insurance on property at risk, $65,320.00. April 10, 1877. Council proceeded to the election of officers of the fire department. Chief engineer, J. H. Tarrant; first assistant engineer, Peter Girnan; seeond assistant engineer, Frank Buell; treasurer, Phillip Yager; seeretary, S. F. Benjamin. Fire wardens-First ward, Thomas Randall; Second ward, W. F. Cook ; Third ward, William Bonell, Jr .; Fourth ward, George B. Shaw; Fifth ward, G. A. Buffington; Sixth ward, C. L. James; Seventh ward, Wallaee Goff; Eighth ward, Victor Wolf.
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EAU CLAIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Confirmed. March 20, 1878. Communication from the fire depart- ment stating that at an annual meeting of said department the following officers were elected: Chief, John T. Tinker; first assistant, J. Ileiman; second assistant, E. Oliver; treasurer, Phillip Yager; secretary, Samuel Nauman. The chief's salary at this time was $50.00 per year. Confirmed March 19, 1879. On motion of Alderman Kepler the following officers were confirmed : Chief, J. C. Churchill ; first assistant, John Wells; second assistant, IIenry Bradford; treasurer, HI. R. Potter; secretary, Daniel Schaffer.
I might state here that J. C. Churchill held the office of chief. of the fire department from the above date until May 1, 1887. In the records of January 18, 1882, we find the report of secretary of department, D. J. Chandler, giving the time of members of Fire Company No. 2 for the year ending January 31, 1882, as follows: William Moldenhouer, 12 months, $96.00; Fred Raw- lings, 12 months, $96.00 ; Charles Damm, 12 months, $96.00; Frank Zimmerman, 12 months, $96.00; Daniel Murphy, 12 months, $96.00; D. J. Chandler, 12 months, $96.00; reported 15 fires, classified as follows: dwelling fires, 12; hotel, 1; store, 1; warehouse, 1. Total, 15. May 2, 1883, the following officers were elected : J. C. Churchill, chief ; T. A. Fletcher, assistant chief ; George Stone, secretary ; D. J. Chandler, treasurer.
January 3, 1884. A petition was signed by J. C. Churchill, chief, and by the fireman asking that as they have now been in the service of the city five years the annual salary of each be raised. That of the chief to be $200.00 and that of the firemen to $144.00. Referred. On February 9, 1884, the following salaries for members of the fire department were adopted. Each fireman shall receive the sum of $13.00 per month for the months of March, November, December, Jannary and February, and $8.00 for the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October, and that the chief engineer shall receive $200.00 per annum. April 9, 1885, the secretary reported the following offi- cers elected : J. C. Churchill, chief; E. Fuller, first assistant chief ; F. O. Zimmerman, second assistant chief; Mike Schmitz, treasurer ; W. II. Kendall, secretary. May 6, 1885. W. H. Willard tendered his resignation as engineer of Engine No. 1. W. H. Rogers ap- pointed to the position at a meeting of the Common Conneil held October 7, 1885, a committee was authorized to establish and build additional hose houses No. 1, No. 6, No. 3 and the Shaw Town Service.
March 17, 1886. The secretary of the fire department reported
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
for confirmation the following named officers eleeted by the department at its meeting held Mareh 15, 1886: J. C. Churchill, chief; E. C. Fuller, first assistant chief; J. W. Wayland, treas- urer; Frank Zimmerman, second assistant chief; D. J. Chandler, secretary. February 2, 1887. Alderman McDonough, chairman of committee appointed to investigate the report of the insur- anee underwriters, submitted the following recommendation, that the city purchase the hook and ladder truck and hose eart from the Daniel Shaw Lumber Company at a cost of $1200.00. Truek to be placed in Engine House No. 2. Also recommended a full paid department. June 1, 1887. Alderman MeDonough, chair- man of committee on reorganization of Eau Claire fire depart- ment, submitted the following report: That the fire department of said eity shall consist of one ehief, one assistant chief, seven pipemen and six teamsters, located as follows: Three in No. 1. Four in No. 2. Three in No. 5. Two in No. 6. One in No. 3. Also two part paid firemen located at No. 2 and two at No. 3. The fol- lowing members were appointed: George II. Daniels, chief; John MeGawan, assistant chief; James Tarrant, Frank Zim- merman, Hugh Forest, James McMahon, Lanis Young, Joseph Eldridge, engineer and pipeman ; Frank Ferres, William Seaver, Fred Rawlins, Patrick Kenney, Mike Sehmitz, teamsters; William Bonell, Jr., A. Evans, Dwight Chandler, Wilhelm H. Wedemeyer, eallmen-pipemen. Thus a full paid fire department was fairly launched, giving the people of our city the benefit of a more efficient service. June 15, 1887. Recommendation of committee on reorganization recommending that the Richmond Fire Alarm Company be given contract for the installing of fire alarm system composed of three circuit No. 12 H. D. copper wire 24 boxes, and other instruments for receiving alarms. Signed: Frank Me- Donough, George A. Buffington, D. A. Cameron, George C. Hue- bener, George B. Shaw. December 19, 1887. Fire alarm system installed and accepted by recommendation of committee and chief of fire department.
Too much credit cannot be given George H. Daniels for the able manner in which he built up the fire department after its reorganization in 1887. While all other departments of the city were affected by politieal conditions from year to year, the fire department, under the guiding hand of George H. Daniels, stood out alone as the one municipal department unaffected by the many political changes of administration. The committee on reorganiza- tion certainly chose wisely and well. In the year 1897 a state
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EAU CLAIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT
law was passed placing fire departments in all cities of the second and third elass under civil service, controlled by a police and fire commission, said commission appointed by the mayor. Under this law all appointments were subject to the approval of the commission. On January 1, 1908, a fireman pension law went into effect which provided for pension after twenty-two years' service and which also provided for the widows and orphans of deceased firemen, also provided for a fireman if permanently disabled.
On May 1, 1905, George H. Daniels retired from the fire department after a service of eighteen years. Shortly after retire- ment he was appointed to the board of police and fire commissions, in which position he served as president of the board until the time of his death, which occurred July 17, 1912. On May 1, 1905, Joseph Eldridge, assistant chief, was appointed to the position of chief of the fire department with James P. Welsh. superintendent of fire alarm system, appointed to the position of assistant chief, holding both positions. On November 2, 1906, Chief Joseph Eldridge resigned from the position of chief of the fire department. On November 2, 1906, James P. Welsh was appointed to the position of chief of the fire department with William Herron, captain of Hose Company No. 6, appointed assistant chief and Walter Ressler appointed to the position of superintendent of fire alarm.
The members of the fire department at the present time are as follows: James P. Welsh, chief ; entered the service November 7, 1889, as pipeman; on November 1, 1891, was appointed to the position of superintendent of the fire alarm system. On May 4, 1899, was appointed city electrician. On May 1, 1901, was ap- pointed to the position of fire warden. On May 1, 1905, was appointed to the position of assistant chief, holding the four positions until November 2, 1906, when appointed as chief of the fire department.
William Herron, assistant chief, entered the service May 13, 1892, as reliefman, retiring April 1, 1893. Re-entered the service June 1, 1893, as reliefman. Appointed eaptain May 1, 1896. Appointed assistant chief November 2, 1906. Appointed fire warden November 2, 1906. At this date holding last two posi- tions. Walter Ressler, superintendent fire alarm and city elec- trician, entered the service September 1, 1904, as house watchman, retiring September 25, 1906. Re-entered service November 8, 1906, to accept above positions, which he holds at this date. John Dougherty, captain, entered the service May 10, 1890, appointed
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HISTORY OF EAU CLAIRE COUNTY
captain April 1, 1905. Fred Welsh, captain, entered the service April 1, 1901, appointed captain August 1, 1905. Joseph Eldridge, captain, entered the service May 1, 1887, appointed assistant chief July 15, 1891, appointed chief of department May 1, 1905. Re- signed from the position of chief November 2, 1906. Accepted position of captain of No. 6 November 2, 1906. Mr. Eldridge is the oldest man in point of service in the department, having served in the volunteer days. Edward Bullis, driver of motor apparatus. Entered service September 1, 1910. Edward Golden, driver hook and ladder. Entered the service March 20, 1902. Joseph Robillard, pipeman. Entered service December 27, 1912. John Hancock, pipeman. Entered service February 1, 1893. Ap- pointed captain September 1, 1904. Retired from the service August 1, 1905. Re-entered the service November 1, 1911. Paul Miley, house watchman. Entered the service May 1, 1912. Law- renee Smith, reliefman. Entered the service April 1, 1912. Wil- liam Ward, pipeman. Entered service November 19, 1906. Nels Geroux, pipeman. Entered service September 8, 1901. Retired February 27, 1903. Re-entered July 4, 1904. William Cowan, driver. Entered the service May 1, 1906. John Segoin, driver. Entered service May 1, 1905. Clarence Chambers, pipeman. En- tered service December 1, 1897. Retired January 15, 1902. Re- entered November, 1912. William Lawrence, driver. Entered service July 1, 1907. Joseph Gort, pipeman. Entered service September 19, 1898. Retiring August 1, 1908. Re-entered Jan- uary 21, 1911. Edward Farrell, reliefman. Entered service Sep- tember 19, 1913.
The department equipment and fire quarters consists at the present time of four hose company's equipped with three hose wagons, horse drawn, 1 hook and ladder truck, horse drawn; 1 hose chemical truck, motor propelled; 1 chief's motor ear with chemical equipment; 8 horses ; 8000 feet of hose; the old Porter fire engine in reserve. The fire alarm system has been greatly improved since its first installation and now consists of a first- class gamewell office equipment, which includes an eight circuit storage battery control switch board, one six circuit non-inter- fering, interlocking automatic repeater, one central office trans- mitter, one tape register, one tower bell transmitter and one private telephone switch board in addition to this, all hose houses and pump house are equipped with 18-inch gongs, tape registers and department private telephone instrument. Outside equip- ment consists of thirty miles of copper wire and 41 alarm boxes. Our water service for fire purposes is ideal, giving us 120 pounds
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EAU CLAIRE FIRE DEPARTMENT
pressure at hydrant. We have 450 hyrants within the city to work from.
A review of the terms of service of the different fire chiefs are as follows:
Appointed.
Retired.
William Lea
April
8, 1871
May 21, 1873
Eugene S. Bullard.
May
21, 1873
June 16, 1875
A. M. Sherman
June
16, 1875
March 23, 1876
W. F. Cook.
March 23, 1876
April 10, 1877
J. H. Tarrent.
April
10, 1877
March 20, 1878 March 19, 1879
John T. Tinker
March 20, 1878
J. C. Churchill.
March 19, 1879
May 1, 1887
George H. Daniels
May
1, 1887
May 1, 1905
Joseph Eldridge
May
1, 1905
Nov. 2, 1906
James P. Welsh
Nov. 2, 1906
BOARD OF POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS.
The Wisconsin legislature of 1897 enacted a law creating the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners in cities of certain classes in the state. The law provided for a board of four mem- bers, to serve without compensation, to be appointed by the mayor. Mayor William H. Frawley, at a meeting of the Common Council held on April -28, 1897, made announcement of the fol- lowing appointments of commissioners: For term of one year, Matt C. Anderson; for term of two years, Ilon. John Ure, Sr .; for term of three years, Hon Frank MeDonough, Sr .; for term of four years, Albert F. Schwahn.
The law did not require confirmation by the council, but Mayor Frawley asked the council to pass upon such appoint- ments. The nominations were confirmed, two aldermen, Seben- thal and Scallon, voting against such confirmation. On the even- ing of May 3, 1897, the board met at the office of Mayor Frawley, but adjourned on account of the absence of one member. On May 10 they again met at the mayor's office, together with the mayor and J. C. Gores, the city attorney, and formally organized by the election of Mr. Ure as president and Mr. Anderson as secretary.
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