Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-11-06

tate the y per cent. Bonds ordered to be is
sued on May 6th-but the Engines not being
half finished, the matter was deferred unit
September last, when Robert A. Smith, Esq.
negotiated the Bonds and paid for the Engines
Their entire cost, reels, hose and all, was 81 !,
14O, and $4OO for transportation. Besides
this, each company expended above $1OC
from their treasures to secure extra decOra-
tiOns
A few days prior too this time, the Commit
tee on Fire Department Aid McGrorty, Tay.
lor and Branch were authorized, in company
with the Chief Engineer, d" to lease two lots fol
five years, in such localities as may be deem
ed most suitable and convenient for the wants
of the people," and the fire companies. This
was performed to great advantage to the city,
one for Mnnehaha No. 2 being on jackson,
near Third and that for Hope being an unused
piece of city property at the head of Wash
ington street, on Third. The Pioneer Hook
and LaddSr Company were equally fortunate,
as they secured piece of land on the Court
House square for ten years, at the very low
expense to the city of S..
The lots having been secured, the Commit
tee on Public Buildings were authorized to
consult with the Fire Department and report
to the Council at its next meeting, suitable
plans for the buildings, which was done, and
the plans were adopted. Proposals were then
advertised for, and received, for their compile
ton before cold weather
We need not extend this history any far
ther 1t is brought down ed to modern
days, and every reader of the city papers
knows the rest-how the contracts were
awarded, the contractors ordered to begin
work, and how that resolution was vetoed,
repassed, and the work began, and how the
Engines arrived.
We have thus attempted to sketch at some
length, history of the trials and difficulties
the Fire Department of our city has encoun-
tered in their progress during the last five
years-trials and difficulties they have met
bravely and surmounted successfully. They
are now well organized and equipped, and
number four Companies, (including indepen-
dent,) with an aggregate of about 300 men,
bers, having four engines, and one Hook and
Ladder Truck. We are sure that in the de-
votedness of the members, the responsibility
of the companies, and their gallant deport-
ment, it is nowhere excelled. All honor,
then, to our gallant and well behaved fire.
men, who are now ready, storm or shine, night
or day, summer or winter, to risk life and
health, and sacrifice ease to protect the pro-
perty of our citizens. Long may they wan,
an honor to our city, and safeguard against
the destroying element that has laid others in
ruins, and impoverished thousands.
PIONEER HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY.
This truly Pioneer Company was organized
Oh Monday evening, November 9th, 1854, IN
the Office of Chas. j. Henniss, Esq, since de-
ceased. The Company has therefore almost
completed four years of active existence !;
during which it has struggled from an unprom-
ising and feeble infancy, through many chan
ges up to its present position of power and
durability. During nearly three of these years
it constituted the department, and its members
were on hand at every occasion of danger, and
mainly through their individual energy and
devotion, have sustained it through "thick
and thin"
Very many of the members who were
present at its organization have remained in
active membership ever since comprising
many of our best citizens, while some, alas !.
have gone to that last sleep, that no rude
alarms shall again rouse the slumberer from,
to hurry to the post of duty.
On December 1st, 1854, the following Board
was elected:
P"esident-Charles j. Hennlss.
Fee President-W. NJ. Stees.
,Sereta.y-E Greene Durbin.
assistant SecretaJy-J. w. Stevenson
Treasurer-John McCloud, Jr.
Directors-Thos. Richie, ]. A. Banker, Jno. W.
Cathcart, c.. p " Lull, Benz. Irvine, and j. O. A.
Ward
A vacancy occurring shortly afterwards
in the Chair, by resignation of Mr.. Henniss.
w. NJ Stees was elected to it, and Geo. w.
Prescott, Vice President
At this time it must be remembered, the
company had not the slightest prospect of
getting any apparatus. They were not recog-
nizcd by the City Council until latter day,
and at the very above mentioned meeting a
committee reported relative to procuring ropes,
hooks, buckets, axes, etc, which was after
wards done at their own expense.
The Company held quite a number of meet
ngs during the winter following their organi-
zation, to determine on the best plan of pro-
curing apparatus, etc. We may here men
ton that during that winter, the company ac-
tually had made pair of Bobs," for the pur-
pose of running to fires, should any occur
while snow lasted. This is an instance that
the Company were determined and anxious
to do good service, should it be necessary.
The Company, at this time, had some of the
ladders formerly used by the defunct Ladder
Company.
The following season, (S55,) the Company
learned that they could procure very fine
Truck from the jefferson Hook and Ladder
Company, Philadelphia, and during July of
that year, Mr.. j. Q. A. Ward, member, be-
ing in Philadelphia, purchased the Truck, and
had it shipped to St. Paul. 1t cost over 5000,
which the Company paid out of the money
they had raised for it. This Truck was after
wards purchased by the City.
But their difficulties did not stop here The
Truck being shipped by river from Pittsburg,
was sunk in the rapids of the Mississippi, and
remained under water some time, until the
springs were rusted, and the Truck otherwise
almost unfit for service. 1t was then delayed
at Keokuk long time, and the Company did
not receive it until quite late in the faN Of
| 1856. Meantime the little engine had been