Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-11-29
III MEANWHILE R
Views of an Old Firemen In Refer
ence to IT.
MEANWHILE, PA, November 81.

MEADvILLE, PA, November 81.
EDITOR CLEVELAND LEADER: The
late disastrous fire in this place, which
occurred on Sunday morning, November
26th, at about four o'clock A. M, invOlv-
ing the loss of over one hundred thousand
dollars, suggests some reflections to me,
as an old fireman, which you are atliberty
to use, if you can find room for them in
your columns. You will recollect that
about the first of this month Meadville
was the scene of the largest conflagration
ever known in its limits, involving the
loss of Hendekoper's Wooden mill and the
long row of adjoining buildings, and it
was only owing to the fact that the night
was calm that all that portion of the town
was saved from sharing the same fate, a
streak of luck with which the Common
Council of this place had nothing to do.
Directly after that fire, the subject of
purchasing Il steam fire engine was dis
cussed, which discussion ended in a dys-
peptic attempt, on the part of some one,
to get up a subscription for one and a
failure. The subject of organizing a
Hook and Ladder Company shared the
same fate.
Well, on Sunday morning the under
signed was suddenly awakened from his
sleep by the cries of "fre," and the ring
ing of inverted dinner pots" hung upon
the tops of some buildings here and de-
nominated fire bells. Throwing on my
harness l proceeded to the scene of de-
struction and foundthat the fire had origin
ated in a long row of wooden "shanties,'
nine in number, that adorned the west
side of Water street, owned in the main
by X. c. BOileau, one of the oldest as well
as one of the wealthiest inhabitants of
this town. One engine was upon the
ground, a small sized piano machine,
Buttons make, and, although worked with
a will, at that early hour of the fire, could
do nothing whatever to check the flames.
Two other machines were soon upon the
ground, but of the merits of either, or all,
| do not propose to speak, for such as they
are, in all enlightened communities, are
considered as things of the past. l would
like to have seen one of those gay steam
| tIS VI Ilt Iblt1L III tpAAAt ing iAALt
the arena, behind two splendid steeds,
Chief Engineer Hill in chargeto direct the
movements, and / would bet my head
that the fire would have been confined to
two buildings, and so completely del
uged that not q spark would nave
been visible anywhere in half an hour
fronfathe time of commencing operations.
And yet the present generation in this
town will insist upon keeping watering
pots to put out fires with, just because
their grandfatheFs before them did. The
loss to the town, by the destruction of
these buildings, is comparatively trifing,
for public spirit will induce the owners of
the ground to erect brick buildings in
their stead, which will be an improvement
IN looks, in utility, in durability and
safety. Mr.. Boilean's loss is pretty heavy,
as l understand that his insurance expired
a few days previous to the fire. He was
opposed TO purchasing a steamer, when
that project was talked of. Perhaps this
fire will convince him, as with some others
of the mOneyed men of this town, that
locks cost less money than horses.
Had there been a wind of any strength
the whole west side, and perhaps both
sides of Water street would have been
swept by the flames, as Water street Is
very narrow, and there is almost one con-
tinuous line of " fire traps" on both sides
of it to the point above mentioned. 1t is
to be hoped that this fire will open the
eyes of, the Common Councilmen of this
town, and show them the necessity of
having one or two good steamers and a
hook and ladder company. have heard
that the Atlantic Il Great Western Rail
road Company have agreed to give 81, 500
toward buying a steamer. OF the truth of
this ! am not prepared to state, but | am
sure that they will do their share in regard
to it.
In closing this letter, let me speak a
word for your former tOwnsman, r. NJ. n.
Taylor, whose first thought was of the
"boys" who were volunteering to save
other peoples property. He despatched a
detachment of his colorded brigade, loaded
down with coffee and other good things,
to cheer and strengthen the ".laddies "
who were doing their best to subdue that
element which makes an excellent ser
want, but a terrible master" A great
pity we had not a few more such Tdyiors,
in town, for they would by their energy
soon rip up the cloak of old fogyism that
envelopes this place of enterprise, both
public and private, and makeit a desirable
place to live. Hoping this fire will be the
means of giving us a good steamer, and
some photographs of the "tubs we now
have, L remain, yours,
FIRFNN