The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-06-17
To the Citizens of Richmond,


In accordance with the usual custom
made my Annual Report As Chief Fire En-
gineer to the City Council at the expiration
Of my term Of office. and expressed desire
that it might be published, as it contains in
formation that the public ought to know.
The honorable Council very kindly con-
scented to publish my report, if would make
out in addition an inventory of the property
belonging to the Fire Department of our
city, in yolving weeks of labor without COM
pensation. The salary of the Chief of Fire
Department is fifty dollars per annum, and
| for that paltry sum our very honorable Coun
| Gil expects as much work to be performed as
in other cities, where the salary ranges from
$1,000 to $4,000 per year. Generous and
most self sacrificing Common Council Not |
withstanding, did attend to the dates of my
Office to the best Of my ability, and it is for |
my peers to say whether have been success
full or not.
When assumed the duties Of Chief, many
of the cisterns and wells were in no condit ion
to be of any service in case Of fire. l have
urged the Council several occas ions to
have dry wells turned into cisterns. but id one
instance only have they paid any heed to my
equest. All of the Companies were deficient
In hose, and one Company actually had nonel
After several large and destructive fires the
city did furnish two thou sand feet OF new
hose. In the meantime had all the old hose
overhauled and rep aired at a very small cost
to the city, thereby saving some 81. 900,
which would otherwise have been tot al
loss. For the veracty of the above state
ment, | refer to any fireman or citizen who
has taken the tro ubls to visit any Of our en-.
CINE houses before was made chief, when
section after section of hose were laying
about loose and damaged, and then to visit
the same houses after my expiration of Of
fee; and to day there is not more efficient
fire department Of its size than ours. do
not claim all of the credit of the improve
ments that have been made, for l have had
the cordial and hearty cooperation of the
Committee on Fire Department, but l
merely mention the fact to show that have
more than earned the paltry sum SLOWED by
a generous City Council for my services
whereas the members Of that body have
voted themselves 500 per aunum for the
exhausting process of sitting few hours
twice month in the Council chamber. l
informed one of our noble fathers that if the
city would print my report in pamphle,
form. it would give me pleasure to furnis b
all the information necessary, bnt as the
Council did not see fit to do so, could not
see the propriety of doing so much labor fol
the amusement of a few.
During the year that I have been Chic
Fire Engineer there have been eleven largs
fires, destroying property to the am cunt o
$l72, 500, on which there was an insurance o
81. 900, making q total loss of sl00 500
There were also seven alarms, at which the
department were out for duty. Th, heaviest
losses occurred at time when the Com pan,
, were not provided with hose, and when the
} weather vas extremely cold. When | as
, sumei the duties of my position, deter
|. mined to make the Department as effectiv
as possible; my fellow citizens can judg
, whether l have been successful or not.
have endeavored to do my duty faithfully an
=, inpar tally, and if have erred it has been o
the "head" and not of the "heart.''
, All of the Fire Companies are now SUPPLE
with everything necessary to make them eff
fciens. The cisterns are in good order an
full OF water. I would suggest building NOR
cister $ in the populous part of the city, a
, the supply of water would not be suficier,
. in case of large conhagration. l wou
also most urgently request the city to ur
chase the hook and ladder apparatus, and t
build them suitable house for their tru cB
l consider the Hook and Ladder Compa nv a
necessary to the Department as any Con
pany in the city, and cannot be dispense
with without serious consequences to til
department.
, l hereby tender my tn anks to the officer
. and members OF the different Fire Cempanit
n tor the promp tness with which they h,'
; seconded my efforts, tor every order OF mil
has been cheeriulty obeyed.
With the best wishes Tor the prosperity ar
usefulness of the Departure Mt, have II
:, honor to be,
Your respectful servant.
CHAs. LEIvE,
: Late Chief Fire Engineer.