The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1873-05-29
fns BsBDCK FIRE ENGINE.

the BABC0CK FIRE ENGINE.
It will be noticed by the Mayors
proclamation that an election will be
held next Mondayfor the purpose Of
voting 800 in bonds Of the city for .
Babcosk Fire Engine, $500 for hook
and ladder apparatus, and $1,000 for the
purpose Of erecting y suitable building
for the machinery, to pay the discount
on the bonds, the freight and other ex-
psuses, which necessarily arise in bring
ing the machinery to this city. That
We arc insecure in case Of fire and that
we arc liable to have the best portion of
the city laid in ashes at any moment, by
reason of our having nothing with which
to stay the ravages OF the flames, is fact
patent to all /; but what that fire appara-
tbs shall be is question not SO easily set
tod. The city council have settled up
on the Babcock Fire Engine As the ar
ticle suited best to the size Of tho town,
and which, of all the the other machines,
Is the cheapest, and, with the excep-
ton OF the steamer, the most durable
and:eftectivc. The wild rodomOntade
{ Of the unsophisticated chap Of the Herald,
who though late arrival, undertakes to
dictate what shall and shall not be done
lin this city, amounts to nothing in the
discussion of this question. His puer-
lie fooIishncss, which he adduced in last
weeks Herald as argument, is sample
of what he IS. He says the Babcock
machine amounts TO nothing. II he says
so, the people, Of course, must agree
with him, or his rubicund visagc will be
made to glow with ire. Who is this up
start who dictates to the good people of
Salina what they must do? He Jugs in
an article from a Muncie Ofndiana) pa
per, as the argument upon which he sub
mits the question to the people. We
produce here another article from the
same place, given by the city authorities
with regard to the Babcocls, in which it
appears that the engine prevented IN
\cxtensive conAagration In that town:
MUxcIE, INDIANA, JAM, 10, 1873.
H. J. Bond, Gent Agf Babcock Fire Ert.
Co.
On tho morning of December BOT,
1873, the Babcock Fire Engine pur-
chased from you by our Cir, was for
the FIRST time brought ito active service,
and prevented o. extensive conflagr.tion
A fire h.Okc out il, the first floor Of a
two story brick, situated in 4 block of
buildings, and was burning some time,
and under furious Roadway before the
engine was brought to bear against it /;
but to the surprise of all, it took but a
short timo to get control of the fire after
q stream from the engine was turned
upon it, and confined tho fire to one
building. From our experience with
the Babcock Engine, we consider them
for city of our size, equal, if not su-
perior to any steamer; being SO quickly
brought into action, and requiring so
small amount of water. Signed,
NJ. G. Smith. Mayor; VIM. Truitt, City
Civ. Eng; W. L. Little, City Clerk; W.
Hibbits, City Treasurer A. r. Brown,
Asst Chief.
City Council-James N. Templcr, P.
F. Davis, John Brady, VIM. Jones, Jno.
Parry, Daniel r. Youse
Tho engine dispenses with complex
machinery, experienced engineers, res
ervoirs and steam. CaIbonic acid gas is
both tho working and extinguishing
agent. It's ever ready and herein will be
its great virtue at the fire. Five minutes
at the right time are worth five hours at
the wrong time. 1t saves from destruc-
ton by water whit the fire has spared.
It smothers, but does not dclusc. 1t
costs only about half rs much IS first
class hand engine, and about one fourtl,
Is much a. o steam engine. The Bah
cock received splendid notice in tho
Scientific American Of October last, which
has been copied quite extensively. We
desire to produce here some recommen.
dations from among large number fur.
nished US:
CINCINNATI, Quo.
F.W. Farwell, Secretary A fire broke
out in a drug store, No. $50 North Fifth
street, making an extensive hot fire.
The Babcock Engine arrived quickly on
the ground, ready to play, and without
aid from steamers the fire was extinguish-
ed in q few moments, doing no damage
TO any other portion Of the building, and
without drcnching the stock in the base
ment At another fire the engine was
t,Aken ten blocks, $50 feet Of hose was IN
reelsd and taken to the rear of the build
ing and up three stories to root, and
the fire extinguishcd without any dam
ago by water, or aid from the steamers.
We were witnesses to the above, and
cheerfully give our testimony to its eff
cheney, economy and readiness, and COM
mend it to the confidence of towns and
cities. Z. G. Megruo,
Chief Engineer Cincinnati Fire Depart
ment W. II. Huges and N. wisbcy,
Assistant Engineers.
KANSAS Cry, Mo-, Oct. 9, 1872