The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-01-09
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER
s. HURD,
City Clerk


To the Mayor and Council Of the City
Of EnapOriG::
1 have the honor to make the follow
ing report of fires occurring in the city
OF Emporia since the organization of
the present fire Department.
l. On the night of the 1st OF Sep
TENDER last a freight car of the A. T.
& S. F. r, r. containing seventeen
barrels of gasoline and coal oil, took
fire while standing on the track adj
joining the depot on Merchants street.
The Babcock was soon on the ground
after the alarm was given and render
ed good service. The inflamable ma
ture of the cargo made the work dam
geroas after the barrels had ignited, as
as they soon did; but pluck and perse-
veranee, in connection with the good
qualities of the engine, soon had the
fire under, and before much damage
was done.
2. About four O'Clock of the MORN
ing of the 31st of December an alarm
of fire was sounded, and found the
Madison House on Sixth avenue, was
on fire. The fire was ignited in the
rear end, or kitchen part of the build
ing. Within five minutes of the time
heard the alarm l was on the ground
with both engine and hook and lad
ders. At this time there were not to
eXceede ten persons present besides
the guests of the house, who were bus
lily engaged IL saving their effects from
the burning building. It was several
minutes before there were men enough
on the ground to properly man the
engine and operate the small Babcocks.
Meanwhile the fire gained such head
| way that it was impossible to save any
portion of the building, which was
wholly burned. The adjoining build
ings were saved. In my opinion If
there had been proper alarm given,
and people generally, the stone por-
ton of the building might have been
saved. The engine worked well on
this occasion, and the men who were
present did their whole duty.
3. About half past seven o'clock
Saturday morning Jan. 3rd fire
broke out in the building of DIR Geo.
81. Angel, on upper Merchants street.
The fire probably originated from q
defective fiue, as it first appeared in
the upper ceiling. As soon as posi-
BILE after the alarm was given the en-
CINE was started, but as it went out
into Commercial street, the d0dble-
treSS broke, and was several minutes
before CneY could De replaced, during
which the fire gained such Roadway
that it proved impossible to save the
building though, the utmost exertions
were made. But for the accident the
engine would have been on the ground
before the fire got very much start,
and the building might have been
saved. The hook and ladder and the
small Babcocks were promptly on hand
and but for the accident above stated
the engine wocld have been equally
prompt. AS it was, the building was
wholly d destroyed.
There is urgent need of some means
of giving general alarm. Without
it there is danger of the experience in
the Madison House being repeated.
The firemen are willing and work
faithful but lack experience, which
time will OF course remove. have
made, from time, to time, such repairs
as were absolutely necessary, bill for
which will be duly presented Some
others might be made with profit,
perhaps, but have chosen to be econo.
ical as possible.
All of which is respectfully sub
/ mitted.
| F. SCHMIDLINd.
| Chief Fire Department.