Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-26
Jae 9aily 3rtss aud 9ukntaisu.
YANkroN, DAKOTA.
"Wednesday Evening, December 2e, ~
The Daily Press and Dakotaian

once on Third Street, between Broadway and
Cedar-Dutack'S Block.
BOWEN & K1NGsBuRY. Publishers.
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
Yankton is undergoing the experience of
all towns built largely of wood-the expe.
rience Of destruction by fire. The confla.
grafton of Tuesday morning was ~ serious
In its results, and in the probability of still
greater destruction. as any that hiss occur.
red. Like every ether disaster of the kind
1t induces serious reflection upon tue dan
gers to which our combustible property is
exposed and the means which should be
taken for protection. We may expect ip
the future more fires than have occurred in
the past and if we take no measures for
prevention and protection the worst
results may follow. The wooden
buildings which were erected as the first
business houses Of Yankton were hastily
constructed and made to meet only imme-
diatel demands. Chimneys were placed in
and on these buildings which we're safe
enough during the first years of their use,
but which have now become entirely unsafe
by constant exposure to heat and by the
warping Of timbers and their displacement
from other causes. As measure of safety,
all these buildings should be inspected by
competent authority and placed in condition
which will ensure better protection. Their
destruction is not only loss 10 their owners,
but endangers the better class of buildings
erected upon our business streets. There.
fore We urge that the city authorities give us
the ounce Of prevention which is said to be
better than pound Of cure.
The subject of the purchase OF fire saving
appliances has been extensively discussed,
both in and out Of public prints, and no
conclusion has been reached. The steam
fire engine and the Holly system of water
works are the popular means employed in
cities which have had experience in this
direction. Both are expensive. Inventive
genius is at work to devise cheap
and effective protection against fire, but
We know Of no inexpensive appa.
ratus which has been proved successful.
The city cannot sfford to enter upon ex-
periments, but must have that which
has stood the test of numerous trials.
We write upon the supposition taat some
steps are to be taken to provide fire appa-
rstus for Yankton, and we put as plain
question to our property owners, can you
longer afford to risk your all against the
chances that it may disappear in single
night? 1t looks like culpable negligence
to remain in this absolutely helpless con-
dition, and to still continue to trust that
the elements will not copspire against us.
The economy of adequate protection is so
apparent that it needs no argument in its
support. The proposition which should
now be laid before property owners for dis.
cussion and action is for the purchase OF
fire apparatus sufficient to meet the growing
necessities Of the community and the estab.
lishment of water reservoirs at convenient
places.
Another important subject for the consid-
Grafton Of our law makers is the establish
ment Of fire limits, which would be in effect
the prohibition of the erection of any more
wooden buildings within certain prescribed
limits. A brick building surrounded by
wooden buildiags is not much safer than the
wooden buildings. With finder piles all
about them their walls do not furnish the
protection designed by their construction.
The organization of special fire police
from among the business men of the city
has been suggested. The idea is an excel
lent one. Organization. of that nature, in
the smaller cities of the east where the reg
ular police force is insufficient for ernergen-
cies, have resulted in great saving of prop
erty. Their duty is to take charge of all
movable property endangered by fire, to
superintend its removal and to guard it
from the depredations Of thieves while in
transit and after it has heen placed in a
place of safety. Under the superintendence
Of such police organization goods are
moved from stores in systematic manner.
There is no confusion and no useless destruc.
ton. Only such men as are known to be
Trustworthy are permitted to enter store or
to as,ist in the removal of its contents. The
organization is inexpensive and the expert
ences of Tuesday morning give ample
proof that it is badly needed here in Yank.
ton.
FROM clIsTER cn,lNry