The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1882-12-21
Meeting of Citizens to Consider
Protection from Fire.

FrOC6CL1Ou 1COH r AT0.
Obcdient to call of the president OF the
large number Of prominent
citizens gathered at the Park Hotel on
Monday evening" to consider the question
of fire protection. Mr.. Brcuchaud, presi-
dent, took the chair, and J. d. Matheson
was elected secretary. Mr. Geo. D. Rice,
chairman Of the committee appointed at
last meeting to ascertain the number cost
and most advantageous location of wells to
be dug 70. fire purposes, read their report.
1t was an claborately prepared snd careful
ly worded document and embodied the
following important suggestions:
That wells be dug on Montana avenue
opposite East end of blocks 1U9 ITO, Ill;
and on Minnesota avenue opposite West
end of blocks 191 and 1so. That the di-
mensions Of each we'll be eight feet square
inside curbing and 20 feet deep, giving a
capacity sf about G,ooO gallons each, quite
sufficient for the supply of any hand
engine
That the probable cost Of the five wells
as ascertained by various proposals for
their construction would be 81 600 in COM
pletc form. The report urged the necessity
OF immediate action on the part of the
citizens.
Appended to the report was an appeal,
based on the urgency OF the case, for thc
immediate construction of a jail building.
Short specifications for such structure
were furnished at an estimated cost OF
about 81 ,O00.
Still another suggestion was to the effect
that bill or petition be at once drawn up
for presentation at the next meeting OF the
sislature, with view TO secure the in
CORPORATION of Billings under town govern
ment, and to embody all provisions ncces-
sary to that end.
The report was signed by Geo. D. Rice,
C. A. Wustum, 0. u. Garrison and James
Ferguson.
1t was moved and carried that the pro-
posed well at the East end Of block 100 on
Montana avenue be located at the West end
of the same block, the bett er to protect the
property ON 18th street North. With this
amendment that part of the report relating
to wells was adopted.
The finance committee appointed ut last
meeting were called upon to report. Mr
Thompson stated that he had secured
subscriptions to the amount Of $500, with d
prospect of securing $500 Mr.. Foster re-
ported that 800 had been subscribed on his
paper and that he would be able to raise
500 in all. Mr.. VanSinden, the third
member of the committee, was absent.
Moved and carried that the committee
on wells and the finance committee acting
conformity, be citizens executive commit
tee with Mr.. Brcuchsud as chairman tc
raise the requisite money, apply it to tho
construction of wells, and further, that tht
supply of the various appliances needed by
the hook and ladder company be also at
tended to by this committee.
Mr. Brcuchaud reported that he had con
suited with II. Clark relative to obtaining
the building known as the company's store
for storing the fire departments appaTa-
rus; that he had been offered very favorable
terrrs of purchase, and that the railroad
authorities had given permission for its re
movaI to a location en- the right-of-way.
Moved and carried that this matter b
referred to the executive committee.
1t was also reported that free transporta
1,n1 hpO
granted for al! material required for fir
protection.
The purchase Of Babcock Chemlca
Extinguisher having been proposed by MI
Maylone and advocated by other gentlemen
present, it was resolved that communica
ton be op encd with parties in Bismarck
Minneapolis and st. Paul relative to tn
u,erits Of such an engine.
Aeeting adjourned sine die.