The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-01-10
Fire! Fire!


The scene of a raging fire, such
as was witnessed in the burning of
Mr.. Durr's large stable on Christmas
night, gives vivid sense of the inse-
curity of property in our town.
With nothing but the primitive
bucket as hose; with only an oc-
casional pump at an inconvenient
distance, as water-plug; with the
arms of man as an engine of pro-
pulsion; and with fearful scarcity
of any of the modern implements OF
warfare in such an emergency, the
terrified spectators can do but little
else than stand liz awe and await the
pleasure of the destructive element.
True, our people fight fire with
wondrous energy, and it is marvellous
how much they accomplish with the
means at command. But what can
man with a bucket do in saving a
building already enveloped in flame.
He cannot climb upon it. He cannot
get near enough to it to throw his
bucket of water, and if he could, Of
what avail is bucket of water
against the heat and flame of a burn
ing building? 1t is like splitting in
the sea to raise the tide.
1t only, therefore, becomes ques-
ton, when we have fire, of saving,
not the building involved, but the
surrounding buildings or the town.
1t was only because Mr.. Durr's stable
happened to be separated from his
hotel that it was possible to save the
hotel. 1t would not have been posi-
BILE to do that, but for the fortunate
absence of wind and the snow fall
which aided in keeping the roofs of
surrounding buildings wet. 1t was
only for these reasons that, probably,
the chief part of the town was not
consumed.
Suppose the fire had attained the
same Roadway in the center of one of
the compact blocks on Main street.
Who will say that the principal part
of the town would not now be in ash
es? Buckets could not save it. We
have an example of what the result
would be in our neighboring town of
Fairmont, where the chief business
block was laid in ashes in a few min
utes. The same thing is liable to
occur here any day. The wonder is
that it has been postponed so long.
Well, our readers say, this is all
so, but what are you going to dc
about it? Will you organize fire
department; procure engines, hooks
and ladders, horses, trucks and all
the paraphernalia of a regular fire
department?
We answer, no. We do not think
that practicable in a town of this
size. When our population has doub-
led or trebled we may begin to talk
about fire department. But there
is a shorter and more practical way
to the same end.
We believe that our town can af-
ford water works. We believe it Can
not only afford them but can not az
ford to be without them-Not alone
for the security against fire, but fol
the health, convenience, comfort and
economy they would contribute to the
homes of the community.
Now, it is possible and entirely
practicable to locate a reservoir SC
far above the town that it would give
sufficient pressure to throw stream
of water over any house in town
The hill on the north of town fur
nishes such location. Thus with
out any engines or other machinery
save the mains and pipes and hose
we could have water-w works and fir
department combined. Plugs or by
drants could be located in every
square and in every yard, so that il
case, all that would be necessar.
would be to attach the hose and w
could have two, three, four or NOR
streams Of water playing upon an.
building in town, and with all tn
necessary force and volume that al
engine would give.
Here is plan, economical, practi
cable, and entirely within the reacl
of the resources of our community
and when established would be a.
complete and effective as any fire de
partment in any city of the country
To say that it would pay, is no
enough. 1t is demanded for on
safety and convenience. We are no
certain but the reduced rate OF insur
ance would pay the price ofthe work.
in few years. Let US have the wa
ter-works.