Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-03-14
ALMOST A CONFEDERATION.
The Fire Fiend In Collision with
tho Water Works.
THE WATER WORKS AHEAD.


Last Wednesday evening at 1890 the
alarm of fire was sounded and many of
the citizens of Austin assembled to see the
first attempt to subdue fire with our
new water supply. The fire originated
in the Office of Gilbertson. Elgerton &
Haney, in rear of D. B. Smiths coal Of
fee When discovered the whole interi-
or of the Office was ablaze, and the whole
corner seemed preparing to 90, The hose
companies, however. were promptly on
hand and deluged the building with wa
ter, putting stop to the fire in short or
der. The damage was, D. B. Smith, on
building, $40O. insured. On stock. $500,
not insured Gilbertson, Edgerton, s.
Haney, $3.50 damage to stock, not insured.
The fire is supposed to have started from
q lighted pipe or cigar left on the floor or
table, as it did not catch from the stove,
and no lamp was left burning when lock-
ed up at o'clock.
This fire shows that we have the water
to control any fire that may break out
here, but before we can use it to any ad
vantage the hose companies must be or
ganized and drilled so that they will be
able to manage the appliances and keep
themselves under control. The city Of
ficers should oblige the crowd to leave
the management of the hose to the hose
companies. An unorganized crowd arm
with flood of water can cope with fire
IN its early stages, but We must be pre-
pared to ''do up" blaze in the best pos
sible manner, and we cannot do it With
out better management.
There is also vital need of connection
between the place where the hose is kept
and the pump house. . As it is now, the
engineer is liable to know nothing of the
fire until some one runs down to the en-
gine house. By that time the water will
be turned on at the fire and the pipes
probably empty. To get the benefit of
our water, we must have arrangements
made so that the engineer can be inform
ed of the fire as soon as any one, and be
prepared to meet the demand.
SPARKS.
Ayoung lady who was at the fire, rec
ommends that in the future the crowd be
allowed only one hose to play with, and
that the other be turned over to the hose
companies to fight the fire with.
Did you notice that gentleman in plug
hot OF fro vr,h1 toll <hoy
fought fire in Chicago, until the hose
happening to be turned In his direction,
piled up man and hat in badly demora
lized heap? If so ask him how they fight
fire in Austin.
There ought to be water enough at fire
to keep people cool, but one or two par
ties allowed themselves to get little
warm. Turn the hose on the would be
scrappers boys, and cool them off until
after the fire.
Mr. Becker did extremely we'll to keep
the pressure up as he did, without notice
of the fire until after the water had been
turned on to it.
Charley Fenton was badly cut while
getting through window with the hose.
Gilbertson, Edeerton & Haney are fit-
ting up new Office in the corner of their
building on Chatham and Bridge streets.
The old Office will be used for keeping
extras. After fire, come improvements.
Frank Riley was pretty we'll soaked
while holding the fort on the roof
eought to have we'll organized hook
and ladder company and supply of lad
ders for the next fire.