Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-13
OUR MAIL POUCH.
ARemiui-cence Of the Great Fire.


To the Editor of The Dispatch:
Anything relating to the great fire in Pltts-
burg of April 10, lS45, Is always of interest to
those who witnessed it and mayhap suffered
from its effects; and the "old inhabitant" IS
apt to become garrulous if he can command
your attention while he details some OF MS
own doings on that occasion.
1 am not aware that it has ever before been
publicly stated how its ravages might have
been prevented, If those who had charge at the
fountain head of the city's water supply, had
done their duty promptly. In recent converse
tion with Mr.. j. E., he told the writer
that at the time OF the fire, being then young
man of 10. he was employed this being his first
day. at the warehouse of Sidney G. Won Bonn
horst, on First street (now avenue), between
Ferry and Market streets. When the alarm
was given, and before bell was rung, he, with
few companions, who, like himself. were
members Of the Eagle Engine Company, hurried
to the engine house on Fourth street, hoping
that they might be able themselves to get the
hose carriage to the spot and put out the IRE be-
fore any other persons had rea ched the place.
This would have been tall feather in their
hatsl In those days many mans great
est ambition was to 'hold the nozzle;" theirs
was nobler one-to prevent, if possible. what
occurred in Pittsburg. By considerable effort
these few men got the hose carriage to the cor
ner OF Ferry and Second Streets where they
made double male screw attachment. by that
means preventing any other hose from getting
water at that plug. and thus enabling them, as
they fondly hoped, to be the heroes of the hour.
But alas they were disappointed; when the
water was turned on they found that there was
not sufficient pressure to lift it to the roof of
the burning building.
At this tune the Vigilant hose carriage came
on the scene, the members clamoring for V
attachment to the same plug. This was re-
sisted by the Eagles men, on the reasonable
ground that if there was not enough water for
one there would certainly be no use for two
wasting what little there was. During the
controversy Robert Hague. VINO afterward be.
came our efficient High Constable, put in an ap-
pearance, and was dispatched with all speed to
the basin on Prospect street, with directions
passed through the pipes. This was refused by
the watchful guardian (his name is now as for
gotten as that of ''the youth who fired the
Ephesian dome,') on the plea that if this was
done a plug might be blown out at another
place in the city where repairs were being
made Mr.. Hague returned with his reply and
was sent back again, but by the time he reached
Seventh street. he ascertained that full head
of water had been turned on. But it came too
late! The fire that was no larger than mans
hand at first had now spread TO adjoining
houses, and famed by the stiff breeze OF that
April day, had assumed such proportions that
ali the engines of the city and all the water that
could be most lavishly furnished were not suf-
ficient TO curb its onward and destructive
course.
AS the official had ample means Of knowing
that fire was raging in the lower part OF the
city-his elevated position giving him full view
of the entire town, no excuse can be offered Tor
his dalliance with the great opportunity
afforded him of being a prime factor in the
prevention of the loss of human lives and OF
the millions of dollars worth of property that
went up in smoke on that eyentful spring
day. j. +. M.
PITTsBURG, September TO-