The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-31


than has over been done before. Fifteen
thousand dollars is being laid out for
improvements, besides tho large sums
expended by each company for equip
ments and supplies, which will make
the volunteer system of Roanoke one of
the best and most complete in the
country.
The most important improvement is
the Gamcwcll fire alarm system 1t is
now nearly complete and will DO tested
tomorrow afternoon by C. w. Cornell,
the electrician, in the presence OF the
ire aad water committee OF the City
Council.
This system is constructed in two
complete and distinct circuits, ono talk
Ing In the eastern and the other the
western portion of the city. The east
ern circuit is known as No. and con-
tains fifteen fire alarm boxes. Tho
western circuit, No. ., contains fourteen
boxes. These circuits are connected by
thirteen miles OF No. 12 best insulated
hard drawn copper wire.
The lines center in the battery room
at the Nigilant engine house on Jefrcr-
son street where the batteries, switch
board, govenomcters and repeater arc
located. This divides the town in two
distinct circuits and in case one circuit
Is disabled the other remains in service
The tower bell at the engine house is
struck at the same instant the alarm is
turned in SUI pose 4 person at the
west End, mile OFF, places his KEY in
the box. He turns it half way around
or as far as 1T Will go and before he can
remove his fingers the bell in the tower
Is sounded. Not only this, Il gong is
struck in each department and the
number CT the box registered
The tower bell is struck by twenty
pound hammer by means Of the bell
striking apparatus and rings the NUN
Der of the box pulled, repeating it four
times: Thus if box '2s" is pulled for
ire, there will be two strokes at inter
walls of ! u seconds between each
AT each department the system is ar
ranged so as to ring the gong and indi-
cate the number of the box pulled. At
the same instant the stall door is trip
ped and flies open. releasing the horse,
and If at night the gas is lighted
After the system has been inspected
the keys will be delivered to the chair
man OF the fire and water committee,
who will turn them over to the chief for
distribution. There are 1i5 keys, or
five for each box. They are numbered
on handle and blade, and when distrib-
uted the holders name is registered,
along with the number of the key, by
the chief of the fire department. These
Keys when used are trapped in the box
and cannot be removed except by the
master key held by the chief Of the fire
department, thus holding the. person
who sends out the alarm responsible.
evening after the test is made. Chief
Knepp stated to Il TINES reporter YES
terday that in completing and conn CT
ing the system it will be necessary to
tip the bell at intervals to-day. Fire
mon will not respond unless general
alarm is given.
Mr.. Cornell said Yesterday that the
idea set forth by some one that there
was danger of the electric power com.
pany and telephone wires falling and
burning out the boxes, was nonsense.
me telephone wires arc perfectly harm
less and being located lust over the fire
alarm wires, will serve as protectors
The test Saturday evening promises
to be Of unusual interest. Alarms from
several boxes in different parts of the
city will be sent in, and the whole sys-
tenn will he thoroughly inspected by the
fire nd water committee.
The new re building in the Third
ward which has just been started, is
another valuable acquisition to the fire
department.
II is three stories high and will be
complete in every respect. Tho plans
were carefully considered by Engineer
Dunlap, and for convenience and pur-
pose this building will be even superior
to the Vigilants' hall. On the irst
moor there is large hall for the ap-
partus, stalls for horses, harness room
and bell tower. On the second floor
wlll be large assembly room, parlor
and two SlQpninr onartmnDtc np
third floor will be two halls and several
chambers and all kinds of fixtures and
closets needed in a iirst.class fire de-
partment.
AS soon as tho building is complete
t. company which will occupy it will
furnish it in a suitable manner and pro
vide all necessary apparatus.
new supply of hose has been dis
. tributed among each Of the companies.
and the facilities for reaching 4 re "a
long distance from plug are excellent.
The new engine. La France" make.
manufactured in Elmira, n. Y, will
not be here for two months. The new
hose wagon for the Junior Hose Com
pany will arrive from Richmond August
goth This company has just purchased
another horse to be used with the one
they now have as soon rs the wagon ar
rives. They have ordered new set Of
nickle plated harness from hughes q
Camp to be used with the new wagon.
The fire department will soon DC in
excellent condition, and the dispatch
and efficiency with which each company
will reach fire. the splendid water sup
ply, and the interest taken in the pres
ervatlon OF property by the frcmen
will insure the fact that no serious fire
can occur in the city unless it gets an
l.