The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1893-09-21

| could be found. The larger one re-
| manned in service until 1859 and could
throw a stream of water to the top OF
| the church steeple, while the small
', one can still do It's part if required.
The following is translation OF
the first fire regulations which were
passed soon after the arrival of the
! first fire engine:
TREATISE ON FIRE REGULATIONS,
SALEM 1855.
Distress by Fire is of such a nature
that no one will hesitate at such a
time to assist according to his ability.
And as Salem lies somewhat scatter
ed,-has few inhabitants, and owing
to situation, cannot expect assistance
from abroad, much will depend upon
d well considered division of our weak
forces. 1t is therefore well to know,
First, What precautions may be Ia
ken to avoid danger of Fire?
(d) That no method of building be
adopted whereby the community is
endangered. This may happen if
chimneys have not good foundations;
or are not of sufficient width to be
swept; or are not strong enough, nor
plastered; or when a chimney is not
provided with at least one damper, or
does not extend high enough above
the shingle roof.
ID That no chimney be burnt out.
(c) That in front of each fireplace a
sufficiently broad and plastered hearth
be laid, so that the flooring is not
placed too near the fire.
Id That tile stoves be not placed
too near to joists or wooden partitions
or walls. and that the falling out of
Goals be provided for.
(e) That no dangerous practices be
allo we'd, such as drying wood on the
stove. or piling it up between the
stove and the wall; not to use wood
too long for the stove, which would
cause the flame to flash out of the
gate: or when stick has burned
through, the end should fall out.
Much less to pile up the wood
which has been on the stove. neither
to hang rags upon il to dry, nor place
any cOmbuStIble matter upon it.
(f) That bake-ovens be carefully To-
Gated, and no live Goals be allowed to
lie around.
(g) That no smoke chambers be con-
structed at chimneys in dwelling
houses, unless they are entirely fire.
proof, in case chimneys should take
fire.
M That lighted candles and coal
pans be not left without oversight,
and no open light be taken into
stables, lofts, or any place where hay,
straw, tow or other combustibles arc
kept, but that lanterns be used.
Neither should any one enter such
places with lighted tobacco pipes. 1t
is even doubtful if smoking in the
streets or yards should be allowed.
III That spit-boxes be not filled
with saw-dust-
The fire Inspectors shall consist of
the warden of the congregation, the
fire oyerseer, the overSeer of the
water works and of the fire engine,
the mast er carpenter. the master
bricklayer, the potter master, the
chimney sweeper.
These shall have their meetings
about New Year. Easter, St. Johns
and st. Mich9l.s day, and shall
Second, Look after the institutions
which in times of danger are to be
carefully guarded. In their meetings
they should ascertain if any one en-
trusted with special duties has been
unfaithful, and how soon other per-
sons can be adyantageously used.
They are TO consider how often chin
neyS are to be swept; where and how
often inspections are to be made and
ascertain if stoves are kept properly
cleaned out. They are to examine
the engines and the ladders, and sec
to it that hooks and buckets are in
and that all these are easy of access:
provide the fire inspector and engine
master with keys to engine. house;
and see that the fire buckets, which
are never to be used for any other
purpose, are always in place. They
recommend localities where water
tanks and ciSternS may be placed and
to make report of each meeting to
the warden's college, calling atten-
tion to special needs which require
assistance.
Third, How to act, in actual cases
of fire, and what arrangements to
make therefor.
1st, Any one discovering fire, wheth
er by day or night, shall first notify
the inmates Of the house, then give
notice at the brethrensS house, and
then to the fire overseers. Whenever
the night watch suspects fire, he must
Immediately examine into it and COM
municate with the watch in the single
brethren's house, that this one may,
at first notice, be prepared to arouse
the brethren, and, in case of actual
fire. ring the alarm bell; then pro-
ceeding from house to house, awaken
the citizens.
End, The fire oyerseers hasten to
the fire and have entire control of the
occasion. no one having any right to
countermand.
3rd, The engine master and their
allotted brethren, bring the engines
into play; twelve persons to the large
one, and four to the small one, and re-
main with them to the end, not en-
trusting to anybody else.
4th, In like manner, the four deSlg-
mated brethren, who attend to ladders,
the three to the hooks, and the three
that bring axes are all under the di-
rection of the chief overseer.
9Th, The rest of the Inhabitants
bring in their fire buckets. The sin
gle sisters are placed in two rows; the
full buckets are passed up one row
and the empty ones down the other. Ii
necessary these rows may be extend
ed by taking in the boys and the
weaker or more feeble men. Brother
Rights will assist in arranging the
sisters, and Martin Sneider the boys
and men. They will also see to it
that the dipping and the pouring out
of the water is carefully done. 1t
will also be well for couple of men
to place tub on cart and appoint
some to draw it.
Some brethren will be appointed to
clear the house of furniture under the
direction of Brethren Prsezel, Ben
zein and Peterson. These will pro-
vide themselves with .sIomakaWkS,'
to break open doors and closets and
will carry out all valuabIeS to a safe
distance, where they can be guarded.
The Brethren Marshall, Herbert and
koffler will act as assistants to the
fire inspector.
The married sisters, who have the
children to take care of, will remain
at home to protect their houses from
robbery. AS there is also great dan
ger from falling sparks, the Brethren
Schmidt Schnanh Merkle Priem-