Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-03-16
PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE.
Edward Brassey Offers Some Timely sug
gestions Which Our Citizens
Should Heed.

Should Heed.
EDITOR ARGUs:-Snfficient time has
elapsed since our last fire for our commun-
ity to resume it's usual legarthy and don't
care-a-darnishness to when the next one
will break out, or as to how il will be con-
trolled.
The issues OF our papers Immediately
after the fire contained a few suggestions
which, though all very well if they could be
acted upon, did not cover the matter. The
chances OF raising sufficient funds to pur-
chase either a steamer, extinguisher, or
hook and ladder apparatus, are very slim;
besides, il we could raise $4,000 we could
not get either of these appliances delivered
here before the middle OF summer. What
we want is something to use now-perhaps
in twenty-four hours. Giving up then the
idea of purchasing anything from the
outside, let us see if we have not the means
within ourselves to at least make an effort.
The spectacle presented at our last fire, OF
four hundred willing hands remaining idle,
looking at property being burnt and de-
stroyed, simply because they could do
nothing except help to remove a few goods,
is not very encouraging either tothe owners
OF property or to insurance companies.
Two hundred dollars would purchase
enough buckets to supply a line of men
from any point of Big Spring creek to Sixth
avenue, a couple OF coils OF rope, a dozen
axes, three or four saws, three ladders to
reach the roof of a one-story building, and
three extension ladders for two stories, all
having iron hooks at one end to catch on
the saddle OF a roof, and half dozen light
poles ten or twelve feet long, also with iron
| hooks securely fastened at one end. Here
we have about all we would get with hook
and ladder outfit, except the paint and
varnish, and perhaps a bell. (If the latter
is necessary we could perhaps arrange for
some one to run up and down the street
with one around his neck.) These articles
could be stored in some central location,
and would be the neueleus of something
better hereafter. Then organize. There
must be some old fireman in our midst to
appoint captain. Apportion certain
men as the "bucket brigade" some to the
axes, others the ladders, etc. Let it be
one mans duty Immediately upon an
alarm to awaken the citizens, another to
ring the schoolhouse bell. Meet often
enough to drill and discuss the duties OF
each contingent at fire, so that each man
would know what he was expected to do,
and how to do it; and 1 will venture to say
we will all rest easier, knowing that when a
fire does break out we have some means at
4 n Al r
simple appliances at either of the fires,
with an organized fire company whose
members could systematically work, they
could have been nipped in the bud. And
while upon this subject, let me say a few
words upon the chief causes OF fires and
how to guard against them. The two chief
causes of fires are: first, defective flues;
second, incendiarism. The latter we can
not guard against; the first we can to a
great extent. Statistics show that 80 per
cent. of all, and rs per cent. of the fires
in dwelling houses. originate from defective
fues. The pernicious habit OF resting
chimneys on floors or sills and ioists, in
in order to save a few brick, is dangerous.
Chimneys settle with the building, and il
not upon a solid foundation settle of them
selves and open cracks which are danger
Gus from the escape OF sparks, and from
burning out OF the chimney. There is no
point that should be more carefully looked
after in building than a solid foundation
for the chimneys, except one, and that is
to have an opening left somewhere, either
in a ceiling or gable end, SO that the spac'
between the ceiling and roof can be occa
sionally examined, cobwebs and dust anC
mice nests removed, aud if the chimney hai
settled and is cracked it can be repaired.
Our first fire broke out in the roof; Mrs
Hoseman's and the Day house the same
, and it is held by many that the last fir
was caused by defective fiue.
A few words on the subject of insursuc
. and "I'll quit you" The opinions ex
, pressed by many since our last fire sho'
some very mistaken ideas about insurance
First, the policy. An agent cannot be to
careful in writing a policy of insurance
While an honorable company seeks only t
protect itself from fraud and the cons
I quence OF stupid blunders, it will be foun
in nine cases out of ten that the clearl
? worded policies of such a company wi
} protect the assured better than any he
e likely to frame for himself. A compan
e anxious of securing business is not apt I
y be SO short-sighted as to publish and insii
upon unfair forms, and no honorable con
:, pany desires disputes or misunderstan
: ings in cases OF loss which might be avoide
O by definite and unmistakable contract
s The assured should bear in mind alw a,
r that though the policy may lie forgotten
some bureau drawer CT office safe for year
II it will become in case OF loss as importai
/ to him as deed. Probably not one ma
,, in five looks at his policy or knows an
y thing about the correctness Except pc
haps the amount OF the premium he HI
II paid) OF the contract he enters into,
a what he is required to do to fulfill his pa
n OF it. He will pay less attention to a poll
It for So, 900 than to a check or note for 50
n notwithstanding that within twenty-fo
hours the policy may become a claim &
l. it's whole amount.
- Second, total loss. A total loss spea
- for itself. There is no question as to
= demnity, unless through fraud, or that {
/ property is written for more than it
,e worth. A man is simply throwing
ID money away to insure his property I
j. more than its actual cash value, and t
e, reason that companies will only insure
is three-fourths or two-thirds value is, tn
* il the insured takes part of the risk, he "
be more careful in protecting his properi
~ Ignorant people are very apt to think th
will receive the full amount OF the poll
q. they have paid for. They should be und
Tnauraoca 10 a rantract af inda