The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-02-02
FIRE DEPARTMENT lTErlS.

Alderman Peterson's loss in the fire
yesterday afternoon will not exceed
S25, although he will be put to much
trouble to repair the damage. The
fire started from the explosion Of an
oil stove, which was placed in the ice
house to keep the bottled beer from
freezing. How the stove happened to
explode is mystery, as the fire was
not discovered until Mr.. Peterson had
occasion to go out to the ice house.
The fire got between the studding and
burned the sawdust considerably.
From Is to 100 barrels of water was
poured into the building, which is
just back of the bottling works, and
this soaked the sawdust SO that it's
value is largely destroyed. The fire
department was on hand very prompt
ly.
A member of the fire department
called our attention today to the fact
that others than members of the fire
department climb upon the wagons
hired to haul the hose, and ride to
fires, though of no service and posi-
lively in the way of the flremen. This
should not occur in the future, for
reasons too plain to need mention.
From conversation with Chief en-
gineer Phillips, we learn that the de-
partment is fairly we'll equipped with
facilities for fighting fires. If all of
the hose now on hand could be depend
ed upon there would be no necessity
for purchasing more for two or three
years to come. But some of the rub
Der hose in use has belonged to the
department for the past twelve or
fourteen years. and is apt to burst
Cotton hose generally lasts, with good
usage, six or eight years. 1t will
probably be necessary, Mr.. Phillips
thinks, to purchase 500 TO 1000 feet Of
new hose this year.
concerned, the city is only fairly sup
piled. The extension ladders will
reach to the third story windows of
buildings. but are not very strong,
and with any over crowding which
might result from sudden panic
where there were number Of people
they would be apt to break, which
would probably have disastrous re-
suits. The city has one blanket for
catching persons who jump from
above. 1t is home made and is the
work of John Lulsdorff, and has stood
the test of catching bags of salt. The
fire department. committee of the
council would do well to make an in
yestigation of this subject, and see
whether this meagre apparatus for
saving human life is sufficient for
city Of the size Of Mankato.
Mr.. Phillips is strongly Of the opin-
ion that the water main on South
Front street should be extended into
West Mankato. At present the lat
ter suburb has no fire protection ex-
cept such as bucket brigade could
render. There is no place to keep
even chemical engine there in win
ter, as the liquid would freeze. West
Mankato has an efficient hook and
ladder company and hose cart. If
the eight inch main were extended to
Swanson's store, on w. Front street,
and hydrant placed there, nearly
all of West Mankato could be protect
ed, as a thousand feet of hose would
reach nearly every building. The
extra tax upon the property AUDITING
upon the main would not exceed the
difference in the insurance rates which
fire protection would cause. Several
of the residents and stores would no
doubt want to use the water, and it is
required for street sprinkling purpos-
es. If the West Mankato property
owners should petition for a main,
the council should consider their
CLAIMS seriously. The distance would
not exceed 1900 to 1000 feet, and Mr..
Phillips states that he knows of no
place in the city where water mains
are more needed today for fire pro-
lection than there.
The new city pump is being unload
ed from the cars, and will soon be up
on it's foundation, ready to relieve the
present pump. The only damage
which it suffered in transit was the
breaking of several bolts, which can
easily be replaced at an expense OF
two or three dollars
See our offer with the WEEKLY
FREE PRESS elsewhere this week.