Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-14
MAT TUE BOARD HAS DONE.
The &rYice Greatly Extended and Per.
itcted Under Their Direction.
PRESENT EQUIPMENT SUPERB
No city in the sonth Can Boast OF
svch superior Facilities Tor she
Protection OF Property-Improve
mepts Made and Contemplated.

which time IL has been under the cohtro'
of the Board of Fire Commissioners, Is q
long record Of progress and development
Cnwonttd effort has resulted In unwoht-
ed achievement, and the proud distinction
which the department now enjoys OF peihe
the most complete and efficient In the
South. both as 10 service ard equipment
is the result of indefatigable energy, al
lied TO keen appreciation OF the city
needs and a harboring and employment OF
resources both shrewd and perspicacious.
in the new headquarters of the depart
ment now In course Of erection Oh the sue
of Washington Hall. on Broad street be-
tween Ninth and Tenth, the city VIII pos
ress another Of those landmarks which
serve 10 mark the onward march OF prog
ress and enterprise in our midst.
In outward appearance and in beauty oil
the architectural designs the new struc-
ture will form one OF the most hand
some as well as the most Interesting
buildings In the city. Ii will have 'front.'
age on Broad street of about 20 feet or
more by depth OF &c feet, and will be
three stories high IL Is 10 be built on the
most modern and improved lines, ana
when finished will he absolutely the latest
thing in fire headquarters. 1t is being
built of Richmond granite. and will be
trimmed In terra Gotta and stock brick.
HISTORY OF THE SITE.
The lot on which the new structure IS
being erected was acquir, by the city as
sarly as 1866. One portion OF II was pur-
chased from John II. Williams and r..
Victoria his wife. by deed bearing date
Of February q, 1856, and of record in the
office of the Clerk Of the Hastings court.
Il consists Of parts Of lots Nos. IA and 49,
fronts on the north side of Broad street
and runs back l$7 10 feat. The other por-
ton was acquired a little later from
Thomas Il. Bigger and wife. parents OF
Colonel John Bell Bigger, but the deed o.,
transfer Is not recorded. The entire lot
has a frontage OF 30 feet. The building
recently pulled down was commenced III
1861, and 1t was completed during the ioi-
lowing year. The contractors were Messrs.
William Davis a. Sons. and Mr.. Edward
l.. Bates, of the City Engineers office.
was In charge OF the work. The entire
cost OF the structure was $l7.331.S The
building was designed for two stories, the
lower floor Of which was TO accommodate
Ill engine company uHO OhhtN Vi viz
City WaterWorks.
At the request of the Masonic organi-
gations, however, the city authorities
agreed to strengthen the walls and add
third story to the structure. TO furnish
meeting rooms for lodges No. 81, No. 50,
No SO. and Chapter No. 43, of the Masons,
who were TO pay rent TO the city for
accommodations furnished. The corner
stone OF the building was laid by Metro
politan Lodge. No. II. and Mayor Joe
Mayo delivered an addyess on that occa-
sion.
In 1873, when the Council Chamber in
the old City Hall wascondemned by the
committee appointed by Judge a. H..
Guigon. Of the Hastings Court, the Sc
cond floor cf Washington Habitat be
ing the name given the building by
the Masons-was fitted up az Council
Chamber, and the City Council occupied
that floor until the new City Hall was
completed
The Masonic organizations retained their
lodge-rooms in Washington Hall ill ST.
Adams Hall was erected, In 1871, al the
corner OF Main and Third streets. when
they removed to that locality, and the
vacated rooms were then turned over TO
the Fire-Aiarm and Telegraph Depart
ment.
BY SIX COMMISSIONERS.
The Fire Department. under its present
organization. Is controlled by six COM
missioners, elected by the Council. under
legislative laws. for term OF six years.
One member retires each year. after
his successor Is elected. though frequent
ly the retiring member is reappointed.
This law went into effect In 1883. the
IRE commissioners superseding the Coun-
ell committee, which up TO that time
had the management of this department.
That this branch of the municipal service
has improved under the new regime adj
mits of no doubt Each year the inspec-
tor OF the National Board Of Under
writers reports that this city has a de-
partment splendidly organized and
equipped, and makes few recommends
tions for its Improvement. beyond
vigorous protest against the size ana gene
raj inadequacy OF the water-mains. This
expert authority, while 1t is given for the
guidance of insurance companies. Is most
gratifying. and II Is worthy OF note that
Richmond has always made money Tor
the Insurance companies.
The Board of Fire Commissioners were
required by law TO have as much money
placed TO their credit as the Council Com
mittee on Fire. which preceded them. had
been allowed, and the Finance Committee
In constituting that provision of the law,
placed to the boards credit the smallest
amount that the Council committee had
ever received for the general mainte nance
of this public arm, which was SIlso. the
amount set aside for the fiscal year OF
1855. The board assumed control July j.
1858. and there remained less than NOoJ
for the support of the department Tor
the six months. from July to December.
The following year the commissioners re-
fftsn n.1 fAs n al -
hook and ladder truck in the western part
of the city where 50 many beautiful
houses had been erected. The nearest
station at that time was two miles away,
and the commissioners determined 10
place one that was out of service on
aetiva duty, spending 1900 In house
construction. besides completely repairing
and painting this piece of apparatus.
adding a complete OUTFIT, and supporting
the men for one year. after which the
Council took the matter in hand, ana
provided expenses. This Invaluable ap-
baratus responds 10 more fires than
any other truck in the service.
THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
The board then determined to strength
en- the department In the commercial dis
trlct, between Ninth and Fourteenth
streets. where a minutes delay might
mean tremendous loss. At that time the
existing state OF affairs was most de-
p,orabie. There was only one hand reel
in service. which was manipulated by a
single man. who responded TO the alarms
by pulling this cumbersome affair and
arriving at the scene of the fire had 10
rely ON proiniscuons assistance until the
members OF his company. who were not
permanently employed. and had TO come
from all parts OF the city. arrived to aid
him. And yet despite these primitive
methods II IL mstter of record that
this machine invariably did effective SER
vice.