davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19
bership as a roll Of honor Of which
those named We're the patriarchS.
Drnr hrun ITEM hNnc


those named were the patriarchs.
REPEATED DEMANDS
of the citizens for additional apparatus
for the use OF the fire department have
been referred to. Mayor George L.
Becker, himself a fireman, urged the
matter upon the city council in his in
augural, delivered May 13, 1856, in
which he said: THE fire department
deserves liberal and willing support
the company already organized should
be placed upon firm footing, and at
least two fire engines should be pro-
vided for the use Of the city. The
treasury of the city warrants the ex-
penditure, and the vast samount of
property exposed to destruction by the
devouring element infperatively de-
Stimulated to actionEby<this direct
address, the council passed the resolu-
ton heretofore referredsto, for the pur-
chase of fire engines and apparatus,
and for the issue of So, GOO OF city bonds
to pay for the same. Another resolu-
ton adopted at the same time called
for an estimate for the construction of
three reservoirs on Thitd street, at the
corners of Robert, Wahasha and Ex-
change streets. It is 10 Be noted in
passing that the water supply consisted
of ponds, creeks, excavations, wells,
etc, and the river. when. the fire was
near enough to it to be reached. Re-
spending to the foregoing, the city
comptroller of that day communicated
to the council the melancholy fact that
as for bonds he couldn't borrow money
on them at less than 2h per cent
month and he considered that border
ing on extrava gance. 1t was a crusher,
and ended that part of the programme.
Aid Ryan came to the rescue with
another resolution-then the favorite
form of municipal legislation, it ap-
pears-authorizing the mayor ito pro-
cure 100 gutta percha buckets, to con-
tain three gallons each, and to be
labelled City Of st. Paul. also fifty
axes with the letters st. p indented
therein, all of which to be placed in the
hands OF the hook and ladder com
pany. That was on Aug. %, 1857, but
allowance must be made for the slow
movement of deliberative bodies The
fire department, through its chief en-
gineer, promptly declined to receive
these accessories, being already more
than fully supplied with, such
PRIMITIVE FURNITURE.
Then the council tried the old reso-
luton for purchase of engines over
again eff it can be done on the credit
of the city" 1t was during that fateful
month of August, 1857 that the firebug
was abroad in the municipality, and the
condition of things amounted almost to
panic. Robberies and burglaries were
committed under the shield Of the con-
fusion attending cOnf1a era ton, the
finances of the country were all awry.
and the satire Of that closing clause
may be appreciated when it is under
stood that there was no such thing as
credit anywhere. Commenting on this
state of things a journal of that day
covers the ground without waste of
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

early membership of the company, in
addition to those already named, in
cluded the following gentlemen: c.. III.
Williams, H. E. Buel, c. D. Elfelt,
Richard Galloway, Philip Ross, j. R.
jerks, Edward Heenan, George L.
Becker, Harry Pearson, R. w. Nc
Cloud, John Cody, T. Milestone b.
Rodeck, William Van Hamm, B. Muller,
F. Kiefer, Joseph NJ Marshall, Joseph
Spiel, R. H. Fitz, George F. Blake,
William Golcher, N. Coyle, William
Oliver, r. c. Knox, John w. Crosby,
Fred Forester, A. Kuby, A B. Bracket,
Joseph Hall, William II. Wolff, George
w. Moore, A. N. Jung, r. Marshall,
William F. Mason. D. D. Cameron, E.
Cramsie, A. j. Whitman, Walter S.
BARLEY. Henry Breidert, C. Franck, J.
Whitman. B. Schoenemann, ]. J. Beau
mont, I. Soens, J. L. Forepaugh, s. Lee
Davis, F. Theobald, w. Fohr, P Bork,
P. Burch, P. Dancer, J. Haggenmiller,
F. Thorn, D. H. McCloud. J. H. Mat
thews. J. Lunlenheimer. J. Hinkel, F.
Jansen, j. Schmitt, J. Kliner r. Grieb-
Ter, A. Roedler, w. Helf-nann, M. Auer-
bach, G. Sachse, Charles Scheffer P. J.
Dreis, and others.
The Pioneer Hook and Ladder COM
pany has from its inception until it's
disarmament upon the establishment of
the present pay department, been noted
for its great efficiency. It has had in
the course of its long career some of the
most prominent citizens among it's
members; has furnished mayors to the
city and chief engineers to the fire de-
partment. 1t has ever done yeoman
service at fires and been the feature
of many civic parade. Tt very soon
became the especial favorite Of our
German fellow citizens and always car
ried a goodly complement of that ma
tionality on its rolls. 1t was the
nucleus about which grew the magni-
ficent volunteer fire department of st.
Paul, which was the pride of the city
for so many years. 1t IS only the want
Of sufficient space here that prevents
the publication Of its full roll of NOM,
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19
OF ST. PAUL.

fire and broke UP the assembly, which,
in the language of that day, suddenly
dispersed to see the conflagraticn."
Nevertheless something was accom-
pnshed by the movement, and one of
the leaders in it, r. G. Knox, circulated
subscription paper among the citi-
zens for funds to
BUY A HOOK AND LADDER
outfit The amount realized was s344,
and the ladders were bought. They
We're made by Capt Dart, now of the
West side. They proved to be heavy,
cumbersome affairs, and as there was
no truck for transporting them, they
had to be carried on shoulders, and
soon fell into disuse. Pressing pass
ing teams into service for their car
rage was tried, but the experience was
not looked upon as entirely success
full On the first occasion of this kind
a countryman driving along in his
wagon was summoned and ordered by
the excited ladder bearers to give up
that team" He supposed these wild
eyed highWaymen believed him to be
horsethief and were going to hang
him, so, with a yell, he jumped from
his wagon and went over the neigh
boring bluff and down the ravine with
out losing any time, leaving his team
in the hands of the ladder men. They
used it, but when in day or two it
got to be rumOred around the country
no doubt by the weird tale of the
scared teamster-that st. Paul was
maintaining a regularly
ORGANIZED LYNING CLUB,
they became disguised with the press
ing system and abandoned it. 1t was
good deal of trouble and hurt the
reputation of the town. This ladder
company was the original fire organiza-
ton of this city, and had among it's
members r. w. McCloud, r. c. Knox,
c. D. Elfelt, Jorn McCloud, W. b. Dodd,
G. p. V. Lull, Robert Hughes, Thomp-
son Richie and others, most of whom
became members Of the subsequent or
ganlZation, and several being still resi-
dents Of st. Paul. AS for the ladders,
their use for the purposes for which
they were bought was shortly aban-
doned, as has been said; they were
slowed away lOngside Of the old Central
house, and We're used by the citizens in
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

~
historical society.
The first Of the permanent companies
of the st. Paul volunteer fire depart
ment to be formed was the
PIONEER HOOK AND LADDER
company, which was organized Nov 6,
1854. The preliminary meeting was
held in the Office of Charles j. Henniss,
and on Dec. l following the organiza-
ton was perfected by the election of
the following named officers: Presi-
dent, Charles j. Henniss; vice presi-
dent, Washington NJ. Stees; secretary, E.
Greene Durbin; assistant secretary, J.
w. Stevenson; treasurer, John Nc
Cloud; directors, Thompson Richie,
Isaac A. Banker John w. Cathcart,
G. 2. V. Lull, Benjamin Irvine, J. @. A
Ward. Shortly after President Hen
Miss resigned, Vice President Stees sue
ceeding him, George w. Prescott being
elected to the vice presidency The
membership of the company at the out
set was tWenty-eight, constituting all
there then was of the fire department.
The outfit consisted of the old lad
ders spoken of above Prospects for
the success of the company were not
very promising at first, but the mem
bers took hold with will, and through
prompt and energetic action raised $500
atus, meanwhile using what they had.
The first winter the boys built a pair
of rough bobs, which constituted their
ladder truck. They also procured at
their own expense necessary ropes,
hooks, buckets, axes. etc. The com
pany was afterwards partially REIN
bursed by the city for this outlay. On
Feb. u, 1855, an act was passed by
the legislature incorporating the COM
pany. That year it was learned that
good truck could be bought of the
Jefferson Hook and Ladder company,
of Philadelphia, for $500, and accord
ingly Messrs Stees and Ward were
commissioned to make the purchase.
They did 50, and the truck was shipped
to st. Paul, by boat, from Pittsburg,
arriving Aug. a. 1855, after a passage
full Of vicissitudes, among which was
its being sunk in the Mississippi river
rapids for some weeks. 1t was raised,
and when it finally got here was
rusty and weather worn, notwithstand-
ing which it was accounted a valuable
addition to the cCmpany's outfit. The
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

w. w. Doolittle, JAG Pontius. William
Brack, T. c. Robinson. Frank, Pen
niman, A. NJ. Daniels, Martin Delaney,
H. Koempel, G. c. Marsh, Thomas Bar
wise, w. H. Taylor Truman S. White,
H. Stanbury, John 3. Sanborn, Peter
Leitner, Thomas Lamb, c. NJ. Daily,
Philip Roche, P. O'DOnnell, Richard L.
German, n. J. Marsh, William Parsons,
H. Dyer, George Stephens, George w.
Freeman and others. About the same
time
MINNEHAHA ENGINE COMPANY
NO. 2
was organized, obtaining recognition
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

der house, and was subsequently sold
by the city to the Jansen Chair Fac
tory company, which used it for many
years. In 1872 a young boys engine
company was organized under the
name Of the Mechanics" They bought
the McCloud engine and used it for
several years, and finally in run to
fire on q dark night they plunged
with it into a slough at the foot Of
Pine street, near the gas house. The
young mechanics got out after a nasty
wetting, but the engine sank, and,
am told, still lies buried there await
ing resurrection by some archaeologfst
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

No one has ever yet read history or
story of city or village without run
ming across mention of the fire depart
ment in some of the pages. 1t is so
omnipresent in all the doings and hap
penings Of every municipality, young,
old or middle-aged, that disregard Of
it would be to leave out Hamlet"
1t is with ours, as with other cities, in
this respect; yet 1t is very difficult to
gather together the odds and ends
which go to make up the annals of
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

had passed sundry resolutions the pre-
vious year for 1.-The Immediate pur-
chase of two fire engines with hose
carts and necessary appurtenances,"
but the adoption of the resolution was
as far as the city had got up to- the time
of Hope company's organization. 1t
was understood, however. that some
time or other the resolution would be
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19
KEMPsTER INDICATED.
Judge Johnson Finds for MiIwau-
KEGS Ex-Hen.th Commissioners.

MILWAUKEE,, Wis, Jan. 18-Dr.
Walter Kempster is the health COM
missioner of Milwaukee, unless the SUI
preme court reverses the decision rem
dered this morning by Judge Johnson,
Of the circuit court Last spring the
common council voted him out of office
after an investigation Of the manage
ment of the office during the small
pox epidemic. The decision is as a
complete vindication of the health
commissioner. Besides deciding in ia
vor of DR.. kempster Judge Johnson
ordered that the costs Of the proceed
ings be taxed against l.. j. Mueller
and Henry G.. Fischer who preferred
the charges which called forth the in
vestigation. The costs will amount to
from $1,000 to s. 900.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

to hoist err would be given, the en-
CINE would be lifted over the fence and
the company would pursue the even
tenor Of its way and
run WITH THE MACHINE"
as though nothing had taken place.
Upon the arrival of the new engines
in 1858 the McCloud engine was stored
away in the rear Of the hook and lad
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

that institution whose life is Of the
things that Were-thc volunteer fire
department OF st. Paul. 1t is curious
but well-fCunded commentary that
must be made with reference to the
memory of the oldest inhabitant; al
though he has we'll In mind the sever
ity Of the winter of 'ffty-three," or
= the heat Of 1.-The summer of 'fffty-five;"
the arrival of steamboats,, with their
tonnage, style, color and names of
their captains during a formidably
lengthy course of early-day seasons
when there Waren't q railroad-no-
not this side O. Galena;" the none
tary depression which followed close
upon the heels Of "the crash of fifty
seven," as compared with present-day
financial shortages; in a word, although
he is an encyclopedia on anything and
everything that happened during his
) day and generation within the limits
of his town his memory is musty on
the doings Of it's fire department. Here
he is strangely fOggy, mindful only in
dim sort Of way that there never
was a civic celebration, procession or
function but the boys" were in it;
never a disaster but they were at it
put out or do mans best to do so; never
step of the city's growth unmarked
by the pace they set; names, dates and
places have gone aglee; but the red
shirt, fire helmet, trumpet, spanner and
= machine" elimmer through all, never
theless, lending to recollection and rem
intscence the greater part of their
Importance and spIendor.
FROM THIS VAGUE PAST
1t is here attempted to weave the
story of st. Faul's everyday fire fight
ers; not as fully as one could wish. it
is true, since space is necessarily linn
tied while the subject itself is we'll
nigh inexhaustible, but as well and full
Iy as may be under the circumstances;
1, and whatever is said will from asso-
citation, have its due quota of interest
and serve to recall to memory MANY
honored names and brave deeds not
here recounted, of which the roll alone
would stretch to many columns.
St PauPs early citizens had that in
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

differently for various purposes, chiefly
in building, until they became the prep
erty of the Pioneer Hook and Ladder
company on it's organization in 1854.
At the time of the organization of the
ladder company Q85D, the matter Of
purchasing a fire engine was agitated
and the necessity for such a machine
generally urged. An editor of that day
the newspapers were in the van on
such occasiOns-put the case strongly:
1--WE want a fire engine and proper
complement of hose. Insurance rates
are now SO high as to be almost beyond
reach, and all because we have not ad-
equate facilities for extinguishing
fires We are in the situation of the
man of PaWtucket who applied for in
surance and being questioned as to the
means in his town for eXtinguiShing
fires was obliged to reply, 1T rains some
times "
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

words, as follows: eff $4,000 of the
money expended by the city in pre-
posterOus grading had been devoted to
the construction of convenient reser-
voirs, to be filled by rains and springs
in the absence of any more efficient
waterworks, and to the procuring of
the fire engines ordered some two years
ago, we should not be compelled to rely
upon syringes and wet cellars as our
only means for putting out fires"
There were two disastrous fires that
month, besides many minor burnings,
and things were getting hot outside the
lines Of cOnflagration. The citizens
found it necessary to take matters into
their own hands, and as a first step
towards remedial measures, fire en-
CINE companies We're formed and
Hope" and 'Minnehaha" came into
being.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19
CUT TO THE QUICK FOR THE
QUICK.
Maple Leaf Route the Fastest.

THE Chicago Great Western Railway Ma-
pie Leaf Route now gets the preferred pass
enger business TO and from Des Moines be-
cause of it's quick time and superior service.
Evening train leaves at 7:30 daily
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19
THE FIRST FIRE

in the history of ST. Paul, and in some
degree awakened the citizens to the
necessity of providing means to COM
bat or prevent fires in the future They
were not, however unduly aroused over
the matter if we may Judge from the
deliberate and easy going wayin which
they set about it. The newspapers
urged speedy action in the premises,
employing ingenious argument to that
END IN plthy paragraphs. On the ap-
proach of winter daily warnings ap-
y peared in their columns such as the
following: Look out for your stove
pipe and your hot ashes" Let every
man who owns a bucket keep it full
Of water "On the alarm of fire.
let every able-bodied man and woman
rush to the rescue, armed with buck
cts, tubs, dippers, gourds or whatever
else in the vessel line comes handy"
Build an ash house for your hot ashes,
you can use your ashes for the spring
soapmal1ing. It's a dreadful thing to
be without soap" etc.
But notwithstanding these vigorous
pleas and suggestions no concerted ac-
ton was taken until December, 1851 when
~ call was issued for "a meeting at
the school house to consult about or
ganizing a fire company" The meet
ing was held on the 9th, and while 1t
was in session an old log building took
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19
HOPE ENGINE COMPANY

No. 1 was formed Sept. II, 1857. The
first and many subsequent meetings Of
this company were held in the Pioneer
cOmpanys house on Fourth street,
where the Lowry Arcade now stands.
On Sept. Is, a communication was sent
to the city council by the company, stat
ing the fact of organization and ask
ing recognition. which was grant
ed. The communication had the
signatures of the company's charter
members, as follows: John@H. Dodge,
R. C. Wiley, M. Levoy, Portus Dodge,
John F. Missen, Joseph Elicit, Fred
Whippermann, John T. Tool, ]. H. Bris-
tow, j. c. Gand, Charles Riehl, John
Roguet, E. Rhodes, 3. Bradley, Joseph
Arey, Thomas Hughes, B. Borsch, T. F..
Masterson, John J. Williams, P. Metz
ger. The first board of officers was as
follows: Foreman, NJ. LeYoy; assis-
tants, R. c. Wiley and J. Arey; secreta-
ry John T. Tool; treasurer, J. H. Dodge.
The company proceeded to business
very promptly. The city council, urged
thereto by the voice of the citizens,
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19
THE FIRST ENGINE.

Several years elapsed. however, be-
fore anything was accomplished in this
direction; and then it was not the city,
Which had been incorporated March 4,
1854, that supplied the want, but the
enterprise and public spirit of three
private citizens, John and r. West Nc
Cloud and Thompson Richie, who pur-
chased what was known as a piano
box engine at their own expense. 1t
arrived in June 1855, and on the goth
of that month had it's first public test
here. 1t was Of small capacity, but did
good service and was the only engine in
use for several years. 1t was finally
bought by the city and turned over to
the care of the Pioneer Hook and Lad
der company, and later on QS5O, to
Hope Engine Company No. l. It's dimin-
utive size seems to have had some
points Of advantage not reckOned On.
In those days there was conSiderab BILE
shifting Of settlers and change in own
ershipS of real estate; and the high
ways were many of them byways-
cross cuts which the public used by
liberation of the proprietors of the
land. With these frequent transfers
OF real estate came, Of course, change
Of boundaries and line fences sprung
up one day where the day before there
were none. These fences often ran
across the roads and were encountered
unexpectedly by the fire engine boys
But they were not to be disconnected by
tritles and on such occasions the order
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

of future age. 1t is relic that
should be in the cabinet of the state
historical society.
The first Of the permanent companies
of the st. Paul volunteer fire depart
ment to be formed was the
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-19

difference to unseen danger which is
SO common among men, and unheedful
of the future never thought of fire or
lire department until contlagration
came down upon them. Don't try to
cross a bridge till you come to it,"
sufficient unto the day, etc." and the
like were familiar and favorite quota
lions among them. Wrapped in the
security of self-confidence they slept
easily under single roofs through
which protruded the jaunty stove pipe,
daily inviting fiery destruction of dwell
ing and domicile. On the 18th of May,
1850, Rev. E. D. NeilPs chapel on
Washington street was burned. This
was
The advocate., 1896-12-30

is really little difference between them
and Republicans.
Frank W. Elliott of Dentonville is q
candidate for member of the Board of
Charities. Mr.. Elliott was the Popu-
list nominee for Representative in
DOniphsn county, but went down as
result Of the efforts of the Leland ma
chine. He is an untlrlng worker and
thorough Populist. Such men
should be rewarded.
A meeting Of the people of western
Kansas counties has been called at
Garden City January 1 to consider
plans to fight the proposition to con.
solidste, or agree upon some plan of
consolidation which will prove salts
factory to the people generally. The
call is signed by ex.RepresentstiVe w.
r, Hopkins Of Garden City.
Ex-Representative B. F. Hilton of
Osborne is candidate for Clerk of the
Court Of Appeals In Judge Mshsn's di-
vision. W. FL. Gates of Mankato is
also a candidate. There are probably
others whose names have not reached
the ADVOCATE. Either of the gentle
men named would make satisfactory
officers and deserve preferment.
The space occupied in Republican
daily papers with accounts of combi-
nations of candidates for State Printer
against some one candidate, could bet.
ter be given to showing what Cy Le-
land and the State committee did with
the funds alleged to have been given
them for campaign purposes by the
Hanna machine. No combinations Of
consequence are being made.
Judge Dennison, who is a candidate
for Senator, has written letter to his
home paper in which he expresses con-
fidence In Senator PETERS honesty and
fidelity to the cause of Populism and
that the story in relation to his alleged
connection with the sugar trust does
Mr.. PETER great injustice. This is
very honorable position for Judge Den
nison to take and it will make him
friends.
The ADVOCATE Is unable to tell what
Chris Ritter "met up" with while in
Topeka recently, but that he got some
odd notions in his head Is shown by the
following from the lola Friend: "There
Is three places to be filled by Governor
, Leedy that pays over $500 year each
that there are no applicants for. The
places are all good ones and seem to
Q have been overlooked in the shuttle.
:, Keep this quiet"
Concordls KanSGn. "The KGnSGn
! was favored with a call from John s.
Parks of the Beloit Call last Saturday
evening. Mr.. Parks is receiving en-
couraging Endorsements In bis cam
psign for State Printer. He is flrst-
v class printer, as his excellent paper
8 gives ample evidence every week, and
J. he will conduct the office in q manner
8 that will be an honor to the admins
q tration, II elected"
Q Hays City Republican: an. Nc
= Kenns Of the PlsinVille JoUTnd
visited In Ellis this week with
% his brothers, John and Henry
D. Mr.. McKenns was last week sp
"a pointed "a Commission Clerk under