The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-12-21
HIS ANNUAL REPORT.
Chief Barr Writes the History of the
Fire Department for the
Year Just Passed.
He SUGGESTS NEW EQUIPMENT

Among other Suggestions the Chief States
That the Department Needs a Station in
the South Part of the City-Council Dis
cuss at Length the Sufferings of the
Wofel Family and Will Grant Relief in
Any Possible way.
The City Council met in regular ses-
sion at the City Hall Monday evening.
The first matter of Importance to
come up was the report of the City En-
gineer in regard to the paving around
the park. The report showed that the
entire cost of the work was So, 641.51.
Of this amount the city will have to
pay a little over $500.
The next matter of interest taken up
was the annual report of James ).
Barr as Chief of the Kenosha Fire De-
partment The report showed that
the department was in a better Condi-
ton than ever before. The equipment
of the company at present is very COM.
p1ete and represents value of ST., 488,
while the real estate of the department
is valued at $4,000.
The Chief advised. the addition of
quite a little to the equipment of the
department during the coming year.
Besides the purchase of hose he recon-
mended that three new fire alarm box
es be placed in different parts of the
city and that telephones be placed in
the public offices of the department.
Another important suggestion was the
recommendation that an engine house
be constructed in the south part of the
city.
During the year just passed the de-
partment have been called out to an
swer seventy-three alarms; twenty
four of these were without any cause
of alarm, while the loss from the re-
mainder amounted to $3,977.7O. On
these losses there was insurance to the
amount of So, 367.7O, leaving a net loss
from fire in the city during the past
year of only 81, $40.
The Fire Department now has 90
members as follows: Star Hose Co., |
10; J. S. Barr Hook and Ladder Co.,
10; Steamer Hose Co., IA; Independent
Hose Co., 8; Gem Hose Co., Is.
The fire alarm system has been con-
increased during the year.
At the opening of the year the system
was valued at $5,673, while now it is
placed by the Chief at $7,O28. The
alarm system cost the city during the
year the sum of S225.83. The total ex-
penses of the department for the year
were So, 464.8O. The chemical engine,
which has been used many times dur
ing the year, proved to be very mex
pensive and the total cost of operating
the engine amounted to a little over
$44, which was expended for chemicals.
AS horse traders the department did
not prove a success and the Chief re-
ported that he had disposed of three
horses for the sum of 5000 and bought
two other horses for $3.50.
The report of the Chief was accepted
and, by a unanimous vote the Council
rendered him vote of thanks for his
services. Every citizen is
proud to second this vote of thanks.
The Council then, at the suggestion
of Aid. Wier, again began discussion
of the frai1ities of John Wofe1 and his
family. The alderman from the
Seventh ward stated that the father |
spent all his money on drink and that
the little children were forced to wan
der about the streets through the snow |
in their bare feet and for many days
they had nothing to eat. The home of
the Wofe1s was described as a disgrace
TO the city. The alderman stated that,
the fact that Wofe1
was on theib1ack1ist, he had been OBJ
aiming liquor at the Sch1itz hotel.
The council thenspassed resolution
nstructing 1.-THE IChief of Police to
notify thes1proprietor of the saloon
hat if he sold liquor to the man again
lis license, would be revoked. The
oauper committee was ordered to take
some care of the children, and, if nee
,essary, place them in the poor house.
An ordinance was presented having
or it's purpose the mobilization Of cab,
carriage and express men on Market
square. The ordinance9was given it's
irst reading, and ordered to take the
Usual course.
The matter ofCdisposing of garbage
vas laid over for an indefinite time.
Council then adjourned to meet on
he second day of the new year.