The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-04

Cloud whic.: ~ tf.el.o. III g. ;!c ;evee
above xher.: I:sas !sridec now spans the
lowed TO float downstream. as 1t was be-
| lieved that it would glide out to the center
| of the river. Instead. 1t foated near the
hank. bumped into other steamers. set
| them afire and soon had such rontiagra-
ton that the fireruen were unable 20 cope
| with it Flames communicated 10 build
ines along the Levee. and soon the entire
! city was threatened with destruction
/ Fireman Targee. of one of the volunteer
| companies. entered u building carrying.
| keg of powder. intending IN destroy the
! spread of the flames, which We're travel
| ing southwark rapidly. Before he left the
house the powder ignited. Only small
pieces Of his body were afterward found
Twenty-three lives were lost in the fire
| at the Pacific Hotel. which stood at Sew
! enth and Poplar streets, in 1855. the first
on this FIRE. and ii was the means Of
evolutionizing the fire-dghting business Of
st Louis. Firenen had little chance when
they reached the scene to effect rescues
hemmed in from all SIDES. The structure
was old and the. flames had gained much
headway when the boys" arrived.
lished II. s clay lay aeaf Sexton. Who I had e been
captain of Mound Company No. 3. was
made Chief. and Captain Beggs Of Frank
John NJ. Wymer was Mayor at the time.
FIRST ENGINE BROUGHT OVER ICE.
Some of the old volunteers opposed the
establishment OF the paid department"
and were indignant when the first steamer
was brought to St. Louis The river was
frozen over and the ferry boats were tied
up SO the engine was hauled across on the
ice.
The work OF the engine at the Pacific
Hotel fire discouraged the volunteer fight
ers They saw that 1t could do SO much
hyy q md
though they fought a brave battle to sus-
tain their regulations and the claims they
had made as to their ability to quench
flames with Drawn and muscle, as well as
an engine could by steam.
After the fire they gave in and agreed
that they had been wroDg-that engines
with fire to generate the power to throw
the water was better to fight fire than
even willing hearts and strong hands.
The next year three more steamers were
purchased They were called the Frank
Moore. No. 3. They did splendid work for:
years. but finally gave way to newer and
more improved types. They were cumher
quired to haul them. The driver rode one
of the horses and drove the leaders. The
engines had but three wheels. two large
front under the center of the frame
Compared with that time, the st. Louis
department now has forty-two engine
companies. which include the steamers.
truck companies and two water towers.
The force is composed OF 613 officers and
men. and 2i0 horses are required to draw
the apparatus.
swINGLET TO HAVE AUTO.
Within a few weeks. 1t is believed an
automobile for Chief swingley will be
added. 1t is regarded as absolutely essen
tial in view of the rapid growth of st.
Louis, and as the autos have been found
to render valuable service in other cities
the bill now before the Municipal Assem-
ton from the City Fathers"
Chief Swingiey responds only to second |
alarm fires unless the alarm comes from a |
Several weeks ago double" car came 'k IN
from the vicinity Of Chouteau and New
stead avenues. rhi'e Chief swingley was !!
directing the work Of his men he was in |
formed tina. second" had come in from
Eleventh and Locust street. He had al |
ready run his horse from Eleventh and |
trio alone was enough to tire the gallant i
animal, but th- horse responded gsmely |
to the clang of the gong as the Chief |
lsaped lea into his buggy and made the run all
animal. and he has not fully recovered |
now. That incident showed Chief Swing |
Lev the need Of an automobile;
IT. steamer a 'he Pacific Hotel fire |
in 1858. where it was shown that the pow |
erfri machine cou'd render better service !
than the muscle and brave hearts of men.
VIII be of more benefit 10 st. Louis than |
the noble horse that has galloped at |
ereakneck speed for several years to carry |
him to the big fires.
Fires are never mentioned IN St Louis /
without the mind of the older citizens re- |
verting back to 1856 when the Southern
Hotel was destroyed. Here 1t was that |
Phelim O'Toole and Mike Hester and 9TH |
ers DISTINGUISHED themselves. The heroic !
manner in which they rescued many per-
sons from the doomed structure has never
been forgotten.
o'TooLES GREAT FEAT.
OTooie had been a sailor. and was as |
sure-footed OH the top run of the longest
ladder in the department as most men |
are ON a parlor floor. Up and down the |
ladder he went that day to bring down |
the men and women that were hemmed in I
by the flames. /
His final act OF the day-H accomplished |
to-day-would make him an unrivaled can
didate for Carnegie medal Twenty-Five