The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-16

Department. Salem mas had an organ
lied resistance to the fire-fiend for
I3a wears. and during most OF this
time the organization has been under
the control of the Moravian church.
In this article will be given the his
tory of the development of the present
department from its genesis in 1913
up to 1905.
salem was settled i'm the year 1lI6
by company of Moravians from
Eethabara and from Germany Six
years later there were about eleven
building in the town. The church
was supreme. il owned and operated
every Industry, and it organized the
first fire company There was no
printing press in the town. and the
rules and regulations of this COM
pany We're read in the church TO the
congregation at least once a year.
These were first read in 1913. To
get an idea how particular these old
settlers were in every detail, an ac-
Quaintance with the thoroughness even
in seemingly trivial matters Is neces-
saTy. These observations We're made
III 1873 by the Fire Inspectors:
1T would seem necessary. that IN
the larger kitchens. as the hotel, the
Sisters Home and n the Brethren 5
House. the chimneys should be swept
out five times during the year, whereas
IL family houses twice or three times
might be sufficient But. as in the
burning of dry wood, in stoves as wei
as fire places. less SCOT is formed than
where green wood is used, the Fire
Master should consider the necessities
OF each case. rather than conine him
self 10 stated periods.
1T is desirable that a young man
be selected. who should be instructed
i'm the business of Chimney Sweeping.
who could in time relieve Bro. Braes-
ing. Bro. Aust, his apprentice boy.
was suggested. To him no objections
were found. Chimneys that measure
16xlS incheS-also 14NlS inches are
most convenient TO be swept-although
the latter. If not straight will present
some difficulties.
In reference to log houses, il was
resolved and ordered that all pipe
openings i'm the chimney must certainly
be examined once a year. and even II
no special flaw be found the plaster
ing must be renewed. 1t was specially
recommended that Daniel Schnepis'
house be carefully examined in this
particular.
In conclusion, it was asked, would
IL not be advisable to make it rule
that all chimneys be swept out. and
that henceforth the burning OF CHM
neys should be altogether disallowed
and discontinued.
The sweeper was also cautioned
when ascending the chimney not 10
rest on top OF it when his work was
done lest he fail with the chimney
To the ground, as the brick We're not
laid in lime mortar
4 system of water-works was be-
gun in 1878. The water was brought
in earthen pipes TO the central part
of the town. The source was Cool
Spring" near where Calvary chapel
greatly improved by the erection OF
a pump. which forced the water into
q reservoir and then into cisterns.
variously located.
The first fire i'm Salem is recorded as
follows: Early in the morning OF
January 31st, 1871. the cry of fire
disturbed the peaceful slumbers Of
the citizens OF Salem. The tavern was
IN flames and the inmates with their
children had barely time TO esca pc.
The kitchen building was destroyed
but the stables and other out-build-
ingS We're saved
Four years later two engines We're
brought from Europe. One was a
large engine mounted on low wheels.
The pumps Were worked by q large
wooden beam which was pivoted in
an upright piece in the center OF the
box and projected over each end so
that the twelve men who pumped could
stand on the ground. This engine.
which did service until 1859. could
throw a stream of water to the top Of
the Stecplc of the Home Morayian
church, and is well remembered by q
number Of people i'm Winston-Salem.
The other, a smaller one, was intend
ed to be carried into the building. No
nose vas required in its operation. Ii
is now i'm the Salem Museum and Will
participate in the grand parade dur
ing the tournament. II is Yet ut for
duty and can throw stream Of water
now if necessary.
That The Ieader may See how per-
feet d fre-fghting organization Salem
had in 1888. the following extracts are
published:
Distress by fire is of such nature
that no one will hesitate al such a
time TO assist according 10 mis- ability.
And as salem lies somewhat scatter
ed. has few inhabitants. and owing To
its situation cannot expect ASST lance
from abroad, much viii depend upon
a we'll considered division of our weak
forces. Ii is therefore we'll to know
what precautions may be taken 10
avoid danger OF fire.
That no method of building be
adopted whereby the community is
endangered. This may happen if
chimneys have not a good foundation:
swept: or are not strong enough. nor
Dlastered: or when a chimney Is not
provided with at least one damper, or
does not extend high enough above
the shingle roof.
That no chimney be burnt out
THAT in front of each fire place.
sufficiently broad and plastered
hearth be laid, SO that the flooring is
not placed TOO near The FIRE.
THAT tile stoves be not placed too
near 10 joists or wooden partitions or
walls and that the falling out Of Goals
be provided for
That no dangerous practices be al
lowed. such as drying wood on the
stove. or piling il up between the stove
and the walls: not 10 use wood too long
for the stove, which would cause the
fame to flash out OF the gate: or when
Il stick has burned through. the end
should fall out. Much less - pile
up the wood which mas been on the
stove neither 10 hang rags upon il
TO dry, nor place any combustible
matter Upon it,
That bake ovens be carefully locat-
ed. and no live Goals be allowed to lie
around.