Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1907-11-27
OF
DOUGLAS CITY HALL


DOUGLAS, Nov. 25.-(SpecaL. -
An almost magic Transformation has
come over the old city hall. Far-sight-
ed work on the part of the present
city officials and the architectural ge-
MUS employed by them has changed
what was once a suitable building for
a town of about ten thousand popula-
ton to city building suitable for a
city of the size of twenty-five thous-
and, and all at a cost not exceeding
$4,000.
The original building, which was
built just about two years ago, cost
$4,000. At that time it was not only
comfortably large for the size of the
town, but it was expected that it would
meet the demands of the city's admin
istration for a great many years to
come, The good city fathers at that
time, however, could not foresee the
remarkable growth that was soon to
take the town up, and up. in size,
building up the business of the city
as well and necessitating larger and
roomier quarters for every department
in the building.
The fire department was the first to
feel the crowded condition and to de-
mand more room, and it is fairly due
to their unceasing efforts in strength
ening their service for the city and the
actual necessity of more room for their
headquarters That the great change
came about The Fire Department was
the first to outgrow the old building,
and it is right and proper that they
should receive the greatest benefits ac-
crufng.
One of the things that has come with
a better city hall is better fire de-
partment. They no longer are depend
ent upon volunteer teams for hauling
the trucks. They now have their own
teams. The new arrangement Of the
lower floor plans has given them two
large rooms running back the entire
length of the building. The trucks
will occupy the front of these long
rooms, as is the case in all city sta
tons. Here the most modern auto
matte arrangement of self-hitcning har-
ness is being put in its place, and the
rooms will be enclosed from the street
in front by large swinging doors with
me latest automatic spring devices IOr
opening them wide for the teams at
the same instant the harness falls on
the horses backs, and they are ready
to dash out upon the street. In the
rear are suitable quarters for the
horses and working room for the men
of the department The extra room
has been obtained by sacrificing the
indoor stairway which the building
used TO have. Now a broader outdoor
stairway leads to the second floor,
which is devoted to the headquarters
for the firenen, police court, and a
council chamber.
The boys of the fire department have
che front part of the building, and
their quarters consist of large room,
to be used as library or lounging
room, with a brass sliding pole down
20 the wagon rooms below, and with
four small but sufficiently roomy bed
rooms, furnished with trim brass bed
steads and handsome maple furniture,
finished in the natural wood. The boys
are proud Of their new quarters and
are taking great pride in fitting up
their rooms as homelike as possible.
Just back of the fire department
quarters is the police court, where
Judge Rice sits, and where his secre-
tary, John Igo, has his desk, including
also jury box and benches for priso-
ners and witnesses. This is rallied
of from the audience room proper. The
audience room proper occupies the cen
ter Of the whole upstai7s and serves
as well for the nights when the city
council is in session as for the visitors
at the daily sessions of police court.
On evenings when the city council
is in session in its room at the rear
Of the building, the large double doors
are thrown open and the benches in
the audience room turned around to
face the north so that all present may
near the entire meeting and disposi-
ton of the S3ty's business. At the
same time, II the occasion arises when
It is necessary for the council TO go
into a committee CT the whole TO trans
act business secretly, by closing the
folding doors they are eloseted alone
for as long a time as they may choose.
Marshal Stambaugh viii have a
nicely furnished Office in a good-sized
room In the northeast corner of the
upstairs floor Coming up the back
wall outside will be built stairway
leading from the jailyard to Marshal
Stam5augh's ONCE, by which means
prisoners will be brought into court
IN this case 1t viii be the stairway
Of Signs" rather gaan the Bridge o.
signs that leads from the jail to the