The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-04-22

Thfrty-six years of active fire ftght-
Ing are brought to a close Blythe ap-
pointment of Chief Runge to the DO.
sition of fire marshal.
Serving continuously as member
OF the Minneapolis fire department
from 1873 to 1895. rising from a place
IN the volunteer department to that of
chief of the department. he was out
OF the service only one year before
years later he was again in the work
as head of the Grand Forks fire de-
partment, and he has remained here
since, ending his ninth year of work
here next month.
Qualities Within Fifteen Days.
Under the law creating the Depart
ment Mr.. Runge must qualify for the
office within fifteen days by filing a
bond and taking the oath. This means
his retirement from the Grand Forks
department within that period, as he
cannot hold the two positions stimuli.
taneously.
The salary attached to the office of
state fire marshal is $2,5O0. as against
Sition.
Leaves a Changed Department..
Chief Runge will leave the Grand
SA NS III e uCpAl lLACUI III Il COU0tIlOu
entirely different from what it was in
when he arrived here. Instead Of one
tumble down building, questionable
apparatus and incomplete organiza.
tion. Chief Runge has builded de-
partment that is second to none in
the northwest.
Two modern fire department build
ings. located conveniently to the diff
ferent sections of the city and both
placed so as to afford rapid service
in the business district, have replaced
the old structure.
New apparatus. thorough organiza-
tion and splendid water supply for
hre fighting purposes, are features Of
have been created by Chief Runge.
He leaves the Grand Forks fire de.
partment model for cities of this
size.
Chief New Yorker.
Chief Runge is native Of New
York city. He entered the United
States navy in 1854, serving through
the latter part of the Civil war.
In 1873 he came to Minneapolis and
took charge of the engineering depart
the same time affiliating with the VOL
unteer fire department of the city,
serving four years and nine months.
On July 1, 1879, the paid fire de-
partment of Minneapolis was estab.
lished. and he held captaincy until
he was promoted in December, 1881 to
the position of assistant chief,
Made Chief in 1891.
For ten years he remained in that
position. being made chief of the de-
partment in 1891, continuing in that
capacity till 1895. when he resigned.
A year later he was back in the de.
partment as assistant chief, continu.
ing in the service until 1902.
Goes to Police Department.
When the late DR.. Ames learned
that he anticipated leaving the de.
partment he offered him an appoint-
ment in the Minneapolis police de.
rartment. Three months after he
Joined that department he was made a
captain. Mr.. Runge. however. re-
mained in the department only eigh.
teen months when he resigned.
Then MIR. Runge took charge Of the
construction crews on the Great
Northern line known as the Granville
Mohall branch. spending the winter
there with weather ranging from 30
to so below.
Comes to Grand Forks.
Nine years ago next month Chief
Runge came to Grand Forks at the
invitation of former Mayor Geo. e.
Du!s. Though a nonresident. he was
made the head of the department and
he has served constantly since that
time. being re-appoipted by former
Mayor j. D. Taylor and by Mayor NJ.
H. Murphy.
My first fire in Grand Forks" said
Chief Runge today" was in the Hot i
Dacotah. When drove to the rear
Of the hotel on the morning Of June
5 and saw the fire coming out Of
every window Of the kitchen and one
room of the second floor. 1t looked to
me that l was handed package
v hereby ! would pack my trunk and
go back TO Minneapolis on the next
train. But We changed our mind and
breakfast was served in the dining
room at 1880. just half hour late.
II don't know what method the
boys had previous to this. but I lert
them that morning with the imprea.
sion that they must go in and kill II.
and the fight has been carried on that
way for the past nine years. Some.
times we lose. but conditions are so
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