The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-10-05
FORMER YEAR FLAME
F|CHTDEWCES SHOWN
Great Display Gotten Up By
Theodore Williams
HELMETS OF OLD AGE
Pictures of the Men Who Fought
Fires in Mankat0 Long
Time Ago
From Mondays Daily.

From Mondays Daily.
A display Of wearing apparel and
ire-fighting devices, in the building
at 40 South Front street. has at
in Mankato. The display was got
ten up by Theodore Williams, who
has taken it up on himself to help
arouse interest in Fire Prevention
day, for which October 9 has been
set aside by Governor Burnquist
This day is being recognized more
generally every year in Minnesota
and Mankato is not to be outdone in
it's endeavors to. drive home the truth
that too much care cannot be taken
in the prevention of fires.
The display consists of helmet
used in 1884; a belt made of the old
imitation leather hose used in 1881,
and which, incidentally, would be
scorned by firemen today; rubber
hose, used in 1881, which has long
since been replaced by the modern
rubber-lined cotton hose; and trum-
pet used in 1880. A picture of pio-
neer fire fighters adds to the inter-
est of the display. The fighters are
John Lulsdorf, who still lives here,
and Robert Lamm, who has moved to
Seattle The exhibit brings to mind
wildly what was done years ago by
the first citizens even under handi-
cap, to prevent or extinguish fires.
In this connection the contest an
nounced by Mr.. Williams for the
best essays to be written in the pub
lie schools on fire prevention has
stirred the minds of veteran fighters,
and they have come to the fore with
valuable details, which will interest
the citizens of today and also give
the students valuable data for their
competitive essays.
The contest will be participated in
by the students of the upper grades,
and the only condition will be neat
ness and good penmanship. The
contest closes Monday, the day be-
fore the Fire Prevention day, and
the prizes consisting Of three, two
and one dollars so far announced,
will be awarded as soon as possible.
Several of the firms in Mankato
have endorsed the plan to arouse the
minds of the children to such pres
ent day necessities, and they will al
so award prizes. These will be an
nounced in the next few days, and
they will be worth the diligent eff
forts of every student.
1t is quite natural that with such
efforts being made to- interest all in
October 9, that the veteran fighters
would offer few spicy reminiscenc-
es. When the present chief, Phillip
Leas, was approached, he was i'm
mediately all enthusiasm. He told
old stories and showed old records
that tell of many a valiant fight to
save lives and property. Perhaps
one of the most interesting fires, is
that which started in the old Man
kato sash, door and blind factory. At
this time the department was very
small, and the loyal citizens used
buckets only. This occurred in Man
kato in 1874. Two long lines of men
carried the buckets back and forth,
usually delivering about fourth as
much water as was pumped. But, as
was usually the case with these pi-
oneers, they won their fight.
Later there were such well remem-
bered fires as the Creamery Package
fire, when Charles Marsh played an
important part, the Hubbard Eleva-
tor fire, and the glass block fire.
There are several citizens who fought
those fires still living, among which
are B. D. Pay, A. D. Beach, and John
Lulsdorf. One interesting picture
exists, showing in uniform Captain
Bill Funk, John Borden, and George
Phillips. Captain Bill Funk smiled
knowingly when this picture was
resurrected and he beheld it again.
When Chief Leas proudly shows
the modern equipment of today, it is
hard to believe that such crude fire
He told yesterday of the old hand
engine, used several years, which
employed a rubber hose and the
nozzel displayed by Williams. This
engine has long since been put aside,
and is now shown in an eastern mu-
scum as relic of almost prehistoric
days. Years ago the water was
drawn from the river, but today the
firemen fight the fire with modern
trucks, engines, chemicals, wells de-
pendant upon ever-running water
The date kept by the department
shows that the first department was
organized in 1860, by the fathers of
the present business men. A news
paper clipping of that date tells of
the election of Edward R. Parry as
president, q. Paddock as vice presi-
dent, o. o. Pitcher as secretary, W.
Maxfield as assistant secretary, and
Issac Marks as treasurer. Among
the directors are James Shoemaker,
William A. Hodgson, w. Henry Wy
koff, James B. Hubbell, Edward
Bradley and E. R. Parry. Others
actively associated were Charles
Dunscomb, C. B. Hensley, and J. C.
Wise. By agreement at the first
meeting this organization was known
as the "Mankato Hook and Ladder
company" with the motto: Labor
vincit omnia."
This is of interest, but the rules
are far more so. The rules read as
follows: ION alarm of fire every
member will repair to the truck
house and put on his uniform, and
if the truck has not left the house,
will assist to take it TO the fire. One
member will be designated by the
foreman to stay at the house to
protect the clothing left there, who
shall stay until all who are likely to,
have obtained their uniforms. He
shall then repair to the fire. Every