Evening star., 1924-07-27
How the Chicago
Fire Was Checked.

Fire Was Checked. Of Ile anorhs II II
holocaust like that of 1871. How it
was checked by a device which origi-
mated in this city is told in the fol-
lowing reprint from the Chicago in
terocean in The Star of July 2I, 1874:
When the fire had reached the corner
of Wabash avenue and Van Buren street
il seemed to be under control to the
westward and centered all its force
upon this one point. Two engines had
located here and, facing the oncoming
flames. made herculean effort to stop
it. If the fire crossed the street there
seemed no chance of saving the city, for
should this occur it would be impossible
TO stand the heat, and the stores adjoin-
ing the fire would surely GO With these
great blocks in flames who could tell
where it would end? The firemen recog-
nized this terrible emergency and stood
TO their work unflinchingy. The two
pipes from engines IA and IL We're
''Siamesed." or put into one, and heavy
stream of water rose to the top of the
five-Story building.
Again and again the flames burst
forth and threatened the opposite build
ings. Twice they were on fire. but the
stream was turned upon them for a mo-
ment and the course of the fire was
stopped and the engines again returned
to the task Of staying the flames The
wind would every now and then in a
great gust blow the water aside. but in
moment the stream would once more
be seen amid the smoke, pouring its
steady torrent of water into the fiery
furnace before ii. 1t seemed small and
pitiful to fight such a battle, but here,
if ever, il must conquer. The crowds in
the streets watched this contest with
bated breath, and as the flames or water
seemed to gain the mastery gave forth
groans or cheers of sympathy. All hope
centered in this one chance 1t was, in
deed, Il desperate one. At one time the
fame would shoot up high above the
surrounding buildings ass if defiantly
and then again, as the steady stream
continued tc pour in it's volume. it would
sink to a red glare and rise and toss as
though in agony. For a full half hour
the battle continued. and never once in
that time did the heavy stream cease to
| pour into the burning warehouse,
THE firemen were huttreSSed behind
heavy barrcadeS to keep them from
| being scorched or burned alive, and they
stood to their posts in the midst of a
! danger few would face, and the huge
| engines Just in their rear, almost ready
| to burst with the force they were using,
| kept urging on the only power that
| could successfully combat the flames
| At last the fiery streamers paled and
sank. Again they started up fitfully, but
| it was plain that their power was gone
and they again sank darker and darker
! The smoke rolled forth in great volumes
hopeful sign. and then the flames
| finally died away.
with a great sigh Of relief the peo-
Die i'm the streets turned their steps
| homeward, thanking God that the city
was saved. In all the mistakes and in
| efficiency of the fire department this
honor must be accorded to them, for
| here they made noble fight and earned
| a great victory"
The Star points out that the Sfames
ing or joining of two streams into one,
was a patented invention of Martin
! Cronin, chief engineer of the District
Fire Department.
Fifty years ago the case of Jesse
| Pomeroy, the boy murderer" who il
even now an in
Yasee pnmero the mate of a Massa-
"Boy Murderer" stitution. was at.
| tracing the attention of the American
people. The Star of July 21, 1874, thus
comments:
"'What shall we do with him?' was
! the question put to Mr.. Dick by Betsy
| Trotwood on the arrival of David Cop
] nerfield tired and dirty. from his long