Madison County History and Genealogy

History and Genealogy



History of Madison County


Fire Department


In the absence of records, we are unable to give the early ordinances passed by the Council on the question of fires. Prior to 1864, there was no organized company for the protection of property from fire, however, the "Bucket Brigade," known to most villagers in an early day, was not unknown to London.

In November, 1860, the Council purchased from the authorities of Springfield a hand fire engine named the "Silver Grey" paying $400 for it. The Silver Grey arrived in Loudon November 8, and on the 15th of the same mouth a volunteer fire company was organized with about seventy members, embracing all classes of citizens. The officers were: George W. Athey, President; Owen Thomas, Vice President; F. J. Betts, Secretary; Thomas McCormack, Treasurer; C. C. McCormack, Foreman of Engine, Ferd Rickardt, Assistant Foreman of Engine; Jack Lewis, Foreman of Hose; Minor Paine, Assistant Foreman of Hose. This company continued an organized body and performed service until the purchase of a steam fire engine in the summer of 1871, when it disbanded.

At a meeting of the Council June 23, 1871. a contract was made with Col. I. H. Morrow, of Columbus, Ohio, for a Silsby's third-class steam fire engine, to be manufactured at Seneca Falls, N. Y., the engine to be accompanied with two hose-reels and 1,200 feet of best rubber hose, the total cost of engine and apparatus, $7,200. The name of the new engine to be the "Belle of London." On the 3d of July. 1871, at a meeting held at Fireman's Hall, temporaiy officers were selected, and sixty-five names were enrolled for a new fire company. On the following Tuesday evening, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and on July 28 the following first officers of the Belle of London Fire Company were elected: President, Isaac G. Peetrey; Vice President, B. F. Clark; Secretary, James S. Crain; Foreman of Hose No. 1, D. T. Fox; Assistant Foreman, J. S. Davidson; Foreman Hose No. 2, John Conway; Assistant Foreman, Austin Slagle; Nozzlemen, No. 1, Gotleib Hammar and Albert Marshall; No. 2, James M. Jones and E. J. Myers; No. 3, W. H. Chandler, Jr., and A. L. Messmore. The Belle of London was taken out on trial July, 1871, under charge of the agent, Col. Morrow, before the Mayor and Town Council, and a large number of the citizens of London, and the following account of the trial appeared in the Democrat of July 20, 1871:

"The engine is of third size, very beautiful in finish and design; there are also with her two improved hose carts and 1,200 feet of the best end-capped rubber hose, with the celebrated Tegh's coupling, all furnished by the Silsby Company. The weather was not very favorable, a wind prevailing at the time of the exercises, yet the trial was satisfactory in the highest degree to all of the citizens who witnessed the display. The engine was taken to the creek in the rear of the woolen factory, where the water had been dammed and a box sunk for the suction hose. A committee of citizens was appointed to aid the Council in keeping a record of the several tests made at the trial. In two minutes from the time the match was applied, the 'Belle' had three pounds of steam; in five minutes she had ten pounds, and half a minute later water was thrown. After filling the 500-barrel cistern in front of Gr. W. Lohr's. the balance of the 1,200 feet of hose was attached, reaching to opposite the court house, and an inch and a half nozzle put on. After deluging the streets and the Buff Block, the stream was turned on the court house, and washed the dust of many years from some of its nooks and crevices. The nozzle was then elevated, and the stream thrown some fifteen or twenty feet over the cupola, and this, too, with the engine pumping away twelve hundred feet distant. The 'Belle' was then brought to the cistern just filled, and two leads of hose, 400 feet each, laid, through which two streams mounted away above the highest point of the court house cupola. When all were satisfied, another stream was added, and three beautiful jets of water ascended high into the air at one time. All this with the tireless 'Belle' humming away lively—no quickened heartbeats from unusual exertion, no lame backs or wicked cuss words; everybody appeared fully satisfied with the test, and had a good word to say of the beautiful 'Belle.' In the evening, there was a meeting of the Council, and the steamer was accepted without a dissenting vote."

Since the organization of the Belle of London Fire Company, several ordinances regulating the fire department have been enacted by the Council, by which changes have been made. In the spring of 1876, the office of Chief of Fire Department was created, and the first to fill that position was B. F. Clark. This same year, there was added to the department a new truck, with hooks, ladders, etc., complete, at a cost of $365. In 1878, a horse hose-reel was added. The engine was drawn by hand until the spring of 1878, when, horses were purchased for it only. In December, 1879, a horse was purchased for the hose-reel. The truck is still drawn by hand. The department is well equipped and consists of about forty active members, five of whom, the chief, vice chief, engineer and drivers are the only paid men. The engineer and drivers are at the engine-house night and day. The engine-house is a two-story brick, built in 1869, and is located on Second street, near Main. The supply of water is derived from thirteen cisterns, varying in capacity from 500 to 1,700 barrels, with total capacity of 10,000 barrels, located in different parts of the town.


Back to History






Links

Ohio History & Genealogy





Other Counties