website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Watertown Fire Department
1847-1899 SECTION ON
HISTORY OF
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Additional
Segments 
1900-1999
Additional Segments 2000-2023
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Established
1857
150-year
history book now available in ebook format
Early badge [of John 'Put' [“Putt”] Reichardt (Reichert)
The Watertown Fire Department: 1857-2007
492 pages, $19.95 +
$7 s/h if applicable
The 150 year history of the Watertown Fire Department is now
available. This comprehensive reference
book is filled with images and details on the history of the department, fully
indexed and also documents the major fires that have
occurred in the city.
All proceeds derived
from the sale of this book go to benefit the Watertown Historical Society. Those wishing to order copies, which make
fine gifts, may do so by sending their check of this amount to the Watertown Historical
Society, 919 Charles St., Watertown, WI
53094.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
SUPPLEMENTAL
AND UPDATING INFORMATION
___ 1847 __________________
12 10 HOEFFNER BREWERY FIRE
A new brewery of Mr. Jacob Hoeffner took fire early on Saturday
evening last. Upon the alarm being
given, there was a very prompt and general turn-out on the part of our
citizens; but before they had time to reach the spot, the flames were subdued
without any serious injury having been sustained.
If the cry of
"Fire!" is justly startling to a community having a large and
well-disciplined fire department, what should it be to one whose only means of
defense against the devouring elements consists in a few hooks and ladders and
a mere handful of rickety pails, without a regular organization for the use of
either? We must acknowledge that we have
the worst of fears for the safety of our village. As a general thing, our buildings are not
only of the most combustible materials, but probably nine-tenths of them have
no other stove chimneys, many of which are pierced in the garret by three or
four different pipes. The ventilated
condition of most of these garrets would admit of a spark being soon fanned
into a flame; and a flame once kindled, how could it be conquered, so long as
it found material upon which to riot, with no engine and no concerted effort to
battle it? We would call the attention
of our citizens to this subject.
We do hope they will not allow
winter to set in, without having taken additional measures to protect
themselves against a fire. WC Dec. 10, 1847
___ 1853 __________________
07 09 HACKETT BLACKSMITH SHOP FIRE
On the morning of Thursday last,
a blacksmith shop occupied by Mr. Hackett in the 3d ward, opposite Owens Hotel,
took fire and was burnt to the ground with its contents. Mr. Hackett loses all his tools. This is a loss which he is ill able to bear,
as he is a poor man, having no means to replace them. We hope our citizens will show their
liberality to Mr. Hackett, in placing him in a position to do business
again. Watertown
Weekly Register
___ 1854 __________________
06 07 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH BELL FOR FIRE ALARMS
THAT BELL ! Last spring a subscription was circulated in
this city to procure a bell for the First
Congregational Church but for the last six weeks we have heard nothing of
it. A good bell is much needed. One that could be used not only for religious
purposes, but as a time regulator, for fire alarms, etc., would be a credit to
our city. We hope our citizens may give
this project all needed encouragement. When we saw the subscription list half the
amount necessary to purchase a superior bell had heed subscribed, and we could
think of many prominent citizens whose names were not down. In conclusion we can only say, Good citizens,
see that we have that bell ! Watertown Chronicle
___ 1855 __________________
05 20 Vulcan Iron Works
destroyed WD
07 12 Anson
Brewery fire WD
07 19 Slaughter
house fire J. H. & J. Martin
WD
1857 Watertown
Fire Department Established
___ 1858 __________________
07 15 Rent for engine house paid Jacob Jussen WD
11 18 Examine all stove pipes and buildings by
fire wardens WD
___ 1859 __________________
01 27 &
05 05 Rent for engine room, paid F. Gebhardt,
$6.50, [Pioneer fire dept] engine room 1 month WD
05 26 Rent of engine room, contract with Peter
Seibel for WG
09 08 PIONEER ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1
Whereas, Edward
Johnson, James McHugh, John Campbell,
and their associates, have petitioned the Common Council to be formed into a
Fire Company, and also have the Fire Engine belonging to the city placed in
their charge [a pumper had been obtained in 1858], Therefore
Resolved, That the said
Edward Johnson, John Campbell, James McHugh, and their associates, be and they
are hereby formed into a Fire Company, to be known at No. 1, and that the
engine belonging to the city be delivered to the said Company. [Would become Pioneer Engine Company No.
1] WD
09 15 PIONEER ENGINE COMPANY
NO. 1
This is the name of the
new Fire Company that has recently been organized in this city,
and has now possession of the Engine
[pumper]. The members are all active,
strong, healthy men, capable of rendering whatever services circumstances may
demand . . . Last Saturday evening the “machine” was brought out, and judging
from the admirable manner in which it was handled and
worked, it can be relied upon if an emergency should arise, when real duty will
be required. We understand it is the
intention of the Company to attend the State Fair and compete with the second class machines of this state. Whether the Pioneer gets the prize or not, we
are sure the “boys” will make a good show, and if they do not win, will deserve
success. WD
___ 1860 __________________
01 12 Sanford fire; two stave dry houses
consumed WD
01 26 D.
Kusel for stove pipe for Fire Engine Co., $3.04 WD
02 09 First Annual Ball of Pioneer Engine
Co. No. 1 WD
02 16 Western Star Hotel destroyed by
fire WD
04 12 Dept officers chosen WD
05 17 Pioneer
Engine house; site selection WD
06 28 Exhibition for July Fourth celebration WD
07 19 Annual
election of Engine Company No. 1 WD
10 05 Pioneer Fire Company at County Fair at Jefferson WR
Western Star Hotel
Fire, 1860
___ 1861
__________________
05 23 “Provisions for and encouragement of the fire
department,” subject of great importance and interest to the city, Mayor
William’s address. WD
06 06 An
Act to Incorporate Fire Companies / State of WI, represented in Senate and
Assembly WD
___ 1862 __________________
10 16 SUIT REGARDING PLAN FOR ENGINE HOUSE
The
Mayor informed the Council that H. Steger had brought suit
against the city for the amount claimed by him for plan
of an Engine House, which claim was rejected at the last meeting. On motion of Ald. Brown the Mayor was
authorized to settle this matter with the plaintiff and to defend the suit, as
he may deem, in the interest of the city.
WD
12 11 FIREMEN’S FESTIVAL
The
members of Engine Company No. 1 propose to give a festival on the evening of
January 1st, 1863, the proceeds of which will be appropriated for the benefit
of the Fire Department of this city. An
effort is now being made to place this company on a more efficient footing and
make it capable of doing any service it may be called upon to render the
community. This is an object worthy of
every encouragement and all are equally concerned in
having at least one Fire Company ready and able to do its duty in emergencies
where the property of any one may be exposed to instant destruction from the
devouring flames. We hope our citizens
generally will display their liberality on this occasion and show that they
take an active interest in the success of this effort. WD
___ 1863 __________________
01 01 FIREMEN’S BALL
This
evening Engine Company No. 1 gives a public ball at the Howard House, on the
west side of the river. We understand
that ample preparations have been made for a gay party and nothing will be
wanting to render the occasion pleasant and delightful. As the proceeds of this festival will be for
the benefit of the Fire Department and all have an interest in its efficiency
and success, we hope this effort will be liberally sustained by our citizens
and the attendance general. WD
02 19 FIRE WOOD FOR ENGINE HOUSE
Common
Council Proceedings: By Ald. Brown,
account of B. O’Bryne for fire wood for engine house,
$2. WD
___ 1864 __________________
01 21 FIREMEN’S BALL
Monday
evening Engine Company No. 1 will give their annual ball at Cole’s Hall.
They propose to devote the proceeds of the entertainment to the relief
of the suffering and destitute in this city. The organization deserves well of our citizens and we hope a large and gay assembly will be
present. All who attend will not only be
able to pass a pleasant evening but will at the same
time contribute to a benevolent object.
WD
03 10 JARVIS-QUIGLEY FIRE
Last
Monday morning, between 6 and 7 o’clock, a fire broke out in the wooden Jarvis-Quigley building on Main Street,
located between the Democrat block and the Bank of Watertown block, and
occupied by J. D. Jarvis as a grocery store.
The flames spread rapidly and in a few minutes
extended to an adjoining building, occupied by M. Quigley as a cabinet ware
room, and quickly consumed them both. WD
03 24 PETITION FOR FIRE COMPANY, ENTRUSTED WITH ENGINE
Common
Council Proceedings: The Clerk read a
communication of E. Johnson by which he delivers over
to the Council the fire engine, as one of the members of the old Company.
By
Ald. Fischer, petition of C. Meyer and 51 other inhabitants of this city to be
formed into a Fire Company and to be entrusted with the City Engine, which was,
on motion of Ald. Prentiss, referred to a special Committee of three, with
instructions to report at the next meeting.
The Mayor appointed as such Committee Ald. Beckman, Dennis
and Fischer.
On
motion of Ald. Dennis the Mayor was authorized to deliver the engine
temporarily to proper persons until the new Company is
legally organized. WD
04 07 FIRE COMPANY No. 1 TO BE ORGANIZED
Ald.
Beckmann of the special committee appointed to confer with the petitioners for
a new fire company made a report by resolution, which was amended by Ald.
Prentiss and adopted.
Resolutions
as adopted:
Resolved,
That the Petitioners and others joining them, as soon as they shall have
organized themselves into a company, [and] selected their officers, shall
constitute and be known as Fire Company No. 1, and take in charge and into
their custody the fire engine of this city and be responsible for its
management and safe keeping.
Resolved,
That it is expedient to build a Fire Engine House in some suitable location
near Main Street, within the city, and also to
purchase necessary hooks and ladders for the use of the city, and to build
necessary reservoirs for water if the same are practicable and can be built at
the expense of the wards, within which the same may be located. Watertown
Democrat, 04 07 1864
04 07 AN ENGINE HOUSE A PUBLIC BENEFIT
We
are glad to observe that the Common Council has arrived at the conclusion that
an Engine House, conveniently located at some central point on Main Street,
would be a public benefit. That is one
of the improvements that ought to be made, heavy as the taxes are likely to be
this year. Sufficient attention ought to
make it available and efficient in the time of danger. If we can have but one Engine Company let us
have that full, strong and ready – adequately
equipping it and liberally supplying with every
facility necessary to render it serviceable.
Any other course is folly and money thrown away. Neither will it be wise to wait until we are
effectually burned out before we act. We
now want the means of preventing such a calamity. WD
04 07 PETITIONERS FOR A NEW FIRE COMPANY
Ald.
Beckmann of the special committee appointed to confer with the petitioners for
a new fire company made a report by resolution, which was amended by Ald.
Prentiss and adopted.
Resolutions
as adopted:
Resolved,
That the Petitioners and others joining them, as soon as they shall have
organized themselves into a company, [and] selected their officers, shall
constitute and be known as Fire Company No. 1, and take in charge and into
their custody the fire engine of this city and be responsible for its
management and safe keeping.
Resolved,
That it is expedient to build a Fire Engine House in some suitable location
near Main Street, within the city, and also to
purchase necessary hooks and ladders for the use of the city, and to build
necessary reservoirs for water if the same are practicable and can be built at
the expense of the wards, within which the same may be located.
WD
04 14 ENGINE COMPANY ORGANIZED;
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Alderman
Beckmann moved to amend the rules by adding to the standing Committee a
Committee on the Fire Department, to consist of three aldermen. Carried.
The Clerk read a communication from the new Fire Company in which they
state that the Company is fully organized by the election of the following
officers:
Foreman – Joseph Miller;
Assistant Foreman – Frederick Herman;
Engineer – Franz Gebhardt;
Secretary – Charles A. Colonias;
Treasurer – Emil Lehman;
Steward – Michael Seyfert. WD
04 28 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF PIONEER COMPANY
No. 1
Ald.
Pfundheller, Chairman of Committee on the Fire
Department, introduced the constitution and by-laws of Pioneer Company No. 1,
which were read by the Clerk and approved, but the plan for the Engine House
was referred back to the committee with instructions
for specifications and a location for the same. WD
05 05 NEWLY ORGANIZED ENGINE COMPANY DEMOS PUMPER
Last
Monday afternoon the newly organized Engine Company brought out their machine
and gave it a trial. They showed that it
is capable of doing first-rate work when in good order
and well managed. They handled it with
skill and activity, throwing floods of water on the roofs of the highest
buildings within their reach. Engine
Company No. 1 is now full and composed of strong, able-bodied men, who will
render effectual service when aid shall be needed. They should receive the favor and
encouragement of all our citizens. WD
05 12 PIONEER Co. No. 1 PROPOSED SITE FOR AN
ENGINE HOUSE
Report
by Ald. Pfundheller:
The
Committee of the Fire Department beg leave to report that they have examined
the different locations which Pioneer Co. No. 1 proposed for a site for an
Engine House, and that in their opinion, the west end of East Washington Street
is the best adapted for the purpose.
They have also received the estimates of the cost of building the Engine
House, according to the plan of Charles M. Ducasse, and offer the following
resolution:
Resolved,
That an Engine House be built according to the plans and specifications of C.
M. Ducasse, and that the Clerk shall advertise for sealed proposals for
building the same.
Resolved,
That the Engine House be built in the center of the west end of East Washington
Street, in the First ward [west side of
intersection of S. First and Market streets, adjacent to the river]. WD
06 02 CHARBENEAU PLAN FOR ENGINE HOUSE
Resolved,
That the plans of L. Charbeneau for an Engine House be adopted and that the
Clerk is hereby directed to advertise that he will receive sealed proposals for
building said Engine House according to the plans and specifications of said L.
Charbeneau.
Notice
is hereby given that the undersigned will receive sealed proposals for building
an Engine House [Fire Dept.] on [South] First Street [and Market], in the First
ward of the city of Watertown, block 12, according to the plan and
specification of L. Charbeneau now on file in my office, said proposals to be
delivered in my office within ten days from the publication of this
notice. Gustavus Werlich,
City Clerk. WD
Also 06 02 ENGINE HOUSE LOCATION
Ald.
Pfundheller called for the reading of the resolutions
introduced by him at the last meeting in regard to
building an Engine House, which were read by the clerk.
Ald.
Rogan introduced an agreement of Messrs. Huger and Rusch to deed to the city
thirty feet in the center of O’Connell Street in the Fourth ward if the city vacates said street
for the purpose of building an Engine House thereon; also the written opinion
of D. Hall, Esq., to the effect that if the city vacates the street, the
adjoining lot owners can give a good title for that part of the street and
accompanied by the following resolution which he offered as a substitute.
Resolved,
That the proposition of Messrs. Huger & Rusch donating
a part of O’Connell Street for the purpose of an Engine House be accepted and
that the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized to
procure a title deed to the land named in said proposition.
Resolved,
That so much of O’Connell Street as lays between Water Street and Rock River be
and the same is hereby vacated.
The
motion to substitute the foregoing resolutions was lost . . .
. On motion the resolutions introduced by Ald. Pfundheller
were taken up separately.
Resolved
that the Committee of Finance be instructed to purchase in the name of the city
from Joseph Lindon the North 39 feet of lot 2, block 12, in the First ward, for the price of $15 per foot
front, for the purpose of building an Engine House thereon. Adopted.
WD
07 28 THE NEW ENGINE HOUSE
The
plans and specifications of the new Engine House, in the First Ward, have been
prepared by Louis Charbeneau and the work, we understand, will soon be
commenced. The building is to be of
brick, twenty-six feet eight inches front by forty-two feet deep and two
stories high, with a basement.
The
basement is to be eight feet between joists and the first story thirteen feet
and the second story twelve feet high in front and nine feet in the rear. This will give a structure of fair
dimensions, with ample room for all the purposes for which it is intended. Its location will be central and
convenient.
The
Engine is now in the best working order, the Fire Department well organized,
and the completion of a large and substantial house will put the company in a good condition for efficient and prompt service at any
moment. Our citizens should extend to
this indispensable organization all the encouragement necessary to make it
fully equal to any emergency that may arise to call forth its efforts. All the members are ready and willing to do
their duty as firemen and every occasion will see them rendering important and
essential aid in saving property from destruction by the devouring flames. WD
08 18 CERTIFICATES OF MEMBERSHIP
Alderman
Pfundheller presented the petition of Pioneer [Fire]
Co. No. 1 for certificates of membership.
On motion the prayer was granted and the clerk
directed to issue them under seal of the city.
WD
08 18 CONTRACT FOR BUILDING ENGINE HOUSE
Alderman
Pfundheller, chairman of Committee on the Fire
Department, reported in favor of entering into
contract with A. Bornschein for building the Engine House. On motion of Ald. Rogan the report was
recommitted for the purpose of ascertaining whether a cheaper plan could be
adopted. WD
08 18 OIL, SUNDRIES AND LANTERNS
The
following accounts were introduced against the city General Fund: Edward Johnson, oil
and sundries for [Fire] Engine Co., $6.44, D. and F. Kusel for lanterns,
$7. WD
10 06 REVENUE STAMP ON FIREMAN’S CERTIFICATE
By
Ald. Phundheller:
Resolution, directing the Clerk to put, at expense
of the city, a 5-cent Revenue Stamp on each Fireman’s Certificate. Resolution laid upon the table. WD
12 15 VAN ALSTINE HOUSE FIRE
A
dwelling house belonging to Mr. J. B. Van Alstine
caught fire on the 7th and came pretty near burning
up. Mr.
August Fuermann was promptly on hand with his rotary engine and by his
efforts and activity put out the flames before much damage was done. Engine Company No. 1 showed their good will
by coming out, but Fuermann’s rotary had already
finished the business. Mr. VanAlstine’s
loss is covered by insurance in the Aetna. WD
___ 1865 __________________
01 19 PIONEER STORE FIRE
Sunday night, the 15th of January, at about midnight,
a fire broke out in the wooden building, known as
the Pioneer Store, on the southwest corner of Main and Second streets. The structure was totally
destroyed by the winter blaze. The loss was total as there was no
insurance on either building or contents.
At the time of the fire the building was owned by Mrs. Cordelia Gilman
and had been occupied by Henry Vaudel as a
saloon. The adjoining building [115 E
Main], owned and occupied by Frederick
& Henry Meyer as a shoe store, was considerably damaged and would have been also lost if it were not for the strenuous efforts of
citizens. Jesse Moulton and M. Welsh
[Welch] both removed the contents from their grocery stores in the two
buildings to the west [113 and 111 E Main?], as they were also threatened at
the time.
As is too often the
case, the Water Witch proved to be of little value. After it had been pulled to the scene it once
again was found to be out of order. And
once again Brewmaster Joseph Bursinger’s force pump was hurriedly conveyed to the
scene of the fire and performed well in arresting the flames. In fact, had it not been for Bursinger’s pump, the loss of business property and
inventory on Main Street would have been much more serious and extensive. On display, Pioneer Engine No. 1 is splendid,
but when real service is required, for some reason or other, it is never ready
when most wanted and generally proves to be a nuisance when around.
It is high time this city had an efficient and
reliable Fire Department. Some hour
this city may pay dearly for the continued neglect of so necessary a precaution
against the desolation and ruin of the devouring flames. It is far better to be wise, active and fully prepared in season.
The destruction of this
building removed one of the landmarks of the city. The Pioneer Store, as it was called, was the
first business establishment built in Watertown. It had been erected in the summer of 1841 by
Luther A. and John W. Cole, who came here soon after Timothy Johnson, the first
settler of Watertown, took up his permanent residence here in 1836. The two Cole brothers cut the timber in the
surrounding forests and sized the timber so to construct their wood frame
store. The labor was strenuous
and much was involved by these two pioneers to finish and then furnish the
first place of commerce in the settlement, situated in the midst of the
surrounding wilderness. The inventory of
the Pioneer Store consisted of a stock of necessities, goods
and groceries. It was the place for
citizens and area farmers to patronize and at the same time exchange the latest
news and gossip. To be sure, at the
time, it was also the only place for conducting such exchanges. WD
02 09 NEW ENGINE HOUSE: LINDON PROPERTY, NOT
CHAPMAN’S
Common Council:
Resolved that all resolutions heretofore passed at this Council, with
reference to the purchase by the city of certain property on Main Street owned
by William Chapman, be and the same are hereby rescinded.
Resolved that a committee of three members of this
Council be appointed by his Honor, the Mayor, for the purpose of receiving
proposals for an Engine House and doing the work thereon; the Engine House
aforesaid, to be erected upon the lot purchased by the city of Mayor Lindon and
as near as practicable, in accordance with the plan furnished by L. Charbeneau,
provided that the expense of said building complete, exclusive of the lot,
shall not exceed $2,500. Adopted.
Resolved that the special Committee, authorized to
receive proposals for doing the work and furnished the
materials for a new Engine House, be empowered to contract in the name of the
city for such materials as they deem necessary.
Adopted. WD
02 23 KELLOGG PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY FIRE
On the evening of February
19th fire was discovered in a large two-story
wooden building standing on the southwest corner of Main and First
streets.
The fire originated on the
second story room occupied by J. D. Kellogg as a Photograph Gallery. The flames increased rapidly and in a short
time the upper portion of the building was in
ablaze. All of
the photographer’s property and stock was lost.
The first floor level of the
structure was occupied by a Mrs. Stallman as a millinery store. Most of her stock was removed during the course of the fire.
Along First Street, adjoining the corner building,
stood another wooden building, belonging to Henry Graves, and occupied by F.
Meyer as a grocery store, which was badly damaged and rendered nearly
worthless.
The next building along the Main Street side was owned
and occupied by E. Sweeney as a grocery store, which escaped damage, as did the
next owned by John Luber. The next
building is a brick block, owned and operated by Joseph Salick, as a jewelry
store. As a matter of prudence his stock
was packed up and removed from the premises.
The upper story of this block was occupied by Mr. B. Wortkotter
as a dwelling and all of his belongings were removed.
There being no organized Fire Company, the citizens
brought out the engine and this time the water witch performed well. It was given credit for confining the fire to
the building in which it started. If the
engine had not been in good
condition the fire would have been much more extensive and disastrous and there
is no telling how far its ravages might have spread. WD
02 23 WANTED
- A FIRE DEPARTMENT
[same date] The most urgent and necessary want of
this city is a well-organized Fire Department.
The reasons which make this important must be apparent to all. Here is a populous city, liable at any moment
to be desolated by fire, with a single [volunteer] fire company to arrest the
progress of the flames, and no means of protection except the neglected engine,
with nobody to work or take care of it.
We are destitute of all other implements, such as
hooks, ladders, ropes, axes, to help in pulling down or removing burning and
exposed buildings. Such a state of
things ought not to be permitted to exist one hour longer than
it is absolutely necessary to furnish these
facilities.
A single fire, which may break out at any moment in
the day or night, may inflict a greater loss than the whole expense of
procuring all the implements needed to save our stores and houses from certain
destruction. We have been fortunate so
far in subduing the few fires that have recently taken place, but we cannot
always be sure that the weather will be favorable, the winds calm, and common
efforts successful. The best is to be
fully prepared for the worst dangers that may threaten us.
We trust our city authorities will act in this matter without delay. Though heavily burdened with taxes of all
kinds, we believe our citizens are ready and willing to incur any reasonable
outlay to remedy this evil and place themselves in a condition of tolerable
security.
One good Engine Company and one good Hook and Ladder
Company are the least force that should constitute our Fire Department at the
present time. Now we have neither of
these agencies to defend us from conflagrations.
The
Common Council ought to give its attention to this subject immediately. We can only talk. They can act to the purpose and do what ought
to be done.
02 23 MARSHAL TAKES POSSESSION
[same date] Common Council Proceedings: The Clerk read the report of the Marshal in
which he states that he took possession of the following articles belonging to
the Fire Department: 2 oil cans, 2
lamps, 2 speaking trumpets, 5 wrenches, 1 water pail and 1 stove.
03 02 REGARDING KELLOGG GALLERY FIRE OF 19th (see 02
23 entry above)
A CARD – At the time of the entire destruction of my
photograph gallery by the fire of the 19th, I had engaged many unfinished
pictures, a large proportion of which had been paid for. I would say to my patrons that I will repay
the money at any time, or if they will wait a few
days, until I can get new rooms furnished and in working order, I will retake
the pictures, and so fulfill my obligations at the earliest possible
moment. J. D. Kellogg, Watertown WD
03 02 FIRE LIMITS
[same date] It shall not be lawful for any person or
persons, company, association or corporation to build, erect, construct, or
cause to be built, erected or constructed, upon any of the lots, pieces or
parcels of ground named in the first section of this ordinance, any building or
buildings of any kind whatever which shall not be made of stone, brick or other
materials which are deemed and considered proof against fire.
As the old wooden buildings one after another
disappear from Main Street, either from decay or fire, they ought not to be
replaced by structures of the same inflammable material. To prevent this, and as far as possible
obviate the present liability to a constant succession of fires, the Common
Council ought to pass an ordinance making [marking] out certain limits within
which no wooden building shall in the future be erected. This is usually done in all cities after they
have reached a certain state of growth, and the time has come when this step
should be taken by us, as a protection against
disastrous calamities from fire.
If this course is adopted, Main Street in a
few years will have a much better appearance than it now has. As the old and dilapidated buildings, which
did very well ten or fifteen years ago, are gradually removed, they will be
replaced by elegant brick blocks, and we shall have as fine a looking business
street as can be seen in any other interior city of the state. If we are going ahead at all, let us do the right way.
The above was written and put in type last
week, but necessarily crowded out until this week. We now call the attention of our citizens to
the draft of an ordinance establishing fire limits in this city, which we publish elsewhere.
The object of making the proposed ordinance public is to get a general
expression on the subject and enable those interested to learn its
provisions. We think all must concur in
the opinion that some such measure as this should be adopted here without
delay. Those who would like to make
suggestions or changes now have an opportunity to do so,
before the Common Council disposes of the subject. WD
03 02 ORDINANCE REGARDING DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS
[same date] It shall not be lawful for any person or
persons, company, association or corporation to build, erect, construct, or
cause to be built, erected or constructed, upon any of the lots, pieces or
parcels of ground named in the first section of this ordinance, any building or
buildings of any kind whatever which shall not be made of stone, brick or other
materials which are deemed and considered proof against fire.
Sheds not exceeding twelve feet in height at the peak
or highest part, and privies not exceeding ten square feet and ten feet in
height at the peak, may be constructed of wood . . . All depositories of ashes
within and without the fire limits shall be built of brick or other fire proof
material, without wood in any part thereof.
In case of, and during the continuance of a fire, no intoxicating liquors shall be allowed
among the firemen, or be brought on the ground for any purpose, except the
same shall have been ordered by the Mayor; and any person or persons furnishing
any intoxicating liquor or drink to the firemen during a fire, except as herein
provided, shall forfeit and pay a penalty of not less than five nor more than
twenty dollars for every offence, to be collected in like manner as other
penalties and fines under the charter of the city and the laws of this
State. WD
03 23 FIRE LIMITS
Common Council Proceedings. -
Amendments to an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance prescribing FIRE
LIMITS and establishing regulations relative to fires in the City of Watertown.” Ordinance was read the third time and passed
as amended by an affirmative vote of all the aldermen present. WD
03 23 WORK ON HOSE CART
[same date] Common Council Proceedings. - A
report in favor of allowing the account of F. Gerbech
and F. Harder for work on [Fire Dept.] hose cart and a report of allowing the
account of Hill & Taylor for work on engine, $62.35. WD
03 30 PAINTING OF HOOKS & LADDERS
Resolved, that the City Marshal
be directed to cause the ladders procured for the Fire Department to be painted
and to procure four suitable hooks for said Fire Department, if not already
provided, and that the word “Watertown” be painted on said hooks and ladders,
and that the resolution heretofore passed on this subject is hereby
repealed. Adopted. Common Council Proceedings. WD
04 06 PLANS FOR ENGINE HOUSE
Alderman Moak called for the report of the Committee
of the Fire Department upon the selection of L. Charbeneau for plans of the
engine house but the committee was not ready to
report. WD
05 04 COMMITTEE FOR NEW ENGINE HOUSE
Ald. Prentiss moved that the committee appointed by
the former council to contract for the building of the Engine House be
reappointed by the present council, said committee consisting of T. Prentiss
and A. Stein. Motion carried. WD
05 04 CONTRACT FOR NEW ENGINE HOUSE
The contract for building a new Engine House on First
Street in the 1st ward has been taken by Mr. A. Bornschien
and we understand the work will be commenced this
week. The dimensions of the building
will be 28 by 32 feet and three stories high.
In the basement a strong and safe lock-up is to be fitted up for the use
of the city. The style of architecture
is neat and elegant and when completed the Engine House will make a fair
appearance. We are glad there is a
certainty this long needed work is to be done without
further delay. WD
05 18 NEW ENGINE HOUSE, FIRST STREET
Mr. A. Bornschien, the contractor
for building the new Engine House on First Street, has commenced work and is laying the foundation of the building. He intends to carry it forward to completion
without delay. WD
09 28 CITY LOCK-UP, NEW ENGINE HOUSE
The new Engine House on First Street is nearly completed and
will soon be ready for occupation. The
next thing will be to organize a full and efficient company to take charge of
the engine, keep it in working order and use the pleasant rooms that have been
prepared for the members. The basement
of the Engine House has been fitted up as a city lock-up and we hope those
whose conduct entitles them to fill it will be furnished with proper
certificates of reception by the Justices before whom such cases are brought. The knowledge of
this fact will have a salutary tendency to prevent rowdyism in the streets and
make those disposed to be noisy and offensive more quiet
in their deportment. WD
09 28 CITY LOCK-UP, A GOOD SIGN
The day on which the
last fair and cattle show was held in this city, Justice Ducasse fined no less
than five disturbers of the peace, the proceeds of which goes into the city
general fund. Hereafter, if this remedy
should not be sufficient to prevent quarrels and brawls in the street, the
peace officers might add a brief sojourn [at the new jail] in the basement of
the new Engine House, which would furnish an opportunity for reflection and
reform on the part of those provided with such apartments at the public
expense. Let us have an orderly and
peaceful city and have it understood that all who willfully violate law and
decency must suffer the consequences of their folly. WD
09 28 CITY LOCK-UP, A CAUTION FOR THE BOYS
There has been considerable complaint
this summer caused by the raids of boys in orchards and gardens. This is a kind of mischief the boys had
better stop now. The new lock-up is
finished and ready for the reception of those who are caught in such acts. Heretofore there has been no way of punishing
such offences, except by sending the convicted to jail at Jefferson. The plunders of fruit and vegetables can now
be accommodated with lodgings for a few days at a time under the Engine House,
and if they do not stop their depredations some of them will very likely be
furnished with rooms in the city lock-up, which they will find very secure, quiet and disgraceful.
WD
10 05 ARTESIAN WELLS, BRICKS AND POND FOR NEW
ENGINE HOUSE
Common Council Proceedings:
Against General Fund, M. Cummings $9 for work at Engine House, P. C. Quentmeyer $465.46 for brick for Engine House.
Petition of F. O’Rourke and others for artesian wells. Referred to Committee on Fire Department.
Resolved, That the Mayor is hereby requested and instructed
to cause without delay, a public pond to be erected in the rear of the Engine
House in the First ward. WD
11 30 HAVE ENGINE HOUSE, ENGINE . . . . BUT NO FIRE COMPANY
We now have an Engine House, a good Engine, but no Fire
Company. Steps ought to be taken
immediately to supply this deficiency.
We are approaching the season when fires are most likely to occur and we should have some efficient means of putting
them out if the flames should break out in our midst. The importance of this subject must be
evident to all. After an expense of
several thousand dollars, as things now are, the city is no better off than it
was before this outlay was made. There
ought to be public spirit and enterprise enough to furnish us with a strong and
well organized Engine Company and we hope those who
feel any interest in this matter will act promptly. We do not know how soon we shall want all the
means we can command to save ourselves from ruin. WD
11 30 PAYMENT FOR FIRE BELL; REPAIR OF ENGINE
[same date] Common Council Proceedings: Resolved, That an order be drawn on the City
General Fund in favor of William Wilson, to the amount of thirty dollars, to be
in full for the fire bell. Adopted. Ald. Dennis moved to instruct the Committee
of the Fire Department to have the fire engine thoroughly repaired. Carried.
WD
12 14 LAMPS, GRATING AND SCREWS
Common Council Proceedings:
Resolved, That the Marshal cause the gas lamps to be removed from the posts
from which they belong and placed in the Engine House for safe keeping. Resolved, That the Marshal is hereby required
to remove from the old Engine House the iron grating belonging to the city and
take possession of the same and that he also recover
the two screws belonging to the city. WD
___
1868 __________________
05 07 DEPARTMENT SHAMEFULLY NEGLECTED
Mayor’s Inaugural Speech: “Our Fire
Department has been shamefully neglected . . . “
05 27 PIONEER COMPANY No. 1 OFFICERS ELECTED
A meeting of Pioneer Company No. 1 was held at the Engine
House, on Wednesday evening last. The
meeting proceeded to the election of the following officers:
Foreman — T. Racek, Jr.
1st Asst. — G. Henze.
2d Asst. — C. Ceck.
Engineer — L. Jahnke.
Treasurer — J. Weber.
Secretary — W. H. Rohr.
Steward — F. Eberville.
Hose Capt. — A. Benkerdorf.
Asst. Capt. — L. Kehr.
The above names give us the assurance that we have at last one good reliable fire company established, and now
would it not be a good move for some other portion of our citizens to organize
another company.
There is nothing like emulation among fire companies for the
advancement of a thorough fire department.
Let us have a rival company by all means,
if for nothing more than for the fun of the thing. The Watertown News, 05 27 1868
___
1869 __________________
THE BADGER
STATE HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY No. 1
Organized on April 17, 1869. First officers: Foreman, John
Reichardt; First Assistant, Nic Bruegger; Second Assistant, Fred Stylow;
Secretary, Gustav Barthmann; Treasurer, Carl
Goeldner. The H&L Company vehicle
occupied a portion of the South First Street engine house, alongside the
pumper.
___ 1870
__________________
10 26 GAS
SUPPLIED TO ENGINE HOUSE and Lockup on S. First St.
12 28 EMPIRE
MILL FIRE
One of
the most serious calamities that ever befell our city occurred on the night of 28th
of Dec. 1870, by the total destruction by fire of the Empire Flouring Mills, on the west side of
the river, together with its contents, including a large amount of flour and
wheat.
Immediately on the
north side, and within 40 feet of the mill is situated the Woolen Factory, owned by Mr. Daniel
Jones, and containing valuable machinery and stock, and adjoining this building
is the Sash and Door Manufactory of Mr. G. B. Lewis. As a precautionary measure against fire, Mr.
Smith had surrounded his mill, which was a frame building, with brick walls,
and the saving of the Woolen Factory is mainly due to this fore thought on the
part of Mr. Smith for all endeavors to save this building would have been
unavailing had not the north wall of the mill stood as a barricade between the
intense heat and angry flames and the Woolen Factory.
While the flames
were at the height of their fury, there occurred an appalling accident, which
carried dismay and consternation to all hearts.
Mr. Nathaniel Blanchard, while on the roof
off his own mill, on the opposite side of the river, endeavoring to protect it
from flying cinders, lost his foot-hold and fell a
distance of about forty feet, striking on the ice, breaking both legs and arms,
and otherwise injuring him so fatally, that he survived only twelve hours. Wttn Rep, 01 04 1871
___ 1871 __________________
GLUE
FACTORY FIRE
Glue factory [former Plank Road Brewery]
burns to the ground
Memory 1871, RISING MOON MISTAKEN FOR FIRE - Letter from Bainville,
Montana: Nice Bruegger, formerly of this
city, writes from Bainville, Montana: “There is a saying that history
repeats itself and it seems that it is true.
It corresponds to what occurred, if I remember rightly, in 1871, when
the fire bell in Watertown called out the fire department and by the time the
boys assembled it was found that the moon rising was the cause of the
alarm. On Feb. 10th inst. there were two
liquor[ed] drummers at this place and it was getting towards spook time here
when the editor of our weekly paper adjourned by himself and after he got
outside the saloon where the drummers had been “setting ‘em
up,” and took a survey of the planets he discovered something—he rushed back to
the saloon and said “Boys, Mondak is on fire” (15 miles away). Mr. Doyle, the saloon keeper, with the rest
of the boys, ran out. Mr. Doyle said it is Mr. Lundquist’s barn, 2 1/2 miles from town, and went to
the next saloon and ordered someone to go and call Mr. Lundquist, who is running
a general store here. And, lo and
behold, it was the moon rising, as in the case in good old Watertown way back
in 1871. Am well and doing well. Best wishes to all old friends.” WG of 03 05 1909
DROUGHT OF
1871
PRELUDE TO
PESHTIGO FIRE OF OCTOBER 8, 1871, AND GREAT CHICAGO FIRE
09 06 LOW WATER.--The amount of water in Rock
River at the present time is considerably on the decrease. Water has not flowed
over the dam for several weeks, but all summer the water has been unusually
high. Fall rains are now needed to bring
it back to its proper head. Our mill owners for the first time this season are
beginning to feel the want of water to run the machinery with. WR
10 08 THE PESHTIGO
FIRE
The Peshtigo Fire was a forest fire
that took place on October 8, 1871 in and around Peshtigo, Wisconsin. It was a firestorm that caused the most
deaths by fire in United States history, with estimated deaths of around 1,500
people, possibly as many as 2,500.
Occurred on the same day as the more famous Great Chicago Fire. An Eyewitness
Account. The Great Fires of
1871. Wikipedia article.
10 11 NINE FIRES IN THE WOODS. Jefferson County is not escaping from the
effects of the present extreme drought which is working such terrible
devastation all over the country, and especially in different portions of
Wisconsin. Early last week a fire broke
out in a swamp near Waitsville, in the town of
Farmington, which spread with great rapidity, increasing as it moved forward
and carrying everything before it. The
fire threatened the destruction of the mill property of Wait, Wood & Co.
and at one time over one hundred were engaged in stopping the progress of the
flames. The fire is now under
subjection, and no immediate apprehension is felt for the safety of the
property. A fire from a burning marsh
passed over the farm of Mr. Fred. Schulte, living some three miles east of the
city, on the old Milwaukee road, Sunday afternoon last, and so dry and
tinder-like was everything in its path that nothing could be done to stop the
progress of the flames, the high wind blowing at the time carrying them forward
with great velocity, until the dwelling, stables and granery
were reached by the devouring element, and the buildings were soon burned to
the ground, despite all exertions to save them . . . WR
10 25 DANGER YET--Notwithstanding the recent rains
everything is as parched and dry as tinder again, and great danger of fires
still exists. Many persons
appear to be wholly indifferent as to the dry condition of things around them,
and by their extreme carelessness are placing property in great danger. We see
that some parties are burning rubbish, which at a time like this is extremely
dangerous and should be strictly prohibited.
The use of firearms should be dispensed with, for the time being, as in
the present combustible condition of things hunters are apt to start fires in
the woods and on marshes, from shooting.
The setting of fires by
blacksmiths should be done with the greatest caution, and in fact every fire,
whether about a dwelling or place of business should
be watched closely until the present critical period is over. Let all be on
their guard at this time, and carefully scrutinize
their premises that no accident endangering property may occur. There would be
but little chance to stop a fire should it break out anywhere in our city at
present, and therefore it is the duty of everybody to practice the utmost vigilance
and precaution. WR
11 01 RAIN
A copious rain commenced falling Tuesday morning, which finally turned
into snow, and continued long enough to thoroughly saturate the earth, and
prepared the ground well for ploughing, very little of which has been done In
this vicinity this fall, owing to the extreme drought. WR
11 15 RIVER RISING
Because of the recent rains there has been a rise of several inches of
water in the river. The ground is now in
good condition for ploughing, and a few weeks fine
weather will give our farmers an opportunity of finishing it. WR
___ c.1871 __________________
-- -- JAEHRLING AND O’BYRNE, EARLY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN
Len
Jaehrling, who by the way, is
one of the oldest tonsorial artists in the city, tells of the members of a
volunteer fire company forty years ago or more who, upon the sounding of an
alarm of fire, hastened home and put on their belts and helmets. The old hand engine, manned by John Reichardt
and others, called the “water witch,” did yeoman service in those days. She could be set on a river bank, a creek or
alongside a tub of water and could be worked like a Trojan. But there were not many regrets when the steamers were put into service in 1876.
Barney
O’Byrne, the pioneer boot and shoe maker, was an early
day fireman. He afterward ran a little saloon
where the express office is now, and his cherry “fill the bill, me lad” was a
most welcome sound in the morning, as he was up with the lark. Watertown News,
10 11 1918
___
1872 __________________
HABHAGGER BREWERY fire
10 03 THE JUNCTION DEPOT BURNED
A little before 5 o’clock, last
Sunday morning, the 29th inst., the Union Depot building, at the junctions
of the Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Chicago & Northwestern railroads,
was discovered to be on fire by the watchman.
The northern train on the
Northwestern road, which was considerably behind, had passed only about half an
hour before, at which time there was no appearance of fire. The flames broke out in the Express room, but
how they originated seems to be unknown and unexplained. The alarm was given, and as soon as possible,
the Engine and Hook & Ladder companies went to the rescue. The depot building being built of wood, the
flames spread so rapidly that when the firemen reached the spot, it was seen
that their chief business was to save the neighboring structures.
The Bay State House, owned by Mr.
J. W. Mathese, was in great danger, the cornice
having already caught fire from the heat or flying sparks.
In the meantime, the depot itself
was being rapidly consumed, the firemen making the most active efforts to
confine the flames to it alone, and the platform adjoining it, which they
succeeded in doing. That portion of the
platform touching the burning depot was ruined, and other parts more distant badly injured.
The depot itself was completely destroyed, very little within
being saved. The telegraph instruments
were got out and a few other things. All
the baggage in the baggage room was taken away, but most of the express matter,
which had just been received, was lost, though every exertion was put forth to
remove it.
But for the heavy steady rain,
which had been falling for some hours, this fire would have been much more
extensive and disastrous.
The Bay State House and the
machine shops would have been burned beyond a doubt. As it was, the Bay State House escaped with a
slight scorching, and a few broken windows, which can be easily repaired.
Notwithstanding the distance the
mud and the storm, the firemen promptly came out, and used their best endeavors
to keep the flames within the smallest possible bounds, and they were
remarkably successful, considering the conditions in which they found things
when they arrived on the ground.
Watertown
Democrat 10-03-1872
___ 1873 __________________
07 04 Parade cancelled by tornado
___ 1874 __________________
03 18 FIRE AT
RESTAURANT NEAR RAILROAD JUNCTION
Last Saturday night at 12 o’clock
the frame building of Mrs. Agnes Hastings, near the -railway junction in the
Third Ward, and occupied by her as a restaurant and dwelling was destroyed by
fire, together with all the contents, with the exception of
a few household effects saved from the burning building. The fire was not discovered until the flumes
had made considerable headway on the roof, and Mrs. Hastings and her
12-year-old daughter at the time asleep in their
bedroom. Three doors had to be burst
open before they could be apprised of their danger, and it was only through the
utmost exertion that their lives were saved.
By the time the fire company reached the scene the fire had made too
much progress for it to be of any service, and the building was soon a mass of
ruins. Mrs. Hastings’ loss, it is
estimated, will amount to about $1500 and the most distressing feature of the
affair is that she did not have a cent of insurance on the property destroyed. Her case is a very sad one under the
circumstances and calls for the charitable consideration of our citizens.
___ 1875 __________________
___
c.1875 __________________
DISTANT VIEW OF WATERTOWN HOUSE
1876 Steamers were put into
service Watertown
News, 10 11 1918
Phoenix
Fire Co, No. 2. Organized 1876. 127 N Water St
Charles Kerr, charter member, fire engine
driver
07 05 PARTICIPATE
IN THE CENTENNIAL FOURTH OF JULY
Proper tribute to the Centennial Fourth of
July. The two fire companies with their beautiful
steamers, surmounted with brilliant floral decorations, made a splendid
display, and were greatly admired. The
Phoenix boys with their Silsby machine came out in their new and beautiful
uniforms for the first time, showing a fine appearance by the side of their
gaily dressed comrades of the Pioneer Company. WR
08 24 Fire at ice house of Exchange Hotel WD Pioneer and
Phoenix respond; reservoir on Second St
08 24 Proceedings
of a regular meeting of the Board of Street Commissioners, held August 21, 1876
. . . Motion by Com. Woodard; That the City Treasurer is hereby requested to
loan to the city general fund from the school fund, until January 1, next, the
sum of $310 for the purpose of purchasing a site for an engine house on the
West side of Rock River, and paying freight for the Silsby fire engine. Motion carried. WD
___
c.1876 __________________
Alarms sounded with stick and old tin pan
by Charley Huber Sr.
___
1877 __________________
Washington’s Birthday in 1877; second
appearance of Phoenix Co. clad in new uniforms; S. M. Eaton having the contract
for hauling the “Phoenix steamer,” and Mr. Mannegold
of the east side had a similar arrangement with the city for hauling the
“Pioneer” to fires. WG, 02 26 1909
Fierce fire broke out in a warehouse
at the C.&N.W.Ry. depot and spread rapidly. WG, 02 26 1909
The officers and engineers of engine
companies in 1877. WG, 02 26 1909
c.1877 ?
___
c.1877 __________________
-- -- INTERIOR OF SOUTH FIRST STREET ENGINE HOUSE
Hook & Ladder,
Ahrens Steamer, unknown vehicle with harnesses for horses suspended in front
Cross reference
note <>
Building removed in 1929: The old brick building next to the Wethonkitha Club has been razed to the ground. It had
quite a history in its day, being at one and the same time the city council
room on the 2nd floor, the fire department on the ground floor and the city
jail in the basement.
01 02 TOWER FOR ENGINE HOUSE
No. 2
The Committee on Public
Buildings verbally reported that the tower to Engine House No. 2 was built and
finished in a good and workman-like manner (excepting the cistern which could
not be completed on account of superfluous water) and recommended that the
tower may now be allowed to be used by the Fire Department. Recommendation adopted. Whereupon Alderman Flinn moved that the Clerk
issue orders in the amount specified in the contract ($480) in favor of Squyres
the contractor, excepting and retaining therefrom the sum of 15.00 until the
cistern shall have been completed to the satisfaction of this Board. Motion adopted.
01 02 [same date]
KUNERT BLDG FIRE
Our citizens were aroused from their slumbers at about
4 o’clock New Year’s morning by an alarm of fire. The cause proceeded from the burning of Mrs.
T. Kunert’s frame building on 4th Street, 2d ward (217 N. Fourth St), occupied
by Kunert Brothers as a Gunsmith and Gas Fitting shop. The flames had made considerable headway
before the engines could get on the ground, owing to the terribly rough
condition of the streets, but the Silsby was soon at work followed in a few
minutes by the Ahrens, and both did excellent service. The fire was got
under complete control in a short time, and the building saved in a damaged
condition.
Kunert Brothers were able to
save a portion of their tools and stock, but the loss on their immovable
machinery such as work benches, etc. is considerable. The building was insured in the Phoenix, of
Hartford, H. A. Wedemeyer, agent, for $250, and it will take fully this amount,
if not more, to restore it. Kunert Brothers had their stock, tools and machinery insured
in the same company for $1500, and they compute their loss at about $1000. The origin of the fire is unknown, but
probably the result of accident.
01 16 BENZ MILL FIRE NEAR CM & St PAUL DEPOT
Last Monday night at about 11 ˝ o’clock a fire broke out
in the frame elevator warehouse of Mr. John Betz [1] on the railroad track near
the depot of the Chicago Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Cos., in the 1st
ward. [1] |Betz, John, grain dealer,
cor 5th and R R (City Dir,
1875-76)
The fire spread with rapidity and the building was
soon enwrapped in flames and destroyed together with all the contents, composed
of barley, principally. The fire at once
communicated to the frame eating house, adjoining the
warehouse on the east, belonging to Mrs. C. Sneer and
occupied by Mr. Louis Street [2].
[2] Street, Louis, baggageman, res Hyland, e 3d. (City Dir, 1875-76)
Owing to the want of a sufficient water supply near
the fire, the two steamers, although promptly on hand, were powerless to do any
good, and the flames soon performed their work of destruction on the eating
house, leaving a smoldering mass of cinders where a half hour before had stood
both buildings.
Two freight cars of the Chicago & N. W. Railway,
standing on the track on the side of the Betz warehouse, one loaded with coal,
and the other with lumber, were burned along with their contents. The coal and lumber belonged to Messrs.
Hamlin & Ford, the cars lying on the track at the time in proximity to
their lumber yard awaiting to be unloaded.
Of course the loss is a total
one to them. Mr. Street was able to save
nearly all his effects from the eating house and his lose,
except of being thrown out of a home and business for the present, will be
inconsiderable. Mr. Betz had an insurance of $1,000 on his warehouse in the Home of New
York, and $1,000 on contents in each of the following companies: Franklin of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Fire
and Home of New York. Mrs. Sneer’s
building was insured in the Aetna of Hartford for $800. Mr. Street was uninsured.
It appears to be the prevalent opinion that the fire
was caused by incendiarism. From all we
can learn it is hard to account for it in any other way. This fire has demonstrated the necessity that exists for reservoirs on the part of the city
where it occurred. An abundant supply of
water in the vicinity of Monday night's fire would have been the means of
saving at least a portion of the destroyed property. Steps should be taken as soon as possible for
the building of more reservoirs throughout the city and the erection of
additional platforms for the steamers along the river bank. Watertown News
01 19 BETZ MILL FIRE
The most
disastrous fire known here for some years occurred on Monday night in the
burning of an elevator owned by John Betz, with the adjacent row of buildings,
and located near the depot on the C. M. & St. P. road. The buildings were like tinder and the fire
spread rapidly, licking up in its way two freight cars of the C. &. N. W.
road and loaded with coal and lumber, and which belonged to Hamlin &
Ford. The old warehouse
and belonging to Mrs. C. Sneer is included in
the ruins and was insured for $800. Mr.
Betz held but $2000 insurance. The loss, whatever it
may be, is deplorable, so far as the parties are concerned, but the riddance to
Watertown is glorious. The buildings
were an eyesore to the town and while all sympathize fully in the loss sustained they realize equally well — “It is an ill wind
that blows nobody any good.” The fire
was unquestionably the work of an incendiary and there is not the slightest question but we have parties among us engaged in such
pursuit. The frequency of fires in isolated
places goes strongly to strengthen such conviction and not withstanding we have
two properly organized companies with the best steamers constructed, it
behooves all to keep watch and ward. As
usual our gallant firemen behaved nobly on the occasion and did all possible to
subdue the flames. Harger Times
Cross Reference:
John Betz, grain dealer, corner 5th and RR: Watertown City Directory of 1875-76
07 30 FIRE SPREADS TO REPUBLICAN OFFICE
Last Sunday morning at
the unseasonable hour of 5 o’clock be alarm of Fire was sounded on the streets
and flames were seen issuing from the roof at the rear of John W. Cole’s brick
block, corner of Main and Second streets, 2nd ward.
The fire seems to have
got its start in the room on the second floor occupied by Louis Boehlke as a
tailor shop. The fire spread rapidly and the flames soon communicated to the office of the
Republican on the same
floor. The fire was principally between
the ceiling and roof, situated hard to reach, and the density of the smoke made
it a most difficult task for the firemen to work on the flames with effect.
The constant streams
that were poured upon the building, however, and the splendid working capacity
of our two steamers, soon told on the fire and it at length was brought under
subjection without doing further damage, the fury of the flames being confined
to the second floor, doing most injury to the ceiling and roof only a small
portion of the floor being destroyed but making bad havoc with the walls,
doors, widows and casings. So far for
the effect of the fire on the building.
Perhaps there is no
class of property so badly used up by a fire as a printing office and to this
general admission the Republican office bore complete testimony after the fire
was out and a fair view could be taken of the pathway of the flames. There stood the presses, hard looking agents
of “the art preservative of all arts,’’ smoky, begrimed and warped, appearing
as if injured beyond all future movements; the type scattered in all
directions, racks, stands, cases, cabinets, either burned up or badly maimed;
imposing stones bereft of frames, the card cutter busted, the proof press sick,
forms pied just ready to lock up, the most perplexing thing in life to overtake
a printer; the thousand and one little articles incidental to a printing office
gone up, to be no more seen forever, and above all a woe begone looking
proprietor gazing upon and musing over the sad scene of desolation with
numerous satellites in a bond of sympathy with him, and we have a picture well worthy the study of an artist.
All we have to say, is no more fiery ordeal for us
while in the printing business at least.
Mr. Boehlke lost all
his effects saving only a sewing machine in a damaged
condition. He counts his loss at about $300 upon which there was no
insurance. The Republican printing
office material was insured in the Insurance Company of North America,
Philadelphia, Wm. L. Norris, agent. The
loss on a portion of the material was fully covered
while on other parts the insurance was not adequate to fully indemnify.
Joseph Harvey,
occupying the first floor of the building as a saloon, sustained some loss by
the removal of his goods and by water.
Mr. Harvey was uninsured. Mr.
Cole carried no insurance on the building and his loss is therefore a total one
amounting, perhaps, to $500.
`
We doubt if any city in
the can boast of a more efficient or better working volunteer fire department
than Watertown. This is very evident to
all who have witnessed the splendid, effective service our firemen have done on
many occasions similar to the one Sunday morning
last. Time and time again have our
citizens seen the wisdom displayed by our city fathers in securing two fire
engines instead of one. Both steamers
move finely and are manned by as gallant, intelligent and hardworking boys as can be found in any fire
brigade in the country. The Watertown Republican, 30 Jul 1879
08 13 FIRE AT MINK PREMISES
The cry of
fire was again sounded Sunday morning at 2 o’clock caused by the burning of a
frame barn on the premises of Charles Mink in the 7th Ward. The flames made quick work with the structure
and the fire next communicated to Mr. Mink’s 2 story brick dwelling house situate a few feet south.
Both steamers were prompt in getting on the ground but were powerless to
be of any service on account of the scarcity of water in the vicinity. Had there been an adequate supply of water or
a sufficient amount of hose to reach
to the river, the dwelling house might have been saved before much of
any damage was done to it. As it was the
building completely succumbed to the devouring element before the eyes of the
fire department. The dwelling was
occupied by four families who saved all their household effects. The house was insured in the St. Paul Fire
and Marine for $700. The Watertown News, 13 Aug
1879
___ c.1870s __________________
-- -- GLOBE MILL FIRST TO SOUND ALARM OF FIRE
The hum of machinery in a country mill gave off soft music in the
small hours of the night, bringing assurance to the timid that men were awake
and about their business. Its low pitched whistle was the FIRST TO SOUND THE ALARM OF
FIRE, summoning the volunteers to their duties.
It stood sentinel over the sleeping town. "The Globe Milling Company, Watertown, Wisconsin,
1845-1945."
___ 1880 __________________
FRED
NEWMANN retirement
(discharge certificate) from fire
department
“ he shall be hereafter, so long as he shall
reside in this City, exempt from Poll Tax and from Serving on Juries and from
Military Duty, except in case of insurrection or invasion. “
Henry Bieber City Clerk
William
H Rohr President,
Watertown Fire Dept
Carl Goeldner Treasurer, Watertown Fire
Dept
07 07 BLANCHARD MILL FIRE (Yellow Mill)
On Monday
night fire broke out in the south end of the old
Blanchard Custom Flourishing Mill in the First ward and before the fire
department reached the ground for duty the flames had made such rapid headway
that all the efforts made by the two steamers to stay the fire were
unavailing. Fortunately, the mill was
not very heavily stocked; but Mr. Pritzlaff’s loss was heavy notwithstanding,
as the place was only insured for $3,000 and the machinery and contents alone
were valued at $15, 000.
In the
destruction of this mill one of the oldest landmarks of Watertown was removed,
it being the first mill in this locality.
The fire was one of the most disasterous which
has ever visited the place and resulted in the destruction of a plant which the
people could ill afford to lose. WR
___ c.1880 __________________
PHOENIX
ENGINE HOUSE, 125 North
Water
Name
of Wm. Schulte, second Fire Chief, noted on the Silsby steamer
___ 1881 __________________
-- -- FRAMED FIREMAN CARDS
Society
holding, previously owned by John “Putt”
Reichardt, early Fire Dept. member
___ 1883 __________________
07 13 PLATFORMS ALONG ROCK RIVER
The platforms on the
west side of the river, built for the use of the fire department, are in a very
unsafe condition, and the approaches to them anything but safe. A few dollars invested now in pine lumber and
a few loads of gravel may save hundreds of dollars worth,
since at any time during a fire when it may be necessary for the fire company
to seek the platform in search of water, horses, engines
and all are liable to fall through them.
WG
07 13 ANOTHER
SCHOOL HOUSE, DISSATISFACTION WITH
[same
date] Many of our citizens seem to be dissatisfied with the action of the
School Board in concluding to build another school house, claiming that the
present school accommodations are sufficient to meet the requirements of the
number of children here, believing that the expenditure of so many thousands
could be far better utilized. Among the
many reasons brought forward in support of their claim are the following: In
case of fire, Union School No. 1 is badly provided for, sufficient water
not being obtainable in that locality to quench an ordinary blaze, although a
cistern was sunk there for that purpose, but of a kind that is almost
useless. A few hundred dollars might be
well expended for the purpose of remedying this. . . .
Still other portions of our citizens consider the necessity of providing a
suitable "lock-up" and a
better and safer building than that now used by the Pioneer Fire Co., for
the use of the company. Editorial /
Watertown Gazette, 07 13 1883
07 27 Dr. CODY HOME FIRE
Monday morning last at
10 o'clock the alarm of fire was sounded and the fire
department called out, the occasion being the turning over of an oil stove and
its immediate explosion in the kitchen of Dr. Cody's
residence. The fire was
extinguished, however, before the engines were ready for work. The woodwork in the kitchen was badly
scorched, and the damage might have been more serious had it not been for the
heroic efforts of Miss Kate Rooney, the domestic, who endangered her own person
in subduing the flames. WG
___ 1885 __________________
LEO RUESCH,
FIRE CHIEF, Commemorative
Coffee Pot
“From Phoenix Fire Co. No. 2 to Leo Ruesch, our Chief”
Leo Ruesch was Phoenix Fire Department Chief in 1884-1885
___ c.1885 __________________
WATERTOWN’S “WATER WITCH” races from Phoenix Engine House
___
1886 __________________
07 17 STABLE AT PHOENIX ENGINE HOUSE
The following bids for building
and erecting a stable in connection with the Phoenix Engine House were opened
and read:
J. F. Dornfeld, $2157
C. Schmutzler, 1922
W. B. Squires, 1495
W. P. Quentmeyer,
2049
On motion by Com. Solliday the
Committee on Public Buildings was instructed to enter into
a contract with the lowest responsible bidder, for building said stable as soon
as that part of O'Connell Street be vacated for that purpose.
07 16 BOTT'S FRAME BUILDING
FIRE
Last Sunday at 2 o'clock
a fire in the rear of Bott's frame building on the west side next to Kusels' hardware store called out the fire department. The prompt and efficient response of the
Phoenix Co. made short work of the flames.
The damage is estimated at about $50.
The fire is supposed to have originated from a match or cigar ashes
thrown on the floor in the first story, where the fire started, and ran up
inside the plastering to the roof. WR
11 13 INVITATION
OF FIREMAN’S BALL
Pioneer Company No. 1
MENTION OF C. ED. STRAW
C. E. Straw: “Now located in
Watertown and running a Silsby fire engine”
___ 1887 __________________
PIONEER
FIRE DEPARTMENT No. 1
Watertown
Historical Society Collection
03 11 THE PHOENIX COMPANY STREET SPRINKLER
We, the Phoenix engine boys, have
received such liberal patronage from our citizens for the purpose of sprinkling
the streets the coming summer, that we wish to express our thanks to all our
subscribers for the purpose and say to them that, notwithstanding all reports
to the contrary, we intend to carry out our plan of doing the sprinkling and in
a manner that everyone may rejoice in a work so well done. PHOENIX
Watertown Gazette, 03 11 1887
The
Republican reported in
April the new sprinkling cart manned and equipped by the Phoenix Fire Company
boys made its appearance on the streets for the first time. The Company owned its own team, which, “when
not in use on the Silsby is made to turn an honest penny in keeping down the
dust on the streets. The sprinkler had a
large number of patrons, and promises to do very
satisfactory work.” The sprinkler was
built after the style of carts used for street sprinkling in Chicago,
and sprinkles one-half of a street at each drive through it. The cart was ornamented with the advertising
of several local merchants. Sim Robinson
handled the ribbons on the cart, and “takes particular pains to see that none
of the ladies get their shoes or dresses wet who chance to be near a crossing
as he passes by.” Watertown Republican, 04 20 1887 and Watertown
Gazette, 04 22 1887.
06 23 JUNCTION FIRE; RAIL MILL
Junction fire; rail mill, machine
shop, carpenter shop and blacksmith shop.
WD
07 31 FIREMEN'S TOURNEY
Eighteen fire companies have
already registered who intend to take part in the firemen's tournament which is
to occur here on the fairgrounds during the Central Fair exhibition this year,
and all of them are energetically at work practicing for the event.
It will be one of the most
interesting contests that has ever taken place in the state,
and will draw out an immense crowd of people. Many of the localities are making
arrangements to come in special cars.
In the tournament held here a few years only five companies
participated, still the interest was great and the
crowd attracted very large.
In this year's tournament some 20
companies will participate, and therefore the interest will be all the more, and the attendance proportionately large.
10 08 ANCHOR HOOK & LADDER COMPANY FORMED
Anchor Hook &
Ladder Co. No. 1 ribbon, "Pat. Oct. 18??, Mar. 7, '98"
___ 1888 __________________
07 20 JOHN WEISSERT
John E. Weissert, 1847 – 1888;
Department in funeral procession for WG
POLL TAX: Firemen exempt from paying
In 1888 it was provided
that persons who had served for ten years in the Watertown Fire
Department were exempt from paying the poll tax as long as they continued to
live in Watertown. [source]
ROUGH & READY MILL FIRE
Built
alongside the Rough & Ready dam in 1847 by Heber Smith, Luther Cole and John Richards.
It burned to the ground in 1888.
___ 1889 __________________
01 11 CHARLES HOEFFNE
Charles Hoeffner
funeral; the Phoenix Fire Co turned out in uniform.
10 30 ANCHOR
VOLUNTEER FIRE Cos. No. 1
composed of Anchor Hook and Ladder Cos.
& Anchor Hose Cos.
At a meeting last
evening the name of the Anchor Hook and Ladder Cos. [100 block N. First
St] was changed to the Anchor Volunteer Fire Cos. No. 1, and will be composed
of the Anchor Hook and Ladder Cos. and the Anchor Hose Cos.
The following officers
were elected: Ed. May, pres.; A. Meyer, vice-pres.; A.A. Hardie, rec. sec.; O. Wegemann, fin. sec.; A. Jaeger, treas.; Geo. Henke, trustee
for 2 years; John Henke, foreman A.H.&L.; Otto Walters, asst, foreman;
C. Hoeffner, hose foreman; P. Berg, asst, foreman; Aug. Welk, hose captain;
Geo. Henke, asst, hose captain and A. Goeldner, house overseer.
12 06 HUGE FIRE ALMOST TOTALLY DESTROYED TREMONT HOUSE
[NOT SAME AS TREMONT HOUSE FIRE, WHICH OCCURRED ON 09
11 1895]
The Old Lindon House Barn with all its contents
totally consumed; James Casey’s Warehouse burned to the ground; Conley’s Saloon
slightly damaged and several other places badly scorched.
AN ATTEMPT TO SET TURNER HALL ON FIRE
Last Sunday morning at
about 2 o’clock one of the most disastrous fires that has ever occurred In
Watertown broke out in the old Lindon House barn
on the West Side, and before the firemen could get the fire under control some
$15,000 worth of property was consumed.
The old barn fired up
like a powder mill and in a few minutes after the
blaze was first discovered over half a dozen places took fire therefrom.
James D. Casey’s warehouse and contents were
totally consumed; Tremont House badly damaged; Conley's Saloon slightly burned,
and all the sheds in that vicinity were reduced to ashes.
At one time it looked as
though the whole business portion of the west side might succumb to the flames,
but by the heroic and excellent work of the firemen the flames were confined to
the immediate vicinity where they were first kindled. The firemen in all the companies did good
work, especially when it is taken into consideration that two blocks of
frontage had to be protected by them. It
was with difficulty that the American House and barns were saved, also Casey's
blacksmith shop, Conley's saloon and Seager’s barbershop.
For the fine work of
the firemen, they are deserving of great praise from our citizens. . . . WG
12 06 HOOK & LADDER TIPS ONTO FIREMEN
Sunday noon A. Meyer, Nic. J. Simon, E. J.
Voigt and H. J. Heilmann, of the Anchor Fire and Hose
Cos. were seriously injured by the Hook & Ladder truck being tipped over
onto them, while responding to a second alarm of fire from the Tremont
House. WG
12 13 CONDITION OF FIREMEN
All the firemen injured lately by the
turning over onto them of the hook and ladder truck are able to be out again, except Nic. Simon, who is still in
a very serious condition.
04 25 DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
At 2:30 o'clock last Saturday morning a destructive fire occurred in the
city and at one time it looked as though a large portion of the west side would
be destroyed. The entire box, bee-hive and section factory of G. B. Lewis & Co. the and -Watertown Woolen Mills, owned by Mrs. James Chapman, were totally
consumed. The loss of the former is
about $15,000 insured for $4,500 . . . . The buildings burned were located adjacent to
two large lumberyards, the Empire flour mills and several frame buildings. Had it not been for the good service of the
fire department the loss would have been very great.
The origin of the fire is unknown . . . . WG
04 28 ANOTHER DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
Another disastrous fire visited our city Monday
evening, making an almost total wreck of the livery
barn of George W. Evans, located on North First Street.
Fortunately, sufficient help arrived in time to save the entire stock of
horses, carriages, buggies and harnesses. The barn was stored with 5,000 bushels of
oats and about forty tons of hay, all of which were completely
destroyed. The front wall, part
of the side wall and the office addition were saved
and it may be that they are sufficiently preserved to be used in
rebuilding. But on the whole the
building is a bad wreck and it was one of the worst fires Watertown has experienced
. . . . The Ahrens engine, as luck would have it, was
delivered by the Kunert Manufacturing company to the fire department during the
day and did excellent work in connection with the ever
reliable old Silsby engine that has never failed in any emergency up to
the present time. The fire started very
mysteriously in a small cow stable on Mrs. Mannegold's
lot adjoining the barn and from it spread to a shed addition of the barn used
for storing rubbish, both forming a strong nucleus for a fire. Mr. Evans will probably rebuild at once and
continue his business, which had become quite large in the livery line. . . . WR
04 30 SUPPLY
CITY WITH 100 HYDRANTS
[same
date] The regular meeting of the Board of Street Commissioners Monday evening
was broken up by the fire. It is not a
little singular that there was to have come before the body a proposition from
a Chicago company to put in water works here and supply the city with 100 hydrants and
an outlay of $5,000 a year. We
believe a majority of our citizens have come to the
conclusion that the next improvement wanted in Watertown is a complete system
of water works, embracing ample protection from fires. Should this be done
our citizens would save something in the lowering of the price of insurance, to
say nothing of other benefits to be derived. WR
05 07 FIRE HYDRANTS OF LUDLOW PATTERN
From the minutes of the Board of Street
Commissioners meeting held Monday evening, May 1st, 1890: Clerk read proposition from Jas. H. Thompson,
of Chicago, submitting to the Board a proposition to erect and maintain water
works to furnish a supply of water for public and private usage; guaranteeing
to erect and maintain a perfect system of pumping works with two steam boilers,
two duplex steam pumps having a combined capacity of 2,000,000 gallons in 24
hours---10 miles of street mains of proper size for distribution of the water;
also to erect 100 fire hydrants, of Ludlow pattern each to have 2 ˝-inch hose
connections to fit hose now in use in the city; water to be clean water; to
furnish all water for public schools and other buildings owned by city free of
charge; provided the city pays an annual rental of $50.00 for each of the 100
hydrants, and the city to have the right to purchase the water works, should it
so desire. It is further agreed to
furnish the same pumping works with seven miles of street mains with 70
hydrants at an annual rental of $60 for each hydrant. WR
05 14 EMERGENCY
HOSPITAL PROPOSED FOR OLD ENGINE HOUSE
The proposal of the health officer to
occupy the old engine house on First Street as an emergency hospital, provided
the privilege is granted by the council, meets with some opposition, especially
from those living and doing business in the vicinity.
If it should be the intention, as is
supposed, to care for patients with infectious diseases, the central location
of the building would make jeopardizing, no doubt, to the general health of the
city. On the other hand, cases here of
persons away from their homes needing urgent and immediate medical attention,
or particularly from accidents, which are the cases the health officer wishes
to provide for, are not numerous enough to make it worthwhile to go to the outlay
and troubles suggested. We believe not
more than three or four such cases have occurred in the city for
the past six or seven years, and in case of great emergency the marshal’s
office would, we think, meet all the requirements wanted. WR
05 14 FIRE AT CHICKEN BARN
[same date] Shortly before midnight Saturday night the
fire bells rang, the alarm being caused by a fire breaking out in the barn
building of J. P. Herzog, Second ward.
The fire department at once responded to the call and the streams
applied smothered the blaze before much harm was done
the building. A lot of chickens in the
barn quietly roosted away all through the commotion and flew around as lively
as ever next morning.
07 09 WE ARE TO PAY $50
PER HYDRANT
The Republican is for waterworks, but in
securing them the board should exercise judgement and caution, and endeavor by
every means possible to have them established here at as low a cost as other
places have obtained them for, all things being equal. By the committee's
report to the board, it will be seen that Portage under her system pays only
$40 per hydrant, while we are to pay $50 per hydrant. Proportionally, Watertown aught
to have her hydrants cheaper, because she takes 100, while Portage takes only 80. Perhaps this difference against Watertown is
easily explained, and if so, we would be glad to give the
space for the explanation. The Republican admits that it is not
familiar with matters connected with the establishing of waterworks, but It can
see that if a saving can be made of $10 a year on each hydrant, it is worth
considering. WR
07 16 100 HYDRANTS TO BE RENTED?
With the natural advantages possessed by Watertown,
she wants waterworks as another Inducement to offer those aspiring to settle
here, whether with a view of starting a business or making this their place of
residence. Parties are ready to put in a
system of waterworks and run all the risk of the project paying,
if the city will bind itself to take 100 hydrants at a rental to be
agreed upon beforehand. As to the amount
of rental for 100 hydrants, say $5,000 a year, the tax payers get a return in
the extra facilities for putting out fires that they obtain through the
hydrants, thereby cheapening the insurance, and the saving that will come by
the city being able to get along with a smaller fire department. At present . . . WR
07 18 BONFIRE CAUSES
DEATH OF CHILD
Last week Thursday evening while playing around a bonfire the
five-year-old daughter of Carl Tietz, of 2d ward, was fatally and
frightfully burned, from the results of which she died next morning. Her body presented a sickening sight, being burned and charred almost beyond recognition. The parents of the unfortunate child are
certainly entitled to great sympathy, this being seven or eight children they
have lost in a few years.
11 05 FIRE BUG WEIGEL
Edward Weigel, aged 11 years,
whose home is on North First Street, was taken before Justice Halliger, October 21, under a criminal complaint for having
stolen a watch, the property of G. Boehn, and the youthful culprit was
committed to the Reform school at Waukesha.
Other offenses came out against him in the examination, such as stealing
dinner pails from the children of St. Henri's school, from which is was evident
that he required to be taken care of.
Sometime before the boy had been
charged with tempting to set fire at St. Henri's church, having sprinkled oil,
obtained in the church, on the floor and then scattered matches over the
surface so that a person walking might ignite the matches and set the blaze
going. But Justice Halliger,
from his proofs, decided that there was no cause of action and discharged
him.
And now come
the startling denouement. When Deputy
Sheriff Graewe was leaving the Reform school to
return home, young Weigel confessed to him and the keeper to having set fire to
Paul Herzog's barn and since then the astounding intelligence is received that
in addition to this burning he admits that he set fire to the factory of G. B. Lewis & Co. and Geo. W. Evans' livery stable, involving a destruction of some
$25,000 worth of property.
It may be this boy is trying to
make a great hero of himself, and that his admissions must be taken with some
grains of allowance, but that he is an evil-disposed youth whose presence is
dangerous to society and should be made to pass through a lengthy penitential
period will not be disputed. WR
12 05 FIRE BUGS WEIGEL and SCHLUTER
John Schluter a lad 14 years of age of the 5th ward, was arrested
Thursday morning on the charge of being implicated in setting fire to Lewis
& Co.'s factory which was destroyed by fire last February. Mr. Parks visited Waukesha on Wednesday and
called on young Edward Weigel, a lad 11 years of age sent from here to the
reform school at that place October 21st.
It will be remembered that at that time Weigel claimed to have set fire
to several places here, and on Wednesday last told Mr. Parks while in conversation
with him that young Schluter was implicated with him in firing the Lewis
factory. Schluter is now in jail
awaiting his examination. WG
12 12 FIRE-BUGS CONFESS TO LEWIS FIRE, AND OTHERS
In our issue of last week we
referred briefly to the arrest of John Schlueter charged with setting fire to
G. B. Lewis & Co.’s bee hive factory in February. As stated, Mr. Parks, the junior member of
the company, visited the reform school at Waukesha for the purpose of getting a
confession out of Eddy Weigel, a boy 11 years of age sent from here to that
institution last October, with the suspicion hanging over him that he knew all
about the various fires that were kindled here the present year, involving the
loss of over $25,000 worth of property in the destruction of the G. B. Lewis Co.’s bee
hive factory, the Watertown woolen mill, Geo. W. Evans’ livery barn and the Herzog and
Lange barns.
When Mr. Parks first began interviewing young Weigel,
he was reluctant to telling all he knew about these
fires, but he finally made a clean breast of it. He stated that he fired Evans’ and Lange’s
barns merely for the sake of seeing a fire, and Herzog's barn because some of
the Herzog family were mad at his folks, and called
him names because they did not buy beer at Herzog's saloon, and he fired the
barn to get even with them.
With regard to the Lewis fire, he stated that he and Schlueter planned
this fire because they had applied for work at the Lewis factory and were
refused. Early in the evening they
passed some time in a barn back of the William Pell house in the 5th ward, and
then strolled down towards Weber’s lumber yard, thence down to the river bank,
and waited around the mills and factory until the electric lights went
out. Weigel gave a minute description of
the interior of the factory at the place therein where they started the fire on
the night in question, so that there can be no doubt of his story being
correct.
As soon as the electric lights were turned off, both
entered the basement door on the south of the factory leading from the alley
way between there and the woolen mill, Schlueter applied the match whilst
Weigel stood guard outside watching so that they could not be surprised in
their nefarious work. When everything
was ready, Weigel went outside to watch, but returned again to inform Schlueter
that a man was passing by and they had better wait
awhile longer. They did so, and both
returned to their respective posts.
Schlueter applied the match to a pile of shavings in
the fore part of the basement and then skipped outside, calling
to his partner to run. Both
started on the run, got separated in Weber's lumber yard, but came together
again near Jesse Stone's residence, and then proceeded to Hughes' barn nearby,
where they passed the night.
On arriving home from Waukesha, Mr. Parks had
Schlueter arrested. He was closely
questioned as to his connection with the Lewis fire, and told substantially the
same story as above. . . .
. . . . It is a relief to know that older persons were not engaged in this work. Both boys will probably spend the best years
of their lives in the reform school, if not in the state prison, and it is
hoped that with this as an example before them, other boys here may be
prevented from ever engaging in such despicable work.
The reform school and state prison, to our mind, is
altogether too mild a punishment for such acts.
It now remains to discover who fired the old Lindon House barn, and let us hope that the guilty one may also be found
out. WG
___ 1891 __________________
---- DEATH
OF HAVENS WILBER, supporter
of department
03 04 SHAVINGS CAUGHT FIRE
The alarm of fire last Thursday
evening was caused by some shavings taking fire in the blow-pipe
of the G.B. Lewis company's factory. No harm was
done, but the fire department was on hand prepared for any emergency. WR
09 03 VALERIUS
HORSE BARNS DESTROYED BY FIRE
09 04 <> Large article about the
burning of the Valerius barns. Picture
to go with it
09 09 <> The fire last Thursday
morning (09 03 1891) which destroyed Dr. N.P. Valerius & Co.'s horse barns
situated on the north side of West Main Street, Fourth ward, and cremated
thirty-three horses, thirty-one of which were Clydesdales, and two Jersey cows,
proved one of the most destructive conflagrations that ever occurred in the
city. It was a fortunate circumstance
that Dr. Valerius had taken twelve horses from the barns for exhibition at the
interstate fair at La Crosse, for had these animals been in the barns there is
little doubt they also would have roasted alive with the others. The fire started at 2 o’clock and spread with
such rapidity that not an animal was taken out of the buildings alive. . . The fire department was promptly on hand,
and all worked heroically against great odds to stem the tide of the fiery
element. Efforts being futile on the
barns, the department devoted its efforts towards saving surrounding
property. WR
___ 1894 __________________
01 03 CISTERN AT SIXTH AND MAIN
The cistern for the use of the fire department at the corner
of Sixth and Main Street has been repaired with new planking and is now in
proper condition to hold water. WR
04 11 SMALL SHED FIRE
The
alarm of fire last Thursday afternoon was caused by a blaze in a small shed on
the place of Henry Arndt, directly opposite from the Phoenix engine house. The Phoenix boys soon had a stream of water
on the fire, and it was extinguished in short order.
07 13 PETER SCHAUSS RESIDENCE
On
Thursday morning the fire department was called out by the burning of Kennedy
property near the Junction, occupied by Peter Schauss as a residence. This is an old landmark, being erected many
years ago by ex-assemblyman P. Davy of this district. The building is almost a total wreck, but is fully covered by insurance. WG
08 01 FIRE
AT THE NORTHWESTERN
The Main Building
of the University Group Struck by Lightning.
Shortly after 10 o clock Monday
night, during the storm which had set in just previously, the terrific electric
bolt which was so generally noticed for its severity struck the flag-staff on the belfry of the main building of the
Northwestern University, and in hardly less time than it takes to tell it the
belfry and the entire roof were completely enveloped in a sheet of flames.
The fire department bustled to
the scene of action as soon as possible, but was unable to render effective
assistance in subduing the flames until an hour later, owing to the distance of
the steamers from the burning building which was fully
a half mile, at the cistern on the corner of Main Street and College
Avenue. This made it difficult for the
engines to force water through the hose with sufficient strength to be of any
aid. Finally a
good stream was secured by placing one of the streamers half way between the
cistern and the building and forcing the water from that point when it was
received from the other engine.
The firemen worked all night
and until noon yesterday over the ruins.
After the fire had gained a good foot hold on the roof it spread rapidly
to the inside of the building and completely gutted it. Nothing but the massive brick walls are left,
and these may possibly have to be torn down for safety. The rainfall in progress at the time no doubt
prevented the fire from touching the adjoining buildings and making it even
more destructive than it was. Some good
work was done in saving the contents of the building. A portion of the furniture and a considerable
part of the valuable library were removed by willing hands.
Some insurance was carried, but
how much cannot be exactly ascertained as yet. The
board of trustees had charge of this and it was carried in Milwaukee agencies. It is thought it does not amount to over
$5,000 or $8,000, which is very small in comparison to the whole loss. This is conservatively estimated to be at
least $25,000 above the insurance.
Nothing can be said at this writing of the plans of the board of
trustees, of which Rev. Mr. Bading, of Milwaukee, is president, as to replacing
the building.
09 26 THE PHOENIX BALL
At Turner Opera house this evening occurs the eighteenth
annual ball of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire company. Arrangements for a very pleasant time have
been made, and there will no doubt be a large attendance. The company’s faithful services to the city
are of inestimable value, and there should be shown a hearty appreciation of
the same by a liberal patronage this evening.
10 25 SILSBY REPAIRED
The Watertown
Manufacturing company have completed the repairs on the Phoenix fire engine
(Silsby), and Monday afternoon it was tested on Main Street bridge. The steamer performed its work very
satisfactorily, and the firemen and city authorities were much pleased with
it. It seems to be as good as new. The repairs were apparently done in a first
-class, workmanlike manner, reflecting great credit upon the company and their
skilled mechanics who had charge of the job, Messrs. Boardman and
Reichardt. The city saved considerable
money by entrusting the contract to them at $650, as another firm wanted $1,900
to do the same work. WR
10 25 BIDS FOR KEEPING RIVER AND CISTERNS OPEN
There were fifteen bids before the council last evening for
the job of keeping openings in the ice at all bridges and platforms for the use
of the fire department, and cistern covers free from snow, during the
winter. The bids ranged from $25 to
S70. William Schulz was given the
contract at the first named figure.
WR
___ 1895 __________________
01 09 EFFICIENCY TEST FOR BOTH DEPTS
A test of the efficiency of the city's fire department was
made about 8 o'clock Saturday evening.
Chief McLaughlin sounded the alarm, the steamers were sent to Main
Street bridge and the companies ordered to work. It took the Ahrens engine and the Anchor Hose
company just three and one-half minutes to get to the bridge after the alarm,
the Silsby engine and the Phoenix boys arrived a few seconds thereafter, the
difference being accounted for in the greater distance their house from the
bridge. The Phoenix boys had a stream of
water through their hose almost immediately after their arrival, but for some
reason the Ahrens engine failed to pump and it was
twenty minutes before it could force any water.
There is something palpably wrong with this steamer. Lately it has failed to perform its work
several times. The city authorities are
investigating the matter and will endeavor to ascertain where the trouble
lies. Monday morning it was again tested and this time worked satisfactorily, a stream being
thrown in a very few moments after starting.
WR
01 09 KEEPING CISTERNS CLEAR OF SNOW, HOLES CUT IN THE
ICE
[same date] The matter of keeping fire cisterns clear of
snow and holes cut in the ice for the use of the fire department has in the
past occasioned considerable trouble to the council and the letting of
bids. Why not appropriate a certain sum
say $75, and give the contract to the fire department, each company taking it
in turn? If such were done, the city
could be reasonably certain that the work would be satisfactorily performed. WR
01 09 EMPIRE MILL FIRE
A fire was discovered at noon yesterday in
the Empire Mill of the Globe Milling company, and
for a time it was feared the company would suffer a loss like that sustained last
August in the destruction of the Globe mill.
But the alarm was hastily given and the firemen
were at work without delay, subduing the flames before any headway had been
gained. Several streams of water were at
work, both on the outside and inside of the mill, and the chances were
altogether against the fire spreading.
The flames were located in the bran room,
connected with which is a conveyor from the
elevator. One of the buckets of this
conveyor had in some manner got out of running order, thereby stopping the
movement of the belting, and the continued revolving of the drive pulley –
which was directly at the head of the conveyor, where the grain was discharged
to the bran room produced a friction on the belting which in time burned the
latter. The communication of the flames
to the bran followed, the fact being discovered by William Wurtzler and others
of the mill hands just as they were about to leave for dinner.
Owing to alterations being made in the flouring department,
the mill was running only its feed department.
No material loss was occasioned by the fire,
the principal damage being done by the large amount of water poured into the building. This affected
the machinery and other contents considerably.
It is thought the loss will be at least $1,500. The property is amply insured. It was a narrow escape from a most serious
conflagration, and everybody is thankful that if was no worse. The company will be delayed some by the
cleaning-up process. WR
01 16 MILL FIRE LOSS ADJUSTED
The loss occasioned by the blaze at the Empire mill last Tuesday was not
nearly as large as first reported. It
was adjusted by the insurance company at about $200. WR
02 06 STACY HOME FIRE
On returning home last Sunday afternoon from a call, Mr. and
Mrs. W. J. Stacy discovered fire in the sitting room of their residence, 410
West Cady Street. The carpeting and some
of the furniture was damaged to the extent of $25. It is supposed to have caught
from the igniting of a match in the straw under the carpet, which was probably
stepped upon as they left their dwelling an hour or so previous. WR
04 03 JAEDECKE PROPERTY
FIRE
The
property owned by William Jaedecke, surrounding the
southwest corner of Main and Seventh streets, was visited by the fire fiend at
an early hour Sunday morning and considerable damage was done. The fire extended to the lumber yard of
Brittingham & Hixon, adjoining on the west, but aside from the burning of a
few piles of lumber and cedar posts, no great damage was done in that quarter .
. . There is perhaps no more dangerous locality in the city for a fire than
this block, and with the high eastern wind prevailing at the time it is a
marvel that more property was not destroyed.
Excellent work, however, was performed by the fire department, under the
supervision of Chief McLaughlin, and this, coupled with the lucky rainfall,
prevented the flames from spreading. The
firemen are entitled to much praise for their heroic and tireless effort in the
face of many obstacles, the principal of which was the lack of water. The origin of the fire is unknown, although
many circumstances point to incendiarism.
It is said that there was a strong smell of kerosene during the fire's
progress.
09 11 TREMONT HOUSE FIRE
On West Main Street; one
doubts that it was of incendiary origin.
09 25 DUNIGAN BARN FIRE
A barn on the premises of Luke Dunigan, on River Street,
Seventh ward, caught fire about 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and, fanned by
the brisk breeze, the flames made rapid progress, soon rendering the structure
a mass of ruins. The department
responded to the alarm, but before the firemen could begin work on the blaze
the destruction was complete. WR
11 13 FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS
The location of street hydrants
of the water system was definitely arranged at the
council meeting Saturday evening. There
are to be 149 of them, which will pretty thoroughly
cover the city.
___ 1896 __________________
05 13 WERTHEIMER BARN FIRE
Shortly after midnight last night
the barn on Alderman H. Wertheimer’s place, 217 North Fifth street, was
destroyed by fire. The fire department
was out and prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining property. The barn was insured for $100. The origin of the fire is unknown. The Watertown News, 13 May
1896
02 17 MORGUE PROPOSED FOR
FORMER ENGINE HOUSE (116 S. First St)
To the Honorable, the Mayor
and Common Council of the City of Watertown, Wisconsin: The board of public works and the committee
on public building's, to whom was referred the plans and
specifications for a morgue and the advisability
of constructing the same and the probable cost thereof, make the following
report: We disapprove of the plans and specifications, but deem it advisable to
construct a morgue, and recommend the “Old Engine House" site situated in
the First ward of this city [116 S. First] as the proper place for the same;
the probable cost of repairing the building, including roof, and fitting room
in same for purpose of a morgue will not in our opinion exceed the sum of $500.
Before the question on
the adoption of the report was put, the mayor stated that unless objection was
raised Edward Specht would be allowed to speak on the recommendations of the
report. Mr. Specht said petitions had
been freely signed remonstrating against the location of the morgue as
proposed. He called attention to the
fact that it is in the heart of the city and that the surroundings are not
suitable for its establishment there; that the property in question has laid
idle for twelve years, is in very poor condition and a detriment to the
neighborhood. He was ready to purchase
the property at a fair price if necessary to prevent the proposed action. In reply to his remarks a
number of the aldermen were heard.
It was the opinion that the charter would not
permit the property to be disposed of except at auction, which would not be
advisable, as no price could be guaranteed.
It was doubtful if a morgue could be located elsewhere as cheaply and
suitably. Alderman Needham explained
that the plan was to locate the morgue in the basement, with a rear entrance,
out of sight of the surroundings. The
report was adopted by a unanimous vote and a resolution calling for plans to
refit the building to be submitted at the next meeting was passed later in the
session.
NOTE: Morgue was eventually located in City Hall on
N. First St.
04 07 FERDINAND LINK ELECTED ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER
At a meeting of the Watertown Fire Department Monday evening
Ferdinand Link was elected assistant chief engineer in place of Charles Pientz, whose position on the police force prevented his
qualifying. Mr. Link received 33 votes against 32 for Herman Conrad. Watertown News
___
1898 __________________
03 03 DUTIES OF THE ENGINEER OF THE
DEPARTMENT
The Common Council of
the city of Watertown do ordain as follows:
Section 1. The duties of the engineer of the fire department
shall be to keep the fire engine No. 2 in good repair and ready for use and
properly care for the same, and to run it at all fires when it shall be called
out by the chief of the fire department;
To keep clean and well-oiled and wiped engine No. 1, so that the same
will not rust; to attend as a fireman all fires, going with the hose wagon; but
if the fire engine shall be called out, he shall return and run it; to be
janitor of the Phoenix engine house and keep the same clean and in good order,
and to sleep there; to wash the hose after fires or when used, and to change
them in the hose-wagon as often as necessary, so that they will not crack; to
run the steam roller when requested so to do by the city engineer, and to keep
the same clean and properly wiped and oiled when not in use.
08 03 STEAM WHISTLE ON WATER DEPT POWER HOUSE
A steam whistle has been
purchased by the board of water commissioners and is erected to be in place on the power house in a few
days. It is a three-chimes whistle and
will serve several purposes, one of which will be to notify consumers of the
closing time for lawn sprinkling both morning and evening, and another to
proclaim, in case of fire, the number of the ward in which the fire is
located. WR
12 28 SCHENCK GROCERY & BOWLING ALLEY FIRE
Friday morning last, about 3
o'clock, the old frame building at the northeast corner of West Main and Monroe
streets was discovered to be on fire [Cross
Reference: Edward Schenck, 616 W Main,1899-99 City Dir; today 614?]. The west end of the building, including a bowling alley extending about forty feet north, was
badly damaged. Mr. Schenck was the
occupant of the premises, using a portion of the west end for a grocery
store. His loss on stock is about $250.
No light has been shed on the origin of the fire, although one story is that it
was the work of a couple of tramps who were refused aid and were determined to
get even. Probably spontaneous
combustion was the real cause. WR
12 28 McGOLRICK SMOKEHOUSE FIRE
A smokehouse on the premises of
John F. McGolrick, Seventh ward, caught fire
yesterday afternoon, but the blaze was extinguished before any damage aside for the burning of some meat was done. The department was called out, but its
services were not needed. Cross Reference: John F. McGolrick,
wood and coal, 1014 5th St; residence at 218 Mary (Watertown City Directory,
1899-1900) WR
___
1899 __________________
02 22 FROZEN WATER MAINS
Several water mains
have been found to be frozen, and steps have been taken to put them in
condition for use in case of necessity.
Fire Chief Roy has taken the matter in hand, and
made proper provisions for the use of the fire engines should it become
necessary. R.W. Wood, assistant in
physics at the state university, has originated a new plan for thawing out
water pipes. By his plan an electric
wire is attached to the water pipe at the meter, if the freeze
is outside of it, and another to the nearest hydrant. The current is then
turned on and the electricity does the rest.
At the residence of W. F. Viles, in Madison, Monday afternoon, 150 feet
of pipe in the frozen section was thawed out in twelve minutes. WR
03 22 FIRE DEPT TEST
The fire department was
given a very satisfactory test yesterday afternoon, being called out on an
alarm sounded by Chief Roy. The three companies made the run in an extremely
short time. WR
04 26 WILLIAM BUCHHEIT BLAZE
A small blaze in the
rear of the residence of Wm. Buchheit called out the fire department Friday
evening, a section of the fence having taken fire from
burning refuse. The fire was easily
extinguished, and no damage of any account resulted.
04 26 THE EXCITED IMAGINATION
of a small boy resulted in the bringing out of the fire boys Sunday
evening. The glare of a blazing coal
fire in a window of J. T. Moak's residence attracted the attention of a little
fellow who was passing by, and his frantic yells of "fire, fire!"
were quickly re-echoed along the line, and soon a large section of the city was in commotion. But they did have a "hot" time at
the ball game in the afternoon. WR
05 30 Lewis Monument dedication participant
08 04 SHOE FACTORY “FIRE”
Last Monday evening the
fire department was called out by an alarm of fire being sent in from First
Street. A pile of brush was set on fire
south of the electric light building, and the fire reflected in the shoe factory
windows making it appear that the interior of the building was all on
fire. When it was announced the shoe
factory was “on fire", people began to express regrets, for it was feared
that many would be deprived of employment should its
burn down. When it was learned to be a
false alarm, all felt at ease. WG
09 14 HARVEST JUBILEE &
CARNIVAL PARTICIPATION
A
fire run by the local department was on the program, and it proved a most
agreeable surprise. Eight pieces of
apparatus, including the wagon carrying the chief and assistant chief, were
used and the run was a most exciting and thrilling
feature. It was cleverly conceived and
carried out without a hitch. . . . As the float of the
William Hartig Brewing company, one of the last in the parade, neared Main
Street bridge, it caught fire from the burning of red light and had to be taken
out of the line of march. The fire alarm
was sounded and the department promptly extinguished
the blaze. This was the only accident
that occurred to mar any of the three days’
proceedings.
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THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin