It is only within the past ten years that the protective measures against destruction by fire in the city of Muncie have had the form of organization and discipline. From the early settlement of the town to the year 1871, no effort, so far as can be learned, was made to organize companies for the protection of property within its borders. Yet�the freeholders were not altogether at the mercy of the devouring element, for there was then the protection of what has passed into history as "the bucket brigade." When an alarm of fire was given, every able-bodied man repaired to the scene with a bucket, and two lines were formed by those on the ground, reaching to a well or cistern hard by. Buckets full of water were passed from hand to hand along one line, and, as they were emptied, passed in like manner down the other line to be replenished. Thus almost a constant stream was kept playing on the fire. This brigade, although it accomplished commendable results, and saved a great many buildings in the early and more recent history of Muncie, was yet without organization, and the man who could yell the loudest was recognized as the leader. It was always remarked of Muncie that she could raise a larger ",;bucket brigade" in a shorter time than any other town of her size in the State. Fires, in the earlier days, occurred but seldom, and were never permitted to get beyond the control of a few buckets of water. The first great fire occurred about midnight, November 21, 1842, when the brick building owned by Jack and Russey, on the present site of William Lynn�s shoe store, was discovered to be in flames. The "brigade" turned out as rapidly as each man awakened from his slumbers, but the fire had gone too far to be controlled. The office of the Muncie Telegraph, in the second story of the building, was destroyed, and only a portion of the goods in J. Henry Wysor�s store on the ground floor was saved. Perhaps this disaster had the effect of awakening thoughts of a better system; at any rate, within a short time thereafter, a number of hooks and ladders were purchased at the expense of the town, and stored in an obscure shed. The well-meant endeavors of the committee, however, were not fruitful of good results; for there�was as yet no head to the department, and the ladders being easily accessible to any one in need of such an article, were "borrowed"one by one for indefinite periods, and if they ever served a good purpose, it was not in a public capacity. The fire system remained in about the same condition until 1871, when the first official steps toward its improvement were taken. Muncie had then been a city for six years; and that there should be some more effective measures than when it was under the system of government of incorporated towns, seemed imperative.
In the Common Council, on the evening of October 16, 1871, George L. Elliott introduced a resolution "that the Mayor appoint a committee to inquire into the expediency and probable cost of procuring a hand fire engine, with the necessary attachments." From time to time after that date, the minutes of the Council contain references and suggestions bearing upon this subject, but no important action was taken. At the meeting of April 15, 1812, Mr. O. E. Shipley submitted to the Council a communication he had received from J. A. Richardson, in the interest of acompany engaged in the manufacture of fire engines and Holly Water Works, containing a proposition to furnish the city with either. This communication was�referred to a committee, who were to report at the next meeting. The interest of the City Council was now thoroughly engaged in this matter, and the probability of its success was at least flattering. At the meeting of September 30,1872, James Boyce, S. F. Brady and P. F. Davis were appointed a committee to visit Cincinnati, Ohio, to confer with the Chief of that city, and his assistants and decide as to what kind of an engine would best suit the purposes of the city of Muncie, and at what terms it could be bought. At the same meetings the following resolution was offered by Mr. Jones and unanimously adopted: "That Messrs. Youse and Rumsey be and are hereby authorized to construct a hook and ladder carriage, at a cost of from $200 to $225. In the meantime communications had been received from H. J. Bond, general agent of the Babcock Fire Extinguisher ManufacturingCompany, and, at the meeting of Council on the evening of October 3, 1872, a resolution was offered by Mr. Shipley, to the effect that the Council accept the proposition of Mr. Bond to sell to the city of Muncie the No. 3 Babcock Fire Engine, then on exhibition at the Cincinnati Industrial Exposition for the sum of $2,500, and that the agent be requested to forward the same immediately. This resolution was unanimously adopted, the members voting being Messrs. Brady, Boyce, Davis, Jones, Mong and Shipley. A new impetus was probably added to the desire for perfecting arrangements by the fact, about 11 o�clock, on the night of Tuesday, June 18, 1872, a fire broke out on the east side of the public square, on Walnut Street, the property destroyed being that of Maddy Brothers, Huffer Brothers, Charles F. Willard and Volney Willson. A large crowd of men were soon on the ground, and formed the usual double line extending to the millrace at Wysor & Kline�s mill, a distance of about six squares. They succeeded in saving the adjoining property, and preventing what would otherwise have been a terrible fire; but Huffer Brothers� tinware store, and Coffeen�s Marble Works were almost totally destroyed, while the frame end of McCulloch�s building on the north was badly burned.
The Babcock engine came, according to instructions, was examined by a committee, and accepted. There was no place provided for its reception, and it was placed in a shed on the vacant lot adjoining the Baptist Church, where the composition for extinguishing fires often froze during the winter, rendering it inefficient in case of need. This was perhaps one of the first cause leading to the erection of the city building, combining a council-chamber, engine-house, lock-up, jailer�s residence, etc.
On the evening of January 1, 1873, a meeting was held at the Mayor�s Office, in the Senate Block, for the purpose of organizing a fire company.� James Boyce was called to the chair, and, on motion later in the evening, appointed a chief and three assistants to serve until officers could be regularly elected. Thad. A. Neely was appointed Chief, and D. B. Youse, A. R. Brown and J. A. Shepard, Assistants. The following charter members signed the constitution: Ed W. Gilbert, George F. McCulloch, J. Milton Long, George Richey, J. B. Knowlton, H. C. Klein, George K Andrews, Frank W. Watson, Thomas K Kirby, W. Ed Richey, J. Wall Perkins, W. M. Knapp, W. D. Rumsey, John M. Kirby, A. R. Brown, J. A.Shepard, G. S. Maddy, P. Turner, J. V. H. Cassady, Thad. A. Neely, W. L. Little, James Boyce, John Voorhees, E. B. Bishop, Walter Holbert, A. C. Stouder, D. C. Mitchell, Harry Winans, George W. Perdue, G. P. Manvell, Charles Wilcoxon and Steve Roche. January 4, 1873, Lyman Baldwin was elected Chief of the company, and on the 5th of March following resigned his position, having been appointed Chief of the Fire Department by the Common Council of the city of Muncie. The name of this office was then changed to that of Captain of the company. Mr. Baldwin served a little more than a year, and was succeeded by Noah Shaffer, who served for one year. C. C. Jones succeeded Mr. Shaffer, and Thad. A. Neely was elected as the successor of Mr. Jones in the spring of 1878.
Hitherto it had been the privilege of the firemen to elect their own Chief, and every incumbent of that position, with the exception of Mr. Baldwin, had been so chosen.� Upon the expiration of Mr. Neely�s term, the Council assumed the responsibility of appointing a Chief regardless of the wishes of the firemen, and selected a man who was not a member of the department. The action caused warm feeling and dissatisfaction, as Mr. Neely was evidently the choice of the companies for re-election. The disaffection grew and culminated as is shown by the minute-book of Muncie Fire�Company, No. 1: "At a meeting of Muncie Fire Company, No. 1, held January 7, 1879, the following members offered their resignations, which were accepted: J. V. H. Cassady, John M. Kirby, T. H. Kirby, W.� E. Richey, H. L. Richey, Lon M. Neely, George F. McCulloch, J. M.�Long, T. A. Neely, Charles Wilcoxon, S. A. Beardsley and D. R. Youse the cause assigned being the action taken by Council in appointing a Chief (Capt Horace Williams) outside of the membership of the department." Mr. Williams, the new Chief, entered upon his duties under very unfavorable circumstances. The disaffection was not confined to Company No.1, but extended to the steamer company and the hook and ladder company as well; so that he only had the broken remnants of three companies totally around him. Hitherto the fire department had been composed of volunteer members, but, under the new regime, it was so divided as to form four companies of twelve men each, and the members now receive each $10 per annum for their services.
Mr. Williams served one year, and, at the expiration of that term, the members of the department were permitted to select their Chief as previously, and Charles Gass, the present incumbent, was elected in June 1880. During his administration the running machinery, hose-reels, etc., have been nicely repainted and a new lot, of hose purchased.�
Mr. Neely, during his term of office, brought to the department all his inventive skill, and took a lively interest in perfecting the interior arrangements, and introducing improvements to augment the efficiency of the companies. The stalls in the engine-rooms were re-arranged insuch a manner as to permit the horses, upon the sounding of an alarm, to reach their places at the engines without confusion. An automatic�attachment was placed in the house, which, by pulling a rope instantly unloosed every horse from his halter, and by a diligent process of drilling every evening at 7 o�clock, horses and men learned their places so well that, in the space of eleven seconds after the alarm was sounded, the department was ready for work. He also invented and put up the fire-alarm telegraph now in use in the city, and contracted with the Council to put up four miles of wire, one gong, six cells of battery and thirteen boxes, at an expense of $300.�Instead he put up six and a half miles of wire, two gongs, thirty cups of battery, and twenty-six boxes, at a cost of $303.76, Council allowing him the difference.� His next improvement was an alarm box.� Having found it difficult to teach people to turn in a correct alarm, he invented a box, which none other could be sent. In external appearance it resembles an ordinary alarm-box, but is so constructed that when the door is opened it sends in the correct alarm, without further effort on the part of the person sending it. To the inner side of this door Is attached a cord, which is hauled taut as the door opens. This works a lever and sets in motion a series of clockwork on the inside, upon the fly-wheel of which are a number of knobs, corresponding to the number of the box. As these revolve they strike a little, plate at the bottom, opening the circuit and the sound is conveyed along the wire to the engine-house, where every stroke is reproduced upon the gong. Should a person send in an alarm for mischief or fun, he is sure to be detected.�There are two keys for the box, one for the Chief, the other to be left in the possession of some person living in the neighborhood. Every key is numbered, and the name of the person holding itis registered on the Chief�s book. These keys, although they unlock the box, do not lock nor can they be withdrawn until the Chief arrives at the place and locks the box with his own key. By consulting his register, he can easily determine from the number of the key, who turned in the alarm, and if it is a false one, the person sending it is easily detected. These boxes are not now in general use in the city, but will be put up during the coming spring.
Another valuable invention of Mr. Neely�s is a patent for stopping leaks in bursted sections of hose at fires, and by its means, work can be continued with an interruption of only a few seconds, whereas, under the old plan, it was necessary to take out the entire section when it was found to be defective, and substitute another, this work requiring from ten to twenty minutes, during which time the fire often gained the mastery.� Mr. Neely�s patent is a malleable iron casting lined with rubber and working on hinges with a ratchet at each end. It will thus be seen that it works automatically; and can be instantly clamped over a leak, with scarcely a perceptible impediment to the progress of the work. �
The castings were first made after Mr. Neely had left the department, and several of them were placed in the engine-house by him, to be used in case of emergency. They were laughed at, as new inventions generally are, for people are slow to recognize the genius of their fellows; but that very evening a fire occurred in an old frame building on Main�street, and it was left for experience to demonstrate what judgment was loath to accept a section of hose exploded under a pressure of 200 pounds to the square inch, the "leak-stopper" was instantly clamped over it, and the stream of water played on the fire with a cessation of only a few seconds, while the "stopper" was being adjusted. Having proven such a pronounced success, it was sought for and purchased by the fire departments of Dayton and Hamilton, Ohio, and other cities.
The Babcock Engine had its first practical test at the burning of the Neely Block, on the northwest corner of Main and Mulberry streets, on Monday, December 30, 1872. The firemen were not well drilled in the������������� management of it at that time, and though they controlled the fire and prevented it from spreading, there was a great deal of dissatisfaction manifested by some of the citizens, who pronounced the "Babcock" a failure. Subsequent experience, however, proved it otherwise, and it is now recognized as a valuable acquisition.
In 1874, the city purchased a No. 4 Clapp & Jones steamfire engine, together with two hand hose-reels. The steamer, "Delaware Chief," is still in use and has done valuable service, while the hose-reels were after-ward substituted for a larger reel, which is drawn by horsepower.� Upon the purchase of the steamer, A. C. Stouder was appointed Engineer, and served in that capacity until 1876, when he was succeeded by S. Q. Brady. Mr. Brady was succeeded in 1880 by W. W. Stewart, the present Engineer.
The department is now divided into four companies of twelve men each, viz., the Babcock Company, No. 1; the Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2; the steamer Company, No. 3; and the Water Brigade, No. 4, the latter being auxiliary to .the Babcock Company. Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, was organized in 1873. Samuel Saunders is the present Foreman, and John Halleck, Assistant Foreman.�
Steamer Company, No. 3, was organized in 1874. Its members now are George Feathers, President; August Shaubaut, Foreman; James Russey, Assistant Foreman; George Feathers, Charles Yelley, W. Brelsford and James Gray, Nozzle men.
The members of Babcock Company No. 1, to whom stations are assigned, are S. A. Beardsley, Captain; J. B. Knowlton, George W. Manor and Peter Fogle, Nozzle men; Will Youse and B. F. Bratton, Sodamen; John Kessler and Harry Richey, Acidmen; Lee Lacey, Charles Hoover and William Cray, Pumpmen.
On the 21st day of September 1878, a fire broke out in the neighboring city of Winchester, and the fire departments of Muncie and Richmond were telegraphed for assistance. Both responded promptly. The Muncie Department procured an engine and cars from the LaFayette, Muncie and Bloomington Railway, and started under the care of, Donovan, the engineer. He must have put on every pound of steam his engine could carry, for, in forty minutes after receiving the telegram, the Muncie Department was on the ground and in action. Persons along the line of the "Bee Line" Railway, over which the department traveled, afterward remarked that they never saw cars move so rapidly; that�"they fairly flew," etc. The Muncie Department was the first to go into action, while they were ably assisted by the Richmond companies, after the latter succeeded in getting their engine in working order. Great credit was given to both the departments, but chiefly to the Muncie boys, who were so promptly on the ground and so efficient in their labors.
CHAPTER XXI.
GAS WORKS.
AS early as 1862, when Muncie was a town corporation, the question of manufacturing and using gas for illuminating purposes was quite extensively canvassed, to the extent that inducements were offered for propositions looking to the erection of works within the corporation. In May of that year, Messrs. Harvey & Knowles, gas manufacturers from Ohio, in view of the friendly agitation upon the subject, came to Mnncie, and, at the instance of the Town Council, prepared and submitted a plan for the construction and maintenance of works for the manufacture of the article, which was accepted by the Council. This first effort was abortive and for the time abandoned, but revived again in 1867, when the municipal authority was exercised by a city corporation. Again, the movement being premature, was checked by the adverse opinion of the city fathers, who decided to let the proposition lie upon the table. Subsequently, in July, 1872, a resolution was adopted by the Council authorizing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of lighting the city with gas by a private corporation, and report what aid on the part of the city might be necessary to effect such an arrangement. At the meeting in December of that year, the gas committee made a report in favor of the erection of works by the city, the city to take control and operate the same. This proposition, like its predecessors, was laid upon the table. In January, 1874, the gas committee submitted a proposition from Messrs. Huntington & Co., to supply the requisite works, and reported unfavorably upon its provision. The committee's opinion was concurred in by the Council.
Afterward, on the 16th of March following, resolutions were submitted to and adopted by the Council on the subject, to wit:
Resolved, That whereas, petitions have been presented to the people by a resolution at the previous Council meeting, of the different wards of the city of Muncie in which a very general expression has been obtained upon the subject of gas works on some of the plans proposed; and, whereas, 251 citizens have expressed their opinion that thc city should own the same, amd 140 citizens that the same should be owned in part by the city and in part by the company, thirty-five expressing themselves as opposed to the project in any form; Therefore, we, the Common Council of the city of Muncie, hereby decide that it is thc duty of this Council to contract for the construction of gas works, to be owned by the city of Muneie, Ind, which was adopted.
Resolved, That a committee of three of this Council be appointed to determine the kind of works, its capacity for supply, its location, number of street lamps necessary, and all other nmtters and things necessary for this Council to understand so as to act advisedly. Also, that one citizen from each ward be selected as assistants to said committee in making said investigation, and said committee to solicit bids and notify competing builders that such work is to be let to contract, and asking specificatlons to accompany such bids, and report their plans and doings to the Board at their earliest convenience.The committee consisted of Messrs. Hodson, Parry and Davis. The assistants were A. J. Riley, from the First Ward; John L. Little, from the Second; A. C. Mellette, from the Third; and Adam Wolfe, from the Fourth. While this method failed in meeting the expectations of its projectors, the agitation continued and in due time other propositions were submitted, considered, legislated upon and laid aside.
Finally, at the meeting of the Council on the 21st of July, 1879, the matter having been before maturely considered, Messrs. Miller and Kuhn, of McKeesport, Penn., submitted a proposition to erect gas works in the city at their own expense, certain privileges being awarded them for that purpose. The proposition was as follows:
MUNCIE, Ind., July 19, 1879.
TO THE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MUNCIE:
The undersigned agree to construct, at their own expense, complete coal-gas works in the city of Muncie, Ind., on the following terms and conditions, to wit: To erect and maintain a brick building, with slate roof, for the manufacture of gas, the gasholders to be forty feet in diameter and fourteen feet high; to furnish and erect all the cast-iron posts, with suitable lamps needed for street purposes; to furnish, lay and keep in proper repair at least two and one-half miles of wrought-iron main-pipe, and extend the same as soon and as often as the demands for gas will justify it, with all the necessary service-pipe and gas-meters tbereto attached, in any and all public and private buildings, when requested to erect the same by the owner or other person duly authorized, without any cost or liability to said city or any citizen thereof, except as hereinafter provided, and furnish good coal-gas of not less than sixteen-candle power, for the following rates, to wit: $1.65 per one thousand cubic feet for all gas used for city purposes; $2 per one thousand cubic feet to the citizens of said city, with 10 per cent discount if the bills are paid when presented; Provided, said city of Muncie will grant the right of way in the streets and alleys of said city to the undersigned, and light and extinguish all lamps used by the city, and whenever gas is not used for ninety consecutive days in any building where the undersigned has erected gas-pipes and fixtures, the owner of such buildings shall pay to the undersigned thc actual cost and expense of erecting such pipes and fixtures, not to exceed 60 cents per foot.
MILLER & KUHN.This proposition was accepted and an ordinance, authorizing the construction of said works, the laying of mains and service pipes, and granting the right of way along the streets and alleys, etc., of the city, was adopted, binding said parties, in compliance with their proposition, to erect and put said works in operation on or before the 1st day of November, 1879.
Said company, immediately thereafter, secured ground upon which to erect their works, at the intersection of Elm street with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus & Indianapolis Railroad, and workmen commenced excavating and laying brick on Friday, July 25, 1879. On the 30th of July, measurements were completed for the mains which were laid on the following streets: Walnut street, from the railroad to Gilbert street, north, 3,198 feet; Wall street, 614 feet; Charles street, 1300 feet; Adams street, east of Walnut, 1,500 feet-- west of Walnut, 795 feet; Jackson street, east of Walnut, 1,600 feet-- west of Walnut 1,000 feet; Main street, west, 600 feet, east, 1,700 feet; Washington street, east of Walnut, 1,660 feet. In addition to these, about 2,000 feet of mains were laid along cross streets, making an aggregate of near three miles of this class of pipe. The works were completed and put in operation on the 18th of October following.
The Muncie Times of October 23, contains the following account of tho opening of the works to public use:
GAS ILLUMINATION.
""Last Saturday evening October 18, 1879, at half past 6 o'clock, the illumination by the Muncie Gas Works took place. The 'gas tree' erected at the southeast corner of the public square, consisted of a gaspipe standing perpendicular, to the height of about fifteen feet, and from it protruded numerous prongs, arms, limbs and various unique contrivances. A large star adorned the top of the pipe, and immediately under it were the words, 'Muncie Gas Company.' The evening being very blustery, the wind blew out the lights occasionally, and, while it was not the success it might have been, it was a beautiful scene. The streets were crowded to witness the burning of the first gas from the new gas works, and Messrs. Miller and Kuhn start out under auspicious circumstances, there being sixty consumers on that evening.""
Notwithstanding these works have been in operation only about one year and a half, the patronage extended has been fully equal to the anticipations of all who were or are interested in their projection, construction or operation- consumers are numerous and general satisfaction is the uniform expression. (Pages 199-200)
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