Back to Fires

Wilkes-Barre Fire Department History

Wilkes-Barre Times - October 6, 1897
A Retrospect of Half a Century Old Time Firemen and Apparatus of the Early Days
Description of Old Neptune
History of Companies No. 1 and 2.
For many years the old pioneers were satisfied to carry on their fight with the dread element with the crudest weapons. In those days each village has its bucket brigade which turned out whenever a fire occurred and did efficient service. At that time it was customary for the men belonging to the bucket brigade to form a double line leading from the nearest pump up to the fire or as near the fire as it was possible to get. The Man who was nearest the burning building would take a pail of water from the man nearest him , dash it on the flames, and then pass the empty bucket to the first man on the second line who in turn would pass it down to the man at the pump for re-filling. In the meantime the full pails were handed on in a continuous stream, and their contents thrown on the flames, and when the man at the head of the line became too tired to do efficient work any longer he would step out and take his place in the line along which the empty buckets were being passed and his place was taken by a new and fresh man. Thus it went until the fire was out and then the whole population would turn to and celebrate the victory in proper style.

In those days the fireman were considered veritable heroes and it was the height of every man's ambition to become a member of the local organization. It can well be imagined that none but the most robust could hope to ever gain distinction, as the work required of the men was of the most arduous kind and happy was he who by his valor gained the proud title of captain. He was the object of each girls admiration and each fellow's envy and was feted and lionized to his heart's content.

The Hand Engine
But as times passed on and towns grew, large buildings began to be erected and the danger from fire was increased many fold. Then it was found necessary to have a machine which would throw a stream on the blaze, and the hand engine was the result. This piece of machinery would appear antiquated to the present generation when compared with the modern steam or chemical engine of today, but during the time when these engines were in use they did a very efficient service and saved many thousands of dollars worth of property. The engines, though crude and clumsy, were withal capable of throwing a fair sized stream to a considerable height when properly manned and one crew in this city with the Old Neptune, at one time succeeded in throwing a stream to the clock in the court house tower, the face of which they continued to wash for fully five minutes. This feat was accomplished by the men under James M. Rutter who was then foreman and vouches for the accuracy of this statement.

During the first half of the present century the whole body of the people of Wilkes-Barre were the fire department. In every house was part of the paraphernalia, consisting of a leather bucket, In those primitive days the leading citizens were the most ardent firemen. Wealth made no difference. Sex made none. Hon. John N. Conyngham, afterwards President Judge, was the recognized leader, and Mrs. G. M. Hollenback and Mrs. Chester Butler were important factors in the bucket brigade.

Early Fire Engines Purchased
The first move to provide against fire was made in 1817. Nathan Palmer and Charles Miner were appointed a committee to learn the cost of a fire engine. Eleven years later an engine, then known as the Neptune, later as the Wyoming, was purchased. It arrived in Wilkes-Barre in 1818, previous to which time it had seen thirty eight years service in Philadelphia. It cost $300. For thirteen years the Neptune did valiant service and then, when increased growth demanded, Wilkes-Barre purchased a large machine which was called the Reliance and afterward the Protector. This with 100 feet of hose, cost $650. It was built by "Pat" Lyons, a famous engine builder in those days A company was organized, of which Chief Justice George W. Woodward, Isaac S. Osterhaut and W. Bowman were members. Meetings were held in the west end of court house square. The life of the company was limited to six months. In 1849 a company was organized which included the names of nearly every citizen then on the tax list.

1848 Fire
In 1848 there was an extensive fire near the old jail on East Market street. The Black Horse tavern was destroyed with a number of other buildings. This fire was supposed to have been of incendiary origin. in order to secure the release of James McCadden, accused of the murder of Daniel Gilligan. The plot, however, failed and the condemned man was afterwards hanged. In fact, this was the first hanging in Luzerne county. This fire inspired the citizens to purchase, in 1849, the Triton, a suction engine, and 100 feet of leather hose and a carriage, once the property of the Columbia Hose company, of Philadelphia. In 1859, a new company was formed. E. B. Harvey was elected president and C. C. Plotz foreman. The Triton was still in good condition but she was re-christened the Good Will.

Neptune Company Reorganized
The old Neptune company, of which Mr. Rutter was foreman, was reorganized in the winter of 1858 and was composed of the following members: James R. Rutter, foreman; William Swan and Charles D,. Hoover, assistant foreman; pipeman, Frank Donsmore and S. R. Catlin (now a councilman); president. H. G. Hillman; and treasurer, E. G. Butler (now a well known lawyer); members, C. P. Hunt, Elwood Hunt, Peter Bee, William Kaiser, Andrew Kaiser, James Penman, J. W. Kestler, Frank Raab, Philip Rineman, John Rineman, J. W. Patton, William Patton, Frank Corkins, William Ward, John Neuer, Charles Elliot, George Behee, E. F. Roth, H. E, Finch, C. C. Betterly, James Higgs, Adam Fraley, John Fell, J. L. Lewis, Philip Killian, Albert Clapsaddle, Frank Kline, Anthony Kline, Toney Bayer, Newell Louder, Ed Yarrington. P. Carey, John Jenkins, Bob Russell, James Russell, J. F. Kappler, Jarry Gilchrist, Thomas Gilchrist, Thomas Taylor, Theodore Brymer, George McGinnis, John Weaver, Charles Fritz, Michael Snyder, Adam Jacobs, Ellis Housenick, William S. McLean, Edward Willis, Jacob Bergold, John Bergold, Chester Monega and Charles Engle.

At the outbreak of the war nearly all these men enlisted in the Union army and served various terms, many of them dying while fighting in defense of the old flag. During their absence the company was kept up by Ike Long, Edward W. Smith, Stewart Barnes, Ed Constine, John Bauer, I. M. Teets, John McGinnis and a number of others whose names cannot now be recalled.

Fire of 1859
During the time Mr. Rutter was foreman the Neptune Company attended all fires which occurred, the first blaze of importance being the big one of 1859 which started on West Market street and swept everything before it clear out to the corner of North Main street and Public Square. This fire started on West Market street in the building owned by John W. Wood and which was occupied by a clothing store. This structure was situated next to Chahoon's hall, now occupied by Yordy's painting establishment. Chahoon's hall, which was one of the few brick buildings in the city at that time, had just been completed and the painters had but a day or two previous added the finishing touches. The building was saved after a hard fight, but not until considerable damage had been done. After the fire it was found necessary to tear down a portion of the outside walls, as the heat had been so intense that the walls were damaged to such an extent as to make them unsafe. This building undoubtedly saved West Market street from being entirely wiped out as nearly all those below it were of frame.

The fire broke out at between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning and before the firemen arrived had gained considerable headway and was not checked until the flames had reached Steele's hotel, later known as the Luzerne House where now stands the Bennett building, corner of Public Square and North Main street.

At the time this fire broke out old Neptune was lying dismantled in the paint shop of George W. Leach, on West Market street, where now stands the Wyoming Valley Traction Company's offices. The building in which Mr. Leach had his paint shop was a two-story frame structure and the shop was on the second floor. The Neptune had been taken apart a few days previously for the purpose of having it painted.

When the fire broke out the machine was apparently useless and no one counted on seeing it brought into action, but Mr. Rutter and Willliam Stevens kicked in a rear door leading to the paint shop, rushed upstairs and seizing the wheels, threw them out the window and then handed down the brake or lever, with which the pump was worked, to the people on the pavement and lowered the body of the engine with ropes. Then descending to the street, they secured wrenches, put the machine together, and attaching the hose, soon hard a stream of water playing on the flames. While Mr. Rutter and Mr. Stevens were putting the machine together the bucket brigade had formed and by the time the hose was attached they were ready to begin pouring water into the box, for this fire occurred previous to the introduction of fire hydrants and all water at that time was secured from pumps. The nearest pump to the fire at that time was on Public Square, near where the present Court House now stands.

At this fire the men did efficient service and showed exceptional good judgement. Realizing their efforts to stay the fire in the direction of the Square would be useless, they gave their whole attention to preventing its spreading any further down Market street, and with that end in view kept a constant stream pouring on Chahoon's Hall, and finally, after the hardest kind of fight, got the fire at that end under control.

During the progress of this fire an incident occurred which, looked at from this date, appears quite amusing. Shortly after old Neptune had been gotten to work, the heat from the fire became so intense that the buildings on the opposite side of the street began smoking, and later the paint shop in which the machine had been housed caught fire and blazed right merrily for a few moments. The fire men, however, turned their attention to this building and soon had the fire out, thus proving true the old saying "one good turn deserves another". This structure having first given shelter to the engine, the later returned the favor by saving the former from destruction.

As soon as the fire at the West Market street end was under control the firemen turned their attention toward preventing the destruction of Steele's hotel and thus stop the further ravages of the flames and this was saved after a stubborn fight. At this end the firemen were somewhat favored by the hotel wall which presented an unbroken front to the flames, there being no windows on that side and therefore the hotel acted somewhat in the nature of a fire wall.

The entire north side of the Square, however, was a mass of ruins, not a single building left standing, and so rapid was the progress of the flames that many of the occupants were unable to save anything except the clothes in which they escaped. The majority of the buildings destroyed were two-story frame structures and among them was the leading pharmacy of the town. The loss footed up to the thousands. The citizens were loud in their praise of the efficient work of the fire laddies and it was generally conceded that the fire would have proven far more serious had it not been for the vigorous efforts of the fire boys.

Fire of 1867
The Neptune did not figure in any other fire of much consequence until after the close of the war and during that period Wilkes-Barre was very lucky in regard to fires. It is not to meant to say that no fire occurred during that time because they did occur and at each one old Neptune did efficient service but no serious fire occurred until the spring of 1867 when the large fire broke out on West Market street, which started in the tin shop of Theron Burnett which adjoined the White Horse hotel. Burnett's building stood on the site now occupied by Reichard and Trethaway's grocery store. This fire began at 7 o'clock in the morning and was started by a charcoal fire in which one of the men had just lighted in the stove. The fire quickly spread to the White Horse hotel and soon had enveloped all the buildings on that side of the street as far up as Franklin street. While the fireman were battling with this blaze an easterly wind sprung up which drove the fire across the street and soon the firemen were hemmed in on both sides by a wall of flames. Nothing daunted, however, they continued the battle right manfully and while the members of company Nos 1 and 2 who were also present directed their attention to the fire generally the members of Neptune turned their action to checking the advance of the flames and succeeded in stopping them. At the building owned and occupied by Frazer and Smith, a three-story brick which still stands at the corner of the alley leading to the rear of the Grand Opera House and adjoining the building now occupied by Voorhis & Murray, The Faser, was saved after the most stubborn kind of fight and only after the roof had been burned away. The firemen kept two streams playing on this building constantly and may times the men were in grave danger. From here the flames spread toward Franklin street, as far as the Wyoming Bank, which then occupied the same site as it does at the present tome. The building at that time, however, was only two stories high.

The easterly winds then drove the flames down Franklin street destroying all frame structures as far down as the present law offices of C. D. Foster and John McGahren now are. Among the buildings destroyed were the house of Judge Collins on Franklin street, and the building occupied by the Record of the Times, afterwards merged into the Wilkes-Barre Record. The paper at that time was edited by William P. Miner, deceased. In all there were about twenty buildings destroyed. During the progress of the flames a spark from the burning buildings fell on the roof of the Wyoming Valley Hotel which caught fire and for a while the firemen were kept hustling to get the best of this fire. Besides the Neptune and Companies 1 and 2 the firemen were assisted by an engine and company from Kingston. At this fire the companies were enabled to do more efficient work than at previous fires, as the town council had in the early sixties placed several fire hydrants along the streets and this did away with the necessity of carrying the water in buckets and proved a great help.

This was the last large fire in which the old hands were used to any extent. as in 1871 the Town Council was presented with a steam fire engine and the old hand machines were relegated to the rear.

Old Neptune, however, responded to the fire which destroyed Frauenthal's opera house (formally known as Liberty Hall) on South Main street on the night of January 1, 1874, and did efficient service. This ended her career as a fire fighter and of late years the engine is brought out only on occasions like the present.

The machine was first named Neptune. Later on she was christened The Wyoming, but still later she was given her original name. She was a great pet, and as the boys used to call her "Our Gal", that name was painted on her front.

History of Company No. 1
Down on Ross street, between Main and Washington, stands No 1 engine house. "No 1" is a significant name for the building, for not only is it "1" numerically, but it is No. 1 in size and equipment, being the largest and probably the most completely equipped building of the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. It is a three story brick structure dimensions 58x37 feet. Besides being the housing place of No 1 steamer, hose wagon, and accoutrements, and the home of No 1 company, it is also the housing place and home of No 6 Hook and Ladder truck and company as well.

The steamer of No 1 company is an Amoskeng of the second class and is lighted by electricity. It has been in service twenty seven years being the first engine the city ever owned. It was presented to the city by A. C. Laning who purchased at a cost of $5000. The engine is equipped with the Berry drop harness and, in fact, all the modern improvements. When the engine is moved forward as in case of an alarm it runs over electric buttons which light the fire, pit out the lights and open the front doors. By the same admirable "button system" the doors of the stables in the rear are opened and the horses released from the tie-strap. The names of the steamer's team are "Bill" and "Harry" and, like all well-trained horses, as soon as they are released from the tie-strap they, of their own accord, leave their stalls and place themselves under the drop harness. The engine is heated by pipes from the cellar.

Besides the steamer, No 1 company also possesses a fine hose wagon manufactured by the Gleason and Bailey Manufacturing company, New York. This is also complete in equipment having Berry drop harness and all other requisites. It carries 1000 feet of hose with two chemicals or fire extinguishers.

The quarters of No1 are fitted up with sliding poles from the third floor to the first. This is to facilitate the descent of the firemen who sleep on the second and third floors at night.

No 1 company has no official "record" in getting out after an alarm is sounded but it is a fact that they can get outside the door of the engine house with the engine and wagon eight seconds after the gong sounds. This is remarkably rapid and is incomprehensible to everybody except firemen.

The members of No 1 company are Frank Schuler, foreman; James Daley, assistant foreman; Charles Fritz, Peter Carroll, Julian Allen, Reuben Daley, William Maurice, James Grant, John Gebhart, Andrew Gebhart, Tony Plumb, Joseph Schuler; Joseph Kilgallon, driver of steamer; Thomas Connell, stoker; Frank Barnard, engineer; W. D. Brown, driver of wagon. The last four named sleep on the second and third floors. The great electric button system, above mentioned, is the original concept ion of Thomas Connell, stoker. A battery in the basement generates the electricity.

Mechanic
No 1 steamer which as previously remarked is the oldest fire engine in this city, was purchase by A. C. Laning from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. H., and presented to the city of Wilkes-Barre in the month of September , 1870. and from the time of its arrival in this city has been continually in service, excepting three months when a new boiler was being substituted for the old one at the manufactory. The company was organized and consisted principally of mechanics employed at the Laning and Marshall machine shops then located on North Canal street deriving the name "Mechanic" for this reason. The foreman of the company, John Laning, was the son of A. C. Laning and served in this position until 1888 when he resigned. His resignation was received with regret by the Council and by the members of his company whom he had led to many dangerous fires in buildings where it was thought impossible for man to venture. In regard to Mr. Laning's ability as a fireman too much in praise cannot be said and he retires with the best wishes of his company and the fireman throughout the city.

Rufus Marcy was then the assistant foreman and his name goes down on the roll of honor as being one of the foremost and bravest fireman who ever responded to an alarm, His resignation was also accepted with regret by the men under his charge.

Zebulon Butler was the first engineer of the Mechanic and after remaining with the company until 1873 he resigned, when in the latter part of 1973 Frank Bienert was appointed to the position and has been in continual service with his engine until the present day. A more faithful engineer has never been known to handle a piece of machinery. His first fire dates back to the Frauenthal Opera House which was located between South Main street and Public Square and burned January 1, 1874, a night that will long be remembered by those connected with the fire department at that time and a bitter cold night it was. Mr. Biernert is at present the oldest firemen in the city under the paid system. Following is a list of members who ran with the company in its early days back in the seventies: James Lane, Ben Bachman, Thomas Miller, Levi Beisel, N. G. Landmesser, August Constine, J. W. Gilchrist, Samuel Smith, Scott Beisel, N. Hartland, Ira Marcy, George Brock, Ash Conover, Butler Tucker, George Hoffman, Albert Beck, John Shoemaker, J. W. H. Stevens, James Hall, Albert Bachman, C. R. Hughes., W. E. Line and Henry Kuch.

To the first alarm the engine responded, it was drawn by hand and going out South street to Main the task became too much for the firemen and after a hard tussle she became mired in the mud, and it was impossible to go further. A short time thereafter a team of horses was purchased and Harry Bray was appointed the driver. He remained in this position until January 1876, when helping to unload a heavy piece of timber at the old Washington street canal bridge he in some manner slipped on the ice and was caught by the piece of lumber and met his death. His funeral was largely attended and the horses he had been driving were led behind the hearse to the cemetery. In March 1976 Tony Dietrick was appointed as steamer driver and he held the position until November 1, 1895 when he resigned to take charge of a prosperous business, and today is one of Wilkes-Barre's most promising businessmen and his success is due to his own perseverence. Joseph Killgallon, the present driver, was promoted to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Dietrick's resignation in November 1895. Previous to his appointment he drove the hose cart, located at No 2 engine house for a number of years. He is a thorough horseman and one of the city's best drivers. The first stoker to have charge of the engine was James Culver, and he remained until January 1878 when Thomas Miller was appointed. He held the position for three years, when in 1881 he retired from the department. Shortly after his retirement he died at his home on South street, near where the old No 1 engine house stood. His funeral was largely attended by the firemen of the city. Charles Fralley, now employed at the Pennsylvania Railroad freight depot was next to have charge of the Mechanic. He remained only a short time when James Grant was appointed and filled the position for nearly a year, when he returned to his trade as a butcher for John Polsue, but still remained a member of the company. Thomas F. Connell, the present stoker, was born in this city on the corner of Market street and Public Square in September 1856. Thence he removed to what was known as Five Points (now East End) where he attended the public schools until the age of sixteen, when he was employed by the L & H Coal Company as a fireman. After serving in this position as short time he was promoted to pump runner. His ambition to become an engineer was soon satisfied for in a very short time he was given a locomotive at the Diamond mine under supervision of Edward Mackin. While in this position he was appointed engineer of Steamer No 2 during the year of 1882. On January 1, 1883 at a special meeting of the fire committee he was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Grant at No 1 engine house.

The old No 1 hose carriage which was for years pilled by hand was done away with in 1884 when a Silsby two-wheel hose cart was purchased. There being no permanent driver, James Grant, who lived and worked near by the engine house consented to drive to fires and the old bay horses "Prince" and "Driver Jim" were familiar to nearly every one in the city and at the sound of an alarm great delight was taken in seeing the cart responding to a call. In March 1889, the first permanent hose cart driver was appointed. George Miller received the appointment and drove old "Prince" until August 1890 when he retired. The Old Cart, as it was familiarly known, was taken out of service on the 26th of October 1895 and replaced by a Gleasom and Bailey two-horse hose wagon painted in white, lettered in gold, and trimmed in nickel. A handsome pair of black horses "Nip" and "Tuck", as they were named, were purchased from William Moore, the horse dealer, after a long search through the western staes before he found a team that satisfied him.

W. D. Brown, the present driver of the hose wagon was born in Pleasant Mount, Wayne County, Pa., January 23, 1868, and moved to this city with his parents in 1872. He attended the public schools for a number of years then settled down to life of a fireman, his first experience being with the old No 6 Hose company then located on Welles street, Brewery Hill, and known throughout the county as being one of the best organizations of the kind. After running as an extra member from 1883 to 1885 under the foremanship of R. W. Williams, he was appointed as a regular fireman at the age of seventeen years remaining in this company until 1886 when he was transferred to Steamer Co. No 1. He attended fires with this company until april 1, 1890, when he was appointed to take charge of the new hose carriage which was drawn by hand until this time. Remaining in this position until October 1, 1890, he was again transferred to No 1 Company and drove old "Prince" in the two wheeled cart until June 6, 1891 when "Lady Jeannette" and her .... brown mare, was purchased from Jacob Bainey of Mey... by Warren Goff and Ira Kirkendal of the fire committee. No animal was ever more fitted for this work than she and a more beautiful horse was never hitched to a wagon, with a mane measuring three feet and four inches and a tail which swept the ground measuring five feet, six inches, she naturally attracted the attention of persons on the street and they often times would stop and look in amazement at her beauty. She remained in No 1 Hose cart until the hose wagon was purchased when she was sent to No 7 Hose carriage in South Wilkes-Barre, where she responded to alarms up to the present day.

"Billy" Brown, as he is familiarly known, was brought up as a fireman from childhood, as his father. W. W. Brown, was a fireman in the A. C. Laning Co. No 2 in the early seventies when Pryor Williamson was an enthusiastic fireman and a brave foreman. He has worked under the command of the only foremen No 1 Steamer co. ever had which were three, somewhat remarkable for a company which has been in existence for twenty-seven years.

John Laning, resigned in 1888. His successor, G. A. St. John, was admitted to membership in the company in 1888, and after serving a short time as assistant foreman took charge of the company that year and was so well liked by this company that it was with difficulty he received the consent of the boys to leave them for a higher position. No foreman could do more for his men than Mr. St. John did while he was in command. His whole thought was for his company and no expense was too great for him when improvements were necessary. His attendance at fires was regular and he never failed to answer an alarm unless out of the city, in which event his assistant foreman was always notified and he was always on hand if needed.

Frank M. Schuler, the assistant foreman under Mr. St. John, was appointed to the foremanship in 1894. He was born in this city January 28, 1868, and he is the son of ex-Councilman Val Schuler and for many years a member of the Fire committee. Although a young man his experience qualifies him to fill any position in the fire department, He began his fire fighting days with the old No 4 company whose headquarters were on Cinderella street, He was the transferred to the company of which he has charge. The company, in making a selection of a foreman, made no mistake in selecting Mr. Schuler, as he has proved beyond a doubt to be one of the best fireman in the city's service today and he has never been known to ask a man under his charge to go to a dangerous portion of a burning building without first taking the lead, and with lantern in hand, guiding his men through in safety. He is also president of the Mechanic Steamer Co No. 1 Relief Association and captain of the base ball team consisting of members of the company. The following are a list of the assistant foremen who have been connected with the company: Rufus Marcy, John McCall, Harry Ward, Warren Dennis, G. A. St. John, Frank Schuler and the president incumbent, James Daley, who has been a member since 1883, and was appointed assistant foreman in 1894. He is a strong, robust young man, weighing over two hundred pounds, and no matter how strong the pressure of water at the branch pipe he can always be found there and he often says, "The more force the better I like it." He is also vice president of the Relief Association and has held the office for the past three years. He is not a distinguished base ball player but is going under a course of training during the summer and expects to lead the company's batting average in its games next season.

Following are the members of Steamer company, No 1: Frank M. Schuler. foreman; Frank Weinert, engineer; Thomas Connell, stoker; Joseph Kilgallon, driver of engine; W. D. Brown, driver of hose wagon; James Grant, who has been a member since 1875. Peter Connell has been with the company for the past ten years; Ruben Daley, a member since 1888. Joseph Schuler, Ex-Foreman of Hose Co #4 was transferred to No0. 1 when the former company disbanded in 1892. Charles Fritz has been running with the boys for the past seven years.

William Maurer, Treasurer of the Relief association, has been a member since 1892. Andrew Gebhardt and John Gebhardt began their fire fighting days in 1893. J. Allen was elected in 1893. Tony Blaum, the youngest member of the company, although a good fireman, was appointed in the early part of 1897. Jacob Fritz, an old member of Hose Co. No. 4, and later a member of No. 1, resigned to accept a position in Towanda, but on his return to this city was appointed by this company as an extra fireman. The Honorary members are the following: T. Webster Clauss, J. Gross Meyer, J. H. Fritz, Philip Blaum, Henry Mandeville, P. H. Schmitt, G. A. St. John, Benjamin Davey, Jr., Frank Weiss, R. G. McDowell, Henry J. Robinson, I. H. Strauss, Thomas Soley, B. F. Barnum, Charles F. Helfrich, Nick Cronauer, Lewis F. Zweibel, Henry Burton, Charles Ruedenhauer, Joseoh Baer and George Galland. Those who are holding important offices in the department , today have been members of No 1 company. They are as follows: G. A. St. John, First Assistant Engineer, and Charles Maurer, foreman No 2 steamer Company, Augustus Constine, ex-Chief, who resigned on January 11, 1897, was an original member of the company. The first chiefs that the company worked under were Judge Stanley Woodward, after whom Truck No 6 is named, First Assistant Engineer S. H. Sturdevant, Second Assistant Engineer C. C. Plotz and Third assistant Engineer W. E. Stivert. It is not known that the many improvements about the engine house are due to the permanent men who should receive credit for the quick service in reaching fires.

Improvements
Ten years ago the department began to make vast improvements such as drops used in opening stable doors and releasing the horses, when in years gone by it was done by the driver and stoker running the length of the engine house and pulling the doors open by hand. The next difficulty was met in harnessing the horses, when it was necessary to run behind the horse, take the collar over the horse's head, and after throwing the harness on and securing it, the horse was led to the pole of the engine and snapped up before a start could be made. The driver and stoker were awakened by the policeman on the beat or some citizen who saw the fire and it was generally a hard pull through the mud before reaching the fire, when the poor horses were completely exhausted.

The city was then divided into five districts and the court house bell was rung, sounding the district in which the fire was located. A district comprised as high as three or four wards and many times the fire was searched for and could not be found until the blaze had brightened the skies. The first hot water boiler was used only a few years ago when a boiler that was condemned and taken from a residence was patched up and placed in the cellar beneath the engine by the stoker. Several days and nights were passed in hard work before this arrangement worked successfully and like the electric drops or trips, did not cost the city one penny. The benefit of a hot water boiler is in being able to keep hot water in circulation between the steamer and the boiler in the cellar using a slip joint connection with a shut-off in the rear of the steamer so when the engine pulls out of the house the water is confined in the boiler on the engine and in going only a short distance to a plug where connections are made there is plenty of steam to start the machinery.

One of the most important improvements in the fire department today is the drop harness. This was also secured, without aid from the city, by subscription and the money was collected by the permanent men of the house, who visited a number of business houses and the private citizens did not escape their eyes. Enough money was collected to purchase a complete set of harnesses for the engine team and a collar and harness with the necessary snaps for the hose cart horse. The harness was placed in service on December 27th, 1890, and was used for the first time on Inspection day January 1st 1891 when the department turned out for a parade. The amount of money collected was in the neighborhood of two hundred dollars.

The next improvement to come was an electric lighter placed under the engine by stoker Connell. This is operated by the engine wheels while passing over a small button the gas is lighted and as the cotton waste saturated with oil passes over the flame it is ignited and the fire box being filled with shavings and wood in a few seconds a raging fire has been started. Passing on a few feet further another button is run over by the wheel and the gas is shut off so as the engine leaves the house no fire is left behind that would be likely to do any damage to the building. As the engine or hose wagon passes over an electric button in the floor beneath the apparatus the large front doors are opened and instead of waiting to be opened by hand the drivers on taking their seats are ready to go without any loss of time. Going to the rear of the engine room one will find another small electrical apparatus that is known as the electric light drop. As the first tap of the alarm comes in the electric lights throughout the engine room are lighted and at the same time a number of bells are rung in the firemen's homes in the neighborhood, enabling them to be on the floor and dressed before the sound of the gongs are heard. The stable doors are opened and horses released at the first sound of the bell and are so well trained that by the time the drivers have reached the engine room by sliding down the poles the horses are standing under their harness ready for the hitch. Connected to the main bell in the fire house are the bells placed in the rooms of each permanent man, and at the first signal of the alarm these bells strike the number of the box pulled, and the bells are sufficiently large enough to waken the soundest sleeper.

The Gamewell Fire Alarm System which is known the world over as being the finest system now in use was placed in this city in 1884 with what was called the Poney Interfering Boxes. These boxes remained in service and is known as the non-interfering box. At the same time indicators were placed in the engine houses. This advantage was a great help to the men in the houses for, as before, in case of an alarm it was necessary to count the number of the box pulled, but with the assistance of the indicator all that is necessary for the drivers to do is jump to their seats and go to the box registered in their district, if not remain in this position for twenty minutes when they are all wed to stable their horses.

With these improvements made in the last ten years Wilkes-Barre had made her Fire Department second to none in the State and no fire department working under the same system in the United States can give their citizens better protection than that given by the Fire Department of this city.


Wilkes-Barre Fire Department History

In olden times Wilkes-Barre fire department was organized at the outbreak of every fire and when the paraphernalia consisted of a lot of buckets which were used for handing water from convenient wells or from the river to the burning structure by these impromptu bucket brigades. Men and women turned out in those times and assisted in saving property, and all classes of citizens were ranged side by side handing along the water.

As Wilkes-Barre began to grow it was decided to make some movement for the purpose ot selecting men who would consider it their duty to turn out at every fire and do all in their power to subdue it. This was the first suggestion of a fire department in Wilkes-Barre. It was on March 7, 1807, that Charles Miner and Nathan Palmer were nominated by the borough council to see about apparatus and arrange the details for the organization of a company. Progress was slow and the bucket brigade continued for some years to be the only means of fighting fires.

In 1818 the council made another move and ordered the purchase of the old Neptune engine, which had been used in Philadelphia for thirty-eight years previous. This old machine was drawn from the Quaker City by a team of horses. It was later dubbed "The Wyoming." It cost $300 and to us at present appears a very antiquated and inadequate means for putting out even a brush heap fire. was no steam or anything but human power, and it threw only a small stream. The best people in town then belonged to the company.

Thirteen years later the Neptune became inadequate and a larger machine was purchased In Philadelphia, costing $653. This was the Reliance, afterwards the Protector. A new company was formed and the late chief justice Woodward, Isaac S. Osterhout and such eminent citizens were members. The company remained together only half a year.

Until 1849 or a period of about eighteen years there was no regular frre organization but the citizens used the engines.

In the year just mentioned, after some serious fires, the need of a permanent organization was forcibly pressed upon the people and another effort was made to get together a company. A short time previous the Old Black HorseTavern at the corner of Public Square was destroyed with other buildings and it was believed to be of incendiary origin. It was always believed to have been caused so that a murderer, who was then confined in the jail on East Market street, where Lohmann's place now stands, could escape, but the fire did did not reach the jail. In May, 1819. a new company, which included our best citizens, was organized. The old Triton engine and a thousand feet of hose were purchased and an old hose carriage from Philadelphia. The Triton was considered a marvel of genius, as it was the first suction engine In this part of the State, and it drew the water from the river or canal. The old Neptune boys became a little jealous of this mechanical wonder, and partially succeeded in making a suction engine out of their machine also. The Triton was paid for by private subscription and by the proceeds of a firemen's ball.

After running to fires for two years (as many as there were at that time) interest In the company died out and the apparatus was stored in the old market house until fire destroyed the place, which even then had an unsavory reputation. The engine was afterwards stationed at the river bridge.

In 1855 a disastrous fire burned most of the buildings on the east side of the Square, the Exchange Hotel, the Hillard mill and private dwellings - from where Brown's grocery store now stands to the corner of East Market street. In 1859 a new company was formed with E. B Harvey president and C. C. Plotz, a veteran fireman from another part of the State, as foreman. The old Triton engine was resurrected and named the Good Will, which was wheeled about In yesterday's parade. The Protecter and Neptune companies were also organized soon afterwards and used the other engines and Wilkes-Barre had its first real fire department. The late ex-Governor Hoyt, judge Woodward and the late Walter G. Sterling were the first engineers and assistants. The companies were soon put to a severe test. Soon after they were organized a disastrous fire broke out in the Gildersleeve building, where the Jonas Long structure now stands, and burned down West Market street to Chaboon hall and along the Square to North Main street. The companies at once realized that the apparatus was deficient and improvement was necessary, although nothing; could be done along that line. The department continued as hen organized until 1871, other chief engineers being Henry C. Reichard and J. W. Patten.

Another serious fire occurred in 1867, when West Market street suffered. The fire started at Franklin street and burned down to where the Misses Doran's establishment now stands on the one side, and W. W. Loomis's harness store on the other side.

There was great rivalry among the old volunteers, as there is among companies at present, and each company did its best to get at a fire first. Balls and other affairs were frequently held to keep the treasury ready for the purchase of new apparatus, hose, etc. The first parade of the department was held in June, 1859, when a fine trumpet was presented to engineer (now Judge) Woodward, Hon. Caleb E. Wright making the presentation speech, the present being from ex-sheriff Puterbaugh.

In 1871 council passed an ordinance that a paid fire department be organized. Judge Woodward was made chief engineer and W. L. Stewart, C. C. Plotz and S. H. Sturdevant were his assistants. A. C. Laning presented the department with a new steamer and the boys were very proud of it. Judge Woodward served as chief engineer for nine years, resigning Jan. 1, 1880, and was succeeded by C. B. Metzger, who served one year and was in turn succeeded by T. S. Hillard, and after his death Ernest Roth was chosen for the position, which be fills at present, but intends resigning at the end of the year.