Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

“A.H. Sherman's harness shop went next. The
building was owned by H.C. Metcalf. J. Rhodes new
confectionary man was the next victim. He had
recently repaired and painted the building. On the
second story lived Mrs. Gause and daughter. Rhodes’
building was razed to the foundation in the hope of
stopping the flre. but this seemed hopeless and it was
finally decided the next building. belonging to Joseph
Moore. must also come down. as it abutted against
Frank Fisher's splendid brick block. at the foot of Booth
street. Slingerland 8: Son. painters. occupied the back
room of this floor and succeeded in moving their effects.
“By this time the fire had been burning two hours or
more. and the snow in the rear and gutter on Main were
rapidly melting and afforded considerable water. The
water was dashed on by lines of men in front and rear.
and finally the flames were under control.
"Nearly adjoining Dennison's building. in the vicinity
of where the flre broke out, was the store building
owned by H.K. Soper. This was occupied by R.A.
Markham. who sold Remington sewing machines and
also by Markham and Burgess. dealers in organs. The
contents were mostly saved. This building was within
two or three feet of A. Heitchen's hardware store and
his living rooms upstairs. with the living rooms
between the two. Of course. the stairway was taken."
The total loss of property reached $12,000. The
origin of the flre was never disclosed. if known.
The heat from the fire was very great and extended
across Main Street. scorching buildings on the opposite
side. Even with the light wind. cinders were carried a
half mile. Fortunately. heavy snows on the roofs
prevented additional damage.
The buildings destroyed were all wood-framed and
although the loss was severe: $12.000 with only $2.900
of it insured. the buildings were eventually re-built
using brick materials.
Although it took seven months after the flre to
organize a flre department. a water works system was
incorporated immediately after this flre. It was stated
as fact that there was not another town of similar size in
the United States that possessed a water system
comparable to it at the time of its completion.
The Gutta Percha 81 Rubber Mg. Co.. of New York
City. furnished 800 feet of patented carbolized hose and
also furnished three speaking trumpets, three rubber
coats. one dozen spanners. and two hose pipes. to the
flre department.
The ordinance to form the first Anamosa Fire
Department was passed July 21. 1875. by the city
council. This authorized the department to be
composed of a chief engineer. two assistants engineers.
a flre warden; fire companies of engineermen.
hosemen. and hook and ladder men. with each
company consisting of as many members as the
council. from time to time. should direct by resolution.
The fire department first consisted of Deluge Hose
Company No. 1; Rescue Hose Company No.2: and Weir
Hook & Ladder Company. Each department had its
own separate officers in addition to the general officers
of the fire department.
The flrst officers of the Anamosa Fire Company were:
J.H. Williams. chief engineer: E.M. Harvey. first
assistant: George L. Yount. second assistant. The first
officers of of Deluge Hose Company No. 1. were: John
G. Cudworth. foreman: L.G. Clark. assistant: G.S. Peet.
assistant: S.l. Williams. secretary: Chas. Carter.
treasurer. There were 22 members. The Rescue Hose
No. 2 oflicers were: John I. VanNess. foreman; W.J.
Pavey. assistant; E.M. Stickney. secretary and
treasurer. with 22 members. The Weir Hook & Ladder
Company's flrst officers were: L.C. Aldridge. foreman:
Frank Fisher. assistant: B. Dott. secretary and
treasurer. with 35 original members. (W.C. Weir was
connected to the flrst water works as engineer
consultant.)
The firemen ran a contested race. in September. to
decide which company would take the name of
Companies l and 2. The flre companies were out in full
equipment:the race started at Elm street. from the
Foxall 81 Barnes's shop downtown and ended at the
hydrant at the Fisher I-louse. on the corner of
Gamavillo and Main streets. The run was to be made
while drawing the heavy hose carts with their 500 feet
of rubber hose. Main street was not yet paved. and the
hill. much more prominent than now. was deep
sand. Johd Cudworth. foreman of Deluge Co.. made
the run. and then threw water in 2 minutes I2 and one
half seconds later. even though I-l.T. Curry reached the
hydrant 3 seconds ahead of the other company. The
first company to make the run had only four men left
pulling the cart. T.W. Shapley was hydrant man for one
company and George Wescott for the other. The
hydrants were left-hand turns and had been given
seven or eight tums. so that one turn would start the
water. When the coupling was made by the flrst
company to arrive. Shapley turned the hydrant the
wrong way and screwed it shut. When the valve was
sealed and would turn no further. he called for help.
Jack Watters grabbed on and still the two men could
not turn it.
ln the meantime. the other company arrived: made
the connection and George Westcott turned on the
water. and although they were beaten in the run by
three seconds. they threw the water flrst and became
No. 1 Company. An immense and excited crowd
witnessed the event.
The Hook & Ladder Co.'s flrst wagon was made
almost wholly of iron with the running gear painted
blue; the body was a rich carmine color. and the entire
outfit was delicately striped with black and gold.
Huggins and Belknap. wagon-makers. made the
wagon; J.C. Griffith did the iron work. and Marcus
Moore painted it. Including the ladders. lamps
buckets. and incidentals. the wagon cost between $500
and S600.
The June 28. 1879. issue of the local papers noted
that the Weir Hook and Ladder Co.was requested to
come out in uniform the next evening for dnill and those
that did not have a uniform would be provided with
one. Also. the company had just been furnished with a
lot of first-class leather buckets.
The fire department became a popular addition to the
town parades. with the 75 firemen dressed in
handsome uniforms, drawing two hose carts and the
hook and ladder wagon.
In 1876. the old town bell. originally mounted on the
jail and afterwards taken to the penitentiary [so-called
until 1907) was placed on the crown of the fire
department building (where city hall is now). and was
used for an "alarm" bell and also for calling meetings of
the flre companies. (A larger bell was purchased for the
penitentiary)
A favorite past-time of the fire department. when not
risking life and limb. [there were many instances of
broken ankles which were run over by the large hose
carts), was playing cards. There were many attempts to
bring a halt to this innocent past-time. One notice by
55