PDF (20 MB) - Virtual Library of the Public Library of Cincinnati

216 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
1827-28, Charles F. Drake; 1829-30, Augustus Cooke, 1830-31-32-33,
Elijah E. Clemons; 1834 to 1841, inclusive, Roswell J. Jennings; 1842,
Charles F. Drake; 1843-44, George W. Smith; 1845, Alonzo Wade, Francis
W. Pomeroy; 1846, ; 1847-48, William Benschoter; 1849, William
Spaulding; 1850-51-52, Oliver Rice; 1853 (elected), James E. Mygatt;
1854-55, Oliver Rice; 1856, Andrew Casey; 1857-58, Enoch Weller; 1859,
Patrick Herr; 1860, George Littleton; 1861-62, William R. Chapman;
1863-64, Samuel C. Wheeler; 1865, Samuel Currie; 1866, Frank L. Myers;
1867-68-69, Thomas Muldowrey.
The ordinance of 1870 provided for the appointment by the mayor,
by and with the advice and consent of the city counsel, of one chief
watchman, and one person from each ward to perform the duties of
policeman and night watchman, each to hold office for one year. The
same ordinance also- provided for the like appointment of five persons
from each Avard as a reserved Avatch, subject to duty if called upon by
resolution of the council.
But this ordinance by no means abolished the office of marshal, but
continued the same as established by the ordinance of 1854, and modified
by that of 1871, Avhich latter law materially abridged his powers and
duties.
Under the provisions of the ordinance adopted on the 2d day of
February, 1880, and amended June 6, 1882, the department* of police
was organized. By the terms of this local enactment it Avas provided
that there shall be nominated in writing by the mayor of said city, at the
first meeting of the new council in each and every year, for their approval,
twelve persons as policemen and night watchmen, AVIIO shall hold such
position for the term of one year, unless sooner removed for cause, etc.
Also that one of the persons so nominated shall be designated as captain.
A further section also provides for the compensation to be paid the
captain and policemen.
The present force of police of the city consists of one marshal, a
captain of police and eleven patrolmen.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
It Avas back as early as -the year 1830 and at a time that the toAvn
of Sandusky had a population of less than 500 persons, and Avhen there
were not even seventy buildings Avithin its limits, that measures Avere
taken to provide for security against loss by fire. At a meeting of the
toAvn council, held in the latter part of February of that year, an ordinance
was adopted providing for the organization and discipline of regular
fire companies, as understood at that day, whose experience and
knoAvledge in the proper course rendered their assistance highly important
and useful.
For the proper organization of this primitive fire brigade the town
was divided into two Avards, to be known as Nos. 1 and 2, being separarated
by Columbus Avenue. The mayor was authorized to and did comply
with the ordinance of the council by appointing Henry H. Wilcox-