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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 219
Avell provided against a severe fire loss. To make the old hand engines
available Avells Avere dug in various parts of the city from Avhich water
vvas to be taken. In 1858 the officers of the department were F. C.
Ford, chief engineer; Enoch Weller, first assistant; Charles Ruemmelle,
second assistant. In 1859 Foster M. Follett Avas chief, Casper J. Parsons,
first assistant, and William Cook, second assistant. In 1860 Enoch
Weller Avas chief, Casper J. Pars6ns, first/ and William Cook second
assistant engineer.
But the time came Avhen the old hand engines, like all other ancient
contrivances, must give place to more modern inventions. In 1865
the council, assisted by the contributions of citizens, made a purchase
of a steam engine of the Amoskeag manufacture. Three years later a
Silsby engine Avas purchased, and again in 1869, another of the same
pattern. With this improved apparatus and the purchase of a hook
and ladder truck it became necessary to reorganize the Avhole department,
and the council Avisely concluded to make it a paid department.
By their ordinance, passed May 27, 1872, it AA'as provided that each
engineer should receive $60, and each minute-man $10 per month.
Richard C. Cuthbert was elected chief engineer.
This ordinance, with some subsequent amendments, remained in
force and by it the department AVIIS governed until the ordinance as
passed and amended in 1884 came into effect. This provided that
the fire department "shall consist of three hose companies, and one
book and ladder company. Each of said hose companies shall be composed
of six men, and said hook and ladder company shall be composed
of seven men. One of said men in each hose company shall be
knoAvn as plugman, one as teamster and the other four as minute men.
One of the men of said hook and ladder company shall be known as
captain, one a teamster and the other five men as minute men. The
hose carts and hook and ladder truck shall have one hose each." The
compensation provided to be paid under this ordinance was: Each plugman,
$45 per month; each teamster, $45 per month; each minute-man,
$10 per month.
The Ogontz Engine Fire Company Avas a feature of early Sandusky
life. A Avit named Jim. Gibeaut claimed the name Avas appropriate
because Ogontz Avas a fire water Indian and the Ogontz Avas a 'fire water
engine too.
Sandusky's first volunteer fire company Avas organized September 24,
1854, and Avas known as Rescue Fire Company No. 2. Another company
AA-as organized by the Fifth Ward citizens April 12, 1872. Back in the
60's No. 1 Company Volunteers was located on Hancock Street. Among
the early apparatus AA'as a hand engine located at the Five Points, and
one manned by the Tigers No. 5 Company at Hesse Castle. On December
23, 1883, all volunteer hose companies Avere abolished, and their
furniture Avas sold. Since the organization of the department the
number of calls has run from 40 to 89 in a year.
The Central Station Avas completed and occupied September 30,