The Fire Department

by Dwight A. Goodwin

The Fire Department is one of many departments of the village, and the village was incorporated in 1831, therefore, it originated at that time. What protection before that time is not known and little is known of the early years.

On December 14, 1871 at 4:00 a.m. the most serious fire in our village history wiped out the block from the four corners on the south side of Brutus Street nearly to South Street and up South Seneca Street nearly to Furnace. It also damaged buildings on the west side of Seneca Street and the north side of Brutus Street. In the related story, the fire engine, operated by men, was put into service on the canal bank with two lines of hose attached and the little old fire engine which years before was cast aside but fortunately kept in order, was set in the creek to the east and its stream checked the eastward progress of the fire. At that time the Engine House was midway on the north side of Furnace Street and was saved from the spark shower by a participating citizen.

It is believed that the little old engine was Black Crook No. 2.. This engine was also called Neptune, the name which is engraved on the manufacturer's mark or label. The date 1822, which proves its age. However, in the summer of 1950 in preparation for restoration and painting, as the men were taking off several coats of paint, they discovered that it was originally blue, trimmed with red and gold stripes as it is now restored. Water could be supplied into the tub by bucket brigades or from cisterns or wells by a detachable suction hose which is long gone as it was made of leather. The machine was drawn by hand or by horses.

The horse drawn Steamer which replaced the larger hand engine was purchased in 1899 and was quite a big step in modernization as only a few cities had adopted its use. It was a Silsby, made in Seneca Falls. A picture of the new Steamer also shows a large hose cart which was kept in the Engine House. The cart was manned by a group called "The Bachelor Hose Co." made up of single young men. They worked in conjunction with the department. This company disbanded in 1901 and individually joined the department.

In 188zt a new Engine House was built on South Street with a large cistern in the cellar and a meeting room upstairs. There were other cisterns, one near 2772 East Brutus Street and the other on the east side of South Seneca Street (south) (north) of the West Shore Crossing. The canal also provided a ready source of water. The village water system, with hydrants, wasn't completed until 1896.

Beginning in April 1884, minute record books have been kept giving a complete record of Department activities. There has been modernization and expansion to the 1884 firehouse throughout the years.

In 1899 the Electric Company wired for desk and hall lights replaced kerosene lamps. In 1924 a siren was added to spread the alarms, replacing the bell. In 1938 a door was cut through the wall to the "Coop," or village jail at the rear of the building. The "Coop" was no longer used and it became a kitchen. At the same time the upstairs meeting room had a new maple floor - laid by the men. In 1945 the Round Oak Stoves that heated the building were replaced by an oil fired central heating plant. In 1951 two bays were added to accommodate the larger and heavier equipment. At the same time the tower on the left rear of the building where formerly hose was dried, was deemed unsafe and removed. Also, the men redecorated the meeting room. The last conversion was in 1974-75 when three more bays were added. The department then vacated the original building, and the village offices for Mayor, Board, Clerk and Treasurer were moved downstairs to the former truck floor which was made into modern offices. The upstairs was again redecorated and the village clerk's office became the Fire Chief's office.

As the village grew so did the necessity for fire protection. At the turn of the century, hose carts were placed on Bell Street, West Brutus Street, Jackson Street and East Brutus Street, to increase speed of equipment arriving at the outlying areas of the village. A code system was established for the fire bell; North of Brutus Street, S strokes, a pause, repeat; South of Brutus Street, 4 strokes, a pause, repeat; business section, continuous strokes. At the same time a hand drawn chemical cart was brought in as was a hook and ladder company. In 1914 a Sanbert truck was acquired for a hose wagon. A couple of years later the chemical equipment was motorized on an Attabury truck. In 197.2 a Ford truck was made into a hose truck and the Sanbert placed in reserve. In 1925 a Sanford pumper replaced the old Steam pumper. In 1937, with the department now protecting the Town of Brutus, the worn out Attabury was junked and replaced with a Dodge-Chrysler pumper. In 1938 the newly formed 1st Aid Squad made a '35 Ford panel truck into an Ambulance and the worn out '22 Ford was rebuilt on a La Salle chassis, which was replaced in 1950 with a Sanford pumper. As individuals swap and update cars, the Weedsport department has updated to the present time; our antique Neptune and chemical cart and our modern Ambulance, Rescue Squad, Utility & Light Squad, Three Engines (pumpers) and a Tank Truck. All vehicles are equipped with two-way radio in communication with our station and the county base station. Under the County Mutual Aid system, the department works with and receives help from neighboring departments. In addition to the siren alarm at the firehouse, many members have special home radio sets tuned to the County Base Station.

While the building and equipment is village owned, it is operated by the volunteer man power. The members not only drive the equipment, but also attend schools which teach equipment operation and new phases of fire fighting techniques. The members who belong to the First Aid and Rescue Squad also learn requirements of Red Cross first aid and most members have completed the Medical Technician courses. The squad has also loaned equipment to the injured and sick.

An important support for the department is the Firemen's Auxiliary which was formed in 1951. This group assists with canteen service at meals or fire calls whether it be coffee in winter or cold drinks in summer. The many ways the Auxiliary helps would be too numerous to mention. Many of the pieces of equipment being used in the department have been purchased by the men and by the Auxiliary from the fund raising at the summer field days and mid-winter Bar-B-Que.

Other serious fires in our village: Brutus Mill 1884; Mansion House or Stickle Hotel 1893; Van Marter Malt Hotuse 1895; Crotty & Mitchell Skirt Factory 1898; Patrick O'Neil barn 1905 with I-lArry Freeland as a fatality; Routstone's Warehouse 1909; Bentworks & Planing Plant 1918; Crouse & Pope Foundry 1923; Guyder's (Kanaley) Store 1927; Smith's Garate (Hackley Hitchbarn) 1928; Dairylea Plant 1930; Scolaro Block 1932; Zimmer's Theatre (Burrift Opera House) 1935; Bill's Restaurant, Market Basket, Whitman Hardware, Alsever's Drug Store 1940; Presbyterian Church 1946; Whitman & Robinson Construction Company (Cusick Tobacco Warehouse) 1958.

The Chiefs: Sylvester Skelton; Warren Wilcox; George A. Beach; Ira D. Brown 1878; H. D. Breester 1885 or before to April '97; A. B. Harmon April/97 to April/99; George Stickle April '99 to April/01; Charles W. Hudson April/01 to April/05; Edward C. Fuller April/05, resigned June/07; Charles W. Hudson by appointment of Village Board June/07 to April/08; Win. H. Statham April/08 to April/11; Edward C. Fuller April/ll to April/12; Win. H. Statham April/12, to April/2,8; Amos L. Clark April/28 to April/38; Fred C. Smith April/38 to January/49; George E. Wethey January/49 to April/54; Chester L. Hazzard, April/54 to April/55; Raymond W. Pichany April/55 to April/67; Win. T. Saroodis April/67 to April/72,; Ray M. Swim, April/72 to ---

"A dramatic account of the great fire of 1871 appears in the Weedsport Sentinel issue of December 21 follows:

A BURNT DISTRICT

LAST THURSDAY'S FIRE

Heroic efforts for its suppression It will Ultimately Result to the Benefit of Village

MEETING OF CITIZENS .... IMPORTANT MEASURES ADOPTED

Expected with dread for a long time, fire has made its appearance in our Village, and many business places have fell before it.

Thursday morning, at four o'clock, the first wild alarm was given; in less than three hours every building, from Watson's cabinet shop on Brutus Street to Craddock's saloon on the corner; thence south to the Masonic Block on the corner of Seneca and Furnace Streets. On the west side of Seneca Street the flames caught in the heavy cornice of the Atwood House, and soon wrapt the entire structure in fire. Between the Atwood House and the canal bridge, all was swept clean.

The Fire Originated in the rear of the Willey Block, occupied on one side below by Jacob Wise for a shoe store, and on the other by Willis Watson as a cabinet ware show room; up stairs Miss Ross had dress making and living rooms. Mr. Wise, who slept in his store, was undoubtedly the first to become aware of the presence of the fire, and was awoke by the dense smoke nearly suffocating him. He rushed into the street, and gave the alarm. In a few minutes, that seemed like hours, the fire engine was put in operation, on the canal bank near the Brutus Street Bridge, with two lines of hose attached. In the meantime Craddock's building had caught, and was burfling so rapidly that no possible labor could have saved it. Attention was at once directed to Franklin Hall buildings, the window and door frames and cornice of which had already been ignited by flying brands. It was by great exertion (sic) of the firemen who could only approach wrapped in wet blankets, and of men on the roof who carried water and wet the cornice until THEIR HAIR WAS BURNED AND FACES BLACKENED by the intense heat; the building was saved.

Next east of the Willey Block was first the furnace, next the hoop skirt factory, and then a long row of dry wooden structures reaching to the Brutus Mills, none of which it was at one time thought could be saved. Powder was obtained to blow up the hoop skirt buildings but not an inch of fuse could be found.

However, the little old fire engine, which long ago was cast aside for

its insignificence, but which fortunately had been kept in order, was brought out and set in the creek. A stream from this on Watson's cabinet shop, and strong men with axes and pikes at work tearing down the store room next to, stopped the fire here.

It was still gaining in fury on Seneca Street, where first Porter's and then the Masonic Building crashed in. From here the flames spanned the street to the ATWOOD HOUSE.

The engine had been moved up between Wilcox's carriage shop and Whiting's marble works, and again was being worked with effect. Hurley's, Riley's, and the corner blocks were at this time in flames. The greatest fear was aroused for the safety of the long row of Atwood buildings next south of the Atwood House, which, as surely had they caught, would have involved the new magnificent Willard House, together with other structures. Most heroic efforts were made on the south wall of the Atwood House, where in the narrow alley of three feet, men held the hose until suffocated by the heat and plied pike and ax until exhaustion compelled them to quit. But their labors had been effective. The south wall went in with a crash, and the progress of the fire stopped. At this time the JORDAN FIRE ENGINE dram by four sweating horses came thundering up the street. Although too late to render help in subduing the fire, every heart was filled with gratitude for the promptness with which our sister village answered our call for help and cheer upon cheer went up for them. In the name of the community they are thanked for the good will shown.

Our own fire department had their severest trial, and came off winners. Everything worked admirably throughout with no breakages to delay. To particularize the deeds of any few were impossible. Everyone worked with a zeal and faikb_fillness, unflagging energy.

AN INCIDENT

which even now causes a shudder was enacted when the furnace and hoop skirt factory was burning. The building next was to be blown up, and Mr. H. S. Tryon with a keg of blasting powder, with the stopple out, under his arm was running through a perfect shower of sparks and fire brands, the smallest one of which might have blown him and a half a hundred others to atoms.

Doctor Brown was on hand with his little hydropoult, setting it first on the ice in the creek, but finding the opposition of the big machine too strong he moved up to Furnace Street where he put out a flame that had caught in the engine house, and then played with good effect on the barn of Mr. H. C. Beach.

When the house of Mr. H. S. Harrington was in danger, Mrs. Harrington seized all her flower pots, pitching them from the window breaking the crocks to atoms.

Some person, to hurry along matters, brought a large mirror from the upper story of the Atwood House, and, reaching the front door, gave the glass a kick which sent it flying in a thousand pieces.

HOW THE FIRE STARTED

will, in all probability, forever remain a mystery. The theories advanced are not all the same; some being likely, and some not so. That it commenced in Mr. Wise's apartment, there seems to be no doubt - That it was the work of an incendiary, is not so certain. However, general opinion seems inclined that way.

THE LOSSES

were most serious, while the insurance was extremely small. Commencing on Brutus Street: William Watson, undertaker, building and stock lost $1,500; no insurance. N. D. Caldwell, building, $4 000, no insurance. Mrs. Bigsby, millinery, $700; no insurance. Good Ternplats $200, insured for $150.

A. E. Reubottom, building, $2,000; insured for $800. Hoop Skirt Company stock $3,000; no insurance. G. I. Stevens, furnace building, $8,000; no insurance. H. S. Tryon, stock $2,500; no insurance. C. B. & J. M. Gill, machinery $2,500; no insurance. B. B. Willey, building $3,500; no insurance. Willis Watson cabinet ware, $800; no insurance. Jacob Wise, boots and shoes, $2,000; insurance $2,000. George Craddock, saloon, building and stock $8,000; insured for $2,200. H. R. Filley, Justice $200; no insurance. Squires Filley and Watson had an office together, and hundreds of valuable papers, including wills, mortgages, justice records, and the village records, were destroyed. D. C. Knapp, claim agent, $300; no insurance. W. W. Porter, dry goods, building $3, 000; insured for $2,500; stock $10,000; insured for $4,000. O. T. Atwood was by far the heaviest loser. The Masonic Block $P~, 000; insured for $4 500. Atwood House, $ 8,000; insured for $5,500. Glove factory $500; filly insured. Sample room $200; filly insured; Glove stock $4 000; no insurance. Barn $1,000; no insurance. Personal effects $4 500; no insurance. C. H. Weed, property south of Atwood buildings $600; fully insured. Jacob Faatz, meat market, $200; no insurance. J. E. Gage firniture, $200; no insurance. N. Rude, furniture $100; no insurance.

The Masons saved a portion of their Lodge furniture but lost $~,00; no insurance. Odd Fellows $500; no insurance. Grand Army $250; no insurance. Brown and Benedict, physicians $600; insured $400. James Kirns, shoemaker, $50; no insurance. J. Rude, harness maker $200; no insurance. H. D. Hurley, building $4 000; insured $500. S. D. Eldredge grocer, $600; fully insured. J. E. Andrews, sample room, $500; no insurance. Hugh Riley, building $1, P~00 insured $500; A. Wesley, harness maker, $500; no insurance. Williams, cigar manufacturer, $300; no insurance. C. Stevens, building $4,500; fully insured. H. Bucher, boots and shoes, $200; no insurance. H. L. Burrill & Co.., druggist, $2,000; fully insured. C. W. Sprague, dentist, got out his property. The loss on adjoining property was considerable. Joseph Kauffer, clothier, $150; fully insured. Donovan & Co., Franklin Hall buildings, $500; fully insured. John Petty, dwelling $100; fully insured..

Most of the boarders of the Atwood House had time to remove their effects from the building. Ben Smith and A. B. Farmon lost about $200 each.

These figures show a total loss of $64,500; total insurance $26,300."