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Post by jon hynes on Jun 21, 2009 19:05:01 GMT -5
The steamer of No. 7 has led quite an adventurous life, It has been repeatedly sent to the assistance of other localities when they have been afflicted by the demon of fire. It rendered assistance to fighting fire last fall in the North Woods. The services of the firemen were appreciated and they made a host of friends. Mrs. Dr. Newcome of the sanitarium at Stony Wood presented the men with a fine buck deer. It had been shot the night previous to their departure and it was borne in triumph in front of the hose cart as they sped from the Adirondacks back to Utica.
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Post by jon hynes on Jun 21, 2009 19:05:27 GMT -5
Chemical Engine No. 3 is located on Washington street near the Majestic Theater. The horses on the chemical wagon are named Nip and Tuck, both boys quick in motion, handsome in appearance. Pete and Con, black and gray, form the hose team. Nip, who is attached to Chief Sullivan's rig. is an attractive black animal. He has been in the service of the department about ten years, has gone to every fire, and if inclined to speak could many wondrous tales unfold. There is an exercise wagon for each team's daily use, Charles Vanderpool, the driver, has been in the department about 35 years Timothy Sullivan over 10 years. William A. Roth, the driver of the chemical vehicle, about 10 years.
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Post by jon hynes on Jun 21, 2009 19:06:34 GMT -5
At No. 2's truck house, which is also a hose depot a visitor will obtain a large fund of instructive details. The three horses on the truck wagon are named Tom, Dan, and Billy, are dapple gray in color and average in age about five years, Tom is the pet. On the police patrol is Frank, a gray horse, 15 years old and a resident in the fire from early childhood. His mate, Billy, a bay is considerably younger while Major, also a bay numbers only five years. On the police telegraph repair wagon is a gray horse affectionately dubbed Skinny. He is simply a "good old horse." His work is easier than it was in former days and the men in the company says he does it well. Tom, Dan, and Billy form a team of very powerful horses with a combined weight of 4,500 pounds. There is in the house a large variety of superior apparatus. There is a Pumper scaling ladder used in emergencies. The aerial truck consists of a 75-foot aerial ladder with water tower attachment, several trussed ladders from 18 to 56 feet in length, two roof ladders four life ropes, battering rams, two cellar pipes, door openers to break the locks, axes, small picks, pike poles plaster hooks pulling down ropes and hooks, a window breaker, tin cutter, two crowbars, sledge hammers, shovel and picks a life net, three gallon extinguishers and a gun used to shoot the life line The vehicle is a very handsome one, carefully preserved, with its scaffolding apparatus may be estimated at near $5,000. It came from the factory of the American La France Company of Elmira. No. 2 company's house is the oldest existing one in the department. It was originally built for a hose depot and the city's hose is brought here for drying after every fire which takes place in the heart of the city. George Smith is the driver of the hose truck. Richard Morgan, the lineman, is the driver of Skinny . The patrol wagon is driven by Police Officers Timothy Dillon and Peter Hill.
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Post by jon hynes on Jun 21, 2009 19:07:41 GMT -5
At the corner of Lafayette and Wiley street is steamer No. 4. Frank of the hose wagon , is a black horse. His mate, Colonel, is gray. Charley, Billy, and Jim are the engine horses. All of the horses are fine specimens. Jim. the dapple gray, is the house pet, about 7years old. The driver of Frank and Charley is Fred Groat. His brother. Edward, holds the reins over the others.
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Post by jon hynes on Jun 21, 2009 19:08:48 GMT -5
Engine and truck house No. 1 is located at Park avenue, near Oneida square. The engine horses are Tom and Dick. Tom, the black, stands high. Dick, less, was once gray, but is now all white, a faithful horse, who has seen many years service. Attached to the chemical wagon are Willie a brown horse, and Silver Tall, gray. On the truck are Jack, chestnut colored, and George, a bay, George has been in his present service ten years. The deputy chief's horse answers to the name of Mac. The horse is about 12 years old. His driver is Charles H. Wilson, who extols the animal's many pleasing characteristics. The driver of the steamer has been an efficient worker in the department for 26 years. The driver of the " combination is Leonard Waters, of the truck , James H. Gannon.
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Post by jon hynes on Jun 21, 2009 19:09:54 GMT -5
Medical Supervision of Animals
The medical supervision of the horses throughout the city is entrusted to Dr. Walter G. Hollingworth and Dr. Henry W. Skerritt. Dr. Hollingworth thinks that the scarcity of serious illness in the Fire Department is due to the regularity of their exercise. They seldom have digestive troubles. The doctor says that there is less engine sickness in Utica than in any place he knows. In a city of Utica's size special hospital are considered indispensable. He also thinks that at the fire houses great care is taken by the men with the legs, feet and mouth. He adds that "Commissioner Church's business experience regarding horses has proved invaluable to the Fire Department. A fine horse is not necessarily a fire horse. It takes a man with keen observation to select a horse in whom can be developed the requisite combination of strength, speed and intelligence.
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Post by jon hynes on Jun 21, 2009 19:10:51 GMT -5
Will electricity supersede the horse ?
"Let electricity do its special work, but the horses must stay. If only to humanize us," said one of the captains. "Fighting fires and its attendant perils form dreary work. We most have something to divert one's thoughts. After a nights encounter with fire, water and smoke it is a sweet relief to pat the head of a noble horse, to put wisp of straw in his mouth, to see his gratitude in his appealing eye. Yes, we must keep the horse. So said the captain, so said the men.
Sunday Tribune - 1908
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Post by jon hynes on Aug 26, 2009 16:25:44 GMT -5
This was the location of Engine #1 and where they came from to fight the fire. Park & Eagle
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Post by jon hynes on Aug 28, 2009 21:45:47 GMT -5
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ald. Sheldon, from the Committee on Fire Department, reported in favor of accepting the proposal of James Benton to build a hose house for Monitor Hose Company, No. 6, for an annual rent of $100 year. Report approved.
The same Committee reported that T. K. Butler would build a stable for the horses to draw steamer No. 7, Downer & Kellogg for Nos. 5 and 7 can be built for a rental of $100 per year.
Ald. Clogher wanted to know if the horses could not be accommodated in the engine houses.
Ald. Metcalf suggested that the committee be appointed to see if the horses could not be accommodated in the engine houses.
The report of the committee was agreed with
NEW HOSE
Ald. Sheldon reported that the new 1.500 feet of hose was all that could relied upon. He would report in favor of purchasing 1,500 feet of hose at once.
Ald. Clogher moved that the committee that purchased the other hose be authorized to purchase the amount of hose reported needed.
Ald. Case favored the proposition, but wished to know if the condition of the city finances would warrant the expenditure.
Ald. Williams favored a test of the old hose by steamer pressure, and moved as an impediment that the Chief Engineer be directed to make the test, and that the useless hose be replaced.
Ald. N. A. White suggested a weeks delay.
Ald. Clogher withdrew his resolution.
Ald. N. A. White moved that the Committee be instructed to test the hose and report at the next meeting of the Council Carried.
Utica Daily Observer 1872
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Post by jon hynes on Aug 28, 2009 21:47:38 GMT -5
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ald. Sheldon, from the Committee on Fire Department, reported in favor of accepting the proposal of James Benton to build a hose house for Monitor Hose Company, No. 6, for an annual rent of $100 year. Report approved.
The same Committee reported that T. K. Butler would build a stable for the horses to draw steamer No. 7, Downer & Kellogg for Nos. 5 and 7 can be built for a rental of $100 per year.
Ald. Clogher wanted to know if the horses could not be accommodated in the engine houses.
Ald. Metcalf suggested that the committee be appointed to see if the horses could not be accommodated in the engine houses.
The report of the committee was agreed with
NEW HOSE
Ald. Sheldon reported that the new 1.500 feet of hose was all that could relied upon. He would report in favor of purchasing 1,500 feet of hose at once.
Ald. Clogher moved that the committee that purchased the other hose be authorized to purchase the amount of hose reported needed.
Ald. Case favored the proposition, but wished to know if the condition of the city finances would warrant the expenditure.
Ald. Williams favored a test of the old hose by steamer pressure, and moved as an impediment that the Chief Engineer be directed to make the test, and that the useless hose be replaced.
Ald. N. A. White suggested a weeks delay.
Ald. Clogher withdrew his resolution.
Ald. N. A. White moved that the Committee be instructed to test the hose and report at the next meeting of the Council Carried.
Utica Daily Observer 1872
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Post by fiona on Aug 28, 2009 22:13:49 GMT -5
Jon: can you post that map again. I am interested in seeing the homes on the adjoining street. paticularaly in the far upper rt corner- looks like Roberts... only it is cut off. I also think a smaller map with more detail can show us the location of the homes that took in the residents of the flats. For instance, The Wheeler-Millar House, the Albright house, the Searles House ect.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 28, 2009 22:36:16 GMT -5
This was the location of Engine #1 and where they came from to fight the fire. Park & Eagle According to the map, a grand house (or two) must have been torn down on Genesee St. to be replaced by the Library. Ditto for St. Francis School.
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Post by dgriffin on Aug 28, 2009 23:02:42 GMT -5
Fiona, here are closeups from the 1883 map. North is to the right, and you're looking at the intersection of Genesee and Clinton Place in the center of the overview.
Here's the overview shot.
Closer in, here are the homes to the south.
And here are the homes to the north. The names breaking frame at the bottom are Hastings and Millar.Doesn't look like the Albrights are on the scene yet in 1883.
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Post by jon hynes on Aug 29, 2009 6:53:24 GMT -5
Jon: can you post that map again. I am interested in seeing the homes on the adjoining street. paticularaly in the far upper rt corner- looks like Roberts... only it is cut off. I also think a smaller map with more detail can show us the location of the homes that took in the residents of the flats. For instance, The Wheeler-Millar House, the Albright house, the Searles House ect. This is North of the Park & Eagle Fire House
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Post by jon hynes on Aug 29, 2009 10:29:00 GMT -5
This is where the Albright's will show up, across the street from the Flats that haven't been built yet. I think it's the lot that's owned by G. C. Churchill
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