Anamosa - A Reminiscence 1838 - 1988

Avenue. the blanket still aflre.
The barn was comparatively new. costing nearly
$1.000. It was the general opinion that the fire was
deliberately set. Dr. Gawley and E.M. Condit. general
manager. offered a $200 reward.
In the same issue which reported the barn fire, the
editor of the Eureka explained. “Some rather severe
criticisms have been made upon the failure of Hose Co.
No. 1, to bring out their apparatus at the time of the
burning of Dr. Gawley's barn. It appears that a number
of the boys were on hand. but no one had his key, and
they went to the fire without their cart. This was the
case, we believe. with the Hook 6: Ladder boys.
As it came out, the fire was extinguished without the
help of the apparatus. But suppose the building had
been beyond the reach of No. 2's outflt, what then?
“The fire department needs looking after by the
council. as we suggested two weeks ago . . . Let this be a
warning wisely heeded by the authorities."
It was moved at the council meeting. the following
week, that the fire alarm on the hose house be raised to
a height of ten feet and that keys be procured to supply
all of the firemen who had none.
Two months later. a new hose coupling was
purchased for one of the fire companies. so that two
nozzles could be attached to one length of hose when
desired. thus doubling its capacity and enabling one
hose to throw two streams.
The 25th of May, 1882, the Gillen Hotel barn was
burned. The Anamosa fire department was aided by the
prison hose company. This. too. was believed to be
caused by an “incendiary” loose in the area.
In mid-June, 1882, the Presbyterian Church bell
aroused the people living on Strawberry Hill. and it was
found that M.D. Weaver's barn was on fire. The fire was
promptly extinguished. The number of barn fires in
Anamosa. in such a short length of time. led to the
strong possibilitiy that a flre-bug was setting the fires.
In April 1883 the Waverly House burned down. This
hotel was built in 1852, and was located southeast
corner of South Main and East Hickory streets. The
burning of the hotel brought a notice from the secreta.ry
of the Weir Hook & Ladder Co. The notice. published in
the local papers: “The burning of the Waverly House,
where the hose companies were unable to render any
assistance. thus throwing the work of confining the flre
to the building in which it orginated. upon the Hook &
Ladder Co.. shows conclusively the necessity for a
larger Co. and more thorough drill and acquaintance
with our duties at a fire.
“Let all who claim a membership in the company
report for duty next Tuesday evening (at the regular
meeting] and allow the officers and active members to
make your acquaintance."
The Foxall 81 Barnes furniture store was burned in a
fire in January 1884. The building was out of reach of
the hose companies. and it was impossible for the Hook
& Ladder Co.. who had promptly responded to bring it
under control. All of the undertaking goods. including
27 caskets were lost. However, most of the furniture
and five caskets were saved. as was the hearse. Mr.
Foxall was convinced that it was the work of an“
incendiary." The firm temporarily located on the
southwest corner of Main and Garnaviilo streets.
When. two months later, the J.G. ‘Parsons large livery
barn was burned, the furniture of the firm of Foxall 81
Barnes. temporarily housed in the building east of the
livery, was again put out into the street, and was saved.
The livery owner, J.G. Parsons, was the big loser.
Both Hose Companies and the Hook 8: Ladder
Company of firemen turned out, but nothing could be
done. The residence of S.C. Hall on the west was saved
by a flood of water thrown on. On the east of the livery
barn, a small building filled with sleighs, robes. etc.,
went up in smoke. A carriage shed soon followed and
the flames soon licked up the wood addition to the
small brick building used by Dr. J.S. Dimmit. years
before.
The prison hose was sent for and three streams of
water were helpful in saving the corner building, used
by Foxall Gr Barnes, and the large, fine residence of F.W.
Gillette (the first home south of Moenk Real Estate
building].
It was the belief of many that without the Water
Works, the Lehmkuhl building on the east and every
business on Main Steet and on eastward would have
been destroyed.
A strong wind was blowing at the time and it was
reported that half-consumed shingles were carried as
far away as the J.L. Sheean residence (the present
residence of the Leonard Brokens. between Third and
Fourth streets].
Mr. Parsons lost three horses in the fire; Dr. Gawley.
his horse and sulky: Asa Smith lost five horses: a Mr.
Ransom of Midgeville, Ill., lost one horse; and an
immigrant. Nicholas Tracy of Jackson County, lost two
horses. Additionally, two cows behind the barn were
lost. The total cost of the fire was $7,000. The possible
cause of the blaze was speculated to be a drunken man
who took possession of the barn and started a fire with
his cigar or pipe.
In 1885, a number of youths, 12 to 15 years old,
organized a fire fighting unit called The Vigilants. They
were taken seriously by the fire department and were
given 170 feet of hose, cart and reel, and uniforms —
blue pants with red strip, and white shirts and red
socks, and white moccasins.
That summer, Deluge Hose No. 1 and No. 2 were
supplied with a harness which enabled them to run
with hands and arms free.
The “sheep-bell" contrivance that was mounted on
Hose Co.. No. 2, was discarded and a gong was
substituted. The gong was bolted to a side frame and
operated by a ratchet attached to the inner end of the
hub. “The gong gives out a ringing sharp sound and is a
great improvement over the bells,“ according to the
newspapers in 1886.
That same year the fleet runners of the three flre
companies were organized into a team for special
occasions. A subscription paper was raised to purchase
a new hose cart, one less bulky. Huggins & Griffith,
wagon makers, were authorized to construct one with
the costs not to exceed $100. The Hose Companies
were also given 350 feet of linen hose. Not only would
they be used for hose contests but the new cart and
hose would be “useful in any emergency".
The new hose team was organized in August I886.
They made a trial run and were well-pleased. The cost
of the cart, built by Huggins & Griffith, was $100. The
pipe, with etceteras. was $64. One new section of hose
was 300 feet and the other was 50 feet. This was in
addition to the 1.000 feet handled by Companies No. 1
and No. 2. The amount raised by subscription by C.E.
Arthur was $159 leaving only $5 to be forthcoming.
Anamosa had a great running team in the 1880s
consisting of firemen. These were Charles E. Arthur.
captain: Charles Ellis and Charles Barker. lead-off men.
Charles Carter, Port Weaver, William Dennison. Al