of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, page 290
FIRE DEPARTMENT. Muscatine, although a city of importance and up-to-date in almost everything that one looks for in a modern municipality, is woefully in need of a place for its legislation halls, apartments for its officials and a place to incarcerate the evildoer within her gates. Neither has the city a fire department, as the term is now applied, but there is in existence, and has been for many years, volunteer fire companies, that have done valiant service in the interest of the property owner, and their reputation throughout the state for skill and efficiency has long been established, trophies now at tournaments being substantial attestations to the truth of the latter statement. The united fire, or hose companies are, however, given the dignity and title of a fire department. Through the efforts of Gustav Schmidt in 1874, supported by the sympathy of Richard Musser, then mayor, the movement became a substantial one when about forty citizens signified their willingness to become firemen.
On the 7th day of January, 1875, a meeting of citizens was held and Gustav Schmidt was chosen president of the company then formed. David Meyer became secretary, Moritz Saal first engineer and Barney Schmidt second engineer. The organization chose the name of the Champion Chemical Fire Company and used a chemical fire extinguisher with indifferent results until 1877, when the water works enabled the "boys" to place dependence on a hose cart and hook and ladder wagon. The Champion Chemical Fire Company changed its name to the Champion Hose, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.
Rescue Hose Company No. 2 was organized April 27, 1876, largely through the efforts of Galbraith Bitzer, still a member. The first officers were: Galbraith Bitzer, captain; A. B. Hampton, first lieutenant; Joseph Morrison, second lieutenant; C. G. Whipple, secretary; J. A. Pickler, treasurer.
Excelsior Hose Company No. 3 was organized in June, 1876, through the influence and activity of Phil J. Murphy. The first officials were: Fireman, F. Moran; first assistant, P. Ryan; second assistant, D. Burke; secretary, J. H. Cosgrove; treasurer, F. P. Anson.
Relief Hook and Ladder Company was organized April 2, 1877, with a membership of twenty-eight. Its first officers were as follows: Fireman, Lyman Banks; assistant fireman, W. S. Halstead; recording secretary, A. N. Garlock; financial secretary, W. C. Kegel; treasurer, J. E. Coe.
Early in 1877 the fire department was considered fully organized, there being a company for each ward, and Joseph Morrison became the first chief, serving until 1881, when H. F. Bodman was chosen as his successor. The present chief (1911) is C. Hagerman, his assistants being Otto Elfers and Frank Curry.
Back to Historical Index Page
