West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

The West Liberty Volunteer Fire Company was organized about 1875 with Henry Polders as captain. Membership consisted of 20 men who donated their services.

The first major fire was the Hise House in 1876 and the second, the old Occidental Hotel in 1884. This building located where the Ditmar's amd Kerr lumber yard now is, was burned to the ground not for lack of work or willingness on the part of the fire company but for the lack of proper equipment. At that time the fire company had a hand pump with hose in a cistern at the corner.

Soon after that latter fire the town purchased a hook and ladder cart, hand drawn, which was all the equipment the company had until the city water mains were installed. Then a hose cart carrying about 200 feet of hose was purchased.

This was a real up-to-date outfit at that time and the company personnel had been increased to 30 men and has remained the same up to the present time.

Frank Evans was elected chief about 1890 and served in this position for many years giving faithfully his time to his duties as chief. E. C. Kerr succeeded Mr. Evans and was fllowed in order by G. B. Embree, "Putty" (Charles) Briggs, Paul Anderson, C. E. Henderson, Harry Johns, George Sarver, and Ed Sullivan who is now serving.

In the year 1919-1918, the city purchased its first motor fire truck, with two chemical tanks and 500 feet of hose. About this time the rural community surrounding West Liberty donated the money and bought a truck to be used in the country and town.

The West Liberty company has taken part in many Firemen's tournaments from 1890 to 1911 at which time they disbanded.

The local company won second place in the tournament at Clinton in 1906, and won the state championship at Davenport in 1907. This hose team was trained by "Putty" Briggs.

Today the fire company is composed of 30 men. It has two of the most modern fire trucks in the country for a town of West Liberty's size. Three members, Lloyd Smith, George Sarver and John Kleinert, have served in the company continuously since 1915.

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