On the 14th of March, 1868, the store of Amos C. Babcock was burned. The loss by this fire footed up about $50,000, most of which was covered with insurance. This was the most extensive conflagration the business part of the city had ever been sub- jected to. Immediately after this fire, Messrs. Amos Babcock,
Wm. Babcock and Amos C. Babcock deposited with Mr. Heald, at that time Mayor of the city, the sum of $500, on the condition that it should be appropriated toward the purchase of the necessary apparatus for the organization of a hook-and-ladder company, should such a company be formed, or toward the purchase of a fire engine ; that if neither were procured, the sum should be appropriated for the benefit of the poor of the city.
This munificent donation by the Messrs. Babcock stirred up the city fathers to action. Accordingly, on the 10th of April, 1868, they passed an ordinance for the organization of a Fire Department, and establishing fire limits, within which wooden buildings were not to be erected. The fire limits were to consist of “all that part of the city embraced within the territory beginning at the southeast corner of Illinois and Wood streets; thence east to the west line of Prairie street; thence south to the north line of Pine (now Jones) Street; thence west to the east line of Wood Street; thence north to the place of beginning.”
The council appointed Mr. Wm. B. Gleason, Chief of the Fire Department, and Mr. John Bailey, Assistant. Mr. Gleason had had considerable experience east as a fireman, was a gentleman of fine executive ability, and eminently qualified for the position of chief engineer. Under his direction a hook-and-ladder company was at once organized, consisting of the following men: A. D. Troxell, W. E. Ware, R. C. Snyder, Arthur Ray, Wm. H. Black, H.B. Shaw, R. W. Dewey, J. H. Sebree, H. C. Bolton, H. O. Coykendall, W. D. Johnson, H, S. Steach, A. Layton, D. W. Snyder, Wilber Plattenburg, O. F. Burton, Wm. Wallace, Barnard Carlan, W. A. Simmons, C. M. Birch, M. S. Poorman, A. F. Small, B. F. Jordan, W. P. Tanquary, M. Augustine, C. W. Wills, J. C. Belt, W. H. Hollar, M. E. Danielson, Robt. Livers, C. Wilson, Adrian Roberts, H. A. Shaw, James Kelley, Andrew Ronk. Officers Elected—Foreman, Barnard Carlan; Assistant Foreman, Alf D.
Troxell; Secretary, Hugh Shaw; Treasurer, Chris. Wilson.
On the 16th of June a bucket company was organized, with George Coleman as President, John Tanner Vice-President, J. L. Small Secretary, and Adam Haynes Treasurer. Mr. Gleason pro- ceeded to drill these companies, and soon established among them such a state of discipline as augured well for their efficiency in case of need. In September, 1868, a movement was inaugurated by the fire- men looking to the purchase of an engine. Subscription-papers were circulated among the citizens, and about $400 subscribed. The city government appropriated something over $300 more, and in 1869 an engine, hose, hose-cart, and all necessary apparatus, were purchased. In August, 1868, the roster of the Fire Department bore the following names: Chief Engineer, Wm. B. Gleason; Assistant Engineer, John Bailey. Hook-and-Ladder Company–Foreman, Barnard Carlan; Assistant Foreman, A. D. Troxell; Secretary, Hugh B. Shaw; Treasurer, Chris. Wilson. W. E. Ware, R. C. Snyder, Arthur Ray, W. H. Black, R. W. Dewey, Jr., J. H. Sebree, H. C. Bolton, H. O. Coykendall, W. D. Johnson, H.S. Steach, Alex. Layton, D. W. Snyder, Wilber Plattenburg, O.F. Burton, W. K. Wallace, W. A. Simmons, C. M. Birch, A. F. Small, B. F. Jordan, Geo. A. Black, M Augustine, C. W. Wills, J. C. Belt, W. H. Holler, M. E. Danielson, T. J. Moore, Adrian Roberts, H. R. Shaw, W. L. Gosnell, A. J. Ronk, M. S. Poorman. Standard Bearers, Johnny Fleming, Charlie Babcock. Bucket Company–Foreman, John Coleman ; Assistant Foreman, John Tanner; Secretary, J. L. Small; Treasurer, A. R. Haynes. H. H. Clingenpeel, Cal. Armstrong, Adam Yako, J. J. Dolan, Wm. Gallagher, Thomas Conlin, S. J. Mann, Charles Fellows, A. M. Moore, G. W. King, Charles Smith, J. E. McGrath, E. R. Bagsley, J. H. Wycoff, Jos. Eyerly, Thos. Dailey, James Finan, Samuel Freaner, Samuel Mallory. H. H. Fellows, Owen Carney, Albert Mann, I. P. Weed, Freeman Miller, Joshua Belt, Daniel Morrow.
The hook-and-ladder company had received the name of the “Regulator,” in honor of Hon. A. C. Babcock’s place of business, the burning of which had led to its organization. The bucket company was called the “Deluge.” On the arrival of the engine, the bucket company was reorganized into an engine company, retaining the name, and retaining also its old officers. In 1869 the city erected an engine-house, on Prairie street, between Jones and Elm streets. This is a good, substantial brick edifice, containing a calaboose and engine-room. In 1870 the city purchased an alarm-bell for this house. To give some idea of the efficiency of the Fire Department under Mr. Gleason’s management, it may not be amiss to state that on the occasion of a public parade, in the summer of 1870, the Deluge Company started with their engine from the north-west corner of the Public Square, crossed to the cistern on the south side, dropped their suction-hose into the cistern, run out 150 feet of hose, and played through an inch nozzle 100 feet, in one and one-half minutes. They challenge any company to beat it. The city has been very liberal with the department, having uniformed the diiferent companies in excellent style.
Mr. Gleason still continues Chief (1871), and Mr. Bailey Assistant. In 1870 the members of the department presented to Mr. Gleason an elegant silver-headed cane, costing about $40, and to Mr. Bailey, at the same time, a magnificent meerschaum pipe, costing about $30, as a token of the esteem in which those gentlemen were held by their subordinates.