Yuba County, California History Transcribed by Kathy Sedler This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://calarchives4u.com/ These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter. All persons donating to this site retain the rights to their own work. Chapter XIX - MARYSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT The devastating fires which visited the young city of Marysville in the summer of 1851, caused the question of a fire department to be discussed. The need of such an institution was now very apparent, and the fact was conceded by all that an organization of some kind, provided with suitable apparatus for fighting the devouring element, was imperatively necessary to protect the city from the frequent accidental and incendiary fires. With this object in view, a number of citizens met September 18, 1851, and perfected the organization of a fire company, which was christened Mutual Hook and Ladder Co.,No. 1. At the inception of the movement, the company was a purely independent organization, but soon after it was placed under the control and patronage of the city authorities. Among firemen, especially in the volunteer departments, there exists in a remarkable degree, a fraternal feeling, and although in the hurry and heat of action, sharp rivalries and seeming animosities may spring up, when the work is over, all such bitter spirit vanishes, and the members of different organizations mingle together in the most social intercourse. This peculiar feeling goes beyond the limits of one city, extending over miles of distance, to meet a kindred feeling in the hearts of firemen in other cities. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1851, an exhibition of this fraternal spirit was given on the occasion of a visit by the Mutual Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, of Sacramento, to the Marysville company. The guests were entertained at a grand banquet in the evening, at which the Mayor and prominent citizens were present. The visitors returned to Sacramento the next day. This visit was subsequently returned, and the Marysville company was received with great honors and courtesies. June 17, 1852, the Howard Engine Company of San Francisco, visited Marysville. In the afternoon after the procession, the members of the fire companies, with invited guests, sat down to a banquet in the Hotel du Commerce. The stay of the Howards was necessarily brief, and they embarked at four o'clock on the Governor Dana, for Sacramento. These were but the first of many similar courtesies between the various volunteer companies of Marysville and those of her sister cities. Competitive trials were frequent, and great rivalry existed as to the length of time required to make a run and get on a stream of water, and especially in the distance to which a stream could be thrown. Frequent balls, receptions, and parades were given, which were productive of much enjoyment and pleasure. MUTUAL HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY, NO. 1 The first officers were: - Parker H. Pierce, Foreman; William King, First Assistant; D. Buckley, Second Assistant; Edwards Woodruff, Secretary; Mark Brumagim, Treasurer; Charles Stokes, Steward. On the eleventh of October, D. Buckley was elected Chief Engineer of the department; S. Simmerly, First Assistant, and J.W. Winter, Second Assistant. W.W. Smith was elected Secretary of the company. Apparatus was provided for the company, consisting of a ladder, buckets, etc. In 1852, the Council erected, at an expense of $1,050, a building on the levee, at the foot of D street, for the accommodation of the company. This company rendered good and valuable service, and was that upon which the city depended for protection for two years. It, however, was not sufficient; an engine was needed, and August 17, 1863, the EUREKA ENGINE COMPANY, NO.1 was organized. The following were its officers: - Charles Ball, Foreman; William McTurk, First Assistant; Edwin Field, Second Assistant; J.B. Humphrey, Secretary; E.D. Foudray, Treasurer; Charles T. Legate, Steward. The Eureka Company had a full membership of sixty-five men, and had the honor of being not only the first volunteer engine company, but the last one. They were given an engine-room in the City Hall, and in September, 1853, were provided with a hand engine that cost $4,000. This was a valuable addition to the department. Another engine company, the YUBA ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 2 was organized May 23, 1853, with the following officers: - S.H. Jackson, Foreman; P.M. Chandler, First Assistant; Charles Andres, Second Assistant; J.M. Bellrude, Secretary; James F. Chase, Treasurer; P.J. Cody, Steward. The new company was supplied with a Button & Blake hand engine, which was kept in their engine house, corner of B and Third streets. The next company to organize and offer its services to the fire department was the EUREKA HOSE COMPANY, NO. 1 Previous to the organization of this, the engine companies were obliged to convey their own hose to the fires in addition to working their engines, and a hose company was a necessity. The Eureka Hose Company was formed in September, 1854, with the following officers: - J. DeMott, Foreman; C. Schroter, First Assistant; E. Snowhite, Second Assistant; C.H. Simpkins, Secretary. The full membership was twenty-one men. The hose was kept in the Eureka engine house. The Mutual Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, disbanded October 1, 1855, and reorganized as an engine company, being styled MUTUAL ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 3 This organization also used a hand engine. The officers were: - Ira A. Eaton, Foreman; William H. Chapman, First Assistant; W.F. Fonda, Second Assistant; C.C. Goodwin, Secretary; N. Wescoatt, Treasurer; W.H. Hope, Steward. The engine house was at the City Hall. There being now three engines and only one hose company, it was felt that more hosemen were needed, and on May 8, 1856, two new companies were formed for the engines that were without such assistance. YUBA HOSE COMPANY, NO. 2 The headquarters were at the Yuba engine house. In 1858, the Yuba Hose Company had fifteen men, with the following officers: - Charles Andres, Foreman; C. Snowhite, First Assistant; John Bender, Secretary; John Winkler, Treasurer. MUTUAL HOSE COMPANY, NO. 3 The headquarters of this company were in the Mutual engine house. The Mutual Hose Company had also fifteen men in 1858. The officers were: - T. McMasters, Foreman; William Scholl, First Assistant; M.D. Dowling, Secretary; L. Lewis, Treasurer. SALAMANDER HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY, NO. 1 was formed in June, 1854, and rendered good service until February 8, 1859, when it disbanded. It organized with thirty-one members, under the following officers: - Eugene Dupre, Foreman; M. Schultz, Assistant Foreman; A. Muhlendorff, Secretary; H. Videau, Treasurer; J. Allen, Steward. The headquarters were on C street, between Second and Third streets. The next company to organize was WARREN ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 4 January 8, 1857. It was admitted to the fire department the following July. Its officers were: - Harry Leland, Foreman; J.W. Curtis, First Assistant; B.F. Hollis, Second Assistant; Louis Bethancourt, Secretary; B. Eilerman, Treasurer; D.S. Hyams, Steward. The hand engine used by this company was a Hunneman Tub, No. 2, and was kept at their engine house on Third street, between E and High streets. The membership of this company at one time was one hundred and sixteen men. This engine company had its own hose, which was under control of the Second Assistant. At the first State Fair held in Marysville in 1858, there was a competition of hand fire engines, and this engine, although a second-class one, threw a stream two hundred and fifteen feet nine inches, about thirteen feet farther than the best first-class engine. The Mutual Engine Company, which had already been changed from a hook and ladder to an engine company, again reorganized, October 15, 1858, forming the PIONEER ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 5 The officers of the new company were: - C.B. McClellan, Foreman; Robt. Pickersgill, First Assistant; Wm. Wagonhalis, Second Assistant; Fred. C. Chase, Secretary; J.S. Eshom, Treasurer; D.H. Harney, Steward. The engine used by this company was the hand engine that had formerly been the property of the Mutual Company, and was kept at the City Hall. This was the last organization formed during the reign of the old volunteer department. The department was governed by a board, which was organized August 17, 1853, as a board of officers, but in 1855, was changed to a board of delegates, each company electing delegates to represent its interests on the board. A Chief Engineer and two Assistants were annually elected by ballot from among the firemen, for which election firemen only were qualified voters. Great rivalry existed between the various companies as to which should be the first to get water on a fire, which should have the brightest uniforms and apparatus, and be the most perfect in all respects. Fires were frequent, and no matter at what hour of the day or night an alarm sounded the men responded promptly for duty, spoiling frequently a fine suit of clothes of clothes in their efforts to keep up the reputation of their company. Some of the leading citizens were members of these companies, and the lawyer, doctor, merchant, blacksmith, saloon keeper, and laborer could be seen working side by side at the brakes. The Yuba and Mutual Hose Companies disbanded in 1861, and the following year the whole department was reorganized. All the companies disbanded except the Eureka Engine Company, the board of delegates was abolished, and the city council took the management of the department into its own hands. The cause which led to the breaking up of the department was a "new departure" made by the Eureka Company in the purchase of a new steam engine. The steamer cost $2,500, and the company was aided in its purchase by the city. The introduction of the steamer was a great bone of contention, and was vainly opposed by the other companies, who plainly saw that they would be unable to successfully compete with an engine of that character. Rivalry ran higher than ever, and jealousy of the new engine caused so much trouble that the other companies were disbanded by ordinance of the Common Council, June 25, 1862. The companies, however, retained their organization for about a year after the passage of the ordinance. For a short time the Eureka engine was the only one in the regular department, when it becoming apparent that this was not enough for the protection of the city, PROTECTION ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 2 was organized July 26, 1862, with thirty-three members, which number was afterwards increased. The officers were: - C.F. Scholl, Foreman; Wm. Ashe, First Assistant; C.W. Bacon, Second Assistant; Wm. Harney, Secretary; Geo. W. Prescott, Treasurer. The old hand engine formerly used by the Eureka Company was placed in the hands of this organization. Six months later, January 31, 1863, another company was organized, PACIFIC ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 3 This company was formed in the Fourth Ward, and was designed more particularly for the protection of that part of the city, in which its engine house was located. It had originally thirty-one members, and the following officers: - I.G. Shepard, Foreman; H.K. Tryon, First Assistant; J.D. Lewin, Second Assistant; J.M. Bellrude, Treasurer; W.H. Denton, Secretary. This company used the old Yuba hand engine and did good service. Still another company, the TIGER ENGINE COMPANY, NO. 4 was organized in January, 1864, with the following officers: - F.A. Grass, Foreman; John Boyle, First Assistant; H.S. King, Second Assistant; George A. Root, Secretary; Simon Hochstadter, Treasurer. The city was now again well provided with protection from fire; the new companies lasted but a few years, and the Eureka Engine Company was again alone in the service. In 1868, the Eureka Company surrendered their engine to the city, and the fire organization was made a paid department. The Eurekas have never disbanded, being still in existence and holding property, though for over ten years they have ceased to render service as firemen. In 1871, an old hand engine was refitted and placed in the possession of a volunteer company, which, however, had but a brief existence. In 1872, another steamer was purchased by the city for the use of the fire department; and in 1876, a third, an elegant one that had been on exhibition at the Centennial, was added. The Fire Department, as at present organized, consists of a chief engineer, salary $300; captain of hose, salary $150; engineer of steamers, $95 per month; and twenty hosemen, with a salary of $50 each per annum. The chief engineer, captain of hose, and engineer of steamers, are elected by the Council at the first meeting in October of each year, also, the hosemen upon the recommendation of the captain of the hose. The apparatus of the department consists of three steamers and two hose carts, which are kept at the City Hall, under the charge of the engineer of steamers. The fire limits as fixed by ordinance are: - A street on the east, the Yuba river on the south, F street on the west, and Sixth street on the north. The following is a list of the officers of the department since its organization: - 1851-52: Chief Engineer - D. Buckley, First Assistant - Sam Simmerly, Second Assistant - J.W. Winter 1852-53: Chief Engineer - P.H. Pierce, Jr., First Assistant - J.W. Winter, Second Assistant - W.H. Chapman 1853-54: Chief Engineer - P.H. Pierce, Jr., First Assistant - J.W. Winter, Second Assistant - S.H. Rhodes (resigned, J.F. Snow elected June, 1854) 1854-55: Chief Engineer - Chas. Ball, First Assistant - A.W. Nightingill, Second Assistant - S.H. Jackson 1855-56: Chief Engineer - Chas. Ball, First Assistant - A.W. Nightingill, Second Assistant - R.W. Pickersgill (Resigned, P.M. Chandler elected January, 1856) 1856-57: Chief Engineer - A.W. Nightingill, First Assistant - P.M. Chandler, Second Assistant - M. Coyle 1857-58: Chief Engineer - P.J. Welsh, First Assistant - Wm. Schuckert (Resigned, Mark D. Dobbins elected in December, 1857), Second Assistant - Jacob Levy 1858-59: Chief Engineer - P.J. Welsh, First Assistant - H.W. Cooledge, Second Assistant - Chas. Andres 1859-60: Chief Engineer - P.J. Welsh, First Assistant - J.W. Curtis, Second Assistant - John Barbee 1860-61: Chief Engineer - P.J. Welsh, First Assistant - W.C. Congdon, Second Assistant - Charles Crackburn1861-62: Chief Engineer - W.P. Winkley, First Assistant - W.C. Stokes, Second Assistant - F.A. Grass1862-63: Chief Engineer - W.P. Winkley, First Assistant - A.B. Carrington, Second Assistant - Wm. Ashe1863-64: Chief Engineer - J.B. Leaman, Assistant - B. Bigelow1864-65: Chief Engineer - Wm. Murphy, Assistant - B. Bigelow1865-66: Chief Engineer - F.D. Hudson, Assistant - B. Bigelow1866-67: Chief Engineer - Wm. C. Ogden, First Assistant - M.R. Casad, Second Assistant - G.S. Prickett1867-68: Chief Engineer - J.B. Leaman1868-70: Chief Engineer - D.H. Harney, Assistant - B. Bigelow1870-71: Chief Engineer - J.H. Ranous, First Assistant - B. Bigelow, Second Assistant - A. Gibson1871-72: Chief Engineer - I.G. Shepard, First Assistant - F.A. Grass, Second Assistant - Paul Provost1872-73: Chief Engineer - D.H. Harney1873-74: Chief Engineer - I.G. Shepard, First Assistant - W.C. Ogden, Second Assistant - Chas. Raish1874-77: Chief Engineer - D.H. Harney1877-78: Chief Engineer - D.H. Harney (Superseded August 6, 1878 by I.G. Shepard)1878-79: Chief Engineer - I.G. Shepard