Chapter 10-Part 1

Chapter 10 - Pages 52-64

CHAPTER X

The Visiting Firemen

Too much cannot be said of the visiting firemen. Their names should go down into history for the promptness with which they answered the call and the manner in which they worked. I have made every effort to get the names, but in some cases have failed. We believe each one did what every man should do, his best. The time each company received the call is as near as possible correct.

PEABODY

Chief Jesse F. Barrett was at the fire among the first and hustled home in an automobile to get the kit. Call was received at

1.45 P. M. The chief ordered Engineer Hutchinson, Engine i, driven by Martin Murphy and Hose 2, driven by J. H. Ellis,

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to Salem, also going himself, arrived in Blubber Hollow at 1:55 P. M. Laid two lines, one of which was burned up. Made two other stands before landing at Broad street, opposite Hathorne where a fine stop was made. Answered Box 43 at 9.52 P. M., went from here to the hospital. At 2.25 P. M. the second call was received and Engine 2, driven by D. J. Hannon, and Hose 4, driven by John J. Costello left for Salem with Engineers Bodge, Carberry and Costello. First stand was at Warren and Flint streets, also worked in Phelps and Broad streets, later in High and Mt. Vernon. They claim to be the first ones to arrive at Box 613, taking a position at Mason and South Mason with Hose 1 of Peabody and Engine 6 of Boston, staying here until 1 A. M. They also did good work at corner of Central and Front. Chief Barrett tried to telephone for Hose 1, and not being able to reach them, went up and got them at 8.30 P. M., the wagon being driven by Capt. John Keefe. They worked over fifty men. Read the list of membership of the Peabody Fire Department, and you will see who was there. Returned home at 10 A. M., June

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26, leaving 1,150 feet of hose, two Callahan shut-off pipes, and an extinguisher, and having burned two ton of cannel coal. Peabody turned their water into Salem about 9 P. M., June 25, and pumped about 5,000,000 gallon, through a 16 inch pipe.

BEVERLY

First call received at 1.50 P. M. Engine 4 and wagon and fifteen men arrived at the corner of Boston and Federal streets at 2.05 P. M. Second call at 2.25 P. M. Chemical i was sent over to answer all alarms. Late in the afternoon Capt. Brown and Lynch Brothers hauled four tons of cannel coal and delivered it to the engines. Chief Wittenhagen, with Engine 4 company and Dan. O’Brien of Salem, made a good stop at the Mark Smith house on Federal street.

At 3.30 P. M. this line was taken through the yards to Fowler Street, where with the assistance of Ladder 1 of Salem, another good stop was made. At 6.25 P. M. they took up their position beyond the Lefavor factory on Canal street, helping to save the Hopkins fac-

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tory. They left for home at 5.30 A. M. Lost 400 feet of 2 1/2 inch hose, 200 feet of chemical hose, an extinguisher, a plaster hook, and badly damaged their horse-drawn chemical, it is said. They also supplied 4 tons of cannel coal. Assistant Chief Wittenhagen also received a letter from some Federal street people saying some very nice things. Officers and men, as follows: Assistant Chief Wittenhagen, Captain W. A. Richardson, Lieutenant W. L. Colson, Engineer S. Allen, Stoker, J. McConnell, Drivers F. Vickary and John Creesey, Hosemen, F. A. Choate, F. K. Goodhue, R. S. Herndon, F. S. Smith, W. G. Bisson, W. W. Grant, J. Grant, J. 0. Barrs, M. F. Kent, C. G. Ward, J. P. Foster, J. C. Kelleher, R. Symmes, J. G. Foster. Chemical 1, W. H. Woodbury, driver, Chemicalmen, G. W. Standley and F. Wittenhagen.

MARBLEHEAD

American LaFrance triple combination in charge of Assistant Chief John Atkins, stopped at Engine 1 house and got a chuck, took her first stands in North and South Pine

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streets at 2.08 P. M. Here they lost their ladder while using their chemical. Next stand was in Upper Broad street in two places but could get no water. Moved from here to the foot of Summer street where they worked three hours; a number of houses being saved here. Their own steam engine was not here, having been sent for at 2.55 P. M. Worked with it in Prescott, Endicott, Mill and High, Norman and Mill, Front street and at Bertram square, at all of which places they worked in true Marblehead style, returning home at A. M., June 26. Those who went, Assistant Chief John Atkins, Captain Jos. Graves, Chauffeur Pierce, Engineer Woodfin Bartlett, Driver Woodfin, George H. Reed, William Fader, Irving Lecraw, Arthur S. Adams, Thomas Whalen, Stoker John T. High, Fred Hinch, William Stone, Earnest Mason, Harold Van Blacker, Archer Dixey, W. Mitchell, W. Chapman, J. Chamberlain,

J. B. Stacey, Chester Bowden, and Warren Stone. In an automobile were Herman Snow and Dan Holden.

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LYNN

Call received at 1.53 P. M. The Ahrens—Fox motor-pumping Engine with Chief Chase, Acting Assistant Chief Kelly, Capt. Preble of Ladder 1, Capt. Philips of Engine 2, Lieutenant Smith and Assistant Engineer Nichols of Engine 5, Ed. Barnicoat and J. Duntley with Chauffeur Whiff en at the wheel, arrived at 2.08 P. M. At 2.35 P. M. the Sea-grave combination was called, Chauffeur Blossom at the wheel. At 2.55, Ladder 1 was called and Chauffeur Johnson landed his crew, Leagere, Besson, Chapman, Potter, Holbrook, Shaw, Coffin and Belben there in twelve minutes. Assistant Chief Roberts and Jack Kellett and Engine 4 with the A. and B. Tractor landed at 6.33 P. M.

The Lynn boys made their first stand at the corner of Boston and Essex, but were driven back. At the corner of North Pine and Essex they beat back the enemy. Some dynamiting was done here and in one house a chimney was blown from its foundation and landed back again, although about a foot out

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of plumb. The Carter house was an extra good stop. Capt. Preble and his boys pounded the fire out here. The next stand was on High street where the houses on the western side were all saved and some on the eastern side. At 9.06 P. M. they went to Box 613, and battled here for over three hours. Next to Herbert street where some residences demanded their attention until 5.30 A. M. This was a very important position and a good stop was made here.

SWAMPSCOTT

Chief Cahoon was called at 1.58 P. M. and arrived with an American LaFrance motor-pumping engine at 2.10. At Boston and Essex streets it made but a short stop. Its longest stand was at Broad and Winthrop, where it pumped over nine hours. At the corner of Union and Derby it stayed over four hours and was then moved to Bertram Park.

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BOSTON

The call was received at 2.25 P. M. by Chief McDonough. Truck 21 of East Boston, motor-prope11ed~, equipped with two 35 gallon chemical tanks and in charge of Lieut. Silva was ordered to proceed over the road. Engine 6, Lieut. Downey and Engine 27, Capt. Hayes were ordered to the railroad yard to load. Arrived in Salem at 3.45 P.M. In the meantime Commissioner Grady had proceeded over the road in his auto to assume command of the Boston companies. Another call was sent in at 4.40 P. M., and Engine 8, Lieut. Thos. Roose, Engine 26, Lieut. Hurley and Engine 39, Lieut. Daniel O’Brien were sent by train and arrived in Salem before 6 P. M. Sixty-seven officers and men went with. the apparatus.

The services of Commissioner Grady were invaluable on account of his years of experience and his well known ability to cope with any situation which may arise. Perhaps he was never tested harder than, when the deputy, he was acting as chief and had charge of

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the Albany street lumber yard lire, in the midst of which another "big one hit" down town. Needless to say he came through with flying colors.

Engines 6 and 27 first located near the freight house but were bothered about getting water. About 4.50 P. M. they took a position at the corner of Lafayette and Holly streets, only to be driven by the fire when the water gave out. They next located near Engine 1 house. Engine 39 worked all the way from the Orphan Asylum fighting the hottest kind of a fight. In Salem street, with the houses blazing on both sides, a Salem fireman assisted 39’S men in rescuing an old woman from one of the blazing houses in the second story. The other men had to play the stream on them as they came out. She was taken as far down as New Derby street and there turned over to some folks.

Engine 39 now joined 6 and 27, and after being driven three times, made a successful stand near the Salem Laundry building. Engine 6 responded to Box 613, where they did fine work, Commissioner Grady working with

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them here until 3 A. M., when they returned to their previous position. Truck 21 used their ladders and the chemicals wherever opportunity offered.

Engines 8 and 26 worked at the extreme eastern end of the fire. Water was very scarce here. Engineers Thomas Roach and Barney Valentine worked together here and both had the pleasure of meeting the Wood-man Bros. The lunch furnished was appreciated by both companies. Supervisor of Engines Byington, accompanied the men. They returned home at 7 A. M., June 26.

CHELSEA

Call received at 2.55 P. M. Arrived at Salem at 3•3S with the Robinson motor-pumping engine No. 2. Auto combination called at 6.40 P. M. Arrived at 7.20 P. M. These two pieces worked in Lafayette street and at the Salem Hospital. The former was in charge of Capt. James Harris, and Myron Beane, Edward Calley, Fred Armstrong, Dennis Sullivan, John Geyer and Stewart

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Sloan worked with him. The latter piece was in charge of Lieut. Curry, 0. P. Francis, Arthur Tompkinson and Wm. Gormly accompanied him. Returned home at 7.10 A. M., June 26. Lack of water prevented them from doing their best work. Chelsea lost one line of hose.

WAKEFIELD

Call received at 3.08 P. M. Left at 3.10 with Webb triple-combination motor-pumping engine, Chief Cade, in charge of eighteen men, arriving in twenty-four minutes. Perley Trask of Salem, took them to a position, as also a number of other pieces of kit. They worked at the corner of Leach and Lafayette after leaving the foot of Leach street. As with many other companies, shortage of water and inability to get a chuck, proved a great handicap to them. The auto returned home at 12.30 A. M., but the men stayed and assisted other companies.

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DANVERS

Call received at 3.15 P. M. Arrived at 3.23 with Knox combination, Chief Barry, Assistant Chiefs Batty and Dennett, Chauffeur Jones and eight others. Second call at 4 P. M. Electric light auto made a number of trips with men, acids and rubber coats, about fifty men in all responding. Took up position on Cedar near Cherry, using chemicals. Moved on to Lafayette near Cedar, connecting on to Engine 27 of Boston, with whom they stayed throughout the fire.

On moving from here they made three stops before reaching the laundry. Worked on the cemetery side of Ropes’s grain store. Danvers’ water was turned into Salem at about 3.30 P. M. Danvers’ gage dropped from 84 to 68. Salem gage jumped from 21 to 68. At the corner of New Derby, Engineer Dennett burned 42 holes in his rubber. coat. Returned home at 4.30 A. M., June 26.

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READING

Received call at 4 P. M. Left at 4.09. Run 12 miles and arrived at the corner of Boston and Essex at 4.28. Went to the corner of Summit avenue and Leach for about an hour. Unable for some time to get a chuck. After getting it could not get water, pressure being very low. Went from here to a "mud hole" on Canal street. Had to keep a man in the hole all the time to keep the suction clear. This was the only piece of fire kit here at the time; and they put up a hard fight for two hours. Moved to the Lefavor factory on Canal street. Worked here about three hours, lifting water from the canal, having for a while to make a dam in order to get water.

At midnight got word to come to the hospital. To reach here they had to go up over Castle Hill and back through Jefferson avenue and Essex street. They took a position on Liberty street and with the aid of a crew from Chelsea, who had a line attached to one side of the Reading engine, the administration building of the hospital was saved. This