Protection from Fire, Franklin Twp from Beers History of Warren County, Ohio

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The History of Warren County, Ohio

Protection from Fire

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Contributor::	Transcription contributed by Martie Callihan 6 January 2005
Sources:	The History of Warren County Ohio Part IV Township Histories Franklin Township by W. C. Reeder (Chicago, IL: W. H. Beers Co, 1882; reprint, Mt. Vernon, IN: Windmill Publications, 1992)

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526

In looking over old town records, I find that, in 1830, a subscription was taken for the purpose of buying a fire-engine. This was bought, and it was a small hand-engine, called the Ringleader, which was filled by means of a bucket-line, and kept full in that away, while from two to six men, by turning cranks, forced the water through the hose. This engine, although small, did good service, and was very well built, as shown by the fact that the wheels are still in use by Mr. H. B. Meeker, as a truck for hauling stone. About 1850, the Council bought an engine, which was worked in what is called row-boat fashion. This was called "The Whale." A number of years afterward, a brake engine was bought, and the two did good service.

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527

When the market-house was built, in 1843, a full set of hooks and ladders was made for the corporation, and, while the east end of the market-house was devoted to the engine, the sides were the depositories of the hooks and ladders, in order that they might be of easy access in case of fire. After some years, cisterns were built, one at the intersection of Center and Fourth streets, the other at the intersection of Center and Sixth streets. In 1877, the Council bought of C. Ahrens & Co., of Cincinnati, a Latta steam fire-engine, and two reels containing 1,000 feet of hose August 26,1877, one reel was burned, but was promptly supplied by the purchase of a new one and additional hose. In addition to the cisterns, approaches have been made to the river at Second, Sixth and Seventh streets and between Third and Fourth streets, while the canal on the east gives easy access to almost all parts of town.

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