The Daily Democrat
January 4, 1932, Marlin, Texas
When Marlin Celebrated For Its Fire
Department
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Flag Raising and Election of Fire Queen Were Features of a Big Day.
On July 4, 1898, Marlin celebrated the organization of its efficient fire
department with a big patriotic celebration, demonstration and flag raising.
***
"The affair was a grand success" reads the records. " The flag on the engine
house was raised to the music of 13 guns; the crowd then moved to the picnic
grounds and heard Hon. T. A. Blair speak eloquently, after which the citizens
elected Miss Johnnei Martin, the first queen, queen of the Marlin Volunteer Fire
Department.
***
This gave an impetus to the work and as soon as the new building was
completed the company moved in. The first to occupy the sleeping quarters were
Oscar Finley, Oliver Finley, E. T. McKinney and Gus Welle. A short time later
(after a subscription was taken) $750.00 was expended for a hook and ladder
truck.
***
"The company continued to work and gradually sifted out the drones and got
down to business." And there was plenty to do for an epidemic of fires broke out
and the efficiency and courage of the of the fire department (and the entire
citizenship) was challenged to the limit.
***
On December 22, the Allen hotel burned. Seven days later the B. B. Clarkson
residence two miles north-east of town (the present location of J. B. Barganier
residence) caught fire and one of the firemen was hurt when the chemical engine
turned over en route to it.
***
Interest in the fire department was city-wide. During Christmas, the women,
under the management of Mesdames Dan Maffett and W. M. Gunnell, gave an
entertainment for the benefit of the department. "It was a splendid success,"
the records said, "and netted $118.00."
***
December 29, the Wrenn hotel (located on Live Oak street opposite the
southeast corner of the public square where the Bluebonnet hotel stands today).
Burned at 4 a. m. Some of the occupants barely escaped death or injury. The
Marlin Democrat of hat date reads, "Pink Eddins, a wheelhorse in the rear and
the chief in the front, stayed in the burning building after the roof had fallen
and older heads wanted to 'let 'er go'." The Democrat listed the following
losses in the fire: The hotel; R. B. Spencer & Brother, lumber shed; Fannin's
livery stable; Davis Sanitarium; Wade's photo gallery; J. Thompson, insurance
office; Bland & Capers furniture store; Mrs. S. A. Ward building; Wm. Shelton's
library; ,W. C. Jones , library and office fixtures; W. E. Rogers, office and
fixtures; C. D. Newbold, insurance office; badly damaged, the Marlin Ball and
printing office, and E. P. Hutchings' printing office.
***
The fire is remembered as probably the most spectacular ever witnessed in
Marlin previously. It spread rapidly, extending across Live Oak street. It
destroyed several buildings on both sides of the street. It produced an immense
amount of smoke and flames swept high in the air.
***
Fires now loomed as a real menace to the people. And that is not all. Four
days later Ross & Haile's grocery store burned. The mayor called a session of
the city council to study means of alleviating the epidemic of fires.
***
At the meeting the fire committee (of the council) reported it had been
"working overtime, inspecting the city, demanding cleanup of premises, etc." and
recommended that a reward be offered to any one giving information leading to
the arrest and conviction of those guilty of arson. The council immediately
posted reward of $100 for such information.
***
The council, also, "extended thanks for the good work done by the fire
department, recognizing especially the chemical engine as th engine that did the
most effectual work in the Ross & Haile fire."
***
But the epidemic of fires persisted! Only a few days after the council
meeting (January 15, 1899) the Marlin Sanitarium and Arlington hotel and George
Rank's residence across the street burned completely. This was another
spectacular fire-one which left such an imprint on the citizenship that many
events are reckoned or associated today with "when the Arlington burned."
***
Eight days after the Arlington fire, the W. D. Kyser residence "across the
branch" (at the present location of the W. D. Kyser home) burned.
***
On February 1, Z. I. Harlan and J. W. Robinson appeared before the council in
behalf of the fire department and asked for an appropriation of $200 for horses;
also, for an allowance to buy 300 feet of hose destroyed in the Arlington fire.
The council did not take immediate action, but at a called meeting February 17,
authorized Alderman W. F. Fannin to buy the horses. The city also assumed the
$116.00 indebtedness held by Rush Bros. & Gardner for hose. Other expenditures
for the chemical engine were referred to the finance committee and later
consideration.
***
With numerous expensive fires, and current
expenses, as well as such necessary expenditures as referred to above, the
finance of the city was not in a healthy condition. The treasurer's report a
short time later showed that the city not only did not have any money, but owed
over $4,750.00 plus several years interest. (This did not include, of course,
outstanding bonds and time warrants.
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