THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

  The history of the Rutland Fire Department may be said to begin with the incorporation of the "Rutland Fire Society" by the Legislature in the year 1829 -- a society which for many years not only devised and adopted measures for the protection of property from fire, but governed the village to a large extent in other directions. The incorporators of the fire society were James D. BUTLER„ Robert TEMPLE, William FAY, Moses STRONG, Thomas HOOKER, William HALL, John RUGGLES, William PAGE, James PORTER and Jonathan DIKE, jr. It will be seen that every one of these men was a representative citizen, and their names must have carried influence and charter with the organization. The society was given the usual powers for enforcing regulations to protect the village from fire.

      The records of the doings of this society for several years are very meager; indeed, there was little for it to do, except to hold occasional meetings and adopt such simple measures as seemed desirable. In the year 1836 we find a call for a meeting at the court-house, at which the engine company and the hook and ladder company were notified of the annual meeting to be held December 29th. J. D. BUTLER was president and F. W. HOPKINS clerk.

      The following petition was presented to the meeting, and signed by ninety-three of the citizens:

      The following resolution was offered by Hon. Robert PIERPOINT: 

      A committee was appointed to report a code of by-laws for the government of the corporation; the committee was William PAGE, Robert PIERPOINT and, A. L. BROWN.

      Among the provisions of the by-laws it was ordered that the annual meetings be held on the first Tuesday of January, to choose officers, etc.; that there should be constituted in the village an engine company by the enlistment of not more than fifty members; that power should be given to vote and assess a tax on the grand list of the members of the corporation to erect one or more cisterns or reservoirs for water and keeping in repair hose, ladders, hooks, engine house, etc. The first officers of the corporation were as follows: President, Robert PIERPOINT; vice-president, Charles BURT; clerk, F. W. HOPKINS; treasurer, William PAGE; collector, H. W. PORTER; fire wardens, Robert PIERPOINT, Luther DANIELS, G. H. HODGES, Ephraim BUTTERFIELD, James BARRETT, sr., Jacob EDGERTON, Moses PERKINS.

      A committee was appointed to raise the company authorized and another to report 'on reservoirs. The report of the latter directed the erection of a reservoir back of the North church, to be connected with the aqueduct, with logs leading from it south through the length of the street [Main street], with a branch running there from a sufficient distance down the west street, the bore of which to be three inches."

      This was the first action towards supplying the village with means for extinguishing fires through the use of the aqueduct water in pipes. Previous to that time a few small cisterns and buckets had been used with the engine.

      At the time of the organization of this society the property of the fire department was of insignificant proportions. There was a small wooden building standing not far from the site of the Graded School building, on what was formerly called "The Common"; in this was located the only engine -- a mere tub that could do little more than sprinkle a section of a street, with a few ladders, etc.

      The second meeting of the society was held on the 6th of January, 1846, and the same officers were elected. One hundred dollars was raised for repairing the engine-house, procuring nose, hooks, ladders, etc. The committee on reservoirs reported that they could "obtain land two rods square back of the meeting-house for $15." Estimates were made on the cost of the logs through Main street, $264; on West street, $24; house over the reservoir, $60; brick reservoir of 30,000 gallons, $174; nothing was accomplished under these proceedings; by-laws for the government of the society were reported by Evelyn PIERPOINT.

      In the following year steps were taken to incorporate the village, and in 1848 the fire society relinquished its powers and rights to the village corporation, as stated in earlier pages. A corporation meeting was called for January 7, 1852, one of the subjects of which was "to insist upon some section [in the by laws] to provide against fire." Another "to see if nothing can be done to provide water." Again in August of that year a meeting was called to " take such action as will effectually supply the village with water," or, "to authorize the trustees to make such contract by laying down iron pipes, or otherwise, to carry into effect the resolution of the Aqueduct Company to supply the village with water in such manner as they shall deem best." The Aqueduct Company was a private association.

      It will be seen from these measures that the village, with its prospects for growth such as they were at that time when the railroads were just opened through the place and a general impetus was given to the community, felt the necessity of both a greater supply of water for private purposes, and better facilities for the extinguishment of fires; the two subjects were, of course, intimately associated. A fire had occurred in December, 1852, in R. R. THRALL's building, in commenting upon which a local newspaper said: "But little dependence can be placed on one small engine, especially when there is no thoroughly organized company to manage it." Efforts had already been made in that year to reorganize the engine company and a hook and ladder company, so as to place them upon a more efficient basis. A notice was published in January to the effect that "those intending to join these companies will meet at the engine-house of No. 2 (Washington), on Wednesday, January 14, for the purpose of electing officers." This was signed by R. BARRETT, W. H. B. OWEN, B. BURT, M. EDSON, C. PAGE, W. F. GOOKIN, O. L. ROBBINS and M. G. EVENS, and by E. PIERPOINT for the hook and ladder company.

      In that year the village trustees were instructed to "furnish the engine company such extra hose, ladders, hooks and other articles as may be necessary for sufficient protection and defense against fire with our present engine"; and to ascertain the cost of a new engine and apparatus complete. In the succeeding year they were instructed to contract with the Aqueduct Company to supply the village with water, if they think advisable; also, to procure an engine for the village not exceeding in cost $600, and a hose-cart and two hundred feet of leading hose. This measure was not carried out at that time; in 1855 the trustees were authorized to construct three additional reservoirs, and in the succeeding year to "examine and ascertain the expense necessary to pin the village in a proper state of preservation and safety against fire, and report. In 1857 a report was made recommending repairs on the two engines (a recent one having then been purchased), at a cost of $100, with the purchase of three fire-hooks, chains, ropes, six axes, four iron bars, twelve short ladders, fifty buckets, one hose carriage, one carriage for ladders and books, twelve pike poles and hooks, and a new engine at a cost of not more than $1,000. No engine was purchased at this time. The fire wardens were directed to form two fire companies forthwith. It was about this time (1858) that the Washington Fire Company was organized, as hereafter stated. In the same year a committee was appointed which reported through Robert PIERPOINT in favor of erecting a building for the two engines on the corner of Wales and Center streets; this was not carried out.

      In 1858 the water supply was taken in hand by the village authorities, hereafter detailed, and during the year some five miles of pipe were laid. August, 1859, Frederick CHAFFEE, Henry G. WESCOTT and Rockwood BARRET were appointed as a committee to procure a new engine for No. 1 Company The old tub previously used by this company, which was infelicitously name "Torrent," was to be sold, the "Nickwackett" purchased, and its company soon organized. Considerable trouble was experienced over the propose changes and it was publicly moved that all engines and equipments be sold. It is needless to state that this was not done; the aqueduct and reservoir were also completed at a cost of over $14,000. In 1860 the trustees were directed to provide a suitable engine-house for No. 1, not exceeding in cost $1,200; this resulted in erecting the present Nickwackett house. No. 2 was repaired and 500 feet of new hose purchased. In 1861 the by-laws were changed so as to give the chief engineer of the department and the fire wardens extended powers, with the object of making the service more effective.

      The report of the chief engineer for 1863 stated that the two engine companies were in good condition but that the hose needed some repairs. The trustees about that date contracted for a stock of hooks and ladders. George DENNIS was chief in 1863 and Benjamin K. CHASE in 1865 68.

      Previous to this date the village had suffered severely from fires. The first one of importance occurred on a night in July, 1845, and swept away all the buildings on Main street between the old "Butler House" and what was known as the "three-storied store" (the DANIELS store). And a still more destructive conflagration occurred in the night of April 3, 1868, involving a loss of $50,000. It was occasioned by the bursting of a lamp in the old Franklin House, then kept by Gershom CHENEY, and the building was soon a mass of flames. An adjoining block occupied by W. H. B. OWEN followed; the courthouse next caught fire and was entirely destroyed, with two wooden buildings adjoining, and the brick store adjoining Owen's. The Franklin House was filled with guests at the time of the fire, but all escaped in safety.

      In the winter of 1865-66, also, numerous smaller fires occurred; December 24 the gas-house caught fire, and on the 6th of January RICHARDSON's livery stable was destroyed; January 9 the Union block burned; January 22, PAGE & FREEMAN's store room; February 6, John WARDWELL's house; March 15, TRAVIS's bakery. These frequent fires and the growth of the village led to the purchase of the steamer in 1868. In 1868 N. F. PAGE was made chief engineer and was succeeded in 1869 by J. M. DAVIS; he held the office until 1871 when he was succeeded by Walter C. LANDON, who efficiently performed the duties of the position until 1883. He was succeeded by the late James LEVINS, and upon his death in January, 1885, K. K. HANNUM was elected. In the year 1872 the town hall was finished, and as the new hose companies were organized and their equipments purchased, as hereafter noted, one of them with the steamer and Washington engine and hose company were quartered there. Since the division of the village into wards, a fire warden has been elected for each ward. Those at present filling the office are as follows: Ward 1, F. L. VAUGHN; Ward 2, M. J. MALLEE; Ward 3, M. B. HANEY; Ward 4, George CORNELL; Ward 5, J. W, CRAMTON; Ward 6, A. F. HUTCHINSON; Ward 7, John BALLARD.

      The present fire department of Rutland comprises Nickwackett Engine No. 1, Washington Engine Company No. 2, Killington Steamer Company No. 3, J. W. CRAMTON Hose Company No. 4, H. H. BAXTER Hose Company No. 5, J. A. SHELDON Hose Company No. 6, J. D. HANRAHAN, Hose Company No. 7, and Union Hook and Ladder Company; besides these organizations the REYNOLDS Independent Hose Company No. 1 was formed in the summer of 1885.

      The Washington Engine Company No. 2 was organized March 15, 1858, but the details of the first organization are not now accessible. Five years later and on the 31st of January, 1863, a reorganization was effected and H. L. LITCHFIELD elected foreman, which office he held a number of years; C. C. HOWE was made first assistant foreman and C. F. RICHARDSON, second assistant. Since the death of Mr. LITCHFIELD, the different foremen of the company have been C. C. HOWE, J. W. CRAMTON, N. L. DAVIS, Roswell PATCH, Augutus ROSS, G. P. RUSSELL, G. W. KENNEY, K. K. HANNUM and A. T. WOODWARD, the present foreman. Following are the officers of the company in 1885: A. T. WOODWARD, foreman; C. A. STOCKWELL, first assistant; John FOYLES, second assistant; G. P. RUSSELL, clerk; E. R. GREEN, treasurer; L. L. WHITCOMB, auditor; W. O. GLEASON, foreman leading hose; John MCMAHON, foreman suction hose; William H. TULFORE, steward.

      The company have a good hand engine, hose cart, about 600 feet of hose and other necessary equipage.

      Nickwackett Engine Company No. 1 was organized, as has been seen, for the purpose of making effectual the engine which succeeded the misnamed Torrent in 1859. We have been unable, after diligent inquiry, to procure the names of the first officers. The company has had among its foremen, Michael QUINN, the late Governor PAGE, Stephen G. STALEY, N. F. PAGE, Edward SOUTHWICK and A. AUSTIN.

      The first engine used by the early fire organization which preceded the Nickwackett was a "crank" engine, which gave little promise of distinction in quenching fires. It was superseded by the Torrent, which has been mentioned in foregoing pages.

      The Nickwackett Engine Company has one hand engine, a hose cart, 300 feet of new cotton hose, 400 feet of old cotton hose, and all the necessary appliances for use in emergencies in which it may be called upon to act. Following is a list of the present officers: A. AUSTIN, foreman; H. AUSTIN, first assistant; Ed. LAROE, second assistant; J. H. DOUGLASS, clerk; P. J. FLYNN, treasurer; John DUCHARME, foreman leading hose; Louis ABAR, foreman suction hose; William SMITH, steward; O. W. CURRIER, chaplain; H. AUSTIN, Joe LAROE and William SMITH, auditors. Its total membership is about sixty. 

      Killington Steamer Engine Company No. 3 was organized in October; 1868, and at the same time a second class Amoskeag steamer was purchased by the village. The officers for the first two years were N. L. DAVIS, foreman; H. M. BATES, secretary; L. G. KINGSLEY, treasurer. In 1870 Chester KINGSLEY was elected foreman. Beginning with the year 1871 L. G. KINGSLEY was elected foreman and has held the office ever since. Following are the present officers of the company, and there has been no change for several years past: L. G. KINGSLEY, captain; J. H. MCINTYRE, first assistant; B. W. MARSHALL, second assistant; L. VALIQUETTE, jr., secretary; A. S. MARSHALL, treasurer; B. W. MARSHALL, second assistant; L. VALIQUETTE, jr., secretary; A. S. MARSHALL, treasurer; B. W. MARSHALL, auditor; W. A. HILL, engineer; Henry WILKIN, assistant engineer; Joseph CURRIER, stoker; Frank ROSE, foreman leading hose; A. H. HUTCHINSON, foreman suction hose.

      This company is very thoroughly equipped with the engine, a four-wheeled hose cart, ample hose, etc.

      The J. W. CRAMTON Hose Company No 4 was organized July 11, 1876, the first officers being as follows: Foreman, S. M. WILSON; first assistant, D. R. SNOW; second assistant, J. C. PEASE; clerk, W. F. EDDY; treasurer, F. C. ROBBINS. There were twenty-four members at the first meeting. The officers remained the same for 1877, with the exception of the clerk, to which office F. A. BEEBE was elected. Mr. WILSON remained foreman until the election of 1880 when W. F. EDDY was elected. He held the office to April, 1883, when he was made an assistant engineer and J. R. BATES was elected to the vacancy. He still holds the office. The present officers are as follows: J. R. BATES, foreman; M. A. MCCLURE, first assistant; E. M. WOODRUFF, second assistant; C. F. BIXBY, clerk; E. B. ALDRICH, treasurer; F. H. WELCH, steward.

      The H. H. BAXTER Hose Company No. 5 was organized in July, 1875, with the following as the first officers of the company: George W. DUNTON, foreman; William HOWE, first assistant; W. H. MONTY, second assistant; G. W. STALEY, clerk. Mr. DUNTON has capably filled the office of foreman since the organization. Following are the officers of this company: W. C. LANDON, president; H. H. BAXTER, vice-president; George W. DUNTON, foreman; George W. STALEY, first assistant; H. C. GREEN, second assistant; John GILMAN, clerk; William COCHRAN, treasurer. The company has a handsome hose cart and 100 feet of hose, with other efficient equipment.

      The J. A. SHELDON Hose Company No. 6 was organized in 1876, under the name of the "Centennial Hose Company; " it was reorganized under its present name on the 8th of April, 1881. W. B. YOUNG was foreman under the first organization. When the change occurred G. L. YOUNG was elected to the office, with J. E. MCDONOUGH as first assistant; Bert MILLS, second assistant; C. L. SMITH, treasurer; H. W. BLAISDELL, clerk. John A. SHELDON is president and W. K. SHELDON, vice-president. Following are the present officers of the company: W. B. YOUNG, foreman; J. E. CROWLEY, first assistant; J. HUMPHREY, second assistant; P. J. LLOYD, clerk; S. J. LALOR, treasurer; C. E. JONES, steward.

      The J. D. HANRAHAN Hose Company No. 7 was organized in 1878, under the following officers: James MCGURK, foreman; William HUBBARD, first assistant; E. J. BRUTEN, second assistant; C. J. COCKLIN, clerk; James WARD, treasurer. Mr. MCGURK was elected in the succeeding year and declined the office in August, 1879, when E. J. BRUTEN was elected. Mr. MCGURK was again elected in 1880. For 1881 and 1882 J. J. CATEN was elected to the office; 1883 and 1884, C. J. COCKLIN was elected. The present officers are as follows: E. J. BURKE, foreman; P. A. CATEN, first assistant; M. F. MANGAN, second assistant; T. H. HOWE, clerk; J. J. CATEN, treasurer.

      The Union Hook and Ladder Company was organized in February, 1864, with the following officers: Foreman, W. C. LANDON ; first assistant, J. M. DAVIS; second assistant, C. KINGSLEY; clerk, J. S. BOWMAN; treasurer, E. PIERPOINT; auditor, J. C. DUNN; steward, W. B. THRALL. There were thirty-one members. The company became somewhat involved in indebtedness, for which the members were assessed, and in January, 1867, a reorganization was effected with substantially the same officers. Two extension ladders were purchased for the company in 1877. W. C. LANDON and G. W. HILLIARD held the office of foreman for a number of years, and were succeeded by James LEVINS. The present officers are as follows: E. J. BRUTEN, foreman; Miles WELCH, first assistant; Patrick MONAHAN, second assistant; Patrick F. MADIGAN, clerk; William LYNCH, auditor; William BURKE, steward; Dominick CORCORAN, treasurer.

      The Independent Hose Company No. 1, which has been mentioned, has elected the following officers: President, Guy H. REYNOLDS; foreman, John HARRISON ; first assistant, Edward SWEENEY; second assistant, John CORCORAN; treasurer, Charles BAILEY; clerk, Arthur MCLANE; steward, Patrick MCGUIRK. The fire department has at the present time the use of fifty-seven hydrants distributed throughout the village, and the Gamewell Fire Alarm, with fifteen boxes. K. K. HANNUM is now the efficient chief engineer, having taken the office upon the death of James LEVINS, in January, 1885.

      In addition to what we have written of the village water supply, and its connection with the fire department, it will be of interest to note a few further facts. The first important supply of water to the village was provided through the instrumentality of Gershom CHENEY, who laid wooden pipes from a large spring in the edge of the town of Mendon to the village, and posts were set up at the houses of residents, who paid a certain tax for the water supply. This arrangement continued until several years after the incorporation of the village, during most of which period it was in the control and ownership of the "Aqueduct Company." We have already stated that one of the first acts of the village authorities was the extension of the old pipes for fire purposes. The subject of a better water supply was almost constantly agitated for many years and various projects discussed.

      In 1857 a committee of six was appointed to investigate the matter, and their report recommended substantially that water sufficient to afford an abundant supply be brought in iron pipes to the summit of Dr. PORTER's lot on Main street, where a reservoir should be erected ; thence in six-inch pipes to Main street at Hodge's corner; thence in a five-inch pipe to Washington street, and, in two-inch pipes to other parts of the village ; the size of the last named pipe was afterwards changed to three inches. Bonds were to be issued for $16,000 to pay for the works, which should be the property of the corporation. , A meeting was called to act upon these recommendations, and they were adopted. Robert PIERPOINT, C. B. MANN and H. H. BAXTER were made a committee to superintend the entire work. The result was the aqueduct and reservoir mentioned in the account of the fire department. A board of three water commissioners was provided for, to be elected annually, the first board being Robert PIERPOINT, Lyman P. WHITE and James BARRETT. About five miles of pipe were laid in 1858. It was arranged that persons already holding posts in the Aqueduct Company should have water from the new pipes at the rate of $5 a year for a family of five persons, and at proportionate rates for a larger number. The Franklin House rates were made $45; Huntoon's Hotel, $15; stores, $5. Between this time and 1862 the water commissioners extended the pipes in East, Green, Grove; Pine, Cottage, Howe, Elm and Pleasant streets.

      But with the very rapid growth of the village at the period in question, the new supply soon failed to meet public necessities. The great fire of 1868 also showed a lack of sufficient facilities for such emergencies. At the annual meeting of that year a committee of five was appointed to examine into the subject of getting an adequate water supply; they recommended the erection of new works at a cost of about $20,000, and the issue of bonds for that amount; the committee to superintend the construction of the works were John B. PAGE, Lyman E. ROYS, S. G. STALEY and John M. HALL. The recommendations were carried out.

      This supply sufficed for ten years only, and in 1878 it became apparent that a still more extensive water system was imperatively needed. The East Creek as a source was thoroughly discussed and finally adopted; the trustees were empowered to issue bonds to the amount of $28,000, and a new twelve inch iron aqueduct was laid from a point on the creek about three miles from the reservoir, which gives about seventy feet head, to the reservoir. In 1879 water-pipes and hydrants were extended throughout the village at a cost of more than $20,000 more. At the source a large stone and gravel filter is constructed which permits only clear water to enter the aqueduct. This supply is undoubtedly ample for many years to come and gives the village water in abundance and of excellent quality.

      No effort was made towards lighting the streets of Rutland until the year 1863, if we accept the limited use of lamps, provided in many cases by private enterprise. In the year 1863 a charter was obtained for the organization of the “Rutland Gas-light Company," with a capital of $40,000. General H. H. BAXTER was the prominent actor in this enterprise, his associates being Charles SHELDON, George A. TATTLE, John W. CRAMTON, A. C. BATES, John B. PAGE and George A. MERRILL. This company began operations, erected gas-works, laid pipes and started manufacture, which was continued until 1867. The gas made was not of the best quality, owing to the imperfect method of manufacture. It was, however, a step in the right direction.

      On the 28th of March, 1867, a charter was obtained for the People's Gaslight Company, which is the organization now supplying gas to the village. The original capital was $60,000, which has since been increased to $70,000. The entire plant of the old organization was purchased, the necessary additions made, improved methods of manufacture adopted, and the works put upon a thorough-going basis. The presidents of the company since the change have been George A. MERRILL (the first president, with George A. TUTTLE as secretary), and Z. V. K. WILSON. The present officers and directors are W. B. MUSSEY, president; George R. BOTTUM, clerk and treasurer; N. C. DYE, superintendent; J. H. HEUSTACE, gas engineer; W. B. MUSSEY, John W. CRAMTON, John N. BAXTER, E. D. KEYES, John A. SHELDON and Samuel M. WILLSON. There are now more than fifteen miles of pipes laid in the village, and one hundred and seventy-four lamp-posts and burners light the streets. The private consumption is large in proportion to the population of the village.

      A street railway company was incorporated November 13, 1882, under the following names: Martin G. EVERTS, John A. SHELDON, Evelyn PIERPOINT, Redfield PROCTOR, J. B. HOLLISTER, W. C. DUNTON, C. C. PIERCE, George H. CHENEY, Rockwood BARRETT, George A. MERRILL, John N. WOODFIN, James C. DUNN and A. H. TUTTLE. The capital stock authorized was $25,000. In the summer of 1885 an organization was effected, E. PIERPOINT, president-treasurer; John N. WOODFIN, secretary. The proposed line is to extend from near the fair ground to Centre and West Rutland, through Strong's avenue, Merchants Row, Grove street, Spring street, State street, etc. While this work is passing through the press, efforts are being made to secure sufficient subscriptions to complete the road. The road is now in process of construction.
 

      Previous to the erection of the old Ripley Music Hall, in 1869, by William Y. RIPLEY, the town hall was used for most of the public amusements and gatherings in the village. The loss of the Music Hall by fire in 1875 was severely felt, and in 1881 General E. H. RIPLEY erected the present Opera House on the site of the burned structure. The Opera House was dedicated in October, 1881. The building presents a handsome exterior, while the interior is admirably adapted to the purposes for which it was designed. It seats about 850 persons. The interior of the house was designed by and finished under the architectural direction of J. J. R. RANDALL, of Rutland.
 
 
 

History of Rutland County Vermont with Illustrations and Biographical 
Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers
Edited by H. Y. Smith & W. S. Rann
Syracuse, N. Y.
D. Mason & Co., Publishers  1886
History of the Town of Rutland
Chapter XIX.
(pages 413- 422)

Transcribed by Karima, 2002