Do you know how people called for help during a fire in the 1800s? 
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Horses in the Fire Department
The Fort Wayne Firefighters Museum at the top of the page says the two-bay station was built around 1893 with 12 horses in the station at its peak. Here are a few of the Fire Department No. 3 horse photos in the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.
Fort Wayne Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington Blvd. Date ca.1895.
Fire Department Coal Wagon at No. 3
Description Fort Wayne Fire Department Coal Wagon at Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington Street. This is the building in the rear that was added in 1909. This photo was used on the 1909 composite of Station No. 3. Date 1909.
Horse Stalls at Fire Station No. 3
Description Fort Wayne Fire Horses in their stalls at Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington Street. This photo was used on the 1909 composite of Station No. 3. Date 1909.
Description Fort Wayne Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington. Interior view looking through the apparatus room from East to West. This photograph was used to make a composite picture of Station No. 3 in 1909.
Composite of Fire Station No. 3. Individual photos of Henry Hilbrecht, George Jasper, J. Luley, Charles Harris, John Meyers, F. Tieman, M. Laughlin, Wm. Brandt, F. Horstman, Fred Stahlhut, G. Steup, F. Sellers, Charles Treece, W.H. Kronk, F. Schulz, Calvin Rieman, H.T. Hayes, George Herman, Bob (mascot cat). Date 1909.It evens names the horses and Bob the mascot cat!
Fire Station No. 3, 226 West Washington. This photo was made off a post card. date 10/16/1911.
Fireman Charles Harris driving steamer from Fire Station No. 3 on the way to Mayflower Mills Fire at 118-120 West Columbia Street. 05/21/1911 in the Allen County Public Library Digital Collections at the Allen County Public Library.
Another photo: Fort Wayne fire department horse-drawn wagon going north on Harrison Street in response to an alarm at Mayflower Mills, 21 May 1911.
May 22, 2024 post on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook
Assistant Fire Chief George W. Jasper holding the reins, Charles Treece is to his left. They are in the assistant chief's buggy at the rear of Fire Station No.3, 226 West Washington. Date 1913.[ This buggy is in the Fire Fighters museum as shown around the 0:55 mark of the video at the top of the page! ]
Newspaper Articles
1908 - A Sunday Morning Fire - Two Story Barn Burned to the Ground - new steamer No. 3
Article from Nov 30, 1908 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1908, Three-horse-hitch, Fire station no. 31908 - A Sunday Morning Fire - Two Story Barn Burned to the Ground - new steamer No. 3 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, November 30, 1908, Page 6.
A SUNDAY MORNING FIRE.
Two-Story Barn Burned to the Ground.
The two-story frame barn on the rear of the premises of Charles Fry, 2401 Force street, was totally destroyed early yesterday morning by a fire, the origin of which is unknown. The flames gained considerable headway before they were discovered. A horse which was stabled in the barn was rescued. The loss was $150, with no Insurance.
This makes a total of 309 fires this year, or one more than the record of the department for the year 1907, which was the previous record. With another month before the year is up the laddies expect to pass the 330 mark.
The new steamer to be quartered at No. 3 fire station was driven through the streets yesterday in order to acquaint the horses and Driver Harris with the workings of a three-horse hitch-up. It will take a peculiar course of training to teach the Horses to come under the harness properly for this style hitch-up. Three handsome gray animals have been purchased by the board of safety for this apparatus and their appearance yesterday elicited much praise from persons the streets.
1919 - The Passing of the Faithful Fire Horse in Fort Wayne
Article from Mar 30, 1919 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1919, Fire horse1919 - The Passing of the Faithful Fire Horse in Fort Wayne The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sunday, March 30, 1919, Page 34.
KEY TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
No. 1-No, 3 serial truck to be equipped with four wheel tractor in place of the three horse hitch as seen above. This will give the apparatus when motorized speed of thirty miles per hour and greatly increase its efficiency.
No. 2-"Good-by Old Pal." The best of friends must part for sentiment is sacrifled on the altar of efficiency.
No. 3-This is No. a chemical, the first piece of motor apparatus ever placed in service in Fort Wayne and still on the job. It goes to all fires and responds to every alarm.
No. 4-No. 3 hose cart which will be taken out of service with the arrival of the new combination pumper and hose wagon.
No. 5-Chief Henry Hilbrecht, "Grand Old Man of the Fort Wayne Fire Department."
No. 6-The coal wagon. Only horse drawn vehicle remaining in service at No. 3 engine house after the present change. The coal wagon goes to all fires.
Nos. 7 and 8-"Max" and "Sam" who together with "Pete" (No. 2) form the three-horse hitch of No. 8 engine which is to be replaced by the now motor pumper. [ "Sam" killed in May 6, 1919 runaway ]
No. 9-Motor pumper stationed at street. the first house the city .central engine house on East Main street which was completely motorized.
No. 10.-"Fred," "Dick" and "George," the splendid animals of the three-horse hitch of No. 3aerial truck, which is to be equipped with tractor. The motorizing of this apparatus ends their service here. [ "Dick" killed in May 6, 1919 runaway ]
No. 11-Engine House No. 9 on Winter street, and one piece combination equipment. This is the first strictly modern fire station of the new type built in Fort Wayne and will doubtless serve as a model for others to come.
1919 - Tractor Here - Auto Pumper Also Expected in City Shortly - to replace three horse hitch - 3
Article from Mar 31, 1919 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 19191919 - Tractor Here - Auto Pumper Also Expected in City Shortly - to replace three horse hitch - 3 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, March 31, 1919, Page 13.
TRACTOR HERE
Auto Pumper Is Also Expected In City Shortly
The big tractor which is to replace the three horse hitch on the extention ladder at No. 3 engine house has arrived. It is on the Nickel Plate freight tracks, ready to be unloaded as soon as representatives of the Seagrave company arrive from Columbus, Ohio. The horses will be sold, probably this week.
The auto pumper is on the way and is expected here shortly. Its arrival will displace the other three horse hitch at the No. 3 station and will make the house completely motored.
1919 - Unload Tractor For No. 3 Aerial Truck - take place of horses: Fred, Dick, George
Article from Apr 2, 1919 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1919, Fire station no. 3, Three-horse-hitch, Horses1919 - Unload Tractor For No. 3 Aerial Truck - take place of horses: Fred, Dick, George The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Wednesday, April 2, 1919, Page 7.
UNLOAD TRACTOR FOR NO. 3 AERIAL TRUCK
John McMahon, demonstrator for the Seagrave Fire Apparatus company of Columbus, Ohio, arrived here Tuesday to oversee the work of unloading and installing the new four-wheel tractor which is to take the place of "Fred," "Dick" and "George,' comprising the three-horse hitch of the aerial truck at No. 3 engine house.
After being unloaded the tractor was taken to Central engine house, on Main street, where the work of transforming the No. 3 truck from a horse-drawn to motor-driven apparutus will be carried out to-day.
1919 - Retired Fire Horses Killed On First Day - Sam and Dick Fatally Injured in Runaway First Day
Article from May 6, 1919 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1919, Fire station no. 3, Horses, Three-horse-hitch1919 - Retired Fire Horses Killed On First Day - Sam and Dick Fatally Injured in Runaway First Day The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tuesday, May 6, 1919, Page 1.
RETIRED FIRE HORSES KILLED ON FIRST DAY
Sam and Dick Fatally Injured in Runaway on First Day. of Civil Life.
"Sam" and "Dick," two of the beautiful fire horses ordered sold following the installation of additional motor equipment at No. 3 engine house on Washington boulevard lost their lives Monday afternoon, on the first day of their retirement to civil life. Both animals had to be shot because of injuries which they sustained as a result of a runaway on Wall street where they ran into a concrete mixer, one of the animals breaking a leg and the other a shoulder blade.
"Sam," one of the three "whites" composing the three-horse hitch of the now discarded steam engine, and "Dick." one of the three sorrel horses which have been replaced by the motor tractor of the aerial ladder truck, were purchased by the AntiBorax Compound Co., on Wall street, and delivered to their new owners Monday morning.
In the afternoon they were hitched up for the first time to haul a load of the firm's product to the freight house. The wagon had proceeded but a short distance when the two horses became frightened and started to run away, continuing east on Wall street in a mad dash until they reached the General Electric works buildings where they ran into a large concrete mixer which was standing on the street. Both animals fell and it soon became apparent that they were injured severely. A veterinary surgeon was called who after an examination advised the animals to be shot.