Do you know how people called for help during a fire in the 1800s? 
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Horses in the Fire Department
Fire Horses, Harnessing, 1903From our back issue 11::: The Fire House Horse::: check out this little movie of fire horses being harnessed, ca. 1903. Watch how fast a team can harness and be out the door--faster than modern fire engines. OUT IN FIFTEEN SECONDS! Look how quickly the gray horse is ready to go--The single-horse buggy you see just at the end (on left) is probably a Morgan pulling the Fire Cheif. Enjoy! We've uploaded another Fire Horse video too--so be sure to check the Video Gallery.
Posted by Art Horse Magazine on Friday, July 16, 2010Friday, July 16, 2010 post by Art Horse Magazine on Facebook:
From our back issue 11::: The Fire House Horse::: check out this little movie of fire horses being harnessed, ca. 1903. Watch how fast a team can harness and be out the door--faster than modern fire engines. OUT IN FIFTEEN SECONDS! Look how quickly the gray horse is ready to go--The single-horse buggy you see just at the end (on left) is probably a Morgan pulling the Fire Cheif. Enjoy! We've uploaded another Fire Horse video too--so be sure to check the Video Gallery.
Fire Horses, 1903Fire department on the way to an emergency, 1903. (Film by Edwin S. Porter, via Library of Congress)
Posted by Art Horse Magazine on Friday, July 16, 2010Friday, July 16, 2010 post by Art Horse Magazine on Facebook:
Fire Station Horses on ParadeMost stations did parades at least twice per year--at July 4th, and again in the autumn. Here is a beautiful team pulling a ladder wagon, ca. 1890-1900. In all the research I did for the article, it was amazing how many personal accounts were found about the firemen being tremendously proud of their horses. I think this accounts for them often staying sound well into their twenties, despite the tough job. (note--the item that resembles a trampoline is for catching people who leap from upper floors of burning buildings.)
Posted by Art Horse Magazine on Friday, July 16, 2010Friday, July 16, 2010 post by Art Horse Magazine on Facebook:
Most stations did parades at least twice per year--at July 4th, and again in the autumn. Here is a beautiful team pulling a ladder wagon, ca. 1890-1900. In all the research I did for the article, it was amazing how many personal accounts were found about the firemen being tremendously proud of their horses. I think this accounts for them often staying sound well into their twenties, despite the tough job. (note--the item that resembles a trampoline is for catching people who leap from upper floors of burning buildings.)
Enjoying the Fire Horse video? Here's another! Newark, NJ, 1896. Another companion piece to our full article in issue #11.
Posted by Art Horse Magazine on Thursday, January 15, 2015Thursday, January 15, 2015 video post by Art Horse Magazine on Facebook:
Enjoying the Fire Horse video? Here's another! Newark, NJ, 1896. Another companion piece to our full article in issue #11.
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
1913 - Smoke From Dump Fire Enveloped City - Clinton Street Dump
Article from Feb 10, 1913 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Smoke, Dump, Fire1913 - Smoke From Dump Fire Enveloped City - Clinton Street Dump Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, February 10, 1913, Page 12.
SMOKE FROM DUMP FIRE ENVELOPED CITY
FIRE ON CLINTON STREET DUMP LAST NIGHT.
THE CENTRAL SECTION
Was Filled With a Misty Smoke of Disagreeable Odor Early This Morning.
Residents of the central section of the eity and as far south as the railroads suffered from the fumes and smoke that came from a fire on the city dump late last night and early this morning, and the odor of burning rubbish hung over the downtown seetion till after daylight.
The dump has been on fire for years, and every now and then the blaze gets to the surface and the fire department beats it back under the ground. Seyeral times in the past few weeks the department has been called to the dump, and last Friday night it spent several hours there fighting a fire.
The blaze broke out again yesterday and the damp cinders, ashes and rubbish sent up clouds of smoke so dense that by midnight the central part of the city was enveloped in a mist. In the early morning the smoke was so thick that it spread into the residence districts and was the cause of great annoyance.
[ This likely the current Headwater Park location ]
Sunday, February 12, 2017 post by Indiana News 1 on Facebook:1913
Posted by Indiana News 1 on Sunday, February 12, 20171913 - smokey Fort Wayne. Unable to find the source of this photo?
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.
1913 - Eighty Per Cent of Smoke Clouds Enshrouding Fort Wayne May Be Eliminated - Smoke Committee The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, February 8, 1913, Page 2.1913 - Eighty Per Cent of Smoke Clouds Enshrouding Fort Wayne May Be Eliminated - Smoke Committee
Article from Feb 8, 1913 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Smoke clouds, Fort wayne, Indiana
1913 - The Campaign Against Smoke The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, February 8, 1913, Page 4.1913 - The Campaign Against Smoke
Article from Feb 8, 1913 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Smoke campaign
1913 - Technical Committee of Experts Declare Smoke Nuisance Does Not Need to Exist The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, February 8, 1913, Page 12.1913 - Technical Committee of Experts Declare Smoke Nuisance Does Not Need to Exist
Article from Feb 8, 1913 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Smoke, Fort wayne
1913 - More Noise Than Fire - Pennsylvania RR greasy overalls - stack of engine passing - coal pile
Article from Aug 27, 1913 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Fires, Coal burning1913 - More Noise Than Fire - Pennsylvania RR greasy overalls - stack of engine passing - coal pile Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Wednesday, August 27, 1913, Page 2.
MORE NOISE THAN FIRE
At the Pennsylvania--Burning Over« alls Cause Much Excitement -Two. Other Fires.
A pair of greasy overalls and some rubbish in a little building which houses the electric welder at the Pennsylvania, caused no end of excitement in the vicinity of the shops last evening at seven o'clock. A watchman, making his rounds, noticed the blaze which was a lively one while the grease on the overalls lasted, sent in an alarm, and the hideous siren of the company sent its shrill sounds to the volunteer shop firemen, who live in the vicinity and they arrived just about the same time as the city's men. In the meantime about two thousand people had gathered near the gates awaiting the flames to sweep along the big buildings. They were disappointed, however, as no one but the fire-fighters caught a glimpse of the blaze, and even their's was a very fleeting one. The building is so situated that it cannot be seen from Clinton street. Little effort was needed to put out the blaze and scarcely any damage was done to the building or equipment.
Spoke Factory Has a Fire.
Sparks from the stack of a passing Wabash engine ignited the roof of the boiler house of the Wayne Spoke and Bending company yesterday and caused a damage of $15 before it was extinguished by fire companies Nos. 3 and 4.
Coal Pile Burning
Fire which has been smouldering for the six weeks, in a big coal pile belonging to the Nickel Plate Railroad company, again broke out last night and is still receiving the attention of fire company No. 7. It was thought last week that the fire had been entirely extinguished, but the blaze had gone farther into the coal pile, and the burning has now so far advanced that it may be necessary to separate the burning coal from the untouched and allow the fire to burn.
1913 - Gas Company's Coal Pile Burning Again - Barr Street - Schlitz Brewing warehouse Wabash RR
Article from Aug 30, 1913 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Coal fires, Wabash rr1913 - Gas Company's Coal Pile Burning Again - Barr Street - Schlitz Brewing warehouse Wabash RR The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saturday, August 30, 1913, Page 9.
GAS COMPANY'S COAL PILE, BURNING AGAIN
The gas company's coal pile on Barr street opposite the gas plant, is burning again. Residents of that portion, of the city who were inconvenienced by the smoke and strong odor created by the burning coal reported the matter to the fire department and the company was instructed to give relief. An effort will be made to-day by employes to extinguish the fire which is smouldering in the interior of the coal pile.
Sparks from a Wabash engine set fire to the roof of Schlitz Brewing company's ware house along the Wabash tracks, near Fairfield avenue, shortly after noon yesterday, and the apparatus from No. 8 house was sent to the scene to extinguish the blaze.
1913 - Traction Company's Coal Pile Burning - Nickel Plate RR roundhouse Indiana Lighting N. Clinton
Article from Sep 8, 1913 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Coal burning, Nickel plate rr, Indiana lighting, North clinton street1913 - Traction Company's Coal Pile Burning - Nickel Plate RR roundhouse Indiana Lighting N. Clinton The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Monday, September 8, 1913, Page 3.
TRACTION COMPANY'S COAL PILE BURNING
Another large coal pile, besides those of the Nickel Plate railroad near the roundhouse and that of the Indiana Lighting company on North Clinton street, which have been burning for the past several weeks, has been discovered on fire. People residing in the vicinity of the traction company's power plant, on Spy Run avenue have been noticing a strong tar-like odor for a week or more and yesterday curls of smoke and steam bursting forth at various points of the huge coal pile located west of the power plant indicated that fire is smoldering in the coal. No call was sent to the fire department, but a force of shovelers was immediately put to work to dig at the highest point of the coal and by turning water into this trench by means of several lines of hose it is hoped to extinguish the fire.
1913 - Nickel Plate Coal Pile Burning Again near Wayne Knitting Mills
Article from Oct 23, 1913 The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Nickel plate rr, Wayne knitting mills1913 - Nickel Plate Coal Pile Burning Again near Wayne Knitting Mills The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, October 23, 1913, Page 3.
NICKEL PLATE COAL PILE BURNING AGAIN.
The huge coal pile of the Nickel Plate, on the south side of tracks, near the Wayne Knitting Mills, was again burning fiercely yesterday morning and the men from No. 5 and No. 7, engine houses were kept busy with the blaze from 9 o'clock in the morning until late in the evening.
1913 - Coal From The Burning - Boys Were Only Attempting To Save It - Pinched for Trying to Steal
Article from Oct 30, 1913 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Nickel plate rr, Coal burning1913 - Coal From The Burning - Boys Were Only Attempting To Save It - Pinched for Trying to Steal Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Thursday, October 30, 1913, Page 7.
COAL FROM THE BURNING
BOYS WERE ONLY ATTEMPTING TO SAVE IT
They Got Pinched For Trying to Steal the Stuff, But Judge Mungovan Let Them Go.
Seeing a pile of coal on fire near the Nickel Plate tracks along Mechanic street yesterday evening, Lawrence and Louis Gordon two young boys decided that it was a good policy to save some of the stuff and proceeded to load several big chunks into sacks and a small wagon. The boys were caught by the Nickel Plate police and charged with petit larceny but this morning Judge Mungovan turned them loose as there was no evidence that either had really intended stealing.
Tom Shaffer and Jake Shoup, a couple of old veterans got together yesterday to celebrate Shaffer's return to the city and both were locked up after they had gone down and out on Columbia street. They were turned loose this morning. Jim Green a young fellow that drifted into town last night looking for work and was picked up because he could give no good account of himself, was turned loose to look for a job.
Al Guenther on his plea of guilty to a charge of robbery was bound over to the circuit court. The case against htm will be dismissed, as Gucnther is the man that gave the information that resulted in the arrests of three other express car sneak thieves several months ago. The others are in Michigan City.
The police departrnent will have a number of men in plain clothes patrolling the city on Friday night to enforce the ordinances relating to a safe and sane Halloween.
1913 - Coal Pile Was Burning - Fire Department Called to Home of W. K. Noble
Article from Dec 3, 1913 The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Coal burning, Fire1913 - Coal Pile Was Burning - Fire Department Called to Home of W. K. Noble The Fort Wayne News And Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Wednesday, December 3, 1913, Page 6.
COAL PILE WAS BURNING.
Fire Department Called to Home of W. K.. Noble.
The fire department was called to the garage of W. K. Noble, 420 West Wayne street, late Tuesday afternoon, and after considerable difficulty succeeded in extingushing a burning mass of coal, a portion of a supply of fifteen tons. It is reported that the loss will not exceed $15.
1913 - Sensational Downtown Fire - Boiler Blows Up in Bradley Flower Shop Basement - burning coals
Article from Dec 23, 1913 Fort Wayne Daily News (Fort Wayne, Indiana) 1913, Burning coal, Boiler blows up, Fire1913 - Sensational Downtown Fire - Boiler Blows Up in Bradley Flower Shop Basement - burning coals Fort Wayne Daily News, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tuesday, December 23, 1913, Page 1.
SENSATIONAL DOWNTOWN FIRE
Boiler Blows Up in Bradley Flower Shop Basement.
JOHN JEBHART HURT
Burned at Start of the Serious Blaze -- Fireman Lost in the Smoke.
A RESCUE SQUAD
Hunts for the Man Who Had Fled to the Roof--A $10,000 Lose
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.
Check out this adorable 1950s snapshot of Queenie and her brood of 10 Dalmatian puppies at Fire Station No. 5 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.