Fires in North Manchester Area

1873 fire at factory of Lesh & Shively. Manufacturers of shingles, staves and heading; situated on north side of Main street, between the railroad depots. Immediately rebuilt.

FIRE PROTECTION - DISCUSSION

Source: North Manchester Journal, February 8, 1883

The frequent fires that have been in town the past year reminds us to look to our own safety, examining flues, chimneys, ash barrels and all places from which fire may obtain a start. Along with watchfulness no one should forget to insure their property, and that too, in the best company. John Shuler represents the Phoenix, a company that has a cash capital of two millions, with assets exceeding four millions. This company is among the oldest and most tried of all companies, and a risk taken in this company is absolutely sure to be paid, if loss is incurred.

Source: North Manchester Journal, March 29, 1883

The matter of fire protection should not be lost sight of the danger from fire is but little less than at any other season of the year, and so far but little has been done towards affording the relief needed. The season for building to begin is now here and the board should at once establish fire limits as a matter of protection to the vast amount of property that is now burdened with all the risks that any prudent person will take. We think the best interests of the town demand that no more frame or wooden buildings be erected in the business part of the town. [emphasis added]

Source: North Manchester Journal, May 23, 1889

A petition to the Board of Trustees is in circulation praying for a better supply of water in close proximity to the factories in the west end. It is a fact that the present source of supply would be inadequate in time of a big fire. Situated as those factories are, close together, surrounded by shavings and lumber, in short the whole vicinity would be on fire soon after the starting of a blaze on a windy day. To successfully fight anything like a big fire there would be impossible with the supply of water now to be had. The well that has been dug might suffice if a fire should be confined to one building, but the interest that workingmen have in the saving of those factories from destruction alone would justify the additional expense if the interest of owners is not taken into account. When we consider the large sums of money paid to men employed there that is expended by them in our town and adds largely to the volume of trade it becomes evident that the best interest of the whole people of the town demands that no effort be spared to save them from a catastrophe so disastrous as the destruction of even one of those hives of industry. The dry weather renders that part of town in which the factories, depots and elevators are situated one great tinder box that is liable to bring disaster at the shortest notice. The petition should be signed and presented at once.

Source: North Manchester Journal, October 7, 1897

A Suggestion that May be of Value to the City in the Management of the Fire Department.

About the middle of the forenoon Tuesday a fire alarm was sounded and at once created a great deal of excitement as the present condition of things makes it a very bad time for fires. The fire was, however, not in a dangerous locality as it happened to be in Oak Lawn cemetery, where a spark from a passing Big Four locomotive had set fire to the dead, dry grass and brush. The fire spread over the ground with great rapidity, owing to everything being as dry as powder, and might have done much damage had it not been checked and put out.

Two things of necessity to the town were demonstrated by this fire and the disastrous fire that occurred a few weeks ago. One is the need of a lot of good hose and the better taking care of it by those in charge. The other is some quicker way of getting the hose cart to the scene of the fire than waiting for a dray to come along and haul it. Dray teams are not generally noted for their speed and that is an essential feature in getting to a fire. As long as the cart is kept at Johnson's livery barn it might not be a bad idea for the town board to have a pair of shafts fastened to the hose cart with a set of harness already attached, such as is used by all fire departments, so that a horse could be driven in and in a moment be on the way with the cart at full speed. A little improvement of this kind would not come amiss with our fire department.