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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Watertown Fire Department
1900-1999 SECTION
ON HISTORY OF
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1847-1899 section 
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2000-2023
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Established 1857
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1900 __________________
01 09 WATER FROM RIVER IN
CASE OF FIRE
The committee on fire department
was authorized to ask for proposals for keeping holes cut in the ice for the
use of the fire department during the winter.
WR
01 09 DEPARTMENT OFFICERS
[same date]
The following officers of the Watertown Fire Department were elected at the
annual meeting last night: President,
John Chapman; vice-president, Arthur G. Krebs; secretary, G. E. Gloger;
treasurer, A. A. Hardie. WR
01 23 FIRE LIMITS ORDINANCE
Mayor Grube recommended
that the fire limits ordinance be
amended so as to include all that district extending from Tenth to Church
streets and including two blocks north and south of Main and West Main
streets. WR
02 13 PHOENIX BALL
The ball of the Phoenix Fire Company, No. 2 at Turner Opera house
Saturday night, was very largely attended and proved a source of great
enjoyment to all participating. Music
was furnished by the city orchestra and a program of twenty-eight numbers
danced. The grand march was led by
Edward Schultz and Miss Lucy Reihle. The
hall was profusely decorated with bunting, flags, etc., while from the ceiling
hung a large placard bearing the inscription. “God Bless the Ladies and Protect
the Firemen.” From this depended a
picture of William Schulte, “Our First Chief.”
In the lower hall an excellent supper was served by Herman Yahr. A number of firemen from neighboring places
attended the ball.
02 27 FYRICIDE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
Wednesday afternoon a
successful test of the Fyricide fire extinguisher, for which George H. Hastings
is agent, was made on the old Tremont House premises. The extinguishing ingredient utilized in this
device is a very finely pulverized chemical, which as soon as applied has the
desired effect.
03 06 STEAM LAUNDRY FIRE
An alarm of fire was
turned in from the Watertown Steam Laundry last Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock,
the cause being a small blaze which had started in the floor near the
chimney. It was extinguished by
employees before the firemen could get to work, although they responded in
double-quick time. No damage was done .
03 06 A. B. LIEBERMANN FIRE
[same date] The
clothing and gents' furnishing goods stock of A. B. Lieberrnann, Third Street,
was partially destroyed by fire Saturday morning. When Mr.
Lieberrnann opened the front door of the store at about 6:30 o’clock he
was confronted by a dense cloud of smoke, and it was discovered that a blaze
had started near the stove and that the tables containing stock nearby were on
fire. The alarm was immediately given
and both hose companies were soon at work on the flames, which were promptly
extinguished. The damage to the stock
from smoke and water, however, was considerable, while the building was damaged
only slightly. The latter is owned by
Charles W. Schulz. Mr. Liebermann’s loss
is covered by insurance. The fire is
supposed to have been started by a spark from the stove.
04 20 FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
NEEDED
The work of the fire
department has been up to its usual splendid standard. It is unfortunate that the city has so far
been unable to put in a fire alarm system which would unquestionably be a great
benefit; but we doubt if the necessary funds can be spared for that
purpose. Its members in all of the
departments are deserving the thanks of all our citizens for the willingness
with which they respond to all calls in their line of duty. WG
04 27 BOYNE’S HOME FIRE
At about 11 o’clock
last Tuesday morning fire destroyed about $50 worth of property at Edward
Boyne’s home on Western Avenue, and the fire was put out without calling out
the fire department. But shortly after
12 o’clock noon, someone gave the alarm that Mr. Boyne’s house was on fire, the
fire bells were rung and the department responded promptly, but imagine the
firemen’s disgust when they heard the above fact. WG
07 20 CARR HOME FIRE TORCHED
Early last Sunday
morning someone ignited a broom saturated with kerosene and shoved it behind
the window blind of the house occupied by Mrs. Carr on Jones Street. Mrs. Carr and her two small children were
asleep at the time, but were awakened by the smoke entering the house. She sent her two children to the city hall to
give the alarm of fire, but officers Pieritz and Berg arrived on the scene
shortly and put out the fire. Whoever is
guilty of this dastardly act deserves the very severest kind of punishment, for
whoever sets fire to a building, endangering loss of life, no matter what the
provocation is, is a murderer at heart and a very dangerous person in any
community. Every effort should be made
to bring the guilty party to justice. WG
09 26 SIGNALPHONE FIRE BOX
ALARM
A Milwaukee concern
agrees to place a signalphone system in the city, the same to include thirty
fire alarm boxes and a central station, for the sum of $300. The proposition has been referred to the
council committees on fire department and finance. It is fast becoming the general opinion that
a system of this sort is needed here. WRep
09 26 HOSE WAGON RUNS DOWN A
LITTLE GIRL
No. 2 Hose Wagon Runs
Down a Little Girl, but She Luckily Escapes Serious Injury.
The 10-year-old daughter
of Fredrich Behling, of 414 North Warren Street, had a narrow escape from
serious injury, and perhaps death, last Friday morning shortly before 9
o'clock. An alarm of fire was turned in
from the plant of the American Malting Company and the department responded
promptly.
No.1 hose wagon was the
first to start, going south on First Street [from the Pioneer Fire Engine
House]. The hook and ladder truck
followed in its wake, but as it was about to cross Main Street, there appeared
to be danger lurking. for just at that moment No. 2 hose wagon [from the
Phoenix Fire Engine House], driven by Will Spear, came rapidly along Main
street from the west side.
A dray stood in the way
at the southwest corner of Main and First streets.
Spear was convinced
that he could not make a short turn of the corner without colliding with the
dray, and he also saw that if he continued straight up Main Street, he could
not clear the hook and ladder truck.
So he swung his team to
the north and in so doing drove
onto the sidewalk at the Merchants' Bank corner. Here a crowd of people had congregated and
although Spear applied the brake, the hose wagon could not be stopped before it
had struck the fire hydrant. In the
scurrying to and fro of the people, the little girl above mentioned was thrown
into contact with the horses and drawn under them. She fell beside the curbing and it was by the
merest chance that she was not trampled to death.
In less time, however,
than it takes to tell it, she was extricated from her perilous position, and it
was ascertained that aside from a bad scare and a few slight bruises she was
unharmed. One of the horses had stepped
on her hair and cut off a portion, while her jacket was also severed from her
person. She was taken to Dr. Werner's
office and cared for.
It seems that Spear did
not know where the fire was, so concluded to follow other hose wagon.
Had he known the exact
location, no doubt all trouble would have been averted, for he would then have
chosen a different course.
The fire at the malting
plant was of hardly any consequence and only slight damage was done. It originated in the basement and was
extinguished by the workmen employed there.
WR
10 19 FIRE ENGINE CLOGGED
WITH STONES
Monday evening the
Ahrens engine was taken to Main Street bridge for the purpose of testing the
new fire hose recently purchased. The
engine has been out of service for some time, and could not draw water from the
river. On examination, the cylinders of
one of the engine were found to be clogged with several large stones, and how
they got there is unknown. They were too
large to be drawn through the hose, and must have been placed there by
someone. As long as this engine is used
by the city, it should be properly looked after, for it may be needed in an
emergency. All fire apparatus in the
city should be thoroughly inspected by the proper authorities at certain stated
intervals during the year. WG
10 24 TEST OF NEW HOSE
Five hundred feet of
new hose assigned to the Phoenix Fire company was given a test Thursday evening
and Main Street bridge, the Silsby engine being brought into service. The hose stood the strain of 240 pounds of
pressure and was pronounced satisfactory.
WR
___
1901 __________________
03 13 MILWAUKEE ROAD STOCK YARDS FIRE
At 11 o’clock last night an alarm of fire called the department to the
stock yards of the Milwaukee road near the Third street crossing, where a blaze
had in some manner started. The firemen
extinguished it promptly, with but slight damage resulting. Had the fire gained headway the loss might
have been considerable, as Theodore Huber’s
lumberyard is in close proximity. (401 Clyman) WR
04 05 SPRINKLING OF STREETS
Jos. Jentzen, who has operated
sprinkling wagon in this city for the past nineteen years, has sold his outfit,
including horses, to Louis Griep.
For the next season of
six months the Board of Public Works has let the sprinkling of streets in this
city to T. J. Euper, the lowest bidder for $2520. The probabilities are that Mr. Euper will
sublet the sprinkling, one district to James Burke, one to each of the parties owning the fire department
teams, and will retain one district for himself. WG
05 24 DENT HOME FIRE
At 12 30 o’clock last
Saturday morning the fire department was called to the home of Robert Dent,
where the summer kitchen, about three feet from his residence was on fire. R. Dent was awakened by the blaze and telephoned
to the police station. Before the fire
department arrived Mr. Dent, with the assistance of his neighbor, Joe Harvey,
succeeded in keeping the fire from doing much damage to the residence. The fire department responded promptly, and
put the fire out before much damage was done.
The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. WG
06 21 FOURTH OF JULY
PARTICIPANT
The Fourth of July celebration of 1901 . . . . In
the evening a fire run will be given on Main Street by the local department,
followed by fireworks and a sham a battle on the river. . . WG
06 21 OUTHOUSE FIRE
[same date] During the noon hour
last Monday a fire in an outhouse in the rear of Herman Dobbratz’s brought out
the fire department. It was promptly
extinguished. Edward Rimestead, while
trying to board the hook and ladder truck at the corner of Main and First
streets, fell and narrowly escaped death, being flung against the wheel of the
truck with terrific force. He was taken
to Dr. Werner’s office and medical attention given him at once. He was badly shaken up and bruised, and his
injuries will lay him up for several days.
He is employed as a teamster by Wm. Hartig.
Cross Reference
note: Herman Dobbratz had a saloon and residence at 109 S.
Third
07 19 NO WASTE OF WATER
Users of city water are
hereby requested not to waste any water during this dry weather. This appeal to consumers is made necessary
because the flow of the well is limited, and to keep a sufficient supply of
water on hand for the protection of property against fire must be the first
consideration, and should appeal to the justice of every fair-minded
citizen. WG
09 05 LARGE FIRE AT JEFFERSON
Thursday afternoon September 5 ,1901, our neighboring city of Jefferson suffered
the greatest fire in its history, and at one time during the day it looked as
though the entire manufacturing and business portion of the city would be wiped
out, as well as the county jail and courthouse.
Aid was telegraphed for to this city and the Silsby engine and Hose Cart
No. 2 were taken to Jefferson and rendered favorable assistance. A staff correspondent of The Milwaukee Sentinel said of the fire:” A stiff southwest wind,
fanned what looked like a significant blaze into a raging conflagration, threw
the entire city in a pandemonium, brought under control at 6 o’clock only after
damage of $10,350 had been done.”
Aid from Fort Atkinson, Johnson Creek, Janesville and Watertown was
requested about half an hour after the fire was discovered about 12:10. The origin of the fire is not known although
Superintendent Lewis M. Smith of the chair manufactory, where it was first
found, believes that sparks from a passing train at noon flew into the open
windows of the comparatively new brick factory building. At 12:10, after every man of the fifty
employees had left the place for lunch, smoke was seen issuing from the windows
of the third floor nearest the tracks. A
single stream could not hold the flames in check and it spread to the paint
shops and offices. No call to outside
cities was made even then, but when St. Mary’s church caught fire the appeal,
which was quickly responded to, was sent.
WG
10 04 WILLIAM DOBBRATZ
Another of Watertown’s old and respected citizens, Wm. Dobbratz, passed
peacefully from earth Thursday night of last week at his home, 913 N. Fourth
Street, aged 68 years. His death came
rather sudden, as it was only last Monday that he became ill, the cause of it
being a cholera orbus. Mr. Dobbratz was
born March 8,1833, in Sternin in Kreise Coerlin, Prussia and came to Watertown
when he was 10 years of age, and has ever since made this city his home, during
most of which time he was engaged in the boot and shoe business. He served his ward several times in the city
council, was one of the founders of St. John’s Lutheran church in this city,
was a member of the old Watertown fire
department, and a member of the Watertown Arbeiter verein.
10 11 FIRE AT CARROLL’S
BOOKSTORE
At 9 o’clock last week
Thursday night the fire department was called out by a blaze in Carroll’s
bookstore in Main Street. A pile of
paper in the rear part of the store in some unaccountable manner caught fire,
and for a time it looked as though the fire would prove serious. The loss is a small one and is fully covered
by insurance. WG
___
1902 __________________
01 10 PRACTICE
Chief Doerr called out
the fire department Sunday afternoon for practice, having received the consent
of the committee on fire department. WG
05 24 HAULING THE HOOK AND
LADDER TRUCK
The city clerk was
instructed to advertise for sealed proposals for hauling the hook and ladder
truck.
05 24 STEAM ROAD ROLLER
(same date) A resolution passed to the effect that the
engineer of the fire engine be released from the duty of running the steam road
roller but he is required to keep in order the Ahrens fire engine and clean and
oil the steam roller.
03 07 MONOTONOUS
Saturday night a false fire alarm
was turned in shortly before 12 o'clock.
This false alarm business is getting to be monotonous, and the next one
who turns in a false alarm deserves a horse-whipping. It is about time was stopped. WG
03 22 GATES ELECTED CHIEF
At the annual meeting of the fire
department George P. Gates was elected chief and Albert Borchart assistant
chief. The following named fire wardens
were also selected: First and Seventh
wards, Ed Riemstead; Second and Sixth wards, John Guetzlaff; Third and Fourth
wands, Fred Harsh; Fifth ward, Louis Schulz.
WR
03 22 FIRE AT MONTGOMERY AND WEST MADISON
[same date] At 2:25 Tuesday afternoon
the fire department again responded to a telephone call to extinguish a blaze
at the residence of Dennis Powers, corner Montgomery and West Madison streets,
Third ward. A boy who happened to pass
by noticed smoke coming from the house and notified Berth Smith a neighbor, who
telephoned to one of the fire department stations, but before they arrived Wm.
Ardie and Albert Will who were passing by broke open a door and extinguished
the flames which had started near the kitchen stove. The damage was small. WR
05 31 LOUIS VOGEL
Louis Vogel, aged 33 years, died
Saturday morning of consumption with which he had been afflicted for several
years. He was a member of the Anchor
Hose company No. 1. The funeral took
place from the home of his mother, Mrs. Emilie Vogel, 926 North Fourth Street,
Tuesday afternoon to St. John’s church.
WR
07 12 FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
The fire run by the department
was a grand feature [in the Watertown Fourth of July
parade] and was in itself an object lesson, not as an example of what our
fire laddies might do in an emergency, but what they do time and time again
without hardly attracting even a casual word of praise.
It was fine, even the horses
seemed to enter into the spirit of the occasion. With ears laid back, distended nostrils and
eager, flashing eyes, and every muscle in active play, they needed no urging to
make them beat the devil’s tattoo with their iron-shod hoofs on the brick
pavement as they swung into view and out of sight between two long drawn
breaths.
Every man was in his place, the
engines under a under a full head of steam, flying sparks and clatter of
horses’ feet, one by one, engines, hook and ladder trucks and hose carts passed
in flying review, and as the people saw it they might well realize how much
they are dependent upon the efficiency of our fire department for the safety of
life and property.
Hurrah for the fire boys; their
show was fine because it was real. Watertown Republican, 07 12 1902.
07 19 FIRE
AT GRAIN ELEVATOR
During the heavy wind and rain
storm that passed over our city Monday afternoon lightning struck and set on
fire the Watertown grain elevator near NorthWestern depot, but the prompt
response of the fire department saved the building and contents. WR
___ 1903 __________________
CHRISTIAN
BECKER
Secretary
of the Fire Department and Treasurer of the Pioneer Fire Company.
01 24 ICE OPENINGS FOR
FIREFIGHTING; FIRE HOSE PURCHASES
The
Committee on Fire Department was given power to hire men to keep the ice open
at Silver Creek and Boughton bridges for the use of the fire
department.
CROSS REFERENCE NOTE: The 150-year history book on the Watertown
Fire Department mentions a spot underneath the Oconomowoc Avenue bridge where
the Rock River was kept open during the winter by inserting a barrel in the ice
and piling manure on top of it. In a
fire emergency a hose could be lowered into the water through the opening.
The
Committee on Fire Department reported that they purchased 500 feet of Paragon
hose from the Eureka Fire Hose company of Chicago at 90 cents a foot and 500
feet of Gold Seal hose from the Goodyear Rubber company at 75 cents a foot.
03 21 FIREMEN ELECT OFFICERS
The
annual meeting of the Watertown Fire Department for the election of chief,
assistant chief and four fire wardens was called to order at the city hall
Monday night by Vice President Edward Boyne in the absence of President M.
Hurtubise who removed from the city.
Secretary Gus Gloger kept the minutes.
As there was no opposition to the reelection of George P. Gates for
chief of the department he was elected by acclamation. For assistant chief John Kehr was a candidate
and secured 48 votes out of 82 cast. The
retiring assistant chief is Albert Borchardt of the No. 2 company. The newly elected assistant belongs to Hook
and Ladder Co. No, 1. The old fire
wardens were again elected as follows:
First and seventh wards, Edward Rimested; Second and Sixth wards, John
Guetzlaff; Third and Fourth wards, Fred Harsh; Fifth ward Louis Schultz.
03 21 FACTORY OF F. C. JAEGER
[same
date] The wood working factory of F. C.
Jaeger in Seventh street narrowly escaped burning Sunday morning shortly after
1 o’clock. An alarm was turned in and
the department arrived on the scene in a short time and promptly extinguished
the flames. The fire started in the
boiler room and when the firemen arrived was burning briskly. The building and contents suffered. The building is insured.
03 21 DEATH OF PETER EUPER
Peter J. Euper, a well-known business man and
contractor. A member of the Department
almost from the time of its organization, being a member of Phoenix Hose Cos.
No. 2. The flags on the city hall and
Phoenix Engine house were placed at half-mast out of respect to his
memory.
04 11 ELECTRIC FIRE ALARM
Upon
resolution of Alderman Mayer, the mayor appointed the following committee to
investigate the merits of an electric fire alarm invented by Joseph A. Salick,
H. C. Mayer C. Mulberger, J. F. Prentiss, R. H. Radtke, H. C. Fredrich.
04 19 EMERGENCY HOSPITAL TO
BE ESTABLISHED
The Common Council of
the city of Watertown, do ordain as follows:
Section 1. That the city of Watertown establish and
maintain an Emergency Hospital, and for that purpose make use of the second
story of the brick building, on First street, which is owned by said city, and
located on a part of lot number two (2), in block number twelve (12), in the
First ward of Watertown, Wisconsin according to Cole Bailey & Co s plat of
the village of Watertown, now City of Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Said building being also known as old No. 1 Engine House.
Section 3. That the equipment and care of said hospital become
the duty of the Commissioner of Public Health of said city, who shall be
responsible to the city for the care of said hospital and shall take charge of
all surgical instruments, appliances, medicines and supplies, and attend to the
proper cleaning of said hospital, fixtures, surgical instruments and
appliances, as often as required, in order to keep the same in good sanitary
condition and cause the hospital rooms to be properly heated, whenever
necessary. WDT, 04 19 1903
04 28 FORNCROOK BOX FACTORY FIRE
At 5 o’clock Wednesday afternoon
the Fire Department was called to fight a fire at the James Forncrook Box
Factory in Third Street [same as 1000 S. Second].
It proved to be one of the
fiercest fights the firemen have had in years.
Owing to the strong wind blowing
from the south it was a question for a time if the whole neighborhood could be
saved from the flames, but by the persistent efforts of the department the
neighboring buildings were well guarded until the fire was under control.
The factory had shut down at 4:30
o’clock and Mr. Forncrook and the workmen had left. The loss is in the neighborhood of $9000,
there being $1500 insurance. A large
number of men are also thrown out of employment.
The residence property just north
of the factory was in great danger and in evidence of this and in gratitude to
the firemen, the owner, Dudley Fitzgerald, presented them with $25.
1899-1900 Watertown
City Directory
06 20 ORDINANCE, GUNPOWDER, DYNAMITE,
NITRO GLYCERIN . . .
Section 1. No person shall keep for safe or for any other
purpose, within the corporate limits of the City of Watertown, Wisconsin, any
gunpowder, dynamite, nitro glycerin or any other substance of whatsoever name,
which will explode from concussion or friction, or fire, except the same be
kept in tin or metal canisters containing not to exceed five pounds each; and
not more than five canisters all be kept in or about any one building or place
within said limits at the same time.
Any person who shall keep or store more than five pounds of
dynamite shall keep the same in a fire proof vault, located outside of any
building, and which location must first be approved by the Common Council.
This section is not to be construed to prevent any person
from keeping or selling any common matches.
07 11 IMPROVEMENTS
AT THE ENGINE-HOUSE
The Phoenix engine house No. 2 on North Water Street
received a thorough repairing the present week.
A new floor has been laid and at the rear of the room where the horse
barn is annexed the partition has been removed.
This will make it more convenient in getting the horses out of the
barn. Instead of taking them out through
the engine room when going to work they will be led out on the north side where
a door has been fixed for that purpose.
Besides several other changes a new sidewall has been laid in front of
the house. WR
07 29 C.&N.W. RAILROAD DEPOT FIRE
Northwestern
Passenger and Freight Depot almost Totally Destroyed
A disastrous fire
occurred in this city early Monday morning, in which the C.&N.W. Railroad depot was almost totally destroyed. The night operator, it appears, had been
excused at 11:30 and during his absence, or near 1 o’clock, the blaze was
discovered and the alarm turned in. The
fire department immediately responded, but by the time of their arrival the
fire had gained such headway that it was impossible to do much, although they
succeeded in saving the lime warehouse on the south and the waiting rooms and
north shed roof.
Owing to the fact that
the freight room had been pretty well cleared out on Saturday there was not
much loss in that quarter. However, the
office was completely destroyed. Among
the ruins may be seen the charred remains of books, freight bills, tickets,
etc., in a useless condition.
As to how the fire
started is a question which will probably not be known, although it is reported
that a freight train passed through shortly before the blaze was discovered,
and it is thought that a spark from the engine might have started the fire. It is evident, at any rate, that the
conflagration started in the freight department by all appearances which
remain.
The telegraph office
has been temporarily located under the roof at the north of the waiting rooms,
where a temporary office has been enclosed with rough boards. A large force of men have been engaged in
tearing away and burning the debris for the past two days, and although nothing
definite has been learned, it is altogether probable that the railroad company
will soon commence the erection of a new depot.
The business of the company is being conducted as usual without
interruption and all freight shipments are accepted.
During the fire, Louis
Griep, driver of hose cart No. 1, was injured, but was able to attend to his
duties the next day, however. It is
estimated that the total loss to the railroad company is about $5,000. The Watertown News, 29 Jul 1903
12 30 THE IROQUOIS THEATRE FIRE occurred on
December 30, 1903, in Chicago. It is the
deadliest theater fire and the deadliest single-building fire in United States
history. At least 605 people died as a
result of the fire but not all the deaths were reported, as some of the bodies
were removed from the scene. The remains
of the Misses Orlena and Anna Moak of Watertown, victims
of the Iroquois theatre fire in Chicago, were laid at rest in Oak Hill
Cemetery.
___
1905 __________________
02 18 SILSBY
REPAIRED
The Silsby fire engine which was
sent to Seneca Falls, N.Y. some time ago to be repaired arrived back Thursday,
and was tested Saturday by Chief Glaser and assistants and found to be all
right, and is hoped that its service will not be needed.
05 18 A
trial of old fire engine No. 1 was made yesterday afternoon, the scene being on
the river bank back of the old brewery.
The trial was under the direction of Otto
Biefeld, former chief, and was for the purpose of instructing the new
engineer of fire engines, August Schmidt with the duties of the position to
which he was recently elected by the council, which was formerly held by Mr.
Biefeld. Despite the fact that the
engine has been in service in Watertown for a period of thirty years this
summer, the former chief declares that it does just as good work as ever and
that during the trial yesterday, it threw a stream across the river. It is said
Mr. Schmidt takes hold of the work with much credit to himself. The first
engineer was Ferdinand Bursinger and the first chief William Schuette.
06 22 F.
Kahlpacker of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the employ of the LaFrance Fire Engine
Company, with headquarters at Chicago, reached here yesterday morning and put a
new pump on the fire engine Phoenix No. 2, which was repaired by said company
and received back about four months ago. After the new pump was attached the
engine was tested by the chief and assistants and furnished the required
quantity of water and it appeared to be serviceable, throwing a strong, steady
stream of water without the aid of parts, with which it keeps the boilers
supplied with water. Mr. Kahlpacker took his departure last night, feeling
quite confident that the engine would be accepted by the city council at the
regular meeting tonight.
08 16 STACKS OF GRAIN NEAR TIVOLI
The fire department was called on
Friday noon by the burning of four stacks of grain near Tivoli island. How the stacks took fire is a mystery yet to
be solved. Shortly after its return, a
false alarm was turned in and the department given another run for exercise and
to get warmed up so as to use hot drivers.
08 24 FINAL TEST FOR THE SILSBY
The final test of the Silsby
engine was made yesterday afternoon, perched on the river bank near the Cady Street bridge and subsequently on the Main
Street bridge. The first test was based with three lengths of hose and water
was thrown nearly if not quite across the river at that point. Afterward with the Siamese twin coupling, water
was sent across the river without any trouble. The engine was then taken to the
Main Street bridge and a further test made, which was as satisfactory as the
first. The tests showed that with the new cylinder and the adjustment made by
Mr. Langdon, the representative of the American Fire Engine company, the work
was accomplished with less than half of the coal formerly used, a stronger and
more uniform water pressure maintained and a gain of one three quarter inch
stream secured. The old machine is now better
than when it was new and good for thirty years more of service.
09 20 FIRE IN CHICKEN COOP
There was an alarm of fire
sounded late Wednesday night and the department was out with its usual
promptness and made a run over the sixth ward to extinguish a blaze in a
chicken house. It is a mystery as to how
the chickens started the fire. WR
10 05 FIRE AT IXONIA
Mayor Wertheimer received a telephone
message Monday afternoon that the village of Ixonia was burning up and send
help. He at once ordered steamer No. 1,
and a hose wagon up to the St. Paul depot where these were placed on a flat car
and started for the village mentioned.
The fire started in the elevator owned by H. C. Humphrey and destroyed
the same; also the Milwaukee railway stock sheds. The loss of the former was
$3,000, and the latter $50, both were covered with insurance.
11 07 MECKELBERGER SETTLEMENT
FIRE CISTERN
The work of
constructing the long talked of fire cistern in the Meckelberger settlement was
started yesterday by the contractors.
The construction of this means of fire protection was in compliance with
the urgent demands of the residents in that section of the city for better
protection. It is a step in the right
direction and is prompted by the fact that the city is spread over nine square
miles, leaving some of the residents and taxpayers in the outlying district
without ample protection. The work, which
was started yesterday, is the first step toward giving effective protection in
the districts that are not protected by water mains. The city will endeavor to furnish protection
to other districts similarly situated from time to time and as fast as the
finances of the city will permit. The
new cistern is to be 35 feet long and about 11 feet high. It is a recognition that is due the citizens
in that section of the city and the mayor and city councilmen are to be
commended in the action taken. WDT
12 27 CHRISTMAS TREE FIRE
The fire department was called
out yesterday noon to extinguish a fire in the residence of Robert Brennecke,
813 Western Ave., which caught from a Christmas tree, the candle upon which it
had been lighted. The blaze was put out by the use of
chemicals after quick work by the department. The wall paper was badly
scorched, furniture blistered by the heat and two costly rugs ruined. Mr.
Brennecke has reason to congratulate himself that he escaped with so small a
loss. WR
01 02 ROBERT
BRENNECKE RESIDENCE
It is reported that at the time of the fire at the residence of
Robert Brennecke [813 Western Ave] a lady living in the neighborhood
discovering the fire by the reflection of the flames through a window,
telephoned to the central office asking that the fire department be
notified. She was told to go to an alarm
box and turn in an alarm which would have required several minutes, even if she
had known where the alarm box was located. If the report is true, it is to be
regretted, for every person in the city is anxious that an alarm of fire should
reach the department at the earliest possible moment, and as the city has given
the telephone company a valuable franchise and its employees go upon the roofs
of buildings at all times to string wires leaving wire and nail holes in the
roofs, it certainly would be but a simple matter of courtesy to aid in the
preservation of property from destruction by fire. The writer does not wish to
be captious nor critical in the matter and only refers to it that the company in
the future may cooperate with other citizens in extending all possible aid in
case of fire.
01 24 FIRE
ALARMS TO BE FORWARDED TO BOTH DEPTS
Three weeks ago, the Republican in the issue following the
fire at the Brennecke residence contained a gentle criticism of the Telephone
Company for not turning in the alarm to the
fire department telephoned to the central office. Immediately following the appearance of the
article in the Republican, the Daily Times January 6th contained the
following “Explanation.”
As an erroneous impression has gone
abroad regarding the turning in of a fire alarm at the time of the Brennecke
fire, the telephone manager wishes it corrected. He says that since the introduction of the
fire alarm system the telephone central has never been requested by the
authorities to turn in fire alarms as previously done. On the day in question, however, one of the
operators was called up and told to turn in an alarm. The manager claims the girl tried the west
side house but got no response and she then notified the person calling that it
might be quicker to turn in the alarm from the box and not wait. If this be true the published statements
regarding the affair are unjust to the operator. Just censure is always admissible but unjust
censure harms innocent people.
And on the 17th inst., the following
local appeared in the Daily Times:
Telephone Fire Alarms.
Hereafter when persons wish to send in
an alarm in case of fire and when the fire alarm box is not in the immediate
vicinity they may send the alarm by telephone to the central station, giving
the location of the fire and central will notify the fire department at both
houses simultaneously. This matter has
been arranged with the telephone management by Chief Glaser, who requested that
the public be notified through the press of the change. Since the introduction of the fire alarm
system but little attention has been paid to the method of notifying the
department, but good service in this respect is now promised at the central
telephone station.
The Republican
does not claim that it brought about the change — but has a sort of a suspicion
that it set the ball in motion which has resulted in good.
01 31 SMOKE HOUSE FIRE
The fire department was called
out Saturday morning at 3 o’clock by a fire at 1000 Vine Street, the home of
Theodore Wiese, by the burning of a smoke house on his premises, which was
destroyed. In the evening there were
five large hams and two shoulders in the smoke house and when the fire was
extinguished the remains of but one ham and the two shoulders were found which
leads to the suspicion that four hams were taken by thieves and the house set
on fire to conceal the theft of the hams.
07 20 KNICK HOMESTEAD IN SEVENTH WARD BURNS
Beyond Water Works Protection
The fire
department was called out about 11 o’clock last night, the alarm having been
turned in from box No. 72. The fire
laddies were called to the residence in the Seventh ward near the fairgrounds
owned by Mrs. Herman Knick and occupied by Charles Riemer and family. The property is located on Kansas Street,
between Utah and Nashotah streets, considerable distance from the last fire
hydrant.
An effort
was made to stretch hose from the nearest hydrant, but it was found to be
considerably short and after a fruitless attempt it was found necessary to send
for one of the fire engines, which arrived on the scene about an hour and
twenty minutes after the alarm had been turned in and at a time that its
presence was of no use. The fire started
in a barn adjoining the residence in some mysterious manner and was not long in
spreading to residence, which is one of the old landmarks of the city.
Mr. Riemer
and one of his neighbors sat visiting on the porch till 10 o’clock, when the
first mentioned retired for the night.
As stated, the fire started in the barn, which was soon a mass of flames
and owing to the inability to secure water, soon spread to the house, which was
also soon enveloped in flames and was at the mercy of the elements and all that
the assembled crowd could do was to stand by and watch the work of destruction.
The
contents of the barn consisted of a quantity of hay, about 200 pounds of feed,
which had just been purchased, and three pigs.
The latter were driven out of the barn and were saved, but the balance
were consumed by the fire. The household
goods were practically all saved, a fact that is lucky, for no insurance was
carried on the goods. It is understood
that Mrs. Knick carried a small insurance, although it was not positively known
last night whether the policy had lapsed or not.
There
were at least a couple of fortunate features in connection with the fire and
that was that there were no buildings in close proximity and that it had been
raining, otherwise there would have been more of a fire loss.
Mrs.
Knick, the owner of the building, is the mother of Alderman Knick and other
children and naturally they felt badly to see the old structure that marked the
place of their birth go up in smoke. For
many years they had played about the premises and were familiar with every foot
of the ground.
Despite
the lateness of the hour and the inclemency of the weather, there was a large
crowd at the scene of the fire. A number
of young ladies in party costume made the trip out through rain and mud and
they must have been a sight when they returned to the scene of the gaieties of
the evening. The Watertown Weekly Leader, 20 Jul
1906
-- -- GAMEWELL AUTOMATIC SYSTEM
A 1906 Gamewell automatic
system, on display at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum and the National
Firefighting Hall of Heroes, located in Phoenix, AZ, is believed to be that of
Watertown.
___
1907 __________________
04 16 The fire department
was called out yesterday afternoon about 3:30 o’clock the scene being at S. Molzahn’s building, corner Third and Madison
streets. The fire started in some
mysterious manner in the cupola on the building. It is a mystery for the reason that the
cupola is shut off from the building.
There are no chimneys or electric wires therein, a fact that is causing
considerable speculation as to the origin.
Fortunately the flames were extinguished before much damage was
done. WDT
10 20 Steam heating plant; Phoenix engine
house WL
11 02 Twenty crates of matches source of
fire WL
11 06 Proposed new building for storage of city
property including the No. 1 fire engine
WL
___ 1908 __________________
04 22 No. 1 fire engine was taken out of its
storage and tested
05 20 Lehmann
& Schroeder fire
06 27 Wisconsin State Fireman's Assn, Lake
Mills
08 07 Beals & Torey false fire alarm. WG
08 07 Letter
of Nic Bruegger on his time with
H&L Co.
10 16 Gus Neitzel
recollection
11 27 Fire insurance agents of city elect
officers WG
12 11 Hook
and Ladder Co. No. 1 elected officers for the ensuing year WG
12 18 Phoenix Fire Co. grand
ball at Turner opera house WG
___ 1909 __________________
01 01 Anchor Volunteer Hose Co. No. 1 elected
for the ensuing year; Phoenix
Fire Co. grand ball WG
01 08 Copeland-Roach Motor Co purchased former fire
engine house/emergency hospital WG
01 15 Officers elected WG
02 05 Winter storm shuts down fire alarm system WG
02 05 Reeseville nearly wiped out by fire;
Watertown Fire Dept arrives by train WG
02 12 William Schimmel Residence Wrecked by a Gas
Explosion
02 26 Fire at L. H. Cordes’ home on Third
Street WG
03 05 Improvements at Water Works Plant;
pressure increased for fire fighting WG
03 19 JOHN
GLASER Elected Chief
Last Monday evening the Watertown Fire
Department elected the following officers. John Glaser receiving
53 to 32 votes for chief over George Kunert. The new chief has
been a member of the Phoenix Fire Co. for over 20 years, and
has served as chief of the department heretofore.
Chief—John Glaser.
Assistant Chief—A. A. Hardie.
Fire Wardens—First ward, Edwin Kohl; Second
and Sixth wards—John A. Gruel;
Third and Fourth wards—Chas. E. Kerr ; Fifth ward,
Albert Borchardt. WG
03 19 Hose
team of c.1895 remembered WG
04 02 Clyman
Fire Company organized WG
04 30 Circus
performance to benefit volunteer firemen
WG
05 14 Bids for hauling
fire apparatus WG
05 29 Officers
elected,
Phoenix Hose Co No. 2 WG
06 04 Amoskeag
fire engine owned by city of Columbus, Dornfeld-Kunert
secured contract for new boiler on WG
07 09 Elevator
at Richwood destroyed WG
09 03 Names of Fire Companies: For the benefit of an inquiring subscriber in
Milwaukee we will state that the names of the Watertown Fire companies are:
Anchor Hook and Ladder
Co. No. 1.
Anchor Hose Co. No. 1.
Phoenix Fire Co. No.
2. WG
09 03 Overhauling
Waterloo’s Silsby steamer WG
09 10 Alarm of fire test WG
10 01 Letter from Ernst
Wood; Phoenix Fire Co recollections WG
___ 1910 __________________
01 07 You are invited to the Phoenix Fire Co’s ball at
Turner Opera House Saturday evening, Jan. 29, 1910. WG
01 14 Officers
re-elected WG
03 11 Wisconsin House fire WG
03 11 Fire Dept elections,
Glaser reelected chief WG
04 05 Money receive
from insurance companies WG
- Phoenix Co, 35 men; Anchor Hose Co,
34; Hook and Ladder Co, 33 men.
04 22 Robert
Kerstell, Engineer Fire Engine; Standing committee, William
Schimmel, John Kehr, Charles Kohn
04 29 Statement on condition of dept by Mayor
Grube WG
06 17 Brandt-Dent factory fire WG
07 08 Max Naatz
electrocuted, employed fixing fire alarm wires WG
07 29 Carl F. Otto elected treasurer, in place of
George Weber, deceased. WG
08 12 Homecoming celebration, fire apparatus parade part of WG
08 19 Louis C. Ullrich [1850-1910], former
member of old Pioneer Fire Co. WG
10 15 Signage, Anchor Hose Co. No. 1. dance
___
1911 __________________
03 09 FIREMEN RETURN THANKS
The fire department,
through Chief John Glaser, expresses its thanks to Mr. George Hawkins for a generous supply of
cigars in recognition of the prompt response of the department when called to
his place recently. WG
03 23 False Fire Alarm.
Watertown—At 9:50 o’clock Monday a false fire alarm was turned in from
box 13 and the fire department responded promptly, several firemen narrowly
escaping serious injury by the hook and ladder truck crashing into hose wagon
No. 2. False alarms are periodically
turned in here and sooner or later the guilty party will be caught and severely
punished. WG
07 28 Fire at the New
Commercial Hotel
08 24 Jaeger wood working plant totally
destroyed by fire. WG
08 24 FIREMEN ELECT
OFFICERS
The Volunteer
Fire Co. of this city met last week and elected the following officers:
President
– Justin Wallace
Vice President – Wenzel Kunert
Secretary – Walter Kuenzi
Treasurer – Charles Gruel
The treasurer was placed under bonds of $500 to be furnished by the
department. The regular meeting date was
fixed at the third Tuesday in each month.
A committee of three, Fred McLaughlin, William Kasten and R. Traeumer
was appointed to petition the city council to purchase badges for the
members. The total enlistment of men was 42, divided into three companies. WG
-- -- Fire Engines, popular
iron toys of 1911
___ 1912 __________________
01 25 ANNUAL DEPARTMENT
MEETING
The Watertown fire department at its annual meeting held in the city
hall last Monday evening elected the following officers:
President—J. Wallace.
Vice President—W. Kunert.
Secretary—W. Kuenzi.
Treasurer—C. Gruel.
NO. 1 HOSE COMPANY.
First Lieutenant—E. Schumann.
Second Lieutenant—M. Justman.
Hose Captain—T. Bergmann.
Assistant Hose Captain—J. Gruel.
PHOENIX HOSE COMPANY
First Lieutenant—H. Leschinger.
Second Lieutenant—E. Peters,
Hose Captain—A. Glaser.
Assistant Hose Captain—L. Arndt.
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY
First Lieutenant—E. Kohl.
Second Lieutenant—E. Reichart.
FIRE WARDENS
First Ward—Wm. Hilgendorf.
Second Ward—A. Bursinger.
Third Ward—Roy F. McLaughlin.
Fourth Ward—William Kasten.
Fifth Ward—C. Sprenger
Sixth Ward—F. Lemke.
Seventh Ward—J. O’Brien.
10 04 CHARLES
STRAW, 1851-1912
12 12 SCHURZ HOME BURNED WHEN WATER WORKS FAIL
FIREMEN
12 19 FIRE ALARM CALL
From this date parties
discovering a fire and notifying “central” at the telephone
station, must state the exact location of the fire. It is then the duty of “central” to at once
notify both engine houses as well as the waterworks
station. – John Glazer, Chief. WG
_____ LOUIS E.
DORNFELD
From 1912 to 1917 Louis E. Dornfeld drove the Hook and Ladder for
the North First Street fire station. The
care of his horses was always a great concern and on the icy, wintry night of
the Carl Schurz home fire one of his horses took cold and the team needed to be
replaced.
___ 1913 __________________
FIRE HORSES / NYC FIRE DEPT MOVES INTO THE
HORSELESS AGE
Some years ago when the steam fire
engine drawn by horses came into use its effectiveness was so far superior to
the hand pump and bucket brigade of a previous era that many firemen believed
the very pinnacle of progress had been reached in fire fighting. But since that time has come the motor
age. We are purchasing no fire horses
this year. In fact, I do not believe we
will ever purchase fire horses again for the department. The days of service of these noble animals
are drawing to a close. The fire horse
will soon be a memory in New York. They
have served their purpose well but in the future of fire fighting the horse
plays no part. The gasoline motor has
usurped his place
___
1914 __________________
02 05 KORBAN CHIMNEY FIRE
About 7:30 o'clock last
Sunday evening the fire department was called to the home of Mrs. Herman
Korban, 1138 River Drive, by a small fire started by a defective chimney. Hand
chemicals put out the fire before much damage was done. WG
02 05 SALARIES
[same date] The engineer
of the fire engine is to receive $700 instead of $660; the fire chief will
receive $100 per year instead of $60. WG
02 19 FIRE AT HUBBLETON
Last Friday fire at
Hubbleton destroyed the feed mill owned by R. Elliott of Madison. The fire communicated to the lumber yard
nearby and destroyed a quantity of shingles.
The loss is about $2800, partially covered by insurance. Assistance was asked from Watertown and the
Silsby engine and a hose cart were taken to the depot to be shipped to the
fire, when word came that the fire was under control and it was unnecessary to
send aid. WG
05 03 A SEVERE STORM
From 6 till 9 o'clock a severe
rain, thunder and lightning storm visited this section of the state and did
considerable damage. The Watertown Grain Elevator in North Water Street
was struck by lightning, fire taking place in the cupola and extending
downward. The fire department responded
to an alarm promptly and did good work in putting out the fire. The loss to building, grain and machinery is
between $3000 and $4000, covered by insurance.
Wm. Huebner's barn,
town of Watertown, was struck by lightning and a loss of $1200 sustained.
Other farmers in the country about
lost considerable stock by being struck by lightning.
03 12 IS THERE A "FIRE
BUG” IN WATERTOWN?
Sunday evening the fire
department was called to the corner of Market and Second streets, where a fire
was in full headway at the barn of Henry Guse.
The firemen had scarcely returned to their stations when another alarm
called them to the barn in the rear of Rudolph Meade’s hotel and saloon at
First and Milwaukee streets, which was ablaze.
At this place a man was seen leaving the barn shortly before the fire
was discovered by Mrs. Erdman, who resides on the Milford Road, and was waiting
for her husband when she noticed the barn on fire. Across the street from Mr. Meade’s place the
firemen discovered a fire in the rear of the Racek warehouse. A pile of kindling had been arranged and set
on fire and a torch was found nearby.
The same evening Mrs. John Guetzlaff saw a man striking matches in a
barn in the rear of the Guetzlaff saloon in North Third Street and she called
to him what he was doing and he replied “can’t a fellow light a cigar,” and
beat a hasty retreat. It looks very much
as though a systematic effort was made Sunday evening to have fires by the
wholesale, and no doubt the “fire bug” is still in the city and it might be
well for our citizens to exercise a little extra watchfulness till the fellow
is found out and put where he will not do any harm. WG
04 09 FALSE FIRE ALARMS
Shortly after nine
o’clock and again shortly after 12 o’clock Tuesday night false alarms of fire
were turned in from boxes 63 at Hancock and North Fourth streets, and from box
51 at North Montgomery and West Green streets.
John Glaser, chief of the fire department, while trying to mount the
hose wagon as it was leaving the Phoenix engine house, slipped and one wheel of
the wagon ran over his foot, injuring it quite severely. WG
05 07 PETER WEST BARN FIRE
While the family of
Peter West, 1320 Boomer Street, was up town last Saturday morning, fire
destroyed the barn on the premises and its contents. WG
09 03 JOHN SOLON FIRE
The fire department was
called Sunday afternoon to the premises of John Solon, West Main Street, where
a small blaze in a barn threatened to destroy considerable property. The damage
was slight, covered by insurance. WG
11 12 FIREMEN’S BALL
A large crowd attended
the Firemen’s ball at Masonic Temple hall last Saturday evening. WG
12 10 FIRE AT CLYMAN
Early last Thursday evening
fire destroyed about $20,000 worth of property at Clyman, nine miles north of
this city on the C.&N.W. Ry. This
city was called on for assistance to help fight the fire, which threatened to
destroy all the business portion of Clyman.
A number of our firemen and one of our fire engines and hose carts were
sent to the scene of the fire on the C.&N.W. Ry. and Juneau also sent their
fire apparatus. The engines were not
unloaded at Clyman, owing to there being no water available. The hose, however, was attached to a
standpipe reservoir there and put into service as long as the water
lasted. The firemen, however, with the
assistance of residents of Clyman, controlled the fire in a short time and
confined it to the vicinity where it originated. The double store building owned by Mrs. G.
Coler and occupied by H. Lekachman Mercantile Co. was totally destroyed, with
contents, and the saloon and hotel building adjoining, owned by Wm. Hartwig [Hartig assumed] of this city, and occupied by
Emil Kressine, was also badly damaged.
The fire is said to have originated by the explosion of the gasoline
lighting system in the Lekachman store while the proprietor was lighting
it. He was badly burned about the face
and neck. WG / Google
book citation
12 24 GEORGE SCHLEICHER HOME
At 5:30 o’clock Sunday
morning fire at the home of George Schleicher, 608 North Church Street, caused
by an overheated furnace, destroyed the home and contents to the extent of
$1000 worth before it was put out. It was
partially covered by insurance. WG
___ 1915 __________________
01 07 FIRES
IN CITY IN 1914
During the year ending
December 31, 1914, the fire department answered thirteen calls in the city, according
to records at the No. 1 engine house and were as follows:
Feb. 1—Korban chimney.
Feb. 23—Irving’s
chimney.
March 8—Guse barn.
March 8—Maede barn.
April 24—Watertown
Grain Co. elevator.
May 2—Peter West barn.
June 10—Krahmer’s barn.
July 4—Kraft house,
Ninth ward.
Aug. 30—Robinson barn.
Nov. 4—Kraft barn,
Seventh ward.
Nov. 23—Leo Jurck
house.
Nov. 24—Kostjal house.
Dec. 19—Schleicher
house.
Mr. Schleicher
sustained the heaviest loss, which amounted to about $1000.
The department
responded to one outside call, which came from Clyman on Dec. 4. The damage at the Clyman fire was about $11,000. WG
06 20 BARKER LUMBER FIRE
Elevator, Coal and Lumber Yard Destroyed by $30,000.00
Fire. WG Portfolio
of images
07 01 OUTING IN THE WOODS
Members of the Watertown Fire Department enjoyed their annual
outing in the woods alongside Rock river, just past of the city limits, last
Sunday. All report having had a
delightful time. WG
Dec JAHNKE CREAMERY FIRE
The main
building of the Watertown Creamery Company plant,
at the SE corner of First Street and Western Avenue, was practically destroyed
by fire. Robert Duthie, president of the
company, had built dwelling rooms into the west wing of the plant, and was
sleeping in the building, until awakened by heat and smoke. Leaping from his bed, he discovered that he
was cut off from the telephone. He
reportedly threw his clothing out the window and fled in his night clothing to
the power house of the waterworks, from where the fire alarm was turned
in. The buildings and machinery were
formerly the property of the Jahnke Creamery Company. Not long after the Jahnke company went into
bankruptcy they were purchased by Mr. Duthie’s company from the George Koenig
trust for $5,000. Later this site was
the location of the Steinhorst egg plant and Berres Bros. coffee. Now (2016) the Watertown Street Department
garage. House on left stood at Western
and S. Second, facing Second (i.e., 800 S. Second) and demolished when garage
was built.
___ 1916 __________________
01 08 FIRE DETROYS DWELLING
ROOF
Home of
Matthew and John Lutovsky damaged today
Fire which broke out about nine
o’clock this morning practically destroyed the upper story of the residence of
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lutovsky and their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.
John Lutovsky, 1413 [ should be 1412 ] Oconomowoc Avenue. The residence is the first east of the Rough
and Ready bridge on the north side of the street.
The Lutovsky family were notified
of the fact that their house was on fire by Anton-Prochaska, a neighbor, who
had called at their home and was leaving the premises when he glanced back and
saw smoke coming through the roof. Mr.
Prochaska and John Lutovsky attempted to put the fire out, and for a time had
hopes of succeeding but the flames got into a partition and a telephone alarm
was sent in by Mrs. L. W. Moldenhauer from her home across the street.
Matthew Lutovsky, who was sick in
bed with la grippe, was removed to the Prochaska home, and later to the
Moldenhauer home. He became thoroughly
chilled and it is feared that his condition is serious.
The records of the fire department
show that the alarm was received at 9:15 o’clock. The hook and ladder truck and the hose wagons
from both fire companies answered the call, but all the chemicals on the wagons
were used without success in checking the flames and the fire engines were
called for. The nearest water plug is at
the hospital, about half a mile distant from the bridge.
The engine from the east side was
hauled to the fire by Emil Roth, and the Phoenix company engine was
hauled by William Spear. The Phoenix
engine did not arrive until about a minute after the other, but being in charge
of Engineer Kerstell, was well steamed up and two streams of water were on the
flames within five minutes.
When water was thrown on the fire
just before 10 o’clock part of the roof and part of the second floor ceilings
had fallen in and the balance of the roof was blazing. Under the restraining influence of the two
streams of water the fire made practically no further headway and was soon
under control. Practically all the upper
story will have to be torn away, and there is considerable damage to the first
floor in both fire and water. The loss
on the building will be covered by insurance.
All the household furnishings were removed before any water was thrown
on the fire.
The need of a chemical engine was
clearly demonstrated at this fire. An
apparatus of this kind can reach a fire quickly and is ready to operate the
moment it arrives on the scene.
WD Times, 01-08-1916
02 19 MASONIC
TEMPLE FIRE, 2-6 East Main
Chapter on Masonic Temple. Masonic
Temple image set
03 31 CAPTAIN CHARLES OTTO
04 09 NEW FIRE TRUCK HAS ARRIVED / SEAGRAVE
. .
NEW TRUCK REPLACES HORSE DRAWN WAGONS
. . .
. HORSES TO BE REMOVED FROM CITY HALL
The city’s new triple combination
pumping engine, hose cart and chemical engine motor truck has arrived at the
city hall fire station. It is a mammoth
gray bodied affair with the Watertown goose painted in various portions upon the sides of
the driving seat. The truck was built by
the Seagrave Company of Columbus, Ohio, and represents an expenditure of
$8,150.
It is equipped with a six-cylinder enclosed gear
water cooled motor officially rated at 79.3 h.p., and a Westinghouse electric
starter makes it possible to make a quick “get away.” The gasoline tank holds 30 gallons.
The body is built
of sheet steel, substantially braced, and is of sufficient size to carry 1200
to 2000 feet of 2 1/2-inch hose. The
hand rails and standards are of brass.
There are side steps between the wheel fenders and rear step fifteen
inches deep. The chemical engine is made
of heavy hammered Lake Superior copper.
This equipment includes a 50-gallon tank - 200 feet of best quality
1-inch hose and two 3-gallon Fire Department extinguishers.
City Clerk
Frank S. Weber wrote the Seagrave Company Saturday asking them to send their
demonstrators at once. As soon as these men have tested the truck and the new
driver has been taught to handle it, the horses will be
removed from the city hall and the truck will take their place. No changes will
be made at the Phoenix station. Watertown
Daily Times, 04 09 1917
04 25 OTTO
BIEFELD Jr. SAVED FROM DROWNING
But for the
fact that Edward Leschinger was on the river bank between O’Connell and Cady
streets Thursday morning the little child of Otto Biefeid, Jr. (*) would have
been drowned in the river. The little
tot tumbled off the bank into the water and Mr. Leschinger, who was watching
the test of the new motor truck (**), saw the accident and went into the river
and brought the little one to shore in safety. Watertown Weekly Leader, April 25, 1917
Webmaster’s notes:
(*) g-grandfather of Watertown’s current Fire
Chief, Kraig Biefeld. There were 3
Ottos, the above-mentioned SON of Otto Jr. (therefore Otto III). The Otto Jr. family resided on the lot where
Johnson Arms is currently standing on N. Water St. The Otto Sr. house was on O’Connell St.,
right behind the old Otto Biefeld factory on N. Water.
(**) This incident aligns with the April 1917
arrival of the city's new triple combination pumping engine, cited on page 198
of the book on the 150-year history of the Watertown Fire Department.
05 22 FIRE BELL
DONATED
A 50-year-old bell from the first motorized fire truck in 1917 was
donated to the missions in 1967.
06 27 FIRE LADDIES
REDUCED TO 21 MEMBERS
The
Watertown Fire Department now contains twenty-one members, twenty besides the
chief, John Glaser. The membership was
reduced at the request of the police and fire commission, who also organized
the present body. Formerly there were
thirty-six members and it was thought that a smaller force of firefighters
under present conditions would be preferable.
The new
membership is as follows:
John Glaser,
chief.
Emil
Schumann.
Al Preusse
Harry
Schlueter.
Walter
Kuenzi.
Edward
Leschinger.
Otto Kohlhoff.
Leonard
Arndt,
Jack
Kuenzie.
Arthur
Glaser.
William
Hilgendorf.
Robert
Donner.
Max
Justmann.
William
Wendt.
Edward
Carey.
John Dillon.
Edwin Kohl.
Edward
Reichart.
Ernie Kuehn.
Julius
Arndt.
At the meeting of the fire department Tuesday evening the annual dividend
was given the men. This “divvy” included
all the members before the reorganization, and the sum of $34 was given each
man. This money comes from a return of
two percent on all fire insurance premiums paid in the city, but for several
years the dividend has been under control of the state. It formerly was under control of the city and
is given to volunteer firemen in lieu of any pay. Hereafter as the force is reduced in
membership, the annual dividend will be larger per man.
07 18 SPEEDY
RESPONSE TO FIRE IN PROGRESS
Fires, like
time and tide, wait for no man, and when there is a fire in Watertown, the
firemen are supposed to knock off work at the closest convenient point and not
to stop to finish a glass of lemonade or complete the hilling up of a cabbage
plant before responding to duty’s call.
Tuesday the
whistle blew and the gong rang, and there was supposed by all rules to be a
fire —therefore the fire laddies began to respond. One of the members of the department, unlike
some of the rest, possesses an automobile.
Into this auto the owner climbed and started in the general direction of
the alleged conflagration. On the way
the autoist encountered Chief Glaser, and invited him to hop in and get there
instantly.
Chief Glaser
suspecting that the river was on fire from the direction the bunch was heading,
jumped into the auto, and all was merry for a block or so—and then the auto,
with a grunt somewhere in it’s innards, stopped still.
No amount of
lever pulling or reciting of Latin had any effect on the car, and the auto
driver, with rare presence of mind, suggested that they get out and run.
Under the
circumstances, this was a bright idea, and was at once acted upon, and after
the fire was squelched, which proved to be no fire, ribald jokes were indulged
in as to the speed made by Chief Glaser in his sprint, it was also discovered
that the cause of the stopping of the auto was caused by the lack of gasoline
in the tank, as it has been found at times that gasoline is almost
indispensable when running an auto, except in cases where Kansas and Oklahoma
autoists have used bootleg whiskey for motive power. Bootleg whiskey is erratic, however, when
taken internally by the driver of a car or used for motive power, and has been
known to make an auto climb a pecan tree backwards, hence the expression,
“nutty as a pecan tree” used much in that section.
Certain
persons have suggested that the driver of the Watertown auto to yesterday’s
fire simply wanted to see how fast Chief Glaser could run, but the lack of
gasoline was proven beyond a doubt. The
name of the autoist is not divulged . . . and we do not want to turn the joke
on anyone. The Watertown News, 18 Jul 1917
-- -- FIRE SUMMARY
FOR THE YEAR 1917
Addition of a motor truck an improvement over the horse drawn hose
wagons
The year
just closed was remarkably free from disastrous fires according to Fire Chief
John Glaser. In fact, during the last
half of the year 1917 there were but few blazes and these of little
consequence.
During the
year, however, the equipment of the fire department was greatly improved by the
addition of a motor truck. This is a
great improvement over the horse drawn hose wagons and reduces considerably the
chances of fire gaining headway.
The
Watertown Fire Department has been reduced in membership, the total now being
twenty-one. It is claimed that the
reduction has added to the efficiency and the well-earned reputation of the
past [and] seems assured in the future, although but a volunteer organization.
During the
year there were seven false fire alarms and six still alarms, and three of the
fire calls were to extinguish a on railroad property.
There were
but eleven fires during the year as follows:
Jan. 7
—C.M.&St.P. box car.
Jan.
16—Muller house.
April
6—Berg's barn.
April 22
—Killian house.
April
24—McDonald house.
May 15
—Immanuel church.
July —Tool
house, C.M.&St.P. Ry.
July 18
—Zoelle house, North Second Street.
Aug. 15
—Kuhn’s grocery.
Sept. 4 —Gilbert’s
house.
Dec. 9
—C.M.&St.P. box car. 01 02 1918
___
c.1917 __________________
FIRE TRUCK LEAVING CITY HALL, ACROSS FROM THE ELKS
01 11 C. A. GAMM RESIGNS AS POLICE-FIRE COMMISSIONER
Charles A. Gamm today tendered his resignation
as a member of the Police and Fire Commission.
He gave as a reason that he expects to be absent from the city
considerably owing to poor health. His
term expires in 1922. His successor will
be appointed by Mayor Mulberger and under the rule will be a republican in
politics. Confirmation by the council is
necessary. Mr. Gamm was appointed a
member of the commission when it was first organized, by Mayor H. G. Grube, and
has served continuously since.
01 11 WILL AWARD
MANY PRIZES AT FIREMEN’S MASK BALL
Have you
made up your mind to attend the Firemen’s mask ball to be held in Turner Opera
house Saturday, January 26? If not, you
had better, for it will be the first mask ball of the season. It will be the largest social affair staged
here.
There is
$114 in cash to be offered as prizes, the largest amount ever offered in cash
at any mask ball ever held in this city.
The merchants have contributed prizes to the amount of $141. Better buy that ticket now as you will regret
it later if perchance you find the tickets all gone.
The
Weber-Stube orchestra will furnish the music.
They guarantee to last as long as the dancers do.
The firemen protect
you, make you feel secure in your homes, work hard for you when you are in
distress. They are going to help you in
the way of amusing yourself on Saturday evening, January 26. Your cooperation is all that is
necessary. Artistic ability on your part
may mean that you will go home richer than you came. For the prizes will not be stinted. The merchandise premiums are too numerous to
mention.
01 28 FIREMEN’S
MASK BALL A DECIDED SUCCESS
The elite of
the east mingled with the brawn of the west, courteous southern chivalry rubbed
elbows with the orient, old world costumes and clothes of modern but past days
were commandeered for the Firemen’s mask ball in Turner Opera house Saturday
evening.
Everybody
knows the story which has been handed down from the earliest peoples as a
heritage of joy to the present day.
Aladdin and his wonderful lamp presided for the brief space of one
evening of unlimited joy in this, the century of activities.
Both lower
floor and balcony were crowded to capacity.
The grand march played by the Weber-Stube orchestra started promptly at
9:30 o’clock and was led by Jack Glaser and Jack Kuenzi. The judges, Charles W. Harte, Frank P.
McAdams, Emil Creuz, Mrs. Harry Stube and Miss Gertrude Schatz then picked the
winners as they passed in review.
The first
prize of $25 was won by "Old Glory group” composed of six girls dressed in
red. white and blue with white stars.
The Misses Hattie Krueger, Alma Sterwald, Hilda Siebort, Bertha Fleuter,
Josie Loukota and Jeanette Hoeffner made up the group. The second best costumed group prize of $18
was awarded the fairies, comprising Misses Josephine and Grace Collins,
Margaret Nellins and Meta Buske, dressed in ballet costumes. Five coons copped the comic group prize of
$10. The color scheme consisted of red,
green and black. Messrs. Leonard
Johnson, Max Schultz, Hugo Vogel, Ewald Radtke and Lawrence Brown made up this
group.
Misses Zayda
Weber and Elsie Schwendke, dressed in colonial costumes, were awarded the $10
prize for the best dressed couple. Fatty
Arbuckle and wife, Ray Schmedel and Lorraine Ott, won the $6 prize for the best
comic couple. Misses Ella Knoll and
Helen Hoeffner were awarded $5 for the second best dressed couple. They wore colonial costumes. Edward Buske was given $5 best Uncle
Sam. August Henschel of Oconomowoc
received $5 for the gents best costume.
Herbert
Schatz and Miss Martha Knoll won the $5 special prize offered for the best
tango by Gruel & Glaser, and Ernst Leschinger and Miss Winifred Lange won
the $5 special waltz prize offered by “Nig" Preusse. Paul Borchert and Walter Weihert won the $3
prize for second best comic costumes.
Miss Tillie Kaercher was awarded $2 with a jockey costume. Roy Ditttmann took a $2 prize for carrying
the best electrical outfit. Clarence
Peters and Miss Pearl O'Brien won $2 in the turkey fox trot.
The
following were awarded merchandise prizes:
Elmer Donner and Viola
Buege, best American couple; Mrs. Edward Buske, flower girl: Ernest Brill, best
original makeup; E. Krueger, fireman; Ruth Johnson, best school girl; J.
Weihert, Happy Hooligan; Minnie Rebahn, Goddess of Liberty; Howard Krueger, beat
workingman; Ferd. Dittmann, hod carrier; Walter Potter, painter; Norman
Glatzel, Jew; Richard Hilgendorf, Chinaman; Fred Block, clown; Gust Boehm,
clown; Edward Kehoe, Irishman; William Kohls, clown; Harry Davenport, cook;
Meta Korff, best chauffeur; Pat Riley, policeman; Della Johnson, schoolboy;
Hugo Zillmer, farmer; Max Wolff, tramp; S. M. Lord, negro; R. Budewitz, yellow
kid; A. R. Bahr, tramp. The Watertown News, 01 28 1918
02 04 CITY FIRE TRUCK MUST HAVE LICENSE
TAG
The city fire truck will have a
license this year according to advice received from Madison.
The “Old Baby” according to Collie,
or “What’s the matter with it now” by the chief, will cost the city an
additional $10 this year as heretofore no license tag was necessary. Attorney General Haven on Friday advised
Secretary of State Hull that the law providing for the licensing of automobiles
and other similar motor vehicles applies to all such vehicles owned by
municipalities. This ruling means that
all cities owning motor fire apparatus, fire patrols, police patrols and
motorcycles will have to take out state licenses for such vehicles, the same as
they do for motor vehicles used by city officials. The Watertown News
02 06 FROZEN FIRE HYDRANTS
Under unfinished business
Alderman Glatzel asked if many fire hydrants were frozen. Chief Jack Glaser stated that a man had been
hired without his knowledge to keep the hydrants clear of snow, but that he had
found in Western Avenue that the work was not satisfactorily done. In other years he had looked after the matter
and had packed the hydrants to keep them from freezing. The mayor then advised that the committee on
fire department and the chief to get together and untangle their differences.
02 06 COAL USAGE AT PHOENIX ENGINE HOUSE
Alderman Beurhaus asked if any of
the28 ½ tons of coal put into the Phoenix Engine house was left or what had
become of it. Chairman Harte of the
buildings committee said the greater part of it should still be in the
bins. In answer to Mr. Beurhaus’
question, Mr. Harte said in 1916 the house had used 32 ½ tons and in 1917 39
tons, but this year a saving was effected by storm windows and conserving the
supply in other ways. He said the
present supply at the Phoenix house would last through the year and the
surplus, if any, could be used in the city hall, where the supply was
sufficient for only three weeks.
04 03 FIRE TRUCK BREAKS DOWN ON WAY TO
FIRE
FIGHTING FIRE PAUSED FOR
TRAIN
The Carol O’Donnell residence,
1119 Breckenridge Street [continuation of So. Twelfth St from RR tracks to city
limit], was damaged by fire Tuesday morning.
The flames had a good start before the fire apparatus reached the scene
and was extinguished only after the building had been nearly destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown and its
probable cause is assigned to either a spark from a passing locomotive or a
poor chimney. The loss is but partially
covered by insurance.
In making the run the fire truck
[1917 Seagrave assumed] started out good but went dead between Third and Fourth
streets on Main. It was necessary to use
the hand crank before it could be started.
It continued to buck all the way out.
As a result, the Phoenix horse-drawn hose cart arrived on the scene of
the fire and had a stream playing on the blaze before the engine truck arrived.
After control of the fire had
been gained it was necessary to cut the hose in order to allow a passenger and
freight train on the Milwaukee Road, which had been waiting an hour to
pass. The fire gained a fresh start
before the trains had passed and the coupling replaced. It was noon before the blaze was
extinguished. A barn in the rear of the
residence was the only building threatened by flames.
Shortly after the fire truck had
been housed after its bucking run to the O’Donnell fire, Engineer Schumann
thoroughly inspected all working parts.
His attention came finally to the magneto. When taken apart it showed two flaws, a crack
on the right side and a long crack on the left side. The magnet was taken out and will be
replaced.
Chief Glaser ordered the truck
out for a test at 5 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, running on the batteries as the
machine is equipped with double ignition.
On Main Street the truck hit in the neighborhood of 35 miles an
hour. It made the [Sacred Heart] college
hill in West Main Street at 45 miles. It
was in fine working order and the accident was an unavoidable one as a magneto
very seldom goes wrong. The
Watertown News
-- -- MEMORIAL DAY PARTICIPANT
___ 1919 __________________
-- -- BELL FROM
1919 FIRE TRUCK
A 50-year-old bell which served on
the first motorized fire truck in 1919
was destined to Ghana, Africa. The brass
bell which was used to herald fire runs on the Fire Department’s first fire
truck is being reactivated and will start a new “career” in Africa. A Watertown couple, engaged in mission work
for the Assemblies of God, is taking the bell with them when they return to
their mission field following a 13-months furlough “at home.” They are the Rev. and Mrs. Edwin Ziemann
whose residence in Watertown during the furlough has been at 501 Division
Street.
___ 1920 __________________
04 26 WARNING
ISSUED TO DRIVERS OF AUTOS
Drivers of automobiles are hereby
warned not to interfere in any way while the fire department is answering a
call. Racing to a fire in a manner to
hold up or stop the motor truck by getting in the way will not be tolerated and
any further action of this kind on the part of auto drivers will be
prosecuted. Cutting off the truck at
crossings so as to compel the driver to stop to avoid collision will result in
prosecution.
John Glaser, Fire Chief.
05 24 FIRE
DEPARTMENT OF BOYHOOD DAYS RECALLED
Mr. and Mrs. Herman Doerr and son
and Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Schroeder and son of Baraboo motored here Saturday
morning and remained until Sunday evening, the guests of the former’s mother,
Mrs. Julius Doerr in this city, and his brothers, Emil, Arthur and Robert
Doerr, and sister, Mrs. Gust Sillmer.
Mr. Doerr conducts a tailoring establishment in Baraboo, where he has
been in business for the past sixteen years.
He left Watertown thirty-one years ago, first locating in Mazomanie, and
then removing to Two Rapids, Iowa, where he was in business until coming to
Baraboo.
In talking over his boyhood days
in Watertown, Mr. Doerr became reminiscent and told about how the youngsters
were thrilled with the work of the fire company, recounting a number of big
blazes of that period, including the Tremont House
fire. While driving the truck to
that fire the horses became uncontrollable and the apparatus was upset in Main
Street, injuring a number of the men.
The party
started back Sunday evening. Mr. Doerr
pointed out many civic and business improvements in Watertown during the past
ten years.
07 07 CHIEF
GLASER SAYS FIRE TRUCK MUST BE EXERCISED OFTEN
That the fire truck must be taken
out often and attention given to the recharging of batteries was stated by
Chief John Glaser to the council last evening when criticism was offered that
the truck was out on the street too often.
The chief said that he took it
out to determine its running order a couple of times a week, only for short
drives, and that such a course was in conformity with careful regard for the
service. The matter came up when two
small claims were filed for damages alleged to have been done by the truck in
running into automobiles lately.
Alderman Henze of the fire
committee corroborated the stand of the chief.
Alderman Gruetzmacher mentioned that reports had come to him that the
truck was driven at too great a speed when out on these trial drives. Chief Glaser replied that the speed on such
occasions never exceeded ten miles per hour.
Alderman Block informed the
council that many complaints were made, that the truck was away from the engine
house too often, and that many times it was taken out too far from the center
of the city, a thing that would be dangerous in case of fire.
Settlement of the claims was
referred to a joint committee consisting of the finance committee and the
committee on fire department.
09 15 FIRE DESTROYED ELEVATOR PORTION
09 15 AMERICAN GRAIN AND
MALTING FIRE
Fire in big wind destroys elevator of
malting company
The elevator of the American
Grain and Malting Company, near the Milwaukee depot, was almost entirely
destroyed by fire in a blaze that raged all forenoon. Officials of the fire department say this was
the worst fire since the Masonic temple fire four years ago. A high wind prevailed and the fire department
had that difficulty in combatting the flames.
The call came in by telephone
from the office of the Beals-Pratt Shoe Company, which has an uninterrupted
view of the building, shortly after 9 a.m.
The auto truck made a quick “get out” and was soon at the scene of
action and the whole fire fighting force was quickly marshaled and put in
action under the command of Chief John Glaser.
Origin of Fire
The origin of the fire is not
quite clear but the general belief is that the fire started from sparks emitted
from a railway engine.
It was reported that a lady
crossing the tracks just before the 9:05 passenger, observed sparks from the
engine blowing in that direction. There
was a strong wind from the southwest and the fire was first discovered on what
is known as the second highest part of the southwest corner of the
elevator. Carl E. Emmerling, manager of
the American Malting Company, the owner, stated that about 9:15 he was in his
office and looked out the window. The
fire alarm sounded at about the same time and he looked about and saw a blaze
about three feet wide on the edge of shingles on the southwest roof
mentioned. The fire department reached
there soon after.
The flames seemed to have made
terrific headway, and in a few moments the whole building was becoming
enveloped. It was discovered when the
hose were attached that the city pressure was very feeble, and the auto truck
engine and the Ahrens were both brought into service to increase the
pressure. There was no hitch in the work
of the fire department, steady streams being directed against the rapidly
burning structure and the fire kept confined thereto.
The wind was so brisk that it was
feared that buildings in a northeasterly direction were in danger. Every precaution was taken to prevent sparks
from taking hold. Despite the vigilance,
a large hole was burned in the roof of the H. Uehling barn, 809 Clyman
Street. It was put out with chemicals in
short order.
Residence owners were quick to
invoke the law of self defense and put their garden hoses in operation. The roofs were manned and the wooden surfaces
of the building kept drenched until the danger period was passed.
The elevator building was owned
by the American Grain and Malt Company, which is the successor through
reorganization of the American Malting Company.
Early History
The building was erected over
sixty years ago, according to the statements of old residents of the city, but
during its history changed hands but few times.
Its first owners were Jonas and
Silas Sleeper, who conducted it for many years, being among the pioneer grain
buyers of this vicinity. It was
considered one of the biggest elevators in the state, having a storage capacity
of 24,000 bushels of grain. The lumber
used in its erection is said to have been of the very best and it was
considered yesterday as good as new. The
cost at the time was $7300, according to a record kept and transmitted to the
successors of the original owners. The
first building was built south of the present depot and about thirty years ago,
on becoming the property of the late William Buchheit, was moved to its present
location. It passed from him to the
American Malting Company.
Large Storage of Tobacco
For the past six months the lower
floor of the elevator has been stored with stemming-tobacco from the plant of
the Ligget-Mayer Company of this city.
We were unable to ascertain the extent of this loss, but it is supposed
to be quite large. The tobacco was
almost entirely destroyed or ruined.
Building Complete Loss
The building and its equipment is
a complete loss, but is partially covered by insurance. For sometime the elevator has been out of use
for grain storage and the probability is that it will never be rebuilt. WDTimes, 9-15-1920
Cross Reference note: The mill burned in 1946 and again in 1959.
10 09 JUNCTION
HOUSE FIRE
The Junction House served the public
until it was destroyed by fire at high noon on Friday, Oct. 9, 1920. It was never rebuilt.
___ 1921 __________________
01 22 FIRE
AT KOSER’S
After two weeks enforced rest
from baking, the Koser Bakery, 111 S. Second Street,
is now prepared to resume. The baking
room which was badly damaged by fire on Sunday, January 9, has been fully
repaired and in a manner that makes it one of the best and most serviceable
departments of its kind in any bakery.
The ceiling and walls are now entirely of steel and painted a pure white
which gives it the appearance of ideal sanitary conditions. The fire started in the “proof box,” a wooden
structure which was destroyed in the blaze.
The new box is made entirely of steel and is much more serviceable. The baking room is very spacious and well
arranged. Bakers who have looked it over
say that it can hardly be improved upon.
On account of the improvements
made necessary, the Koser bakery had to suspend baking in its plant, but
through Herbert Pagel of the West Side bakery, they
were able to turn out barely enough to keep up with the trade.
The bakery, recognized as one of
the best and most up-to-date to be found anywhere, is now better prepared than
ever to serve its large and growing trade.
Mr. Koser went in business here 23 years ago and has been at the present
location, 111 Second Street for the past 14 years.
The building is splendidly
adapted to the bakery and confectionary business on a large scale and under the
present efficient management of Mr. and Mrs. Koser and their children, the
business has grown to large proportions.
The Koser Bakery is the
manufacturer of the celebrated “Golden Crust Bread,” and specializes in rolls,
pies and cakes. The result has been a
large shipping for foreign trade as is evidenced by the fact that numerous
school girls are employed after school in wrapping food parcels to be forwarded
to distant points.
The improvements just made as a
result of the fire have added materially to the value of the bakery, which will
commence to operate the ovens Monday morning.
___ 1924 __________________
05 06 BENKE
BROS GREENHOUSES FIRE WDT
06 24 WIS FIREMEN’S 8th ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
Watertown Wis, June __24
___ 1925 __________________
06 17 WISCONSIN VOLUNTEER FIREMAN’S STATE TOURNAMENT
June 17, 18 & 19, 1925
Admission Ticket, Drawing for $1,000 in Gold
06 18 WISCONSIN FIREMAN’S TOURNAMENT PARADE
Held in Watertown on June 18, 1925
12 28 BIRD NEST SET ON FIRE, SPREADS TO ROOF
The
fire
department responded to a call from the residence of Mrs. Pauline Goeldner, 310
N. Church Street, Sunday afternoon, 12/27/25.
The roof of the house caught fire while an effort was being made to thaw
out a frozen water pipe. According to
the firemen, birds had built a nest under the roof and this is believed to have
started to burn when the flames from a candle reached it. Through a misunderstanding over the
telephone, the department went first to N. 3rd Street instead of N. Church
Street. The damage was not very great.
12 31 217 NORTH THIRD IS GUTTED BY BLAZE
The
story and a half frame residence at 217 North Third street occupied by Mrs.
Ernestine Karge was gutted by flames during an early morning blaze today. The
house was badly damaged by the fire and by water. Furnishings on the first floor were carried
to safety; but most of the furnishings on the second floor were destroyed or
damaged in the blaze. The origin of the
fire is unknown but it is believed to have started in the basement. The fire spread rapidly and blazed through
the roof and windows when members of the fire department arrived.
The
fire alarm was sounded at 2:20 o'clock this morning. At the city hall information was given to the
effect that the fire was at a Third Street address instead of on North Third
Street. This resulted in the first alarm
giving box 12 as the location of the fire.
A trip was made to that section of the city by the fire department but
the error was soon discovered and the department hurried to the scene of the
blaze. The building is owned by
Milwaukee parties.
___ 1926 __________________
03 24 EMIL HELL APPOINTED FIRE TRUCK
DRIVER
Emil
Hell, Church Street, was appointed a fire truck driver by the police and fire commission
at a special meeting held at the city hall Tuesday night.
Mr.
Hell was appointed in place of Charles Schumann who did not accept his
appointment made by the commission last Friday night. The appointment is to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Edward Radloff Jr., who will leave Watertown on April
first to engage in business at Lake Mills.
Mr.
Schumann, in tendering his resignation from the appointment, stated he would
remain at the Walter J. Booth Shoe Co., where he is engaged as engineer. He was the first driver of the fire truck in
Watertown and his appointment met with the approval of the businessmen and
others, according to a statement made by the police and fire commission.
Mr.
Schumann, according to his resignation, stated that, owing to the fact that his
appointment did not seem to meet with the approval of the fire department, he
would rather turn down the appointment so that the work of the fire department
would go unruffled.
Mr.
Hell is at present a truck driver for the Kraeft Cheese Co. of this city [1]
[1]
Assumed to be Kraft Bros. Cheese Co., 122-124 N. First (Jossi Cheese Co, cheese
mfg & dlr-wholesale previously at this address)
Mr.
Hell is well known in this community and no doubt will take up his duties in an
able manner. He has not been a member of
the fire department.
03 27 Dr.
BECKER HOME RUINED AFTER FIERCE FIRE SWEEPS STRUCTURE
The Becker home at 302 North
Water Street, stands in ruin today as the result of a most disastrous fire
which swept most of the structure and brought ruin to the building and its
furnishings. The home is occupied by Dr.
and Mrs. W. C. Becker, Mrs. Catherine Becker, mother of the physician, and by
Miss Catherine Becker, his sister.
The fire was discovered at about
1:15 o'clock this morning by the elder Mrs. Becker who lives on the second
floor of the building. The origin of the
fire had not been determined but it started in the attic. Members of the Becker family had returned
home shortly before midnight and Dr. Becker tended to the furnace in the
basement before retiring. Sometime later
the fire was discovered and the fire department responded to the call.
The flames laid waste to most of
the upper part of the building, the roof being completely ruined. Flames swept the building for three
hours. Most of the furniture and
furnishings on the main floor were saved while the upper floor today contained
the remains of the furniture and furnishings.
Water did a great deal of damage too and today it was still dripping in
many places throughout the building and a great deal of the woodwork had begun
to warp. Smoke has also had a share in
causing damage. The upper floor had just
been redecorated. The fire attracted a
great many people and the flames soared high into the darkness. The firemen used every effort to keep the
flames from spreading. Luckily, they did
not reach other nearby dwellings.
At the home it was stated today
that the damage had not been estimated, but it will run high. A visit to the place disclosed that.
Insurance will help to offset the loss but the amount of insurance was not made
known.
07 24 FAVOR OF TRUCK FOR FARM FIRES
Watertown
merchants and other businessmen and leading professional men in the city who
realize the value of the farmers of this community to the welfare of Watertown,
are heartily in favor of the plan whereby the city is to become a part owner in
a suburban fire truck.
The
entire matter of purchasing such a truck is now up to the city council and it
is expected that the council committee will report on the proposition in the
near future and that the matter of purchasing a suburban fire truck will be up
for consideration by the council at an early date.
It
is pointed out by businessmen that, since the plan for such a truck for this
community originated in the city itself, it is up to the city to carefully
consider the matter and to give it proper support. The plan has been readily accepted by the
various town boards of this section and the sum of $6,500 has already been
voted by three boards toward the purchase of such a truck.
Watertown
business life depends, in a large measure, upon the farmers of this section and
the city now has an opportunity to work for closer harmony and personal
interests with the farmers in the surrounding townships. It is an opportunity
that should not be passed up without due consideration, it is pointed out by
various business men and other citizens, who see in the suburban fire truck a
necessity that is becoming more apparent in all communities such as Watertown.
Businessmen
of Watertown are becoming actively interested in the proposition of such a
truck and the farmers, who have done their part toward securing such a truck,
are waiting to see what the city is going to do about it.
11 29 BARN DESTROYED BY FIRE, OWNER HELD
BY POLICE
A
large barn on the premises of Michael Modl, 1300 Theresa Street, was destroyed
by fire Sunday night. The origin of the
fire has not yet been determined and an inspector from the state fire
marshall's office at Madison was in the city today investigating the case.
The
fire department responded to an alarm shortly before 10 o'clock last night and
upon arrival the structure was a mass of flames. Firemen managed to save the house and other
buildings located near the barn. The blaze was spectacular and the flames
illuminated the entire neighborhood and attracted a throng of people. Most of the contents of the barn were
destroyed in the blaze. Mr. Modl was
being held by police today for questioning.
This afternoon no definite announcement about the case could be made as
the investigation had not been completed.
12 10 MONARCH TRACTOR FIRE
Fire,
said to be of unknown origin, destroyed a row of sheds at the Monarch Tractor
plant early this morning. The fire was
discovered shortly before 2 o'clock and an alarm was sent to the fire
department which responded. When firemen
arrived on the scene the sheds were a mass of flames and three automobiles and
a snow plow, stored in the sheds, were destroyed in the flames. A second alarm was turned in at 2:15 o' clock
and practically every fireman in the city was on the scene. The fire raged for more than two hours. The sheds were located at the rear of the
assembly building of the plant.
___ 1927 __________________
09 13 BARTLES-MCQUIRE FIRE
Blaze
Sweeps Oil Company Sheds and Tanks Here.
Fire believed to have started when a gasoline truck backfired Tuesday
night, 9/13/27, swept the sheds and storage tanks of the Bartles-McQuire Oil
Company located at 1117 Tenth Street and destroyed the coal sheds of the
Watertown Fuel Company located nearby and resulted in the most spectacular
blaze Watertown has had in several years.
Two men were burned, one of them seriously, Harry G. Marshall and O. L.
Diest. . . .
___ 1928 __________________
03 09 TURNER OPERA HOUSE FIRE
It was a sad day in Watertown,
when, on March 9, 1928, Turner Opera House caught fire
and burned down
___ 1929 __________________
12 05 SOUTH FIRST STREET ENGINE HOUSE REMOVED
The
old brick building next to the Wethonkitha Club has been razed to the
ground. It had quite a history in its
day, being at one and the same time the city council room on the 2nd floor, the
fire department on the ground floor and the city jail in the basement.
12 05 HORSE DRAWN FIRE ENGINE MOVED
[same
date] The city's lone relic of the old days when the horse drawn fire engine
was the "big noise" was moved from its resting place in the old
machine shed opposite Memorial Park and taken to a place in the new municipal
shed near the waterworks plant. The old
engine has gathered the dust these many years but is being kept as a sort of
relic and who knows, some day it may even be put back into service.
11 17 FORMER HABHEGGER SALOON Consumed. Habhegger’s Sommergarten
07 21 BEDBUGS INVEST CITY HALL
Watertown's city hall will be closed from
top to bottom all day tomorrow and warning signs will be placed at all
entrances to keep the public out or risk death.
The reason for this step is that the drive to
exterminate bedbugs which have made their entrance via the jail through the
admission of transients who sleep there is to be launched as authorized by the
city council. The deadly fumes which
will fill the lower quarters of the building will prevent anyone from entering
unless they wish to risk certain death.
The fire department and the police department will
move headquarters to the Krueger garage next to the city hall. A special telephone wire was run in there
today to handle all calls in both departments tomorrow. Fire trucks will be kept out of doors while
the department headquarters are closed.
The city jail quarters were cleaned up some time ago,
but some of the vermin got into the sleeping quarters occupied by the firemen
and since then it has become necessary to give the entire first floor of the
building a thorough cleanup. The deadly
fumes will penetrate the upper portions of the building and for that reason it
will be necessary to close the entire building while the work is under way.
Firemen took a
number of pigeons from the tower to save them from death. One pigeon which flew into the tower Sunday
was overcome and toppled to the ground but was revived. A hornets' nest located above one of the
doors on the exterior of the building had all of its inmates destroyed by the
gas, the hornets falling dead on the sidewalk.
12 07 FIRE DAMAGES EVANS
BLOCK
The Evans Block [101,
103 and 105 E Main], a three story structure housing the Princess Confectionery
and the Main Cafe, as well as living quarters was
swept by fire the Saturday morning of 12/1/34 to such an extent that the
eastern half of the building will have to be almost completely reconstructed .
. . WTribune
___ 1936 __________________
Feb Emil Luther funeral; volunteer fire dept, tribute
paid WDT
___
1937 __________________
01 04 FIRE DESTROYED AUTO
PAINT SHOP
A
disastrous fire the first of the week at Watertown destroyed the auto paint
shop of Chas. David Sons, on Madison Street, entailing
a loss of $4000 to $5000. The blaze,
which started in the shop, was discovered shortly after 1 o'clock, and an alarm
was turned in. The entire fire
department force was called out and battled the blaze for four and a half
hours. Several automobiles, huge
quantities of oils and paints were destroyed, the oils adding to the fierceness
of the blaze. Several firemen were
overcome by the fumes. They revived when
taken out. of doors. Firemen were able
to keep the blaze within the confines of thee shop proper, preventing its
spread to the store at the front of the -establishment and from nearly
buildings.
___
1939 __________________
07 29 EXPLOSION, FIRE FROM A STILL
An explosion in the
basement of the Anton Branz home, 304 Spaulding Street, this afternoon started
a fire which sent all three fire trucks to the scene. The basement was filled with smoke when the
firemen arrived. They reported they
found a still in the basement which had blown up and set the place afire. Damage was kept to a minimum. The remains of the still were brought to the
city hall.
___ 1940 __________________
01 19 HORSES TO BE REMOVED FROM FORMER PHOENIX
The [former] west side [Phoenix] engine
house [no longer used by the city] is to be cleaned up so basement quarters can
also be turned over to the project and make additional room. The city has instructed the committee in
charge to have William Spear's horses which have been kept in the
basement stalls moved and Mr. Spear is to be so informed. Under his agreement with the city he agreed
to move the horses from the building any time the city made such a request. He will take them to a barn which he owns.
02 19 Former Phoenix Engine House returned
to Christian
Becker estate WDT
___ 1941 __________________
FIRE HYDRANT, early
___ 1944 __________________
03 06 DEATH OF CHIEF KERSTELL
Robert G. Kerstell, chief of the
Watertown Fire Department, died Saturday night at his home, 216 College
Avenue. Death was due to a heart attack
which came after a short illness. He had
been confined to his home for three days, but his condition was not regarded as
serious and he planned to report back to work this week.
Mr. Kerstell was 62 years old and
was a native of Omro, Wis., where he was born Oct. 3, 1881. He was a son of the late Frederick and
Elizabeth Kerstell. Before coming to
Watertown he had worked as a member of the staff of the Wisconsin State prison
at Waupun where a brother of his was for many years a guard.
He had been a member of the fire
department here for 32 years and for the past ten years had served as chief,
having previous to that been assistant chief.
Survivors are his wife, Mrs.
Clara Kerstell, and a son, T/Sgt. Edward Kerstell, now on duty in Northern
Ireland; a daughter, Marguerite, Madison; a stepson, Harris Evans, this city ;
a stepdaughter, Jeanette Evans, Milwaukee; and one brother, Andrew Kerstell,
Berlin, Wis. A daughter passed away in
infancy.
Mr. Kerstell was an active member
of Lincoln lodge No. 20, Knights of Pythias and a past chancellor of the
lodge. He was also a member of the
Calanthie club. He was a member of
Immanuel Lutheran church.
He had a lot of friends here and
elsewhere and for years was active in the affairs of the Wisconsin State
Association of Fire Chiefs and regularly attended its conventions and meetings.
The funeral will take place
Wednesday afternoon. There will be a
service at 1:30 o’clock at the Schmutzler funeral home and at 2 o’clock a
service will be held in the Immanuel Lutheran church, North Ninth street. The Rev. O. H. Wonn will officiate. Burial will be
in Oak Hill cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral
home to pay their respects Tuesday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday up to the
time of the service. The casket is not
to be opened at the church.
Members of the fire department
will meet at the city hall Tuesday evening at 7:30 o’clock to go in a
delegation to pay their respects.
-- -- RULES AND REGULATIONS
Department
booklet (pdf file)
04 11 IRA
L. HENRY BOX FACTORY / 702 ELM STREET
Destroyed by fire in 1945
PRE-FIRE
< 1920 
< 1930s
I. L. Henry Box Factory Fire, 04 11 1945
___ 1946 __________________
03 01 FLEISCHMANN MALT HOUSE FIRE
THE MILL BURNED IN 1946 (AND AGAIN IN
1959)
12 18 BITTNER AND TETZLAFF DRUG STORE FIRE
116 East Main
Chapter on Bittner and Tetzlaff
01 22 Fire at King-Hintz / 216 South Third Street
03 25 MILLER AUTO PARTS FIRE
07 05 RULES AND REGULATIONS
GOVERNING THE WATERTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT
< pdf file
07 XX WATER RESCUE UNIT
-- -- RETIREMENT OF FIRE
CHIEF SCHLUETER
Harry H. Schlueter retired as fire chief in
1947.
Mr. Schlueter had been
a member of the city’s fire department for 32 years.
He served seven years
as assistant chief under the late Robert Kerstell who was then fire chief, and
later served four years as chief, retiring in 1947.
Mr. Schlueter had a
great many friends throughout this area and was well liked. His services to the city, both as a member
and a chief of the department were marked by devotion to his duties and
maintaining a high standard in the department.
August AL LINDE NAMED CHIEF
The department grew in manpower and with the coming of Chief Linde a complete and efficient reorganization took place. Bigger and Better Linde was born in Milwaukee in 1894. In 1954 he married the former Gladys Wolfe in Jefferson. Upon his transfer to Watertown in August of 1947 embarked upon his 23 years of service as Fire Chief, retiring in November, 1970. Prior to accepting the position in Watertown he had served 25 years on the Milwaukee Fire Department before retiring with the rank of Captain. Following his retirement from the Milwaukee department and before coming to Watertown he had accepted a position with the A. O. Smith Company in Milwaukee as its Assistant Fire Chief.
Linde died in
1975. Milwaukee Under Fire Chief Alfred
Linde’s regime the fire department underwent a Rules intensive training course,
the same course given to Milwaukee firemen.
Linde also introduced a rescue and lifesaving unit.
08 04 THIEDE APPOINTED
Roland Thiede was first appointed to the Watertown Fire Department on Aug. 4, 1947
___ c.1947 __________________
___ 1948 __________________
WAYNE WENDT AND RONALD NUERNBERG
Wendt and Nuernberg; initial training,
paid fire department.
Brings the paid department to full strength — 14 firemen, seven on
duty on each of two shifts.
___ 1949 __________________
05 21 2,000-GALLON WATER TANK
Firemen painting and making necessary additions to 2,000-gallon water tank. Tank purchased by the townships of Watertown, Farmington, Milford and Shields. Tank can be filled in 5 minutes at a city water main. Plans call for equipping of the tank with ladders. A motor unit is being secured to haul the tank to rural areas. Purchased from government surplus for $900.
View is that of NW
corner of engine house in City Hall on N. First St.
05
24 REPLACING SECOND STREET BRIDGE PLANNED
The
62-year old N. Second Street bridge had been posted against loads of more than
three tons for some time. Property
owners north of the bridge protested that posted structure necessitates that
fire trucks must therefore cross the North Fourth Street bridge, delaying
response time.
___ 1950 __________________
May FIVE-MAN BOARD OF POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSIONERS
Attorney Kenneth
Kolberg
Leonard Kramp,
president
R. F. McLaughlin
T. J. Koerner
Ralph Busse
-- -- JAEGER
HOME
Fire caused minor damage at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Jaeger, 808 Cady Street, the blaze starting in the attic wiring. Firemen were called to the scene and soon had the fire extinguished. There was some smoke damage and the smell of rubber, due to wire insulation burning, was evident in the area. The house is being insulated at the present time. The fire started about 1:30 p.m. Three fire trucks responded to the alarm. WDT
05 23 U. S. BONDS - INDEPENDENCE CAMPAIGN
A REPLICA OF
THE LIBERTY BELL
Watertown yesterday welcomed a replica of the Liberty Bell, one of 49 such bells now touring the nation in connection with the U. S. bonds - Independence campaign.
The above picture was taken shortly after the bell reached here, when it stopped in front of the Hornburg Motors building.
Roy Pfeiffer, president of the Watertown Association of Commerce, is shown standing atop the truck on which the bell is mounted, just before he struck the bell.
During the day its tones were heard many times as it made stops in the downtown section of the city and at local schools and industrial plants. In the forefront are, left to right: Leonard G. Braunschweig of the local police department, Capt. Joseph Checkai of the local fire inspection bureau, City Manager Dean Van Ness and Mrs. John W. Keck, general chairman of the bond day program.
Newell Parker of the Hornburg Motor organization was the chairman of the day.
The Ford Motor Co. is providing all of the transportation for the 49 bells now on tour.
06 06 SAVOY THEATER FIRE
08 02 FIREMEN ASSIST YOUTHFUL FISHERMEN
Fishermen
proudly display their catch
Holding the fish are Ronald Kapheim, 14, and Daniel Higgins.
Young Kapheim baited the hook with a piece of hot dog provided by Higgins. However, that appeared to be about the extent of. the assistance young Higgins could provide his fishing companion. When it definitely appeared that there was a pretty big fish on the light, three-pound line, the boys, fearing that the line might break, attracted the attention of a passing policeman, who in turn contacted the fire department.
A couple of firemen played the role of good samaritans, jumped in their fire department boat behind city hall, and rowed over to Main Street bridge to help the lads land their fish.
The boys, in their efforts to land their catch, attracted quite a crowd around the bridge.
08 16 PLANES BURN AT AIRPORT
09 06 AL LINDE CIVIL DEFENSE
DIRECTOR
Fire Chief Al Linde has been
named director of civilian defense for Watertown, according to announcement
made at the city hall this morning by City Manager Dean Van Ness.
The city manager said that
he believes the civilian defense setup in Watertown will be in good hands as a
result of Mr. Linde’s acceptance of the appointment. He has had thorough training in dealing with
fires and emergencies and with people.
The manager said that the
setup here will be formulated within the next few weeks, following additional
information and data from the office of the state adjutant general which is
expected any day.
It will be up to Chief Linde
to form his organization here and make whatever preparations will be required
by state and federal agencies in lining
up a home front defense program.
09 22 HUNDREDS SEE FIREMEN
FIGHT BLAZE AT HOME
Several hundred persons last night watched firemen
fight a stubborn blaze which swept the two-apartment residence at 419 Emerald Street
causing damage estimated at between $3,500 and $4,000.
The house is owned by Mr. and
Mrs. Arthur P. Gruetzmacher who occupy the lower floor, while the upstairs
apartment is occupied by Mr. and Ms. John C. Newsom.
The fire started in
electrical wiring near a switch in the lower hall and was due to a short
circuit. The fire spread between the
walls to the upper floor and then mushroomed across the attic. It was discovered sometime after 8 o’clock
and firemen responded to an alarm. Dense
smoke poured from the attic and upper portion but fire damage was confined
chiefly to the inside of the house.
Greatest damage was on the
second floor and attic. The floor was
burned through and part of it was burned away.
Second floor furnishings and furniture were destroyed to a large extent
or damaged by fire and water. The main
floor also suffered some damage.
The house was for many years
the home of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Willenbockel. Mr. Willenbockel was a widely known carpenter
contractor here for many years.
10 07 GERBER BARN FIRE
10 11 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Window display at Keck’s
Arranged by the Watertown Fire Dept. and its Fire
Prevention Bureau
12 15 CIVILIAN DEFENSE PROGRAM
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Frank W. Newbouer, City Engineer Vaso Bjelajac, Neil
McMurry, Allen Anderson and Fire Chief Al Linde, civilian defense director for
Watertown.
12 22 CHRISTMAS EVE REMINDER
Ministers and others who are in charge of Christmas eve
programs and services in Watertown churches during the holidays are reminded
not to permit the churches to be over-crowded.
It is better to turn people away than permit overcrowding. So says the Watertown fire department's fire
prevention bureau. No crowding into
aisles and no placing of extra chairs to provide for overflow groups where they
impede safety lanes will be permitted.
And, above all, church janitors should see to it that all safety doors
are unlocked and that all exits are open.
In case of fire this precaution cannot be too strongly stressed.
___ 1952 __________________
01 23 FIREMEN READY TO PLOW A PATH
The Watertown Fire Department
will now be equipped to buck snowdrifts when answering calls during snowstorms
or in heavy drifts. A snow plow is being
attached to one of the fire trucks.
Firemen are doing the work and have constructed the frame necessary to
attach the plow blade to the front of the truck.
The plow to be used is one
which the city street department has discarded and which it is replacing with a
new plow from the Otto Biefeld Co. The
new plow was recently authorized by the city council which stipulated that the
price is not to exceed $400.
Firemen decided to use the
old plow and make use of it. Fire Chief
Al Linde said that Milwaukee and other departments have trucks with snow plows
and that they have proven their value in reaching fires through blocked streets
and roads during snowstorms. He said he
saw no reason why the fire department here shouldn’t follow suit and equip at
least one truck with a plow. The firemen decided to pitch in and help and yesterday
afternoon the work was well underway to equip the truck.
02 25 DAIRY LAND COOP FIRE
Located at rear of its milk and ice cream sales
division building, 1012 S. Third St.
Four trucks, tools and equipment destroyed. Fire started while mechanic Harold Ladwig was
working with an acetylene torch to remove a fender from a truck. Gasoline escaped from one of the tanks and
immediately caught fire. Building owned
by the Morris Shimon estate and leased by Dairy Lane
03 07 FIREMEN BUILD METAL HOSE RACKS
Improve
the Engine House
The fire department has made
a new hose rack which has been placed in the center of the department quarters
making hose supplies readily available when extra loads are needed. The work on the rack, made of metal pipe, was
done by firemen who welded the various parts into a compact and solid
unit. Rolled hose can be kept on the two
“shelves” and can be pulled out from either side as needed.
Fire Chief Al Linde said
that making this rack is another fine example of the cooperation of his men in
his efforts to improve the fire department’s facilities. The new arrangement will save a lot of time
in loading and unloading extra hose.
Firemen have also recently
removed a long row of wooden cabinets at the rear of the department’s main
headquarters which were used for storing various tools and equipment. These have been transferred to the basement. Firemen have also done some cleaning and
painting of their headquarters in recent weeks.
03 08 INSURANCE
CLAIM FROM FIRE TRUCK RUNNING INTO VEHICLE
The $621 claim filed against
the city by the law firm of Thiel and Allen of Mayville on behalf of Donald
Ferry, resulting from an accident in which Ferry's car was struck and damaged
by a fire truck, has been turned over to an insurance company by Watertown city
officials. The accident took place here
on Oct. 11, 1949. Ferry's car, along;
with several others was parked in South Ninth Street, near the high; school,
when a city fire truck crashed into it while enroute to a fire. The report of the accident at the time stated
that the driver of the fire truck swerved to the side to avoid what would have
been a serious or even fatal accident with another fire truck traveling
directly ahead.
03 21 SEEK FIREBUG IN LATEST BARN FIRE
Fire which late yesterday destroyed a barn, together with
a huge quantity of baled hay and straw on the farm occupied by Mr. and Mrs.
Carl Busch, route 6, was under investigation today by Henry Dalby, state deputy
fire marshal who came here at the request of Fire Chief Al Linde and Captain
Joseph Checkai of the fire department’s inspection bureau. The Busch fire was the latest in a-series of
rural fires in the area. All have been of
undetermined origin and vague rumors have hinted at a possible firebug. He said that thus far these reports have not
yielded anything definite, but the rumors persist. In an effort to broaden the investigation and
uncover any possible, leads, it was decided to call in Dalby. Mr. Busch was away at work when the fire
started and his wife, who called the fire department, said she saw the whole
bam ablaze when she looked out of a window at her home. She said fire was blazing from both ends of,
the barn.
___ 1953 __________________
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Joe Checkai and
Cecil Granger, high school student, honorary fire chief, elected by fellow
classmates. Fire Dept inherited police
paddy wagon and used it as an equipment truck.
07 31 RURAL ADDRESS, OR FIRE SIGNS,
to help identify and
locate properties
Jefferson County Board of Supervisors moving forward with 3,000
signs. Supervisor Fred McLaughlin,
Watertown, Committee Chairman.
07 31 LINDE’S MIGHTY BIG FISH
Fire Chief Al Linde is going to serve broiled walleye pike
tonight. He caught one last night that
is apt to remain a record for some time to come. He caught it in Rock Lake at Lake Mills,
while fishing from a boat about 200 feet from the shoreline. Estimates of the size and weight vary, but
those who saw it confirmed the report that it’s “a mighty big fish.”
12 08 FIREMEN RESCUE PORKER
Firemen were called upon this forenoon to rescue a pig from the
Rock river. The porker, consigned for
sale at the monthly stock fair, broke away while being unloaded from a truck,
made a beeline for the river and went in.
Firemen gave chase in a boat and with John Gruel at the oars and Glenn
Sutton twirling a rope, the latter lassoed it and brought it safely to
shore. Firemen said the pig belonged to
a Delafield farmer.
12 08 OLIVER LEWIS HOME DESTROYED
[same date] Home on route 6, 7 ½ miles west of
Watertown. Fire Chief Al Linde
dispatched a truck and ten firemen to the scene. A second tanker of water was also rushed from
the city.
___
1954 __________________
06 27 WATERTOWN CENTENNIAL PARADE
32nd Division Band, presented by
the Watertown Fire Department
The 32nd Division March, recorded
by the 32nd Army Band, Wisconsin Army National Guard.
10 31 SELL’S LIQUOR FIRE
___ c.1955 __________________
Gay
Theder, Asst Fire Chief, Herb Vehlow, Police Chief, Dean Van Ness, City
Manager, Al Linde, Fire Chief.
___
1956 __________________
02 10 PAY RAISES FOR POLICE/FIRE
Thirty-four city employees, including 15 members of
the Police Department, 16 members of the Fire Department, the Street Department
superintendent and his assistant and the city electrical inspector are due to
receive an additional $240 per year salary each starting Feb. 1. The total
increase will amount to $8,160 per year.
The new salary schedules, if approved, will be as follows:
For policemen and firemen, first year men, $3,840
. . . second year, $3,960
. . . . . . third year and thereafter, $4,200
. . . . . . . . . chiefs, $5,160
. . . . . . . . . . . . assistant chiefs, $4,560
. street superintendent, $5,160
. . assistant, $4,360
. . . electrical superintendent, $3,480
INFLATION ADJUSTER:
$1000 in 1956 = $10, 235 today (2021)
07 04 FOURTH OF JULY PARADE FLOAT
11 08 EMIL
DOERR, 1879-1956
City Hall flag flown at half-staff for
Mr. Doerr; had been a member of the old Watertown Volunteer Fire
Department WDT
___ 1957 __________________
05 14 DEATH OF ED KAERCHER, member Volunteer Anchor Hose Co. No. 1
Edward F.
Kaercher, 85. Was born Jan. 16,
1866, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kaercher and lived all of his life in
Watertown. He had worked at the Hartig Co. plant for 40 years, retiring at the
age of 77. He was also, a former fireman
here, being for 25 years a member of the Volunteer Anchor Hose Co. No. 1. Mr. Kaercher was a member of the
Plattdeutscher Verein.
05 15 SCHUENEMANN, ARNDT AND ASMUS
Walter H. Schuenemann, 720 Emmet
Street, has been promoted to the rank of captain in the fire department.
His new rank takes effect
tomorrow.
He was named to the rank to
replace Leonard Arndt, veteran fireman, who has retired from the
department.
Donald L. Asmus, 814 Cady Street,
has been named to the fire department to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Arndt’s
retirement.
He will not take over his
position until June 1, however.
07 11 SCHNAPPSIE
Schnappsie,
the dachshund mascot, has a birthday WDT
12 15 TOY PROJECT
Members of the Watertown Fire
Department have completed ‘‘Toy Project 1957” and many shelves of toys which
have been put in condition for further use to delight youngsters are ready for
distribution. The toys will be
distributed to children in needy families through the Watertown Family Welfare
Association which cooperates closely with the firemen in the annual toy
program. Firemen said that this year’s
assortment of toys is larger than in many recent years and that they appreciate
the cooperation of the public which again helped make it possible.
12 31 FIRE LOSSES IN 1957
Watertown fire losses in 1957 were
up over figures in 1955 and 1956, but they were still low for a city this size,
the annual report of Fire Chief Al Linde today showed. The year 1957 did not
see a single major disastrous fire in the city. Fire losses for the year were
estimated at $24,700. In 1956 the loss here was $9,744.17 and in 1955 it was
$14,772.42. A total of 184 alarms was
responded to in the city this year. In 1956 there were 161 alarms. Rural losses
in the area which the department serves were higher than in the city this year.
Estimated damage was $34,515 and 55 alarms were answered in the rural sections.
In 1956 rural losses were $8,225 and there were 36 alarms. In 1955 rural losses
were $20,565. WDT
-- -- 1957 AMERICAN LaFRANCE FIRE ENGINE ONE
2017 note: Don Peters later
owned this fire engine for 20 years.
Originally Watertown Fire Department Engine One. We have a set of 8 pics taken in 2017
(WHS_013_380A-380H)
The city’s first motorized fire
truck was a 1917 Seagrave. The second
was obtained in 1928. Both were in
service into the 1940s, with the 1928 Seagrave in use until 1957. (p 198 of
fire history book)
___ 1958 __________________
08 14 Fire protection of rural townships, first
steps toward new contracts WDT
09 02 New fire station proposed . . . again WDT
09 27 Safety conditions at City Hall; special
emphasis on the Fire Department's quarters
WDT
09 29 Christmas
toy project preparation WDT
09 30 Question of a future fire
station; City Council WDT
10 21 Schnappsie, the dachshund mascot,
banished from City Hall WDT
11 26 Family Welfare Assn, Fire
Department repairs and turns over toys for distribution WDT
___
1959 __________________
04 29 OLD ELM MILL FIRE
The old Elm Mills plant fire resulted in a loss of
$250,000.
The sub-headline in the Watertown Daily Times said it all:
“Holocaust Destroys Huge Plant in City”
^ Click to link to portfolio of
images
The heaviest concentration of the
firefighting equipment used in the city since the 1946 Fleischmann Malting
Company fire was thrown into operation the morning of April 29, 1957, to battle
a quarter-million-dollar blaze which again destroyed the plant, this time
operated under the name of Old Elm Mills.
The plant, which sprawled over an
entire block between South Eighth and South Ninth Streets, and Station Street
and the Milwaukee Road Railroad tracks, was doomed within an hour after the
fire was discovered. The Old Elm Mills
office across the street was untouched.
The Watertown Fire Department
sent all of its equipment to the scene within moments after the alarm came in
and was joined later by departments from out of town, including Oconomowoc,
Juneau, Ixonia, Jefferson, Johnson Creek and Lebanon.
The fire produced intense
heat. Cars jammed the area for blocks
and thousands of per-sons visited the scene and watched the fire, there being a
steady coming and going during the day.
Many school children who "skipped" classes were in the crowds
that surged about the place. Police kept
the crowds at safe distances.
Firemen fought the blaze at many
points, concentrating their efforts to prevent damage or destruction to nearby
homes and buildings. At least two homes
were wetted down by owners to prevent fires destroying or damaging them. One of the businesses whose property was in
danger for a time from the raging fire is that of the Sinclair Refining, which
has a bulk plant at 1108 South Eighth Street.
Firemen maintained a steady watch on the progress of the fire and
prevented it from spreading to the oil installations.
One of the city's large
industrial plants, the Mid-States Shoe Company,
had some of its men on its roof with water and wet bags to prevent fire from
starting on their property.
Captain Paul Buchholz suffered a
foot injury when he was struck by a piece of metal when a cupola broke from its
moorings and tumbled to the ground.
Only the lower floor of the huge
brick building was used for storage. The
big metal build-ing part of the plant was used for storage of grain and the
grain bins, built of wood, and was quickly consumed by the flames.
Old Elm Mills came to Watertown
in 1949 from Elm Grove. The Old Elm
Mills plant, formerly the Fleischmann Malting property, was the scene of a
previous disastrous fire. That was on
March 1, 1946, when one half of the structure was destroyed. Before the Fleischmann Malting acquired and
operated the property it was known as the William Buchheit Malting Company.
The "Old Malt House,"
had long been regarded as a potential fire hazard by neighbors and other
citizens regarded the structure as a source of danger if a fire got started in
it. It had been erected and added to
over many years and was built at a time when there were few houses nearby.
CROSS REFERENCE: The mill was the site of
a previous fire, that of the Fleischmann Malt House, in 1946.
11 13 1959 CHRISTMAS TOY PROJECT
Some of the boys which the members of the fire
department have completed thus far in their 1959 Christmas toy project have
been taken from the fire department’s workshop and placed in storage for use at
Christmas time when the toys will be distributed through the channels of the
Family Welfare Association. Meanwhile
the firemen are at work on the balance of the toys that have been contributed
to their project. These will be completed
well ahead of time, making them good as new, placing some in repair and painting
or brightening others. Firemen could use
some more toys but if anyone has toys to contribute they should be brought to
the department without delay, since the men hope to complete their project well
ahead of Christmas. WDT
12 07 1959 CHRISTMAS TOY PROJECT
The Watertown Fire Department's 1959
Christmas toy project has been completed and no further toys are being accepted
for the program until next year. The firemen spent busy hours in
their spare time in their toy repair shop and have made a large number of toys
which were contributed available for youngsters of the city at Christmas
time. The toys have been stored and will be distributed through the
Family Welfare Association of Watertown just before Christmas. WDT
___ 1950s __________________
WATER RESCUE
AND FIRE TRAINING TOWER
___ 1960 __________________
06 17 Watertown
Civic Center, Fire Dept station would be
part of plan WDT
09 07 NEW
FIRE STATION RUNS INTO SNAG
City Plan Commission Ignored
The proposal for the construction of a
new fire station on the grounds of the recreation building ran into a new snag
last night.
The city council, at its regular
meeting, voted down, 4 to 3, a resolution to engage architects to prepare plans
for a new fire station and police department quarters. Some councilmen wanted to proceed only with a
fire station at this time.
The final vote was:
Yes: Shephard, Moser and Kehl.
No: Franz, McFarland, Shaefer and
Hinterberg.
The issue, as a result of last night's vote,
is not dead and has been placed on the next committee agenda at which time the
councilmen hope to clarify their views and bring in a new resolution.
During last night's debate on the
issue, Councilman Floyd Shaefer suggested that councilmen give consideration to
the City Plan Commission. He said the
commissioners are too often ignored and that it is an insult to competent men
who spend hours on a matter to have their views shunted aside without giving
them proper consideration. The
commission has opposed the recreation building site.
Council President Edward Hinterberg
said he wanted more time to study different phases of the fire station plan,
such as location, etc., and that he was not ready to vote on the matter, even
to the extent of engaging an architect.
Councilman Fred W. Kehl said he
believes the time has come for a definite decision for a new police station,
since any money spent on improving the present quarters to meet the objections
of state agencies which have condemned the present jail, would be a waste of
the taxpayers' money.
He said he feels that the police are
more in need of a new station than is the fire department in need of a new
station at this time. He strongly urged
that consideration be given to a one building project.
10 07 Delay
is an old story in the city council. And
last night, another chapter was added to what has become a long-running
serial. The council once more delayed
action on plans for a new fire station.
A resolution which would have authorized the firm of Riley and Horn,
architects, to draw plans for a new fire station at the recreation building
site with the understanding that the building is to be expandable for future
development, was voted down and the issue has again been put over for two
weeks. WDT
-- -- TURNER HALL OFFERED TO CITY FOR POLICE
& FIRE STATION
City Assessor Note:
1960-61, Turner Hall offered to city for police & fire station, $75,000
___ c.1960 __________________
INSPECTOR’S
GROUP, STATE FIRE PREVENTION ASSN
___
1961 __________________
02 18 ARGUMENT OVER PLANS FOR
A NEW FIRE AND POLICE STATION
The City Council
last night added hundreds of more words to the long standing and running
argument over plans for a new fire and police station and when it was over it
had approved, by a vote of 3 to 2, to take the next step for the construction
of such a building but, which in the end, won't even get off the ground,
according to present indications - at least not during the present
administration. The 3 to 2 vote was on a
resolution to authorize sample soil borings on the site of the proposed
building - the block which now houses the recreation building. But even now the actual construction has two
strikes against it. Councilman George
Shephard and Councilman Raymond F. Franz who have previously declared they will
not support the $400,000 bond issue to finance it last night repeated their
statements “for the official record.”
WDT
03 09 GOELDNER BLDG FIRE
Fire
early this morning at the O. J. Goeldner building
at 113 Main Street, occupied by Siegel’s Economy Store, caused damage estimated
at $20,000. The building, one of
Watertown’s Main Street landmarks, is owned by the O. J. Goeldner Estate, Mrs.
Joseph Wimmer of this city and her sister, Mrs. William Bennin of
Cambridge. As a result of the fire,
which started in the basement near the stoker-operated boiler, the stock in the
store suffered heavy damage and part of the floor in the rear of the building
was burned away. WDT
03 21 PROPOSITION ON NEW
POLICE AND FIRE BUILDING
With only
one more regular meeting remaining for the present city council and with the
deadline for action on the proposed and long-argued and hotly debated question
of a new police and fire department building running out, the issue now will go
over into the new administration which is expected to have its share of
headaches before it can resolve the proposition one way or another. At last night’s meeting of the council, an
attempt was made to approve a plan calling for a new financing venture but it
lost 4 to 2. Under the original plan,
the structure, also known as the safety building, was to be financed with a
$400,000 bond issue. The new plan,
contained in a resolution which was introduced last night, would have divided
the financing — 50 per cent through a bond issue and the other 50 per cent by
means of a ten year loan negotiated through Watertown banks. The banks had agreed to this plan in the
event it was adopted. WDT
06 21 WEBSTER SCHOOL SITE
CONSIDERED FOR NEW FIRE STATION
The
common council last night set the wheels in motion for a new fire station,
possibly on the old Webster School property in
Western Avenue. At the suggestion of
Alderman Herman Gerth the mayor named a committee to study the issue and report
back. The alderman said he was bringing
up the matter to get the issue started in the present council, that it was an
old issue which had been thoroughly explored by the previous administration but
that it never reached a definite conclusion.
He said he thought it was time for the present council to turn its
attention to the problem and that the logical first step would be for a special
committee to “start the ball rolling.” WDT
09 05 WEBSTER SCHOOL SITE
OPPOSED FOR NEW FIRE STATION
A
petition signed by 26 residents of the area opposing plans for the location of
the city’s new fire station on the site of the old
Webster School in Western Avenue was filed with the common council at its
meeting last night. WDT
___
1962 __________________
01 13 DEATH OF HARRY H.
SCHLUETER, former Fire Chief
Harry H. Schlueter retired as fire chief in
1947.
Mr. Schlueter had been a
member of the city’s fire department for 32 years.
He served seven years
as assistant chief under the late Robert Kerstell who was then fire chief, and
later served four years as chief, retiring in 1947.
Mr. Schlueter had a
great many friends throughout this area and was well liked. His services to the city, both as a member
and a chief of the department were marked by devotion to his duties and
maintaining a high standard in the department.
02 02 MEMORIAL PARK SITE FOR NEW CITY HALL
By
a vote of 12 to 2 and with no debate whatever, the common council last night
approved Memorial Park as a site for Watertown’s proposed new city hall, which
is to include both fire and police department headquarters. Last night’s approval had been foreshadowed
on Monday when the aldermen held their committee meeting and at which only two
aldermen — Erich E. Nuernberg and Kenneth Wilkes — indicated they would oppose
the plan. They cast the only two
negative votes on the resolution last night, a resolution which was introduced
by Alderman William Wiegand, the council’s president. WDT
EMIL HELL
09 05 SCHUETT
FEED AND GRAIN MILL FIRE
Fire
early this morning badly damaged the Schuett feed and grain mill located on old
highway 26 about four miles south of Watertown opposite the Ebenezer Moravian
Church. The mill, owned by Wilbert E.
Schuett of 1508 Prospect St, was a large building, 135 by 40 feet and was
formerly owned by Piper Bros. The mill portion was badly gutted but the part
housing the garage and storage utilities was saved by Watertown and Johnson
Creek firemen. Cause of the fire was not
immediately determined but the state fire marshal’s office was called to launch
an investigation. A Madison resident,
21, who was found in the nearby Ebenezer Cemetery a short time before the fire
has been traced by the license number of the car. Madison police authorities
said the suspect has a police record.
Firemen here placed the loss at between $25,000 and $30,000, only
partially covered by insurance. WDT
10 10 ANNUAL
CHRISTMAS TOY PROJECT
Members
of the Fire Department today issued their first call for help in their annual
Christmas toy project. They appealed to people
with old and discarded toys to turn them in at the fire department. Firemen will take them to their basement toy
shop and in their spare time will repair and brighten them up for further use
by children who will receive them at Christmas time through the medium of the
Watertown Family Welfare Association.
Toys which are damaged or broken beyond repair are not wanted nor are
broken plastic toys, since these cannot be repaired. WDT
12 29 FIRE
LOSSES IN 1962
Watertown
fire losses were nominal in 1962 and the city was fortunate in not having major
fires, the year’s end report made by Fire Chief Al Linde. The fire department responded to 158 alarms
in the city during the year and losses were placed at $23,346.05, estimated and
adjusted up to Dec. 28. Rural fire runs
totaled 56 during the year, with losses placed at $50,551, estimated and
adjusted up to Dec. 28. Last year the
department responded to 172 alarms in the city and losses were placed at
$35,475 while rural fire runs totaled 31, with losses of only $2,835 that
year. WDT
___
1963 __________________
01 12 JOHN A.
GRUEL, Jr., of 120 William Street, who retired as a member of the Fire Department
on Dec. 31, was honored by fellow firemen last night at the city hall, in the
firemen’s quarters. A dinner was served
at 7 o’clock. Mr. Gruel was presented
with an engraved watch as a memento from fellow firemen. Mr. Gruel, who is 55 years of age, was born
in Watertown, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs.
John Gruel and has lived here all of his life. His father was a member of the old Watertown
Volunteer Fire Department. WDT
1928 Seagrave decommissioned in 1963;
vehicle bell displayed at engine house in 2013.
The city’s first motorized fire truck was a 1917 Seagrave. The second was obtained in 1928 and
decommissioned in 1963
09 16 OLD FIRE
ALARM SYSTEM. The National Historical Fire
Department Foundation which maintains the “House of Flame,” at Lake Geneva,
Wis., has shown an interest in acquiring the old fire alarm system which now
operates in Watertown. The system may
wind up in the flame museum at Lake Geneva.
That was announced last night when it became known that the city will
operate under an entirely new and up-to-date alarm system once the fire
department moves to its quarters in the new city hall sometime next year. Mayor Robert P. White announced that a
delegation from the foundation has been in the city to look over the present
system and has expressed a desire to secure it when it is abandoned by the
city.
WDT
11 07 CHRISTMAS TOY PROJECT. More toys are needed for the Fire
Department’s Christmas project on behalf of needy children. Firemen today repeated their recent appeal
that discarded toys be brought to the fire station at the city hall now so they
can continue to work on getting them ready for Christmas, making repairs where
needed and painting and making them presentable at Christmastime. Firemen said they are asking for toys at this
time because they want to complete their project well in advance of Christmas and
keep their toy shop humming with activity.
WDT
11 19 POSITION OF LIEUTENANT CREATED
The board of police and fire commissioners has created a new rank in the fire department, that of lieutenant. It proposed two such members. Each position will carry a $300 a year additional salary. Last night, after Mayor Robert P. White brought the plan to the attention of the council, pointing out that in view of the fact that the city budget had already been approved, the $600 required could be taken from the contingency fund rather than make a change in the budget, the council agreed. WDT
12 11 APPOINTMENT OF LIEUTENANTS
Two members of the Watertown Fire Department who have been recommended by the board of police and fire commissioners for promotion to the newly created rank of lieutenant have been named to the positions by Fire Chief Al Linde and will begin their new duties Jan. 1. The men are Harold Hell and Donald Asmus, two of the members of the department who took the prescribed examinations. WDT
___ 1964 __________________
AUXILIARY
FIRE FIGHTERS
Don
Nehls, Ken Thiede, Dinty (Lawrence) Meyers,
Gus (August) Theder, Art
(Arthur) Ebert, Paul Kehrer (Koehler), Ken
Krort (Kropf), Rueben Henning, Tom Gillis, Hubie (Hubert) Lenius, Louis
Checkai, Paul
Schoeneman (Schuenemann).
11 18 CHRISTMAS
TOY PROJECT ABANDONED
For the first
time in many years, the members of the Watertown Fire Department are not
refurbishing old toys and repairing toys for Christmas. What has been a long-established custom here
had to be dropped this year because in the new municipal building there are no
shop quarters for the department. They
cannot spray paint, which they often have to do when repairing and brightening
up toys, nor can they do other work required for toy repairs because their
quarters are such that no such working facilities are available. In the old
city hall firemen used a basement area.
There is no such area in the new building for them, so they reluctantly
had to abandon the project which for so many years helped bring joy to children
in families which could not provide toys.
WDT
___
1965 __________________
01 28 33 MOBILE RADIO
UNITS
A
proposal to purchase 33 mobile radio units for use by members of the fire
department and the auxiliary firemen will be laid before the common council
tonight. Such units will enable firemen
to be called to department headquarters when a fire alarm comes in or they are
needed for some other reason, day or night.
The units would be triggered automatically in event of an alarm. The lowest proposal reported is for $4,298,
which includes $825 for batteries. The
highest quotation is for $4,750, which also includes the sum of $825 for
batteries. WDT
05 12 GAY THEDER
RETIREMENT
Gay
Theder, assistant fire chief of Watertown, will retire on July 1, it was
announced following a meeting of the firemen’s pension board at which he was
granted a disability pension. WDT
<
set of 5 images
07 01 WALTER SCHUENEMANN SUCCEEDS GAY THEDER
Two
firemen here advanced in rank following the recent announcement that Capt.
Walter W. Schuenemann had been appointed assistant fire chief starting July
1. He succeeds Gay Theder whose
retirement, for reasons of health, became effective at midnight. Lt. Harold Hell today became a captain in the
department and Wayne Wendt became a lieutenant. WDT
11 01 THIEDE PROMOTED
Roland
Thiede was promoted to the post of captain of the inspection bureau.
11 14 PAY RAISE FOR AUXILIARY FIREMEN
Watertown’s
auxiliary firemen are an important unit of the city’s fire fighting force and
we would not know what to do without them, Fire Chief Al Linde told members of
the common council last night after being invited to appear to answer some
questions several aldermen had raised the night before at the council committee
meeting. The subject of the auxiliary
came up during a discussion of the “small” raise provided for the auxiliary
members under terms of the 1966 city budget.
The men now get $400 per year and under the new “raise” would get
$416. However, after Chief Linde
appeared last night, it was agreed that at least $500 is to be paid each man
and a further study will be made to work out a fair compensation for the
members of the auxiliary. The new salary
will be fixed when the complete city salary ordinance for 1966 comes up for
adoption in December. WDT
___ c.1965 __________________
___ 1966 __________________
01 21 FIRE INSPECTION PROGRAM REVAMPED
One of the important factors in keeping down fire losses in any community is rigid and periodic fire inspections which lead to corrective measures in reducing potential hazards. In Watertown such a program is being ably handled by Capt. Roland Thiede of the fire prevention bureau who took on the duties of fire inspector during the latter part of 1965. Since then he had been revamping the program and working out a systematic inspection schedule. He inspects some 520 buildings and institutions every four months within the confines of the city fire limits and two annual inspections are made out of the limits in areas which the fire department of Watertown serves. WDT
01 28 FIREMAN FROSTBITTEN DURING BLAZE
Damage in
yesterday’s fire at the Nite-Cap Motel at 760 North Church Street was placed at
around $1,000 divided between damage to a portion of the building and its
contents. Firemen fought the blaze in
sub-zero temps and as a result one of the firemen, Tom Theder, suffered frost
bitten fingers on both hands. The fire
started in some papers near the heating unit in the utility room.
02 19 EMIL
G. HELL (1883-1966)
Emil G. Hell, 82, of 405 South Church Street,
died of a heart attack yesterday afternoon after being stricken while he was
shoveling snow from the driveway at his home.
The fire department’s rescue squad was
called to the home at 1 p.m. and administered oxygen after which Mr. Hell was
taken to Watertown Memorial Hospital by the Meyer Ambulance Service. A physician pronounced him dead a short time
later.
Mr. Hell was a retired Watertown fireman,
having served with the department from 1926 to 1947. He was a lieutenant in the department at the
time and among the first fulltime firemen in the city. As a member of the department he saw it
develop from its earlier firefighting methods and equipment to the modern
department it has become.
Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery (link for full obit).
08 08 RUBBISH FIRE ORDINANCE
In spite of the newly revised city ordinance governing rubbish fires, the office of the fire inspector, Capt. Roland Thiede, has been kept busy investigating complaints from residents in various parts of the city regarding the odor of smoke and smoldering rubbish fires. When those complaints are checked out by the fire inspector or other investigating officers they hear such remarks as, “No one else complained,” or, “I know who complained. They are always complaining about something.” It should be pointed out, the inspector said today, that the prevailing winds are mostly from the west, so neighbors to the west of such fires usually get the smoke and odors from fires and under such conditions they cannot be blamed for complaining or seeking for relief. WDT
___ 1967
__________________
01 23 FALSE FIRE ALARMS
When the common council meets Feb.
7 it will be asked to provide a better means of apprehending persons who turn
in false fire alarms and bringing them to justice. During the past month, there
has been a substantial increase in the number of false alarms being turned into
the fire department. This not only increases the possibility of a serious
accident injuring the fire department personnel and damaging equipment but
could seriously affect the efficiency of the department should a real fire
occur at the same time.
04 01 PATRICK THEDER joined force. Filled vacancy by retirement of Jerome (Whitey) Donahue. WDT
05 22 BELL FROM
FIRST MOTORIZED FIRE TRUCK
A 50-year-old bell which served on the first motorized fire truck
in 1919 was destined to Ghana,
Africa. The brass bell which was used to
herald fire runs on the Fire Department’s first fire truck is being reactivated
and will start a new “career” in Africa.
A Watertown couple, engaged in mission work for the Assemblies of God,
is taking the bell with them when they return to their mission field following
a 13-months furlough “at home.” They are
the Rev. and Mrs. Edwin Ziemann whose residence in Watertown during the
furlough has been at 501 Division Street.
05 22 BURNING OF
TRASH
You can still burn rubbish in the city of Watertown —
if you use an incinerator type rubbish or trash burner and if you use it
according to the provisions of the city ordinance, especially the part which
requires such a fire to be at least 20 feet away from any building or
structure. A burning permit is not
needed for the above type of small rubbish fire, according to Capt. Roland
Tiede of the Watertown Fire Prevention Bureau and city fire inspector. He stressed, however, that a burning permit
is required for any outdoor fire not contained in an incinerator, rubbish or
trash burner.
KRESGE’S
FIRE, 207 E Main
AMERICAN LEGION GREEN BOWL FIRE
11 06 
Link to Green
Bowl chapter
12 09 Two men are to be added to the Watertown Fire Department on January 1. At last night’s meeting of the police and fire commission Dennis L. Ruegg, 800 South Third Street, and Dennis M. Schramm, 416 South Church Street, were engaged. Also hired was Michael F. Meyer, 404 East Water Street, as an auxiliary fireman. Ruegg now is self employed as a trucker, and Schramm is presently engaged by the City Street Department. Ruegg presently is a member of the auxiliary fire department. The addition of the two men will bring the total number of full time men in the department up to 20, which includes the chief and inspector. Two additional men are needed because the work week of each man is being reduced by four hours. WDT
___ 1968 __________________
CITY
HALL DEMOLISHED
01 24 WILLIAM BRENNAN RECOGNIZED FOR LIFESAVING EFFORTS
A
framed certificate of merit was presented to William Brennan, Watertown High
School senior, for his lifesaving efforts during a fire last July 14 at
Bethesda Home. The 1967 award was
presented by the Jefferson County Council of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
during half-time ceremonies at the Gosling/Oconomowoc basketball game Friday
night. Young Brennan, employed as a ward
attendant at Bethesda, was cited for his efforts in evacuating 84
non-ambulatory handicapped patients during the fire. Presenting the merit award to the youth was
Albert Groska, Brookfield, Second District commander of the VFW. Brennan is the
son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Brennan, 400 South Washington Street.
___
1969 __________________
02 05 FIRE AT THE GLOBE MILL
A fire at the Globe Milling Company
early this morning caused an estimated $50,000 in damages to the building and
contents. The fire apparently originated
in the ducts of the blower system.
An alarm was received at the Watertown
Fire Department at 6:08 a.m. with all firemen and auxiliary firemen called to
combat the blaze. One fireman, Captain
Harold E. Hell, was taken to the Watertown Memorial Hospital for back X-rays
after he slipped and fell on a stairway.
Gordon Madsen, manager of Globe
Milling, stated the malt flour department is not operational. He estimated that this portion of the plant
would not be in operation for a month or possibly longer. The feed department was not damage and
operations will continue. Madsen stated,
“We would have had a total loss without the sprinkler system.”
The power belts running much of the
equipment were ruined, and much of the equipment cannot be replaced, it must be
repaired. Water damage was high and a
great deal of cleanup work needs to be done because the water mixed with the
flour in the building, making a paste.
03 05 CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT IS PRAISED
The
Watertown Fire Department has received a letter of congratulations from Marvin
H. Olson, fire prevention supervisor of the state of Wisconsin.
Olson
praised the fire prevention bureau at the department which is headed by Capt.
Roland Thiede. The letter follows:
Chief
Al Linde
Watertown
Fire Department
Dear
Chief Linde:
It
gives me a great deal of pleasure to extend my sincere-congratulations on
your-achievements. Those of us who know
you well and who have watched the work of your department know you deserve a
great deal of recognition for the excellent fire prevention bureau you have
established.
Heartiest
congratulations to you and Capt. Thiede for the splendid job you are doing.
Yours
truly,
Marvin
H. Olson,
Supervisor,
Fire Prevention
State
of Wisconsin
03 26 MAIL CAR FIRE
EXTINGUISHED
No local mail was damaged in the blaze
aboard a Milwaukee Road mail car which caught fire early this morning enroute
to St. Paul, according to local postmaster Fred Pagel. He said there was no first class mail destroyed
in the fire. The car was loaded nearly
completely with parcel post mail. The
Watertown Fire Department received the call from the Milwaukee Road to
extinguish the fire at 1:14 a.m. When
fire-men arrived on the scene, the car had been placed on a siding. The fire was put out and the burned mail
taken out of the car. There has been no
estimate of damage. Detectives from the
railroad and postal inspectors on the scene this morning were not able to
determine the cause. The fire started
inside the car while the train was traveling between Milwaukee and Watertown.
04 03 ASSISTANT
CHIEF WALTER SCHUENEMANN KILLED
Killed
in two-car crash enroute to home in Watertown after visiting his wife,
Angeline, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, where she had undergone surgery.
04 21 HOUSE FIRE AT 1551 OCONOMOWOC AVENUE
Home
of Paul and Martin Lorenz. Sparks from
chimney was probable cause.
06 30 LIGHTNING SETS BARN ON FIRE
Lightning
caused an estimated $15,000 damage to a barn near Watertown. The barn is located on a farm on the Shem
Road (currently called Provimi Rd) and is owned by George Hoppe, and rented by
Marvin Siefert. Firemen were called to
the scene at 2:20 a.m. and the last unit returned to the quarters at 9:23
a.m. Damage to the building was
estimated at $10,000 and the personal property, including three head of
livestock and farm equipment, was estimated at $5,000.
09 03 FREIGHT CAR FIRE
A
freight car fire caused an estimated $12,000 in damages early this
morning. The Watertown Fire Department
responded to a call at 4:56 a.m. for the fire at the Milwaukee Road Depot. Firemen remained at the scene nearly three
hours extinguishing the blaze in the boxcar filled with lumber. All off-duty and auxiliary firemen were
called. It was necessary to cut a hole
in the top of the car to contain and extinguish the fire. The probable cause of the fire was a hotbox.
09 09 SCHLENDER BARN FIRE
Watertown
firemen fight a barn blaze on the Donald Schlender farm on the East Hubbleton
Road. The first call to the department
came at 9:09 a.m. All auxiliary and off
duty firemen were called.
09 10 THREE PROMOTIONS
Three promotions in the
Watertown Fire Department were announced today by the Police and Fire
Commission. The three firemen promoted
are Capt. Harold Hell, Lt. Donald Asmus, and Pvt. Joseph Brooks. Capt. Hell was promoted to assistant fire
chief, a position held by the late Walter Schuenemann who was killed-in an auto
crash in Madison April 1. Asmus was
promoted to captain, and Pvt. Brooks to lieutenant.
Hell, 58, was appointed
to the fire department auxiliary on Nov. 5, 1935, and was appointed full time
on Jan. 1, 1947. He was promoted to
lieutenant Jan. 1, 1964, and to captain on July 1. 1965. Asmus, 41, was appointed to the auxiliary
department on Jan. 1, 1951, and on June 1, 1951 he was appointed full
time. He was promoted to lieutenant Jan.
1, 1964, and to alarm supervisor July 1, 1965.
Brooks, 42, was appointed to the department auxiliary on Jan. 5, 1951,
and on Feb. 1, 1957, he became full time.
09 25 $30,000 FIRE AT BETHESDA
Fire caused
estimated damages of $30,000 to two farm buildings at the Bethesda Lutheran
Home Wednesday. Firemen were called to
the scene at 4:24 p.m. to extinguish a blaze to the pig barn and hay stack. All off duty and auxiliary personnel were
called to battle the fire. The fire was
brought under control and extinguished approximately one and one-half hours
after the department arrived. Damage to
the building was estimated at $25,000, and the contents of $5,000. A total of 156 pigs were lost.
11 05 SMALL PLANE CRASH KILLS TWO
< scroll forward, set of 4
Two
Janesville residents killed when single engine plane exploded after striking
six high tension wires, crashing in a ball of flames on the Milwaukee Road
tracks near Doris Street. Plane was not
based at the municipal airport. Flames
extinguished by the Watertown Fire Department.
12 10 CONSTRUCTION OF SCOOTERS FOR CHILDREN
Members
of the Watertown Fire Department have as one of their projects the construction
of scooters for non-ambulatory children.
They donate the material, such as plywood cut in different sizes, then
stained and varnished with the application of special casters that roll over
most floor surfaces. The firemen have
donated the scooters for use by handicapped children attending the Pied Piper
Nursery. They are also available for use
by any other handicapped youngster in the city. Shown:
Firemen Patrick Theder and Dennis Ruegg with the latter's son, Chad
Ruegg, 3, who attends the Pied Piper Nursery.
12 19 FIRE AT 906 N. SECOND
Fire
Thursday evening caused extensive damage to the Roy Wendt home, 906 North
Second Street. Damage to the building
has been estimated at $5,000 and to the contents, $1,000. The fire in first floor a bedroom spread to a
stairwell and into the second floor.
There was extensive smoke damage.
An overloaded electrical outlet was the apparent cause of the
blaze. The Watertown Fire Department
including off duty firemen and auxiliary firemen were at the scene. The call
was received at 10:24 p.m.
Firemen
were called again to the home at 9:10 a.m. today after the fire rekindled. The
fire was extinguished in minutes.
The
fire department answered another call at 6:57 a.m. today to a chimney fire at
the George Zimmerman home on county trunk Q in the town of Milford. Smoke
damage was reported.
___ 1970 __________________
06 22 MONROE
STREET FIRE
One of four images in portfolio
Fire caused estimated
damages of $6,000 to the Augustine Bermea home at 306 North Monroe early this
morning. No one injured but entire
interior was gutted.
08
12 CIVIL DEFENSE DISASTER
DRILL
Mock
explosion at Lindberg Hevi-Duty resulted in simulated injuries to 30 young
persons, treated at the scene and then transported to Watertown Memorial
Hospital.
08
20 STRUCTURAL FIRE AT 213 S.
WASHINGTON
James Brady
residence. Front porch, living room and
upstairs hallway. Link
to set of 6 images
09 11 CAPTAIN THIEDE RETIRES
Captain
Roland Thiede, 56, fire inspector of the Watertown Fire Department, retired 09
11 1970. Captain Thiede, who resides at
234 Lounsbury Street, was first appointed to the Watertown Fire Department on
Aug. 4, 1947, and on Nov. 1, 1965 he was promoted to the post of captain of the
inspection bureau. During his years as
head of the inspection bureau, Thiede gave many talks to civic groups, school
classes and others on the subject of fire prevention.
11 10 AL LINDE, FIRE CHIEF, RETIRES
Alfred
Linde, chief of the Watertown Fire Department for over 23 years, will retire on
Nov. 27.
Linde
came to Watertown on Aug. 1, 1947, serving as chief throughout his entire
career here. He succeeded Harry
Schlueter who retired. Linde's
appointment as chief was approved by the Watertown City Council on July 15,
1947.
Prior
to accepting the position in Watertown Linde served 25 years on the Milwaukee
Fire Department before retiring with the rank of captain. Following his retirement from the Milwaukee
department Linde accepted a position with the A. 0. Smith Company in Milwaukee
as its assistant fire chief.
A
special gathering for Linde will be held tonight at the municipal building,
with firefighters, city officials, and friends present.
12 01 DONALD ASMUS BECOMES NEW CHIEF,
replaced Al Linde
Donald Asmus has been chief of the department since Dec. 1, 1970;
Retired Jan. 2, 1986. Joined dept in
1950. Replacing long-time chief Al
Linde.
Donald
Asmus, 42, a member of the Watertown Fire Department for more than 19 years,
was named Chief of the Watertown Fire Department. The appointment is effective Dec. 1. Asmus succeeds Al Linde who will retire Dec.
1 after over 23 years as fire chief here.
On
Jan. 1, 1964 he was appointed to the position of lieutenant, and on Sept. 9,
1969, Asmus was promoted to the rank of captain, the position he presently
holds.
The
new chief was born in Watertown and has been a resident of the city for his
entire life. He lives with his wife,
Evelyn, and five children at 1012 North Fourth Street.
12 09 "HAPPY DAYS CHIEF"
The Lions Club honored Al Linde, who
retired Dec. 1 as the chief of the Watertown Fire Department.
Gerald Mallach and Jerome Brunelle, secretary of the Police
and Fire Commission at the time Linde was hired as fire chief.
12 17 FIREMEN BATTLED STRUCTURAL FIRE
ON HIGHWAY QQ
When
firemen arrived at the scene shortly after 8 a.m. today the basement was fully
engulfed and the fire was progressing through the first and second floors and
the attic. The home is owned by Herbert
Krakow and is located on highway QQ in the town of Milford. Damage was estimated at $6,000 to the house
and belongings. Three persons were home
at the time but there were no injuries.
___ 1971
__________________
01 02 TWO
PROMOTIONS, ONE NEW MAN
Three
changes in the personnel of the Watertown Fire Department were announced today
by Chief Donald Asmus.
The
changes are the promotion of Lieutenant Wayne Wendt, 506 North Warren Street,
to captain, Firefighter Earl Nienow, 510 Clyman Street, to lieutenant, and the
appointment of Joel Edwards, 114 Stimpson Street, to the regular force.
Captain
Wendt, 52, was appointed to the fire department auxiliary on Sept. 15, 1947 and
was named to the full-time force on Jan. 15, 1948. He was promoted to lieutenant on July 1,
1965.
Lieutenant
Nienow, 40, was appointed to the fire department auxiliary on Sept. 1, 1951 and
to the regular force on Feb. 1, 1957.
Firefighter
Edwards, 24, was appointed to the fire department auxiliary on Oct. 1, 1970. He
is the former manager of the United Building Center, 1001 South Third Street.
When
Chief Al Linde retired last year, and Asmus was promoted to Chief, the
positions were vacant, and thus the reason for the promotions.
One position on the fire
department remains to be filled. That is
the post of fire inspector which has been vacant since the retirement of
Captain Roland Thiede last year.
01 15 PAUL
BUCHHOLZ (1910-1971
findagrave)
Buchholz was a lifelong
resident of Watertown. He was a member
of the Watertown Fire Department for 25 years.
He was appointed a part time member of the fire department auxiliary
Aug. 4, 1941 and became a full time member of the department Jan. 1, 1946. Не was advanced to the rank of
captain Jan. 1, 1948.
___ 1972
__________________
02 05 KING’S
SHIELD GUTTED BY FIRE
Fire completely gutted
the interior of the King’s Shield cocktail lounge, an entertainment bar at 1500
Bridge Street, early this morning, causing heavy smoke and fire damage to the
entire interior. Total damage was estimated
at approximately $50,000. The Watertown
Fire Department received a call from a nearby resident at 2:46 a.m. after
flames were noticed coming from the structure.
The fire apparently started in an area near the side entrance and then
extended up onto the roof area. All
fixtures, chairs, tables, bar equipment and other items were badly damaged in
the blaze. Firemen fought the blaze in
sub-zero temperatures for nearly two and one-half hours before returning to
their quarters at 5:13 a.m. The King’s
Shield is owned and operated by Rich Etteldorf, 115 1/2 East Main Street.
END OF MEYER AMBULANCE
SERVICE
The Meyer Ambulance Service of Watertown closed its
business at the end of 1976. Lloyd
(Dinty) Meyer operated the service for over 42 years.
___ 1978
__________________
PATRICK JOHN THEDER was promoted to lieutenant in 1978
___ 1982 __________________
07 06 Flood of 1982, Fire Department pumps water from
basements and businesses
Residents got a precursor of
things to come on July 6-7 when 1.63 inches of rain fell. It was Saturday, July 10, 1982, when the
skies opened and deluge of water hit the city.
12 11 Fire truck gets a new engine and transmission to “improve roadability and pumpability.” Fire Chief Don Asmus. The Watertown Finance Committee will vote on the $23,000 expenditure. Mayor Kenneth Thiel said the work has already been approved by the full council as part of the 1983 budget. A diesel engine and automatic transmission will replace the gas engine and clutch now in the 15-year-old truck. Asmus said the truck will require less time to warm up and will be easier to drive. WDT
___ 1983
__________________
01 08 Fire
resulted in an estimated $500,000 damage to G.J. Graphics, 602 South Water
Street, Saturday night. The cause of the
fire was not determined as of this morning and the state fire marshal has been
called in to investigate. Smoke was
pouring from the roof of the one-story wood frame building known as Rock River
Court when firefighters arrived. G.J.
Graphics, Neumar Insurance Agency, Wisconsin Analytical and Roll-Rite Products
occupy Rock River Court. Neumar, Wisconsin Analytical and Roll-Rite were cleaning
up soot today, but their businesses were not otherwise damaged by the fire.
02
05 Transfer trauma
patients to Madison and Milwaukee hospitals by EMS WDT
05
05 Riverview
Commons apartment complex to be rebuilt following fire WDT
12
13 Fire broke out at The Office tavern,
damage estimated at $100,000 WDT
DEC FIRE AT 314 NORTH
MONGOMERY
___ 1984 __________________
03
24 Watertown Outboarders Club
destroyed by fire early WDT
09 12 Firefighter Robert
Ott, a member of the dept since 1957, exercised his option for early
retirement. Initially appointed to the auxiliary
in Feb. of 1957, he became a regular of the dept. on Apr 1, 1962. WDT
___ 1985 __________________
02
03 Pumping capacity of city's wells could
be exhausted WDT
03
26 Duck rescued from river WDT
06 18 Chief Asmus Resignation.
At the conclusion of 1985, Donald
Asmus will no longer be chief of the Watertown Fire Department. Asmus submitted a letter informing Mayor
Kenneth Thiel of his wishes to retire on Jan. 2, 1986, 35 years and one day after
he started as an auxiliary fireman at the department. In the letter, Asmus said: “Having made the
most difficult decision I have had to encounter, I hereby tender my formal
notice of retirement to become effective Jan. 2, 1986. “May I take the opportunity to extend my
heartfelt appreciation for the courtesies and cooperation that have been
afforded to me while an employee of the city of Watertown by the present and
past administrations.” Asmus has been
chief of the department since Dec. 1, 1970, replacing long-time chief Al Linde.
07 03 Defibrillation, electric shock treatment in an attempt to restore a
halted heart beat, could soon to be part of the Watertown emergency medical
service program. The common council
Tuesday evening approved the expenditure of $27,000 to implement the service
pending approval from the state Department of Health and Social Services. The $27,000 amount includes approximately
$15,000 for the equipment to be installed in the department’s two EMS vehicles
with the remaining amount spent as overtime to train the EMS technicians. WDT
10
14 Candle Glo Motel restaurant fire
Fire officials say the cause of a fire which
damaged the restaurant at the Candle Glo Motel, 1200 North Fourth Street,
Wednesday night may never be ` the blaze with the State Fire Marshal,
classified the cause this morning as “undeterminable.” Asmus said it
was unlikely foul play was involved. Firemen responded to a report
of smoke coming from the kitchen of the restaurant at 8:10 p.m. The
fire was discovered by the owner of the motel, Irene Thekan, who was in the basement
doing her laundry. WHS_005_435;
WHS_005_436
10 21 Ronald Weavel New Chief
Ronald E. Weavel, 45, a
lieutenant on the Rockford Fire Dept, became the new Watertown Fire Chief on
Jan. 1. The new chief was selected from
a field of over 20 candidates, and was the unanimous choice of the commission. Weavel succeeded Fire Chief Don Asmus who has
headed the department for the past 15 years.
Asmus announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31. WDT
12 11 Ronald
Weavel appointed Fire Chief. The
changing of the guard starts Monday, as Watertown's newly appointed fire chief,
Ronald Weavel, begins his first day at the 20-employee department. Weavel is expected to work with current chief
Donald Asmus until the first of the year when Asmus will officially
retire. Asmus has been head of the
department for the last 15 years and has been affiliated with the department
since 1951. Weavel comes to Watertown
from a lieutenant's position at Rockford Fire Department. In Rockford, the lieutenant's position is
equivalent to that of a shift commander.
Weavel was an employee of the Rockford Fire Department since 1966 and
has 20 years of firefighting experience. WDT
___ 1986 __________________
01 01 RONALD
WEAVEL Fire Chief 1986-1994
Ron Weavel succeeded Don Asmus as
Chief, Watertown Fire Dept., 1986-1994.
Ronald E. Weavel, 45, a lieutenant on the Rockford Fire Department,
became the new Watertown Fire Chief on January 1, 1986. The new chief was selected by the Police and
Fire Commission from a field of over 20 candidates, and was the unanimous
choice of the commission. Weavel
succeeded Fire Chief Don Asmus who headed the department for 15 years. Asmus retired December 31, 1985.
After eight years as chief of the Watertown Fire Department, Ronald Weavel sought new challenges in 1994. Weavel announced his resignation effective January 15, 1994, in a letter to the Watertown Police and Fire Commission. Weavel accepted a position in the private sector, working in inspections, investigations and consulting. Although the work continued to be in the fire prevention and protection field, he wouldn’t be answering the fire call for the first time in his 30-year career.
Obit, Ronald E.
“Bo” Weavel, 1940-2012
Earl
Nienow, firefighter for 29 years, retired in 1986 as lieutenant.
01 07 CARLTON HOTEL FIRE: Smoke detectors may have saved the lives of 25 persons
as fire moderately damaged the Carlton Hotel, 115 South First St. Both police officials and firemen responded
to the hotel at about 4:45 a.m. after a tenant, Fred Long, ran three blocks in
near zero degree temperatures to the police department. “We're very fortunate those fire detectors
worked. If they didn't we could have had
a terrific fire, because it could have spread very easily up those pipe
chasers.” - Fire Chief Ronald Weavel WDT
02 15 JOEL EDWARDS. Announced a promotion and hiring of a new firefighter in the department. Joel Edwards, 39, 114 Warren Street, has been promoted to lieutenant in the department to replace Earl Nienow, 1323 South Third Street, who retired in December after 34 years of service. Keith Becken, 27, 1036 Meadow Street, started employment with the department on Jan. 9 to replace Edwards. Becken, from Milwaukee, was a member of the Greendale Fire Department for 2 1/2 years. He also is a certified EMT. He is single. WDT
02 21 BOUNDARIES OF
EMMET DISTRICTS
Watertown and town of Lebanon agreed to coincide the boundaries of Emmet EMS district and fire district WDT
03 05 No one person is running the department. He may have the title “City of Watertown Fire Chief,” but after two months on the job Ronald Weavel has done more than his share in spreading the responsibility of running the department to his 20-man staff. “No one person is running the department anymore. This is a 20-man department,” said Weavel, a Rockford, Ill., fire lieutenant before being named Watertown fire chief last December. “When I first came here, I told them (the staff) if you want to get involved, you can get involved. And that's what they've done. We've got 20 quality guys here, all willing to work.” What Weavel has done is not reduce his workload. His day is still filled with administrative duties - conferences with his men, state fire officials and perhaps a neighboring fire department. WDT
03 16 It sure didn't take long for the Watertown Fire Department's newest piece of equipment to prove its effectiveness. Firemen Thursday afternoon used a 1,200 gallon per minute water deluge gun to virtually disintegrate an ice jam off the North Second Street bridge, freeing water which was rising at a rate of one foot per hour. Ice jams continued this morning in the area of the Division Street bridge, City Engineer Edward Bennett said. With temperatures expected to climb into the 40s today and through the weekend, however, Bennett expected almost all of the jams to break up naturally. WDT
03 28 Ruling out arson, Watertown fire officials today say they are still unsure on what started a blaze at Loeb Industries' metal processing facility early Saturday evening. The metal processing plant, one of two Loeb buildings at 1111 South Tenth Street, sustained extensive smoke damage throughout and fire damage to its west side receiving end, where officials believe the fire started. The plant and adjacent office building were unoccupied at the time of the blaze. WDT
10 03 It
was November 1985 when Ronald Weavel promised progressiveness as he took the
helm at the Fire Department. Almost one
year later, the progress may be a little slower than expected but the
commitment hasn’t waned. June 1, 1987,
appears to be D-Day for the Watertown Fire Department. That’s when the insurance service officers
are expected to come to the city and see if the fire department, with the water
department, deserves a class three fire protection rating. The class three would mean a two-class jump
from the department’s present class five rating. WDT
___ 1987
__________________
07 31 411
NORTH FIFTH FIRE
Extensive damage to the roof, attic and
second story of the home of Gale Uttech.
07 31 SILO
FIRE (same date)
Wooden silo on the Harvey Ziemer farm, W7324
Provimi Road.
12 06 POSSIBLE
ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAM
Members of the Watertown Fire Department may begin an advanced training program next year that would increase the lifesaving abilities of the emergency medical squad. EMT coordinator Mike Knope said the department has applied for state approval of the training program, which is an intermediate level for emergency medical technicians. If the state determines that the city has a need for more highly trained EMTs, the instruction probably will begin next spring. “What this is going to do is give us the authority and capabilities to perform better on the emergency scene,” Fire Chief Ronald Weavel said. The training would be provided by the Madison Area Technical College in conjunction with Watertown Memorial Hospital. The hospital would serve as the medical control or adviser when fire personnel begin using the advanced techniques, probably next fall. WDT
12 16 APARTMENT
FIRE
Minor fire at a residence at Church of Christ, 943 West Main Street
caused by wood-burning stove.
___ 1988
__________________
01 12 EMS
TRANSFERS IN AN EMERGENCY
Officials at
Watertown Memorial Hospital are studying a letter from Mayor David R. Lenz that
suggests that the hospital begin a service that would transport patients from
Watertown to other hospitals in an emergency.
The Watertown Emergency Medical Service provides transportation within
the city to Watertown Memorial Hospital, but does not transport people to
hospitals outside of the city, except in life-or-death situations. In severe cases, Flight for Life from
Milwaukee and Med Flight from Madison provide transportation. Non-emergency transportation is available
from Pederson Funeral Home and FISH, a volunteer service for the elderly. WDT
08 20 JEFFERSON
COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS’ ASSOCIATION
Fire Chief
Ronald Weavel has been named president of the newly formed Jefferson County
Fire Chiefs’ Association. Weavel said
the organization hopes to promote coordination among the county’s 13 fire
departments to provide more efficient fire protection for Jefferson
County. “What we’re hoping to do is get
more involved so that we will be able to advance the service (in the county),”
Weavel said. The association, which held
its first meeting in July, will be looking at several areas of cooperation,
including cooperative purchasing, standardization of mutual aid system and
programs for advance officer training. WDT
09 10 PLANE
CRASH
Emergency
personnel remove an injured passenger from a single-engine airplane that
crashed just south of Watertown Municipal Airport in a field west of River
Drive at approximately noon today.
Preliminary reports indicated that five people were injured and
transported to Watertown Memorial Hospital.
The plane was a Piper Cherokee 6.
WDT
11 13 EMERGENCY
MEDICAL TECHNIQUES
Watertown’s emergency medical personnel have started a training program that will allow them to handle a wider variety of emergency situations. A total of 11 fire department personnel are studying intermediate-level emergency medical techniques, a 22-week program that will greatly enhance the lifesaving skills of the city’s EMS squad. “I think it’s something that is going to save lives,” said Fire Chief Ronald Weavel. “It’s a step toward advancing and providing better emergency care for the community.” Currently, Watertown EMTs are certified to handle basic life support situation. However, out of 701 EMS runs in 1987, about 498 or 71 percent of the situations called for treatment beyond what the basic life support skills could provide. WDT
___ 1989
__________________
05 29 D&L PALLET FIRE
TOWN OF
WATERTOWN — Firefighters battled strong winds and intense heat while
extinguishing a pallet fire just south of the city limits Wednesday. The fire destroyed about 20,000 pallets at a
storage area owned by D&L Pallet Inc. on County Trunk Y, according to plant
foreman Bob Vogel. He said the loss
included four trailers used for storage.
Officials from the Watertown Fire Department are investigating the cause
of the fire, which was reported by a resident of the area at about 4 p.m. “When we arrived, the pallets were totally
involved (in flames),” said Capt. Dennis Schramm. “With the wind, the fire was hard to
control,” he added. WDT
12 16 DUN-IN TAVERN FIRE
TOWN OF MILFORD
— Fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen of the Dun-In Tavern, N8004
County Trunk A, Tuesday night. According
to a report from the Watertown Fire Department, the fire started from grease in
a deep-fat fryer in the kitchen. Owner
Don Schroeder attempted to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, but was
unable to contain the blaze. Several
customers were in the business at the time, but were able to evacuate without
incident. Firefighters battled the fire
in bitter-cold temperatures, which dipped to about zero degrees. When they arrived, flames were visible from
the northeast corner of the building. WDT
___ 1990
__________________
02 21 PROPOSED EMPLOYEE SUBSTANCE
ABUSE POLICY
The city’s firefighters’ union has filed a complaint against the city of Watertown over its proposed employee substance abuse policy. Michael Knope, president of the local firefighters’ union, said the union believes the policy should be negotiated as part of its contract with the city. The firefighters are serving under the second and final year of their current contract. “It was a negotiable subject and they failed to negotiate it,” he said. WDT
07 07 ALLEVIATE MANPOWER SHORTAGE
In an attempt to alleviate a manpower shortage in the city fire department, the Watertown Common Council voted, 8-1, to hire three additional firefighters/emergency medical technicians. By hiring additional personnel, the council hopes to substantially reduce the number of overtime wages paid to firefighters. For example, during the most recent city payroll summary, the department used 198.25 overtime hours from June 14 through June 27. From May 29 to June 12, firefighters logged 246.75 overtime hours. Part of the problem is caused by a staff reduced by people on disability leave, retirement, training sessions and vacation. In addition, the number of calls for assistance, particularly for emergency medical help, has increased steadily in recent years. WDT
08 13 FIRE HYDRANTS OPENED ILLEGALLY
Several acts of vandalism this week have raised some serious concerns among the Watertown water and fire department staffs. For the past two nights fire hydrants have been opened illegally and left running, according to Michael Olesen, water department manager. He said, “This is extremely dangerous and puts the city’s fire protection in jeopardy. It can place us in a situation of not having enough water in the towers for industrial and home use, and certainly not enough to fight a major fire.”
Wednesday
between 5:05 a.m. and 6:14 a.m. hydrants at Harvey and Thomas avenues, Sunset
and Thomas avenues, Kossuth and Williow streets and Ninth and Clyman streets
were opened. Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. one
was opened at West and Dayton streets, and at 1:20 a.m. they were opened at
Brian Court, Harvey and Thomas avenues, Sunset and Harvey avenues, two on
Twelfth Street in front of Webster School, and one on top of the hill at
Richards Avenue. Although the hydrants were open less than half an hour, Olesen
said the level of water in the towers dropped by 12 feet and over 150,000
gallons of water were lost. WDT
___ 1991 __________________
04 30 UPGRADE EMS SERVICE WITH PARAMEDIC TRAINING
City
officials are considering upgrading Watertown’s emergency medical service with
paramedic training for nine people. The
firefighters’ union asked the city’s finance committee to authorize the
start-up cost of $36,000, spread over the next two years. The estimate includes $14,000 for equipment,
$13,500 for training and $6,720 for overtime.
Local union president Michael Knope said paramedic training would allow
emergency medical technicians to provide “top-of-the-line care” to Watertown
residents. “It would undoubtedly save
more lives,” he said. “That’s been
proven nationwide with any studies, particularly for cardiac patients.” WDT
10 05 PARAMEDIC SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED
Paramedic
service will be provided to Watertown area residents by early 1993 once
emergency medical technicians complete training authorized by the Watertown
Common Council Monday night. Council
members voted unanimously to authorize training and equipment costs for the
program. The city will pay half of the
estimated $40,000 needed for training and equipment and the other half will be
paid by the four townships served by the fire department — towns of Emmet,
Milford, Shields and Watertown. The
costs will be spread over two years.
Paramedic training will equip emergency medical technicians with the
skills necessary to provide more advanced cardiac care to heart patients,
including more sophisticated defibrillation.
The equipment costs include the purchase of two new defibrillators. WDT
12 26 COMPENSATION FOR FIRE CAPTIANS
The
finance committee of the Watertown Common Council is recommending a change in
the way fire captains are compensated.
The committee Monday evening recommended that fire captains be allowed
to take up to 75 hours a year of comp time and after that point be paid for the
overtime on straight time wage levels.
Under the present rules, fire captains are not allowed overtime
pay. As a result, all overtime is taken
out as comp time. This has had two
negative effects. First, in some
instances firefighters are receiving more compensation then their supervisors,
and second, the supervisors are often not working in their assigned duties
because they are off on comp time. WDT
___ 1992 __________________
03 11 PARAMEDICS TRAINED IN ONE YEAR
Paramedic
training for nine members of the Watertown Fire Department will be completed in
one year instead of two, thus allowing the service to be provided by the end of
this year. In a special meeting Monday
night, the Watertown Common Council voted 9-2 to authorize the additional
expense for training all nine members this year instead of spreading the costs
out over two years as originally planned.
The resolution was opposed by council members Myron Moldenhauer and
Randal Behlke. Aldermen John Buckley and
Gerhard Maron were not present. WDT
10 14 PROPOSED REORGANIZATION
Watertown
Fire Chief Ronald Weavel said a proposed reorganization of the department will
improve administrative operations without affecting emergency services to the
community. “Our response time (to
emergencies) is not going to be any different than what it has been in the
past,” Weavel told the Daily Times. The city’s 1993 budget proposal for the fire
department reflects a reorganization of the work force. Currently, one of the department’s three
captains is on duty during a 24-hour shift.
The crew also has one lieutenant and five firefighters/emergency medical
technicians. WDT
12 16 PROPOSED REORGANIZATION
Starting
today, paramedic service will be available to residents of the Watertown
area. Nine firefighters are starting the
last leg of their paramedic training with on-the-job instructors in Watertown. The training program calls for each student
to complete eight 24-hour ride-along shifts under the supervision of an
instructor in Watertown. Previously, the
students finished 10 shifts of field training with paramedic instructors at the
Madison Fire Department. With the
completion of the paramedic training, the Watertown Fire Department will be
able to provide the highest level of emergency medical service available. Previously, the department offered
intermediate emergency medical service.
WDT
12 22 FORMER FIRE BELL MOVED
The
138-year-old bell of First Congregational
United Church of Christ was removed last week in preparation for its
installation in the cupola of the congregation’s new facility on the Highway 16
bypass. Workers from Restoration
Specialists and Fredrick Construction eased the bell out of the church
tower. It will be cleaned by Kusel
Equipment Company. The bell, cast in
1854 in East Troy, N.Y., was originally purchased for the church by its women’s
sewing group and served as Watertown’s fire bell for several years.
___ 1993 __________________
01 13 PARAMEDIC SERVICE
The Paramedics service officially started on
January 13, 1993. With the completion of
the paramedic training, the Watertown Fire Department, under the leadership of
Chief Ronald Weavel, was able to provide the highest level of emergency medical
service available. Previously, the
department offered intermediate emergency medical service.
01 13 RECOMMENDATION TO REDUCE
DEPARTMENT OVERTIME
The Watertown firefighters union today
blasted a finance committee recommendation designed to reduce department
overtime. The finance committee of the Watertown
Common Council voted Thursday evening to recommend a policy which would reduce
overtime costs to the city. However, the
union claims that policy would be dangerous to the safety of residents served
by the department. Patrick Theder, union
president, said, “Union officials present at the finance committee meeting
expressed their ongoing concern with dangerously low levels of staffing and for
primary responses, both fire and EMS. In
truth, all the Watertown Fire Department has at present staffing levels is a
token force that may be incapable of stopping the spread of a major fire in the
early minutes when it really counts.”
11 28 CHIEF WEAVEL RESIGNS
Watertown
Fire Chief Ronald Weavel today announced his resignation from the department,
effective Jan. 15, 1994. The chief
submitted his letter of resignation today to Gary Smith, chairman of the
Watertown Fire and Police Commission.
Weavel, who became Watertown’s fire chief on Jan. 1, 1986, said he has
accepted a position in the private sector.
Previously, he was a lieutenant on the Rockford Fire Department. Mayor Fred Smith said he anticipates the
commission will take a “deliberate and careful approach” to finding a successor
to Weavel, similar to its search this summer in hiring Police Chief Charles
McGee.
11 22 CHANGES
IN CALL-IN POLICY
In
an attempt to keep overtime costs in line while ensuring safety, the Watertown
Finance Committee has recommended changes in the fire department’s call-in
policy. The panel looked at the policy
following reorganization of the department during the 1993 budget deliberations
last fall. The Watertown Common Council decided not to replace a retiring
captain, one of three employed by the department. The two remaining captains were taken off
their 24-hour shifts and placed on the day shift. During budget discussions, concerns about
staffing were expressed by fire union officials, particularly for the night
hours when the captains aren’t on duty.
11 29 SURVIVE ALIVE FIRE SAFETY HOUSE
In
times of tragedy only one thing matters.
That everyone survives. Worldly
items suddenly don’t matter — the value of human life is paramount. A local group is spearheading a project
designed to ensure that in a house fire, everyone in the family — young and old
— gets out alive. It’s called the
Survive Alive Fire Safety House. The Watertown Kiwanis have been working behind the scenes for
months, collecting donations for the miniature home, which is used to simulate
a house fire. The two-story home comes
complete with smoke and electricity.
12 29 DICK GALLUP APPOINTED ACTING FIRE
CHIEF
Watertown
Fire Captain Dick Gallup has been appointed acting fire chief, effective Jan.
15, according to Mayor Frederick Smith.
Gallup will assume command of the department when Fire Chief Ronald
Weavel leaves. Weavel announced his
resignation earlier in December to accept a position in the private
sector. Smith said he appointed Gallup
at this time so that he can work with Weavel to familiarize himself with his
new duties. “It will give a sense of
continuity to the people who will be working under an acting chief for perhaps
several months,” Smith said. “I think
he’ll do a fine job.” Gallup, who joined
the department in October 1970, was appointed captain in January 1992 following
the retirement of Capt. Dennis Schramm.
Gallup became lieutenant in April 1984.
___ 1994 __________________
01 15 CHIEF RON
WEAVEL SR., CHIEF 1985-1994
ROCKTON, Ill. — Rockton fire
Chief Ron Weavel Sr., who has served nearly five decades in fire protection,
retired January 12, 2009, from the Ronkton, IL fire department.
Weavel, 68, was the fire chief of
the Watertown Fire Department from December of 1985 to January of 1994.
Weavel’s career began in 1958
when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was offered the opportunity to work at
the Great Lakes Naval Station’s Fire Department in North Chicago. When Weavel’s military career ended honorably
in July 1962, he continued to work at the naval fire station as a civilian
worker and was later employed with the Beloit Fire Department in Wisconsin for
a short period of time. He started
working with the Rockford Fire Department as a lieutenant in October of 1966.
He then moved to Watertown, Wis.,
with his family in 1985 to take his first position as chief. In 1994, he became chief of the Rockton Fire
Protection District.
In a January 13, 2009, article in
the Watertown Daily Times Weavel said
he is proud of his time with the Watertown Fire Department and that he was
pleased with the ways relationships were established with the city’s water and
police departments. “With the water
department, we improved the insurance services office’s fire defense rating,”
Weavel said. “We accomplished that in a
timely fashion. “The biggest memory I
have is being able to see the department take off and really start going into
the future,” he added. “The firefighters
took a hold of the department, ran with it and we got the paramedic program
established when I was there.”
Weavel said one of the factors
that resulted in him leaving Watertown for Rockton was the controversy
surrounding a delayed response to an activated fire alarm at Marquardt Manor [1992]. Weavel added if it was not for this incident
he probably would have stayed in Watertown until he decided to retire. WDT
04 16 APPLICATIONS
FOR CHIEF’S POSITION
About 70 people have applied for
the Watertown fire chief's position, which has been open since Ronald Weavel's
resignation in January. City
Clerk-Treasurer Michael Hoppenrath said the city received applications from
throughout the country, as far away as Alaska, Florida and California. Numerous applications were received from
people in Wisconsin as well. The
deadline for applications was April 1.
The applications will be copied and distributed to members of the
Watertown Police and Fire Commission for their review. An initial meeting to narrow the candidates
has not been scheduled yet. The
commission recently completed a similar search for a new police chief one year
ago, hiring Charles McGee. About 40
people applied for the police chief's position. WDT
06 11 FIRE
SAFETY HOUSE
The Survive Alive Fire Safety House will be
dedicated to the city of Watertown during a 1:30 p.m. ceremony Sunday in the
North First Street parking lot. Guided
tours of the two-story, portable home will be available after the
ceremony. The Watertown Fire Station
will be open for tours, also. Mayor
Fredrick Smith and Capt. Ken Peterson of the fire department will be there to
receive the keys to the house from the Watertown Kiwanis
Club, which oversaw the project. “We
hope all the citizens of Watertown and the surrounding communities will join
us,” said chairwoman Dawn McBride of the Kiwanis Club. “The Kiwanis Club is excited to have the
project complete and turn it over to the city.” WDT
07 11 STAFFING
LEVELS REVIEWED
The
Watertown Finance Committee is planning to review staffing levels for the fire
department following a report from acting fire chief Richard Gallup. On Tuesday, Gallup told committee members
that the current staffing level of 18 full-time shift personnel, consisting of
a combination of firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, is
inadequate to handle multiple emergency requests. Currently, the typical on-duty staffing per
shift is five people, Gallup said. This
is enough personnel to man two vehicles at one time, typically one ambulance
and one fire engine company.
08 06 RICHARD OLSON NEW CHIEF
INTERVIEWED
Watertown’s
new fire chief may be a long-time resident of California, but he’s no stranger
to the Watertown area. Richard L. Olson,
who was hired by the city’s police and fire commission this week, is a native
of Fort Atkinson and a graduate of that city’s high school. “I have great family roots there,” Olson, 50,
told the Daily Times in a telephone interview today. Gary Smith, chairman of the police and fire
commission, said the panel was impressed with Olson, who currently is chief of
the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District, based in Tahoma, Calif. “He is an excellent candidate. We were very, very pleased,” Smith said. “The commission was very impressed with his
leadership ability and his organizational ability. Those were two key functions we were looking
for.”
09 12 CHIEF OLSON SWORN IN
Although
he’s only been on the job for a few days, Watertown’s new fire chief likes what
he sees so far of his new department.
“I’m pleased and proud to be a part of an organization that is as
professional as this group is,” Richard Olson said. “I’m not surprised but I’m pleased.” Olson, 50, officially started his new duties
on Monday. He said he’s spent his first
week getting familiar with the department’s personnel, including members of the
auxiliary staff. A native of Fort
Atkinson, Olson has lived in California since the early 1970s, so his return to
Watertown is a homecoming of sorts.
___ 1996 __________________
02 10 MICHAEL J. KNOPE, 1960-1996 WDT
Watertown firefighter/paramedic Michael J. Knope, 35, died from injuries
suffered in a snowmobile accident in Langlade County. A member of the department for 11 years, he
was instrumental in the development of the paramedic program in the city.
02 24 FIRST WOMAN FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC
The Watertown Fire Department
recently hired four new firefighter/paramedics, including three as part of an expansion
of the staff authorized by the Watertown Common Council for 1997. The other firefighter/paramedic will take the
place of firefighter Wayne Kugler, who retired from the department on Jan. 1
after more than 24 years of service.
Kugler began his career in October 1972.
He was a journeyman firefighter and a Wisconsin State Certified Fire
Inspector. His most current duties were
apparatus driver/operator and fire inspector.
WDT
08 25 FLOOR OF ENGINE HOUSE
A report has placed serious
doubts on the ability of the fire department’s floor to hold heavy vehicles,
especially the two tankers. In response,
fire Chief Richard Olson has removed two tankers from the building. He also may take other vehicles off the
floor, perhaps as early as today. “We’re
really between a rock and a hard place,” Olson said. The report, prepared by Westbrook Associated Engineers of
Spring Green, expresses serious concerns about the structural soundness of the
floor due to deterioration. In addition,
the maximum design capacity of the floor may not be adequate for the
department’s heavier vehicles, the report indicates. WDT
-- -- PATRICK JOHN THEDER was promoted to captain in 1995.
___ 1997 __________________
03 22 WAYNE KUGLER RETIREMENT / Four new Firefighter/Paramedics
The Watertown Fire Department
recently hired four new firefighter/paramedics, including three as part of an expansion
of the staff authorized by the Watertown Common Council for 1997. The other
firefighter/paramedic will take the place of firefighter Wayne Kugler, who
retired from the department on Jan. 1 after more than 24 years of service.
Kugler began his career in October 1972. He was a journeyman firefighter and a
Wisconsin State Certified Fire Inspector. His most current duties were
apparatus driver/operator and fire inspector.
WDT
04 20 FIRE DEPARTMENT FLOOR
The cost for filling the area
underneath a portion of the Watertown Fire Department’s floor is $76,231. If
the city proceeds with the project, the public works committee of the Watertown
Common Council recommended hiring West Bend/American Building Systems for the
work. The firm submitted the low bid of
three received by the city. The other bids, considered by the panel at
Tuesday’s meeting, were from Burkel Construction, $78,000; and T.V. John and
Sons, $116,400. The city is considering filling the southern portion of the
area underneath the fire department with concrete as a way to increase the load
carrying capacity of the floor. WDT
05 09 FIRE DEPARTMENT FLOOR
A proposal to fill the area
underneath the fire department floor to increase the load carrying capacity of
the building was defeated by the Watertown Common Council Tuesday. The council
voted 5-3 against hiring West Bend/American Building Systems for $76,231 to
fill the portion of the basement underneath the department’s floor. The fire
department has not been storing its heaviest vehicles in the fire station since
last year, when it was determined that the floor was not designed to hold
vehicles weighing more than 30,000 pounds. In addition, deterioration of the
floor has led officials to believe that the actual load capacity has been
reduced further. WDT
06 18 EXPANSION TO THE SOUTH
Expansion of the fire station to
the south is the main option being
considered for solving the department’s vehicle storage needs. The public works
committee of the Watertown Common Council has directed fire Chief Richard Olson
to prepare a document to request proposals for possible construction. The
document would outline the scope of the work to be done and request bids. Olson
said the committee wants more information on this possible solution, which was
favored over two other alternatives given to the panel. He noted that a final
recommendation has not been made at this point. WDT
07 09 EXPANSION OF THE STATION
Expansion of the station has been
recommended by the public works committee of the Watertown Common Council. The committee endorsed the construction of a
building addition, 28 feet by 60 feet, in the south driveway of the fire
station. The addition will have room for
storage of four of the department's largest vehicles. Currently, the department is unable to store
its heaviest equipment in the fire station because the floor's load capacity is
inadequate. The floor, which is
deteriorated, wasn't designed to hold the larger fire vehicles being built
these days. WDT
08 18 LENIUS
BUILDING FIRE
An early
morning fire destroyed a building that housed three Watertown businesses on
Saturday. Arthur Lenius, owner of
the building at 721 Emmet St., estimated the loss of the building and
contents at a minimum of $300,000. Lenius operated his
business, Restoration Specialist Inc., from the building. Two other
businesses leased space from him M & M Auto Body, which is owned by John
Meyers, and Jim's Service Center, owned by James Wollinger
___ 1998 __________________
07 11 All fire hydrants sandblasted and
repainted WDT
08 13 Larry E. Sterwald, 1938-1998 WDT
09 30 Henry Butts started as captain in the
training division of the WFD WDT
11 25 A railroad engine spilled more than
2,000 gallons of diesel fuel near a wetlands area WDT
___ 1999 __________________
02 20 STRUCTURAL
FIRE AT 211 E. Cady
< Link to portfolio
05 15 Largest volume of calls received since
first formed, Q1 1999 WDT
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1847-1899 section Other Segments 2000-2023
section
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THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin