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SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1948 TIMES-GAZETTE PAGE THIRTEEM THE DAILY FIRE FIGHTING "Hark the loud alarum bell; brazen' bell. What a tale of terror, now, its surbulency tells! Im the startled, stilly night How it jangles in affright; Rising "higher, higher, higher, Strident messenger of fire . .." (adapted from E., A. Poe) By modern invention we are emancipated from some of the alarm signals and tolling bells of other days. By such contribution to security and confidence we are also rid of many fears and anxie- ties all too common a few decades ago. By such changes, we may even seem short in the sympathy so readily and practically offered when methods were more cumber- some in meeting public emergency. When the Tocsin Sounds Perhaps there is no more har- rowing experience than that of fire. The long-drawn, bellowing, "whoo- o0o-oop-de-do.ooh," of the siren on a modern fire truck, still causes a woolly feeling beneath the waist- band, even while the forlorn wail is trailing off in the distance. And yet we know with what speed, skill and even calm assurance, a fire can be tackled today. It has meant years of study, training and applied science to bring fire-fighting to its present high standard of efficiency. In the old days, .about all that volunteer firemen had- was stout hearts, willing hands and a hope for lots of water. The town seemed never so quiet as during early morning hours, One's ear could capture footstep sounds, a quarter-mile away. But when the placid peace was broken by a crashing jangle from the bell in the tower of the Town Hall clock, one could sense our little commun- ity wakening in the clutch of cold anxiety, Hasty whispers were heard, or calls from room to room. "Where is it? , , , "Is it in the Hollow?" . «+ "down the South end?" . .. '"up on the Hill?" Window shades were raised to look for a dread re- flection in the sky. Curtains were drawn aside in the darkness and ears intently listened when the alarm paused for a few seconds to give once again the signal of loca- tion before repeating the clattering jangle of alarm, Volunteers On the Job Hutriedly draping clothes about them, the volunteer firemen would run headlong from their homes. They sped towards the Town Hall --which was also the Fire Hall--or else to the nearest intersection in- dicated by the location signal. Here, they might make a jump for one of the fire carts as it passed by. Meanwhile, ostlers on night duty at the various livery stables would be throwing harness across the backs of teams and crashing up the street towards the Fire Hall. The first teams to arrive had the job of hitching up the first pieces of equipment called for. Long before | this, the Fire Hall doors were thrown open by the night watch- man, who by this time had handed over the alarm bell rope to some passerby. Chocks were removed from vehicle wheels and everything in readiness to move as horses and men arrived. While teams were being hitched, the brigade volunteers would come rushing in, buttoning up and get- ting into place. Though it might be dead of night there were always groups of onlookers to add to the shouting, cursing and confusion that seemed to prevail until the arrival of the chief, He didn't argue and his word was respected. He just "said," whereupon others "did," and did it fast. Of course, during excitement at the fire, some of the volunteers might act on their own initiative with more or less troublesome re- sults. Rugged and enthusiastic axe-wielders, might smash a win- dow, thereby letting in a draft of fresh air just where the fire was dying down. Water might be directed to a roof, shingles fly and the roof be ruined while the flames popped into sight from a different place. Add to all this the bewild- erment of panic-stricken house- holders as with care they carried out arms full of clothing and pil- lows, while furniture, pictures and even crockery might be thrown out from upper storey windows. There was nothing funny about all this, Everyone was in deadly earnest. Any odd or humorous side only ap- peared in retrospect after all ex- citement had died away, Their Work, Their Reward It was under such primitive con- ditions that early fires were fought. Often, the brigade couldn't hope to save much, ° Their greatest speed was too slow; their best equip- By COL. FRANK The above picture loaned to The Times- OSHAWA ... THROUGH MATURITY TO CIVIC DIGNITY CHAPPELL, V.D. ~ A; IN OSHA Gazette by William Scattergood shows a scene taken at the time of the explosion of the gas tank on Albert Street in 1907. This picture, which shows the fire fighting methods employed at that time, was taken and developed by Mr. Scattergood. bone best boston soi, sald Vin. Lh 2% A conception of the early fire fighting apparatus used by the volunteer firefighters of Oshawa, a far cry from the modern mechanical equipment used today by the Oshawa Fire Department in its two depots. 54g This picture, loaned to The Times-Gazette by John Thompson of the Oshawa Post Office taking place on King Street West long before the turn of the century. The background is o smoke clouds. # gat, shows a fire scured by heavy ment, inadequate. Fortunately, their energy was such that they were able to confine damage to a small area. These volunteer fire- fighters didn't get much material gain for their pains. Probably a grant by the Council to the Brigade funds. Maybe a turkey dinner at Christmas time. Of course there was the Firemen's Ball in the Winter and the Firemen's Conven- tion and Picnic in the Summer and a number of good, clubby, fellow- ship meetings throughout the year. The periodic excitement and ele- ment of risk while at a fire pro- vided the pungency of being a real sort of guy, a volunteer fireman. As a servant of the public, no doubt his feelings ran parallel to those of the volunteer militiaman who trained for defence of the country. In a financial way, both were as meagrely rewarded. But records show that many of these men con- tinued to give long, useful years of their lives in such voluntary public service, The Organization Changes Looking backwards we can see that Oshawa has indeed been for- tunate with -its comparatively low fire experience. We have had indi- vidual fires, some on quite a large scale; some resulting in great fi- nancial loss; but there has been no | disastrous holocaust carrying ruin in its train through inattentiveness and neglect. Perhaps on occasion, the wind has conveniently changed and Nature proven kind, But many, many times we can be sure that our good fortune has been due to the energy and willingness of those volunteers of the fire- bucket days of 1850, to the partially employed brigade of 1916, until the introduction of the present "full« | time" system of 1928. | . Meanwhile, the Brigade has in- | creased in skill and efficiency, not | only in tackling fires but in cease-. | less coaching of citizens in Fire | Preventive measures, observance of | By-Laws and understanding the | value of regulations. There are now | two Stations, the Central one being | at its 75-year-old location--Town Hall cum Fire Hall--at Richmond |and Simcoe Streets, while the | other, modern in every respect 1s | located just beyond the Base Line subway. Both are completely motorized with 'hose trucks, exten- sion ladder trucks, chemical engines and pressure boosters. With such modern equipment, plus lifesaving nets, inhalators 'and anti-smoke de- vices the present brigade has proven capable of handling many an emer- The Next Installment of This Series Will Appear in Next Saturday's Issue gency. Well drilled, well coachec and well led, the personnel in dis- cipline and deportment leave little to be desired. After all, they are #OW professional fire fighters, It is such comparison that rouses recol- lection of the long road by which we have come. Museum Pieces Just West of where the Police Chief's office now stands on Ri- chmond Street, there was for years a flat roofed galvanized iron shed. Part of this, prior to 1909, housed two pieces of fire equipment which through the years had given useful service but were then merged in the obscurity of retirement. There amongst other items of junk, stood a slender spoked, light running, highly = ornamented two-wheeled hose reel. The other article was a squat, four-wheeled, box-like, al- most coffin shaped affair, sur- mounted with a couple of parallel, handrail-like levers. The hose reel was for practice and ceremonial drill by the vol- unteer firemen, Taking their places at the hand ropes, they would run at a steady pace to differerit points before rolling out the hose. Each man had his regular job, but also an alternative place where he could substitute when need arose. This was the show or centre piece for athletic and drill displays when the Town was en fete. But the other piece of equipment would have heen the gem of an- tiques in modern years. It was phonetically .called the "mannyule" or else the "hand pumper." Actu- ally, it was a manually operated pump. It would be drawn by-hand to the site of the nearest well, stream or underground tank. There a suction hose would be lowered te the water. Then, after priming with water buckets carried in the machine, a group of men would line up on either side with their hands on the handrail-like levers. A two cylinder pump was brought into ac- jon as the levers moved up and own and a stream of water sent t through a delivery hose. / To use this, meant a good deal of drill and systematic training and yet it was simple enough so that once set in operation, the firemen could get spells of relief from pumping by onlooking citizens. Of course, those were the days of so much volunteér service that every one was glad to help and the ques- tion of "How much do I get out of this?" seems never to have arisen. This first fire engine was pur- chased in Rochester in 1851 for the sum of £100.0.0d. Remember, this was before Confederation and be- fore Canada had adopted the dollar currency. We have often wonder- ed what became of these quaint, but very real links with the past. They had given their service in another age, but were worth preserving in the interest of generations to come. The Fire Engine Prior to the completion of the new waterworks system with its 75 hydrants, strategically located around the town, water for fighting fires was supplied from domestic wells or underground tanks. Al- most every house had its well, al- though in case of fire it could probably be emptied a lot faster than it filled. But in the down- town area, within the "Fire Limits" bounded by William, Mary, Bruce and Church Streets, there had been constructed underground storage tanks. The larger one consisted of a great deal of the concrete base- ment of the Town Hall itself. The Firemen now use this as a sort of combined lunch and dressing room. Other tanks built of cedar logs were located at the Four Corners, Prince Rin, hin 87 Above may be seen a picture taken by Campbell's Studio on July 186, 1909. On this occasion the tower on the fire hall was struck by lightning, The flames may be seen bursting from the clock faces. Street, Albert Street and several other suitable points. They were usually filled by rain water from roofs and ditches but during dry spells were frequently inspected so that water could be hauled if nec- essary to maintain them at suit- able level. In- 1873 the old manual pumper gave place to the Town's proud possession, a brand new, steam Fire Engine. This steam pumper in all its glory of polished brass and steel was a precious piece of equipment in the eyes of the Bri- gade and indeed of the citizens in general, It cost nearly $7000. Skilled Attendants The best mechanics in town were none too good for the job of main- taining and operating such a valu- able showpiece. We recall the names of Willlam White and Jimmy Jac- ques and there were many others prior to them. The engine stood just inside the door of the Fire Hall. The fire-place beneath the boiler was always "laid" ready for a match. A bundle of dried and carefully slivered pine kindling lay near at hand to give a quick flame and of course there were small bags of suitable coal. Following an alarm a team was hitched to th- engine. As it raced on its way t the fire, the kindling was lighted Upon halting at the most conven: ent underground tank, from whic" by now the manhole cover har been removed, the suction hose wa: dropped into the water. By th' time the hose carts would have run out their hose lines ready fo com. nect to the delivery side of th: steam pump, which now had suffi cient steam pressure to commenc: delivering at least one and prob ably two or even more streams O. water. In actual service in thos: early days it was a very durabl: outfit and there is no doubt tha. it gave a good account of itself. With the advent of water mains and fire hydrants, the engine was kept in reserve as a means of tak- ing water already under pressure from the mains and boosting the pressure with the steam pump. Year after year, it was subjected to tests when Fire Underwriters made their ® annual inspection, getting probably more use at such tests than in actual emergency. The Glory Is Departed Gradually, with modern means of accelerating pressure, the old engine became too inefficient and too expensive to keep in proper re- pair. And so, with a lovely patina of age glinting through its gorgeous red enamel, polished brass and burnished steel, it ylelded up the place so long and so worthily held on the Fire Hall floor. For several generations the old engine had played its part. It had recelyexi the careful and almost affectionate attention of some splendid men, whether in their capacity of Fire Chiefs, mechanics, or councillor members of the Fire and Water Committee. We think of William White, Carpus French, Jack Kel- low, Angus Cameron, George Salter and John Gibson, to name but a few. It had stimulafed admiration end induced goggle-eyed wonder from hundreds of Oshawa's wee'uns and 'teen agers. It rendered useful service through the years, but have ing moved aside for mewer things, the worthy #part it played is still remembered. four years. The present F. DAVIDSON Davidson, started tp work with Mr. Halnan about 1905. Davidson, a son of the late Robert Davidson, is a lifelong citizen of Oshawa, having been born and educated in this community. His father will be remembered as being for many years a faithful employee of the town, a member of the 34th Regimental Band and a respected business man. ERVING E shoe business today known as Davidson's Shoe Store is another business which has its roots dug deep in the history of this city. It was about the turn of the century that William Halnan, an Irish shoemaker from Cork County, found- ed this business. Prior to this, "Big Bill" as he was well known, was Chief of Police for the Town of Oshawa for about twenty- proprietor of the business, Fred Mr. E business was then located in the south half of what is now Christian's Electric and Hardware Store at 11 Simcoe Street North. Mr. Davidson's early years as an apprentice in this business were spent both behind the counter and on the bench. In 1914, the business was sold to H. B. Samells, to whom congratulations are extended since he will attain the age OSHAWA Since 1900 of 91 years in May, 1948. Mr. Davidson managed the store under Mr. Samell's direction until 1916 when he purchased the business and moved into the location now occupied by Atkins' Ladies' Wear. The business carried on at that address for about five years. In 1918 Mr. Davidson and Mr. Samells formed a partnership known as Davidson and Samells, N 1921 Mr. Davidson purchased the Bond Streef corner of the old Queen's Hotel and moved the business to this loca« tion after remodelling the property. In 1928 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. David has been accorded us for nearly fifty years. DAVIDSON'S SHOE STORE Cor. Bond and Simcoe St. N. OSHAWA again b In 1948 E. A. Southwell, who has been associated with Mr, Davidson during the past sixteen years, was taken into part nership. The business will retain the name of Davidson's Shoe Store, and the age-old slogan, "Shoes that Satisfy", a principle on which the business was founded and which has brought it success throughout the years will continue to reign. policy," said Mr. Davidson, "has always been 'Quality Mer- chandise and Customer Satisfaction' and that can only come when the store sells "Shoes that Satisfy." "Shoes That Satisfy" HE years that have gone have dealt kindly with thi& institution , , 4 the years that lie ahead are, of course, unpredictable. Yet we are of the firm conviction that we can safely rely upon the principle which has carried this business through many periods of good times and diffi- cult times, which was that we only stocked and sold "Shoes that Satisfy « « « a square deal to every customer, a satisfactory fit and reason- able prices have always provided us with a satisfied clientele, and it will be our constant aim to carry on during the days to come in exactly the same manner. We sincerely hope that our efforts to give good satis« faction will long merit a continuance of the splendid patronage which Phone 227 the sole owner. "Our