ISHPEMING — “Early in the fall it was seen that the city had grown too large to be covered by a single company from one station, so three substations were established in different parts of the town, and provision made for a hose company to be stationed at each house.

In as much as work on the buildings was delayed, there was no pressing necessity for the reorganization of the department as a whole to admit the new hose companies, but the recent disbanding of Company No. 1 precipitated this action, and Saturday evening last was the time appointed for effecting a reorganization to meet existing conditions and necessities.” (Mining Journal, March 3, 1890)

In 1890 there were no motorized fire trucks to race to the scene of a fire, merely horses to draw the fire apparatus. So as the city grew larger, the response time to the outer fringes of the city also grew longer. The fire horses, although fast, had their limits. By equipping designated houses in the outlying areas with the basics of fire apparatus, more property and lives could be saved.

“The Ishpeming fire department is again a thing of life and activity. From out (of) the chaos that resulted from the withdrawal of the former members has sprung a shoot that is already a giant oak. There was no danger that the city would be long without the necessary material for looking after conflagrations. The business hub of the upper peninsula has too much willing bone and sinew, too much pride in preserving the good name and features of the town to suffer it to go unprotected against so great an enemy.

The meeting of the different hose companies that was held at the engine house Saturday evening was one marked by unusual interest. The attendance was large and all seemed to be interested in the forming of a department that would be a credit to the town. While there was some rivalry shown as to the selecting of officers, in one instance, yet the feeling was a friendly one, and the whole affair of the most harmonious kind.” (Iron Ore, March 8, 1890)

“Some delay was experienced in the beginning, owing to the fact that there were present two ‘No. 4’ companies. It seems that soon after the work on the hose house in the Excelsior addition was begun Mr. John Byrns went around with a list and secured eleven volunteers as members of No. 4 company. A few days ago, Mr. Gust Peterson canvassed that part of the town with another list and secured twenty names to complete a company. Both companies were present Saturday evening, each claiming to be company No. 4, and organized in accordance with the provisions of the new ordinance. The company organized last claimed admission by reason of its having the full quota of members – twenty. The other based its demand on the fact that it was the first organized, Mr. Byrns stating that the organization was effected before the new ordinance was framed, and consequently, when he could not know the limit of membership. He added that he could at that time have got twenty names or thirty, and moreover he could get the required number now. Upon his agreeing to get the requisite number of members his company was admitted.” (Mining Journal, March 3, 1890)

“As department officers Mr. John P. Outhwaite was unanimously elected for the position of chief, the choice being made by acclamation. It is a (position) which the gentleman has filled before, he being the chief of the old department for many years, understands how the companies should be managed, is familiar with the best methods for the extinguishing of fires, is willing, and always ready, and is an officer whom the men look upon with respected and confidence. “(Iron Ore, March 8, 1890)

Eugene St. Clair, another seasoned veteran, was elected assistant chief on the second ballot and other officers were J.M. Vickers, William Verran and Hogan Asgaard.

“Acting Mayor Mr. H. Routhier, addressed the meeting in his official capacity and said to the members that he wished them to feel that the city council was always willing to grant the department any reasonable request, that he wished the latter to operate in harmony with the council. The city owed much to its volunteer company and was willing to give to it whatever ways need for the better protection against conflagrations, and for the greater comfort of the firemen.

Foreman of hose company No. 1, Mr. P.H. Devine and foreman of (the) hook and ladder company, Mr. J. S. Mennie, tendered an invitation to the members of the different companies to visit the meeting room at No. 1 whenever they could do so. There would means at hand for their entertainment and they were desired to accept the invitation.” (Iron Ore, March 8, 1890)

In typical newspaper fashion of the time, the locations of most of the hose companies were not mentioned. Company No. 1 was located in the fire hall on the corner of First and Bank Streets (now a parking lot), one of the companies was in the Cleveland location, one in the Excelsior addition and there was one also on Vine Street, close to the New York mine.

“The MINING JOURNAL can truthfully say that the city of Ishpeming will have, as soon as the apparatus for the new hose houses arrive, the best volunteer fire department, both as regards the men composing it and equipment, in the upper peninsula. There are four hose companies and one hook and ladder company, the aggregate membership being 100. There are four stations, so established as to thoroughly cover the whole city, and which, within a week or so, will be fully equipped with all necessary apparatus. With a fine system of water works, which furnishes an abundance of water and adequate pressure, our fire protection is about as complete as it can be.” (Mining Journal, March 3, 1890)