Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/530

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY,

��Subsequently, other companies were organ- ized, from time to time, much machinery and apparatus purchased, and the fire depart- ment became an institution of much interest and importance. In 1854, an Assistant En- gineer was appointed by the Council for each organization ; the old engine and apparatus of No. 1 was turned over to the Young America Fire Company, No. 3, and Mr. Mcllvain went to Boston and purchased a new engine for No, 1. It was called the " Deluge " and cost about $1,500.

Isaac Grass was appointed Chief Engineer ; E. McCoy, First Assistant ; M. Day, Jr., Second Assistant ; William Mcllvain, Third Assistant, and David Bruck, Fourth Assistant. Mr. Glass continued to be Chief Engineer, two years, when J. H. Cook was appointed, with H. C. Hedges as First Assistant, and Samuel Caroth- ers, Second. The third and fourth seems to have been dispensed with.

In 1857, John A. Lee was Chief, and David McCulloch and P. Bigelow, First and Second Assistants, Mr. Lee continued as Chief En- gineer several years. He was followed by B. S. Runyon, E. McCoy, Henry Lemon, James Emminger, Robert McCrory and George Knof- flock. In 1867, a steam engine was purchased for the department, at a cost to the city of $5,500. It was a valuable addition, and greatly reduced the labor of the fireman. It is still in possession of the city, together with two hand- engines, all of which are kept ready for instant use, in case the water-works should fail, dur- ing a fire.

The subject of building water-works for the citj' was first discussed in the City Council, in 1848. The first official action in the matter was taken by the Council June 5 of that year, when a committee was appointed to examine the springs northeast of the city and report as to the advisability of bringing in the water.

Again in July, 1848, a Mr. Bartle petitioned for certain privileges, for the purpose of furn-

��ishing the city with water from these springs. The matter was referred to a committee to report at an adjourned meeting. Mr. A. L. Grrimes made a favorable report, and the matter was again referred to a committee to make a contract. For some reason, however, the project failed. In December of the same year, a Mr. Maize petitioned for aid to erect water- works. The matter was favorably consid- ered b}^ the Council, but with no practical results. For twenty years, there was only an occasional spasmodic eflTort in the direction of water- works, but in 1870, it began to be talked up in earnest, and the first decisive action was had at the April election of 1871, when the people decided by a large majorit}', that a long-felt want should be supplied. The matter having been decided, the Council in May, 1871, ordered an election for Water Works Trustees, which resulted in the selection of Messrs. H. R. Smith, A. C. Cum- mings and S. B. Sturges. These gentlemen were given great discretionary powers, and ex- ecuted the trusts confided to them with fidelity and ability-. They first visited various places to study the workings of different systems of water-works, and came " to the unanimous con- clusion that the Holly S3'stem of pumping direct through the mains, was the best and cheapest." Whatever the merits of other systems, the Holly was considered best for Mansfield on account of the high elevation of the city above the water to be used — some 220 feet, at the high- est point. The works consist simply of appara- tus of sufficient strength, and sufficient steam power, to force the necessary quantit}' of water through iron pipes to this height, and as much higher as might be necessary in case of fire.

Ground was first broken May 15, 1871, and the work carried rapidly forward ; the city ad- vancing $500 to meet immediate expenses, the City Council voting the issue of bonds to the amount of $175,000. E. McCoy was em- ployed by the trustees, as foreman in the pre- liminary work. The water was taken out of

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