Logan County IL Archives History - Books .....Fire Department And Utilities 1953 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 31, 2007, 12:41 am Book Title: A History Of Atlanta ATLANTA FIRE DEPARTMENT Atlanta suffered severely from fires in the early days. Most of the buildings were of wood, and once a fire started, there was little chance of extinguishing it. With the establishment of a city waterworks system in 1892, there was a better opportunity afforded to combat fire, and a four-wheel cart with ladders and leather water buckets was provided for use of the volunteer firemen. This was drawn by the firemen. Two-wheel hose carts were also drawn by hand, but in later years were hooked to automobiles. About 1913, a chemical tank was purchased. This was also mounted on wheels and at first was pulled by hand. Among the early volunteer fire fighters were Ed (Jack) Conklin, Frank Cheek, Horace Houghtling, Ralph Welch, John Keene, Jesse Knowles, Asa Coffman and Ira Bowers. The Atlanta Fire Department was formed September 24, 1926, and a fire truck was bought by the city. The following officers were chosen: Neil Rice, chief; Clarence Hieronymus, assistant chief; Walter Cheek, first captain; Harold Mason, second captain; Paul Schmidt, first engineer; Vaughn Harkreader, second engineer; Raymond Downs, third engineer; Ralph Demling, fourth engineer; M. M. Hoose, secretary. Other members of the department were Otto Goeman, Leo Hitchell, Lee Irvin, Elmer Taylor, W. A. Hieronymus, Albert Fulk, R. D. Stetson, Harold Douglas, J. N. Hayter, Loy Brandt and Clarence Black. The City of Atlanta makes annual appropriations for the upkeep of the department and in other ways has maintained the closest collaboration in order to keep up the efficiency of the department. During the early years of the organization the firemen added to their available funds by promoting Firemen's Balls. A fire District for the protection of the surrounding territory was formed in 1949. A modern fire truck was bought by the district, and although title to the truck is in the district, and the city is not a part of the district, the truck is manned and maintained by the Atlanta Fire Department and is available for use within the City of Atlanta. Ralph Brown, Henry Armbrust and Allen Applegate are directors of the Fire District. The Atlanta Fire Department has an excellent record, and statistics show that its fire losses in the city are among the lowest in the state. Of the original members of the Fire Department, only four are still active—Neil Rice, Harold Mason, Paul Schmidt and Elmer Taylor. ATLANTA GETS ELECTRIC LIGHTS Agitation for electric lights in Atlanta was started in 1895, when Robinson & Son, of Girard, applied for-a franchise to install and operate an electric light plant in Atlanta. At a special election held Monday, September 9, 1895, the people of Atlanta declared themselves in favor of electric lights by a vote of 106 to 51. A franchise was granted to Edward M. Burnett and John C. Robinson at a city council meeting in October, and work was commenced at once on the building to house the electric light plant. Street lights were turned on in Atlanta for the first time on Saturday night, February 1, 1896. A meeting had been arranged by Alderman Charles Haise to celebrate the event, but due to a broken circuit, it was nearly midnight before the lights could be turned on. However, the coming of electric lights to Atlanta was celebrated at a meeting on May 9, 1896. Service at first was limited and a signal warning that the lights would be turned off at 11 o'clock broke up social gatherings and cut short the romancing of Atlanta's young people at an early hour. With the change from direct to alternating current in 1914, electricity: in Atlanta assumed greater importance as a means of furnishing power. _ In 1915, the lines were extended to McLean, the farmers furnishing a free right-of-way through their lands. The Robinson family disposed of the system to the Central Public Service Corporation in November, 1925. The Lincoln branch of this company was known as the Illinois Public Utility Co. The operating company at the present time is the Central Illinois Electric and Gas Co. THE TELEPHONE Atlanta's first telephone line was built by Dr. C. O. Burke. It was about 15 miles long and connected Armington and Atlanta and was extended to the home of W. H. Wright in the New Kentucky neighborhood. Intermediate stations were at the George Albright and J. I. Mountjoy homes. Shortly after the first line was put in operation, Dr. Banks, another Atlanta physician, built a line to the Gold Springs neighborhood, west of Atlanta, and in 1898, Dr. Burke added a line to the farms of Albert Barnes and Charles Atchison, southeast of town. As the telephone grew in importance and the business was expanded, Dr. Burke sold his system to the Palmer-Darnall Electric Co., and Dr. Banks disposed of his lines to the farmers of Eminence township. For years, the two systems competed for Atlanta's patronage, and many business men and other residents were subscribers of both companies. Finally, the Baker Telephone Co., successor to the Palmer-Darnall company, bought the Eminence company and the two systems were merged. The .Baker Telephone Co. was succeeded by the Illinois Commercial Telephone Co. and it is now known as the General Telephone Co. of Illinois. the Red Cross Carnival was held in downtown Atlanta. An auction of donated livestock and farm produce was held at 3 p. m. and brought in $2350.00. A dinner was served in the Murphy Hall beginning at 5 p. m. and continued until 11 p. m. While this was going on, a Midway was conducted on the Library lawn, followed by a grand march and street dance. When the final reports were in, it was found that this united effort by the community, directed by competent leaders, had added $6472.82 to the treasury. The untiring efforts of the chapter were continued as long as there was any need for it. When the national emergency was over, the Atlanta Chapter found that they had exceeded all quotas asked of them both in money and supplies furnished and had a very tidy sum remaining in the bank. This money was used in following years to meet local needs of the unfortunate and to help in all national emergency calls. There were no programs or weekly meetings held after 1920, but the chapter stayed active and was available at all times should a need arise. In 1939, the chapter lost Dr. Maskel Lee, who had been their faithful chairman since the organization in 1917. He was succeeded by Mr. C. H. Wright, who is chairman at the present time. With the outbreak of World War II, the Atlanta Red Cross again rallied to the call. Work committees were appointed with Mrs. G. L. Church named General Chairman for a second time. Later, she was succeeded by Mrs. O. F. Mountjoy, who served as general chairman and chairman of sewing and surgical dressings. Mrs. P. A. Crihfield was her assistant and inspector. Mrs. Arthur Applegate served as secretary. The knitting was handled by Mrs. Dean Judy, and then jointly by Mrs. R. D. Stetson and Mrs. R. G. Wertheim. During World War II, the supplies were furnished by the Logan County Chapter and all quotas were turned in to them. Atlanta again exceeded all quotas. Everyone did his part, and when it was all over and the hours of service totaled, it was found that Mrs. D. J. Geach held the honor of having put in more hours of work than any one other individual. Though their efforts have not had the publicity of earlier years, and so much emphasis is not placed on local chapters at the present, the Atlanta Red Cross is still active and ready to do its full part whenever the call is issued. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A HISTORY OF ATLANTA 1853-1953 Prepared by Citizens of Atlanta As a Part of the Observance of the Centennial, June 11,12 and 13,1953 THE PUBLICATION IS SPONSORED BY THE ATLANTA WOMAN'S CLUB Atlanta, Illinois 1953 Published By The Stewart - Pinks Publishing Co. 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