1857, May 21st, Fire on Clark Street, Chicago.

The alarm of fire at midnight was occasioned by the fire of the two-story frame building № 257 Clark Street between Jackson and Van Buren Streets, occupied by L.J. Murea as a dry goods store. The building was partially destroyed owing to the lateness of the hour. We can give no further particulars.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, May 15th, Suit Filed Against the Fire Department and City of Chicago's Refusal to Help.

Palmer, Rossifer & Smith have commenced an action against the city for damages sustained by fire, basing their claim upon the refusal of the Fire Department to do their duty.

The Fire Insurance Patrol № 6, 332 South Hoyne, Chicago, Illinois.

They allege that the Fire Companies, at the last fire of their dry house, refused, under instructions of the Chief Engineer, to operate their machines because the companies had not been paid for services at a former fire at the same establishment.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, May 9th, Fire on Clark Street, Chicago.

At about 6 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, a fire broke out in the block of wood buildings on the west side of North Clark Street, near the Clark Street bridge. When discovered, the flames were proceeding from the roof of the larger-bier saloon of Mr. L Pottie, which building, and two others to the south of it, were completely burned out, the shells only being left. 

The buildings were all two stories. That occupied by Mr. Pottie was also owned by him; it was worth about $1,000. He estimates his loss at $3,000, against which he had insurance in a Philadelphia company for $2,000. The next building destroyed was owned by Alderman John Dunlap and was worth about $500 or $600. It was occupied as a larger-bier saloon by Mr. Sullivan, who lost most of his stock and fixtures. We have yet to learn whether he was insured. The third and most valuable building of those destroyed was owned by J.W. Waughop, Esq.. worth perhaps $1,200, and probably injured.

It was occupied below by Brauhn & Mohr as a larger-bier saloon and above as a dwelling by one of these gentlemen and his family. Their loss will not exceed $500 or $600, most of their property having been saved. They were insured for $1,000 by a Philadelphia company. Several of the occupants of other buildings in the block sustained more or less damage by removing property. The origin of the fire is unknown.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, May 10th, American Transportation Company's Chicago Warehouse Fire.

At about half past four o'clock, the large warehouse of the American Transportation Company, on Market Street between Washington and Madison Streets, was discovered to be on fire. The firemen were promptly on the ground and did excellent service, but before the flames could be subdued, the roof of the central building, a portion of the second floor and the front were nearly destroyed. Most of the windows were also broken out. 

There were but few goods in the building, those remaining unclaimed from last Fall's business, the greater portion of which were burned or badly damaged by water. The building was injured to the extent of some $2,000 and is uninsured. The damage to the goods is from $3,000 to $4,000, and probably a portion of them was insured by the persons who owned them. 

It is not known in what portion of the building the fire broke out, but from the fact that there was no fire in the building for two or three days past, it is supposed it was fired by an incendiary. Immediate measures are being taken to have the building repaired, and everything will be ready again in a short time.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, May 4th, Fire on Clark Street, Chicago.

The fire alarm at 11 o'clock at night was caused by the burning of some small wooden buildings on Clark Street, between Taylor and Twelfth Streets.

The fire broke out in the German saloon and boarding house, № 494 Clark Street, occupied by Heinrich Tomm, which was destroyed together with the New England House kept by Mr. Krieby, the German boarding house № 492, and the boarding house № 490, owned by Mr. Finney.

When our reporter left, the firemen had not slacked the flames, and other buildings were probably destroyed. Our reporter could obtain no further particulars due to the confusion incident to the fire and the lateness of the hour.

May 9, 1857, Chicago Tribune, Update:

The examination of Frederick Otten, the fireman charged with setting the fire on West Randolph Street, which destroyed the National Hotel stables and other buildings, was concluded yesterday. Otten was committed for trial in default of $1,500 bail. The testimony against Otten is very positive. There is but little doubt that the fire was set for the sole purpose of calling out the Department and having a run with the machines.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, April 30th, A Fire Set by a Fireman had Destructive Consequences, Chicago.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE—ARREST OF THE ALLEDGED INCENDIARY—ATTEMPT TO RESCUE THE PRISONER—A FIREMAN ACCUSED OF THE CRIME

On Thursday forenoon, about 10 o'clock, a fire broke out in the rear of № 231 West Randolph Street, which destroyed several buildings before they could be stayed. The stable first on fire was soon consumed, with two other small stables adjoining it on the east and the large barn of the National Hotel adjoining on the west. The flames then spread to the buildings in front, partially destroying the National Hotel, which was considerably injured.

The stables were owned by A. Bushnell, William Justice, and Mr. Wrightman. The barn of the National Hotel was owned by Waller. Wellington occupied one of the buildings on the street as a meat Market and the upper portion as a residence by W.C. Whiteman. This building was owned by Mr. Bushnell, whose loss was about $1,000, against which there is some insurance. The next building on the west was occupied as a dwelling and was considered injured. It was owned by William Justice, whose loss is covered by insurance of $1,000 from the Chicago City Insurance Company. Mr. Waller's loss is about $1,000, covered by insurance. The firemen could not procure a sufficient supply of water, but for which fact, the flames would have sooner been subdued.

While the fire was in progress, Lieutenant Taylor of the Second District Police arrested Frederrick Otten, an Empire Hook and Ladder Company № 3 member. Otten resisted the officer, and a number of the Company and a crowd of outsiders gathered around the officer and attempted to rescue the prisoner. After a desperate struggle with the excited crowd, Mr. Taylor, assisted by officers Wiggins and Nichols, succeeded in lodging their prisoner in the West Divison Station House. The group of firemen and others gathered about the door and threatened to release Otten by force, and at one time, a serious disturbance seemed probable. After some difficulty, the crowd was dispersed, and the prisoner lodged in the Watch House. At the time of his arrest, he wore the uniform belt of his Company, also a fireman's badge numbered 244.

In the afternoon, Otten was examined before Justices Milliken and D'Wolf. One of the witnesses, Mr. Whitehouse, testified that he went into the barn about 10 o'clock and saw Otten and another man leaving it and that they ran down the alley. A moment later, he noticed the hay on the upper floor was on fire. Mr. Whitehouse then gave the alarm. The witness was very positive about the accused's identity and stated that he had known him for some time. Otten was committed for further examination in default of $600 bail ($21,000 today). He is a young man and was employed in Ellithorpe's Carriage Factory. He denies any knowledge as to the origin of the fire and states that he was on Lake Street when the fire broke out. He is about twenty years of age.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, April 12th, Fire on Clark Street, Chicago.

On Sunday morning at about 8 o'clock, a fire broke out in a row of one-and-a-half-story frame buildings on Clark Street, just south of Madison Street. Six buildings were partly destroyed, and the occupants were driven out. 

This illustration is a visual aid. Clark Street, the 1870s.

№ 149 was occupied as a bakery and saloon; № 151, by Jacob & Anhalt, dealers in ready made clothing; № 153 by A. Herzog, hat and cap store; № 157 by William Yearsburg, hat and straw bleaching establishment; № 157 as a cigar store and saloon. The whole amount of damage is probably not over $2,000. There was no insurance.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, March 6th, Fire on Wells Street, Chicago.

This photo is a visual aid.

The fire alarm at half-past 2 o'clock Friday afternoon was occasioned by the burning of the frame building № 223 South Wells Street. The lower floor was occupied by B. Canoe for a saloon, and the upper floor as a dwelling.

As was that of those occupying the adjoining buildings, Mr. Canoe's furniture was considerably damaged by moving. The adjacent buildings were saved by the Firemen. There was no insurance on the property.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, March 2nd, South Water Street Fire; 5 Stores, Brewery Destroyed, Chicago. $350M Loss.

At about 4 o'clock on Monday morning, one of the most destructive fires which have visited our city broke out in the new five-story brick block on South Water Street, corner of State Street. The accounts as to the origin of the fire are contradictory. It is supposed that it first broke out in Hale's chair factory on the upper floors of store № 43, the lower portion of which was occupied by Dix & Harris as a wholesale grocery store. Despite the exertions of the firemen, the flames rapidly spread and communicated with the adjoining store on the west occupied by Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., as a wholesale Hardware establishment, and the Stove warehouse was entirely destroyed.

The Fire Insurance Patrol № 6, 332 South Hoyne, Chicago, Illinois.

A short time after the fire broke out, the east wall of Dix & Harris' store fell upon the adjoining dwelling, owned and occupied by Mrs. James Carney, completely crushing it, the family barely escaping with their lives. The building east of Mrs. Carney's was also considerably damaged. It was occupied by James O'Neil and Ostheim & Co., wholesale liquor dealers. A son of Mr. Joseph Ryan was buried in the ruins of Carney's dwelling and was only rescued after an hour's exertion by the large crowd assembled. The young man miraculously escaped with only slight injuries.

So intense was the heat that Mr. O'Neil's stone brewery, in the rear of his store, took fire and was extensively damaged, a considerable quantity of stock being destroyed. The American House, on the south side of the alley, also caught fire, but the flames were speedily extinguished. The Candle Factory on the alley, occupied by Mr. Johnson, was consumed. The rear of the new iron-front stores on Lake Street was greatly endangered and was on fire once to twice, but after great exertions were finally saved without material damage. The A.T. Spencer & Co.'s warehouse, on the north side of Water Street, was in imminent danger for a considerable time but escaped with a severe scorching. The store № 49, occupied as a wholesale grocery by Norton & Co., was several times on fire and considerably damaged by water. A large portion of their stock was removed, and all were more or less injured.

So far as could be learned from the parties themselves, the following is the amount of damage and insurance:

• Dix & Harris, loss $25,000; insured for $15,000.

• Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., loss $150,000; insured for $122,000.

• Hale &Co. lost about $8,000; No insurance.

• Jewett & Root, loss $50,000; insured for $25,000

• M.H. Norton & Co., loss $15,000; fully insured.

• Mrs. Carney, loss of $10,000; insured for $3,000.

• John O'Neil, loss of $500; No insurance.

• D. McIlroy, loss $500; No insurance.

• Ostheim & Sons, loss of about $500

• Mr. Doyle's barn burned, loss of $500; No insurance.

• Mr. Johnson, loss of $3,000; fully insured.

The five-story brick buildings were owned by John P. Atwater of Cincinnati and C. Bears of this city and were worth about $75,000. They were partially insured, but we could not learn the amount.

We regret to learn that Patrick Higgie, a brewer in the employ of Mr. O'Neil, was severely injured by the walls falling.

Turrill & Haven removed some of their stork of liquors, but they suffered minor damage. 

Of the efforts of the firemen on this occasion, we shall have something to say hereafter. We were sorry to notice that many of them were too drunk to perform their duties or behave decorously. During the early part of the fire, they worked well, but being too freely supplied with liquor by imprudent friends, many behaved in a manner neither creditable to themselves nor the Department. Many complaints have reached us on this behalf, and several communications have been received, but a want of space compels us to defer our remarks for another day.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, February 22, The Fire on Lake Street, Chicago—Incendiaryism.

On Sunday evening, at about 10 o'clock, the two-story frame clothing store of Clayburg, Rosenfield, and Vandeusen, on Lake Street near LaSalle Street, was discovered to be on fire. The alarm was promptly given, and the Department speedily arrived, but before the flames could be subdued, the clothing stores and Mr. Sweet's Jewelry store were destroyed.

The Fire Insurance Patrol № 6, 332 South Hoyne, Chicago, Illinois.

Mr. Rosenfield lost about $3,000, upon which there was $1,000 insurance. Mr Clayburg was uninsured, and his loses about $1,500. Mr. Vandeusen's loss was about $1,000, fully covered by insurance. Mr. Sweet's loss was negligible. A considerable amount of clothing rescued from the fire was carried off by thieves, the police being anything but vigilant in taking care of the property.

Mr. J.C. Garland's store on the corner was on fire several times, but the building was saved in a damaged condition. Garland removed his stock which was considerably damaged by water.

The fire originated in the rear of Rosenfield's store, and as several attempts have been made to fire the premises, there is no doubt that the present fire was the work of an incendiary.

At 6 o'clock Monday morning, the fire broke out anew, kindling the building occupied by Brown & Hilliard Upholsterers. Their stock was mostly removed, but a large part of it is in a damaged state. The information was carried over to the Court House, but the bell ringer refused to ring the fire bell, and consequently, no alarm was given, and the building was consumed. The refusal was most culpable, as the adjoining buildings were in great danger owing to the licking flames and intense heat. The bell-ringer gave as an excuse that his orders are never to ring the bell twice for the same fire. Still, if we remember rightly, at the time of the burning of the warehouse of Mr. S.B. Pomeroy, the bell ringer was very zealous in sounding the alarm every hour or so. If these orders have been given, they should be at once countermanded, and if they were not, the bell-ringer is very blameable for his refusal to sound the alarm in time of danger.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1857, January 29, Neighbors Burned Down a House of Ill Repute, Chicago.

At about 2 o'clock in the morning, a building in the southwestern portion of the city was burned. It had been occupied as a lewd house for some time, to the great annoyance of the neighbors and was empty at the time, the police having arrested all the inmates and locked them in the Bridewell [1], about 10 o'clock the same night. 

Chicago House of Correction, 26th and California Avenue, Chicago, 1868-1928.

The fire was probably the work of some exasperated neighbors who determined to have the nuisance thoroughly abated.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

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[1] The Bridewell was a municipal jail that housed petty criminals, vagrants, and drunks. It was located at Polk and Wells Streets, in the city's "vice district." The jail was a two-story building with three rooms. The first room was used for debtors, the second for drunks, and the third for vagrants. The jail was filthy and overcrowded, and the conditions were often inhumane. The Bridewell was closed in 1860. It was replaced by a new jail, the Cook County Jail, located at Hubbard and State Streets.

The name "Bridewell" comes from a similar institution in London, England. The London Bridewell was founded in 1555 as a workhouse for the poor. It later became a jail for petty criminals and vagrants. The Chicago Bridewell was modeled after the London Bridewell.

1856, September 8th, Fire at the Chicago Baltic House Hotel Stables.

This illustration is a visual aid.

The alarm of fire at about 10 o'clock in the evening was occasioned by the burning of the stable attached to the Baltic House, owned and occupied by Mrs. Connor, on Wells Street, just south of Van Buren Street. The loss on the stable was about $400, and the damage to the hotel from scorching and the removal was some $400 additional. No insurance.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, April 13th, Two Persons Burned to Death, Chicago.

A small frame building on Peyton Street, near the North Branch of the Chicago River, was burned up Sunday night, and an Irishman and his wife were consumed by the building. The remains of the bodies were taken out after the fire and placed in coffins by the coroner. 

This photo is a visual aid. 1856 House Totally Destroyed by Fire.

Another Irishman who boarded in the house, and a boy some 14 years old, made a narrow escape by jumping out of the window. The parties who were burned were recently married, but we did not learn their names. The woman was formerly a widow named Crimmis, and it was her boy who escaped. The origin of the fire is not known, as all in the house were asleep.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, April 7th, Chicago Manufacturing Co., Fire Total Destruction.

Monday forenoon, the Oil Manufactory, situated on the South Branch of the Chicago River, owned by the Chicago Rosin Oil Manufacturing Company, was totally destroyed by fire. About $10,000 worth of stock was destroyed, and the loss is approximately $20,000 ($719,000 today). There was no insurance.

Chicago Rosin Oil Manufacturing Company. This photo is a visual aid.

The fire was caused by the breaking of one of the large kettles, from which a large quantity of inflammable material came in contact with the furnace fires and then communicated the flames to the building. The stock was owned by Hugh Maher, F.C. Sherman, F.T. Sherman, C. Marsh, Dr. Morse, Richmond & Co., and C.B. Brown.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, January 19th, Brewery and Dwelling Burned, Chicago.

The fire alarm on Saturday evening at about 9 o'clock was caused by the burning of a large brewery, "Bier Halle," dwelling and stable near the Illinois Central Railroad Engine House and Machine shops in the southern part of the city. The buildings were owned by Mr. Best and occupied by Mr. Siab. 

The Wein & Lager Bier Halle (The Wine & Beer Hall), a Bavarian-style (German) pub, at 513 South Halsted Street (1304 S. Halsted today), Chicago.

The firemen were promptly on the ground: but the flames spread with great rapidity; owing to a strong north-eastern wind blowing at the time and great difficulty being experienced in procuring water, the buildings were entirely destroyed. We have heard the loss variously estimated from $10,000 to $15,000. The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1856, January 16th, A Two-Story Brick Dwelling, Destroyed, Chicago.

The alarm of fire this morning at about 3 o'clock was caused by the burning of a brick dwelling on Franklin Street, occupied jointly by the families of Mr. A. Jackson and Mr. C. Summerfield. The two-story building was destroyed, but the greater part of the furniture was saved.

This photo is a visual aid.

A clerk of Mr. Summerfield, who was sleeping upstairs, saved himself by throwing his bed out of the window and jumping out upon it. A woman and child upstairs also made a narrow escape and nearly suffocated to death by the smoke. One of the firemen was considerably injured by the falling of a ladder upon which he was stationed.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Chicago Finally has a Fire Alarm Bell; City Ordinance Passed July 1855.

In February 1855, a deep-toned bell was installed in the new Courthouse.

The July 1855 ordinance passed, dividing the City into six fire districts. An alarm-sounding code was initiated:

Mr. Holden, from the Committee on Fire and Water, made a report in regard to a system of Fire Alarms. The South, West and North Divisions are numbered 1, 2, and 3. The city is divided into 6 districts.

• One tap, followed by nine more taps, calls the firemen to district № 1.
• Three taps, followed by nine other taps, calls them to district № 3.
• Six taps, followed by nine other taps, calls them to district № 6.
• Six strokes of the bell calls out that part of the fire department which is located in the district in which the fire breaks out, thus:
• One tap followed by six others, Division № 1 to District № 1.
• 2-6, calls Division № 1 to District № 2.
• 3-6, calls Division № 2 to District № 3.
• 4-6, calls Division № 2 to District № 4.
• 5-6, calls Division № 3 to District № 5.
• 6-6, calls Division № 3 to District № 6.
• The Courthouse bell is also to designate the hours of 7, 12, 1, 6, and 9 o'clock by two taps an indefinite number of times.
• The report was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

A watchman was continually on duty in the tower. Besides ringing the bell, the watchman was responsible for handing out flags by day and lanterns by night, used to direct firefighters to the fire scene. There was no gas in those days, so torch boys ran ahead of the engine to light the way. When an alarm was rung at night, citizens were responsible for placing lighted candles in their windows, lighting the way for the firefighters.

The "Long John" steam fire engine tested in February 1858 was met with hostility from the volunteer firemen. The volunteers could sense this was the beginning of their extinction. The steam engine "Long John" was put into service on May 1, 1858, at the corner of Adams and Franklin Street. 

This Daguerreotype photograph was taken on July 4, 1855. The third floor and dome were not added to the Courthouse until 1858. The basement was above ground.

Firefighters of the volunteer hose companies and two paid members, the engineer and assistant engineer, manned the "Long John." The death knell of the volunteer fire department was rung on August 2, 1858, when the city council passed the ordinance organizing the paid City of Chicago Fire Department. The first completely paid company was Engine Company № 3, located at 225 South Michigan Boulevard. This company was one of fifteen engines and three hook and ladder companies acquired from the volunteer department. 

Courthouse in 1858.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES:

Fires in Chicago & The Great Chicago Fire.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1855, April 30th, A Saloon Fire at Washington and Market Streets, Chicago was Destroyed.

At half-past one o'clock on Monday morning, a fire broke out in a saloon occupied by Andrew H. Young at the corner of Washington and Market Streets, being part of a house owned by Michael Casey, and kept as a boarding house by Mr. Young. 

This illustration is a visual aid.

The fire spread with great rapidity, and the building, with most of its contents, was destroyed. Most of the boarders escaped in their night clothes, and few of them saved anything more than they could lay their hands on in an instant. We have been informed that the house was partly insured, but we understand that Mr. Young's loss in furniture, etc., will not be less than $1,000 ($35,000 today), with no insurance.

The usual promptitude in sounding a fire alarm characterized this fire. Had there been a lookout on the Court House steeple, the fire would have been seen when it first broke out. An alarm could have been struck directing the firemen to proceed westward from the Court House, which would, in a very few minutes, have assembled the entire force of the department and saved at least half the destruction that followed. As it was, the fire rages for nearly half an hour before the city alarm bell sounded, and then it gave forth such an "uncertain sound" that if the blaze of the conflagration had not lit up the sky, the firemen would not have known in what direction to run.

We have spoken so often of the imperative necessity of immediate attention to the subject of fire alarms that we are tired of it. We presume that nothing will be done until some of our most valuable blocks of buildings are laid in ruins, and then we shall have a fire alarm.

ADDITIONAL READING: The Chicago Lager Beer Riot of 1855.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1855, April 23rd, A Two-Story Dwelling Fire Opposite the Lighthouse, Chicago.

At half past eight o'clock in the morning, a fire broke out in the two-story frame dwelling, on River Street (Wabash Avenue today), opposite the Lighthouse, owned by H. Fuller, Esq., and occupied by Mrs. Jenkins. 

The First Lighthouse was built in 1832. The Lake House Hotel is on the Right.

The damage was confined to the roof, and the loss was estimated at about $500 ($17,600 today). There was no insurance. The fire originated from a defect in the stove pipe.

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The first lighthouse at the mouth of the Chicago River was built in 1832, but it fell over when it reached a height of fifty feet. It was rebuilt at River Street (Wabash Avenue). A pier and a new lighthouse became operational in 1859. The pier was extended, and a new lighthouse was built in 1869. A fog bell/horn was added in 1881. Another new lighthouse on the pier was operational in 1885.

A Pier and a New Lighthouse Was Built In 1859. Picture Date Unknown.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

1855, February 26th, A Large Furniture Manufacturer was Consumed by Fire, Chicago.

About half past eight o'clock in the evening, a fire broke out in the large furniture and picture frame manufactory of Ferrie & Boro on the corner of Van Buren and Wells Streets. 

This photo is a visual aid.

In an incredibly short time, the whole of the extensive building was wrapped in flames, and with most of its contents became prey to the devouring element. The wind, though not high, blew with some violence, and four or five small dwelling houses in the vicinity soon caught fire and were consumed.

The night was bitterly cold, and the noble exertions of the firemen are deserving of high praise. It is not known how the fire originated. Mr. Boyd was in the building at 6 o'clock, and all then seemed safe. There was a painful rumor prevalent during the fire that four men had perished in the flames, but we cannot find sufficient grounds for placing the least reliance on it.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.