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1911-12
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January 2, 1911 - Most spectacular fire to date - Bitting Building - $70,000 loss - 10° blizzard conditions.
November 27, 1911 - Smyth & Sons Warehouse
November 27, 1911 - Smyth & Sons Warehouse.
November 27, 1911 - Smyth & Sons Warehouse - W.C. McFall killed.
1911 - Aerial Company - Central Station.
1912 - Webb pump - Central Station - L to R: P.M. Hazzard, Walter Viney, H.G. Bayer, Charles Black.
1912 - Old Soldiers Reunion Parade.
The day of the parade was described as "hotter than hell" by those that participated.
| Chief Walden's prediction was to come true. On August 1, 1911, the first motorized piece of fire equipment was delivered to the Wichita Fire Department. A Webb Motor Fire Engine, purchased from the Webb Motor Fire Engine Company and capable of 700 GPM would distinguish itself many times in the years to come. The new Webb Engine got its first real test later that year.
The biggest fire since the Dold Packing Company occurred on November 27, 1911 at 11 p.m. A fire alarm was received for the Smythe Brothers Warehouses which were located just north of Douglas between the Santa Fe and Rock Island tracks. While battling this fire, death came again to the men of the Wichita Fire Department. In an attempt to move the aerial ladder truck away from the burning building, Fireman W.C. McFall was crushed by the collapse of a wall.
Again, in January, 1911, Wichita was struck by a major fire when the Bitting Block was destroyed. The new motorized engine gained attention at this fire, and there was already talk of purchasing another one. The motor was replacing the valiant old fire horse.
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Related to 07 - The End of an Era |
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