In the spring of 1872, efforts renewed as the first formal volunteer fire company was organized. Seventeen men signed an oath swearing to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of firemen of the city of Wichita. Several went on to make important contributions to Wichita's history, including Foreman Charles A. Phillips, William Greiffenstein and Captain John B. Carey, two future mayors, and Richard Cogdell, who would serve as city treasurer, marshal, and partner in the first water company.

The City Council responded by continuing work to obtain equipment for the company when it appointed a temporary Fire Committee on April 9, 1872. Based on its report and a subsequent recommendation by the Finance Committee, Mayor James G. Hope was authorized to borrow $500 to buy fire-fighting apparatus on May 15. Two months later, on July 8, the committee purchased a $500 hook-and-ladder outfit, which was received on October 11, 1872.

At this same July 8 meeting, the mayor was also told to purchase water pumps for use by the fire company. Bids were taken for the pumps on October 16, and the Schlichter and Russell Company won the contract as the lowest bidder. The Fire Committee reported that the pumps were in good working order on January 7, 1873, allowing the bill for $115.25 to be approved. Later in the month, on the 25th, the hook-and-ladder apparatus was turned over to the care of the fire company. The members of the company chipped in to pay for an alarm bell.

The size of the city required more men and equipment, but the company disbanded by the end of the year because of inadequate support. The city was forced to continue to maintain what equipment it had, and on January 7, 1874, the mayor was authorized by the council to turn over the equipment to a fire company as soon as one was formed and organized.

After waiting half a year, the council finally acted, passing Ordinance 123, establishing a fire company, on June 17, 1874. It provided for the organization of a fire company to be managed under the council’s auspices, specifying rules and regulations for the members. Rather than a volunteer unit, however, it established a professional organization, paying the company officers $1 a year, and the regular members 25¢ annually.

The Wichita Fire Company was officially organized on June 24,1874, the day the ordinance was published and became law. Most of the original 17 men joined the company, which totaled close to 40. The membership was subject to the approval of the council, and on July 1, 1874, all but the foreman were approved, including Richard Cogdell as first assistant. Charles A. Phillips was up for reappointment as foreman but Mayor Hope refused to appoint him, and the council agreed by a 4 to 2 vote. On August 5, Phillips was renominated by Hope and unanimously approved.

With the formation of the new company, the council turned its attention to finding improved fire-fighting apparatus. According to the Wichita Fire Department, 1872-1978, "Fire fighting in those days was sometimes a highly unorganized community spectacle presided over by the Bucket Brigade, and it was obvious that something more than buckets of water would be required."

After voting to contract for a Champion Fire Extinguisher from the Champion Fire Extinguisher Company of Louisville, Kentucky, for $2,500 on June 17, the council opted for a more thorough investigation. On August 5, 1874, Mayor Hope appointed councilmen Michael Zimmerly, John Sroufe and Fred Sowers to a special committee "for the purpose of inquiring into the most efficient means for extinguishing fires and to confer with parties having fire engines for sale." (City Council Minutes).

This preceded a year-long controversy over what equipment to buy. While that was going on, the council apparently decided the city pumps were ineffective, since on October 21, 1874, a resolution passed declaring that "all city pumps be taken up and sold to the best advantage, proceeds

A visiting artist gave this portrait of Wichita in the 1870's.