More history of the Evanston Fire Department from Phil Stenholm: On May 2, 1875, the Evanston Fire Department (EFD) responded to a fire at the First Presbyterian Church located at Lake and Chicago. Although firefighters arrived quickly, the building was lost due to a critical communication error. The men on the scene believed that water pressure was being increased when they heard what they thought was an acknowledgment from the Waterworks engineer. In reality, it was just the whistle of a C&NW RR train. By the time a messenger was sent on horseback to the engine house, the church had already been destroyed. Later that month, a telegraph line was set up between the village hall and the Waterworks. Even with improved communication—telephones eventually replaced the telegraph in the 1880s—the issue of poor coordination between firefighters and the Waterworks engineer continued to haunt the EFD. The First Presbyterian Church was rebuilt but later burned again in February 1894, marking yet another unfortunate incident. The EFD was officially established by ordinance on May 25, 1875, and took effect on May 29 after being published in the newspaper. However, this was more of a formality, as the department had actually begun on January 7, 1873, when the Village Board of Trustees accepted the Pioneer Fire Company for service. In January 1875, the C.J. Gilbert Hose Company was formed and evaluated for six months before being accepted in August 1875. It joined the Pioneer Hose Company No. 1 as one of Evanston’s two volunteer fire companies. Each company was equipped with a hand-drawn, two-wheeled hose cart (one built by Silsby, the other by G.W. Hannis), 1,000 feet of 2½-inch hose, nozzles, tools, and related equipment. William Gamble, the foreman of the Gilberts and a local grocer, served as the village Fire Marshal from November 1876 to May 1878. W.R. “Bob†Bailey, the foreman of the Pioneers and a butcher, held the same position from May 1878 to July 1883. His meat market was among the businesses destroyed in the Willard Block fire of 1872. From January 1875 to April 1881, the EFD consisted solely of these two volunteer hose companies. All equipment was owned by the village, and both companies maintained their gear and held monthly meetings in the first floor of the village hall. Each year, they hosted their own Firemen’s Ball—Pioneers on St. Patrick’s Day and the Gilberts on New Year’s Eve. Which party was better remains a mystery. Company officers included a foreman, three assistant foremen, a secretary, and a treasurer—all elected annually by the members. New members had to be approved by existing members. Most of the volunteers were local merchants or their employees. The Pioneers were considered one of the elite fire companies in Illinois, often competing in musters with other departments. They wore stylish uniforms: navy blue caps, red flannel shirts with black trim, and black belts with white trim. They usually got the latest equipment and often had their members appointed as Fire Marshal. In contrast, the Gilberts, formed by former Pioneers who had left, were seen as the underdogs. They didn’t participate in state musters, had simpler uniforms, and were often overlooked. Like many volunteer departments of the time, the Pioneers and the Gilberts were friendly rivals. They would race to fires, blast each other with water, and compete for the best positions. The village board sometimes played them against each other, favoring one over the other, which often left the Gilberts feeling shortchanged. One of the most memorable incidents happened on January 2, 1879, when firefighters battled a fire at Dempster Hall, a dormitory on Northwestern University’s campus. Despite freezing temperatures, they fought for three hours before the building was gutted. Later that night, they responded to another fire at the gasworks, destroying coal sheds and tar barrels before turning their hoses on each other. Two more major fires occurred in early 1879 near Church and Wesley streets. One destroyed a professor’s home, while the other claimed the mansion of Charles Browne, a real estate developer. Both times, firefighters saved the furniture and nearby homes, but the losses sparked demands for better pay and equipment. The village eventually provided coats, gloves, and boots, but not enough for both companies. Chief Bob Bailey, once a Pioneers foreman, allocated the gear and gave it all to the Pioneers. The Gilberts were upset, so the board bought a new play-pipe. The Pioneers offered a muster at the town picnic, but the Gilberts refused, fearing it would set a precedent. The Pioneers kept the play-pipe, and the Gilberts became the subject of jokes. To regain respect, the Gilberts challenged the Pioneers to a muster in August 1879. A crowd gathered on University Place, and bets were placed. The Pioneers broke their own record with a time of 63.5 seconds, but were disqualified on a technicality. The Gilberts won, and the Pioneers protested, claiming bias or bribery—but the result stood. On New Year’s Eve, 1880, the Pioneers and Gilberts faced another tough fire at the home of John H. Kedzie. Many firefighters missed the alarm due to cold weather, and those who arrived fought hard but ultimately lost the house. Harry Housel, a Pioneers member, later died of tuberculosis at age 24. The Kedzie fire reignited calls for better support. When ignored, the two companies resigned en masse on May 23, 1881, ending the era of volunteer firefighting in Evanston—with little fanfare and even less recognition. Pe Xa Pipe Extrusion Line,Pex Pipe Machine,Pipe Making Machine,Pipe Extruder Machine ZHANGJIAGANG MYHAL MACHINERY CO.,LTD , https://www.myhalmachinery.com