PEABODY FIRE DEPARTMENT AN ARTICLE EXTRACTED FROM THE PEABODY NEWS 1901 Contributed by Charmaine Keith (charmain@southwind.net) 13 October 1998 --------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Peabody News 1901 The Peabody Fire Department was organized in 1886 as a volunteer department, and was reorganized in 1890 as a salaried department. The department now consists of nineteen members, including officers. The department has rendered invaluable service to the city. During its existence it has experienced but three total losses. During its career it has run to about thirty-five fires, of any consequence, saving thousands and thousands of dollars worth of property. The boys have always taken a pride in keeping the department in the best possible shape. The have attended several state tournaments, and made many remarkable races. Their best record was running one hundred yards, stretching one hundred feet of hose, and making all couplings in about 23 seconds. Since its organization four of its members have died; Charles Waring, Harry Keene, Al Hutchings and Frank Sinex, the first three being charter members. Below we give mention of all present members: Mr. Chas. H. Marsh, chief of the department, is the only member who has been a part of the company since its organization. He was a charter member; was chosen as one of the officers and has been in office ever since. Mr. Marsh is one of the most competent men in the west to handle a department. He is especially valuable in managing the boys while fighting fire. Mr. Marsh was second vice-president of the Kansas State Firemen's Association two years, first vice president one year and is now president of that organization, having bee elected to that position at the last annual election. Mr. Marsh was born in Philadelphia, Penn., November 14, 1856, and has been a resident of this county since 1871. He has been a constable at Peabody for the past fourteen years and assistant marshal and night watch for the past thirteen years, with the exception of about fourteen months. He has a good metal as a police officer as he has as a fireman. While performing his duties as nightwatch he has had several exciting experiences, one time being almost mortally wounded by tramps. His fearlessness is well known among the tramps and criminals, and as a result Peabody is exceptionally free from these classes. All honors placed on Mr. Marsh by the city, the department and the state association were merited. Mr. G. L. Zirkle, assistant chief of the department, was on of its organizers, and has been a member ever since, excepting four years he was out of the state. He was born in Linnville Va., May 5, 1857. He is not only one of the best posted members, but is one of the best lookers. His fellow citizens have at different times bestowed official honors upon him. He is manager of the Peabody creamery, the oldest creamery, by the way, in the state of Kansas. Mr. R. B. Slaymaker, president of the department, is a native of Sterling, Ill., and is 38 years old. He has been a member of the department ten years, and a number of times was a representative at meetings of the state association. It is largely through his influence that placed Chief Marsh at the head of the state organization. Mr. Slaymaker is proprietor of the Star restaurant and is one of the most active and progressive men in Peabody. Geo. Swartz, vice president, was born in Rockford, Ill., in 1860, and has been in the service of the department six years. He has followed different vocations; among them being a grain merchant. Chas. Nusbaum, secretary, is a Hoosier, having come on the scene at Goshen, Ind., April 24, 1870. He has been a member one-year. He is a bookkeeper at the First National Bank, and is a member of the city council. Frank Bauslin, treasurer, has seen seven years in the department. He was born at Clearspring, Maryland, in 1864. He runs a blacksmith shop and is one of the busiest and most prosperous men in Peabody. Alfred C. Kenyon seems to be making a specialty of foremanships. He is foreman of the department, and also foreman of the big Irwin tank factory. He has been a member of the organization four years. He was born at Baravia, Ill., in 1875, and is a fine young man. Jas. Tucker, assistant foreman, is a Sucker by birth, but not otherwise. Biggsville, Ill., is his native town, where he was born in 1868. He is employed in the News office. Following ate the privates, who always respond promptly to the call of duty: Sherman Sinex, 5 years a member; born in Peabody March 31, 1877. Employed in the tank factory. Will House, 10 years a member; born at Aurora, Ind., Sept. 7, 1866. He is a carpenter and contractor. Will and Ed Bragunier are twins, and have been in the department four years. They were born in Peabody March 24, 1879. They conducted a restaurant here until a few months ago, when they were burned out. Ed is now on the road for a wholesale grocery house. Vernon Nusbaum has been a fireman for four years. He was born in Goshen, Ind., March 12, 1877. He is a partner in the BeeHive Grocery Co., and is one of the active businessmen of the town. Roy Smith has been with the department three years. He was born in Champaign County, Ill., April 22, 1876. He is a clothing salesman in F. E. Pettit's store, and is a man of sterling worth. J. W. Nusbaum has been a part of the department four years. Was born at Goshen, Ind., in 1861. Until the first of the year he was proprietor of the Bee Hive, but took others in as partners so he could be on the farm more for the benefit of his health. He is public spirited and one of our most popular citizens. Jas. Morris has been a fireman eight years. Was Born in Kentucky 34 years ago. He conducts a barbershop. Chas. Tucker has been with the department six years. Was born in Lincoln County Ill., May 20, 1871. He is employed in the NEWS office. Chas. Ridlinghafer, three years a member; was born at Aulne, this county, 21 years ago. Is engaged in the ice business with his father. Dan Harsh, four years a member; was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1876. Is a carpenter. --------------------------------------------------------------------- KSGENWEB INTERNET GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In keeping with the KSGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. ---------------------------------------------------------------------