The Fire Department of Virginia numbers amongst its members the leading men from almost every profession and trade in the city. Board of Delegates of the Fire Department of Virginia : J. V. B. Perry, Geo. W. Birdsall, Sam E. Wetherill.
Virginia Engine Company, No. 1, was first organized in March, 1861. A number of the members, through their individual exertions, collected sufficient funds to purchase their engine. Seeing the necessity of a hook and ladder company for the city, a part of the old company organized themselves into a hook and ladder company, which they called the ” Nevada Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1.” Their truck and fire apparatus is perhaps amongst the most efficient on the Pacific coast. Their truck was built by Folsom & Hiller of San Francisco, at a cost of $2,500. Officers of Virginia Company, No. 1 : Isaac E. Brokaw, Foreman ; John Rodgers, 1st Assistant ; John Hammerson, 2nd Assistant; Geo. H. Shaw, Treasurer ; Chas. S. Champney, Secretary ; and 65 active members. The company has 600 feet of hose, which is owned by the members. It is a second class engine, and was built by Button <fe Blake, of Waterford, N. York. It has 9|-inch cylinders and 7i^-inch stroke, with 24feet brakes, manned by 44 men. Stated meetings first Monday in each month. The city has just rented a commodious engine house on B street, between Fulton Avenue and Union.
Nevada Hook and Ladder, No. 1 โ This company was organized from the members of Virginia Engine Company, No. 1,ย and has continued from its organization, up to the present time, to be identified with that company, its hall beino; under the same roof as Virginia No. 1. It was organized in March, 18iil. It numbers 63 members, and has 75 feet of extension ladder, in excellent order. The following is a list of its officers : L. P. Wardle, Foreman : Louis La Page, Assistant; Chas, Williams, President ; B. F. Green, Secretary ; G. A. Campbell, Steward ; G. W, Downey, Side Officer.
Young America Engine, No. 2, organized on the 17th March, 1862. This company’s house is situated No. 85 South C street, and is 60 by 20 feet. It has a tastefully and well arranged meeting room, being adorned with pictures illustrating the life of a fireman. There are four sleeping rooms connected with the building. The engine belongs to the company, and was built at a cost of ^6,000. It is the largest and most powerful engine in the Territory, and is really a model of beauty in all its details. It has 600 feet of hose, 300 of which belongs to the company. It has extension brakes, and has three different suction pipes, made to throw five different streams of water, if necessary. A handsome hose carriage is attached. It has a 10-inch cylinder and 91- inch stroke. The officers of the company are : N. W. Winton, President ; Theo. Hale, Secretary ; Hintz, Financial Secretary ; 0. C. Steele, Chief Engineer ; W. Weiu, 1st Assistant ; B. y. Lackey, 2d Assistant, and 80 active members.
Eagle Engine Company, No. 3, was organized on 2d of August, 1863. The engine is of the Jeffrey’s make, and is the property of the members. Its cost was $3,700. The company has a large and comfortable hall on B street, a few doors south of the Post Office. This company has 600 feet of hose. Its officers are: Thomas Peasley, Foreman ; Patrick Holland, 1st Asssistant ; Jas, Pascoe, Secretary ; J. W. Hemenway, 2d Assistant ; Chas. Ramson, Treasurer, and 80 members.
Washoe Engine Company, No. 4. โ This company was organized in August, 1863. The members of this company, although lately organized, have displayed more energy and as much efficiency as any company in the Department. They have paid for their engine, which was built for them by Button & Blake, of Waterford. New York, at a cost of $2,800. The cylinder is of 9-inch and has 72-inch stroke. The jumper was built to order by Folsom & Hiller, 531 California street, San Francisco, and cost $600. They have 600 feet of hose, in good condition. The names of the officers are : W. R. Warnock. Foreman ; P. G. Garry, 1st Assistant ; H. B. Harmance, 2d Assistant ; H. McDougall. Recording Secretary ; H. Ettling, Financial Secretary ; E. Jacobs, Treasurer, and 80 active members. Engine house North B street.
In 1863, twenty-one charter members organized the first fire department at Gold Hill.
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On August 29th, 1863, a fire swept through Virginia City, causing between $600,000 and $700,000 in damages. Beginning in a carpenter shop in the business section the fire quickly swept through the dry wooden buildings. At once it consumed the brittle board and canvas shanties.
The damage may not have been so great had the two most important fire crews in town fought a heated argument on the street near the scene of the fire, trying to settle an old feud between them. Instead of putting their differences behind them, and their energy into dowsing the flames, they took to bricks, bats, and fire nozzles to battle one another. When all was said and done there was one man dead and many more injured โ but not from the fire.