Another Look at the History of the Evanston Fire Department
In addition to the fire at the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse in 1894, the dramatic blaze aboard the steamer *Morley* on Lake Michigan in 1897, and the devastating fire at the Harvey Hurd estate in 1899, the Evanston Fire Department faced several other notable fires between 1894 and 1899. These incidents highlight the challenges firefighters faced during this period and the dangers they routinely encountered.
On Sunday morning, February 25, 1894, at 9:20 AM, choir member Walter Clark discovered a fire at the First Presbyterian Church on Chicago Avenue. The fire was caused by a faulty furnace that had been lit early that morning. Like the church’s destruction in 1875, this fire spread to the roof. Firefighter Ed Densmore was injured when bricks fell on him, but he recovered without serious harm. Chief Sam Harrison became temporarily trapped in the basement due to thick smoke but managed to escape. Despite efforts to prevent it, the fire spread to nearby buildings, causing some exterior damage. The church was completely destroyed, resulting in a loss of $30,700—the third-largest fire-related loss in Evanston up to that point.
At 3 AM on April 14, 1896, the Evanston Fire Department responded to a fire in the basement of the Bartlett Building at the northwest corner of Davis and Chicago Streets. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and burning natural gas. The flames quickly spread through the building, damaging several businesses, including a millinery shop, a plumbing store, and a jewelry store. Although the Oliver Building and a nearby residence were saved, the Bartlett Building and several shops were heavily damaged. The total loss was $13,500. Captain Jack Sweeting injured his foot after falling from a ladder, and rookie firefighter William Wheldon Ely suffered a severe eye injury. Just five months earlier, Ely had made local headlines by scoring perfectly on the first-ever Civil Service exam. With no pension or insurance system in place, Ely lost his job as a result of the injury.
On October 26, 1897, 5th Ward Alderman Thomas Ryan rescued a two-month-old infant from a burning home on Emerson Street. Tragically, the mother, Kate McDermott McDonnell, died in the fire—making her the fourth person to lose their life in an Evanston fire since organized firefighting began in 1873. Ryan later died on New Year’s Eve 1899 after being overcome by gas fumes at the gasworks. At the time of his death, he was leading an investigation into the Evanston Fire Department, particularly targeting Chief Sam Harrison, though no foul play was suspected.
On February 3, 1898, at 10:30 AM, a fire broke out at 806 Ridge Avenue, inside the St. Nicholas Catholic Church parish house. Four teachers and 140 children were safely evacuated, but Sister Martha was overcome by smoke before being rescued. Poor-quality hydrants in South Evanston, which had recently been annexed, hampered the initial response. Fireman George Hargreaves was knocked unconscious and suffered serious leg injuries when he fell through a window. He was out of action for over six weeks. The parish house was completely gutted, with damages totaling $10,475.
On January 6, 1899, at 1 PM, the Evanston Fire Department responded to a fire at the Oliver Building on Davis Street. This was just two years after the Bartlett Building had been destroyed nearby. The fire started in the basement and spread upward, collapsing stoves and a furnace. Firefighters used five hose lines, including two from the Ahrens steamer. Despite the cold weather, many spectators gathered across the street. The hardware store was heavily damaged, and later that evening, the fire reignited, destroying the entire building, including a real estate office and McConnell Hall. Total losses amounted to $13,000.
On February 9, 1899, at 10 PM, the department was called to a fire at the lavish home of Zalmon G. Sholes, heir to the Remington Typewriter fortune. All residents, including his wife, son, daughter, and two servants, were safely rescued. As firefighters worked to contain the blaze, a natural gas explosion knocked five men off the front porch. Other firefighters narrowly avoided injury from falling chimneys. Despite multiple attempts to extinguish the fire, it reignited each time. A crew from the Northwestern Gas Light & Coke Company spent 2.5 hours digging to shut off the gas supply. The total loss was $7,000.
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