Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
Alongside the devastating fire at the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse in 1894, the dramatic blaze on the steamer *Morley* on Lake Michigan in 1897, and the massive fire at the Harvey Hurd estate in 1899, the Evanston Fire Department faced several other major fires between 1894 and 1899. These incidents not only tested the bravery of the firefighters but also highlighted the growing challenges of urban firefighting in the late 19th century.
On Sunday morning, February 25, 1894, at 9:20 AM, choir member Walter Clark discovered a fire at the First Presbyterian Church located at 1427 Chicago Avenue. The fire was caused by a faulty furnace that had been lit by the church janitor at 4:30 AM. As had happened during the church’s destruction in 1875, the fire spread to the roof. Firefighter Ed Densmore was struck by falling bricks while fighting the flames, though he escaped with minor injuries. Chief Sam Harrison became briefly trapped in the basement due to thick smoke but managed to escape. Despite their efforts, the fire spread to nearby buildings, causing some exterior damage. The church was completely destroyed, resulting in a loss of $30,700—making it the third-largest fire loss in Evanston’s history up to that point.
At 3:00 AM on Tuesday, 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 encountered heavy smoke and burning natural gas. Flames quickly spread upward, engulfing the entire structure. While they managed to save the adjacent Oliver Building and a nearby frame residence, several businesses—including a millinery shop, a plumbing store, a barber shop, a jewelry store, and the Bartlett Building itself—were heavily damaged. The total loss amounted to $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 a perfect result on the first-ever Civil Service test for firefighters. With no pension or assistance system in place, Ely was immediately fired after his injury.
On Tuesday, October 26, 1897, at 6:20 PM, 5th Ward Alderman and gasworks foreman Thomas Ryan rescued a two-month-old infant from a burning house at 1720 Emerson Street. Tragically, the mother, Kate McDermott McDonnell, died in the fire—the fourth fatality in an Evanston fire since organized firefighting began in 1873. Later that year, on New Year’s Eve 1899, Alderman Ryan died after being overcome by gas fumes at the gasworks. At the time of his death, he was leading a city council investigation into the Evanston Fire Department, particularly targeting Chief Sam Harrison. However, foul play was never suspected.
At 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 3, 1898, a fire broke out at 806 Ridge Avenue in the St. Nicholas school, part of 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 fire hydrants in South Evanston, which had been inherited after annexation, hindered 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 $10,475 in damages.
On Friday, January 6, 1899, at 1:00 PM, the Evanston Fire Department responded to a fire at the Oliver Building at 609 Davis Street, just west of where the Bartlett Building had burned two years earlier. The fire started in the basement and spread upward to a hardware store on the first floor. Two large stoves and a furnace collapsed as structural supports gave way. The department used five lines of hose, including two from the Ahrens steamer and three from hydrants. Despite the cold weather, a large crowd watched from across the street. The hardware store was heavily damaged before the fire was contained. Later that evening, the fire reignited and destroyed the entire building, including a real estate office, an architect’s office, and McConnell Hall. Total losses reached $13,000.
On Thursday, February 9, 1899, at 10:00 PM, the department responded to a fire at the lavish home of Zalmon G. Sholes at 1402 Chicago Avenue. Sholes, heir to the Remington Typewriter fortune, along with his wife, son, daughter, and two servants, were safely rescued. The fire appeared to be under control, and firefighters were beginning to overhaul the scene when a natural gas explosion sent five men tumbling off the front porch. Other firefighters narrowly avoided being hit by falling chimneys. Water was applied in four streams, and the fire was believed to be extinguished ten times, only to flare up again. A crew from the Northwestern Gas Light & Coke Company worked for 2.5 hours to locate and shut off the gas valve. The total loss was $7,000.
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