| In 1865 firefighting in Salem progressed
beyond the bucket brigade with the addition of Capital Engine
Company No. 1 (Originally called Webfoot Engine Company No.
1). Now, instead of dipping buckets of water from horse troughs,
Salem's new fire engine could lower its suction nozzle into
a body of water and draft water into the human powered pump
that would send a powerful stream through a nozzle connected
to leather fire hose.
To provide a reliable water source for the new fire engine,
wood-lined water tanks, called cisterns, were dug in strategic
locations thoughout the city. 3-inch lumber lined the 12-foot
deep sides of the cisterns and 4-inch lumber covered the 16
x 16 foot opening. When full of water, Salem's cisterns contained
almost 23,000 gallons of water. Cisterns would remain a vital
source of water for Salem Fire Department into the 1940's.
On October 7, 1886, Capital Engine Company No. 1 was the
second Salem engine company acquire a steam fire engine. The
American LaFrance steamer (right) used by Capital Engine Company
No. 1 was not retained by Salem Fire Department, but the Silsby
steam engine (left) remains part of Salem Fire Departments
antique apparatus collection.
Early records from Capital Engine Company No. 1 were not retained
by Salem Fire Department. An 1868 copy of Capital Engine Company
No. 1's By Laws indicate the following members:
Officers:
- President..............................J. H. Albert
- Foreman..............................Sol Durbin
- First Assistant Foreman........H. G. Wright
- Second Assistant Foreman....A. B. Croasman
- Secretary..............................Joseph Meyer
- Financial Secretary...............G. P. Holman
- Treasurer..............................B. B. Drake
Members:
- T. R. Blackerby
- Samuel Bass
- A. Belt
- A. Backman
- C. M. Cartwritght
- B. Coffee
- E. P. Cranston
- R. H. Dearborn
- L. Gisliner
- J. K. Gill
- J. J. Murphy
- J. H. Moores
- Adam Miller
- J. W. McCully
- E. M. Plamondon
- R. H. Rice
- T. McPatton
- T. S. Scott
- A. A. Starkey
- H. Stapleton
- A. L. Stinson
- L. S. Scott
- E. D. Towle
- William Van Loan
- Oliver Wiswell
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