Fire Information

Compiled by David L. Dwiggins and found in the Orestes town records.

12-27-1894
The Big Four Depot at Anderson was completely destroyed by fire last evening. Losses are estimated to be $15,000 to $25,000.

01-24-1903
Mr. Howe of the Howe Fire Apparatus Company appeared before the Orestes board and spoke on the combined water and chemical engine.

01-23-1905
A petition was submitted to the Orestes Town Board in order to establish a Volunteer Fire Brigade in the town.

03-13-1905
The petition of the Volunteer Fire Brigade was read, accepted, and discussed and a motion was made and carried to draw up an ordinance to help and sustain The Volunteer Fire Brigade. A motion was also made, second, and carried to draw up an ordinance to buy material to maintain a Volunteer Fire Brigade.

04-24-1905
A motion was made and carried by the Orestes Town Board to sell all the lamp posts in town to Moie Foreight at thirteen cents each. Another motion was made and carried to raise the salary of Orestes Town Marshal for $7.50 per month to $10 per month and to take effect the first day of May 1905. Materials for the Orestes Volunteer Fire Brigade was purchased at E.S. Plackard Hardware in Orestes. The claims are as follows:

1 36 ft. extension ladder $5.40

1 16 ft. ladder $1.60

2 lanterns $1.50

2 axes $1.70

18 buckets $2.40

1 #4 Bell $2.75

50 ft. 3/4 in rope $ .97

total $16.32

05-23-1905
The Orestes Town Board came to order with J.F. McMahan in the chair. Roll call was made and a full board was present. It was decided to purchase one hook & ladder wagon from the town of Summitville for $20 and a motion was made and carried to move the shed from the rear end of the town lot to face the street and build a building large enough to house the fire wagon and apparatus.

11-21-1905
Cornerstone is placed at the new Fire Station

12-29-1905
Small fire started at the home of Luna Carver, apparently sparks were flying from the chimney and set the house on fire in the west part of town. The firemen had quite a fight on their hands. Damage was severe but was covered by insurance.

06-29-1909
Passengers on the interurban car which arrived in Alexandria at 5:30 p.m. last evening from Tipton had an exciting experience as the car was leaving Elwood. In some manner the electrical apparatus set fire to the under side of the car and the fire was not brought under control. The Elwood Fire Department was called and the car was stopped at 22nd Street and the firemen soon had the fire under control. The passengers were somewhat unaware and became considerably frightened when they saw the fire wagons pull along side the car. Many jumped into the streets.

07-30-1909
Charles Cuneo a motorman on the line to Mounds Park was a victim yesterday while on a run. The storms left a 2,200 volt live wire dangling and he came in contact with it leaving him with many serious injuries. The conductor noticed the occurrence and acted quickly enough to help save Cuneos life.

08-05-1910
80 X 30 barn burns one quarter mile west of Osceola at the farm of Henry Heritage destroying 40 tons of hay, $2,000 damage. Threshing outfit of Norton blamed.

11-04-1910
Union Traction freight car left Indianapolis at midnight and caught fire and burned running from Tipton to Alexandria. The traction car burned at about 5:00 a.m. near Hobbs and was caused by an overheated heater. Conductor Mayhugh and motorman Earl were in charge of the car with about $1,000 shipment on board to the Boston Sotre in Alexandria. Also forty cases of beer were destroyed, traffic delayed about four hours.

02-20-1912
A southbound interurban has motors burn out at Madison and Harrison Street.

09-20-1913
An early morning fire at Orestes completely destroyed a butcher shop owned by Custer & Hasty and left the town without any source of meat supply. The wooden structure was burned to the ground at a loss of $500. The origin of the fire, which was threatened for a time to wipe out the entire village, was unexplainable. The stove was not connected to the flu and had not been lit this fall. A brick wall separating the meat market from the H. E. Young Hardware Store, was all that saved the entire business district of Orestes. Reports that reached Alexandria this morning stated that the entire town was burning up. The Orestes Post Office is located in the same block where the fire occured. Mrs. Jacob Noble, residing across the street, heard the cracking of falling timbers and looking out of an upstairs window discovered the fire at 3:00 a.m. She immediately aroused her husband and he and their son Dwight ran to the town hall to turn in the fire alarm. The bell rope was stuck and refused to work and Dwight climbed a ladder into the tower at the fire station and rang the bell to call out the Orestes firefighters. The volunteers saved the adjoining properties.

08-03-1914
A fire which was discovered early Saturday evening in a four acre woods at the home of Jay Long, a mile and a half southeast of Orestes, swept everything in its path for a distance of a quarter mile. Sparks from a stump burning in the woods supposedly started the blaze. Almost every tree in the woods was scorched and burned and a field adjoining the woods was visited by the fire. Thirty farmers responded to the call for assistance and before the fire had gained much headway, the farmers with their teams had plowed around the fire area. The fire then was extinguished by a bucket brigade.

08-04-1914
The farm of William Legg, two miles southwest of Orestes was visited by fire last night, when a very large barn burned. Fifteen minutes earlier Mr. Leggs son released the last horse to the nearby pasture. Luckily no livestock was lost. Many neighboring friends came running to help save what could be saved.

08-11-1914
Another big fire destroys a large merchandise store in Frankton.

10-26-1914
Following the burning of a home in Orestes last night at 7:30 oclock owned by Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Myers, an investigation conducted by Clarence Norris, fire chief of the Orestes fire department, resulted in the arrest of Monroe Myers, 45 years old, at Elwood this morning. Myers was released from the Elwood jail this morning after he had been given a sweating by the police in effort to ascertain his movements after 7:30 oclock, when it is alleged that the house was set on fire. The statement of discoveries made by different persons who arrived at the fire before the flames had gained much headway is the basis upon which the officials who are investigating the fire are working.

According to Elwood police, Myers was silent and his only statement was that he did not set fire to his own home. Myers told police that he had taken a trip on the interurban Sunday afternoon and visited with relatives in Kokomo. Mrs. Myers and the children had returned to Elwood yesterday after a visit at Kokomo. Myers was last seen about the premise shortly after one oclock when he boarded a car for Elwood. He was informed of the fire by a party of automobilists who recognized him standing at the Twenty-eighth street corner in Elwood. He expressed surprise and said he was just waiting for a car to go to Orestes and take care of the chickens. It was then after 11 oclock.

The six room house which was lowered to the ground in ashes was insured, it is said, in the sum of $800. The home was located on the road between Dundee and Orestes, just west of Orestes. A real estate transfer shows a joint deed for the home. Myers purchased the property from Mrs. Harry Schaefer of Alexandria. The exact amount of insurance on the household furniture could not be learned. Myers appeared in Orestes this morning and told friends he intended to get his insurance money at Elwood. A majority of the people in Orestes suspicion Myers of setting fire to the house. State Fire Marshal Longley was notified of the affair and was due to arrive in Orestes this afternoon.

One solution of the fire advanced by a few Orestes people tends to show that the home was robbed and then set on fire by robbers. Nobody could be found this morning that noticed any strangers in Orestes last night. From the rear of a chicken house to one corner of the fence in the back part of the lot some clothing evidently taken from the house was found on the ground. The parties or party distributing the clothing on the ground had scaled a fence and entered a field along the track traveling to for a mile to the west in the direction of Elwood. The tracks were fresh and plainly visible until they crossed the railraod track. The rear door of the house was open at the time the fire was discovered and a lock taken out of the ruins was found unlocked.

The home of J.F. McMahan adjoining the Myers property was saved from destruction by the heroic work of the volunteer fire department. The fire had gained much headway when the chemical apparatus arrived that all attention was turned to saving surrounding property. The general alarm was answered by the entire populace of Orestes.

11-27-1914
The home of Jacob Bramel, north of Orestes, was totally destroyed by fire late Wednesday afternoon. Members of the family were at home at the time of the fire but did not discover the flames until it was too late to save any of the household goods. The origin of the fire is unknown but probably started from a defective flue. The total loss of the house and contents amounted to $1,200 with no insurance whatever.

12-28-1914
Four firms burned out in Frankton.

02-03-1917
A fire at midnight left the Knights of Pythias Building and the home of Lawrence Dumps Shaw completely destroyed. The fire originated in the E.R. Pyle General Store and butcher shop on the ground floor of the two story frame building. Lee White, Hamp Cook, Jesse Reasoner, and Elmer Skinner returned from an evening in Alexandria and noticed the fire in the structure and turned in the alarm to the Fire Department. The Fire Department was composed of one wagon and a volunteer system. The fire was beyond control and efforts were concentrated on saving nearby buildings. The Orestes Fire Department called the Alexandria Fire Department for help but Chief Merker declined to send any. Pyles General Store sustained and butcher shop sustained $2,500 damage. Dumps home had $1,000 damage and the K.of P. Building damage was $3,000. Pyle and Dumpshad insurance but the K.of P. Building was not covered. The Orestes chapter has historically been one of the best in the state. The Alexandria K.P. vowed to help with the needs of the Orestes chapter. The structure was built during the gas boom days of the late 1890s.

02-17-1919
Suit against the Big Four for starting fire.

01-09-1920
The home of George Fox was destroyed by fire January 5th, two miles south of Orestes. Sparks from the chimney set the roof on fire. The loss is estimated to be $1,500.

07-18-1921
A fire started last evening at 11:40 p.m. and quickly destroyed the Knights of Pythias store room in Orestes. A bucket brigade was formed and men fought the fire for an hour in order to save the main building. Boxes and barrels in the room was totally destroyed and the window panes were broken out with the origin unknown.

01-13-1922
Fire at 4:30 at the Eli Carver residence, a spark from the chimney caught the roof on fire. The Orestes Fire Department Bucket Brigade responded quickly and got the fire out.

02-06-1922
The home of Vern McMahan at Orestes was partially destroyed by fire early Sunday the 5th at about 1:30 a.m. Mr. McMahan awakened to a house filled with smoke and almost suffocated. The fire started in the kitchen stove pipe pulling it apart and falling down on a chair which had some clothing on it and setting it on fire. The fire gained strength but was finally extinguished by the bucket brigade of the Orestes Fire Department. Damages amounted to about $300.

06-20-1922
A cottage near the large auditorium at Beulah Park is destroyed by fire.

06-23-1922
Fire destroyed a barn on the farm of Oscar Austill located three quarters of a mile south of Orestes. The fire started as children were playing with matches. A horse and a colt were saved.

08-27-1923
Traction wire sets tree on fire and sparks ignite a house fire at 1112 W. Monroe St. in Alexandria, the home of Louis Farina.

04-02-1927
The town of Orestes was visited by a disastrous fire about 2:45 a.m. this morning. Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Moore and their children escaped with their lives and only a portion of the two homes will be recovered by insurance. The fire originated in the home of Arthur Pierce in the east part of Orestes. The Orestes Volunteer Fire Department was called out but the two houses could not be saved. The Moore family was sleeping quite soundly and neighbors had to awake them and take them to safety.

04-04-1927
The Orestes blaze that destroyed two homes was ruled arson by the state fire marshal. A neighbor recalled hearing an automobile stop at the Pierce home about midnight. Crumpled pieces of metal which appeared to have been coal oil cans were found in the debris.

04-22-1927
Orestes has been the scene of a number of disastrous fires during the past few years and today the town proudly displays a new pumper. The truck was delivered yesterday by the Howe Fire Apparatus Company at Anderson and a new volunteer fire fighting brigade is being organized to operate the new truck. The truck is mounted on a Ford chassis and is the latest type for small towns which are without water systems. The pumper can withdraw water from creeks, ponds, open wells or ditches, and water mains, in order to fight fires. The truck is also equipped with a chemical tank to extinguish small fires very quickly, and ladders and other fire fighting accessories. The Orestes folks have raised funds to purchase the truck and are pleased to not have to depend on the efforts of a bucket brigade for they are not too successful. The new Volunteer Fire Department will be completed in the next few days.

07-19-1927
The new Orestes fire truck that was recently purchased by the town board received its baptism this morning when a fire broke out at the home of Grace Shaw just south of the business district. The blaze was at the rear of the house and the alarm was sounded immediately. Chief Earl Million and members of the Volunteer Fire Department were on the scene within minutes and confined the blaze to the rear part of the house and roof, saving the main part of the structure as well as other neighboring houses.

09-16-1927
The most disastrous fire in the history of Dundee occurred last night when the Urmston Grain Elevator burned before a crowd of nearly 3,000. The huge inferno was visible for ten miles and was a total loss. Leroy Urmston is the owner of the elevator and Samuel Welborn is the manager; both agreed that the elevator would be rebuilt. The blaze started in the extreme upper part of the building and quickly spread throughout the structure. The Orestes Volunteer Fire Department responded to the alarm arriving in the new recently purchased pumper. The team responded with a gallant effort preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent residences owned by Urmston and the Dundee Christian Church. Also saved were a large barn and several coal bins on the same property as the elevator.

09-18-1929
Fire of an unknown origin gutted a large barn on the S.D. Montgomery farm one mile north of Orestes. The barn is presently being occupied by Kenny Brunson. The Orestes Fire Department responded with their new pumper. A large quantity of hay and feed was destroyed in the blaze.

09-02-1930
A 7:30 a.m. traction car arrived about an half an hour late with a fire smoldering within the cars wiring. A lightning bolt hit the car east of Elwood.

10-11-1930
The plant of the Gordon Canning Company at Orestes owned by W.B. Gordon and under the lease this year to Shirl Brunson, was completely destroyed by fire about 11:30 p.m. Friday night. Machinery, equipment, and 3,000 cases of tomatoes were lost in the fire.

12-29-1930
An Orestes home was destroyed by fire yesterday. Fire was discovered shortly before noon at the home of Chick King while the family was away in Pendleton. The fire started in the upper part of the house and had a good start on the neighbors and the Orestes Fire Department that fought the fire.

06-20-1931
A confession of Miss Mary Myers 17, the adopted daughter of George Myers, 2.5 miles north of Orestes, has solved the mystery of three fires and another attempted balze which have occured at the Myers home within the last month. An investigation by representatives of the state fire marshals office resulted in the addmission of the girl. The girl was fined $1.00 and costs in Anderson city court Friday and a 90 day jail sentence was suspended providing she report twice weekly to the court. No motive was given for the fires. The first fire occured May 24th and $1800 damage was estimated. The fire started while the family was away. May 31st a second fire did a small amount of damage and some saturated rags were found in the attic. Lr. Myers recently discovered kerosene had been poured on the seat of the family automobile, a feather bed, and an old binder but had not been ignited. The third fire occured approximately 18 months ago when a barn was destroyed on the farm and the girl denied starting it. Investigators said the barn fire was caused by spontaneous combustion.

06-29-1931
An old landmark in Monroe Township disappeared when a fire destroyed the farm of George Kelly north of Orestes. The farm had been built about 1855.

08-14-1931
For the second time within the past four years, the elevator of the Urmston Grain Company at Dundee was totally destroyed by fire today. A smoldering heap of ruins marked the site of what was yesterday, one of the most modern elevators in the country. The structure was completely rebuilt with modern machinery following destruction of the old building in the fall of 1927. The blaze was discovered about 2:15 a.m. when first seen in the upper part of the structure. The Alexandria, Orestes, and the Elwood Fire Departments were called to the scene and although they could do nothing to save the main elevator building, they succeeded in saving the coal bins belonging to the Urmston Company as well as other residents, and the Dundee Christian Church nearby. A large amount of grain that was in the elevator was consumed by the fire and large piles of wheat and oats were still burning and smoldering this afternoon. One boxcar burned while another was pulled to safety. Leroy Urmston, owner of the company, asserted that the business would be rebuilt once again.

09-03-1931
A fire burning several transformers at the Western Indiana Gravel Company cut off power and ceased operations there.

04-14-1932
Plans were being considered today for the rebuilding of the Orestes Fertilizer Company which was completely destroyed by fire last evening between six and seven o clock. The fire was discovered by one of the workmen that was returning to the plant after supper. There is no means of fighting the fire there and the flames quickly consumed the plant, due to the presence of a large quantity of oil and grease. The loss was estimated at $12,000 to $15,000 of which only $4,000 in insurance coverage was carried by the company. The plant was originally built years ago, but had been extensively remodeled and enlarged in recent years and equipment having been added. The fertilizer plant was owned by Urmston Elevators INC. This was the third major fire in three years. The previous fires were at Dundee where the old elevator burned about four years ago. Last year a new elevator was built to replace the old one and it too went up in smoke and has not yet been replaced.

01-02-1934
The Leeson store is destroyed by fire in Elwood.

2-17-1934
Two business houses burned in Frankton sustaining $6,000 damage.

03-23-1934
The Orestes Packing Plant was almost completely destroyed by fire at 11:00 yesterday. Defective electrical connections could possibly been the cause of the blaze. The plant was valued at $20,000 and part owner, Clarence J. Palmer announced that plans are to rebuild the structure. The business was formerly owned by the Davis Brothers of Orestes but went into receivership several years ago. Charles DeHority and George DeHority of Elwood are also part owners. A night watchman is generally on duty but none was scheduled at the time. The fire department was also hampered by a limited supply of water and high winds.

11-25-1938
Schwinn Store has fire

10-13-1939
A fire at Coxes IGA store caused several hundred dollars of damage.

10-18-1939
Fire of an unknown origin burned over a twelve acre field of corn and a twelve acre field of clover on the Jason Gross farm a mile north of Orestes day before yesterday the 16th. The fire had a good start when it was discovered, and neighbors fought it for more than an hour to prevent it reaching buildings on the farm. About 900 bushels of corn was burned from the dry stalks and fell to the ground, but Mr. Grose expected it to have some value as feed. He feared however that the clover had been destroyed. A large stack of straw in the clover filed burned most of the night Monday.

05-25-1940
Employees at the Alexandria Fire Department are sad today, because yesterday afternoon they buried one of their best friends. Ill several days without responding to treatment, Caesar, a year old white and black spotted coach dog died at eleven oclock a.m. Friday. The dog was being trained by firemen to replace Nigger, the official canine mascot of almost fifteen years, was given to the firemen when but ten weeks old and had grown up as a real companion to all of them. The firemen said that he was learning his duties very rapidly in the department. Plans to secure another dog have not been made, but they are expected to do so shortly, as Nigger is becoming quite feeble and suffers with a rheumatic condition. It will not be long before he will be required to remain at the station when the truck responds to a call.

11-07-1940
The Alexandria Fire Department is mourning the death of Nigger the departments maascot.

04-25-1942
Mrs. Mary Timmons and Mrs. Harriett Beatson, teachers in the Orestes School, brought their pupils on the annual train ride from Orestes to Alexandria two days ago. Pupils in the first, third, and fourth grades participated. The teachers and their students visited the fire department, police headquarters, public library, and other places of interest.

06-14-1943
Firemen were called to the home of Everett Judd at 8:00 oclock this morning south of Orestes. The smoke house caught fire and had a good start before the local truck reached the scene. The loss was about $250 including some loss of meat.

09-17-1946
Fire of undetermined origin last night completely destroyed the grandstand at the Armscamp Speedway at Alexandria. The blaze apparently started behind the box seats at the east end of the grandstand, and the flames, with the help of a steady northeast breeze, completely consumed the stands, although bleachers, which are separate from the grandstands, were unharmed. No official estimate of the damage has been made by Fire Chief Mace Hitchens, although Bernie Morgan, of Parker, who with his brother Lou are owners of the track, estimate the loss at approximately $20,000. The stand seated approximately 4,000 persons on the south side of the asphalt oval, which was undamaged by the flames. According to present plans, races which are scheduled for next Sunday night will be carried out as planned by members of the Consolidated Midget Racing Association.A large crowd gathered quickly along state road 28 and on the grounds of the racing plant soon after the fire department was called at 6:15 p.m., and remained to watch the holocaust. The blaze had evidently started at least a half an hour before arrival of the fire fighters, and was never headed despite their efforts to arrest its progress. Working under handicaps, the department emptied the tank on the pumper, and returned to the hydrant at the end of Harrison Street to refill the tank. On their return, the flames had progressed too far to be successfully controlled. Two American flags at the corner of the grandstands, were burned from their standards, as ex-servicemen in the crowd of spectators winced at the sight. Transformer equipment at the west end of the grandstand was destroyed as the flames consumed the wooded structure, despite efforts to play a stream of the precious water supply on them. Co-owner, Bernie Morgan, said that nearly $500 worth of paint had been delivered about four oclock in the afternoon, and that there was no sign of a fire at that time. Explosions caused by the burning paint added to the display, and scattered the paint far and wide. The boys at the fire department wiped paint off the truck at the station house for nearly three quarters of an hour before it was put to bed for the night. The track was built in April of 1941 by Joe Armstrong and Frank Scampmorte of Anderson, and the track was first opened to the public in July of that year. Closed during 1943 and 1944, it was reopened in 1945 when the Office of Defense Transportation permitted a relaxation of war-time travel restrictions. In February of this year, the track was purchased by the present owners, who have held races there every Sunday night during the season. Spectators joined efforts intrying to save what materials could be salvaged, and succeeded insaving some 250 folding chairs, a paint spray, three gallon jugs ofhot dog relish, a small truck and the amplifier for the public address system were rescued through the efforts of Bob Ferguson and Jack Roesler. The flames were visible for miles through the countryside, and spectators were present from as far north as Fairmount, 12 miles away, where the glare from the fire was plainly visible, and gave rise to rumors that the whole town was afire. (NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPHS)

03-22-1948
The barn on the Kenneth Brunson farm in the Orestes community was completely destroyed by a storm that hit hard Saturday morning the 20th. Damages are expected to top $3,000. Also telephone and electric service at Orestes was out of order with the switchboard operator there forced to make hand-rung calls for some time. Windows at the school were also damaged on Friday forcing classes to be dismissed. Classes will not resume until Monday the 29th

11-18-1948
An overheated coal stove in the basement of the Ben Robey home at Orestes caused fire damage to the basement. Smoke and water in other parts of the house added to the damage which the owner said was covered by insurance. Damage was estimated at $300. The fire, which occured during a heavy downpour of rain was extinguished by the Orestes Volunteer Fire Department. The Alexandria Fire Department also answered the call to the scene and found the fire already out upon arrival. A gasoline service station operated by Mr. Robey next to his home was undamaged.

10-18-1949
A fire starting from sparks from a chimney caused considerable damage to the roof of james Hendrix residence at Orestes, owned by Earl Ryan, at 8 oclock this morning. The Orestes Fire Department answered the call to the fire. The fire was confined to the roof. Firemen used water to extinguish the blaze and considerable water damage was caused to furninture. No estimate of damage was available.

11-07-1949
Fire starting from an overheated stove caused considerable damage to the Christian Church at Orestes Saturday afternoon at 12:30 oclock when most of the furnishings inside of the building were destroyed. Insurance adjusters had not estimated the damage yet today, but all of the seats, carpet, and the piano were burned. A new electric organ, which was purchased recently by the church, was removed from the church and was not damaged. A small boy whose name was not learned, discovered smoke coming from the church door and ran to the Orestes Voluntary Fire Department and the Alexandria Fire department responded to the call. Considerable water damage was reported inside the church. The blaze was confined to the inside of the building and only minor damage was reported to the roof where firemen broke shingles to combat the blaze in the attic. A place to hold temporary services is expected to be selected this week.

08-13-1951
The Orestes Volunteer Fire Department extinguished a fire at the Walker Grocery in Orestes at 4:45 a.m. The Alexandria Fire Department was standing by as a precaution but the Orestes crew controlled the blaze.

10-02-1951
The Wann Tomato Cannery was destroyed by fire in Frankton.

01-14-1952
The Alexandria Fire Department resuscitator was used for almost two hours Saturday night on Mrs. Martha Merritt, Orestes, and was successful in aleviating her breathing difficulties. Acting Fire Chief Harry Klein said today that two tanks of oxygen were given.

02-04-1952
An appeal was issued by the Alexandria chapter of the American Red Cross through its disaster chairman, Curtis Ellis, for aid to a family whose home was burned completely down Saturday night at Orestes. As a result of the fire tragedy at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Mr. & Mrs. James Otis Cox and their three small children today are homeless and without furniture and clothing.

The Orestes Volunteer fire force headed by Chief William Abernathy and the Alexandria force, in aid to Orestes, were unsuccessful in stopping the fire that was raging out of control before aid could arrive. The fire was believed to be started from an overheated heating stove. The family had gone to elwood and no one was home when the fire started. Fire Chief Abernathy estimated the damages to the one-story structure to be nearly $2,000.

When the plight of the family was learned the local Red Cross home chairman, Mrs. Garnet Beeman transferred the aid project to disaster chairman Curtis Ellis, who asks that persons having clothing, bedding, furniture, for the family to call at his home1147J. The family is comprised of the father and mother, two boys, ages three and four, and a baby girl. The family at present is being housed with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Cox, Phillips Addition, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Hall, South Wayne Street.

02-17-1953
The Alexandria Fire Department answered an aid call at 3:30 p.m. yesterday to Orestes where the home of William Petty was burning. Vern Horlander, chief of the Orestes Volunteer Fire Force, said that apparently a hot coal from a heating stove fell on the floor while the Petty family was in Alexandria. Damage was estimated at $400.

03-06-1956
A wind-driven fire of unknown origin, started in the Brunson Canning Company north of Orestes today at about 3:00 p.m. Fire departments from Orestes, Alexandria, Summitville,and Elwood all helped fight the blaze for over three hours. Some merchandise and fertilizer for the coming season were saved but loses were estimated at $105,000.Owner, Doyle Brunson was reportedly working on the roof repairing some shingles that were blown off in last weeks thunderstorm, when the fire was first noticed. 15,000 gallons of water was used to put out the fire and the Alexandria tanker filled up four times. Orestes Fire Chief, Vern Horlander, stated that faulty wiring would be a probable cause. The canning company was founded in 1931 and employed 200 persons.

03-07-56
The Brunson Canning Factory fire officially listed as cause unknown

07-03-1956
From other sources the speedway at Alexandria apparently burned sometime after this date that I do not have recorded.

01-07-1957
Lula little 80, of Orestes died at 7:15 a.m. today at mercy Hospital in Elwood. Mrs. Little had been ill for several weeks and reportedly awoke about 2:00 a.m. and went to the kitchen and stood near a heating stove. Mrs. Little apparently opened the side door to gain more heat and accidentally set her clothes on fire. and suffered severe burns to the entire body. Screams aroused her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. & Mrs. James Jarrett who resided with her. They smothered the flames with blankets in an unsuccessful attempt to save her life.

04-11-1960
The Orestes Fertilizer Factory was destroyed by fire yesterday.

05-06-1960
Fire destroyed a farm tractor and wagon near Dundee, driver burned.

12-27-1961
A fire destroyed a home today on the Brunson Estate just north of highway 28 on the Orestes Road.

11-01-1962
The second fire in a little more than two years destroyed the Robinson Lumber Company this afternoon as fire departments from three cities fought desperately to save it. The blaze that was discovered shortly after noon was still out of control at press time. Jack Robinson, owner of the firm stated that school teacher, Bob Dickson, rushed in a said it looks like you have a fire and the next then he knew the fire was out of control.

11-02-1962
Robinson Lumber Company reveals plans to rebuild after a fire did approximately $200,000 in damage yesterday. The company is Madison Countys oldest lumber firm dating back to before 1900.

11-30-1962
The sawmill in Frankton burned last evening as fire fighting units from six departments fought to save it.

11-16-1963
The Alexandria Fire Department was busy fighting a brush fire east of town at the Dwight Montgomery farm and the Oretes Fire Department was called in on stand-by duty in Alexandria.

02-22-1964
Funeral services for James L. Waymire, who died of burns tonight at Mercy Hospital in Elwood, will be held at the Orestes Baptist Church at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday February 25th. Mr. Waymire who resided north of Orestes, was fatally burned when his clothes caught fire while burning trash. The burns covered approximately 70 percent of his body. A retired employee of the Elwood Tin Plate Works, Mr. Waymire had lived in Orestes all of his life. He was born there on January 31, 1885. He was a member of the Orestes Baptist Church. He was married to the former Stella Custer who died in September, 1942. Survivors include a niece, Mrs. Phillip Davis, Orestes; and two nephews, Sherman Waymire with whom he lived, and Roy Waymire of Brooksville, Florida.

07-26-1964
Fire caused by a short in wiring caused heavy damage to a rural home Friday July 24th at 12:30 a.m. A summer kitchen and a milk house burned to the ground at the residence of Herman Canaday northeast of Orestes. The property is owned by Harry McKowen. The Alexandria Fire Department was assisted by the Summitville Fire Department.

12-16-1964
The Elwood Country Club was destroyed by fire early this morning and damages are estimated at nearly $125,000.

06-02-1965
A fire caused by a gas explosion in a gas oven destroyed the Alexandria Molding Company in Frankton. Eight employees were at the plant at the itme of the explosion but none were injured. The business was housed in a former canning factory and estimates were that the business suffered $40,000 in the loss.

12-10-1975
photograph
Alexandria firemen with wagon and horses in 1904.

07-26-1976
A fire causing a million dollars in damage swept through the Rockwool Industries plant in Alexandria.

01-31-1979
Firemen fought bitter cold with sub-zero wind chills in bringing the fire at the former site of the J.J. Long Trucking Company at Co Rd. 1025N and 200W near Orestes under control. The fire occurred Jan 25th. The fire broke out about 1:00 p.m. and was fought for over three hours by Alexandria and Frankton firemen. They had to return to the scene again that night after the blaze broke out again.

02-21-1979
A house owned by Wayne Craig was destroyed by fire Feb 18th located at the Orestes Road and Highway 28.

12-12-1979
Two underground explosions and three fountains of red flame erupted at the Madison County Landfill near Orestes today when a bulldozer operator began uncovering a portion of the area dumped in the same morning. Officials contacted the Fort Benjamin Harrison bomb squad, engineers and chemists at Delco Remy and Guide divisions in Anderson, the hazardous waste division of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, the National Guard and the Army Reserve. Although none of these agents could identify the cannisters or liquid, all agreed that they were dangerous. By checking the log of firms dumping at the landfill, Gerald Thomas, superitendent confirmed the material had come from loads either from Bucks Refuse or Guide Division.

Orestes Fire Department

Compiled by David L. Dwiggins

The Orestes Fire Department started to operate with an old wagon fixed up with a ladder and some oaken buckets attached to the sides. If one would have a fire in these days, they would simply run and ring a bell that was located in a central location. Folks of the community would all come running with buckets of their own to battle the fires and the fire wagon would be pulled by men to the location of the fire. Everyone would team up to put it out.

This operation was very primitive and was replaced by a Model T Ford in the 1920s. The firehouse was located in the location that the present City Hall and Fire Station are. Once again the alarm was sounded by one running to the firehouse and ringing the bell. To ring the bell one would stand beneath the bell and swing a rod that was connected to the clapper. Some men would climb into the truck and one would drive it to the fire. Others of the community would jump on as the truck traveled slowly past their homes. The Ford had just enough power to travel about 20 mph with the tank loaded with water. Most of the volunteers would be at the fire before the fire truck. The truck was equipped with ladders and hoses and was fairly efficient once it arrived.

The Model T Ford was replaced by a Studebaker and the Volunteers could generally get to the fires much quicker than in the past. The bell was replaced by a loud siren that could be heard for a great distance and a button was installed at the front of the Firebarn for easy access.

The Studebaker didnt start very well and required a great deal of care to keep it in top running order. The community was awakened by the siren sounding late one night. Folks jumped out of bed and ran to the street to see where the fire was. A very large fire was visible in the east part of town. The fire grew bigger and bigger and it seemed forever before the fire truck was on its way. George Aulers garage and car burned and the Alexandria Fire Department beat the old Studebaker to the scene and had to put the fire out. The truck wouldnt start and when it did get going and made it to the fire, a hose ruptured and the truck was not used. It was just a very temperamental vehicle. The Studebaker was finally retired and was parked behind the firebarn for some time before its disposal.

The newer trucks are very dependable and are very efficient. The Fire Department presently is equipped with a Ford pumper-tanker with a 1000 gallon tank and an International Harvester four-wheel-drive pumper that can pump and roll simultaneously. The International has an 800 gallon tank.

The department also operates with a Dodge four wheel drive vehicle. Its primary use is for fighting rural grass fires. This 3/4 ton truck has a tank capacity of 275 gallons.

The Madison County Air Van is also part of the local department. The van is the only vehicle of its type in Madison or surrounding counties that can service air packs, and breathing bottles on location. The Air Van manufactures the air. The Air Van has been used extensively throughout the area. The Orestes Fire Department has complete turnout gear for all twelve or thirteen firemen and the present Fire Chief, David Hess. Past chiefs were Ralph Pratt and Dennis Pratt and Harold Granger. Others that were active volunteers were Carl Martin, Clyde Granger, Vern Horlander, Melvin Carey and Larry Granger. Carl Martins memorial fund was passed on to the department and enabled the team to purchase pagers so the volunteers could respond much quicker to emergencies.

First Orestes Fire Chiefs

1. J.W. Anderson 1905
2. John Ward May 1906