Firehouses
of  Shelby County, Indiana



Gramm-Bernstein Fire Truck in Service in Shelbyville, Indiana.
Postcard image contributed by George Young


The  Shelbyville  Daily  Democrat
Wednesday, January 20, 1886
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LOCAL  NEWS.
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          The alarm of fire about ten o'clock last night broke up the performance at the opera hall, and brought a good many from their homes.  The fire was located in the third story of Conrey, Wallar & Deprez's furniture wareroom, and  Gib Kennedy  run up and beat the flames out with his coat.  The damage was slight, not exceeding $15.  The cause of the fire is not definitely known, but is supposed to have caught in some waste from the stove.  Means have been taken to prevent any recurrence of the accident again.  The Hook and Ladder Company got out in line style, and had a ladder sticking in the third story window so quick that they came very near knocking miller  Jim Kennedy's  head off, who hadn't hardly time to get out of the way.  When the company started back to the house to put up, the crowd gave them some hearty cheers.  The fire engine was also out promptly, cut its services were not needed.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Daily  Evening  Democrat
Wednesday, October 3, 1883
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LOCAL  NEWS
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          If a fire should break out to-day the alarm could not be given until someone climbed up on the engine house, as the rope was broken at the last fire and has not been fixed yet, or had not at noon to-day.  The telephone, which was taken out when the building was repaired, has notyet been replaced, either.  It does seem that a little more energy might be displayed by somebody, in regard to this matter.
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Ibid.
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           The Council at their meeting last night, ordered the committee on fire department to buy a suitable bell of the engine house.  The new bell will not improve matters if it is hung in the present tower, which is too small in every way.  It should either be raised and enlarged, or else a new tower built at the rear end.  What the city ought to have now is some fire alarm boxes scattered over the city, all connected with the bell on the engine house.  What's the use of stopping half way when the city is amply able to provide adequate means for the locating and extinguishing of fires?
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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