294 HISTORY OF PASADENA. 



at their next meeting, September lo, if the question of salaries is not settled 

 at that meeting, — 13 for the motion and 2 against." 



This is said to have been a kick against the rules or constitution estab- 

 lished by the city council quite as much or more than on the salary question. 

 At any rate, the result was that for a day or two Pasadena was at the mercy 

 of the fire fiend, as she had no fire department. But by September 15, chief 

 Hentig had the department fully manned again, reported his list of mem- 

 bers to the council, and they ratified and confirmed them, besides fixing the 

 salaries. The old company had gone out ; this was an entirely new organ- 

 ization, based on the twenty-nine rules laid down by the council, and is the 

 organization which continues to serve the city yet. 



September 18, 1889, a night fire occurred, in which three of Mrs. 

 Beaton's children were burned to death. [See page 155.] The fire com- 

 pany was in nowise blamable for this terrible calamity ; yet it did fail to 

 reach the scene of the fire as soon as it ought, and a good deal of unreason- 

 able blame was cast upon it. A public investigation of the whole 

 matter was made by the council on September 28, resulting in a 

 verdict of censure upon the department ; then new instructions were 

 given to the company, and a fire alarm bell was ordered. Prior to this the 

 Baptist church bell had been used for fire alarm purposes ; and of course 

 there was no electric alarm system. The fire engine and other apparatus 

 was kept in a temporary structure on DeL,acy street below Colorado, and 

 horses were brought over from Wiley & Greeley's liver}^ stable to hitch on 

 when required. Things were not in shape yet for either very prompt or very 

 efficient service. The water mains, fire plugs, hose supply, and alarm 

 system were all inadequate for any urgent emergency. But this most cal- 

 amitous fire that had ever occurred here, in which three children were en- 

 tirely consumed and their mother seriously injured in her frantic efforts to 

 save them, led to vigorous measures toward improving and perfecting the 

 fire department. 



On December 3, 1889, the fire engine house on Dayton street was ac- 

 cepted from the contractors who built it, and was occupied at once. Robert 

 Hentig resigned as chief, and A. S. Turbett was appointed to the place, 

 which he has filled ever since. January 4, 1890, Geo. A. Greeley was ap- 

 pointed assistant chief. January 25 the city bought from Richard Gird of 

 Chino five horses for the fire department, at a total cost of $1,235.30 — paid 

 in municipal bonds. 



The work of the department now went on in pretty good .shape. The 

 old hook-and-ladder apparatus proved unequal to our needs, and a new out- 

 fit was ordered, which was received and accepted by the council on Decem- 

 ber 20, 1890. On January 24, 1891, the old truck, etc., was sold to the city 

 of Santa Monica tor $400. The old hose cart was sold there also. 



In February, 1891, an electric fire alarm system was constructed 



