Uncovering Historic Lockport’s Mill Race Article 10 – “End of War and the loss of Lincoln”

It was 1865, and Lincoln had just been re-elected to a second term in office. His Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, proclaimed the freedom of slaves throughout the United States, and included the States that were still in rebellion. In addition to the reuniting of the Union, that act made the eradication of slavery an explicit goal for the war. Lincoln’s words to all Americans, were often published in the local newspapers as a constant reminder of the President’s goals.

The Civil War continued to rage on with horrific loses of human life. This was the bloodiest war ever to be fought on American soil, and during the course of an average day, 600 lives would be lost.

A Civil War soldier’s chance of surviving the war was about 1 in 4.

By the time the war would end, over 618,000 Americans would be dead, which is more than those lost in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War – combined!

On April 9th, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered his forces to the Union General, Ulysses S. Grant, and southern supporter, John Wilkes Booth, was outraged. On April 14th, 1865, Booth shot President Lincoln in Ford’s Theater, and our 16th President died the next morning. The last Southern troops eventually surrendered on May 26, 1865. The Civil War had ended, and immediately afterward, survivors began decorating the graves of those who had died. They repeated this ritual each and every year on “The Decoration Day,” the same day we now honor as Memorial Day.

After years of bloodshed, the soldiers were finally coming home. In Lockport, Birdsill Holly’s “System of Water Supply and Fire Protection For Cities And Villages” was getting National and International attention. Water was now available for domestic use within homes, and was controlled at constant pressure, throughout entire cities. Indoor running water was a godsend, especially to the returning soldier, and now all attention was being focused upon “home.” The fears of fire were no stranger to anyone owning a building, either business or home, and a new and improved Fire Company was already being developed.

No longer would volunteer firemen have to hook up the horses, drag an elephant sized steam boiler to the scene of a fire, and attempt to battle a blaze with little more than a garden hose supply of water. Holly’s system had forever changed the way fires would be fought, and Lockport was now the showcase.

On November 24th, 1865, the Hydrant Hose Company No. 1 was incorporated. Before this point in history, all firemen were expected to volunteer their services. Holly’s new system had saved money in so many ways, that it was now possible to actually have a paid firefighting force, ready and able, to protect the people and property, 24 hours a day. Many of the able bodied, returning soldiers, could now join up with a new civilian regiment, the firefighters.

Holly was selling his system everywhere, first to Auburn, NY, in 1865, and then to cities as far away as New Orleans. Fire company Chiefs from various cities came to Lockport to see the system demonstrated. Hydrant Hose Company No. 1 became the most showcased fire company in the State of NY. They were placed on parade, proudly displaying their hose cart, simply adorned with a picture of Holly’s Hydrant.

Fire companies now had the advantage of responding to fire alarms with “a little hose cart” that could be easily maneuvered by men, rather than requiring horses. Times were certainly changing.

The Holly Manufacturing Company also grew, producing virtually everything a new or existing city would require for modern running water, and a state-of-the-art system for fire protection. Although most could see the advantages that this new system presented, some notable cities were reluctant to invest in it, and eventually paid the price.

The City Fathers of Chicago discussed the possibility of adopting Holly’s plan. The existing Chicago Works had cost many millions of dollars to build, and entailed a working expenditure of $390,000 per year. Lake Michigan and the Chicago River encircled the city. They had an impressive tunnel that pulled in water from Lake Michigan, and many other municipalities admired their existing system. Chicago felt safe with what they already had. Holly’s system could have been implemented for $1 million, and with a working expenditure of only $50,000, Chicago could have saved millions over time.

Chicago’s officials unwisely decided to refuse Holly’s system.

More on that next time,

Dr. Scott Geise