Evanston Fire Department history – Part 10
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Another Chapter in the History of the Evanston Fire Department
A New Era Begins
In 1901, the citizens of Evanston experienced a significant shift in their local politics when James Patten won the mayoral race, largely thanks to securing votes from South Evanston. For years, residents of South Evanston had felt overlooked politically, but Patten made it a priority to address their needs. His campaign promises included better municipal services for this area, and once elected, he kept his word.
Patten played a key role in establishing Evanston Hospital in 1891, which started in a grand house at the intersection of Emerson and Sherman before relocating to its current location on Ridge Avenue. He also generously supported Northwestern University, making him a beloved figure in the 7th Ward of Northeast Evanston. Now, he aimed to win over the hearts of those in the 3rd and 4th Wards—South Evanston.
One of Patten's earliest actions upon becoming mayor was dismissing long-serving Fire Marshal Sam Harrison. Harrison, known for his colorful personality, had made many adversaries during his time as chief, and Patten was among them. Officially, Patten cited three grounds for the dismissal: a conflict of interest due to Harrison holding dual roles as Fire Marshal and Township Constable; lax discipline, allegedly allowing civilians to visit firefighters in their quarters; and malfeasance for purchasing equipment without seeking competitive pricing.
In place of Harrison, Patten appointed Ed Mersch, an Assistant Engineer from Engine Company 1, as the new Fire Marshal. This decision was unexpected, as Mersch lacked experience as a company officer and wasn't even the department's senior engineer. However, from Patten's perspective, Mersch was ideal for the position. Not only did he hail from South Evanston, but he also held a college degree—a rarity among firefighters in 1901.
Patten wasted no time in outlining his vision for modernizing the Evanston Fire Department. His top priority was enhancing fire protection in South Evanston by increasing personnel, acquiring new vehicles and equipment, and renovating Fire Station #2, which had been in use since the annexation of South Evanston in 1892.
The existing Fire Station #2, built in 1892, housed Hose Company 2 in a spacious administrative-style building designed as a combined village hall, firehouse, police station, and jail. From 1892 to 1897, the Evanston Police Department ran a South Precinct there, but by 1901, only the Fire Department remained. The station's apparatus bay could barely accommodate one hose cart and one horse. After assessing costs, Patten and Mersch decided that constructing a new station would be more economical than renovating the old one. The city council agreed, and demolition began.
Replacing the outdated structure, a brand-new, $6,000, three-bay fire station opened its doors on February 15, 1903. Located at 750 Chicago Avenue, Fire Station #2 now housed six firefighters, including a captain, lieutenant, four firemen, and four horses. The station was equipped with two state-of-the-art rigs: a four-wheeled, two-axle hose cart capable of carrying 1,250 feet of hose pulled by a two-horse team, and a modern 1902 Seagrave "combination truck." The Seagrave vehicle, combining hook-and-ladder and chemical engine functions, was highly sought after at the time. Other departments like Wilmette and Chicago also utilized similar models.
Under Patten and Mersch, fire protection in South Evanston flourished. Mersch, leveraging his mechanical engineering expertise, introduced several technical and safety upgrades to EFD equipment. One notable improvement was restoring the Babcock chemical engine in 1902, extending its operational life by 15 years. Despite these achievements, the partnership between Patten and Mersch wouldn't endure long.
Patten served only one two-year term, and Mersch faced numerous conflicts with his crew. He was fired by Mayor James Barker in May 1905 amidst protests from South Evanston residents who believed the dismissal was politically motivated. Tragically, Mersch passed away at 38 in 1911. Meanwhile, Sam Harrison enjoyed a prosperous future. After losing his post, he served multiple terms as a Justice of the Peace, worked as a Deputy County Assessor, and became a City Building Inspector. He lived to the age of 86, passing away in 1939.
This chapter in Evanston's firefighting history highlights how leadership changes can shape the trajectory of public services, leaving lasting impacts on communities.