The St. Joseph Fire Department was established in 1865
The first steam powered fire pump was called the Blacksnake (photo #1)
The Blacksnake Company was staffed by former members of the Union Army
Another fire company was named the Waterwitch Company (photo #2)
The Waterwitch was pulled by crew members and was pumped by hand
The Waterwitch Company was primarily made up of German-Americans
The two companies were rivals and at times clashed violently
In 1870, the Waterwitch company was disbanded by the City Council
The City of St. Joseph established its paid fire department utilizing the Blacksnake steam pump
Photo #2 was taken in 1869 on the northwest corner of 6th & Edmond
The photo shows the St Joseph Volunteer Fire Department
The machine in the photo was known as Waterwitch Number 2
It was pulled to the fire scenes by ropes
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