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Below are pictures taken from the Schuyler/Colfax County Museum's fire department section. --November 22, 2003

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(The following excerpt was taken from documents belonging to the Schuyler Museum)

"The first company organized was the Rescue Company No. 1.  This occurred in the fall of 1875.  For 4 years the company used a truck and ladders of home manufacture.  In 1879, the Star Company No. 2 was organized and the town bought 2 engines, a champion chemical engine which was given to the Rescue Company, and the other was a water engine which was given to the Star Company.  Together they cost a total of $2,800.  The town also built a building opposite the opera house for the engine, at a cost of $650.  GH Wells, Foreman; W. Hrubesky, 1st Assistant; James Hughes, 2nd Assistant; Charles Kreynebarg, Treasurer; and J. B. Sides, Clerk.

There were 45 members of the Star Company.  The officers were:  H. Ramsey, Foreman; Alex Sutherland, 1st Assistant; David Edwards, 2nd Assistant; William Markham, Secretary; and Fritz Lambert, Treasurer.

Both companies were under the control of the department, the officers were: G. H. Wells, President; D. H. Van Antwarp, Marion McLung, Secretaries; and C.C. Cannon, Chief.  3 wells were maintained by the city to supply the water engine.  In addition to these was a steam pump belonging to the Union Pacific Railroad.  Which, with the hose of the department, could throw water over the business portion of the town.  Since the organization of the companies, they have been instrumental in saving property from sixteen fires."

Schuyler's Biggest Fire

"Wells-Abbott-Neman Co Milling Plant, one-time largest milling plant in the west, was destroyed by fire.  The date October 7, 1933.  The picture above was taken from the street east of Dubsky's store (Grencindo's) showing the store and the volume of smoke from the burning mill.  Photo below shows the bunring mill.  Estimated loss was $400,000.  The plant no longer milled the famous puritan flour but was being leased by the Christopher Grain Co, for grain storage.  Gerald Ehernberger for many years associated with the mill and the the grain business in Schuyler was to have assumed management of the plant the following week."

Historical Statistics

1958 Department of Fire Prevention- 15th Annual Report, State of Nebraska;

*The history of the Schuyler Fire Department was put together by Curt Reha with help from John Eggleston and the Schuyler/Colfax County museum.