Letter signed S. Baker, St. Louis, to George C. Baker. In St. Louis they have made great improvements in the Fire Dept. (I think I told you that over here they have Steam Fire Engines.) At certain distances at the corners of the streets are placed Iron Boxes fastened on the walls and the keys of them are kept inside of the houses. When one’s house is on fire you have to run to the nearest box and ask for the key and open the box and inside is a handle which you have to turn 3 times. By doing that, you have sent notice to the Court House [by telegraph] that there is a fire in a certain small division of the City. Individuals mentioned: Williamson and Rudolph. Places mentioned: Maries Co., Illinois., 1858 Oct 10, Box: 2, Folder: 2. Saint Louis History Collection, A1427. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center.

Letter signed S. Baker, St. Louis, to George C. Baker. In St. Louis they have made great improvements in the Fire Dept. (I think I told you that over here they have Steam Fire Engines.) At certain distances at the corners of the streets are placed Iron Boxes fastened on the walls and the keys of them are kept inside of the houses. When one’s house is on fire you have to run to the nearest box and ask for the key and open the box and inside is a handle which you have to turn 3 times. By doing that, you have sent notice to the Court House [by telegraph] that there is a fire in a certain small division of the City. Individuals mentioned: Williamson and Rudolph. Places mentioned: Maries Co., Illinois., 1858 Oct 10, Box: 2, Folder: 2. Saint Louis History Collection, A1427. Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center. https://mohistory.mobiusconsortium.org/repositories/2/archival_objects/17115 Accessed September 19, 2024.