Page 20 - History of the Colton Fire Department

1897
George Bond was elected the 5th Fire Chief for the Colton Fire Department and Chief
Bagley moved down to Assistant Chief. George Bond was born in Pennsylvania, 1862.
He was a Foreman at the Colton Fruit Exchange, located on southwest corner of I and
Tenth Streets, where Murray’s Hotel and Restaurant Supply is now located.

George Bond
Al U’Ren and his Brothers - Al and Milt on top. Will, Cyril and Ned on Bottom.
In 1897-98 there were over a dozen men from throughout the city, there was a concern about spraying
Colton that served in the Spanish American War. Men water on such wiring. Inquiries were sent to Los Angles,
such as Will U’Ren responded to service and the depart- Sacramento and San Francisco to learn more about the
ment membership voted to maintain him as a member dangers of spraying water on such wiring. As expected,
and to pay him for meetings as if he was in attendance. the answer was that water and electricity was a dangerous
Will U’Ren was a 21 year old son of Constantine U’Ren mixture and should not spray water on light wiring. They
and the younger brother of Al U’Ren. He was a widower further recommended that a fuse block be placed in such
and superintendent at the Marble Works on Slover Moun- buildings as the Cannery so the current could be turned
tain. off in case of a fire.
Fire Departments have always relied on support A committee was formed to investigate the best
from their neighbors by way of mutual aid. On Decem- locations throughout the city to install fire alarm boxes.
ber 29th, 1897 there was a mutual aid call from San Ber- The department was also responsible for checking and
nardino to assist on a large fire. maintaining the hydrant system.
July 7th, 1897 was the first noted William U’Ren in his Military uniform
injury to a Colton fireman while hose 1899
streams didn’t have enough water Colton News reported on the 24th
pressure reach the top of the build- of November, 1899… Fireman Hen-
ing. It was necessary for someone to ry Clay Franklin, the son of Reuben
climb to the top of the building and Henry Franklin, who was president
knock off some of the siding so wa- of the Colton City Board of Trustees
ter could penetrate. Fireman W. H. (mayor) from 1898 to 1900, died
Redman volunteered to go. When shortly after midnight on the 18th of
he reached the top of the building, it November. The cause of death was
collapsed, thus causing him to fall 20 appendicitis, which Dr. Champion
feet to the ground. He reportedly re- decided was inoperable because Clay
ceived very bad cuts and bruises. The had a heart problem. Clay was only
volunteers voted to compensate W.H. 29 years old. He worked as a livery-
Redman the sum of $10.00 for inju- man. He was married to the former
ries and time lost on the job. Frances Stobie and had one child, a
With electric lighting five-year-old son. He was buried at a
20 and wiring being installed cemetery in Riverside.