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History of Dyersville Fire
Fire has never been a respector of homes, buildings and property. The early settlers of Dyersville who were struggling for an existance were from time to time plagued with fires, at that time having no other defense than the rather ineffective bucket brigade effort. This changed when in 1882 the Red Jacket Fire Engine Company was organized, chiefly through the efforts of Wm. Machogan. From a volunteer membership of 18 men he was chosen to be the first foreman of the company, J.H. Limback was the first chief. A local blacksmith made the first hook, ladder and cart for the new company. In 1884 a Button hand engine and cart were purchased for $1,500.00.
The vehicles in those days were hand pulled by robust and well trained firemen, the fastest and most sure footed men were always placed at the lead of the hitch. The engine alone weighed about 2,800 pounds. The hose cart, carrying a variety of equipment obviously was also heavy. It was important to have firement with a lot of stamina and endurance in order to reach the site of the fire at the fastest running pace possible, sometimes at considerable distances within the city. Good footing and good balance were required qualifications for the runners on street surfaces which sometimes were adverse and dangerous. Likewise, going uphill and downhill presented special problems and dangers.
The Red Jacket department had complete confidence in their equipment and ability to throw the longest stream in the least length of time if they would enter the state firemen's tournament.
After weeks of intensive training they entered the state tournament in Davenport in June 1885. They won the contest as real pros over older and larger companies. They took possession of the coveted championship broom from the previous champion, Storm Lake. This win fired the men with determination to enter and win a total of three state tournaments which then would entitle them to becoming the permanent possessors of the trophy, the long fibre broom. In 1886 they repeated their win in Dubuque and in 1887 accompanied with a great deal of fan fare, again won the state's championship in Sioux City, this time proudly bringing the trophy to Dyersville for keeps. Through the efforts of Ray Goedken in 1944 this broom trophy was salvaged from the then elderly widow of the late foreman, along with a large banner, Mac's red jacket and purple dress jacket, his foreman's cup, a big buckled belt and shining silver megaphone. These prize possessions are in the Library Historical Display.
At the close of the century the Red Jacets who had brought renown and honor to Dyersville in tournaments and in their years of local performances, disbanded, this occurring sometime after Foreman Machogan's retirement in 1895. The present Dyersville Volunteer Fire Department was then organized and with an enviable pattern established by the Red Jackets, the new organization determined and accomplished through years of efforts and constantly updating their equipment, have long had the distinction of being one of the most effective and best equipped fire departments in eastern Iowa cities of comparable size. This volunteer group of dedicated men have rendered invaluable service in times of many fires in Dyersville throughout the years. Some fires were small, others large, however without the services of a well equipped fire department each fire would almost assuredly been a devastating one. From the 1950's on, the local department has broadened their efforts toward not only that of saving lives with sophisticated first aid equipment in any type of a disaster. Of recent years the total services of the department has also been extended to patrons in the rural areas.