Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1886 — CHICAGO FIRE INSURANCE PATROL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHICAGO FIRE INSURANCE PATROL

Brief Sketch of the Life of the Founder and Perfecter of the Patrol System.

Captain Ben B. Bullwinkle, the founder and improver of the fire insurance patrol system of Chicago, and now Agent aud General Manager of the Arizona Cattle Company, is one of the most popular aud best known firemen in America, and, during the past year, has become prominently identified with the most extensive cattle interests of the far West Captain Bullwinkle is a native of New York City, where he was born, the eldest of three children, March 17,1847. His father, Charles T. Bullwinkle, died in 1857, aud his mother, Eliza Laughlm bullwinkle, three years previous to that date. With a younger brother and sister dependent upon his sole energies, at the age of ten years Captain Bullwinkle hecamo an errand boy, aud contributed to the support of his family until his sister was married and his brother became a jeweler. When ho was fifteen years old the ambitious Ben entered the Chicago Fire Department, then a volunteer service, and drove the chief’s wagon. This necessitated his attendance at all fires that occurred, aud he became practical as a fire-fighter and in every detail of the system. His diligence and ability soon commanded attention, aud when the insurance companies organized the fire patrol service in New York, Puiladelphia, and Boston, and their committee of three completed the service in Chicago, the indisputable qualifications of Captain Bullwinkle led to his selection as head of the system, and Oct. 2, 1870, the first company in Chicago was established The great fire of 1871 did not prevent its reorganization. From this grew the West Division and Stock Yards companies, all under the control of the Captain, who, in the meantime, made numerous improvements in the system, and so increased the utility and rapidity of the service that the President of the United States and dignitaries of various lands regarded his manipulation of the wagons as a marvel. He was consulted frequently by the chief boards of underwriters in fire matters, and in December, 1875, and in February, 1878, was presented with a badge and gold watch and chain, of a value aggregating nearly a thousand dollars, as a token of appreciation and respect. As a member of the Apollo Commandery, Knights Templars, as an attendant of the Presbyterian Church, as a business man, and socially. Captain Bullwinkle was prominently and universally esteemed. He was married Nov. 5, 1873, to Miss Angelica J. Moody. They have one child, a son. In 1885 the Captain found a change of climate desirable to nis health, and accepted his present important aud responsible position, as manager of the Arizona Cattle Company, with extensive ranches at Fort Rickerson, near Flagstaff, Arizona. There, as in Chicago, his business ab lity and popuar social qualifications have made him a useful and eminent member of the community. Under date of Aug. 81, 1886, Captain Bullwinkle accepted an offer from The Chicago Ledger, and consented to identify himself with literary fame. The result is a story — “Rube, the Ranchman”—which, while depicting the experiences of ranch life, also contains some pleasing allusions to the old firepatrol career, with which the Captain is so familiar. The story is replete with the most interesting details, and wifi prove a charming novelty. The opening chapters of this popular story will appear in No. 42 of The Chicago Ledger, the only first-class story paper published in the West, sample copies of which will be mailed to any address free. Send your name and address upon a postal card get a specimen copy of the paper, and see how you like it We know it will please you. Address The Chicago LedgebChicago, IIL