In 2015 most people carry sophisticated communication devices. The communication equipment for North Battleford City Police and Fire Department in 1913 was not quite so advanced.
In 1913 Saskatchewan Government Telephones had a telephone office at 1172 - 100th (Main) St. upstairs above a drug store. To make a call you would turn a crank on the side of the telephone signaling the telephone operator. The operator would say, 鈥渘umber please鈥� and she would ring the telephone you were calling.
Only a few residents had telephones at this time and not all businesses had a telephone. The telegraph was used for much of the long distance communications. Most telegrams were about 10 words in length. The telegrams would be delivered to the recipients.
Sept. 11, 1913, Fire Chief Shaw reports the City of North Battleford had installed 17 fireboxes with alarm systems around the city. If you had a fire you would run to the alarm box, break the glass in front of the box and pull the hook all the way down. This would send a signal to the fire hall. The signal provided the number of the fire alarm box. Anyone who tripped the alarm would remain at the alarm box until the Fire Department arrived so they could obtain the location of the fire.
Nov. 22, 1915, Empress Theatre, 1022 - 101st (King) St.: Employees at the theatre would 鈥渇licker鈥� the centre ceiling lights three times to let firemen in attendance know the fire alarm had sounded.
June 25, 1944: Tragically two children burned to death. The fire was caused by sparks from kitchen range igniting the paper carton used as wood box.
Jan. 26, 1945: 1 a.m. false alarm from Call Box No. 16. W. Baron and night patrol North Battleford constable tracked footsteps in fresh snow to an address on 106th (Arthur) Street and caught Joe ________.
Feb. 25, 1950: 5:45 a.m. fire at 1761 - 103rd (George) St. A 12-year-old boy ran four blocks to turn in a fire alarm, unfortunately froze his feet and was hospitalized.
Night policeman duty was 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Beat No. 1: 7 to 9 p.m., rest in police office 9 to 9:30 p.m.
Beat No. 2: 9:30 to 11:30 p.m., rest in police office 11:30 to 12:00
Beat No. 3: 12:00 to 2:00 a.m., rest in police office 2:00 to 2:30 a.m.
Beat No. 4: 2:30 to 4:30 a.m., rest in police office 4:30 to 5:00 a.m.
Beat No. 5: 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. duty over
The night duty policeman would punch the clock as he made five trips around his beats each night. The timer had a slot so he could punch only the time and date he was on site. The chart was good for 10 days.
On our information it showed the 7 p.m. beat 鈥� keys 4, 5 and 6 鈥� were missed. The policeman had other calls to attend.
Communication equipment has certainly changed in the last 100 years. In 2115, how will we communicate?
