History Corner: Putting the “Fight” in Volunteer Firefighter
In an effort to delve into the rich history of Marion County, we have been exploring stories that hale from many of our local communities and highlight service to the public. We were incredibly entertained to find a reprint of a January 19, 1913 issue of an Oregon Journal article regarding a fierce competition between rival volunteer firefighters in the late 1800s. We have summarized some of our favorite elements of the tale below.
In Salem's past, a slew of fires in close succession in the 1860s highlighted a need for more efficient fire protection. These fires birthed two bands of volunteer firefighters: the Capital Engine No. 1, and its rival, the Tigers No. 2. While the Tigers tended to dominate the rivalry, being a part of the volunteer firefighters was a badge of honor for either band. These fiery rivals were known as the “foxtails.”
The foxtails weren't just ordinary volunteer firefighters—they were devoted to their companies with almost fanatical loyalty, turning each fire into a wild spectacle of competition.
While dousing flames was the goal, it was also about outwitting and outmaneuvering your opponents at every turn to be the first to connect to the fire hydrant and pour water on the blaze. The public saw the evident efficiency of such tactics and did not discourage the intense rivalry.
The pursuit of the coveted “foxtail” reward, which went to the first to reach the hydrant was an obsession for both teams. Pranks and ploys were fair game, with one Tiger reportedly using a stump as a decoy hydrant to outsmart a rival in a rush to the real water source. It was also reported that during one point of the rivalry, one fire was “touched off” in a strategic location to help one of the teams gain an advantage and win the day.
Portraits of members of Tiger Engine Co. No. 2, Salem Fire Department, WHC Collections 2019.020.0003
With tricks and ploys galore, it admittedly wasn’t all just fun and games. Fires were obviously serious business, with battles often extending beyond the flames to the streets themselves. It was not uncommon for blood to be spilled in streets in the frantic competing scramble for hydrants. The Reed Opera House itself was one building that caught fire during that time, and the quick thinking and fierce rivalry of these bands saved it from any serious damage. Amidst the chaos, a sense of camaraderie flourished between the volunteers, and many forged lifelong bonds.
As the years passed and the community grew, so too did the legacy of the “foxtails.” While the rivalry eventually gave way to a more efficient and unified fire department, the legacy of the foxtails lives on. Many former members of the volunteer firefighters went on to become prominent citizens of Marion County into the 1900s, following their legacy of service and sacrifice to the community.
Read the full tale published be the Willamette Heritage Center.