Each had 50 horse power. There were 12 hook and ladder companies employing 550 men. The best-known companies that built steam fire engines were Amoskeag, Silsby, Clapp and Jones and Gould.

On Sept. 14, 1857, Henry Clay Sexton became St. Louis¹ first fire chief (formally, "chief engineer") at a salary of $1,000. He had 30 employees and three steam fire engines.

On Sept. 14, 1857, Henry Clay Sexton became St. Louis¹ first fire chief (formally, "chief engineer") at a salary of $1,000. He had 30 employees and three steam fire engines.