Coshocton County Ohio photo

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COSHOCTON FIRE DEPARTMENT

WILLIAM BARCROFT WEST
fireman since 1908
appointed Coshocton City Firechief in 1935.

May 3, 1944 Coshocton Tribune
Fire Chief Offers Rules For Preventing Grass Fires "We are not only using gallons of gasoline needlessly, but we are forced to leave the major part of Coshocton unprotected, when both trucks are called out to put out a grass fire," Fire Chief William West said today. "Most grass and rubbish fires could be prevented if a few common sense rules of safety and fire prevention were put into practice he pointed out. Over ambitious housewives have been especially injudicious this spring, Chief West said. He also stressed the fact that a city ordinance passed quite a while ago prohibits the burning of rubbish, paper or grass within the business district from the Tuscarawas river to Seventh st. and Chestnut to Walnut st. Residents living within this "fire zone" must have trash hauled away or be liable to a fine. Following these few simple rules would make grass and rubbish fires within the city limits a rare occurrence, Chief West said. 1 - Place rubbish fire near center of your own lot in a place where bare earth surrounds blaze. 2. -- Do not burn anything near buildings. 3. -- Have garden hose ready and within reach of your fire. 4.--Do not start a fire on a windy day, unless necessary. In that case, test wind, and kindle fire to burn toward the breeze. 5.--Do not start fires in exceptionally dry weather. 6 Housewives should wait until evening when the wind is down and when the men of the neighborhood are home to lend a hand.

March 9, 1950 Coshocton Tribune
Sick List - William West, 669 Vine st., retired Coshocton fire chief, was reported today to be in critical condition at Coshocton Memorial hospital. Mr. West suffered a cerebral hemorrhage Tuesday evening.

March 10, 1950 Coshocton Tribune
Retired fire Chief William West Dead - William B. West, 68, 669 Vine st., retired Coshocton fire chief, died at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Coshocton Memorial hospital. He had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage Tuesday evening. Mr. West became a member of the Coshocton fire department when it was first organized in 1908, and served as a fireman for 40 years until his retirement on May 16, 1948. He was appointed fire chief in 1935. Prior to 1908 he served as a volunteer fireman for seven years. He was born Dec. 24, 1881, in Coshocton,a son of the late John and Elizabeth Johnson West. He was never married He was a member of the Episcopal church, Masonic and IOOF lodges, and attended Coshocton schools. Surviving are two sisters, Miss Jennie West and Mrs. W. H. Sauvary, both of Coshocton, three nieces and one nephew. One brother and three sisters are deceased. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal church. Rev. David Talbor, rector, will officiate and burial will be in South Lawn cemetery. Friends may call at the Glass funeral home from 7 p.m. Friday until 1:30 p.m. Saturday. ALL ODD FELLOWS Attend funeral of W,. West, Sat., 2 p.m., Episcopalian church.

State of the art Firefighters in the city of Coshocton stopped using house-drawn wagons decades ago, but it was only two years ago they moved from their Walnut Street location (Hale Station) to the new station on South Seventh Street.This photo c. 1914 shows firefighters, from left, William West, Ike Ralston and Jim Waddell, following behind a troika of horses at the old Walnut Street station, built in 1908.In the circle is chief James Tracewell.