■''■*"- ^lf ' ;;'(?f«J>n%*J^^ \ ^ \ V \ \ \| BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henrg W. Sage 1S91 IJIM. Cornell University Library TH 9505.A1B87 ..CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 1924 082 460 407 ^r. Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924082460407 OUR FIREMEN. Our FIREMEN: THE OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE Brooklyn Fire Department, FROM THE FIRST VOLUNTEER TO THE LATEST APPOINTEE. COMPILED FROM THE RECORDS OF THE DEPARTMENT. ILLUSTRATED WITH ETCHED PORTRAITS AND SCENES. BROOKLYN, N. Y, 1892. PREFACE. 'THE story of the Brooklyn Fire Department is. a part of the municipal history of Brooklyn. But little more than one hundred years after its settlement, a Volun- teer Fire Compan}- came into existence, and the evolution of the Fire Department from this primitive beginning to the perfected organism of to-day, has been coincident with the development of the city from a Colonial hamlet to the proud position it now occu- pies among the cities of the United States. This work has been prepared in full sense of the scope, dignity and importance of such an undertaking. Original sources have been drawn upon where\'er possible and no effort of \'eritication has been spared. Such authorities as were accessible have been used with discretion, but the history is principall)' contemporaneous, and its narra- tive founded upon facts gathered by conscientious research, will be found as novel and engrossing as it is authentic. Wonderful, in truth, is the story ! — of continuous energy, skill and devotion on the part of the Department, of unremittent public spirit and appreciation on the part of the people, and of final achievement which has placed the organisation in the first rank and justified the honest pride of the citizens of Brooklyn. Thanks are due to all engaged in this production, and to many prominent among their fellow-citizens for the constant and cordial co-operation they have given in the preparation of this work. Without such generous aid the difficulties would have been almost insurmountable, and the results far less satisfactory and complete. "Our Firemen" is presented with considerable confidence, as an accurate and comprehensive histor)', in the hope that it will be found to be such by those who have occasion to refer to it, as well as that the reader will appreciate the labor and difficulties involved in producing such a work. Brooklyn, 1892. CONTENTS. PAGE Preface, ......... ix Table of Contents, ....... xi List of Illustrations, ....... xvii Roster of the Brooklyn Fire Department, . . . 461 Index, ......... 471 CHAPTER I. EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. Settlement by the Dutch in 1636 — VValLzVbout, Goavanus, "The Ferry" and Breuckelen — The Village Chartered — Brooklyn in the Revo- lution — Fire Act of 1768 — First Firemen Appointed, 1772 — First Fire Company of 1785 — The First Engine — First Fire Department Organ- ized, 1788 — Chimney Inspectors — The Second Engine — Increase of THE Department — The Fire-Bell — Village Incorporated iSi6, and Ne\y Companies Organized — John Doughty, the First Chief Engi- neer — Banner Presentation, 1826 — The City Incorporated, 1834 — Consolidation Act, 1855 — Fire Commissioners Appointed, 1857, . 21 CHAPTER II. ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT Washington No. i, the First Company — Neptune No. 2 and the " Lit- tle Roosters " — Franklin No. 3 and Eagle No. 4 — Protector No. 6, "Old Bean Soup" — Constitution, No. 7, and Brooklyn's First "Piano Box" — Columbia No. 10, the Life-Savers — Pacific No. 14, the "Dude" Company of the Heights — Brooklyn, No. 17, the "Hay Wagon" and the "Hoppers" — The First Hook and Ladder Company — Truck 2 and its Prizes— The Hose Companies — Fire Department of the Eastern District — The Washington " Roost- ers " OF the North Side — Protection No. 2 and the South Sid- ers — The Sheriff and the Engines— The Department Incorporated, 1857 — Commissioners Appointed — Other Companies, . . . 39 XII CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. DEPARTMENT FUNDS AND ASSOCIATIONS. PAGE Firemen's Insurance Fund — Widows' and Orphans' Fund — Volunteer Firemen's Association of the Western District — Veteran Vol- unteer Firemen's Association — The Constitution Club — Exempt Firemen's Association, Western District — Exempts of the Eastern District — New Lots Exempts — Firemen's Monuments — List of Mem- bers of Present Department Killed in Discharge of Duty, . 57 CHAPTER IV. THE PAID DEPARTMENT. First Attempts to Establish it, 1858 and 1868 — Judge Massev's Bill Successful, 1869 — Details of the Bill — Co.mmissioners — Terms and Salaries — Funds — Fire Limits — Commissioners Appointed and Organized — Inspection of Old Depart.ment and Changes Ordered — Roster of tpie Completed Depart.ment — The New Regime in Operation— Fire Alarm Telegraph System, 68: CHAPTER V. EX-COMMISSIONERS. The First Commissioners and their Successors— Frederick S. Mas- SEY— Hugh McLaughlin— William A. Brown— Anthony F. Camp- bell— R. M. Phraner— James Rodwell— David Williajis— James Ryan— Bernard Gallagher— Moses J. Wafer— Phillip F". Brennan Jacob Worth— John N. Partridge— Richard H. Poillon, . ^2 CHAPTER VI. FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENG'N'R AND HEADQT'RS STAFF. The New Headquarters Building— Graceful, Solid, and Well Adapted to its Purposes— Commissioner Ennis— Six Noteworthy Years of Department Growth— Deputy Commissioner Moore— A Brook- LYNiTE's War and Public Service— Chief Engineer Nevins— Twenty- two Years in Executive Control— Inspector Cassin— A Responsible Position Admirably Filled— Assistant Chief Engineer Dale— An Experienced Graduate from the Crack Volunteer Company- Assistant Chief Engineer Perry— Responsible for the Eastern District— Ex-Assistant Chief Engineer Smith— Fire Marshal Lewis, ioc. CONTENTS. xiU CHAPTER VII. FIRE HEADQUARTERS STAFF, ETC., (Continued). PAGE Veterinary Surgeon Heard— Surgeon Rolbins— Surgeon Smith- Assistant Inspector Flvnn — Superintendent Watson — Superin- tendent Nevins — Ex-Superintendent Lynch— Foremen McGronen, Kellock, Birck, Norton. Shute, Brennan, Campbell, Burns — Assistant Foremen Nash, Soden, Heffern, Harris — Firemen De- tailed — The Telegraph Bureau, . . . . .145 CHAPTER VIII. COMPANIES OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. district engineer JAMES DOYLE. dlyision of the city into fire districts — reapportionments in july, 1892 — Old Districts Outgrowing Old Facilities — New Districts, District Engineers, and Companies — The. District Limits — The First District — District Engineer Doyle, His- War and Fire Ser- yice — Engine Company No. 2, of Red Hook Point — Engine Compa- nies NOS. 3 AND 4 AND THE IMPORTANT DISTRICTS THEY COYER — Hook and Ladder Company No. i, the First Truck Company Organized, . . . . . . . . .181 CHAPTER IX. COMPANIES OF THE SECOND DISTRICT, district engineer SAMUEL G. HEUSTIS. The Most Valuable Property in Brooklyn — " Multum in Paryo " — The Heights, The Hill, South Brooklyn and the Shopping Centre — Boundaries of- the District — District Engineer Heustis — Thirty Years a Fireman, Twenty-three Years a Foreman, District Engineer with a High Percentage — Engine Company No. 5 —Veterans Long Housed on the Heights — Engine Company No. 24 Protectors of the Water-front Warehouses— Engine Company No. 26 — Guardians of the Shopping Centre — Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. 10— A Busy First Year, ..... 209 COA^l^ENTS. CHAPTER X. COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER SAMUEL DUEF. PAGE A Busy District— Residences, Shipring, Factories and Tenements Thickly Packed in— The Home of the Fireboat— Eleyated Rail- road Terminals— District Engineer Duff, his Braye Deeds as a Life-Saver— Engine Company No. 6, one of the Early Organiza- tions in the New Department — Engine Company No. 7 and its One Veteran— Engine Company No. 8, Protectors of the Navy Yard— Engine Company No. 23, the Fire Fighters Afloat— Truck Company No. 3, the Men ^YIIO Fight at Close Quarters, . 235 CHAPTER XI. COMPANIES OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. district engineer JA^IES CUNNINGHAM. The Varied Interests of the Fourth District — Its Boundaries and Characteristics — District Engineer James Cunningham — A Worthy Son of a Worthy Sire — Engine Company No. 9— A Company of Life Savers — Engine Company No. 10 — A Training School for Firemen — Engine Company No. 30 — A Well-Housed Two Year Old — Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 and its Gallant Rescues, 269 CHAPTER Xn. COMPANIES OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT. district engineer JAMES MCGUIRE. The Fifth District in Old Williamsburgh— Ex-District Engineer George A. Frost— Everybody's Friend— District Engineer James McGuire— A Position Won by Merit— Engine Company No. ii — On Hand at all Great E. D. Fires— Engine Company No. 16— Twenty Years of Hard Work — Engine Company No. 21 Seven Years Without an Accident— Hook and Ladder Company No. 4— Fighters of Oil Fires, ....... 207 CONTENTS. XV CHAPTER XIII. COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER WILLIAM A. GALLAGHER. PAGE Newtown Creek and the Eastern District Water-Front— A Danger- ous District — District Engineer Gallagher — A Soldier and Vol- unteer FiREAL\N — Engine Company No. 12— In the Heart of the Worst Fire District in the City — Engine Company No. 13— Pro- tectors OF the Residential Quarter — Engine Company No. 5 — The Pride of Greenpoint — Engine Company No. 29— On the Line of the Manhattan Beach Railroad — Hook and Ladder Company No. 6 — Veterans with Honorable Scars — Tiie"Dayid A. Boody " Fire- boat, Engine Company No. 32, . . . . . -321 CHAPTER XIV. COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT district engineer JOHN J. fanning. Boundaries of the Seyenth District — "Dutchtown" and its "Tinder- Boxes" — District Engineer Fanning— An Honorable Record in V/ar and Fire Duty— Engine Company No. 17 — Leaders in Life- Saving— Engine Company No. 18 — Stationed Between Club-Houses and Factories — Engine Company No. 22 — Protectors of Brownstone Fronts — Hoi^k and Ladder Company No. 8 — In the Heart of the "Tinder-Boxes." ........ 355 CHAPTER XV. COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. district engineer mcgroarty. On the line of the Kings County Eleyated — A District of Homes Accessible by the Railroad — District Engineer McGroarty — A United States Artilleryman and Volunteer Fireman — Engine Company No. 14 — Among Hospitals and Palaces — Engine Company No. 19 — Among Schools, Clubs, Churches and Armories — Hook and Ladder Company No. 5— Heroes of many "Close Shayes"— Hook and Ladder Company No. ii— A Busy First Year— Engine No. 34— The Baby Company of the Department, . . . . -383 XVI COA'TENl'S. CHAPTER XVI. COMPANIES OF THE NINTH DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER WILLIAM .MCCARTHY. r age- Lively Work in an Immense District — A City in Itself— District Engineer McCarthy — Steady Promotion Through Merit — Engine CoMRANY No. 25— Protector of New Lots — Engine Company No. 27 — A Majority ok Veterans — Engine Co.mlany No. 31 — A Ne\y Broom that S^YEEPS Clean— H(30R and Ladder Company No. 7 — The P^irst IN the Annexed District — En(;ine Co.mpany No. ^^^ and Truck No. 12— New Companies fcir the New District, .... 407 CHAPTER XVH. COMPANIES OF THE TENTH DISTRICT. IMSTRICT engineer J.VMES ^VALSII. Between the W.ater-Front and the Aristocratic Park — Rapid Groayth Along the Elevated Lines — Limits of the Tenth District — Dis- trict Engineer Walsh — Twenty-three Years in Command of Engine Company No. 8 — Engine Company No. i — The Pioneer of the Paid Department — Engine Company N(J. 20 — A Hundred Fires in One Year — Engine Company No. 28— Citizens Commend their Br.avery — Hook and Ladder Company No. 9 — Protectors of trie Fleet and Fighters of Oil Fires, . . . . .43; ILLUSTRATIONS. Page 1. Our Firemen, ...... Frontispiece 2. Some Early Types of Fire Engines, . . . -37 3. Firemen's Monument, Evergreens Cemetery, ... 64 4. Engineers OF the Brooklyn Fire Department, October, 1S69, . 68 5. Members of " Three-Headed " and " Four-Headed " Commissions, 85 6. " Single-Headed " Commissioners, . . . . .91 7. New Fire Department Headquarters, 1892. ... 99 8. Commissioner John Ennis, . . . . . .103 9. Medal Presented to Commissioner Enni.-, . . . 105 10. Fiee Department Headquarters, 1890, .... 107 11. Deputy Commissioner William D. Moori;, . . . m 12. Temporary Fire Headquarters, 1S91, .... 115 13. Chief Engineer Thomas F. Nevins, . . . . 119 14. Medal Presented to Chief Engineer Nevins, . . .123 15. Inspector Canice Cassin, ...... 127 16. Fire Marshal Benjamin Lewis, . . . . .131 17. Assistant Chief Engineer James Dale, . . . . 135 18. Assistant Chief Engineer John H. Perry, .... 139 19. Ex-Assistant Chief Engineer John W. Smith, . . . 143 20. Veterinary Surgeon Edward H. Heard, ?v[. R. C. V. S. E , . 147 21. Surgeon Nathaniel A. Robbins, . . . . . 151 22. Surgeon Joseph E. Smith, . . . . . • 'SS 23. Assistant Inspector James H. Flynn, . . . . 159 24. Prescott L. Watson, Superintendent of Telegraphs. . . 163 25. Group of Officers Detailed at Headquarters: . . 167 James Kellock, Superintendent Bureau of Combustibles, Edward J. Norton, Clerk, Eben H. Shute, Clerk of Chief Engineer, James Burns, Driver to Chief Engineer, Thomas Heffern, INIessenger, William H. Harris, In Charge of Supply Store, James T. Wafer, Inspector of Fire Boxes. 26. Group of Officers in Charge and Detailed: . . . 171' Patrick Nevins, Superintendent Repair-shops, James Lynch, (deceased) Late Superintendent Repair-shops, John McGronen, In Charge of Harness Shop, Peter W. Birck, Foreman of Detailed Mechanics, James H. Brennan, Foreman Veterinary Department, Miles Campbell, Repair-shops. ILL USTRA TIOMS. Page Emmet Soden, Repair-shops, JOSEPH J. McCoRMiCK, Sub-Telegraph Office. 27. Telegraph Bureau Staff, . . . . . ■ '75 PRESCOTr L. AVatsox, Superintendent, Ja^ies T. Wafer, Inspector of Fire Boxes, Francis Mallorv, John Supple, Rupert Flynn, WiLLLAM DuLAN, \VlLLL\M (.'rORDON, PATRICK MaLONEY, Richard C. Lamb, Kdward Doyle. Edward Sinnott, Alex Lavigne, Edward Dougherty, ADchael F. Gregory, Thomas Slavine, James Lawllir \Villia:\i Kixsella, Thomas Mullen, John S. Hawkins, John Feeney. George Freeth, Samuel Burns, Francis Riley, ^Latthew Ennis, ■28. District Engineer, Jajies D(3YLE, Fiist District, . . . 179 Engine CoDiJ'anicS of tiic First District : 10). Engine Company No, 2, , . , . . . 1S5 Pl.att Van Cott, Foreman, 30. Engine Companv No, 3, ■ . - - • • ■ 191 Edward F. Conroy. Foreman. 31. Engine Company No. 4, ..... . 197 James S. Smith, Foreman 32. iHoolc and Ladder Conipan\' No, i, ..... 203 Daniel J. Garrity, Foremin, 33. District Engineer Sami'el G, He^'stis, Second District, . . 207 Engine Conipaities of the Seeoiui Diitriet : 34. Engine Company No. 5, . . . . . . 213 District Engineer Samuel G, Heustis, Late Foreman. 35. Engine Companv No. 24, ,,,... 217 Patrick Lahky, Foreman. 36. Engine Companv No. 26, . . . . . .223 Michael J. Murray, Foreman. 37. Hooli and Ladder Company No. 10, ... . 227 James F. Murray, Foreman. 38. District Engineer Samuel Duff, Third District, . . . 233 Engine Companies of the Third District : ,39. Engine Compan\' No. 6, . . . . . . 239 Ja.mes Smith. Foreman. 40. Engine Company No. 7, ...... 243 James Roberts, Foreman. 41. Engine Compan\- No. 8, ...... . 249 District Engineer James Walsh, Late Foreman. .42. Engine Company No. 23, (Fireboat " Seth Low,") . . . 253 Edward Dougherty, Foreman. 43. Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, ..... 261 John Fitzgerald, Foreman. ILL USTRA TJOXS. Pace 44. District Engineer James Cunninoham, Fourth District, . . 267 Engine Companifs of the Fourth Distriet : 45. Engine Company No. g, . . . . . . 273 Ja^ies \V. Connell, Foreman. 46. EnQ;ine Company No. 10, . . . . . . 279 James Gannon, Foreman. 47. Engine Company No. 30, ...... 283 John F. Dobson, Foreman. 48. Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, .... . 2S9 IMiCHAEL Friel, Foreman. 49. District Engineer James McGuire, Eiftlr District, . . . 295 50. GeuR(;e a. Frost, (deceased) Laie District Engineer, . . . 298 Engine Cinnfanies of the Fifth Fistriet : 51. Engine Conipan\' No. 11, . . . . . . 301 District Engineer James McGuire, Late Foreman. 52. Engine Company No. 16, ...... 307 Thomas Clearv, Foreman. 53. Engine Company No. 21, . . . . . . 311 District Engineer \^'ILLIA^[ McCarthy, Late Foreman. 54. Hook and Ladder Company No. 4, ..... 315 Hugh Gallagher, Foreman. 55. District Engineer Willlam A. Gallagher, Si.xtli District, . . 319 Engine Companies of the Sixth Fi strict : 56. Engine Company No. 12, . . . . . . 323 \A'iLLiAM DciNOHUE. Foreman. 57. Engine Company No. 13, . ..... 329 Henry AL Keighler, Fore[nan. 58. Engine Company No. 15, . . . . . . -335 Patrick McGinness, Foreman. 59. Engine Company No. 29, ...... 341 Michael iNIcGiNNESS, Late Foreman. 60. Hook and Ladder Company No. 6, .... . 347 Stephen Allen, Foreman. 61. District Engineer John J. Fanning, Seventh District, . . 353 Engine Companies of the Seventh Fistrict : 62. Engine Company No. 17, ..... . 357 David Kirkpatrick, Late Foreman. 63. Engine Company No. 18, . . . . . . . 365 District Engineer William A. Gallagher, Late Foreman. 64. Engine Company No. 22, ..... . 369 John A. Keveney, Foreman. 65. Hook and Ladder Company No. 8, ..... 373 John J. Fee, Foreman. 66. ILLUSTRATIONS. Page District P^ns;ineer Dennis AIcGroartv, Eightli District, . • 381 Engine Companies of the Eighth Distriet : 67. Engine Company No. 14, . • . . • ■ • 3°7 Edward Fitzgerald, Foreman. 6S. Engine Company No. 9, .,...• 39' Edward Fitzsi.mmons. Foreman. 69. Hoolc and Ladder Company No. 5, ..... 397 Thomas Healev, Foreman. HookandLadderNo.il, ....•• 401 David Kirkpatrick, Foreman. 70 ■71. District Engineer William McCarthy, Nintli District, . . -405 Engine Companies of the Xinth Distriet : 72. Engine Company No. 25, .... • 4ii IvIichael J. Murray, Foreman. 73. Engine Company No. 27, ...•••• 41/ John F. C)'Hara, Foreman. 74. Engine Company No. 3 1, . . . • • -4-1 Charles D. Ruddy. Foreman. 75. Hool^ and Ladder Compan\- No. 7, . . . • -4-7 Peter J. Campbell, Foreman. 76. District Engineer James AA'alsh. Tentli District, . . . 433 Engine Companies of the Tenth Distriet : 77. Engine Company No. i, ...... . 439 James Connors, Foreman. 78. Engine Company Ncj. 20, ...... 443 PErER Farrell. Foreman. 79. Engine Conipan\' No. 28, ....... 449 I\L\tthe\v Fohev, Foreman. So. Hook and Ladder Company No. 9, . . . . . 455 Michael Quinn, Foreman. The illustrations in this volume are almost ENTIREL^' ENGRA\'ED .AFTER I-HOTOGRAIHS FRi.'M THE STUDIO l.l F Mr. ChARLES E. Bl'LLES, AT FULTO?.' AM> ClARK StREETS, BkOijKL\N. BR00P'.\'N's First Fire Engine— "Washington No. i"— 17S5. {Seepcig-e 25.; CHAPTER I. EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Settlement bv the Dutch in 1636 — Wallabout, Gowanus, " The Ferry," and Breuckelyn — The Village Chartered — Brooklyn in the Revolution — • Fire Act of 1768 — First Firemen Appointed, 1772 — First Fire Company, 1785 — The First Engine — First Fire Department Organized, 1788 — Chim- ney-Inspectors — The Second Engine — Increase of the Department — • The Fire-Bell — Village Incorporated 1S16, and New Companies Organ- ized — John Doughty, the First Chief Engineer— Banner Presentation, 1826 — The City Incorporated, 1834 — Consolidation Act,, 1855 — Fire Com- missioners Appointed, 1857. HREE-QUARTERS of a century after the settlement of New Amsterdam by the Dutch, the West India Company organ- ized a systematic scheme of colonization ; and among tliose who responded to their invitation to come to America were the " Walloons," so-called to denote their foreign origin (Waahche) by their neighbors in Holland, whither the}' had come from France among the persecuted Huguenots. They had previously applied to the English for permission to emi- grate to Virginia, but had been refused, and they gladly turned their faces toward New Amsterdam, in the New World. It was largely from among the Walloons that the first settlements in the future Brooklyn were peopled; but the first grant of land within its limits was made in June, 1636, to Jacob Van Corlear, one of Director-General Van Twiller's lieutenants, who shared his chief's fondness for real estate speculation, for which their official position afforded them opportunity. His purchase, made from the Indians, was of an extensive 22 ■ OUR FIREMEN. tract at " Castatcuw, on Seven-hackey, or Long Island, between the Bay of the North River and the East River." Andries Hudde and Wolfert Gerritsen secured adjoining property, and Van Twiller himself soon after bought other acres. But the first house built was erected on the site afterwards occupied by the old Schermerhorn mansion, (on the present Third Avenue, near Twenty-eighth Street,) by William Adrianse Bennet, who soon became the sole owner of a tract originally purchased by himself and Jacques I^entyn— 930 acres on Gowanus Bay — also in 1636, and erected a residence on it. In June, 1637, Jansen de Rapalie bought a farm on Wallabout Bay, on a part of which now stands the United States Marine Hospital, and by 1654 the settlement thus founded was increased by so large a proportion of the Walloons as to lead to its being called the " WaahBogt," (Wallabout) or the " The Bay of the Foreigners." By 1642 a ferry had been established between Feck Slip on the other side of the river and the foot of the present Fulton Street, and the settlement that soon grew up near it became known as " The Ferry." The Gowanus and Wallabout settlements are regarded as constituting the original centres from which the community gradually spread, until, in the course of two and a half centuries, there had grown up from these isolated farmer-settlements the great city of to-day. But other settlements were made so nearly at the same time with those mentioned, that they really formed a part of the original nucleus of Brooklyn. Besides "The Ferry," there was one of these to which we owe the name of our city. The Dutch farmers from the New Amsterdam came across the ri\'er and laid out their plantations in the region now bounded by Fulton, Ho\'t and Smith Streets. This settlement they called " Breuckelen," after a town in Holland, dear to the memor)- of many of them, situated about eighteen miles from Amsterdam. Thus the new Breuckelen and the New Amsterdam, like their prototj'pes, were near neighbors. In an interesting account of a visit to old Breuckelen, in Holland, \\'ritten by the late Henry C. Murphy, and printed in the Brookh'n Eagle of September 12, 1S59, the name is said to be descriptive of the character of the land on which the town is built, and signifies " marsh-land." By the older inhabitants of this city, the similarly marsh)- character of the ground on Fulton Street at the point described is still remembered ; it was the bed of the valley which received the drain of the hills on either side of it from Wallabout to Gowanus Bay, and was marshy and springy. In the Dutch chronicles of the Dutch Breuckelen, (originally pronounced Bnirkc/cr,) there are found as many varie- ties of spelling as in the colonial and county records of its New World namesake ; but the final form of the name in this countr}^, settled on about the end of the last century, retains the significance of the early name, and Brooklyn as well as Brookland — one of the recorded forms — sufficiently conveys the idea of the marsh or brook-land. But EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. 23 Breuckelen, Gowanus, Wallabout and The Ferry were in the beginning distinct settle- ments, and it was not until after the British occupation of New Amsterdam, (which in consequence became New York, in 1664,) that the name of Brooklyn was made to cover the whole community. It had been recommended in the " Code of General Instructions," issued by the West India Company's Chamber of Accounts, which directed the Provincial Council's efforts to colonize the new territory, " that they do all in their power to induce the colonists to establish themselves on some of the most suitable places, with a certain number of inhabitants, in the manner of towns, villages and hamlets, as the English are in the habit of doing." In pursuance of this advice, the settlers on Long Island, in 1646, petitioned the Colonial Council for permission to " found a town at their own expense," which was granted in June of that year by a commission from the Council, appointing Jan Evertsen and Huyck Aertsen as Schepens or Magistrates, "to decide all questions which may arise as they shall deem proper," and charging "every inhabitant of Breuckelen to acknowledge and respect the above-mentioned Jan Evertsen and Huyck Aertsen as their Schepens, and if any one shall be found to exhibit contuma- ciousness toward them, he shall forfeit his share." In the following winter, Jan Teunissen was appointed Schout or Constable. In 1660 some petitioners from Wallabout were permitted to settle at the " Keike," or Lookout, at the foot of South Fourth Street, there founding the nucleus of the Eastern District. Following closely on the occupation by the British, Long Island and Staten Island were constituted a shire, named Yorkshire, in honor of the Duke of York, the town of ]]rooklyn was established, a confirmatory patent being granted, in 1667, by Governor Nichols, and the town laws vvere reformed to harmonize them with the constitution of English town laws, in place of those of the Dutch. Later in the century the name of Long Island was changed to the " Island of Nassau," but the name never went into general use, and though never explicitly repealed, became obsolete, except so far as it is reflected in some of the local names still remaining, as in the streets and commercial companies. The inhabitants of Brooklyn submitted to the new-comers, and very generally took the oath of allegiance to Great Britain. The history of the town continued on the uneventful course of an agricultural community, sharing the common experience with hostile Indians, to be sure, and taking their turn at cheating, abusing, fighting and appeasing them ; but in general, living that happy life which makes no figure in history. In 1669, Brooklyn was referred to as one of "two villages of little moment," and for many decades it continued to justify the designation. The first church (Dutch Reformed) was erected in 1654 at "Midwout," (Flatbush,) and services were held there 24 OUR FIREMEiN". and in New Amsterdam on successive Sundays, until 1700, when Brooklyn obtained a pastor of her own, and Dominie Sclyns was installed. Brooklyn's part in the Revolutionar)' war was an important one, but cannot receive just attention here. Her citizens contributed of their means, services and men, to the defence of the common liberties, and the town became the scene of the important Ijattle of Brooklyn, which resulted in the occupation of Lony Island by the British throughout the war. Although the inhabitants found the intruding military to be ef^cient guar- dians of the peace, and ready to amuse, and be amused, after the fashion of troops encamped in a town, the condition of the town after the war, from pillage and wanton destruction, was deplorable, and the tragedy of the wretched "Prison Ship" in Walla- bout Bay, is commemorated to this day in the tomb of the 11,500 martyrs in the heart of the city. Brooklyn was incorporated in 1816, by which time the scattered communities of the earlier day had grown toward each other and joined hands in the building up of a o-reat and prosperous metropolis, which from that time began reaching forth and cover- in"- into its limits the outlying towns and villages, until the city of to-day, and its indus- tries, residences, public buildings and varied interests, constitute one of the vastest and most valuable trusts ever placed in the safe-keeping of a Fire Department, such as it is the purpose of this work to chronicle and describe. There is no mention in the verj^ early records of any fires or the means for prevent- ino- or extinguishing them, though possibl}' we may infer that ^\'hen. in 1661, Carel de Beauvois was appointed schoolmaster to the village, and there were added to his scho- lastic duties those of grave-digger, chorister, clerk, and bell-ringer, if it was necessar}' to call the villagers from their houses or from their fields for common defence against fire or against a living foe, it was his bell that summoned them ; but the fires that may have occurred during the first century and a-half, and the individual and combined efforts to subdue them, are not chronicled. Tiie first record of any organized move in this direc- tion is of a meeting that was held on April 7, 1772, for the selection of six firemen, chosen for the protection of the village, in conformity with an act passed by the Legis- lature, "for the more effectual extinguishment of fires near the Ferry, in the township of Breucklin, in Kings County, passed the 31st day of December, 176S." At this meeting the choice fell on Joseph Sharpc, John Crawley, Mathew Cleaves, Joseph Pr\'or, John Middagh, and William Boerum. The year 1785 saw the organization of the first fire company. A meeting of Freeholders and inhabitants was held at the house of Widow Margaret Moser, near the Ferry, an inn which was a common resort for meetings of various sorts for the residents. The members of the company commissioned for one year were Henry Stanton, captain ; Abraham Stoothoof, John Doughty, Jr., Thomas EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. 25 Havens, J. Van Cott and Martin Woodward. For the purchase of an engine, it was voted to raise by tax the sum of ^^150, and one was ordered from Jacob Roome, of New York, who had just begun the manufacture of engines in America, all previous engines having been imported from England. This first engine was a very primitive sort of water-tank — a wooden box, eight feet long, three feet wide, and two and a-half feet deep, holding 180 gallons of water, which was poured into it from buckets, filled at wells and cisterns — there being at that time no provision for procuring water by suction. A condensing-case rose from the middle of the box, three feet high, and the arms were placed lengthwise of the engine, with handles at which four men could work the pump on each end — eight men in all. There was no hose, but a goose-neck elbow at the top of the condensing-case, to which was attached a six-foot pipe with a three-quarter inch opening at the nozzle. Through this pipe, slanted toward the fire, a stream could be thrown sixty feet. This cumbersome "tank " was drawn to fires on its wooden block- wheels by means of a single rope, without a reel, and was guided by a short tongue. This crude affair was christened " Washington, No. i," and the compan)- from which it took its name has continued under successive reorganizations to this da}'. The organi- zation effected at the meeting referred to was completed by the adoption of rules and regulations governing the duties of the firemen, which also provided for a regular inspection and practice play on the first Saturday in each month. The term of the firemen's service was fixed at one year, and they were chosen annually in town-meeting; and as the office was regarded as one of honor and respect in the community, there was an annual competition for the privilege of serving. On April 14, 17S6, Henry Stanton was re-elected captain, and the following were chosen firemen: John Doughty, Jr., Abraham Stoothoof, Anthony Remsen, John Garrison, John Van Nostrand and James Leverich. A year later, the number of firemen having been increased from seven to nine, all the above except Stoothoof and Remsen were re-elected, and in addition Joseph Garwood, George Stanton, Thomas Havens and Thomas Bowrans, H .nry Stanton remaining captain. At this meeting also provision was made for the accumulation of a regular fund to meet the expenses of the company, each fireman being compelled to take out a license, for which he paid into the treasury the sum of four shillings. At this time, the firemen had little to attract them besides their interest in their work and the honor of being members of the Department. They had no special privileges, and no exemptions from any of the duties laid upon other citizens. The efficiency of the organization during three years demonstrated its value ; and the immunity of property from fire with this slight equipment, together with the exam- ple of New York's Fire Department, with its fifteen companies and legislative permis- sion to enroll three hundred men, caused Brooklynites to regard the extension of their 26 OUR FIREMEN. Fire Department as a necessity. As a beginning toward this end, a meeting of the inhabitants \\'as held in I/SS, and a petition was forwarded to the Legislature for a for- mally organized Department, with privileges similar to those granted to New York. The resulting act of the Legislature, passed March 15, 17S8, fi.xed the fire limits for "the freeholders and inhabitants of the town of Brooklyn, in Kings County, residing near the ferr)', within a line to begin at the East River, opposite to and to be drawn up the road that leads to the still-house, late the property of Philip Livingston, deceased, [the present Joralemon Street,] and including said still-house and the other buildings on the south side of the same road, to and across the road leading from Bedford to the ferry, [now Fulton Street,] south of the house of Mattheu' Gleans, and fiom there northwest- erly, including all the houses on the east side of the road last-mentioned, and east of the powder magazine of Comfort and Joshua Sands, and from thence down the East River to the place of beginning." And the inhabitants of the district described were author- ized to appoint auiiuall) at the to\v n-meeting eight able and sobci men residing in the limits aforesaid, to have the custoify, care and management of the fire-engine or engines, and the other tools and insti'uments. These men were to be officially designated as the "Firemen of Brookl\-n," and were to be ready at all times, da\' and night, to manage, work and exercise the same fire-engine or engines, tools and instruments, and to be sub- ject to such rules, orders and regulations as the freeholders and inhabitants of the town should impose. By wa)- of remuneration, as \\-ell as in order to secuic their service in case of fire, these firemen were exempted from serving as ox-erseers of highway's or as constables, from jurj' duty and inquests, and from ordinar)- militia duty. The enrol- ment of firemen in the town book and their certificates of appointment were to be sufil- cient evidence of tiieir right to exemption. These exemptions rendered the position of fireman even more desirable than it had been before, while the dignity attaching to ser- vice in a Department duly organized under the laws of the State gave it additional I'dat. Provision was made in the act for raising the funds necessary for the expenses of the Department now in the same manner and at the same time as the poor fund. The extension of the Department under this act was very slight ; but the legisla- tive establishment was a decided gain, and the town authorities were greatl)' benefited by this beginning of a duly constituted Department which could expand as the require- ments of the future might require. The men chosen as firemen at the first town- meeting held after the passage of this act, on April i, 178S, were : Stephen Baldwin, captain ; Benjamin Baldwin, Silas Betts, Thomas Havens, Joseph Stevens, Gilbert Van Mater, John Doughty, Jr., and John Van Cott. The most common cause of fires in those days was foul chimneys, and under the powers conferred on them by the act of 1788 the freeholders, in 1789, instituted the office of fire or chimney-inspectors. It was made the duty of these ofificials, of whom EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. 27 there were two, annually chosen, to inspect the chimneys in the fire district every six weeks, with authority to order foul chimneys cleaned and imperfect chimneys cemented within six days after notice, on penalty of ten shillings fine for neglect of such order. And, to make the order self-operative with the eas\'-going citizens of that day, it was further provided that if a chimney should take fire and blaze out at the top, the owner or occupant of the building should be fined twenty shillings with costs of suit. This acted like a charm. The fact of a fire brought its fine, and no assertion that the chim- ney was clean could stand before such evidence of the real state of the case. So com- pletely did this rule effect what it was designed for, that during the following year no persons were fined for foul chimneys though the inspectors first appointed under the rule, namely, John \^an Nostrand and Jacob Sharpe, seem to have been vigilant and faithful. In 1789 the firemen, too, were brought under a rather more strict control. At the annual meeting of this year it was resolved ' that the firemen shall meet on the first Monday in every month, at an hour before sunrise, under the fine of four shillings for every neglect." This action was found to be necessary on account of the lax attention to their duties to which the firemen had become habituated under the infrequenc}' of fires, and they were in danger of regarding their positions as places of honor without corresponding responsibilities. The consequence was that they turned up at the engine-house only on the occasion of a fire, and it not infrequently happened that their apparatus, through neglect, was not in a condition for effective use. Their presence at the engine-house at least once a month secured their adherence to the principle, " In time of peace, prepare for war" — which in their case meant, " In time of quiet prepare for fire" — and it also brought them together in that social intercourse which has proved so valuable an element in the history of the volunteer fire organizations of this country, developing a spirit of comradeship of the highest utility in a service where men are called on to work together in the presence of danger, and sometimes to risk death for each other. Those who were distinguished by being chosen as firemen during the very early years, when the honor was the most coveted, were : 1789 — John Van Nostrand, captain; Theodorus Hunt, Nehemiah Allen, John Doughty, Jr., John Dean, Daniel Hathaway, and Joseph Garwood. 1790 — John Van Nostrand, captain ; Thomas Everitt, David Dick, Burdette Stry- ker, Nicholas Allen, Peter Cannon, Abiel Titus and John Garrison. 1751 — John Van Nostrand, captain; Thomas Everitt, John Garrison, William Furman, John Doughty, Jr., David Dick, Thomas Place and Nicholas Allen. i'rQ2 — John Van Nostrand, captain ; John Garrison, Nicholas Allen, Burdette Stryker, John Doughty, Thomas Everitt, Abiel Titus and Benjamin Dick. 28 OUR FIREMEN. i7g3_john Van Nostrand, captain; John Garrison, Nehemiah Allen, Burdette Stryker, John Doughty, Thomas Everitt, Abiel Titus and Theodorus Hunt. The recurrence of the same names at these repeated elections, yet with annual changes, so that the ranks of the firemen were seldom identical one year with another, indicates that while in the main the inhabitants availed themselves of the experience of the firemen who had already served, there was such competition for the places that a certain degree of rotation in of^ce was the established rule. Little by little the restric- tions of new rules were imposed on the firemen, and that a high degree of discipline was not maintained is evidenced by the fact, that as late as 1791 it was found necessary to uphold the authority of the captain of the company by imposing a fine of two shillings for absence from duty in defiance of the orders of that officer. It was not wholly on the efforts of the firemen that the community relied for the extinguishment of fires. Then, as later, it was the custom for all good citizens to lend a hand in these emergencies, forming a line from the engine to the nearest well and pass- ing water to the engine in buckets, of which twenty-four, the property of the town, were kept at the engine-house, which stood on a lane leading off from Front Street, near the present F"ulton Street, then known as the Old Ferry Road". It was a very small terri- tory that these primitive firemen had to protect. The entire district comprised in the fire limits contained only seventy-five buildings, all between Henry Street and the Ferry, and these were occupied b)' not more than three hundred and fifty persons, including about one hundred slaves — fifty-five families altogether. In a district so sparsely settled and slightly built up — all outside of it being open country — there was naturally little call on the firemen for active duty • and notwithstanding the regulations requiring the men to report at intervals at the engine-house and keep their apparatus in good order, the general disuse into which the engine fell did more to deteriorate it than almost any amount of lively running and operation. So it became apparent, in 1794. that a new engine must be obtained to replace the old one, and at the town-meeting of that year it was decided to raise a fund by subscription for the purchase of a new machine. It took seven months to raise the mone}' , but during that time the sum of /TiSS igs. lOcf. was obtained, and with that amount at his disposal, the president of the Village Trustees, Joshua Sands, ordered of Hardenbrook, the builder in New York, a new and more powerful engine, embracing all the improvements of the day. In about four months this engine was delivered, and was put to a public test in the presence of the inhabitants, called together in special meeting for the purpose, and its performance was so satisfactory that it was by vote approved and accepted. On this occasion a new of^ce was created, that of treasurer of the Fire Department, and John Hicks was chosen the first incumbent of the office. EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. 29 After a few years' operation under the tlicn existing charter, it became apparent that it would be necessary to extend the fire hmits ; and steps were taken toward that successive enlargement of the field of operations which has gone on ever since, as the city, year after year, outgrew the provisions that had been made for its protection. A petition was sent to the Legislature, in pursuance of which an act was passed, on March 24, 1795- enlarging the fire limits, authorizing the increase of the number of firemen to thirty, and confirming the town's action in creating, the year before, the offices of treas- urer and clerk of the Fire Department. The town authorities were also empowered to require the inhabitants to supply themselves with fire-buckets, and to fine them for omission to do so. These provisions were incorporated in the action of the town at the next annual meeting in April of that year, at which the full number of thirty fire- men was chosen, and each householder or owner was ordered to supply himself with two fire-buckets, under a penalty of ten shillings for failure to do so. The conse- quence was that over one hundred buckets were added to the facilities the town had for fighting fire, one-half of which were in the hands of private persons and the rest were among the apparatus of the Fire Department. The extent of the fire limits was now such that the earlier expedient of communicating the outbreak of a fire by word of mouth was no longer sufficient, and the need of a fire-bell was obvious. The funds for the purchase of such a bell were procured by a subscription authorized at the town-meeting of 1796, and the sum of ^^49 4s was raised, which was put into the hands of the clerk of the Departinent, with instructions to get as big a bell as the money would pay for. Then came the interesting question as to \\'hcre the bell should be hung. The desire to be aroused from peaceful slumbers, even in so exciting an event as an alarm of fire, was not prevalent among the rather sleepy Dutchmen who inhabited Brookl}'n one hundred years ago ; and it was found very difficult to get the consent of any one to have the bell ring out its wild alarms on or near his premises. Finally, however, con- sent was obtained from Jacob Remsen, who lived at the junction of what is now Fulton and Front Streets, to have the bell erected over his venerable stone house, which stood at that time very close to the water's edge. And Mr. Remsen himself was engaged to attend to the ringing of the bell — an arrangement which spared him from being awak- ened by the ringing of the bell, for it made him the awakener of others. ITe was fur- ther compensated for his services by being granted all the privileges and exemptions con- ferred on firemen by the original act of the Legislature creating the Department. The bell remained over Remsen's house as long as the latter stood. The march of improve- ment necessitated the removal or the pulling down of the house in 1816, and after that the bell was rung from Middagh Street, near Henry, until 1827, when it was again moved to a vacant lot where the Eastern Market was subsequently erected, and when that building was put up the bell was hung in the cupola of it. There it remained, so OUR FIREMEN. long after the building was used for religious services instead of for a market, the town by that time having outgrown so inconsulerable a bell. In 1846, \\'hile the City Hall was building, an alarm bell was temporarily hung in a structure conveniently near the hall. The original act of the Legislature creating the Fire Department had opened the way to extend its operations b}' successive additional acts, another of which was passed jMarch 21, 1797, directed more especially to the question of burning chirnne\-s, for the better prevention of which the inhabitants and freeholders were empowered to appoint not less than three nor more than five men, with full authority to control the chimne}'s of the village and to enforce their orders concerning the same by stringent rules and fines. In May following, Ilenr)- Stanton, John Bought}', ^lartin Boerum, John \'an Nostrand and John Str^'lcer were appointed under the pro\-isions of this act, and as soon as the)- haLJ organized, a few v.-eeks later, the)' enacted on the subject of fines to be imposed for fires resulting from carelessness in respect to chimne\'s. A list of all chimncN's was l^repared and kept in the Chimney Register, and the facts concerning the burning of any of them were likewise entered in this book, as well as the fines imposed and collected. The record for nine years in this book showed a total of fines of ^^20 Js wl'dch, as directed b)' the act, was set apart for lighting the streets. By this same act, the force was increased b)' five firemen, the special dut)' of whom it \\'as to look after the chimne)'s of the town. About this time, or a little before, the apparatus of the Department was increased b)- the addition of another engine, ^\-hich «-as named Neptune No. 2. No further increase in the number of engines was made until iSiO, wdien Franklin No. 3 was organized — in both instances the number of firemen being increased to man tire additional engines. Little by little the Department grew in numbers, in apparatus, in efficienc)', and in importance; so that, when, in 1816, the village of Brookl)n was incorporated, it was the obviously proper thing to do to give the Village Trustees full authority to make their Fire Department what in their judgment it should be. As soon as the incorporating act was passed, therefore, the)- ]-)rompth' organized two new C(-mi[-)anies, each composed of thirty men, increasing the total number of names on the roll of tlie Department to ninet)'-five. They also provided for the choosing of four fire-wardens. The Trustees of the village under whose administration these changes were made were the first Board of Trustees the village had, chosen under the provisions of the incorporating act of 1816. They were: Andrew Mercein, John Garrison, John Doughty, John Seaman and John Dean. They appointed a da)' for the election of firemen and fire-wardens, and on June 2, 1817, the following persons were elected : Washington Engine No. i.— Abraham Remsen, Samuel Watts, William Foster, Jonathan Morrell, Daniel Spinning, John Murphy, William C. Smith, Barardus EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTiMENT. 31 Dezendorf, John Rogers, John M. Robins, William Jenkins, Jerome Schenck, David Anderson, Charles Hewlett, Ezckiel Ra\-nor, Simeon Richardson, Samuel Shotvvell, Gold Silliman, Jacob Brown, John Ablert, James Flecker, Abraham Bocriim. Neptune Engine No. 2. — Joseph Moser, Jeremiah Wells, Stephen R. Boerum, J(jhn D. Conklin, Elias Combs, Edmund Bumford, Stephen S. Voris, Winant B. Bennett, Samuel S. Carman, Barskall Wells, Nicholas Covert, Cornelius White, Daniel Hodges, Henry Wiggins. Franklin Engine No. 3. — Elijah Raj-nor, Jacob Garrison, William Morris, William Thomas, Isaac Nostrand, James Titus, John Birdsall, George Storms, Cornelius Van Hone, Robert Millard, Morris Simonson, George Fricke, Samuel Carman, Aaron S. Robins, Ancel Titus, John Trapple, Michael Trapple, John Patchen, John Simonson John R. Latham. Andrew Demarcst, S\'lvanus White, Joseph Place, John Titus, George Haviland, Richard Stanton, Thomas Burrough, James Boj-d, Edmond Cope, Joshua Rogers. Fii'e-Wardens : — John Harmen, Isaac Moser, John Moon, Noah W^aterbury. It is interesting to note, as indicative of the quality of the membership of this early Fire Department, that the John Murphy whose name appears in the roll of Engine No. i, w-as th.e father of the late Henry C. Murphy, whose conspicuous services at home and ■abroad to his cit}- and his country made him, perhaps, the most distinguished citizen of Brookl)'n in his generation. The interest of the firemen in the dignity of their organization increased w'ith the -growth of the Department, the effect of a larger enrolment alone conducing to the development of an esprit dc corps. Consequently, as they saw their Department grow- ing more important, they desired to add to its importance, and to this end, in 1816, they suggested to the authorities the propriety of creating the of^ce of Cliief Engineer, and this was done, the choice being referred to the votes of the firemen themselves, who unanimously conferred on John Doughty, one of the most experienced of their number, the honor of being the first Chief of the Brooklyn Fire Department. This year, also, for the first time, the expenses of the Department, which hitherto had been met from fines imposed on delinquent firemen and careless householders and contribu- tions from the firemen, were provided for out of an appropriation included in the tax estimates, and the amount was three hundred dollars. This appropriation, while exceeding the average annual cost of the Department for the twenty-two years preced- ing by only sixty dollars, was expended so judiciously as to leave an unexpended bal- .ance at the end of the year. The election of the Chief Engineer, in 18 16, made John Doughty the first of a loner h'ne of Chiefs who developed the Brooklyn Department and kept it abreast of the times, and in every way made it the equal of any Department in the country. The 32 OUR FIREMEN. Chief Engineers from the beginning of the Department to the disbandment of the Vol- unteer Department, in 1869, were as follows: John Dought}^ 1816-1817.— During this term engine-companies Washington No. i, Neptune No. 2 and Franklin No. 3 and Hook and Ladder Company No. i were organized. William Furman, Oct. 13, 1817-1821. — The only company that came into existence during this term was the Hook and Ladder No. I, which was started in 1817, but did not secure official recognition and formal organization until later. John Doughty (second term), 1821-May 14, 1827.— Organized Eagle No. 4 and Lafay- ette No. 5. Jeremiah Wells, May 14, 1827-Jan. I, 1836. — Protector No. 6 and Engine Companies Nos. 7 and 8 organized during this term. J. F. L. Duflon, Jan. i, 1836-Jan. i, 1839— Engine Company No. 9, Columbia No. 10 and Engine Company No. 1 1 were organized under this administration, and Engine Company No. 5 was disbanded. Burdette Stryker, Jan. I, 1839-Feb. I, 1S49. — Organized Engine Companies Nos. 12, 13, 14 (Pacific), 15, 16, and Brooklyn No. 17; Clinton Hose No. 2; Hook and Ladders Nos. 2, 3 and 4 ; and a Bucket Company ; disbanded and subsequently reorganized, Nos. 8 and 10, locating the former on Washington Street and the latter on Bedford Avenue, and reorganized the old No. 5. During this adminis- tration the engine-house of No. 9 was burned and the company \\ent out of existence. Peter B. Anderson, Feb. I, 1849-Feb. r, 1853. — Organized Engine Companies, Nos. 18 and 19 and Hose Company No. 3 and reorganized No. 9, which was located at Carlton and Myrtle Avenues. Israel D. V^elsor, Feb. I, 1853-Feb. I, i86[. — Organized Engine Companies Nos. 20, 21 and 22 ; and Hose Companies Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, II, 12 and 13 — the intro- duction of the Ridgewood water developing the use of hose-carriages and the consequent increase in the number of hose-companies; disbanded Engine Com- panies Nos. 2, 15 and 18; and Hook and Ladder No. 4 — which last was after- wards reorganized. William H. Furey, Feb. I, i86i-Feb. i, 1863. — Organized Hook and Ladder No. 5. EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. 33 John Cunningham, Feb i, 1863-1869.— Reorganized Hook and Ladder No. 2. Chief Cunningham was the last of the noble line of Volunteer Department Chief Engineers, and it is due to the effect of this long succession of able and devoted Chiefs, covering more than half a century of growth and develop- ment, that when the city had outgrown the possibilities of a volunteer system, and Cunningham, as the first Chief under the new rcgiuie, reorganized it into a paid Department, it was ready for the foundation of the new system. John Dought}-, the first Chief Engineer, had been a fireman since the very begin- ning of the original Department, and his selection was that of the confessedly fittest man for the position. His first term lasted only one year, and was terminated by his resignation. After four 3'ears' interim, during which Furman was the Chief, he returned to duty and began a second term of long duration, which also was terminated by his resignation, offered only when age and long service compelled him to withdraw from active dut\-. This resignation, dated May 14, 1827, was as follows: To the Hon. the President and Trustees of the Village of Brooklyn : The undersigned. Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, considering his advanced age and the consequent difficultv of discharging cnrefully the important duties imposed on him bv virtue of his office, begs leave respectfully to offer his resignation of the same. John Doughty. The first three elections of Chief Engineer were made nominally by the \^il!age Trustees, although, as in the case of Dought\''s first election, they took the nomination of the firemen themselves and confirmed that choice. That tlie firemen might law- fully as well as practically choose their own Chief, the law was afterwards changed, and, beginning with Chief Wells, the elections were made directh- b)' the foremen of the companies, the delegates being of the " instructed " sort ; so that the voice of the rank and file was manifested in the final choice. This was, doubtless, a wise concession to a body of volunteers, whose service depended on their interest in the Department, and their interest depended on their having something to say as to the personality of their superior officers. But of course, this introduced department politics into the Depart- ment, and the efforts of the two sides, each to elect its own candidate, made the election of Chief Wells quite an e.xciting event. The parties were the " Up-streeters," \\hose candidate was Jeremiah Wells, Foreman of No. 3, and the " Down-streeters," who favored George Fricke, Foreman of No. 4. The delegates met in the " ball-room," as a little parlor was euphemistically called, of the Exchange Hotel, a caravansary on Front Street, kept by C. Chester, formerly of Tammany Hall, New York. It being the first general election of the Department under the new law, and the ofifice in ques- tion carrying all the ^clat of a first "people's candidate " under the new system, the 34 OUR FIREMEN. rivalry was strong and the contest waxed so lively that an adjournment was necessary before the result was reached ; and the choice of Chief Wells was finally made at an adjourned meeting, at which Fricke was chosen iVssistant. One more Chief Engineer — J. F. L. Dulion, in 1S36 — was chosen b)' delegates from the companies; but after that the law was clianged so that the firemen voted directl)' on the Chief, and Burdette Str)-ker, in 1839, was the tirst one so elected. The institution of the Chief's Annual Report to the Trustees of the Village, (corre- sponding to the present reports to the Ma)'or and Common Council,) was established by Chief Engineer Wells, who presented the following report in December, 182S: "To the Hon. the President and Trustees of the Village of Brooklyn : "Gents: "In accordance with the last clause of the Twenty-seventh Article of the ordinance for 'pre. venting and extinguisliing fires in the Village of Brookh'n,' passed Feb. 4, 1828, the Chief Engineer begs leave to make the foHowing report of the Fire Department funds : Fire i:)epaitmcnt — E.xpended. Fire Department — Cnllected. Cash paid collectors, . . $ 50.25 Collected for Chinuiey and Paid t'l a Fireman's ^^'iclo\\■, 15.00 Members' Fines, . . . S454.60 Printing, 5.01 For Certificates 167.00 ¥i>v Fees, 14.00 For one year's interest on Case for Standard, . . . 21.34 *^-75> I9--S ?i 14.40 S640.05 Expenses 114.40 Amount in ihe Fund ^526. 45 Loaned on B. and M 475.60 Balance in Treas. hands SI.4S " The Chief Engineer would state that in consequence of some delay of the report to the Department, he was not able to report as soon as the law directs. "All of which is respectfulh- submitted, " |eremi.\h Wells, C. Ens:. "Dec. 8, 1828." The pride which the firemen took in their work, in their machines, and in their Department generally, was quickly reflected in the appreciation of the miblic. There were already enough amateur volunteers who, without any connection with the Depart- ment, pretty regularly ran with the machine— sometimes to the detriment of the ser- vice, an evil which grew with time and the frequency of fires— and this, of itself, made the new Department seem quite a matter of general interest. The first demonstration of public regard for the Fire Department— a spirit which has ever since characterized a generous and appreciative community, which always has responded handsomely to EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, 35 every opportunity of showing the firemen that their fidehty and heroism and bra\'ery in the presence of danger are not forgotten — was in the presentation of a banner to the Department on the Fourth of July, 1826. This was the semi-centennial of the Decla- ration of Lidependence, and it ^\■as made the occasion for a memorable celebration, •which included all the pageantry available, military and other. For their part of the parade the firemen of Engine Companies Nos. i and 2 got themselves up in great shape. The engines were mounted on floats drawn by numerous horses, M'hich were attended b\' grooms dressed in Grecian costume. This, with the uniformed firemen and the music, made a most picturesque and imposing scene. The parade brought the firemen to the office of the Equitable Insurance Company, in front of which they were drawn up in line, there to receive the banner at the hands of Mr. Freeman Hopkins, secretary of the Brooklyn Insurance Company, on behalf of the two companies. Mr. Freeman addressed them as follows : " Firemen of the City of Brooklyn, Gentlemen : In behalf of the Equitable and Brooklyn Fire Insurance Companies we ha\'e the pleasure to present you this standard decorated with the emblems of the Fire Department. The insurance companies are not insensible to the obligations they have been and may be under to your great exertions in extinguishing that fatal element so destructive to life and property. May you long retain those zealous and ambitious feelings to surpass, if possible, the enterprise and pub- lic spirit of the firemen of our great neighboring city. We wish you, gentlemen, a happy enjo)'ment of this fiftieth anniversary of our natal day, which is now being celebrated with probabl)' more demonstrations of heartfelt gratitude to God and the people and the Congress of 1776, than at any former period ; there is now, without doubt, a more universal sense of the obligation to the heroes of our War of Independence and the framers of our glorious Constitution, from a full conviction that our government is the best yet formed for the happiness of man. " With our personal respects, gentlemen, we wish you many happy returns of this, day." In accepting the banner on behalf of the Fire Department, Mr. Sprague said : " Gentlemen : I am commissioned by my brethren of the Fire Department (around us assembled) to tender our grateful acknowledgment to the Brooklyn and Equitable Insurance Companies for conferring so distinguished an honor as that of presenting us this banner. We receive it as the most splendid that ever waved upon our favored isle. " Should the fiery element burst from our dwellings, (which heaven avert !) and the alarm bells arouse us from our midnight slumber, we will hasten to the scene and. remember that we have a flag to sustain, never, never to be disgraced. -6 OUR FlREMhxN. o "But a few months ago our Fire Department began to exist ; but yesterday one- third was added to the number of our engines ; but a few months ago we were dependent upon yonder city for insurance and paper currency; but a few months ago we have seen hundreds of vacant lots, now covered with public edifices and private dwellings — the one has required the aid of the other, each contributing in its turn to help on the rapid march of improvement. " With feelings of gratitude to the Great Disposer of all things we reciprocate with you the happy return of the day that declared us free and independent. We hail it as the semi-centennial jubilee; it brings us peace and plent)' ; it brings to us, unimpaired, our favorite republican form of government ; it brings to our recollection that for the !ove of liberty our fathers bled for such unmerited blessings, religious, civil and political, be rendered our unfeigned thanksgiving and praise." From the nature of the case the history of the Department is largely that of the companies composing it, there being little outside of that in reference to the volunteer Department, except its corporate history. From the incorporation on April i6, 1823, of the Fire Department of the Village of Brookh'n, there were no material legislative changes except that in connection with the city incorporation act of 1834, when it became the Fire Department of the City of Brooklyn, and a similar act followed the process of consolidation in 1855. In 1857, there was passed "An Act for the better regulation of the Firemen of the City of Brooklyn," which instituted the radical change of a transfer of the Department from the Common Council to " The Commissioners of the Fire De- partment of the Western District of the City of Brookl}'n," a similar Board being estab- lished for the government of the Eastern District Department. From this time until the abolition of the Volunteer Department and the establishment of the paid Depart- ment the legislative modifications concerned matters of detail only. CHAPTER II. ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT Washington No. i, the First Company— Neptune No. 2 and the " Little Roosters " — Franklin No. 3 and Eagle No. 4 — Protector No. 6, " Old Bean Soup " — Constitution, No. 7, and Brooklyn's First " Piano Box " — CoLUMBi.A No. 10, the Life-Savers — Pacific No. 14, the " Dude " Company of the Heights— Brooklyn, No. 17, the " Hay Wagon " and the " Hop- pers " — The First Hook and Ladder Company — Truck 2 and its Prizes — The Hose Companies — Fire Department of the Eastern District — The Washington "Roosters" OF the North Side — Protection No. 2 and the South-Siders — The Sheriff and the Engines — The Department Incorpo- rated, 1857 — Commissioners Appointed — Other Companies. HE accessible records of the companies in the Volunteer Depart- ment are far from completely covering the list of the com- panies. Washington No. i, the first company, organized April 30, 1785, has already been chronicled. Neptune No. 2, came into existence in 1797, and was formally organized under Chief Doughty in 1817, when the Department was enlarged by the act incorporating the Village of Brooklyn. This company has left ample evidence of its departed glory. The most commodious, and in some respects the finest "house " occupied by the Fire Department to-day, is the three-story, brown-stone front, on Hicks near Sackett Street, occupied by Engine Company, No. 3. It was the last home of " Neptune" Company. A block below, near Degraw Street, is a small building, modest in appearance, which Yvas also the home of the "Neptunes," before it grew to three-story magnificence. 40 OUR FIREMEN. Upon the same thoroughfare (Hicks Street), near Atlantic Avenue, once stood an old stable. Here, too, Neptune Engine once made its home. There are two separate chapters in the history of "Neptune" Engine Company. The first begins with the organization of the company in 1797, extending up to 1855, when it was summarily dis- banded by the Common Council. In 1826 the " Neptunes " made their first appearance in a parade, upon the occasion of the presentation of a banner to the Firemen. It was a few years after this that the " Little Roosters " became attaclied to No. 2, and then the sensational history of the company began. Located in the First Ward, within easy distance of Firemen's Hall, were four engines and two hose-companies, which went to every fire. Intense rivalries sprang up, leading to racing, and quarrels which sometimes led to bloodshed and the wreckage of property. The police, too, came in for a share of hard knocks at the hands of the members of No. 2, for the latter were prompt to resent an)' interference with what they considered were their inalienable rights in connection with the extin- guishment of fires. Nor as regards their conduct in the engine-house would they brook any dictation. And so we find that a special meeting was held in Fire- men's Hall on April i, 1845, "to take into consideration the outrage committed on the members of the company on the evening of March 20, bj- the Mayor." The resolu- tions drawn up and signed at the meeting set forth that the conduct of his Honor the Mayor in ejecting from the engine-house several of the members without just cause, was " worthy of the time, the place and the man," and that while the members appre- ciated the Mayor's amiability, displayed upon his frequent visits to the engine-house just previous to his re-election, they could not fail to see through his motive in selecting the members of the company as the recipients of his indignation when on the eve of making himself invisible, and retiring from an office, " the dignity of which he had proved himself unfit to maintain." The company also extended its sincerest sympa- thies to the Mayor for expressing a determination to " lose every drop of blood in his body in the effort to reorganize the Fire Department." In view of all this the com- pany elected the Mayor an honorary member " so long as the engine-house remains under padlock and key — and no longer." This unique document was signed by Joseph Coles, Burdett Randolph, Joseph Montross and R. A. Van Rrunt. In 1853, a great "washing-match" took place at Fulton Ferry between Engines 2 and 7, in which the latter came off victorious, after an exciting contest. Sub- sequent investigation, however, disclosed the fact that the valve of No. 2 had been "hung up." This led to a great deal of enmity between the two companies, which resulted in many encounters at fires, in which one or the other of the eno-ines. was generally sure to be prevented from throwing a stream. As, for instance, on the night of June 20, 1852, when a triangular fight took place between Companies 2, 7 and. ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 41 9, stones, bricks and other missiles being freely used to enforce both sides of the argu- ment. Several other encounters, of a more or less serious character, occurring about this time, a special meeting of the Common Council was called, at which it was ordered that "The Chief Engineer lock up and take possession of Engine Companies Nos. 2 and 5 until the further direction of the Board." Another very serious row occurred on April 4, 1853, this time between Engines 2 and 7, in which John Cunningham, after- wards Chief Engineer of the Department, was quite seriously injured. On the even- ing of Monday, June 13, 1S53, the members of No. 2 appeared at the Livingston House fire with their engine. They wore their hats reversed, and declined to render any assistance in the work of extinguishing the fire. Just previous to leaving their house on that occasion the members of the company had sent to the Common Council the following communication : '^Resolved, That we cease doing duty unless means are taken by the Common Council to find us in decent quarters with amplt acconnnodations. [Signed] Engine 2." The action taken by the Common Council on receiving this resolution somewhat surprised the members. The Council merely ordered that the Chief Engineer should discipline the company by locking up the house, stating that it was not convenient for them to find a new house for the company. Upon promising good behavior in the future, the members of the companj' were reinstated, and with the exception of one or two fights in which they were conspicuous — a fireman, named McQueen, being knocked down and dragged to the police-station by Officer Regan on one occasion — the men kept their word. The house on Hicks Street was completed in the month of January, 1854, and the new quarters were dedicated in an appropriate manner. The following year Brooklyn was almost too small to hold the " Ncptunes," and fights and squabbles followed thick and fast. In January, 1855, the Common Council held a special meeting, at which all the members of No. 2 were expelled from the Department, and the company was declared disbanded. Nine years later the company was reorganized, and the second chapter of its history began. William Vandeveer became Foreman, with Pat Murphy as his assistant. They were now quartered in a house built for them on Hicks Street, near Degraw Street, and took high rank in the Department on account of their good behavior. Their house, however, was found to be too small, and before the Volunteer Department was legislated out of existence, the company moved into its last house, now occupied by Engine No. 3. Franklin No. 3 was organized in 1817, and Eagle No. 4 about 1812, with George Fricke as Foreman. 42 OUR FIREMEN. Lafayette No. 5 was organized June 28, 1825, a meeting being called for the pur- pose at the residence of John F. L. Duflon, (afterwards Chief Engineer of the Depart- ment,) near the Military Garden, the popular pleasure-resort of which he was the popular proprietor. Ralph Malbone was made chairman of the meeting, and John B. Johnson secretary. Those who had been invited to be present organized them- selves into a fire-company, adopting a code of by-laws and choosing the following officers: — Foreman, John h\ L. Duflon; Assistant Foreman, Ralph Malbone; Treas- urer, John P). Johnson: Secretary, Thomas Taylor; Assistant Secretar\', Jasper Duflon; and John Pease, Steward. The subsequent ratification by the X^'llage Trustees of the action taken at this meeting completed the organization of the company. Protector No. 6 was organized September 2, 1825, in conformity with action taken by the Village Trustees when they held their annual meeting on June 25 previous, at the house of Inn-keeper Stephenson, who was one of the Trustees. At this meeting they passed resolutions to establish a new engine-house in the vicinity of the Catholic Church — St. James's, at Jay and Chapel Streets, which became the cathedral of Bishop Loughlin on his accession in 1S53 — and for the house and engine the Trustees appropri- ated the sum of $1400. Upon application of Sylvanus White and others, Protector Engine Company No. 6 was organized on the date mentioned above, Vi'ith the following members: — Sylvanus White, Lewis Applegate, James Dezendorf, Jefferson T. Long, Samuel J. Valentine, Henry Dezendorf, Abraham Morrell, Thomas Rogers, Samuel P. S. Valcott, Stephen S. Poindett, George Handford, Henr)- Gidney, Ryke Reid, William R. Wilson, Charles F. Rogers, Peter S. Valentine, William Bennett, Clarke H. Silvers, Moses H. Decamp, John S. Willing, William Southard, John Baldwin, Roswell Lewis, Pheneous Tuthill, William Spaulding and Jacob Drak'e. Sylvanus \\'hite was made Foreman of the company. The house was located on the south side of Concord Street, between Adams and Pearl. It was fitted out \\'ith a small engine of the " goose-neck" pattern, purchased with the appropriation of the Village Trustees. For thirteen years the company occupied these quarters, and it was an experience during this period that gave their engine the name by which it was popularly known in the Department, "Old Bean Soup." After a fire in the neighborhood the members of the company were regaled with supper by a Mrs. Boyd, who had several sons among the members, of which the piece dc resistance was a most savory bean soup, the repute of which soon spread, with the result of fixing the appellation for good. In 1S38, the eno-ine was newly housed by the city at Pearl Street and Nutria Alley, and in the following year a new engine was furnished to the compau)', built on the lines of the old one. Another new engine followed in 1847, this time one of the "piano-box" style, a pattern which No. 6 had the felicity of first introducing in the streets of Brookljm. All three engines were from the shops of James Smith. In 1S50 a new house was built on the ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 43 site of the old one, and in this, although it was the smallest of all the engine-houses — only twelve feet wide and thirty-five feet deep — the company remained until it moved to the last house built for it across the street, now occupied by Engine Company No. 7, of the present Department. In 1856, the piano-box engine was rebuilt by builder Smith, who transformed it into the crane-neck pattern, altering its stroke to obtain greater power for pipe service in contemplation of the introduction of the Ridgewood water into the city. This was so thoroughly well done by the builder as to meet the highest expectations formed by the company in anticipation of the change. No. 6 always took and kept the lead in nozzle work, and came out victorious in all the friendly contests with the other companies — though the friendly character of the con- tests was so modified by the spirit of fierce rivalry that it became necessary for the authorities to forbid the continuance of them. After some of the other companies were 'fitted out with piano-box engines, they thought they would like to take the starch out of No. 6, which had the ^clat of having been first in the field with this pattern, and were more or less inclined to pride themselves on their skill. The disputes as to superi- ority finally resulted in a challenge from No. i, which was accepted by No. 6, to play a match for $500 a side, give and take water for five minutes through two hundred feet of hose. This was to test the question as to which company could " wash " the other, by giving it water faster than it could pump it out of the receiving engine. At the foot of Bridge Street the contestants met on the appointed day, and the match resulted in favor of No. 6, to whose Foreman, James H. Cornwell, the money was paid over. There was considerable jealousy resulting from this match and the successful company was plied with challenges, all of which it was ready to accept ; but in view of the strong feeling existing over the rivalry, the authorities decided for the good of the Department not to permit the further matches to take place. Nothing was left them but to test their relative skill at fires, and this was regularly done, the victory uniformly remaining with invincible No. 6, which never was washed. The service of the company at fires was admirably performed. Only one member was sacrificed to duty, the death of Richard Nolan, as the result of a collision with No. 7, on the way to a fire, being the only loss recorded for the company, though at different times several were injured. The following were the Foremen of the company in the order of their service: — Sylvanus White, Abraham Wright, Thomas Cumberson, Thomas Watson, Peter R. Vandeveer, David Cochran, John Tassie, William Draper, William Ellmore, William H. Powell, Smith Wood, Thomas Wright, Thomas Lockwood, James H. Cornwell, William L. Boyd, John G. Staff, Peter R. Vandeveer, Richard F. Cole, William Brown. The following members of the company were elected to the Board of Engineers; William H. Powell, Thomas Watson, William L. Boyd, Richard F. Cole, William Taylor. 44 OUR FIREMEN. "The Constitution and Union Forever" was the motto adopted by Constitution Engine Co. No. 7, when it was organized on October 24, 1828— and the company made a record worthy of their high-sounding motto, not only by gallant service in the Fire Department, but also by contributing of its members to the armies of the United States during the late war, twelve of them having sprung to arms among the first volun- teers when the three months' men were called out, and nineteen among these who vol- unteered for three years. One was killed at the first battle of Bull Run, and one at the battle of Williamsburgh, one died from disease contracted in camp, and one was wounded at 15ull Run. The company, at its organization and for many years afterwards, was located near the Navy Yard gate in the Fifth Ward, and moved later to Front Street, near Bridge. The quality of its membership was always high, and the company was well known throughout the country for its hospitality to visiting firemen, and for making visits to other cities. In 1S54 they went, ninety-eight strong, on a visit to Relief Engine Co. No. 11, of Albany, N. Y. In 1858 they received and enter- tained their Albany friends of No. 11, in connection with Howard Engine, No. 34; and in the same year they received a visit from Hibernia Engine No. I, of Philadelphia, in company with Americus No. 6 (Tweed's "Big Si.x ") of New York. In 1859 they returned the visit of Hibernia No. I, taking full one hundred men to Philadelphia; and when the introduction of the Ridgewood water into Brooklj'n was celebrated on April 27th and 2Sth of that year, this company entertained Columbian No. 6, of Newark, N. J., and Washington No. 3 and Red Jacket No. 4, of Elizabeth. On this occasion the celebration originally set for the 27th had to be postponed to the 28th, a heavy rain satisfying the authorities that, although they were rejoicing over the introduction of water, it was a good thing they could get too much of. The military were dismissed for the day, and the firemen were left to entertain their guests from abroad, who had expressed their willingness to remain over for the postponed parade, the Common Coun- cil generously providing that all extra expenses incurred by the men should be paid by the city. The firemen, however, were not to be daunted by a little water, more or less, and nine Brooklyn companies, escorting ten visiting companies, made a very creditable improvised parade through the rain, even on the first day ; while in the Eastern District, where the information of the postponement came only after the parade had been formed and was ready to start, the firemen resolved after consultation that they would carry out the programme for the day in its entirety. Twenty-eight local companies, together with the visiting companies, traversed a long route, encouraged and cheered by the demonstrations of the throngs of spectators that lined the sidewalks and filled the windows along the route. On the following day, the whole procession as originally arranged contributed to the demonstrations of the day, which was a memorable one in the annals of Brooklyn pageantry. The first " piano " engine made for this company ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 45 was the most gorgeous piece of apparatus ever introduced into the city. It was deHv- ered to the company on October 16, 1852, and its advent created considerable jealousy among the members of other companies. The box of this engine was of mahogany, with panels of rosewood, ornamented with carvings and gilt work. The arms were of polished steel, and the wheels blue, striped with gilt. There were paintings on three sides of the condenser-case, in oval panels, 22 x 20 inches. Attached to the engine was a neat tender, carrying eight lengths of hose; she was named " Indepen- dent." Afterward the company had a double-decked engine, built by Jeffers & Co., of Pawtucket, R. I., which was quite celebrated for its effectiveness. At a trial on Christmas-day, 1859, l^'^ld at Laird's pole in New York, they played 208 feet — which was literally " high-water mark " for this kind of proficiency. Columbia Engine Company No. 10, was organized in 1839, ''"d was reorganized in 1854. It «'as at first located on Bedford Avenue, near Myrtle, and removed later to Kent Avenue, near Myrtle. The machine it worked in the later days was a double- decker, which had been used previousl}- by No. 7 and No. 8. This company greatly distinguished itself on the occasion of two great calamities: the explosion, February 3, i860, of the hat factory of Ames & Molten, on Nostrand Avenue, between MjTtle and Park, at which nine persons were killed and eighteen injured — the loss of life being most fortunately kept at this number b}' the fact of the explosion occurring so early in the morning that only thirty-five out of the two hundred employes had arrived at the factory — and the burning of the Catholic Orphan Asylum, November 9, 1862. On both these occasions the members of No. 10 were conspicuousl}' brave and successful in their efforts to save the imperilled lives of the unfortunate inmates of the buildings. Pacific Engine Company No. 14, was organized September 19, 1846, at which time a few gentlemen got together and constituted themselves the nucleus of a new company to be located on the Heights. These were Henry B. Williams, who was made Fore- man ; William Wright, Edward Merritt, F. H. Macy, John W. Mason, George C. Baker, H. H. Cox, Clinton Odell, Henry Haviland and George E. Brown. At a special meet- ing in November following they resolved to purchase an engine of H. Waterman, the builder, of Hudson, N. Y., and the sum of $600 was subscribed immediately. When the machine was ready for them in June, 1847, the company rolled it into their quar- ters which the Common Council had erected for them in Love Lane, near Henry Street. This engine, which cost them $1,000, they used for three years only, and then they resolved to have a new one, which they ordered of John Agnew, of Philadelphia — a double-decker of the most approved pattern with the latest improvements. This cost them another $I,000, which was subscribed at the meeting at which they resolved to have the new machine, but $800 of the amount required they procured by selling their old machine to Engine Co. No. 8, of Williamsburgh. The new engine, when fully 46 OUR FIREMEN. equipped, weighed 4,800 pounds. It was completed and delivered August 21, 1851, and its reception by tlie company was made the occasion of a general entertainment of the friends of the members, and a social reunion of the Fire Department, for which pur- pose the company engaged the old riding-school in College Place — just around the cor- ner from the engine-house, and there they spread a collation for their numerous guests. The accession of the new engine, which was something very fine when it was purchased, led to a considerable increase in the membership of the company, which was of such an extent as to crowd them very much in their quarters. Their petition to the Com- mon Council for a new engine-house large enough to accommodate their increased membership was granted, and the commodious house on Pierrepont Street was erected for them. The rules of the Department at that time did not permit of their sleeping in the engine-house ; so they hired accommodations next door to it, and there they bunked, in readiness for the first alarm. The company prospered so well that by 1862 they wanted still more room and better surroundings, so they got up a subscription among themselves for the enlargement of their house, which was accomplished by a committee consisting of J. Pryor Rorke, William A. Fowler and D. B. Phillips, who turned over to the company one of the most convenient houses in the city at that time. Foreman Williams, who was the first incumbent of the office, was succeeded in October, 1849, t>y William Wright, who resigned the following May, giving place to Edward Merritt, who served out the unexpired portion of his term. John W. Mason was Fore- man for one year from October, 1850, and in 185 I H. B. Williams was reelected for his second term ; but his 'departure for California after six months of his term had passed led to the choice of James K. Leggett as his successor, in April, 1852. Ill-health caused Mr. Leggett's withdrawal in March, 1S53, when John A. Weed was temporarily put in charge, and in October, 1853, Mr. Leggett was again elected Foreman, as which he served for three very prosperous years in the history of the company. In 1856, H. R. Haydock was chosen, and he also served three years, at the end of which term Joseph B. Leggett \\'as elected. But his service was only for one month, and he was followed by Isaac G. Leggett, who was Foreman three years. After him came, in 1862, J. Pryor Rorke; in 1865, F. S. Massey. As a volunteer company, owning their own apparatus, and having an excellent grade of membership, Pacific 14 was one of the con- spicuous companies of the old Department ; and both in fire duty and in personal influ- ence, it was a force in the affairs of the Department to the end. Brooklyn No. 17 was a company well known in the Department for its large pro- portion of prominent Brooklynites in its membership, its adherence to Department discipline when other companies allowed their disaffection to manifest itself in insubor- dination, and for its forwardness in matters of Department duty which resulted in their taking the lead in the development of improved methods and apparatus. The company ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 47 was organized on September 28, 184S, just after the great fire of tliat year, witli a mem- bership of sixty-four men, and the following company of^cers :— William S. Wright, Foreman ; Henry A. Moore, First Assistant ; R. Van Brunt, Second Assistant ; J. M. Cor- nell, Secretary; and Alexander Cashow, Treasurer. Foreman Wright resigned in 1851, and his three years of efficient service were so highly appreciated that the members of the company presented him with a handsome watch, having engraved on its two sides a portrait of himself and a representation of the double-decker engine then in the custody of the company. He was succeeded by Henry A. Moore, the then First Assistant, but after a brief service of two months his elevation to the bench as County Judge made his resignation necessary. Judge Moore's continuous service on the bench has reflected honor on all his associates of the early days, in which the members of Brooklyn No. 17 have shared. His successor, on December 4, 185 1, was I. V. Silleck, who served until October g, 1852, when he was compelled to resign on account of ill-health. It was dur- ing his administration that the company made a trip to Poughkeepsie in September,, 1852, which was celebrated in the annals of fire-company excursions. One hundred and three men with a full band of music made the trip, and the entire Poughkeepsie Fire Department turned out to receive them, in recognition of which the company got up an impromptu ball, at which the beauty and chivalry of the city were present. On the resignation of Foreman Silleck, J. H. Rhodes was chosen in his place, and he in turn was succeeded, July 6, 1853, by F. W. Webb. During the term of the latter the Cath- erine Street ferry-house was burned, and at this fire the double-decker engine of No. 17 carried off the palm for efficiency at suction. William S. Wright returned to office for his second term October 6, 1853, Foreman Webb's term expiring with the company year. He came in good time to guide the company through an important crisis, occa- sioned by the " Know-Nothing " troubles of that year, in consequence of which none of the up-tovvn companies would respond to fire alarms from the second district, although fires were very frequent there. No. 17 was solicited to join in the general opposition to the authorities, or at least to await the other companies at the City Hall and proceed to the fires in a body. But the company declined to do this, or in any way to fall short of its duty to respond to the call of the bell, wherever it might summon them, and their courage commanded such respect that, although the times were such that physical as well as moral suasion was sometimes employed to enforce the views of the majority, they were permitted to do their duty unmolested. From October, 1854, to October, 1855, the Foreman was Sidney Larremore, who gave place in 1855 to William Burrell, who remained in command of the company until the formation of the paid Department. In 1859 ^^e action of the Fire Commissioners reducing the limit of mem- bership in companies to sixty-five men rendered a reduction of the company necessary,, and this was done by forming, on April 25, a separate organization of the active exempt 48 OUR FIREMEN. members, under the title of the "Old Guard Association." When the company was first organized, in 1848, it was temporarily located in the old frame house of the dis- banded No. 8, on Washington Street, between Myrtle Avenue and Johnson Street, while its meetings were held in the house of Truck No. 2, on Pearl Street, near Concord. The first enijine was No. 8's "goose-neck," the Water Witch, which \\-as afterwards replaced by a Waterman piano-box, formerly used by No. 34 of New York. The fol- lowing summer the company moved into a new brick house on Lawrence Street, between Myrtle Avenue and Johnson Street, and there they received their new engine, June 28, 1849, 9- Philadelphia pattern double-decker, built by James Smith, of New York, at a cost of $1,195, which was the first engine of this style brought into Brook- lyn. The peculiar appearance of this machine caused it to be dubbed the " Hay- wagon," and the spectacle of the men climbing up to man the upper brakes earned for them the sobriquet of " Hoppers," from their resemblance to the lively grasshopper. These terms, borrowed perhaps from a similar equipment of a New York company, No. 42, were both so descriptive and so euphonious that the)' stuck during the entire exist- ence of the company. The price paid for the machine did not include its decoration, and it was most fortunate for the fate of the new pet that the company resolved to expend $150 on paint, and sent her off to the shop of Mr. Moriarty, of New York, just when they did ; for during its absence for this purpose there occurred a fire at Thome's stores, on Furman Street, on July 6, 1S50, and the old goose-neck which the company was using in the interim met with a serious accident from which the new engine was fortunately spared. An explosion of saltpetre during the fire lifted the old goose-neck over the string-piece of the dock, and she hung by one wheel over the water until she took fire, and then was dumped into the East River to save her from total destruction. She was afterwards towed around to Fulton Ferry and fished out, and a few repairs made her serviceable until the new engine came back from the paint-shop. None of the members were injured by the explosion, though several of them had to jump overboard to save their lives. Not so lucky were some of the brave men who attended the burn- ing of the Duffield Mansion, at Fulton Avenue and Duffield Street, on the morning of April 14, 1857. The falling of a wall there seriously injured Charles H. Rogers and Thomas P. Hopkins, and in consequence it was necessary to amputate the leg of Mr. Hopkins, totally incapacitating him from further duty. A few years later, in 1862, he was made bell-ringer on the City Hall tower. In 1856, $900 were spent in having the double-decker rebuilt by Smith of New York, the painting being again done by Moriarty. The increasing membership of the company necessitated larger quarters in 1859, when it moved into the house then vacated by No. 8, which had been reorganized and again disbanded. This house was on Jay Street, between Myrtle Avenue and Wil- loughby Street, and even this required enlargement for the accommodation of the com- ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 49 pany, the members of which expended $700 in extending its proportions, including in the added part the first bunk-room attached to any engine-house in the city. The double-decker by i860 had outlived its perfection, and its defects caused the company to determine to have an entirely new machine ; and by this time the vogue of steam fire-engines, which had been introduced in the New York Department three years before, led them to resolve on one of these new and wonderful machines. For its pur- chase the company petitioned the Common Council on July 30, i860, and after spend- ing three months in testing the various makes and styles, they decided on an Amoskeag engine, for which the makers contracted at $3,650, and delivered it to the company on June II, 1861. This was the first steam fire-engine ever used in Brooklyn. A relic of the ways of the old volunteer days appeared on this harbinger of a new order of things in the decorations, \vhich included the legend, engraved on a large silver plate let into the side of the engine: "Brooklyn, Engine 17, William H. Furey, Chief Engineer; William Burrell, Foreman," and on the front of the engine a silver fire-cap, » copy of the cap worn b)- the company's first Foreman, Wright, whose initials, W. S. W., were engraved on the front. A hose-tender being necessary for this engine, the Commis- sioners by a special dispensation increased the membership of the companj' to seventy- five men, the extra ten being designated to run the hose-carriage. Constant improve- ments beautified the company's house, which became one of the handsomest in the countr)'. The first Hook and Ladder Company did not take definite form till 18 17, though there was formed, in 1812, a sort of mutual protection association, consisting of twenty- four members, independent of the Fire Department, and bound only to assist one another in case the property of a member was endangered. Perhaps it was the success of this mutual arrangement, and perhaps only the dangers resulting from the walls left standing after a fire, that produced an agitation in the public mind which, in 1S17, led to more definite steps toward the formation of a permanent Truck Company. The experience of the Department had shown that in many cases, even before the day of high buildings, there was difficulty in reaching the fires for lack of ladders on which to carry the hose to any considerable distance from the engine not otherwise accessible, and besides, it was impossible to properly finish up a fire when there were walls that should be pulled down or in default of facilities for that left standing. On several occasions the danger from these walls had been pretty closely brought home to the citi- zens by instances where they were a constant menace to the safety of pedestrians — in one case especially, when a large chimney fell to the ground after the firemen had left the scene, endangering the lives of a large number of spectators, but fortunately injur- ing no one. Clever people at once began to explain how by having ropes to level stand- ing walls and chimneys such dangers could be avoided in the future; but the general 50 OUR FIREMEN. voice was in favor of a regularly organized Hook and Ladder Company, such as New York had had for many years, even before the beginnings of the Brooklyn Department. Recognizing that the condition of the public mind called on them to do something, the existing mutual Hook and Ladder Association held a meeting at the house of Mr. Langdon, on September 24, 1817, to canvass the general subject ; but all that is recorded of their action was the adoption of the following rules and regulations: 1. The members renounce all claims to any privileges or exemption in consequence of their services. 2. Tlie number of members shall not exceed twent)'-four. 3. All new members shall be elected by ballot. 4. The members shall wear a black hat, with the representation in white of a hook and ladder. 5. The officers of this association shall consist of a Foreman, Assistant Foreman and a Steward. 6. The members meet the first Wednesday evening after any fire at which the hooks and ladders have been used, at the house of Mr. Langdon. 7. When the house and property of a member is in danger, ihe association is considered as- pledged to give their assistance to such member as a brother. 8. Any member refusing to obey the proper order or orders of the Foreman or Assistant Foreman, or who shall be found neglecting his duty twice in succession, shall be considered to- have abandoned the association. 9. Any member wishing to leave the association is at liberty to do so at any time. This was very comfortable for the " brothers " who were going to stand by each other in time of danger; but what the villagers wanted was a Hook and Ladder Com- pany, regularly organized and equipped by the Trustees of the village pro bono publico, and not merely for mutual protection. Consequently they called a meeting to devise means for securing from the authorities suitable apparatus, with a carriage for convey- ing the hooks and ladders to the scene of action. The firemen were invited to partici- pate in the deliberations of the meeting. The result of it was that the proposition for a Hook and Ladder Company was unanimously endorsed, and a petition to the Trustees was resolved on, the firemen uniting with the citizens in this request. The Trustees- received the proposition favorably and passed resolutions which, however, did not prac- tically provide for any action, until, under public pressure, they distinctly resolved, October 13, 1817 : That a Hook and Ladder Company of Firemen be established, to consist of fifteen persons, including the Captain, to be appointed by the Trustees. Li consonance with this resolution the following names were sent in at the next meeting of the Board, and those named were confirmed as firemen : Samuel BirdsalL, EiNGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 51 Foreman ; Cornelius Van Clief, John S. Doughty, Egbert K. Van Beuren, William R. Dean, Robert W. Doughty, Stephen Schenck, Elias Doughty, Erastus Worthington, Isaac Denyse, Walter Nichols, William Phillips, Samuel Watts, Robert B. Dykeman, and Elias M. Stihvell. These men promptly equipped themselves for service, but the Trustees were slow in providing them with apparatus. It was two months before they got even hooks and ladders, and then they got no carriage, but had themselves to lug their implements to every fire, dividing them up in the most convenient way for trans- portation. In December following, the Trustees increased the limit of membership by passing this resolution : Resolved, That the Hook and Ladder Company of Eiremen be increased to twenty-five men, and that the Captain report the names of such persons as may be elected by the Company and recommended by him to complete the number. The work devolving on the company soon demonstrated this number to be insufifi- cient, and the Trustees increased it again to thirty members. It was the summer 1818 before the company finally got a carriage, for which at last the Trustees appropriated the sum of $125, June 27. At the same meeting the Trustees resolved : That $200 be raised, by tax, to pay the rent of a lot and erect a temporary building thereon, for the implements of the Hook and Ladder Company. It was high time that this action was taken ; for the implements had had to be stored in a vacant open lot, and were not in a way to remain serviceable very long with such exposure to the elements. This first Truck Company became the Lafayette, and for many years was housed on Henry Street, near Cranberry. No second Truck Company was organized for another twenty-two years, when, on January 30, 1840, Clinton Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 came into existence. It was at a meeting held in the house of Engine Company No. 3, on Middagh Street, that the name was adopted and officers were elected as follows: James P. Spies, Foreman; John W. Fawble, Assistant Foreman ; E. B. Morrell, Secretary ; Benjamin Handley, Treasurer. The membership at the beginning consisted of the following persons: John B. Emmons, Joseph L. Carll, David Reeves, Benjamin Handley, Hamilton Reeves, Abraham Barkaloo, Daniel T. Wells, E. C. Morehouse, John K. Foster, Homer Wiltse, Richard Seckenson. The company was located at No. 206 Pearl Street, near Concord, where they remained uninterruptedly during their entire career. They were furnished with a new Franklin truck in October of the year of their organization, built to order for the Common Council. To encourage promptness in their duty the members of the company established prizes for those who should arrive first at fires. At the end of the first year Edward White received the prize for the year, a fire-coat; and E. C. More- 52 OUR FIREMEN. house received a fire-cap and Benjamin Handley and Mr. Beers each a fire-shirt, for similar cfiicicncy. Few of the Hose Companies have a history that can be recorded, the records of some of them being inaccessible and most of them having been organized so late as the introduction of tlie Ridgewood water into the city, whicl: necessitated, or rendered available, so much hose that carriages were necessary for its transportation. Atlantic Mose and Relief Compan)- No. I was organized November 27, 1835, with the following ofliccrs : W. \V. Pettit, h""oreman ; J. M. Van Cott, Assistant Foreman ,- Jeremiah Mundell, Secretary; Alfred Carpenter, Treasurer; J. JM. Van Cott, Alfred Carpenter and George R. Rhodes, Representatives. The word " Relief" was omitted from the title of the company during its second )'ear. It was at first housed in a shed in High Street and used an old painter's cart for a hose-carriage ; but it removed in 1863 to Fireman's Hall, in Henry Street, where it remained ever after. Hose Company No. 6 (Washington) was organized in 1853, under the auspices of Sheriff Campbell, William Van Brunt, David Thomas, Robert ?\IcCall, L,. Archer, and others, and this company, too, first occupied a shed on Aclelphi Street. They received a handsome Pine & Hartshorne carriage, in 1855. and were mo\'ed into a house at No. 85 Carlton Avenue. A new carriage was given to the compan)' during its later 3-ears of service. The first officers were : Anthonj' F. Campbell, P'oreman : Richard Smith, Assistant Foi'eman ; William Van Brunt, Secretarj' ; David Thomas, Treasurer ; Rob- ert jMcCall, Trustee ; Richard Smith and William Van Brunt, Representatives. Fore- man Campbell was followed in his office by Richard Degroot, Richard Smith, James Kenmore, R. Lamb, John Campbell, and the following gentlemen were at different times Assistant Foremen: Richard Smith, Richard Lamb, Edward Hudson, Joseph Friganza, Andrew Douglass. Richard Lamb after^\'ards became Assistant Engineer of the Department, being chosen to that office while he was Foreman of the Company. THE EASTERN DISTRICT FIRE DEPARTMENT. Williamsburgh began to take form as a growing settlement about the beginning of this centur)', when certain far-seeing speculators broke up large farms into cit)' lots and offered inducements to attract the overflow population from New York to this local- ity. But the rapidly extending nucleus of the future city of Williamsburgh was for more than thirty years without protection from fire, except in the incidental, improvised fashion common to all who live under contiguous roofs. The lack of an oro-anized force of firemen, who should be prepared in advance for an emergency, was keenly felt by the community; and as the absurdity of a town that was growing to such propor- tions being so far behind the rest of the world forced itself on their attention, absorbed ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 53 as they were in the phenomenal growth of then- settlement, the more public-spirited among the leaders got together and decided to do something about it. In January,, 1834, the Board of Trustees of the village were petitioned by John Luther and others to purchase two engines and organize two companies to work them. So obviously sensible and proper a petition was, of course, promptly and favorably acted on. Before the end of the month the engines had been ordered, the lots for the houses purchased, and the erec- tion of the houses authorized. A committee was appointed to locate the houses, one of which was put in North Second Street and the other in South Second Street, the two. thus placed covering adequately the needs of what the settlement then consisted of, most of it centering at that time about the Grand Street Ferry. During the same period of time steps were taken for the proper organization of the Department, and in. March following the firemen were appointed and the two companies contemplated were gotten into shape at about the same time. No. i was organized under the name of Washington, (afterwards changed to Lady Washington) and No. 2 as Protection Engine Company. The number of men assigned to each company was probably twenty-five,, and a few years later this was increased to forty. The office of Chief Engineer was- created in 1S35, and John Luther, to whose efforts the establishment of the Department was largely due, was made the first incumbent of the office. He served for about one year, when his removal from Williamsburgh rendered another choice necessary. Dur- ing his term, the Trustees, in September, 1836, authorized the construction of a public cistern in front of the Reformed Dutch Church, at South Second and Fourth Streets, at a cost of S500. In June of that year Mutual Hook and Ladder Company No. i was organized, with thirteen men, thus increasing the total force of firemen to sixty-three. The truck was housed on North Second Street, in the building next to that of Wash- ington No. I. The Department relied at that time somewhat on the volunteer aid of the citizens, and the young men of the village were divided (geographicall)-, by Grand Street,) into two parties, the " north-siders " running with No. i., (known throughout the country as the " Roosters," from the emblem they chose,) and the " south-siders " with. No. 2 — the local rivalries thus introduced into the service of the Fire Department lending to the attendance of the companies at fires all the spice to be derived from fre- quent brushes and occasional pitched battles, excitements without which the life of the village fireman of sixty years ago would have been spiritless and dull. The departure of Chief Luther in 1836 precipitated, earlier than was usual in the history of organized Fire Departments, a contest between the firemen and the Trustees as to which should effectively control the appointment of a Chief Engineer. The tem- per of the time, however, gave the victory as a matter of course to the firemen, who m those days were coddled to their hearts' content by virtue of their voluntary, self-sacri^ ficing service, as well as by virtue of their standing in the community, which was gener- 54 OUR FIREMEN. ally high. The next election, therefore, in October, iSj6, was settled by the nomination by the firemen and confirmation by the Trustees, the choice falling on Peter Pow- ell. This mode of selection became the rule thereafter, which was followed in all cases except one, in which the indifference of the firemen threw on tiic Trustees the duty of nomination as well as of confirmation. In February, 1836, the office of Fire Warden was created, f-fenry Cook being the first appointee ; but the oflice does not seem to have been continued with any regularit}.', for several years later the Chief Engineer re- ported to the Trustees that the hose had been cut during several fires, and recommended the appointment of wardens to protect the hose, see to there being a sufficient \\'ater suppi}', and look after property at fires. The Trustees accordingly authorized the nom- ination of wardens by the companies, and they were appointed on this basis for some time thereafter. The third chief of the Williamsburgh Department was David Garritt, who was chosen in 183S, and again in 1839, ''•nd was succeeded in 1840, ^vhen he declined a third term, by A. B. Hodges, who served for five successive j-ears. He was an Assemblyman in 1869, and introduced the bill creating the Paid Department, of which he was proud to be known as the father. A very curious state of things arose in 1S39, '^^'hen Abram Meserole, having pur- chased at public sale the fire-engines which were sold to satisfy a judgment against the village, levied on the engines and took them into his possession. This was not an easy feat to accomplish ; for the firemen snapped their fingers at the sheriff, and so efficiently guarded their machines that he could not get near them to lay upon them the awful hand of the law. But that official was patient as well as the}-, and in good time his opportunity came. Resting in the confidence that they would be unmolested in the discharge of their duty, the firemen unhesitatingly started to drag their engines to the next fire for \vhich they got the alarm ; but the sheriff was on hand for one purpose only — if the village authorities could not pay his bill they could not put out their fires — so he levied on the engines, and thus constructiveh' obtained possession of them. It was six years before this matter was settled, and during that interval Mr. Meserole rented the engines to the village at $150 per annum. In 1841 the charitable fund of the Department was organized, with its Board of Representatives, its Trustees and its officers. In 1842 the complement of members of the Hook and Ladder Company was increased to twenty-three ; the office of Assistant Engineer was established with Barnet B. Boerum as the first incumbent, and a revision of the state laws affecting Williams- burgh, as recommended by the Fire Department and approved by the Trustees, was enacted at Albany, modifying the conditions of service in the Department in so favor- able a manner as to greatly increase the membership and the organization of new com- ENGINE COMPANIES OF THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT. 55 panics. Appropriations for reservoirs to insure an adequate supply of water, and for a fire-bell, were among the important improvements of 1842. Both were carried through against strong opposition — the establishment of a fire-bell, especially, being one of those institutions unquestionably for the public good which endangers the comfort of some few, who do not willingly sacrifice themselves pro bono publico. But the bell was an imperative necessity, when the town had spread out so much and had reached the extent that it had so late as only twelve }'ears previous to the final consolidation with the city of Brooklyn ; and it was no longer possible to give ef^cient fire service, while relying on getting fire-alarms b\' word of mouth passed along till it reached the engine-house, as had been the custom before the bell gave its immediate universal warning. In 1843 for the first time, the Assistant Engineers were chosen at the same time with the Chief, and the following were elected Assistants at that time: — B. B. Boerum, William H. Guischard and A. L. Remsen. The next Chief was William IT. Guischard, and he was followed in turn by Andrew Marshall, Benjamin Dubois, R. H. Harding (for the unexpired term of Chief Dubois, who died in office, Mr. Harding giving the salary to his widow), Charles C. Talbot, Hamilton Allen, F. W. Jennings, Thomas M. Doyle and John W^ Smith. The original two engine-companies, with the truck company afterward organized, constituted the entire Department up to 1844, when Good Interest Company No. 3 was organized, under the impulse given by the recent legislation. The late police captain, Cornelius Woglom, was for many years its Foreman. After that the formation of new companies was rapid, keeping pace with the growth of the town, until, at the time of the consolidation with Brooklyn, in 1855, the Williamsburgh Department was quite on a par with that of any city of its size in the country, and it contributed as its share of the combined force of fire organizations, ten engine-companies, four hose-companies and three truck-companies— seventeen companies in all. At this time, the act of consolidation changed the Williamsburgh Fire Department to the Fire Department of the Eastern Dis- trict, and on April 7, 1857, an act was passed incorporating the Eastern District Depart- ment in the form which it maintained until it was, with that of the Western District, merged into the paid Department. The act of 1857 also provided for the management of the affairs of the Department by a Board of Commissioners, the first of whom were to be chosen on the first Tuesday in May of that year, to serve for one to five years, one going out each year, the terms to be settled by lot. The Commissioners chosen at this time were : Richard H. Harding, James Rodwell, William V. Hanson, Alfred AVallett and Demas Strong. Mr. Harding was the first president of the board, in -which capacity he served for ten years, being succeeded by R. Van Volkenburgh and Daniel Donevan, the latter being in office when the paid Department was instituted in 1869, and his associates at that time being Robert Murphy, George W. Williams, 56 OUR FIREMEN. William Johnson, and Patrick F. Morris. Other members of this Board were James Rodwell, Garrett Hanson, Thomas Eames, James Greene, Charles C. Talbot, William H. Mcrshon, and John H. Perry (the recently appointed Assistant Chief). Other companies in the Eastern District Volunteer Department were : United States No. 4, David Lindsay, Foreman ; Eagle No. 6, the late ex-Postmaster Talbot, Foreman; Neptune No. 7; Pacific No. 8; Continental No. 9; Red Jacket No. 10 ; Putman Hook and Ladder No. 2 ; Young America Hook and Ladder No. 3 ; Marion Hose No. I ; Atlantic Hose No. 2, and Friendship Hose" No. 3. CHAPTER III. DEPARTMENT FUNDS AND ASSOCIATIONS. Firemen's Insuranxe Fund — Widows' and Orphans' Fund — Volunteer Fire- men's Association of the Western Dlstrict — Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association — The Constitution Club — Exempt Firemen's Association, Western District — Exempts of the Eastern District — New Lots Exempts — Firemen's Monuments — List of Members of Present Department Killed in Discil\rge of Duty. '^JIRftfevr"^ ESIDES their official membership in the Department, the fire- men have established a number of civil institutions, some founded on legislation and under the control of officials designated by law, and others of a purely voluntary and social nature, though also having benevolent features. Some of these include in their membership and advan- tages only the members of the present Department, while many of them have a membership exclusively composed of the former members of the old Volunteer Departments of the Western and Eastern Districts. THE FIREMEN'S INSURANCE FUND. From the time of the organization of the paid Fire Department, up to the passage of the Charter, in 1873, no provision had been made for members of the force who might become unfitted for duty from any cause. In that state of affairs it was necessary for the Fire Commissioners then in office to retain in the Department, at full pay, superan- nuated and disabled firemen, or to accept the harsh and unjustifiable alternative of cast- inrooklyn, where they resided for two )-ears. In the spring of 1847 they moved to Williamsburg, where Mr. Brown continued his studies in the public school until he arrived at the age of fourteen. In pursuance of his resolution to become self-supporting, he took a posi- tion in a New York wholesale cloth house, where he remained for t\\o j'ears. He then took a clerkship with his father's firm of Llard}' & Brown, lumber dealers, at the foot of Korth First Street, where he remained for four years. During this time he became quite a popular young man in the A\^ard in which he lived, and had learned enough about politics to secure a clerkship in the County Register's office. Two 3'ears later found him advanced to clerk of the Fourth District Court, in which capacity he served for twelve consecutive }-ears. He cast his first vote in 1S56 for James Buchanan for President of the United States, and has voted the straight Democratic ticket from that time to the present. Appointed a Fire Commissioner in 1S69, he took a useful part in the organization of the new Department, remaining a member of the Board during the term of the " Four-headed " Commission. In January, 1S81, Mx. Browm was appointed an accountant in the Board of Auditors' office, and he still retains that position. He is married and lives at No. 293 South Fifth Street, in the Thirteenth Ward. ANTHONV F. CAMPBELL. Anthony F. Campbell also was a member of the " Four-headed " Conunission appointed in 1869 to organize the new Fire Department. He was born in Boston in December, 1822, and while still in his infancy removed to this city with his parents. Early in life he learned the sail-making business ; and when he became a young man started in that business for himself on South Street, New York City. He prospered so well in business that a few years later he rented another building on West Street, and in both places he continued to do business until i860, when he was elected Sheriff of King's County. During the riots of July, 1863, he gave shelter to several hundred 88 OUR FIREMEN. negroes who flocked to the jail for protection. On the 9th of March, 1865, President Abraham Lincohi appointed Mr. Campbell United States Marshal for the Eastern Dis- trict of New York, for the term of four years ; but he resigned the office in 1866 for per- sonal reasons. On July 17, 1868, President Andrew Johnson appointed him deputy- postmaster of Brookh-n, in which capacity he served until May, 1869, when he received his appointment as Fire Commissioner. He remained in office until November I, 1872, when he resigned to look after and improve a handsome country place which he had just purchased. Mr. Campbell was a member of the Wallabout Commission, and he labored hard for seven )'ears to establish what has since been the connecting link between the Eastern and W'estern Districts. His brother Commissioners, Judge Ale.xander McCue and Seymour L. Husted, have since died and so have the contractors who did the work. Mr. Campbell has been a fireman ever since he was old enough to run ^vith a " ma- chine," and is a member of the Veteran \''olunteer Firemen's Association of this city. He became a member of the Volunteer Department on May 6, 1844, and attached him- self to Franklin Engine Company No. 3, of which Frank Strycker was Foreman. In 1846 he organized Lafa)'ette Hook and Ladder Company No. I, and was Foreman of that company until 184S when he resigned to organize Mechanic Hose Compan\' No. 2. Two years later he organized and became Foreman of Washington Hose Companj'No. 6, of which company Sheriff Courtney became a member. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Volunteer Department for nineteen }'ears, and served as president of both Boards of Representatives for thirteen consecutive j-ears. On his retirement from the presidenc}', March 15, 1855, he was presented with a handsomely engrossed set of resolutions, ^\•hich he esteems very highl)'. He received a certificate of honorable dis- charge from the Volunteer Department on the 23d of March, 1857. This certificate, together with those of his appointment as United States marshal, deputy postmaster,, and that of his discharge from the Volunteer Department hang neatly framed on the walls of his library. Mr. Campbell, although three score and ten, is still a very active man. He attrib- utes his good health and long life to his custom of spending several months of the year at his country residence. Fie was a prominent politician in this city for many years, but when he resigned the office of Fire Commissioner, he also resigned all the cares and responsibilities of politics, and has since been seeking such recreation as will make his declining years the most pleasant of his life. He has a wife and family, and resides at No. 137 North O.xford Street. R. M. PHRANER. Ex-Fire Commissioner R. M. Phraner, better known in his lifetime as Mark among his intimate friends, was born in the old Ninth Ward of Brooklyn. While still in his EX-COMMISSIONERS. 89 teens he joined the Volunteer Department, and ran with old Engine No. 9. By occu- pation he \\as a master bricklayer. He was appointed Fire Commissioner November i, iS72,to succeed his brother-in-law, Anthony F. Campbell, whose term of office expired on that date. Mr. Phraner continued in office up to July i, 1875, when he was suc- ceeded by James Rodwell. In 1883 he was stricken with paralysis, which rendered him partially helpless for the rest of his life. For many years Mr. Phraner was the leader of the Republican party in the old Ninth Ward, and at the time of his death, which occurred in January, 188S, was an Inspector in the Board of City Works. Beside being an active politician, he was a member in good standing of Clinton Commandery, K. T., Common- wealth Lodge, No. 409, F. and A. M., Orient Chapter, No. 13S, R. A. M., and the Vete- ran and Volunteer Firemen's Associations. JAME.S RODWELL. James Rodwell was appointed by Mayor John W. Hunter in 1874 as a Fire Commissioner to succeed Commissioner Phraner in the " Three-headed " Commission. Mr. Rodwell was born in Norfolk, nine miles from London, England, on January 5> 1823, and although rapidly nearing the three-score-and-ten mark in the journey of life, he is still actively engaged in the real estate business, at No. 45 Broadway, Williamsburgh. He came to this country with his parents in 1832, the " cholera year." During the two j'ears' residence of the family in New York City, Mr. Rodwell attended a public school in Rivington Street. In 1834 the family removed to W^illiamsburgh and took up their residence on First Street, near South First Street. Mr. Rodvvell's father was a mason builder by trade, and when the family settled in Williamsburgh, young James worked with his father during the day, and attended night school. He continued in his father's employ until he arrived at the age of twenty-one, when he launched into the world on his own responsibility as a builder of no little importance, and at the same time took unto himself a wife. In the latter part of 1844 he joined the Volunteer Fire Department, attaching himself to Protection Engine Company No. 2. In 1857 he was elected a Commissioner of the Volunteer Department, in which capacity he served with Commissioners Richard Harding, William Hansen, Demas S. Strong and Mr. Meeks, for five years, when he severed his connection with the Volunteer Department. Under the "Three-headed" Commission, Mr. Rodwell had the entire supervision of the Build- ing Department, and it was during this period that the Municipal Building was erected. As a Fire Commissioner he superintended the removal of 287 bodies from the ruins of the Brooklyn theatre fire. As a builder, he has erected some very fine buildings in the city of Brooklyn, and among them St. John's College for Girls at Willoughby and Summer Avenue, the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, at Bushwick and De Kalb Avenues, the Roman Catholic Church at Lewis and Willoughby Avenues, St. Vincent's 90 OUR FIREMEN. 'and St. Paul's Church on North Sixth Street, All Soul's Church on South Ninth Street, the Forty-Seventh Regiment Armory at Lynch and Marcy Avenues, a large tin factory on South Ninth Street, the office building of the Williamsburgh Gas Light Company at the corner of South Second Street and Bedford Avenue. He also built three sugar- houses in Williamsburgh and Greenpoint for Winchen, Dick, Sierck & Company, and any number of handsome and costly residences in the Eastern District. He retired from the building business about three years ago, and has since been engaged in the real estate business. Mr. Rodwell is an owner of real estate, and is a director in the Iving's County Savings Bank, the Manufacturers National Bank, the Williamsburgh Fire Lisurancc Company, and is president of the Cypress Hills Cemetery Company. He lives at No. 91 Hancock Street. DAVID WILLIAMS. Da\dd Williams was at one time a prominent figure in the Brooklyn Fire Depart- ment. He died, in fact, while holding office as president of the "Three-headed" Commission. He was born in New York City in the year 1838. After passing through the public schools with credit, he entered the National Law School at Pough- keepsie, and was, in due course of time, admitted to the I-]ar. He practised his pro- fession for some years in partnership with his brother, Sidney Williams. Politics alwa}'s possessed a charm for him ; and, upon attaining his majorit)', he became an enthusiastic and active Republican. For four successive )'ears he was elected chair- man of the General Committee of his part}' in Brooklj-n. Senator Conkling was one of his chisest friends. When a delegate to the National Republican Convention he made himself conspicuous by his endeavor to secure the nomination of General Grant for a third term in the presidential chair. On November 5, 1S77, he was made one of the "Three-headed" Commission of Fire and Buildings, and was at the same time appointed to the office of president of that Department. His colleagues were James. Rj-an and Bernard Gallagher, both of whom survived him. Their term lasted till September 5, 1879. Being a read)' and impressive speaker and possessed of unusual vigor of mind and energy of body, his services were naturally in constant demand by his political party. J-fc was, in consequence, much before the public, and became widely known and very popular. Mr. Williams married a Miss Sarah Gile, who, with her four children, survives him. He had two sisters and four brothers. Samuel and Edward are retired gentlemen, living at their country seats in Jersey, and Sidney is a lawyer, practising at the Brooklyn Bar. John Williams is dead. His mother, who was a remarkable woman in many ways, died at the advanced age of ninety-two, within the last three years. His parents, being I5aptists, brought him up to their religious persuasion. He also belonged to the Masonic fraternity. ■SINGLE-HEADED" COMMISSIONERS. JACOB WORTH. June 24, 1880— February 7, 1882. COLONEL JOHN N. PARTRIDGE, February 7, 1882— February 5, 1884. MAJOR RICHARD H. POILLON, February 5, 1884— January 31, 1886. EX-COMMISSIONERS. 93 Never phj'sically strong, he yet always displa)'ed great nervous energy. Chronic pneumonia, against which he had fought for years, at last overpowered him, and he died July 22, 1879, at his home in Brooklyn. JA^IES RYAN. James Ryan, who was one of the " Three-headed " Commission of the Department of Fire and Buildings, appointed b)' ^Mayor Schroeder in 1877, ^^'^s born in the County of Clare, Ireland, June lo, 1S44. He came to America with his parents in 1849. His father, Thomas Ryan, located himself in the Fifth Ward, Brooklyn, and lived there continuously up to November, 1891, when he died at the age of eighty years. Young Ryan was educated in Public School No. 7, and in the School of the Assumption. At the age of sixteen he entered the hat manufacturing establishment of his uncle, John Guerin, in the Fifth Ward, as an apprentice, and served there until he reached his major- ity. He then engaged in business for himself, and opened a hat store at No. 109 Ful- ton Street, where he remained for twelve }'ears, assisted by his brother John. His appointment to a fire commissionership was gratif}'ing not only to the Democratic partv but to the general public, which regarded him as a man well fitted for the post. He did not disappoint them, as his career was marked b)' a display of good judgment and executive abilit}-. Mr. Ryan held his office from November 5, 1S77, to September 5, 1S79. '7^'^e records show that during that period there were more fires and less losses to the insurance companies than at any time subsequent to the creation of the Depart- ment. In 1880 he closed his store on Fulton Street and accepted the position of fore- man in a New York hat warehouse, and has held that position ever since. Mr. Ryan resides at No. 166 High Street, which has been his home for the last sixteen years. His aged mother, who is an invalid, lives with him as well as a sister and a brother. Mr. Ryan never married. In religion he is a devout Catholic, in politics an ardent Democrat. He possesses those characteristics which invariably make a man popular ; and a charitable and kindly disposition and unprejudicial public spirit. BERNARD GALLAGHER. Bernard Gallagher stands to-day in the foremost ranks of building contractors both in the city of Brooklyn and in New York. He was born in the County of Tyrone, Ire- land, on June 29, 1838, and came to this country in June, 1845, with his parents, Owen and Rosa Gallagher, who located at Williamsburgh. He attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he began to learn the trade of ropemaker. He pros- ecuted this line of work for three years, when he relinquished it and turned his attention to carpentering. He served two years' apprenticeship with Owen McCarron, the father of Senator Patrick J. McCarron. After passing four years more in the apprenticeship 94 OUR FIREMEN. of William H. Noe on Schermerhoin Street, he worked as a journeyman carpenter until the autumn of 1861, when he reached his twenty-third year. He then went into busi- ness for himself as a carpenter and builder. On November 5, 1877, Mayor Schroeder appointed him one of the " Three-headed" Commissioner of Fire and Buildings, which office he held until September 5, 1879. ^^ ^^'^s one of the Commissioners who went into office when the "Shannon deal" decapitated Messrs. Massey, McLaughlin and Rodwell. The law at that time required one of the Commissioners of the Department to be a practical builder, as the Buildings Department was amalgamated with the Fire De- partment. Mr. Gallagher's knowledge of that business in all its details eminently fitted him for the position. He was regarded as one of the most useful members of the Board. Since the expiration of his term, Mr. Gallagher has devoted himself entirely to business. On July 25, 1866, he married Mary E., second daughter of George B. McGrath of Brooklyn. His family now consists of two sons and five daughters. Mr. Gallagher is a man of medium stature. He has iron gray hair, an exceedingly intel- lectual expression and manners which show at times great nervous energy'. He belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and in politics has allied himself to the Democratic party. For ten years he was president of the order of the Sons of St. Patrick in this city and is also a member of the Hano\'er and Windsor Clubs. MOSE.S J. WAFER. Moses J. Wafer, who was a member of the " Three-headed " Commission from Sep- tember 5, 1879, to June 24, 1880, was born in the County Wexford, Ireland, on the 2Sth day of October, 1850, and at the age of two years came with his parents to this countr}', and settled in the Sixth Ward, in which ward Mr. Wafer still resides. He received his education in the public schools of Brooklyn. At the age of fourteen he left school to take a clerkship in a grocery store. Three years later he went to learn the carpenter's trade with a well-known builder of this cit}^. He worked seven years at the trade, and then turned his attention to the liquor business, in which he is still engaged. Owing to his thorough knowledge of the building business, he was appointed in 1878, an Inspec- tor in the Building Department and detailed to duty in the kerosene bureau. He was appointed a Fire Commissioner September 5, 1879, >^'''d served in that capacity up to June 24, 1880, when the " Three-headed " Commission was legislated out, and the " Single- headed " Commission was created. In 1884, Mr. Wafer was elected to the Assembly from the First District, and was reelected from the same District for three successive terms thereafter. In 1889 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Kane in the Board of Aldermen, and in 1891 was elected from the First Aldermanic District for a full term, which expires January i, 1893. Mr. Wafer is married and lives at No. 124 Harrison Street. EX-COiMiMlSSlONERS. 95 PHILIP F. BRENNAN. Philip F. Brennan was bom in Illinois, in 1843, ^"d came to Brooklj-n when very young. In 1861, when the war of the Rebellion broke out, though only a young lad, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment of Brooklyn, and served throughout the war. After the war he embarked for a time in mercantile business, but finall)' identified him- self with Republican party politics, and for two years he gave his whole time to it. He then became a commercial traveller for a large house in New York, and only occasionally visited his old comrades. He was always a familiar figure around the City Hall, and politically he was much sought after. With settled habits his career might have been a brilliant one ; but erratic methods and a roving disposition militated against him. In 1871, he received an appointment in the Internal Revenue Depart- ment. About that time he took a deal of interest in the advancement of the Grand Arm}- of the Republic, and he was a warm supporter of General James Jourdan, then one of its leading exponents. For several years he again " played with politics," but alwa)'s seemed to meet with adversity. On September 5, 1879, '""^ "^^''T-s appointed a Fire Commissioner, by Maj'or Howell, along with Hugh McLaughlin and Moses J. Wafer, to succeed Commissioners Williams, Gallagher, and R}'an. In June of the following year, Brennan, along with his colleagues, was legislated out of office by the " Single- headed " Commission bill. Later on he drifted into the ranks of the Independent Demo- crats, and was a member of the political organization started by General Henry W. Slo- cum and John W. Flaherty, and afterward of Jefferson Hall. Later he returned to his old party and was a Republican at the time of his death, which occurred in March, 18S8. JACOB WORTH. Jacob Worth, the first Fire Commissioner appointed under the act of the Legisla- ture reducing the number of Commissioners from three to one, has had a phenomenal career. He is a striking example of a self-made man, and deserves to be classed among those who have won honor and become prominent in public affairs through native intelligence, untiring industry and faithfulness. He was born in New Yoi-k City, in May, 1838. His opportunities for acquiring an education were exceedingly limited, for at the age of eight he was put to work in a rope-walk, where he served a six-years' apprenticeship. He then obtained employment as a teamster, and later on took up the occupation of a boatman. At the age of eighteen, he entered the United States Navy as an apprentice. During several long cruises he acquired not only a fair education but much worldly experience, which was of great benefit to him in later life. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Worth enlisted in the 139th Regiment, New York Volunteers. While serving with this regiment he made a record of which any man mio-ht be proud. In 1863, in recognition of his services, he was commissioned a g6 OUR FIREMEN. captain in the 84th Regiment, in wliicli regiment he remained until it was mustered out of service at the close of the war. He was in a great many noted engagements, among them the Seven Days' Battle of the Wilderness, and those of the Peninsula cam- paign. After the war he took up his residence in the i6th Ward of Brooklyn, and began to interest himself in public affairs. Politically, he was a stanch Republican, and it was not long before his right to be a leader began to be felt in the ward. His popularity had become so great in the latter part of 1S64 that he received the nomina- tion for Assembly in the Ninth District, and was elected by an overwhelming majority. His constituents were so well pleased with his career in Albany, that they continued to reelect him for six successive terms. In 1879 Mr. Worth was appointed Commis- sioner of Cit}- Works, by i\Iayor Howell, and he is accredited with having saved con- siderable money for the city government during his time of service. On June 24, 18S0, Mayor James Howell named Mr. Worth the first appointee of the " Single- head " Commission. During his administration, which continued up to February 7, 1882, many changes were made, and new laws and regulations introduced into the Department. One of the most important improvements made in the Department b)' Mr. Worth is the present system of fire-alarm telegraph. Mr. Worth was a presi- dential elector in 1868, and again in 1876 ; has been a delegate to nearly every Republi- can State Convention since 1876, and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876, and again in 18S0. Pie was a member of the King's County Republican Committee for over twenty years, and served as a member of the Republi- can State Committee several years. He was elected a State Senator in 1885, and reelected in 1887, and ran for Congress against Mr. Bliss, but was defeated. Mr. Worth is an old volunteer fireman, and ran with Hose Company No. 2 for several years. He has a family, and lives at No. 94 Lee Avenue, in the Eastern District. RICHARD H. POILLON. Richard H. Poillon, who was Fire Commissioner in 1884 and 1885, was born in New York City on the 5th of November, 1846. He is the eldest son of the late Richard Poillon, a member of the firm of C. & R. Poillon, shipbuilders, of New York and Brook- lyn. He was educated in the public schools and at the Pol}'technic Institute, from which he graduated in 1864. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1867, and gradu- ated from there with high honors in 1 87 1. After leaving West Point he started on a tour around the world, and was a member of the tourist party, who, under the direction of United States Minister De Long, first penetrated into the interior of Japan. Returning from this tour, which occupied about nine months, Mr. Poillon entered the United States regular army as a commissioned of^cer, and served about three years on OUR FIREMEN. 97 the frontier, principally in California and Arizona. In 1874 he resigned from the army and returned to Brooklyn, where he engaged in the lumber business on the Gowanus Canal. Subsequently, he retired from the lumber business to accept the position of chief Deputy Collector in the Internal Revenue office, under Colonel Rod- ney C. Ward, then Collector of the First District, New York. Mr. Poillon resigned this position in 1S82 to accept that of Deput)' Fire Commissioner, which was tendered him by Commissioner John N. Partridge, to succeed whom, in 1884, Duputy Poillon was appointed Fire Commissioner. Having had the experience of two )'ears' service as deput}-. Commissioner Poillon assumed office with an accurate knowledge of its duties and requirements. Although greatly hampered by the passage of the Underground Telegraph bill, June 14, 1 884, Commissioner Poillon, believing that the efficiency of the Department was greatly dependent upon the strength of its telegraphic service, bent all his energies toward making the latter as effective as possible during his term of office, and succeeded in affording protection to certain sections of the city which had been previously neg- lected. Commissioner Poillon was present in person, and in direct communication with Chief Nevins at all the principal fires which occurred during his term as Commissioner. It was during his administration that the fire-boat, Seth Low, was built, and several necessary companies were organized. Commissioner Poillon favored the organization of an insurance patrol for the protection of the dry goods district ; and also, owing to the increase of high buildings, strongly recommended the organization of a life-saving corps. When he was succeeded by Commissioner Ennis, Mr. Poillon devoted himself to the fire insurance business in this city and New York. In 1879 he was appointed Engineer officer with the rank of major on the staff of Brigadier General E. L. Moli- neux, a position which he held while Generals Brownell and Ward commanded the Fourth Brigade. CHAPTER YI. THE FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. The New Headquarters Building— Graceful, Solid; and Well Adapted to ITS Purposes — Commissioner Ennis — Six Noteworthy Years of Department Growth — Deputy Commissioner Moore — A Brooklynite's War and Public Service— Chief Engineer Nevins— Twenty-two Years in Executive Control— Inspector Cassin— A Responsible Position Admi- rably Filled— Assistant Chief Engineer Dale— An Experienced Grad- uate from the Crack Volunteer Company — Assistant Chief Engineer Perry— Responsible for the Eastern District— Ex-Assistant Chief En- gineer S^H^H— Fire Marshal Lewis. ^ a IMPERIALLY ]ioused in a building which is the most striking ^^l•chitectul-al feature of all the citj-'s, public buildings, are the chief officers of the Fire Department and their bus)' lieuten- ants. Here are the Commissioner with his Deputy and staff; the Chief Engineer with his subordinates ; all the cen- tral offices of supervision and administration. Here is the reservoir into which flow all the streams of information from the remote parts of the city; the well-spring from which emanate the edicts that make and unmake men and officers, the plans for broadening and perfecting the Department work and all the multitudinous details of administration. The headquarters building is in every detail worthy of the reputation of the great city that caused its erection. It stands on Jay Street, not far from the corner of Wil- loughby. There is, in relation to its style of architecture, that peculiar combination of HEADQUARTERS FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. loi gracefulness and solidity which characterizes the Romanesque ; it is massive, but a con- templation of its chief features leaves no disagreeable impression of clumsiness in the mind of the observer. The building rises to a height of one hundred and twenty-six feet from the curb ; its frontage on Jay Street extends for fift)- feet. The materials used in the construction of its facade are red granite from the quarries of Jonesboro, red Lake Superior sandstone, Tiffany brick and terra cotta brick moulding. The roof is covered with Spanish tiles, dark-red in color. The side and rear walls are composed of ordinary brick of the best quality. The building contains a basement and five stories, all of which are fitted up elab- orately and with due regard to the uses for which they are designed. The chief feature perhaps of the architectural appearance of the facade is a massive, rectangular tower, which rises from the basement foundation of granite and terminates in a pointed roof some forty feet above the rest of the structure. It is crowned by a flagstaff capped by a huge gilded eagle with outstretched wings. On either side the tower is flanked bv turrets of rounded brick which end in sharp projections a short distance above the level of the last cornice. A square doorway supported on pilasters of sandstone pierces the walls of the tower on the first floor ; the portions of the next three stories which lie behind the walls of this section of the building are lighted by windows divided by sashes of stone into four rectangular divisions of unequal size. Across the front of the entire structure there e.xtends, above the windows of the fourth story, a heavy stone cornice on which rest the windows of the floor above ; these are cut up into smaller divisions than those below. There is, in the tower just underneath the coping, a circular window, while the space immediately beneath the roof of the main portion of the building is highest by a dormer. At the right of the main entrance a great rounded arch embraces in its segment the whole front of the lower story ; it opens into the wagon-room and above it is a great mass of carving and ornamental scroll-work in stone. Intertwined with this are the letters which make up the words " Fire Headquarters." The windows above the arch in the next three stories are divided into double rows by pilasters of brick, which terminate below the cornice of the fifth floor in capitals somewdiat resembling the Co- rinthian. On the extreme right of the structure another turret of rounded brick rises from the base of the second story to a point level with the roof. Wherever possible on the fa(^ade, on doorways and window-casings, on cornice and coping and turret, orna- mentation has been lavished with a judicious regard for good taste. The interior is scarcely less striking in its appearance than the exterior ; the first story is used as a wagon-room and a portion in the rear is divided into stalls. The flooring is of concrete while the walls are finished in enamelled brick. Every appliance 102 OUR FIREMEN. is provided for the accommodation of tlie various vehicles used by the chiefs of the different departments, and the arrangements for the care of the horses are unexcehed. The main entrance, which leads into a tiled vestibule and hallway, is furnished with heavy oak doorways of antique finish ; the elevator shaft is composed of iron drill- work. On the front of the second floor are three large rooms of almost equal dimen- sions ; the middle one of these is occupied by Commissioner Ennis and the other two by his deputy and the Chief Engineer of the Department. In the rear are offices devoted to the use of the Assistant Chief Engineer, District Engineers, Fire Marshal, Inspectors and Assistants. There is also a toilet-room, and a vault for the storage of val- uables. All the offices on this floor are finished in antique oak and furnished with every appliance and fitting calculated to promote the comfort of their occupants and facilitate the transaction of Departmental business. The third floor contains the record offices and suppl)--rooms, a large apartment dex'oted to the personal use of the Superintendent of Supplies, and a trial-room where delinquent firemen are brought before the tribunal of the Commissioner. The fourth floor is practically one apartment and is used as a training-school, where every facility is afforded the embryonic fireman to acquire all the details connected with his hazardous calling. The fifth floor is used b}' the Telegraph Superintendent, inspectors, linemen, and all those minor officials whose business it is to keep the wires and electrical appli- ances of the Department in order. There are also storage and batter)- rooms on this floor. The basement is occupied b)' the heating and elevator apparatus. Every story, except the first, is furnished in hardwood, generally quartered antique oak, and the char- acter of the work is such as to reflect the greatest credit upon those who secured its erection and superintended its construction. The building cost $150,000 and was designed b}- architect Frank Freeman, of New York. FIRE COMMISSIONER JOHN ENNIS. It is an ill wind that blows nobody good ; so the proverb goes, and that plea can doubtless be offered for "The Big Wind " that blew so hard in Ireland in 1838, that it has never been forgotten. Now one of the good things that this particular wind blew into the world, was an infant that has ever since been known as John Ennis. It was on Christmas Day, in the County Westmeath, that the infant John first saw the sun- light streaming through the windows of his parents' humble abode. His father, Thomas Ennis, came to America while John was an infant, and was killed in a railroad accident. The boy attended a private school in Ireland taught by James Featherstone, a school-master of great renown in the County Westmeath. In the early part of the year 1850, John Ennis, with his mother, three brothers and a sister came to the United States, and established their first home in the Fifteenth Ward of JOHN ENNIS, Fire Commissioner. FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. 105 Brooklyn, and that is his home to-day. As they say in the West, he has " stood in his tracks" for over forty years, and won. The battle of Hfe commenced with him when he went to work at Marshall's rope- walk at the foot of Ewen Street, in the Seventeenth Ward, and " heaved the wheel," from four o'clock in the morninq- until six at ni"-ht, for the enormous sum of twelve shillings a week, and when Saturday night came received his wages in pennies. When the labors of the day were over, he attended night school in South Second Street, to complete the education which he was so eager to obtain. At the age of sixteen, his mother bound him as an apprentice to Owen Thomas, a shoemaker, whose specialty was ladies' fine shoes. At the end of his term of service, he went out as a journeyman, working hard, saving his earnings, and advancing step by step, until at the expiration of eight }'ears, he had acquired enough money to start a shoe manufactory of his own at the corner of Lorimer and Withers Streets, in the Eastern District. His venture was successful beyond his utmost expectations, and as the years came and went the building which he occupied became too small, and he removed his business to the more commodious quarters now occupied by him, at No. 790 Grand Street. It was thirty years ago when he began to manufacture ladies' shoes on his own account, and it was about that time that Mr. Ennis wooed and married Miss Elizabeth Gallagher, a very beautiful and accomplished young lady residing in the Eastern District. Five children were born to them, three of whom have died. The living are John Ennis, Jr., seventeen years of age; and a daughter, who is the wife of Mr. Samuel Irwin, a prominent citizen of the Eastern District. The political career of Mr. Ennis began with the passage of the Chapin Primary Election bill, which after becoming a law resulted in the reorganization of the Demo- cratic party in King's County. He was an earnest worker in the reorganization of the part}-, and became first president of the Fifteenth Ward Democratic Association, to which office he has from time to time been reelected. He has also been a member of the Democratic General Committee for several years past. The first and only public office held by Commissioner Ennis is the one which he now so ably and satisfactorily fills, to which he was appointed by Mayor Whitney on the first day of February, 1886, to succeed Richard H. Poillon, whose term of office expired on that date. During the administration of Mr. Ennis as Fire Commissioner there have been such changes and improvements made as to place the Brooklyn Fire Department, in point of efficiency and equipment, second to none in the world. When he took charge, there were thirty companies, all told. Since that time, by reason of the rapid increase of population, he has deemed it prudent to organize eleven new engine- companies and five hook and ladder companies, so that at the present writing the De- partment has thirty-five engine-companies and twelve hook and ladder companies in io6 OUR FIREMEN. active operation, and four Clapp & Jones and La France engines as reserves. In the early days of his administration, Commissioner Ennis saw the advisability of disposing of the old style of trucks, and as a result the hook and ladder companies are now equipped with the latest improved Hayes extension ladder trucks, of which two are first-class, weighing five tons each and having ninety-foot ladders; and the remainder, second-class, weighing a little over four tons, and furnished with sixty-five foot ladders. He created the rank of " Assistant-Foreman " in the Department, prior to which time in the absence of a Foreman the company was left in charge of a private. He also increased the number of Assistant Chief Engineers to two, so that Chief Nevins might have an able, responsible man to assist him in the Eastern as well as the Western District. It was he who took a very active interest in the erection and final completion of the new fire headquarters on Jay Street, whicli in point of architectural beauty is a credit to the city of Brooklyn. Recently, owing to the increase of companies, Commis- sioner Ennis appointed several new District Engineers, two of them to fill the vacan- cies made in that corps by the death of District Engineer George A. Frost and the promotion of John H. Perry, the Assistant Chief Engineer; and the others to fill original vacancies in the extension of the Department organization to ten districts. Each of these districts is now commanded by a District Engineer.; and for the full complement of companies in the I'i-tricts four more new companies are about to be organized — two engine-companies, one truck-company, and a new fire-boat, the " David A. Boody." The new boat and the new houses are already under way. Air. Ennis is not a member of any secret order or social club. His membership in clubs is confined to the David B. Hill Club, No. i, of the Fifteenth Ward. He resides at No. 223 Ainslie Street in the Eastern District, and is one of the charter members of the Bushwick Loan and Building Association. His brother, James, has been on the police foi'ce for twenty j-cars, for sixteen of which he was a detective-sergeant. He is at present Captain of the Sixth Precinct. There is another brother, Patrick, \\ho has for many years been a clerk in Judge Ames' court in the Eastern District. In boyhood John Ennis developed traits of character which have made him the prominent man he is of the present day. The education he obtained was acquired while earning his bread by the sweat of his brow. Genial in disposition, conscientious in discharge of his duties, just and fair in his dealings with his fellow-men, he has placed himself in the foremost rank of the leading men of the present day in the city of Brookl}'n. In social and political circles, and in the Fire Department, there is not a man who has ever felt the strong, earnest clasp of his hand, who will not in all sincerity exclaim " May John Ennis live long and prosper." Commissioner Ennis has been the recipient, in times past, of many handsome and valuable mementos. On being reelected for the tenth time President of the Fifteenth Q. U < UJ I :c 5 u: .5 E -s CO Q I m FIRE CO^[^IISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. 109 Ward Democratic Association he was presented with a valuable diamond stud by the members of that club. On the evening of February 13, 1SS6, Commissioner Ennis was one of the occupants of a box at the L}-ceum Theatre on Montrose Avenue. The cur- tain had just been rung down on a fire scene in which he had manifested great interest, when William B. Herseman entered the box and requested the Commissioner to go with him to Turner Hall for the ostensible purpose of deciding a contest then goi-ng on at that place. He went to Turner Hall and there found about three hundred citizens of the Fifteenth Ward assembled. He saw no contest going on and was surprised to see so many prominent people collected together, all of whom were known to him personall}'. His surprise was increased ten-fold when a blue-velvet case was placed in his hands. ^Vhen he was allowed to open it, he found therein a magnificent badge which cost over SSoo. The badge is of heavy Roman gold and is in the form of a circle; in the centre is a monogram of red, white and blue enamel. Above and below the monogram in large raised gold letters, faced with blue enamel, are the words " John Ennis, Fire Commis- sioner." A laurel wreath made of Etruscan gold adorns the lower part of the badge, and surmounting it is a solid gold eagle with ruby eyes and a two-carat diamond depending from its beak. Set in the circle at equal distances apart are three more diamonds, each weighing two carats. The reverse side of the badge contains this inscription " Pre- sented to John Ennis, Esq., Fire Commissioner of Brooklyn, by his friends, February 13, 1S86." He was again pleasantly surprised on the morning of August 6, 1887, when the first Assistant Foremen appointed to the Department assembled at headquarters and pre- sented him with a valuable sold watch and chain. On the inner case of the watch is in- scribed " Presented by the Assistant Foremen of the Brooklyn Fire Department to Fire Commissioner John Ennis, August 6, 1887. In February, 1892, the beginning of his third term as Fire Commissioner, Mr. Ennis was presented by the citizens of the Fif- teenth Ward with a handsomely engrossed set of resolutions, mounted in a valuable gold frame. OUR FIREMEN. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER WILLIAM D. MOORE. A glance at the very busy man who is installed in the Commissioner's room at fire headquarters is enough to assure the visitor that no vegetation will be tolerated in that locality. Deputy Commissioner William D. Moore is a busy man, not the less so that he finds time to be a very courteous man as well. Ilis oflice, like all the ro()ms at headquarters, is fitted for work, not show. Neat, compact, it seems to accord admira- bly with its occupant. In appearance Mr. Moore is still a )'Oung man, though there is a war record bct'tt'cen him and youth. He is not large, but rather above the medium size, compacth- put together, and alert in liis movements without being nervous. He has regular features, and a mustache shadows a firm mouth and cliin. When he speaks, his utter- ances are in a modulated tone, and under all circumstances he expresses himself clearly and in the choicest English. In conversation, whether upon business or social topics, he look's the person whom he is addressing straight in the eye, and has the happ\- facult)- of being a good listener as well as a good conversationalist. In his business life he has been as straight and unerring as the needle of a compass. The business of the Department, even to the minutest details, is as familiar to him as the alphabet, and that he has been a very valuable man to the Department since its inception, will be corroborated b)' ever)- Commissioner who has had the administration of its affairs. Mr. I\Ioore was born in Ireland in the year 1844, and for aught he knows is the lineal descendant of one of the five kings of which Ireland boasts. His mother departed this life at his birth, and her loss has been the one sad vein in his life's history. While }-et in infancy his father died, and the helpless little orphai: was placed under the care of a guardian, vrho, in 1S50, brought him to the United States. Ilis first home was on Classon Avenue, and it was at the public school on Ckisson Avenue that the foundation of his education \\-as laid. Subsequently, he went to live in Flatbush, where the greater part of his bo)'hood days were spent, and it «'as while living there that he attended the Polytechnic Institute, and completed his education. At the age of fifteen he entered the law office of General Crooke, at No. 3G7 Fulton Street. While he was reading Ijlackstone the Civil W'ar broke out. His love for his adopted country prompted him to enlist in the Thirteenth Regiment of Brooklyn, in which he served for three months. He reenlisted in the Seventy-first New York Regiment for nine months, and, at the expiration of that time, returned to Brook- lyn and accepted the position of Chief Clerk in the United States IMarshal's office under Anthony F. Campbell. In the latter he found a stanch friend, who placed such implicit confidence in him that not only was he entrusted with all the important papers of the office, but Mr. Campbell's private papers and bonds as well. When Mr. Camp- WILLIAM D, MOORE, Deputy Fire Commissioner. FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF, i I J bell was appointed Fire Commissioner, Mr. Sparks was the secretary of the Board. The latter resigned his position in 1871, and Mr. Moore was appointed booldceeper. He soon rose to the position of chief clerk and accountant, which position he occupied up to February, 1884, when Commissioner Poillon tendered him the position of Deputy Commissioner in recognition of his long and faithful service to the Department. From that day to the present he has filled this important trust as no other man in Brooklyni could fill it. In conjunction with Chief Nevins and one of the surgeons — constituting a Board of Examiners — he passes upon the retirement of firemen on pension. He has a warm spot in his heart for the " old fellows," who, in the earl}- daj-s of the Department, when the territories were much larger than they are now and the companies fewer, never wavered in discharge of dut)-, nor asked to be transferred to eas}' places. There are two incidents in the history of I\Ir. Moore's connection with the Depart- ment, of which he has an ever-present recollection, and \\'hich he would not forget if he could, and could not if he would. The first occurred in Februar\', 1SS4, when Com- missioner Poillon presented him with the Deputy Commissioner's badge -worn b}' himi while holding that ofSce. That badge he wears to-day, and it is the one on which he draws his pay. He values it more highly than if it were set with precious stones, for the associations connected with the giving and receiving of it will never be forgotten by either party interested therein. The second of these incidents occurred on the morning of July i, 1891. Deputy Commissioner Moore was in his office on the second floor, when Tommy Heffern came up in haste and told him Commissioner Ennis wanted to see him down-stairs forthwith. Mr. Moore had not the faintest suspicion of what he was wanted for, but when he set his foot over the threshold of the front door, ( to use an inelegant expression ) he began " to smell a mice." There was hardl}' standing room on the entire floor. Commis- sioner Ennis sat at a desk, and about him stood Chief Nevins, his assistants. Inspector Cassin, the District Engineers, the Foremen of all the companies and the clerical staff. They were all there except Tommy Heffern, and he was in the hall peeping through the door of the back room, with his handkerchief in his mouth to keep back a choking sen- sation in his throat. Commissioner Ennis advanced toward Mr. Moore and in a few well-chosen words presented his deputy with a gold watch and chain. To say that it was a surprise would not convey the proper idea of Mr. Moore's feelings. Those who stood near him saw something in his eyes which betokened tears. For the first time in his life he could not find words to express himself, but the silence was well under- stood by all. Some hours after when Mr. Moore had recovered from his surprise in a measure, he caught Tommy unawares, and to him he said : " You knew all about this ? "' " I did " said Tommy, " but I had my orders, and if I had disobeyed them my liberty would have been jeopardized." The watch was made to order by a celebrated manu- 114 OUR FIRKMKN. facturer. It is a split-second and a little silver-tongued bell strikes the hour, the half and the quarter with exact precision. On the front cover is engraved the monogram of the recipient, and on the inner case are beautifully engraved these words: "Presented to William D. Moore, Deputy Fire Commissioner, by the Executive Staff and of^cers of the Brooklyn Fire Department, as a testimonial of the high esteem in which he is held by them, July I, 1891." Mr. Moore's appreciation of tliat watch and chain cannot be told in words. It was received in the same spirit that it was given, and the memo- ries of that occasion as well as the name of every man who participated therein is engraven on the heart of the recipient. Mr. Moore resides at No. 57 Fort Greene Place, and is a member of the Eleventh Ward Democratic Association, and Post Ricard No. 362, G. A. R. < O- FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. 117 CHIEF ENGINEER THOMAS F. NEVINS. The perfect preparation of the Brooklyn Fire Department for effective fire work is a lasting monument to the fidelity and skill of Chief Engineer Thomas F. Nevins, for he has been its executive head during almost its entire existence. With the exception of its first year, it has had no other Chief ; and as that year was necessarily occupied in adapting old needs to new conditions, without the possibilitj' of attempting expansion or extended improvement, it is no disparagement to his predecessor to say that the De- partment as it stands to-day is the creation of Chief Nevins. Throughout all the changes during the past twenty-two years in \\\t personnel oi city officials, of the rank and file of the Department ; through all the successively established Boards of Fire Com- missioners; he alone has remained at this one post of duty, and has pursued one steady policy of evolving a fire department that should serve as a model for the future. To the members of the Department it must be an inspiration to see how devotion to duty and force of character can raise one from the ranks to the highest office. It may be said of Chief Nevins that he has alwaj's been a fireman ; and he has always been so good a one as never to remain long without advancement. Born in Ireland, in 1843, and removing to this country and city in infancy, he was educated at Public School No. 13, and as a j'outh learned the trade of a steam engineer in the establishment of John Jackson, on Furman Street. From bo)diood he was familiar with fire matters, and availed himself of every opportunity open to a youngster during the breezy \'olunteer days, of taking part in the duties of the firemen. At the age of eighteen he regularly joined the Volunteer Department, and immediately lent his services to the organization of Hope Flose Companj^ No. 9, of which he was made Foreman — thus rising to the top- on the first opportunity — and served in that capacity for five years. At the end of that period the hose-company was, largely through his efforts, re-organized as an engine- company, becoming Engine Company No. 9, and of this also he was made the Foreman, and served until the introduction of the Paid Department, in 1869. At the establishment of the Paid Department, there was no question whatever that this active, wide-aivake, skilful and sturdy Foreman was to have high rank in it, and he was one of the original appointees to the office of District Engineer, and was given charge of the large and important district south of Atlantic Street. Here he de- voted himself with energy to the task of getting his newly-formed companies well in hand for the work before them, himself setting them an example of courage and vigor in the duty. One year later, on the retirement of Chief Engineer Cunningham, November i, 1870, Mr. Nevins was promptly advanced from the position of District Engineer to the head of the Department. At this time he was only twenty-seven years of age, in the prime of a vigorous iiS OUR FIREMEN. manhood. Six feet in height, broad shouldered, hard muscled, active and erect, he was the ideal of a commander of a body of men devoted to dangerous dut}', physically as well as mentally. The popularity of this selection of a new Chief was great, and public ap- preciation of it was expressed in a serenade tendered by many prominent citizens, among whom were Thomas Kinsella, William C. DeVVitt, Captain P. K. Horgan, Police Cap- tain D. I'erry, Excise Commissioner James Corboy and others. Of the original engineers of the new Paid Department in l86g, a picture of whom will be found at page 68, Chief Nevins is the only one now remaining in the Depart- ment, a fact which illustrates at once his love for the calling and the necessit}' of his services. On this point — the need the Department had of this Chief — Commissioner Partridge expressed himself in 1882, at a time when the remuneration of firemen was under discussion : " In regard 1»o the Chief Engineer, I will say that his duties are arduous. He is never off duty when in the city, day or night. He has a gong over his bed and is liable to be turned out five minutes after he has turned in. He is cer- tainly a very intelligent man, and understands the workings of this Department thor- oughly and the more I see of him the more I am convinced that it would be a very hard matter to replace him." It was a rare combination of qualities that he brought to his important and responsible office when he assumed it in 1870. He not only was so good at the practical workings of the fireman's business, that a professional companion could say of him, "Taken all in all, he is the htst fireman in the United States; " but he possessed also the broader qualities which have lent effectiveness to the purely administrative features of his office. He had in abundant measure all the quickness, courage, vigor and discretion which marks the good fireman — the ability not only to do things but to see what can and what cannot be done, as well as to decide who can best do it, making him a good general on the field ; but he had besides, the qualities of a good bureau officer. From the day of his accession to the office Chief Nevins devoted himself assiduously to the improvement in discipline and general effectiveness of the men and apparatus committed to his charge ; and so immediate and striking were the results, and they were accomplished with such consideration for his subordinates, that on the occasion of his marriage, in 1874, the officers of the Department presented him with a handsome silver service, taking possession of his house for a surprise party, at which they expressed their sentiments of regard in unmeasured terms. But this private recognition had been preceded by a general public appreciation of the fact that new times had indeed come in the Fire Department. After the first sentimental regret over the jolly old volunteer days had subsided, it soon became under- stood that though there was less noise there was more accomplished. Six months after the accession of Chief Nevins, the Brooklyn Eagle was prompted, apropos of a recent manifestation of skill, to say: "The Brooklyn Fire Department of to-day is as THOMAS F. NEVINS, Chief Engineer, FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARI'ERS STAFF. 121 far superior to the old volunteer force in efficiency and ec[uipincnt as a steamship to a sailing vessel in speed. At the Prentice fire the other da)- the saving of the frame cot- tage on the same block from so fierce a conflagration was a proof of utmost efficiency. Every one who has noticed the speed with which the engines turn out on an alarm being given speaks with wondering admiration of the perfection of discipline. . . . Even the horses seem to understand their duties with an almost human intelligence. The hose seems to have forgotten how to leak. In the old times the length of hose had at least one big leak and several small ones. Now, every particle of metal work is bright, every length of hose is sound, every man and horse is prompt at his post, fully under- stands his duty, and almost before the neighbors realize that there is a fire next door to them, the water is on and the fire is got under." Such was the impression made on the public so earlj' as the month of May, 1871. But, after all, it was only the beginning of the better order of things which Chief Nevins was to develop in after years. To the average man in the community, the great change from the slouch)', unorganized methods of volunteer da}'s must have seemed very like perfection. But the skilled Icnowledge of the Chief enabled him to detect man}' particulars in which radical improvement was possible and necessary; and he has educated the public to an appreciation of the better fire-service of to-day which enables every man to see where it is better than that of 1871. An increase from twelve steam-engines and six trucks to thirt)'-four engines and twelve trucks of itself indicates a very considerable labor on the part of the Chief. There were then only nine members to a company as against twelve now : there was in the original outfit of old engines from the volunteer da\'s one " propeller " steamer which soon gave way to the more practicable horse-power; the steamers used to start from the houses with cold water in the boilers, while now the cellar apparatus keeps constant!}' in the engines a pressure of five pounds of steam. Until the Brookh'n Department began it, no one ever put three horses abreast to a hook and ladder truck. The old leather hose with which the Department started was graduall}' replaced with canvas and rubber hose, and this was got to the fires on old-time, one-horse reel-wagons, carrying about 600 feet of hose, instead of as now on two-horse hose-wagons with a capacity of 800 to 900 feet of hose. There were then none of the "Siamese connec- tions " for hose, which now combine the streams from several engines into one deluge of water capable of drowning a fire. No fire alarm telegraph then sent its instant mes- sages to the company houses, but the Department depended on the belLs from the City Hall, Sixth, Fourteenth and Sixteenth Ward Towers, which gave the Department no earlier or more definite information than the public received. Some of the bells are still runo- but not for the benefit of the Fire Department. iz>' The painstaking attention to the details which contribute to celerity in active work 122 OUR FIREMEN. is perhaps as clearly illustrated in the rearrangement of the horse stalls in the engine- houses as in any other particular. To save the time it would take a horse to back out from his stall and turn around, might seem to some a trivial matter ; but it is by close attention to such apparently slight details that the modern fireman has developed his superiority over his more careless protot)'pe to such an extent that, where the fireman of twenty odd years ago might be said to have operated " like clockwork," his more highly-trained brother of to-day goes " like watchwork-." The mere turning of the stalls from their sideway position to one facing front, and bringing the horses nearer the engine, has reduced the best time of getting out of the house in the old daj's from No. 5's time of ten, nine and one-half and eight seconds, to four seconds under favorable conditions. It was not merely for their comfort, either, that the men were made more comfortable in their quarters with improved beds and bedding. Like a well-groomed horse, a well-housed man can do better work. Six District Engineers and one Assistant to the Chief were enough to direct the operations of the early Department, while to-day two Assistant Chiefs and ten District Engineers are not too many, though each does twice as much work as in the old time. Not because the old-time District Engineer was less active, but because it required experience and an observant Chief's deductions from it, to detect that a District Enpri- neer needed a wagon ! For some time these battalion chiefs made their waj- to fires as best they could, and their degree of preparation for ef^cicnt work on arriving late at a fire on foot after a two or three mile run, as was sometimes necessary, may be imagined. With the present facilities the District Engineer is on hand as earl_y as an}-body and ready for action. The only wagon in the early da)'s of the Paid Department was the Chief's — and how Chief Nevins did make it rattle over the cobble-stones 1 It is doubt- ful if a more fearless driver, reckless of his own safety, ever whirled through the streets of any city at any time or for any purpose. He is on record as having driven from South Brooklyn, over the Bridge, to the fire of the Windsor Theatre in the Bowery, in sixteen minutes. And it is told of him that once, on his way to a fire, in passing the old headquarters house in Jay Street his horse tried to turn in there while going at full speed, and threw both the Chief and his driver to the ground. The driver fell foul, but the Chief, with characteristic skill and immunity from harm, landed on his feet and, like Richard III., cried : " Give me another horse ! " That Chief Nevins is brave as a lion, every one that ever saw him at a fire knows full well, and, while his bravery seems to the ordinary observer to be that of the reck- less man, it is rather the courage of insight and knowledge. Neither he nor the men he has put in a position of danger, have ever been cut off. What the field of battle is to a skilful general the scene of a fire is to this keenly watchful Chief— he knows where the enemy may be attacked to the best advantage and what vantage ground his FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. 125 ■men can occupy and hold. A good illustration of his superiority in this faculty of seeing what can be done was afforded by his direction of the fire of Dr. Talmage's Tabernacle many years ago. Adjoining the burning church was a shed, which seemed to the average spectator a place of especial danger and doomed to go. But the genius of the Chief told him, not only that if it did go the buildings across the street must follo\\', but also that a determined stand on that very shed would succeed in saving it. When he ordered an engine-company to hold the position, not only did the men hang back, but on-lookers protested against what seemed an order to go to sure destruction; but the instant enforcement of strict discipline, and the courageous exam- ple of going himself where he ordered his men to go, enabled the Chief to keep the firemen at this important post and save the fire from spreading. Chief Nevins is endowed with powers of endurance as well as with great courage. At the Robinson stores' fire, in 1874, he went so boldly about the place that it \\-as said of him that he fairly " ate up smoke," and he kept at it and was on his feet for thirt}--six hours continuously. His knowledge of his men, as well as his knowdedge of the details of fire-fighting, has stood him in good stead during his long career as a Chief, and has contributed not a little to giving him the well-earned reputation of being one of the very best firemen in the country, if not, indeed, without an equal at the busi- ness. It is not a hit-or-miss selection when he orders this man here and that man there, this company to hold this position and that company to do that duty; it is the skilful use of instruments of which he has acquired an intimate and perfect knowl- edge, and it is his ability to put the right men in the right place that- has gone far to demonstrate the fact that he himself is the right man in the right place. To his per- sonal credit there stands a long list of lives saved from flame and peril, and a long series of close shaves in his own experience of fire. But these are regarded by him quite as matters of course in the life of a fireman, and he consents to make ver)' little of them. Perhaps, if any criticism were to be directed at the conduct of the Department it would be in the line of too little being made of actual personal heroism. For while it is true that the brave man is the modest man, and the courageous leader of brave men is modest for them as well as for himself, yet it is none the less true that a considerable part of the satisfaction to be derived from a dangerous calling, like that of the soldier, the sailor, or the fireman, lies in the honor that attends valor shown on the field. It would be o-oing too far to suggest that a more general recognition of heroism would produce more of it. " N'ob/esse oblige" is a motto that brings a fighter, whether of fire or of a living enemy, face to face with his duty, and he does it without reference to its ever bein^ heard of. But it certainly is a fair part of the reward of heroism that the hero should be "gazetted " for bravery, and that his fellow-men should publicly know of it. The marksmen in the National Guard wear on their coat breasts the 126 OUR FIREMEN. official recognition of their skill, and the savers of human lives from awful peril and death should be honored in the same way. Chief Nevins has been from the first a leading member of the National Association of Fire Engineers, for the organization of which he was one of the signers of the origi- nal call, in 1873. He became its first treasurer and served it in that capacity for several }'ears. He was the chairman of the committee appointed to consider the adoption of a uniform size and pattern of hydrant and hose couplings. The necessity for this was demonstrated in the disastrous Chicago and Boston fires, when engines coming to the scene from neighboring towns were rendered useless, because their hose could not be fitted to the hydrants. As a result of this committee's report, the uniform couplings were immediately adopted by New York and Brooklyn, and the system spread through- out the countr}'. In politics, Chief Ne\-ins has always been a sturdy Democrat. Outside of his pro- fessional position he has not sought office, though he was, in 1S75, made the unwilling candidate of his party for the office of Sheriff of Kings County. After an exciting election the result went against him by a majority so narrow that a recount was deemed necessary to ascertain the actual facts. As a Chief Engineer he has met with the unqualified praise of his fellow-citizens and his professional brethren. The secretary of the National Association, speaking feelingly of his devotion and constant attendance at its meetings, says : " I consider Thomas F. Nevins a fii'st-class Chief, a good fireman, and a warm friend, and too much cannot be said in his praise." And the verdict of the "jury of the vicinage " is thus expressed in the columns of the Brooklyn Eagle: "Fidelity to the trust reposed in him, cool judgment in the midst of the danger the performance of that trust involves, and high and chivalrous courage in the defence of our property and our lives, characterize Chief Nevins' performance of his duty." And at another time : " As Chief of the Fire Department of this cit}', Mr. Nevins has distinguished himself for courage, presence of mind, skill in the management of men and a delicate regard for the property and rights of our citizens." An expert estimate of his abilities was thus given in a journal devoted to the interests of firemen : " He has managed a great number of fires, notabl}' those in factories and storage warehouses, such as require the highest skill and nerve on the part of a Chief Engineer. He is active, energetic, self-possessed and cool. In the executive management of his office he is prompt and efficient, and has no superior in the discharge of his duties at a fire. Clear-headed and earnest, by his example and efforts he gives efficiency to the entire service." CANICE CASSIN, Inspector. FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. 129. INSPECTOR CANTCE CASSIN. Inspector Canice Cassin was born in the Count)' Kilkenny, Ireland, on the 1st of May, 1842. After the death of his father in 1850, he came to this country with his mother, who took up her residence in the Fouth Ward, New York City. Six months later the family moved to Brooklyn and located in the Second Ward, and he was sent to Public School No. 7, in York Street, where he continued his studies until he was eleven years of age. His first start in Hfe was as a clerk in a market at the corner of Concord and Fulton- Streets, but the work was not congenial to his taste and he gave it up to learn the coop- er's trade. In 1S6S he was appointed keeper in the King's County penitentiary, a position he held under W^ardens McNeely, Cunningham and Shevlin, until 1873, when he went into the sewing-machine business with his brother. He was a volunteer fireman from 1863 to 1869 and did active duty with Union Engine Company No. 5. On March 3, 1886, Mr. Cassin was appointed a member of the Fire Department and detailed as secretary at headquarters. On October 4, 1888, he became the first Inspector of the uniformed force, which position he now holds. At the time of his appointment to the office of Inspector, the uniforms of the men were made of all grades and qualities of cloth and their general appearance was anything but creditable. He set about at once to improve the appearance of the men. His first step was to find a contractor who could furnish cloth that was suitable in weight, color and quality, for summer and winter uni- forms. Having succeeded in this, a rule was made requiring the tailors who made uni- forms to purchase the cloth from the Department supply store. As a result of this new order of things, the appearance of the men has been improved seventy-five per cent, in the cut, make and material of their uniforms. A marked improvement in the fur- nishing of the companies' quarters has also taken place since he took charge of this branch of the Department. The office of Inspector is by no means a sinecure, but rather one which involves many cares and responsibilities. When Commissioner Ennis created the ofiice and made the appointment he knew that in Mr. Cassin he had the man with the ability to cope with these cares and responsibilities, and he has since had am- ple reason to confirm that belief. Requisitions are made upon Mr. Cassin for all sup- plies needed by the companies, and it is he who personally inspects and passes upon all goods furnished by the contractors. Mr. Cassin ranks as a District Engineer, and at any fire of importance can be found ready to take an active part in saving life or property. At the Wallabout Market fire, it was he who saved the life of Foreman Murray, then in command of Engine No. 10, but now in charge of Hook and Ladder No. 10. He is known in the Department as a very watchful and exceedingly useful man around a fire. 130 OUR FIREMEN. Inspector Cassin is a member of the David B. Hill Club No. i of the Fifteenth Ward, and a member and stockholder in the Thomas Jefferson Club. His name is on the membership roll of the Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association, and the Volunteer Firemen's Association of the Western District. He wears a handsome gold watch and chain. On the inner case of the watch is inscribed, " Presented to Canice Cassin by his associates of the Fifteenth Ward Democratic Association, July 14, 18SS." He lias been treasurer of the Fifteenth Ward Campaign Club for the past ten years, and lias the re- putation of being a first-class collector. Around election time, as he walks through the street, business men who do not affiliate with Mr. Cassin's party, inquire if he has his " red-book" with him. It means a subscription to the campaign fund every time. Flis Christian name, Canice, is one seldom heard. It was that of his grandfather, who was named after St. Canice, and in the County Kilkenny there is a church of that name. There are those among his intimate friends who insist upon calling him Den- nis, and he enjoys the joke. Mr. Cassin enjoys the confidence of Jiis superiors in rank, and the respect of every man on the working force. In a nut-shell, he is a "mighty good fellow." FIRE MARSHAL BENJAMIN LEWIS. Fire Marshal Benjamin Le^\'is was born in Cardiff, South Whales, about fift}' }'ears ago. His father was an officer in the Ro}-al Navy and afterwards commanded one of the large steamers plying between New York and Liverpool. Benjamin did not inlierit his father's taste for salt water, except to cross the Atlantic, when he was shipwrecked and final!}- landed in Brook])-n, in 1853. He ^\"as then placed in John Murray's stoneyard, corner of Columbia and Harrison Streets, and remained there until 1858. Owing to the death of his father, he had to pick up his education the best way he could, and attended Evening Public Scliool No. 6. Having saved a little money, he devoted the same to pay for a 3'ear's tuition at Nugent's Com- mercial College, corner of Montague and Court Streets. He then \\-ent to California, and from there to the Indian Territory, remaining among the Apache Indians some eight months, prospecting and mining. It was at this time that he came near losing his life, by being stabbed by a skulking Indian in the neck and leg, while he was asleep. He wears the scars to this day. Leaving that country, he came back to Brookl^-n and accepted a position in the wholesale house of A. T. Stewart & Co., remaining with this firm about eight months. During the war he was appointed superintendent of the Enrolling Department of New York. This position he kept until the war was ended, when he engaged in the fire insurance business on Montague Street and under the name of Benjamin Lewis, Son & Frear, founded what has become one of the most " >\. BENJAMIN LEWIS, Fire Marshal. FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. 133 prosperous insurance houses in Brooklyn. It is now conducted b)' his son. Mr. Lewis has built several houses in Brooklyn, among which is the Grand Opera House, and is largely interested in mining matters. Ke is one of the oldest members of Delta Lodge No. 451 of Free and Accepted Masons, and presided over their deliberations for five j-ears, and for two )-ears was president of the IMasonic Mutual Relief Association. He is also a member of Fort Greene Council, Ro}'al Arcanum, and many other organiza- tions. Mr. Lewis has been Fire Marshal of Brooklyn about seven j'ears and according to the records has been very successful in having convicted some of the worst class of incendiaries. During the year 1 89 1, by and through his persistent efforts, no less than ten persons confessed to him to having set various places on fire, and are now doing prison service. ]\Ir. Lewis is often called upon to arbitrate upon differences arising among business men and others, and in all his decisions no one has ever ques- tioned his absolute impartiality. He is a man of strong individuality and execu- tive abilit\", commanding the highest respect among the thousands of friends and acquaintances which he has in this city, and has been the recipient of many testimonials of their appreciation and high esteem. Mr. Lewis has many friends who are bound to him by strong ties of gratitude for ver}' considerable favors and services, such as his essentially benevolent nature delights in conferring. No honest appeal for charity or help in trouble that he could give was ever refused. A notable instance of this was in the case of Alfred Foster, a tobacco- nist, who was convicted in a case involving the stamping of cigar boxes. The case was one of peculiar hardship and many influential Brooklynites endeavored to procure a pardon from the President, but were not successful. Mr. Lewis at last interested him- self in the case, and presented the matter to President Grant so forcibly that the latter assured him that on confirmation by the Attorney General of Mr. Lewis's statement of the facts, the pardon should be granted. A few days later an unconditional pardon crowned this benevolent mission with success. Mr. Lewis is, like many other members of the Fire Department, a life saver, though his triumphs in this line have been over water rather than fire. Fourteen persons, among them Judge Roger A. Pryor, owe their lives to his bravery and skill in rescuing them from drowning. 134 OUR FIREMEN. ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER JAMES DALE. -- ^ ' ;.•■■;.■, James Dale, the senior Assistant Ciiief Engineer, has been doing fire duty since he was a boy, and has been accumulating experience and honors for the past thirty years. He was born in South Amboy, N. J., June ii, 1841, lived in New York after the age of nine and. was 'educated in its public schools. While he was employed on various steamboats on the North River, he joined, at the very early age of eighteen, Hudson Hose Company No. 21, of the New York Eire; department, located on Wash- ington Street, betweun Reade and Duane. On account of the light water-pressure in that vicinity and the tremendous interests to be protected from fire, the hose-company was, soon after his joining it, organized as Hudson River Engine Company No. 53, and furnished with a steamer, Mr. Dale being made the engineer and holding that position during the whole term of his connection with the company ; being, indeed, the only engineer the company ever had. For, as the result of numerous lively and serious collisions between No. 53 and its pet rival, No. 40, located at Broadway and Courtland Street, the services of both companies were dispensed with by the authorities of the Department. About this time the services of a good engineer were sought by Pacific Engine Company No. 14, of the Brooklyn Department, one of the most influential com- panies in the city, the Foreman of which was Fred S. Massey, afterwards president of the first C^wniission under the reorganization of 1869. Massey, Evans and William A. Fowler were the committ'ee-iippointed to select the new engineer, and, having heard of Mr. Dale, they sent word to him to call at the engine-house, in Pierrepont Street, near Fulton. When he came, Mr. Mackin, the waggish member of the company, met .him at the door, and learning that he was a candidate for the position, he asked ; " Are you an engineer ? " "Well, a kind of a one," was Mr. Dale's reply. "I guess they djiin't want you," respopded Mackin ; " that's the kind of a one they have got now." jDale was a good fellow as well as a good engineer, and he joined in the general laugh, ■'and then proceeded to show the committee that what he did not know about the duties 7of an engineer was not worth knowing, and so effectively that they paid him a month's salary in advance of his going to work and regularly increased his pay beyond what the city allowed for that purpose. He took charge of the new steamer January I, 1865, and continued to care for it until the days of the new Department. The confidence of the Department authorities in this company gave to No. 14 the post of honor at fires, and led to its being called on oftener than any other company, even to distant points,, which, while it caused some little jealousy on the part of other companies, gave the engineer the best of opportunities for acquiring experience in the management of fires, and brought him near to Chief Cunningham, with whom he becam.e great friends and by whom his quiet suggestions while on dut)^ were almost invariably adopted. When JAMES DALE, Assistant Chief Enp-ine FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEADQUARTERS STAFF. i37 the new Department was organized, and Foreman Massey was made Commissioner, Engineer Dale was made Foreman of No. 5, which occupied No. 14's old quarters on, Pierrepont Street. The dut)' during his term as Foreman took his company from the Navy Yard to Gowanus and sometimes to the E. D., but it was performed without a murmur, and so well that when there was a vacancy among the District Engineers, it was given to Mr. Dale, January 18, 1872. His district embraced the whole of Gowanus, the Erie and Atlantic Basins, indeed, all South Brooklyn, and yet he covered it without the use of a conveyance. He did not get a wagon until, when District Engineer Far- ley was laid up with a shattered leg, Mr. Dale offered to cover his district for him, and the double duty which he performed until Farley's recovery rendered a conveyance necessary. Many acts of bravery, coolness and good judgment characterized his ser- vice as District Engineer, and on the retirement, August i, 1890, of Assistant Chief John W. Smith, ]\Ir. Dale was appointed to succeed him. To this position he brought experience, fidelity, the endurance of a strong man in the prime of life and a degree of devotion to duty which makes absence from it as rare as is compatible with healthy recreation. One of the red-letter days in the year to him is the annual excur- sion and dinner of the " Lobster Club," of which he is "Chief Lobster," and Mr. W. Metelski is president. Not long ago Mr. Dale was presented b)- the members of the club with a handsome badge in the shape of a " lobster " which contains twenty dia- monds. ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER JOHN H. PERRY. The junior Assistant Chief Engineer is John H. Perry, whose special jurisdiction is over the operations in the Eastern District of Brooklyn. Chief Perry is well along in years and consequently in experience, and he is a splendid specimen of the fine, grizzled veteran, combining the best traditions of old times and the best training in the ad- vanced professional knowledge of the present. His sixty years have all been spent in this city, where he was born in 1832. Of that period about forty years have been de- voted to fire duty, of which it is doubtful if any member of the Department has seen more than this doughty chief. In his early days he was a member of Protection Engine Co. No. 2, of the Wil- liamsburg Department; but he left this company, together with George H. Bennet, Alfred Wallet, and others, to organize Friendship Hose No. 3, at one time located in the house on North Third Street, now occupied by him as an official headquarters. It was with this company that Chief Perry's career as a volunteer fireman was especially identified. He was highly esteemed and trusted by his comrades in the company, and any position in their gift was his to take if he would ; but he never would accept any- thing higher than the position of Assistant Foreman, which he filled most creditably for 13S UUR FIRK-MKN. a lonrr term of 3'oars. In 1864, while still a member of Hose 3, he was solicited by his friends to become a candidate for the ofTice of Fire Commissioner — the firemen in tliose da}-s luu-iny- the election of these officers. Party feeling ran high, but after a storm)- meeting in Firemen's Idall, on South Second Street, during wdiich the lights were extinguished and violence was threatened, Mr. Perr}' ^\■as elected. Throughout his scr- \'ice in this capaeit)- his s}'mi)ath}' feirhis okl comrades led to his so befriending them in e\'er}' \\'a\' that came within the scope of a Commissioner's duty, as to win their respect and regard. But the emoluments of the office consisted onl)' of work and honor, and the particular re\"olution of the wheel of fortune that coincided \\-ith this period of Mr. Perry's life rendered an income desirable. He therefore resigned the Commissionership and became one of the six bell-ringers wdio aroused sleeping Whliiami-burg wdien a fire broke out, and remained at that dut}- until the organization of the Paid Department. The pressure for a[3pointments at this time resulted in his displacement ; but he had in the then Assistant Chief, John W. Smith, a good friend and one who knew cif his C-xcel- lent work as a \'olunteer fireman, and at his instance Mr. Perrj- A\'as re-a.ppoiiited a bell-ringer b}' Commissioner Worth, in 1S82. This was regarded b)' them all as oiilj' a temporar)' arrangement until the way should be opened for something Ijetter; and the opportunit}- came wdien District Engineer Charles IMcOueen)- of the TIdi'd District, after an illness which had kept him from dut)' for nearl)' a year, died, and Air. Perr)' was promptl)- appointed b)' the Commissioner to succeed him: B)- tire necessar)- transfers Mr. Perr)' «-as then assigned to the Si.xth District, -where his special familiarit\- \\-ith the affairs of the Eastern District ga\'e the fullest phi)- to his \-aluabie qualities and e.xperi- ei-ice. Pd-on-i tliat tin-ie on, this has beei-i the scene of his labors for the Department. Nothing could be more admirable than his handling of his district, and his reputation as a District Engineer was steadih' increased b)- his course. Ai-idi wlieii the wa^' became open for further promotion he got it. The retirement of Ex-Assistant Chief Engineer Smith, and the succession to his office of the present Assistant Chief Dale, left the De- partment without a superior officer who was resident in the Eastern District. And the rapid and considerable extension of the fite limits -with the extraordinar)' growth of the city not onl)- rendered some such arrangement necessai-)-, but also pjointed clear!)- to the desirability of a second Assistant Chief. After careful consideration of the subject b)' the Commissioner and approval on the part of the Ma)-or, the office was created, and District Engineer Perry was selected to fill it and was appointed on P'ebruar)- I, 1892. The best wishes of the entire Department accompanied him as he assumed his higher honors. During his earlier days Mr. Perry was engaged in the manufacture of fancy soaps, but the unfavorable effect on the business of the war led to its abandonment, and he took to "heaving the wheel" in a Williamsburg rope-walk, where Ex-Assistant Chief Smith J -^ J JOHN H. PERRY, Assistant Chief Engineer. FIRE COMMISSIONER, CHIEF ENGINEER AND HEAHQUARTERS STAFF. 141 was one of his companions in toil. Later he worked in tlie Navy Yard in the carpenters' department as a ship-fastener, and became so proficient at liis duties as to be made fore- man, or quarterman. But politics and hard kicking against his good discipline, which was not popular during war times among the influential appointees of political leaders, precluded the tenure of such a place for a man who had no other view of his duty than to do his work well and make his subordinates do the same. Indeed, until he found himself in a position where " Brooklyn expects every man to do his dut)-," he never became congenially employed. Now that he is in such a position, however, he takes and gives immense satisfaction in doing his duty right up to the handle. EX-ASSISTANT CHIEF ENGINEER JOHN W. SMITH. The career of John \V. Smith, E.x-Assistant Chief Engineer of the present Depart- ment and E.x-Chief of the E. D. Volunteer Department, illustrates the truth of the adage that " There is always room at the top ; " for he has generally found his place at the top and kept it, through all his long experience as a fireman. Born in Newburgh, N. Y., in 1S34, and educated in New York, where as a youth he was employed in the printing-office of Gordon, afterwards the press-builder, his first connection with fire matters was as a " runner " with Tradesmen No. 12, of the New York Department, where he did his share in the " scrimmages " precipitated by these ardent }-oungsters. At the age of twenty he joined the Phenix Hose No. 22. In 1856, being emplo}'ed as a compositor on a Williamsburgh paper, he moved to that city and joined Friendship Hose No. 3, of Avhich he soon became Assistant Foreman. In January, 1862, the Representa- tives elected him Fire Warden, over the Foreman of one of the largest engine-companies, who had been the nominee of a previous caucus, his election being a factor in breaking up a ring that had controlled the Department. Re-elected in 1865, he was, in 1867, before the expiration of his second term of three years, chosen Assistant Engineer of the Department. In the meantime he had organized Americus Flook and Ladder No. 2, and was made its Foreman. At the annual election of 1868 he was a candidate for Chief Engineer against Rodney Thursby, son-in-law of Martin Kalbfleisch, then Mayor of Brooklyn, and a good deal depended, politically, on the election of the latter; but Smith was elected Chief by a majority of fifty votes. This made him cx-officio a member of the Board of Estimate of the city, during the year that ensued previous to the ofo-anization of the Paid Department in 1869. . One of the first acts of the Commis- sioners of the new Department was to appoint John Cunningham Chief Engineer and John W. Smith Assistant Chief, in May, 1869, five months previous to the appointment of the rest of the Department. Assistant Chief Smith had hard work to cover the Eastern District with inadequate means, and in the occasional absences of the Chief he was in charge of the whole Department. Some painful accidents fell to his lot. A 142 OUR FIREMEN. fall through a hatchway at a fire in Hardenburgh's carpet store in December, 1883, laid him up for three months. Another two months off duty was the result of a twisted leg and sprained ankle caused by his being thrown from a ladder at a car factory fire in April, 1890. This last accident satisfied him that it was time for him to relinquish the active duties of his position to a younger man, and about this time he was offered the position of inspector of fire appliances, fire patrols and water supply in the United States, for the National Board of Fire Underwriters ; so after a month's furlough from dut}', he was honorably retired from his position as Assistant Chief Engineer, August i, iSgo. The appreciation it: which lie was held by his comrades in the Department was evidenced by the presentation to him, by a subscription headed by Chief Nevins, fol- lowed by every member of the Department, of a magnificent service of silver, accom- panied with a handsome set of resolutions, which were formally handed to him during a testimonial dinner at the Clarendon Hotel, in 1891. As Inspector for the under- writers he visited every important city in the country, about one hundred and twenty- five in all, and his reports were exceedingly valuable. His report on New Orleans, in the words of a prominent underwriter, " went to the bottom of the whole subject," and resulted in the adoption there of a paid Department. The amount of travel involved in this duty, however, proved more than, at his years, was advisable, and in December, 1 89 1, he tendered his resignation, which was accepted by the underwriters with great jeszret. JOHN W. SMITH, Ex-As8,stant Chief Eng,neen. CHAPTER VII. FIRE HEADQUARTERS STAFF, ETC., (Continued). Veterinary Surgeon Heard— Surgeon Robbins— Surgeon Smith— Assistant Inspector Flvnn — Superintendent Watson — Superintendent Nevins— Ex-Superintendent Lynch— Foremen McGronen, Kellock, Birck, Norton, Shute, Brennan, Campbell, Burns— Assistant Foremen Nash, Soden, Heffern, Harris — Firfmfn Detailed — The Telegraph Bureau. DWARD H. HEARD, the Veterinary Surgeon of the Depart- ment, was born in the County Clare, Ireland, on Hallowe'en night, 1844, and with his parents came to this country one year later. His father, who was County Inspector of Constabu- lar}-, in Ireland, died in this country in 1S87. In 1858, young Edward, having obtained all the education which the common J schools afforded, and being a great lover of horses, was sent ^r"; to stud)' for a surgeon, at the Veterinary College in Edinboro, Scotland, from which institution he graduated four years later, with the title of M. R. C. V. S. E. On his return to Amer- ica, he took up his profession in New York City, remaining up to 1871. In that year. Dr. Heard went to Parkville and set up a training and veterinary establishment. Breed- ers of trotting horses found in him just the man they wanted to develop and bring out their young stock, and to give medical and surgical aid to the ailing ones, and it was not long before this rising young veterinary had more business than he could well attend to. He was a first-class driver as well as a good trainer, and gave many a young horse his fastest record. He sat in the sulky when " Harry Gilbert " made a mile in 2:24; when " Ellen Mary " circled the course in 2:30 ; and when " Phil " trotted a mile heat in 2:23i/{. In those days "Blind Tom" had the fastest record as a pacer. Dr. Heard had in his 146 OUR FIREMEN. stable that famous young pacer, " Rowdy Boy," who was afterward known from Alaine to CaHfornia, with whom he hoped to break the record of " Bhnd Tom." He did not succeed in doing this, however, but captured the next fastest record, which was 2:12,%. He gave " Parole " his record of 2:26 ; " Whitestonc " 2 ;35 ; " Sophia " 2 134 ; and drove man).' other )'oung horses when they made creditable records for themselves. Dr. Heard opened the first Jiotel on the Brooklyn Boulevard. It was known as the " Club House," and became the resort of all the noted sporting men of the country. Later on he became the proprietor of the " Hawthorne House," which was equally as well patronized. In 1886, he passed a civil service examination for the position of veterinary surgeon to the Fire Department, and out of eleven applicants was the suc- cessful competitor. Dr. Heard is married, and lives at No. 474 Ninth Street. His love for animals has increased as the years have come and gone, and he is now the proud possessor of many fine and valuable horses. He is a member of the Constitution Club; the Twenty-second Ward Democratic Club; the Prospect Club; the Varuna Boat Club, and many other well-known clubs. He is likewise a member of the National Provident Union ; Court United, A. O. F., and the American Legion of Honor. SURGEON NATHANIEL A. ROBBINS. Dr. Nathaniel A. Robbins, the senior Surgeon of the Fire Department, was born in Salem, Mass., in the 3'ear 1840. He studied medicine with the late Dr. Pierson, of that city, and afterward went through a course of studies at the Harvard Medical Col- lege, from which he was graduated with high honors in the year 1864. During the war, he served in a medical capacity on the United States barque, " Gemsbok," and later entered the army as assistant surgeon, and for several months was on the Retiring Board. When the war ended Dr. Robbins came to Brookh-n and took up the practice of his profession, which has since grown to be a very lucrative one. For many years he was surgeon of the Brooklyn Cit\' Dispensary. In 1884 he was appointed Surgeon in the Fire Department, and since that time has e.xamined man)- thousand applicants for membership in that Department. At present he is examiner for the Mutual Life Association of America, and also for tlie I^rovident Fund Society. He is a «'ell-known man in Brooklyn, both socially and professionally, and during the period of his connec- tion with the Department has gained the good-will of both officers and men in the Western District companies. He resides at No. 94 Pineapple Street. His brother, Brigadier-General Charles A. Robbins, was for many )-ears Inspector of Rifle Practice on the governor's staff. SURGEON JOSEni E. SMITH. Dr. Joseph E. Smith, Surgeon for the Fire Department in the Eastern District, was born in the Fourteenth Ward, on the loth da)- of Alarch, 1S53. After receiving a pre- y EDWARD H. HEARD, M. R. C. V. S. E., Veterinary Surgeon. FIRE HEADQUARTERS STAFF, ETC., (Continued). i49 liminary education at the public schools in Williamsburgh, he took a medical course at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated on March lo, 1875. He began the practice of his profession in the Nineteenth Ward, in which, during the past fifteen years, he has acquired a very extensive and lucrative private practice. He has for many )-ears been a member of the King's County Medical Society, and is visiting physician to St. Mary's Hospital. Dr. Smith was the first man appointed under the civil service rules for the office of Surgeon of the Depart- ment, to which position he was appointed March 31, 1886. He is highly esteemed among the Eastern District firemen, and has the kindest regards of the officials of the Department. In the social world he has a host of friends, and in professional circles ranks among the first. ASSISTANT INSPECTOR JAMES H. FLYNN. James H. Flynn, the Assistant Inspector of the Department, was born in Ireland in the year 1S45. When he was nine years old his parents came to this country and established their first home in the Fourth Ward of the City of New York. He attended the parochial and public schools until 1S56, when the family removed to Brooklyn and settled in the Seventh Ward, in which ward Mr. Flynn has ever since resided. When he reached the age of seventeen, he left school and went to work in an oil house on Water Street, in the city of New York. One year later he secured the position of draftsman in the United States Coast Survey service, where he remained for three years. In the capacity of a surveyor he travelled all over the United States and gained an experience which could only be acquired by personal observation. Sub- sequently he became superintendent for the firm of Root & Connell, No. 134 Water Street. In 1870, William A. Fowler, then President of the Water Board, appointed Mr. Flynn on the Water Surveyor's staff. In 1872 he was appointed In.spector of New Streets, and later general superintendent of all repairs in the city, except street repairs. Commissioner of Public Works John W. Flaherty was in politics an Independent Democrat, and Mr. Flynn was a straight out and out party man. Both men had been friends for years. The time came when Mr. Flynn was called upon to vote the Inde- pendent ticket, but he declined. It was a question of principle with him, and he sacri- ficed his position in the Public Works Department, although he could not well afford to do so, to maintain that principle. He soon found employment with the Metropolitan Washing Machine Company in New York City, and continued in that line of employ- ment until he was appointed an officer in Judge Henry A. Moore's court. For four- teen years he filled that position conscientiously and faithfully, and resigned from it in the early part of the year 1892 to accept the position of Assistant Inspector of the uni- 150 OUR FIREMEN. formed force of the Fire Department. In this position, his duties are to ascertain the origin of all the fires and the probable losses attached thereto. While a resident of the Fourth Ward of New York City, he became a member of Hose Company No. lo. He is an active member of the Seventh Ward Democratic Association, the Thomas Jefferson Club, the Catholic Benevolent Legion, a charter member and trustee of the Andrew Jackson Club of the Seventh Ward, and for the past twenty-three years has been a member of the Democratic General Committee. As a member of this committee, he was presented by his colleagues at a meeting held in March, i8So, with a handsome gold watch and chain, as a token of their esteem. At a dinner tendered him by the citizens of the Seventh Ward on the evening of Dec. 21, 1891, at which the heads of the several Departments of the city and about two hundred prominent citizens of that ward were present, Mr. Flynn was made the recipient of a very handsome diamond badge, which in design and workmanship it would be difficult to excel. On the centre of a heavy solid gold shield is a circle of gold and blue enamel on which is the inscription " James H. Flynn, Assistant Inspector." In the centre of the circle is a monogram of red, white and blue enamel. The front of the badge is ornamented with a gold eagle with diamond e)-es, an axe of silver and gold, a gold trumpet, t\vo ladders crossed, two sections of hose with pipes attached, one diamond weighing three carats, and two others weighing two carats each. On the reverse side of the badge is engraved "Presented to James H. Flynn, Dec. 22, 1891, by his friends of the Seventh Ward, Brooklyn, N. Y." In 1858 Mr. Flynn married Miss Mary Lewis, who presides over his home at No. 218 Fraukhn Avenue. He started life without a penny, and by perseverance, strict attention to duty, and an ever kindly feeling for his fellow-men, he has attained a posi- tion where he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. PRESCOTT L. ^V.\TSON. Superintendent of Telegraph. During the last twelve years the telegraph bureau of the Fire Department has been under the management of Prescott L. Watson. His skill and practical knowledge of electrical appliances has enabled him to graduall}' develop in the fire-alarm depart- ment one of the finest systems in operation upon the continent. Mr. Watson was born in Wilmington, Vt., Nov. 5, 1848. . Although orphaned in early bojdiood, he obtained for himself an education at Wilbraham, Mass., and at Amherst College, Mass. In 1867 he secured a position in the book-keeping department of the Western Union Telegraph Company. He was promoted to the auditing department, and. in 1869, he was placed in charge of the manufactoiy and storehouse of the company at Fifty-fifth Street and North River. It was in the latter position that he acquired his first knov/1- NATHANIEL A. BOBBINS, M. D.. Surgeon. FIRE HEADQUARTERS STAFF, ETC., (Continued). iS3 edge of electrical appliances. With a view to making himself more proficient he took a course of instruction in telegraphy at the Cooper Institute night school, from which he graduated and received a diploma for proficiency in telegraph operating. In 1872, the American District Telegraph Company and the Western Union Compan}' consolidated, and Mr. Watson was placed in charge of a telegraph office on Broadway, New York, where he remained one year. The same year he was transferred to Brooklyn and was placed in charge of thirteen district oflices of the Western Union Company, a position he held for five years. In 1878-9 he served as Inspector of Contracts and Supplies. On ]\Iarch 2, 1881, he was appointed a telegraph operator in the Brookl)-n Fire Department b)' Commissioner Jacob Worth. He was reappointed b}- Commissioner Partridge, Feb. 21, 1882, and was made Inspector of Telegraph. On Sept. 6, 1883, he was made Acting-Superintendent and was appointed Superintendent, Nov. 22, 1S83. A number of important and acceptable changes have been wrought in the tele- graph department b}' Superintendent Watson. He was instrumental in having the Citj' Hall bell worked by electricity and he superintended the placing of alarm gongs in the engine and truck houses. JAMES T. WAFER. Inspector of Fire Boxes. James T. Wafer, the Inspector of Fire Boxes and Engine House Telegraph S)'stem, is one of the best informed men in that line of business in the country. Beside being an expert operator, he has a general knowledge of fire-alarm systems. He was born in Brookh-n, Sept. 15, 1857, and received his education at the public schools. At the age of fourteen he was employed as a messenger by the Bankers' and Brokers' Telegraph Company. There he displayed an aptness for the business rarely found in a boy of his years, and it was not long before he could receive and send messages correctly and rap- idly. He accepted a position as operator with the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company, and a couple of years later found more lucrative employment with the West- ern Union Company. He advanced rapidly with this company, and at the time of the telegraph strike in 1883, he was manager of the Western Union office in the Oil Exchange. He was one of the telegraph reporters of the New York Stock Exchange, when Commissioner Ennis, on Aug. i, 1888, appointed him Inspector of Telegraph of the Brooklyn Fire Department. This position he has since filled with credit to him- self and with entire satisfaction to his superiors in of^ce. PATRICK KEVINS. Superintendent of Repair-Shops. Patrick Nevins, Superintendent of the Repair-shops of the Fire Department, was born in New York City on Dec. 27, 1852. He attended St. Mary's parochial school and 154 OUR FIREMEN. public school No. 27. At the age of sixteen he apprenticed himself to the firm of Sleight & Hughes, from whose shops he graduated as a first-class engineer and machin- ist and accepted the position of engineer in a large shop on Commerce Street. In the meantime, Mr. Nevins had taken up his residence in Brooklyn. In 1876 his standing as a skilled workman secured for him a position in the Repair-shops of the Fire Depart- ment, from which position he was promoted to Superintendent in April, 1891. He is a brother of Chief Engineer Nevins and lives at No. 124 DeKalb Avenue. JAMES LYNCH. Late Siip€ri)itc)idc)it Repair-Shops. James Lynch, the late Superintendent of the Department Repair-shop, was born in Ireland in the year 1832. His parents emigrated to America in 1836, and settled in Brooklyn. While quite a young lad he apprenticed himself to the Burdon Iron Works Company, and by his zeal and industry soon worked himself up to the position of assist- ant foreman of the establishment. He was an active member of the Brooklyn Fire Department for over thirty-five years, having connected himself in 1 850 with old Con- stitution Engine Company No. 7, of which he became Foreman six years later, remaining in command until 1S61, and during that period made it the crack company of the Volunteer Department. Mr. Lynch was elected an Alderman from the Fifth Ward in 1862, but after si.x months' service to the city in that capacity he resigned to take the office of City Auditor. He remained an active member of No. 7, while holding political office, and took a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare and good-fellowship of that company. When the present Department was inaugurated, Mr. Lynch was appointed Superintendent of the Repair-shops, with the rank of Foreman, a position he creditably filled up to the time of his death, which occurred on April 25, 1891. As a machinist and practical engineer for a number of years, he became an expert in the repairing of any portion of a steam-engine, and his knowledge of the business enabled him to control intelligently the large corps of detailed men under him. FOREMAN JOHN MCGRONEN. Har)iess-Shop. Foreman John McGronen, detailed in charge of Harness-shop, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, on the 24th day of June, 1827. Notwithstanding the fact that he has nearly reached the age of three-score and ten and is one of the oldest men in the service, he is still as active as many a younger man in the Department. Educated in the schools of the old country he came to America in 1846, and settled in New York City, where he opened a harness-shop. He joined the New York Volunteer Fire Department in 185 1, and was a member of Clinton Hose No. 17; Friendship Hook and Ladder No. 12; JOSEPH E. SMITH, M. D., Surgeon. FIRE HEADQUARTERS STAFF, ETC, (Continued). iS7 Liberty Hose No. lo, and United States Engine No. 23, at different times. When the Paid Department was organized in that city, he was put in charge of the Harness-shop, remaining in that position until the organization of the Brooklyn Fire Department in i86g, when he removed to this city, and was made a Foreman and detailed in charge of the Harness-shop of the Brooklyn Department. This position he now fills to entire satisfaction to those in authority. Mr. McGronen is married and lives at No. 364 Fourth Street, South Brooklyn. JAMES KELLOCK. Superintendeiit of Bureau of Cofuhustibles. Foreman James Kellock, detailed as Superintendent of the Bureau of Combustibles at Fire Headquarters, was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, on the 15th day of Nov., 1S48. In 1 85 1 he came with his parents to Brooklyn. After six years in Public School No. 7, he was, at the age of eleven, sent to the glass-house on Plymouth Street to learn the trade of a glass-blower, at which business he continued until he was twenty-three years of age. Since 1S60, he has lived in the Seventeenth Ward, Greenpoint. In the days of the Volunteer Department, he was an active member of Ridgewood Hose Company No. 7, of Greenpoint. He was appointed a member of the new Department Feb. 2, 1871, and assigned to Hook and Ladder Company No. 6. In July, 1882, Commissioner Partridge detailed him to the Bureau of Combustibles as an Inspector. The Superin- tendent of that bureau, Charles E. Miles, died July 20, 1883, and three days later, Mr. Kellock was detailed as Acting-Superintendent of the bureau. On July i, 1885, Commis- sioner Richard H. Poillon promoted him to the grade of Foreman and made him Superintendent of the bureau, his present position. In the winter of 1872, at a fire in IngersoU's chair factory, in Greenpoint, Mr. Kellock was crushed between the falling beams of a floor which gave way under him, and was so badly injured that it was nearly two months before he was again able to do active duty. For five years he has been the president of the "Greenpoint Burns Club," which on the 25th of January in each year celebrates the anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns. Mr. Kellock is also a prominent member of the Seventeenth Ward Democratic Club. FOREMAN PETER W. BIRCK. Foreman of Detailed Meelianics. Foreman Peter W. Birck, Foreman of Detailed Mechanics, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sept. 26, 1832. His parents came to America, during his infancy, coming to Brooklyn when he was sixteen, settling on a comfortable little place on the old Clove Road. Young Peter attended the Flatbush Academy until the first public school in Flatbush was opened. His father was a printer by trade, and Peter ir,8 OUR FIREMEN. worked on a farm during the spring and summer months. At seventeen he went to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he served his time. In 1862 he enhsted in Company H., ist New Yorl< Engineers, and served in the army until the close of the war, when he returned to Brooklyn and again took up his trade. In 1872 he was appointed an Inspector in the Building Bureau, and the next year was promoted to the grade of Foreman. When the Commissioners were reduced to three, Mr. Birck was discharged from the Department without cause. He was re-instated, however, and remained in the Department until 1880, when, under the " Singlediead " Commission, he was discharged for political reasons. Mr. Birck carried the matter into the courts under the " Schroeder Act," which provided that no member of the uniformed force should be discharged without cause. The suit was decided in his favor, and he was re-instated in his old position of Foreman of Detailed Mechanics, which he still holds. Mr. Birck organized the Carpenters' Union in Brooklyn in 1868, and is now the second vice-president of the National Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. He lives in the Twenty-fourth, formerly the Ninth Ward, where he has resided since 1849. FOREMAN EDWARD J. NORTON, Clerk. Foreman Edward J. Norton, detailed to clerical work at Fire Headquarters, was born in England, April 11, 1854. His family removed to this country in 1865 and set- tled in the Tenth Ward of Brooklyn. At the age of twelve, he had acquired all the education to be had at the public school, and applied himself to the trade of a wire- worker up to Feb. 15, 1879, when he was appointed a fireman, serving with Engine Companies Nos. 8 and 4, and on Dec. 5, 1883, was promoted to the grade of Assist- ant Engineer. While a member of the latter company, he was detailed as an operator to the Telegraph Bureau, in which capacity he acted up to Dec. 3, 1885, \\\-\r\- are the Lone Island Colleo-e Hos- pital, St. Peter's Hospital, St. Joseph's Home, Public School No. 78 on Pacific Street, No. 13 on Degraw Street, and a branch of that school on Union Street, No. 29 on Amity Street, No. 27 on Nelson Street, No. 30 on Walcott Street, No. 31 on Hoyt Street, and a branch on Degraw Street, St. Paul's Roman Catholic church and school, St. Charles Roman Catholic church and school, St. Peter's Roman Catholic church and school, St. Mary's "Star of the Sea" church and school, St. Bernard's church and school, St. Stephen's church and school. Church of the Visitation and school, and St. Agnes church and seminary for young ladies. Among other edifices are the Baptist Tabernacle, the Italian and German Catholic churches. Pilgrims' Chapel, South Congrega- E COMPANIES OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. ' 193 tional, Church of Our Saviour (Norwegian) St. Matthew's Lutheran, St. Paul's Lutheran Trinity Lutheran, Carroll Park Methodist Episcopal, First Place Methodist Episcopal, St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal, Warren Methodist Episcopal, St. Ann's Protestant Episcopal churches, St. Margaret's Protestant Episcopal Chapel, St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church. Strong Place Baptist and the Tompkins Place Episcopal church. There are men in the company who have been to all the big fires since the Depart- ment was organized. The horrible scenes enacted at the burning of the Brooklyn Thea. tre are vividly impressed on the minds of these men, for they were among the faithful, untiring number who worked for days among the ruins to recover the bodies of the victims of that disaster. Nearly every man in the company has some reason for recol- lecting the fires which have occurred at Arbuckle's Coffee Mills, Pierrepont stores, Har- beck stores. Standard Oil Works, Richardson's Car Stables, Palmer's Cooperage, Havemeyer's Sugar Refinery, Denslow & Bush's oil works, Ridgewood Ice Company's stables, the Paint and Starch Works fire at the foot of Sixth Street, the Columbia Heights flats, the Glass House on State Street at which several of the men were nearly -suffocated by smoke or killed by the falling walls, the Planet Mills fire, the Boston Dry Dock, Shaw's grain stores, and the burning of the ship Pythomone, loaded with jute butts, at Pierrepont stores. Peter Fagan was the first Foreman of Engine Company No. 3. He was succeeded b}' Samuel Duff, who in turn was succeeded by John Duly. Subsequently Charles D. Ruddy was put in command of the company, where he remained up to March 12, 1892, when he was sent at his own request to take command of the new company No. 31 in East New York. Foreman Edward F. Conroy, his successor, has found a warm spot in the hearts of the men wdio make up a company which has no superiors in the Department as a "work- ing" bod)'. Mr. Conroy was born in Brooklyn, Nov. 7, 1858. He became a fireman, April 22, 1878, and first saw active duty with Engine Company No. 8. From this com- pany he was transferred to Engine No. 5, and later to P2ngine No. 6. While in this com- pany, on June 29, 1889, he was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman. He was ad- vanced to the grade of Foreman, on March 13, 1892, and placed in his present command. Assistant Foreman Michael F. Judge was born in Brooklyn, Nov. 18, 1861. He was a truck driver when he was made a fireman, June 15, 1887. He was assigned to duty with Engine No. 4, and remained with the company until June i, 1891, when he was promoted to Assistant Foreman and transferred to Engine No. 3. Engineer ROBERT Reardon was born in New York City, in 1857. He is a widower .and lives at No. 62 Waverly Avenue. He was appointed a fireman, June i, 1883, and has done duty since that time with Engines Nos. 7, 10, 24 and 3. Michael F. Rogan, the driver, was born in Ireland, May 6, 1857. He is married 194 OUR FIREMEN. and lives at No. 497 Hamilton Avenue. He was made a fireman, April 4, 1885, and saw active service with Engines Nos. 4, 5 and 24, before he became the dri\'er of this corn- pan)-. Air. Rogan was a member of No. 4, when the glass house on State Street was burned, May 5, 1885. When the walls fell he had both ankles sprained and his body badly bruised, and was laid up for a long time thereafter. George L. Mollov was born in Brooklyn, Aug. 17, 1861, and his career as a fire- man began June 15, 1885, when he was assigned to duty with this company. When the paint works on Gowanus Canal were burned, in Jul)', 1890, he stood at his post until his left leg was so severeh' burned, that it was at first believed amputation would be neces- sary to save his life. It was several months before he was able to return to dut)'. In Januar)', 1892, he assisted in the rescue of two children from the third floor of a burning building in First Place near Smith Street. Joseph C. Russell was born in Brookl)m, Dec. 23, 1858. He resides with his fam- ily at No. 595 Clinton Street. He was made a fireman Dec. 15, 1SS5, and has been attached to Engines Nos. 2, 4 and 3. In Feb., 1892, Engine No. 3 was first at the scene of a fire on Warren Street, caused by a lamp explosion, and Russell dashed up the stairwa)', burst in the door, wrapped his coat about a German woman whose clothes were set on fire by the explosion, and carried her out. She \\'as so badl)' burned that she died later at St. Peter's hospital. In Sept., 1890, while carrying a hose at midnight into the hold of a burning ship lying at the North Central Pier, Atlantic Basin, he fell through an open hatch, forty feet into the hold, but fortunate!)^ struck on a pile of coffee bags, and escaped without having an)' bones broken. On Dec. 29, 1891, at a fire in the Amalga Soap Works, at Nos. 85 and 87 Sedgwick Street, he fell two stories through a hatchwa)' and dislocated one of his shoulders. James L.WVLER is an " old-timer," and has been an active worker at all the great fires since he was appointed to the force, April 28, 1870. He was a member of this com- pany when the Brooklyn Theatre burned, and assisted in taking out the bodies of man)' who perished in that fire. He was born in Ireland, July 21, 1845, is married and lives at No. 140 Van Brunt Street. He is detailed as an operator at the fire telegraph office in Ja)' Street. James AIoCartiiv was born in New York City, May 20, 1S4S. He resides at No. 505 Hicks Street, and was made a fireman Nov. 20, 1870. In 1880 while with Engine Com- pau)' No. 4, he with fireman John Mullaly of that company, rescued a man, his wife and three children from the second storv of a dwelling on Atlantic Avenue, near Court Street. At a fire on Second Street, in the winter of i88o-'8l, he with Mr. Dooley, now Foreman of Engine No. 26, saved the lives of two women, who lived on the third f^oor and had been overcome with smoke. He was present and assisted in taking out the bodies of the victims of the Brooklyn Theatre fire. COMPANIES OF THE FIRST DISTRICT, 195 Michael Hart was born in Brooklj-n, Dec. 19, 1861. He became a member of the Paid Department, March i, 1884, and was assigned to Engine Company No. 5. He is married and lives at No. 459 Sackett Street. Thomas F. Burns is a native of Brooklyn, born March 17, 1865. He lives with his family at No. 194 Hicks Street, and has been connected with this company since the date of his appointment, Aug. I, 1889. At the Smith & Gray fire, Feb. 28, 1892, he fell from the roof of a building on Grove Place and received severe injuries to his bade and shoulders. JOHX H. Gordon was bom in this city Sept. 15, 1853, and since he became a fireman, on March 20, 1888, has been doing duty with this company. He is married and lives at No. 106 Baltic Street. John W. Farrell first saw the light on May 29, 1852, in New York City. His career as a fireman began Dec. 15, 1S85, as a member of Engine Company No. 3. While coming down the pole in the eiiginedTouse to respond to an alarm of fire on the night of I\Iarch 5, 1890, he fell and broke his right ankle, and was laid up for four months. In January, 1892, he assisted Fireman Molloy in rescuing two children from a dwelling-house fire on First Place, near Smith Street. Patrick H.\RRIG.\N is a native of Ireland, and was born in Jan., 1868. He is a bach- elor and lives at No. 76 Mill Street. He has been attached to this company since he was made a fireman, Aug. 11, 1891. ENGINE company NO. 4. Engine Companj' No. 4 is located on Degraw Street, near Court. Montauk Hose, No. 4, was its original ancestor, occupying a house opposite the present engine- house, and in 1855-57 was famous in Brooklyn's first Fire Department. In 1857 the hose-company was transformed into Engine Company No. 22 of the Volunteer Depart- ment and moved across the street to the site now occupied. When the new Depart- ment was established in 1869, No. 4 was organized with Daniel J. Garrity as Foreman. The house was remodelled then, but it is now so old as to furnish but a poor home for such a crack company, which deserves to be better housed. In 1882, James Murray succeeded Daniel Garrity as Foreman and was in turn followed by James S. Smith, the present Foreman, Feb. i, 1890. The district covered by Engine No. 4 comprises all that section of the cit)' between the lines running along Hamilton Avenue to the river-front and along the water-front all the way around Red Hook Point to Gowanus Canal. Then the boundar)' goes east to Third Avenue and back to Atlantic Avenue. The most dangerous localities are the warehouse and tenement districts near the river, the shipyards at Red Hook Point, and 196 OUR FIRKMKN. the gas houses, kimber yards, oil works and big factories that line either side of Gowanus Canal. It is in the last district that the most disastrous fires have occurred and at these the work of Engine Company No. 4 has been noticeable for its prompt e.xcellence. During the cyclone of Jan. 9, 1S89, both the big retorts of the Citizens' Gas Company, at the corner of Smith and h\)urth Streets, exploded, and although the damage by fire was small to the surrounding property, that fact was due principally to prompt and hard work on the firemen s part. No. 4 reached the scene between the explosions of the first and second retorts and took up her position not a quarter of a block away. Her men were laying the pipe when the second explosion came. Windows in houses several blocks away were shattered and a volcano of flame rose hundreds of feet in the air as the escaping gas caught fire. Through the falling glass and half-crazed crowd No. 4's pipe was laid with as little hesitation or waste of time as though it had been a practice drill, and her stream was one of the first on the tenement over on Fourth Street that had begun to burn along its entire front. At half-past twelve o'clock on the morning of April 12, 18S9, the Planet Mills on Carroll Street, between Hoyt and Bond Streets, took fire, and for more than six hours the Fire Department worked hard to save the thousands of dollars worth of jute and bagging material with which the big building w^as stored. No. 4 was the first on the scene and did splendid work. It was impossible to save anj-thing in the factory and most of the work was devoted to saving the adjoining property that was constantly en- dangered by the big masses of burning jute that were whirled up into the air and scat- tered over housetops, some two blocks awaj^ It was not until late in the morning that it was learned that the watchman of the mills had been unable to escape and \\'as burned to death. The damage at this fire was estimated at nearh' $200,000. The burning of the Watson & Pettinger lumber )-ard at the Carroll Street bridge over Gowanus Canal, on March 9, 1890, ^^-as another of the big fires at which Engine No. 4 did excellent work. Again, on the night of Dec. 22, 1S91, when the five-stor)- brick fiat house. No. 394 Smith Street, caught fire. Engine No. 4, b)' prompt work, practicall)' gained control of the fire, thus aiding in the rescue of the little children that were taken down the fire escape, the interior of the house being filled with smoke. On the night of j\Ia)' 9, 1890, Engineer William Shaw and Assistant Engineer James Geraghty particularl)' distin- guished themselves at the burning of the paint works at Sixth Street and Gowanus Canal. Engine No. 4 was drawn up at the ciu'b next the burning building, but most of the fire seemed on the other side of the building. SuddenI}' the fire broke through the side next the engine that was working at full speed. The fiames rushing out envel- oped the engine and the two engineers, and in less than a minute the woodwoi-k of the r.! CD T- 1 £ t ^ o > \ F f- w m ''\ c O C r- COMPANIES OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. 199- engine was on fire. Engineer Shaw never stopped his machine, but fought hard to save his engine from burning up. Finally the hose burst and as there was no use in pump- ing until reconnected, the engine was drawn out of reach of the flames. Both Engineer Shaw and Assistant Engineer Geraghty were badly burned about the face and hands in their attempt to save their engine and hold their position at the same time. On Nov. 23, 1891, during the drought due to the break in the aqueduct, No. 4 had a hard day's work. There were three alarms that day calling on No. 4 for services and there was not enough water in the hydrants to enable an engine to throw a stream across the street. About eleven o'clock in the morning fire was discovered in the top of the four-story brownstone building. No. 234 Carroll Street. The row extends nearly the entire block from Court to Smith Streets, and as there was no water it seemed as if in the strong wind the whole row and possibly the block would go. Fortunately the firemen remembered that Messrs. Buchanan & Lyall, the owners of the Planet Mills, had an arte- sian well on the premises nearly four long blocks away. Engine No. 4 sent a hose down there with a rush and Engineer Shaw "shook her up," for all the three-year-old Amos- keag engine was worth. The water came slowly at first but later with a rush, and the building was saved with but little injury, and No. 4 did the saving. The same night fire broke out in the top floor of No. 262 and 264 Court Street, in the three-story brick building used as a furniture storehouse. There was no water at hand and the firemen began to tear down the burning portions that were within reach of their hooks. At last the fire-boat, " Seth Low," reached the foot of Harrison Street, but could not pump the water through the streets as it was up hill. Engine No. 4 got out all her reserve hose and soon had nearly 2000 feet stretched down toward the fire-boat. Other engines aided until there was nearly 4000 feet connecting the fire-boat with the engines and two streams were brought into play. It was this that saved the north half of the block that, before the water was obtained from the river, had practically been abandoned. It is for similar prompt work that Engine No. 4 has gained its name as one of the most efficient in the service of the city of Brookl}'n. Foreman James S. Smith was born in Brooklyn, May 11, 1855, and on Aug. 6, 1877, was first appointed to the Fire Department. He showed the mettle of which he is made at a fire in the tenement house, No. 66 Columbia Street, on April 12, 1885. The flames were found in the rear of the second floor and the interior of the building was filled with smoke. There was a cry from the third story window where a woman stood bcCTo-incr to be saved. Smith, who was then a private in the fire ranks, dashed up-stairs through the smoke, and succeeded in rescuing Mrs. Julia Florine, whom he brought down safely. On Aug. 6, 1877, ^e was promoted to Assistant Foreman and did his work so- well that on Feb. i, 1890, he was made Foreman, which position he now holds to the: satisfaction of not only the men under him but the of^cers above him. 200 OUR FIREMEN. Assistant Foreman JOHN J()sepii Leo has distinguished himself several times by his cool bravery : most noticeably at the flat house fire at No. 394 Smith Street, on the night of Dec. 22, 1S91, when he gallantly aided in passing down the little children that were rescued by means of the fire-escape from the upper floors. Leo was born in Brooklyn, Jul\'l6, iS55,and on Jan. 31, 1882. was appointed to Engine No. 4. On Feb. II, 1890, he was promoted to be Assistant Foreman, in which capacity he has done splendid service. Lie served two years and eight months in the United States Navy and got a training there that has stood him in good stead in his career as a fireman. Engineer WILLIAM Hexry SH-\w was born in Hudson, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1845, and served as an engineer in the old Volunteer Department with Engine No. 22. When the Department was reorganized Mr. Shaw was appointed to No. 4, the successor of No. 22, and he has been with it ever since. He is one of the oldest engineers in the service and has an exceptionally fine record. His gallant work when his engine was on fire has been mentioned heretofore. Assistant Engineer James T. Geraghtv was born in Brooklyn, Feb. 4, 1853, and was appointed to No. 4 Jan. 30, 1882. He is always careful and painstaking in his work and is known as one of the best men in the service. He and his immediate chief, Mr. Shaw, work in perfect harmony, and there is little that can be done with a fire- engine that these two men will not and cannot do. Among the best men in the company is Bartley Flaxagan, who was born in Ireland, March 12, 1847, and was appointed to No. 4 March 30, 1S70. Among Mr. Flanagan's treasures is the following letter bearing the endorsement of the Chief of the Fire Department at that time : — Col. J. N. Partridge, Fire Commissioner ; Dear Sir: — In all cases where bravery is shown I deem it fitting that just mention should be made. I wish to express mv gratitude to Mr. Banlev Flanagan of Engine No. 4, who at the risk of his life put out a fire in mv residence on April 11, 1SS2, which, but for his heroic conduct and promptness, would undoubtedly have resulted in a loss of life as well as property. Trusting that 3-ou will accord this brave fireman fidl merit, I am, Yours Respectfully, David jMcGonigal. No. 146 Schermerhorn Street, April 14, 1884. Bernard Gray was born in New York State, July g, 1842, and was appointed to Engine No. 4 July i, 1874. He had then served one year in the regular army and has never forgotten his military habits and training. Thomas J. Malone was born in Ireland, Dec. 18, 1843, and came to America when a young man. In 1863 he entered the army and served with credit during the war. Sept. 27, 1872, he joined the Fire Department and was assigned to No. 4, where he has made a eood record. COMPANIES OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. 201 George F. Harrigan was bom in Brooklyn, July 10, 1868, and from boyhood had an ambition to be a fireman. He was appointed Aug. 11, 1891, and although he has not served very long has a promising future. Wayland a. Estes was born in Brooklyn, June 29, i860; Dec. 15, 1885 he was appointed to No. 4 and is popular as a capable and efficient fireman. Patrick H. Lowery was bom in Brooklyn, March 17, 1863, and was appointed to No. 4 on Oct. 15, 1890. John Francis Spaulding was born in Brooklyn, Nov. 10, 1863, and was assigned to duty with No. 4 on Sept. 3, 1888. John Smith was born in Ireland, Jan. 2, 1858, and came to America shortly after the war. He was appointed to the Fire Department Aug. I, 1889, and was detailed to No. 4, where he has already done good work. James Donohue was born in Brooklyn, March 26, 1852, and was appointed to No. 4 on April 7, 1885. Timothy F. Conlon was born in Brooklyn, in 1864, and received his appointment to the Department on July I, 1892. He is a blacksmith by trade. William Henry Tierney was born in Brooklyn on Aug. 28, 1867, and was appointed on July i, 1892. HOOK and ladder COMPANY NO I. Truck No. i, located at Van Brunt and Seabring Streets, adjoining the house of Engine No. 2, was the first Hook and Ladder Company organized in the Paid Depart- ment. It has a record for efficiency unexcelled by any other company, and the officers and men have had encomiums heaped upon them time and again for yeoman service rendered in time of peril. Until a year ago the company covered all the South Brook- lyn District and responded to more first-alarm calls than any other truck-company in the city. Its territory included all that section bounded by Atlantic and Fifth Avenues, and the bay from Wall Street Ferry down to Bay Ridge. Until Trucks Nos. 9 and 10 were put in service, at Fourth Avenue and Nineteenth Street and on State Street near Smith Street, respectively, it was one of the hardest worked companies in the Depart- ment. Truck No. 9 has relieved it of the Gowanus District, and Truck No. 10 of a large part of the Third, Sixth and Tenth Wards. Before the change in the boundary lines, Truck No. i was frequently obliged to respond to two and three alarms in one day, often going nearly to the extreme end of the Eighth Ward, a distance of nearly two and a-half miles. This played havoc with the horses and severely taxed the physical endurance of the men. Although the district covered by the company now is considerably smaller than formerly, it still has a very important territory, and responds 202 OUR FIREMEN. to forty-six first-alarm calls. There are several large manufactories and warehouses within its precincts, besides hundreds of vessels with valuable cargoes always at the Atlantic Dock and Erie Basin. Among the large industries are the hydraulic pump works of Worthington & Co., the Chcsebrough vaseline works, Richardson & Boynton's stove works, the Lidgerwood Iron Works, the South Brooklyn Engine Company, J. M. Williamson & Co.'s drop forging w'orks, Casey's rosin works and other large concerns. The mammoth warehouses of Beard & Co., Jeremiah Robinson, the Atlantic Dock Compau)', the Erie Basin Storage Company and Findlay's stores line the water-front. It will be seen, therefore, that the district covered by Truck No. I is an important one, and recjuires great vigilance on the part of the men. Whenever fires have occurred there, excellent time has been made by the company, and with one or two exceptions they have been gotten under control with comparatively little loss. The company as now organized is an excellent one. The men are willing, daring and intelligent. Tiic}' like nothing better than fighting a good fire and have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to cope with one of any dimensions, even when the chances seemed entirely against them. All the latest appliances for rescuing lives and saving property are in possession of the company. A large extension ladder that can be raised to the top of the highest building in the neighborhood has been provided, thus reducing the danger of loss of life to a minimum. When the company was first organized it was located on Fourth Avenue near Nin- teenth Street, where Truck No. 9 is now stationed. In 1872 it was transferred to its present quarters on Red Hook Point, where it has long been looked upon as one of the institutions of that primitive district. The first Foreman was TIMOTHY NOLAX, who served only for a short time when he resigned, and shortly after died. He was suc- ceeded by Michael Ouinn, the present Foreman of Truck No. g, who remained in charge for nearly ten j^ears and was superseded by JAMES Smith of Engine No. 6. The latter was in turn succeeded by Foreman Ouinn, who was again placed in charge, but the last time only remained for a few months when he was transferred to Engine No. I. On Oct. 25, 1889 the present Foreman took command. Foreman DANIEL J. GaIvRITV has the distinction of being the first Foreman appointed in the Paid Fire Department. On the day that the law abolishing the old system and creating the new ^^•ent into effect, he, with the other appointees, was summoned before the new Board of Fire Commissioners, and whether by accident or intent, he was the first man to receive an appointment as Foreman. Before that he was an active volunteer, running with Hose No. 9 from the time he was sixteen years of age. As a fireman he is regarded as one of the bravest and best in the entire Department. Perhaps no other member has a larger number of rescues or daring deeds to his credit. Time and again he has been commended for his heroism. o E CO ^ £ I z . -> ^ o COMPANIES OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. 205 Among some of the more notable acts were the rescue of Mrs. Thomas Hart and her four children from a burning building on Court Street, near Butler, in 1875. At a fire in the dwelling at No. 619 Fifth Avenue, on Feb. 14, 1S85, he rescued John Anderson and his daughter from the third floor. The occupants were asleep in the house at the time and were nearly suffocated by smoke. On many other occasions he has dis- tinguished himself. But for one act in particular he has endeared himself to the people of the Twelfth Ward. At an entertainment in the hall attached to St. Mary's Star of the Sea School, at the corner of Court and Nelson Streets, in June, 1887, some one raised the cry of fire. Instantly the children became excited and rushed for the doors and windows. Foreman Garrity happened to be in the audience at the time and by prompt action averted what otherwise might have been a panic. "Dan," as his friends call him, was born on Sept. 19, 1841. Since he was twenty-one his hair has been gray. When the war broke out he entered the navy and served for three years. He is a member of the G. A. R. I^efore coming to Truck No. I he had been for several years in charge of Engine No. 4 on Dcgraw Street. The Assistant Foreman, who is frequently called upon to command the company while the Foreman is absent or acting as District Engineer, is DENNIS J. McKlNNEY. He was born in this city on Feb. 17, 1859, ''■"'^ ^^''^^ made a fireman on June 15, 1885. After serving as a private for less than two years, he was in recognition of valuable services promoted to the rank of Assistant h'oreman on March I, 1887, and has served with Truck No. i since. His name is on the roster of life rescuers. At a fire in Columbia Street he removed a child from the third floor just as the flames entered the apartment. He also assisted in the rescue of others, and is regarded by his superiors as a cool, daring and conscientious fireman. Patrick Hanley, the oldest member of the company, and one to whom the younger men look for advice, has grown gray in the service. He was born Jan. 10, 1835, in Ireland, but came to this country when a young man. On Oct. i, 1872, he was appointed a fireman and has done duty with Engines Nos. 2, 3, and 4, and Truck No. i. Recently, however, he was detailed to the Kerosene Oil Bureau, but is still accredited to and connected with Truck No. i. He has assisted in the rescue of several lives. On one occasion he had a narrow escape. At a fire in one of the large storehouses at Erie Basin, the roof fell in just as he and several of his colleagues stepped off. Had they delayed thirty seconds longer they would have been buried under the ruins. JAME.S Reilly, the second in point of length of service in the company, was born Oct. 31, 1862, and although a comparatively young man has battled with fires for nearly eight years. During that length of service he has proven himself to be one of the best men in the command and one who promises to be heard from later. He has spent most of the time with Truck No. i. 2o6 OUR FIREMEN. John J. Callaghan is a Jerseyman by birth, but a thorough Broolvlynite by adoption, instinct and association. At the age of five, and long before the East River bridge was completed, he made his way to this city, which he says he finds good enough for him. On Dec. 15, i"ing near the stove unconscious and terribly burned. Tcnderl)' he lifted the little sufferer and car- ried him down to the second floor, but while the Ambulance Surgeon was pouring oil over the little burned body, death put an end to the child's suffering. At the gas house fire on Hoyt Street, about eight years ago, the slate roof fell in and injured Mr. Dooley severely about the head. At Dyckman's box factory fire on Union Street, in 1891, he was so overcome by the intense heat and smoke that he had to be removed to St. Peter's Hospital. Assistant Foreman Frank J. Duffey was born in Brooklyn, in Jan. 1856. From 1869 to 1876, he served as a shipsmith's apprentice in the Construction Department of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He was appointed to the Fire Department Juh' 7, 1880, and promoted to Assistant Foreman July I, 1889. Mr. Duffey assisted in the rescue of several persons at the flat-house fire, No. 452 Atlantic Avenue, on August 31, 1890. Engineer JoilN H. HEATH was born at Navesink, Monmouth County, N. J., in 1855. From 1875 to 1881 he served as a first-class fireman in the United States Navy. His connection with the Fire Department of Brooklyn, dates from April 2, 18S5, and his promotion to engineer occurred on Feb. 9, 1891. William L. Meyers is a first-grade fireman. He was born in Brooklyn, in 1868, and became a fireman Dec. i, 1888. At the flat-house fire. No. 452 Atlantic Avenue, on 226 OUR FIREMEN. Aug. 31, 1890, Mr. Meyers aided materially in the rescue of Robert O'Donnell, his wife, five children and sister-in-law. At another fire on the same night at No. 293 Living- ston Street, he was brought out unconscious from a front room on the third floor. At the Dyckman box factory fire, Oct. 13, 1890, Mr. Meyers was overcome by escaping gas while at work in the sawdust bin, and was removed to his home in an ambulance. Bernard L. Storp was born in Brooklyn, in 1856, and became a fireman on Jan. 21, 1884. On May 5, 1885, he was severely injured about the head by falling bricks while working at a fire at Nos. 40-48 State Street. Both of his feet were so badly burned at the Planet Mills fire on April 12, 1889, that he was in the hands of Surgeon Robbins for many days tliereafter. John F. Ward was bom in Brooklyn, in Feb., 1861, and he first donned the uni- form April 7, 1885. On July 4, 1890, he was overcome by smoke at No. 123 Schermer- horn Street while at work on the fuurth story. While returning from a fire at Box 54, on Jan. 19, 1892, Mr. Ward was thrown from the hose-wagon. The hind wheel of the wagon passed over his leg at the knee joint and crushed it so badly that it was teared amputation would be necessary. Hugh J. Gallagher is a native of Brooklyn, born in 1868. His appointment to the uniformed force bears date Oct. 14, 1890, and he has been attached to Engine No. 26 since that time. On Nov. 4, 1891, while going to a fire at No. 389 Degraw Street, he was thrown from the seat of the hose-wagon at State and Bond Streets and had one of his legs nearly torn off by coming in contact with a shed post. Martin J. Murphy was born in Brooklyn, April, 1865, and has been a member of the company since he was appointed, on March 12, 1891. James Donohue was born in Ireland, in 1852, and made his debut as a fireman March 1,1887, since which time he has served the Department creditably. John Dwyer was also born in Ireland, and though he has just passed over the three-score mark is still young enough to perform good work. When he sits in the driver's seat the fire flies from the horses' heels. Edward J. Fitzpatrick was born in Brooklyn, July 18, 1869, and he has been a faithful member of the Department since Nov. 16, 1891. Tliomas F. O'Connor, was born in Brooklyn, in Dec, 1864, and was appointed to the uniformed force on July 15, 1889. He was assigned to Engine No. 5, where he did good service up to Nov. 26, 1890, when he was transferred to this company. hook and ladder company no. 10. It was on Aug. i, 1891, that Coinmissoner Ennis declared Hook and Ladder Company No. 10 duly organized and ready for active service. Located in a district bounded by Johnston Street, Nevins Street, First Place and Smith Street, and on the n^J, -\ ;, '/ ^j^ S^"^'- /* V k\< '\ -v.' i-'i '';' ■■?.■'■ U''¥ ul < 2 >, O O I COMPANIES OF THE SECOiND DISTRICT. 229 west by the water-front, the company has a vast amount of the most valuable property in the city under its protection. It responds to calls from 117 boxes on a second-alarm, the remotest box being at the end of Red Hook Point. The compan)' is quartered in a model two-story structure on State Street, near Boreum Place. The cellar of the house has been fitted up as a gymnasium and among the appliances for developing the muscles of the men are rowing-machines, Indian clubs, dumb bells, heavy and light hammers and quoits. The house is furnished with the latest improved second-class Hayes truck, and three of the handsomest and quickest working liorses in the Depart- ment. "Larry," "Billy" and "Dick" are their names, and their colors are black, dark-brown and dapple ba)'. They can get out of the house with ease in twelve sec- onds. " Bill}'," who is near])' seventeen hands high and weighs over 1400 pounds, prior to coming to Truck No. 10 served five years with Truck No. 2, and he is so well-versed in the telegraph alarm system that no amount of persuasion will induce him to leave his stall on a "test-call." Two days after the organization of the company another mem- ber was added to the roster, whose name does not appear on the pay-rolls at Fire Head- quarters. He was diminutive in size, when he first entered the door of the truck- house, and he wore a fur coat which in color resembled a tortoise shell. He carried no " gi''P) " but his general demeanor indicated as he settled himself in a chair, that he had come to stay; and stay he did, for every man in the company took the young stranger by the paw, christened him " Patsey," and adorned him with a silver collar. Good warm milk and an occasional piece of meat developed " Patsey " into a full-fledged fire cat. In the gymnasium he took lessons in " high vaulting " and " running jumps," at which he has become an expert. His favorite place of sleeping was on the men's coats on the extreme end of the extension ladder. One day as he was taking an afternoon nap, an alarm sounded from Box 58, corner Hoyt and Warren Streets. As a rule "Patsey" was on the alert at the first sound of the gong, but on this particular occasion he was not aroused from his slumbers until the truck was on the way to the fire. At Dean and Pacific Streets, Fireman Collins discovered " Patsey " with his nails buried deep into one of the coats and to all appearances enjoying the situation. When the truck arrived at the fire " Patsey " was transferred to the driver's seat and covered up with a coat, from which position he seemed to enjoy the excitement. The men who make up the company are intelligent, temperate, conscientious and brave, and since they have been banded together under the same roof have experienced all the hardships and perils incident to the life of a fireman. Foreman James Francis Murray has been in many perilous positions, and though his name is not on the roll of " life-savers," it is not because he stood back when human life was in peril. He was born in Brooklyn, July 12, 185 i. He was appointed a fireman Sept. i, 1878, and assigned to Engine No. 4. While with this company, on Oct. ■230 OUR FIREMEN. 22, 1881, he was promoted to the grade of Foreman. In Feb., 1890, he was transferred to Engine No. 10, and on Aug. I, 1892, ^\■as transferred to the company which he now commands. At the glass liouse fire in State Street, lie had his foot severely injured, and at the Wallabout Market fire in the summer of 1890, he was overcome by heat and smoke for a time. Assistant Foreman THO.^rAS Steven Coppinger is a native of Brooklyn, born Nov. 2T,, 1S60. Me «'as appointed to the Department March 17, 1888, and was as- signed to Engine No. 4 and afterward transferred to Engine No. 26. While in the latter companj', on June i, i89i,hewas promoted to be Assistant Foreman and sent to Engine No. I, from which he was transferred to the present one. On March 2, 1890, while a member of Engine No. 26, he assisted Foreman Doole}' in rescuing a woman from tlie third story of No. ^62 Atlantic Avenue. On Aug. 31, 1890, at a fire in the tenements Xos. 452 and 452)2 Atlantic Avenue, Mr. Coppinger found in a dark bedroom on the tliird floor of No. 452, a three-year-old child named Charles Schmidt, ^\•ho, but for his prompt arri\'al, would have perislied. The heat was intense and the smoke stifling, but the brave young fireman fought his way tlirough it with the child in his arms and reached tlie street in safety. Anthonv a. Cooke, the dri\'er, beams «'ith good-nature. Since he was able to toddle about in sliort clothes he has been around horses, and as he grew to manhood liis love for them increased. As a dri\-er there is none better in the Department, and he is happiest «'hcn he sits behind handsome "Billy" and his mates and gives them their heads for a long rLin. Mr. Cook'e was born on Hamilton Avenue, May 25, 1856. He donned a fireman's uniform on Feb. 18, 18S7, and since that time has been the driver of Engines Nos. 3 and 26, and Trucks Nos. i, 5 and 10, At a fire at No. 359 Fulton Street he stood on tlie roof and held the rope ^\■hich saved the lives of Da\'id and Sarah Goodman, who were tenants of the fourth floor, and had been cut off from all other means of escape. Lester Augustus Roberts Iras a fresh, clear complexion, kindly blue eyes and a most amiable disposition. He is tall, broad-chested, strong-limbed, and a perfect ath- lete in muscular development. He is of a literary turn of mind, and during his thirty years of life has been around the world. He was born in Brookhui, l\Iarch 10, 1862, and served in the United States Navy from April 3, 1878, to March 10, 1883, and \\'as an apprentice on board the U. S. S. " Alliance " when that vessel made her famous voyage to the Arctic regions in search of the lost steamer " Jeannette." Mr. Roberts is as bra\'e as he is good-looking and intelligent. He \\'as made a fireman April I, 1885, and assigned to Truck No. I. While with this compau)- in Jul\-, 1885, he saved the li\-es of John and Ellen McGrath at a fire, corner of Idicks Street and Hamilton Avenue. On the night of Aug. 31, 1890, at No. 452 Atlantic Avenue, he took a very active part in COMPANIES OF THE SECOND DISTRICT. 231 the rescue of several persons. On Feb. 22, 1892 at No. 395 Fulton Street, Mr. Roberts, then a member of Truck No. 10, assisted in getting Jacob Michaelson and Mrs. Goodman out, and caught the latter's bab)-, which had been thrown by the frantic mother from the fourth-stor)' window. Joseph Barrett was born in Ireland, Aug. 6, 1S66, and became a fireman March 21, 188S. He has since done duty with Engines Nos. 3 and 26 and Trucks Nos. i and 10. Aug. 31, 1890, he found Mrs. Dorsheimer and her son on the third floor of the burning building. No. 422 Atlantic Avenue, and carried them to the roof of the adjoining building. He also assisted in the rescue of Jacob ]Michaelson and Mrs. Goodman at No. 359 Ful- ton Street, Feb. 22, 1891. John Michael Ryan is a native of Brooklyn, and was born July 7, 1S64. He was made a fireman June 12, 18S9, and at the fire. No. 359 Fulton Street, in Feb., 1891, assisted in saving Samuel Goodman and his wife. On Jan. 9, 1892, as he was passing No. 98 Union Street, he heard the cry of " Fire," and running quickl)' to the third story found Josephine Ricolo, eighty-four years old, enveloped in flames, caused by the ex- plosion of a kerosene oil stove. He smothered the flames with his heavy overcoat and carried the woman down to the basement and summoned an ambulance. Henry W. ]\IaL0NEY was born in Brooklyn, Jan. 7, 1864, and on June 15, 1885, became a member of the Fire Department. He \vas attached to Truck No. 5 on Aug. 31, 1890, and assisted in rescuing James Donnelly, his wUe, sister-in-law and two children from the top floor of No. A-S-V^ Atlantic Avenue. On Dec. 22, 1891, at No. 344-46 Smith Street, at great personal risk he worked his way up to the third floor of one of the houses, \\-here he found Louisa and Alice Motteran, and carried them down the fire- escape to a place of safety. William E. Collins was born April 19, 1867, in Brooklyn, and his appointment to the uniformed force dates from Aug. 11, 1891. Although young in the business he has a record for saving the life of a woman at No. 117 Atlantic Avenue, on Dec. 24, 1891. John Kelly was born in Brooklyn, Oct. 5, 1867, and became a fireman Oct. 29, 1890. On arriving at a fire at No. 38 Atlantic Avenue, Sept. 27, 1891, he was told that a boy named Edmund Ralph was asleep in a dark bedroom on the first floor. It was impossible to reach the boy by the stairway, so Kelly climbed the fire-escape at the rear of the house, and after groping about in the dense smoke succeeded in reaching the lad, who was by this time nearly suffocated, and carried him out to the street. ED^VARD Finn, also a native of Brooklyn, was born Aug. 9, 1S36, and after serving some years in the United States Navy, joined the uniformed force at its organization, Sept. 15, 1869. He has been an active worker at all the big fires since that time, and fortunately escaped without injury. 232 OUR FIREMEN. William Francis Down was bom Sept. 4, 1862, in Brooklyn, and since he became a fireman, Dec. 3, i88S,has served the Department faithfully and well. Patrick Joseph Sullivan was born in King's County, Nov. 27, 1865, and, after passing the civil service examination with a good percentage, was duly appointed a member of the uniformed force, Oct. 29, 1S90. John Padian is a native of England, and first saw the light in St. Helens, Lanca- shire County, on July 13, 1861. He was made a fireman March 31, 1892, and although young in his career, has the mettle in him to make an efificient member of the force. While the company has been in existence the men have had a great number of fires which required many hours of hard labor to subdue. Among them were the chemical works at the foot of Jay Street ; Baum's building, corner Myrtle Avenue and Bridge Street ; Pinto's stores, Red Hook Point ; Smith & Gray's clothing house, and the sash and blind factory fire at Fulton and State Streets. On the first day of the water famine in Brooklyn they were summoned to a fire, corner of Court and Butler streets, and on their return from that fire they were called out again to a fire at Carroll and Court Streets. SAMUEL DUFF, District Engineer Third District. CHAPTER X. COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER SAMUEL DUFF. A Busy District — Residences, Shipping, Factories and Tenements Thickly Packed in — The Home of the Fireboat — Elevated Railroad Terminals — District Engineer Duff, his Brave Deeds as a Life-saver — Engine Com- pany No. 6, one of the Early Organizations in the New Department — En- gine Company No. 7 and its One Veteran — Engine Company No. 8, Protec- tors OF the Navy Yard — Engine Company No. 23, the Fire Fighters Afloat — Truck Company No. 3, the Men who Fight at Close Quarters. ■ < '^ NTRUSTED to the companies that guard the interests of the Third District is the valuable property which, with what is in the First and Second Districts, completes the water-front of the Western District of the city. From the East River to De Kalb Avenue and Fulton Street, and from Fulton Street to the Navy Yard and Washington Park, includes a district in which residences, shipping property, factories and tenements are thickly packed in, prone to take fire and easy to consume, and requiring eternal vigilance on the part of the five com- panies that protect them. It is in this district that the fire- boat " Seth Low " is at home, lying at the foot of Mam Street, ready for a call from any point on the water-front as far in both directions as the cit}- line, and even, in an emergency, from New York. Besides this, Engines Nos. 6, 7, and 8, and Truck No. 3 are stationed in the thickest part of the district, within the net-work of elevated rail- roads which have their terminals in this busy section. 236 OUR FIREMEN. DISTRICT ENGINEER SAMUEL DUFF. Samuet, Duff, District Engineer in command of the Third District, has spent a Hfe-timc in service as fireman, and has a banner record as a hfe-saver. He was born in the Sixtli Ward about fortj'-two )'ears ago and has stuck to that ward and attended its public scliools. As a bo)' he shared the prevalent admiration for the red-shirted firemen of tlic Volunteer Department and as soon as he reached a suitable age he joined, with other young men, in the organization of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 6, in the house on Hicks Street, near Degraw, formerly occupied by Neptune No. 2. James Dunne, the present keeper of the City Hall, was Foreman, and Mr. Duff Assistant Foreman. When the new Department was organized he became a member of Engine Co. No. 3, located in the same neighborhood, and became its Foreman on Jan. i, 1S70. Further promotion came ver}' near to him in 1SS5, when Engineers Fanning and McGroarty were promoted, his per- centage in the examination being equal; but the number of vacancies being limited, cir- cumstances necessitated his awaiting another opportunit}', much to his disappointment and the regret of his appreciative superiors. But his turn came soon, and on Dec. i, 1S87, he was made District Engineer and placed in charge of the district he now com- mands. His deeds of braver}- have been numerous and have made " Sammy Duff " famous in the Sixth Ward, and indeed throughout South Brooklyn. A few of them should be mentioned. At a fire at No. 515 Henry Street, on May, 1870, an old lady named Corn, unable to escape, was left in the burning building. Learning of her perilous position on his arriving on the scene. Foreman Duff with his company made a good fight to- reach her, and succeeded so far as to bring her out alive, though her burns were so serious that she died a few hours later. In making this rescue Foreman Duff was himself severely burned. On July 4, 1876, he fought his way through the smoke to Mrs. Brown, whose escape from No. 31S Court Street had been cut off, and though nearly suffocated he brought her in safety to the street. On Sept. ig, 1879, 1""^ '''^==- cued Emma MeCann from the top floor of the three-story house, No. 43 President Street, where she had been left by the fleeing inmates of the house. At the fatal burning of the old glass house on State Street, in 1885, where thirteen lost their lives, he had his company early on the ground and he was the first to realize the extent of the terrible calamity. It was to the prompt efforts of himself and his men that many of the rescued owed their lives. Perhaps his most signal service as a saver of lives was the rescue of James Connell}', a young man who, on July 22, 1882, was doomed, but for Mr. Duff's interposition, by having his escape from the top floor of the four-story build- ing at Court and Nelson Streets cut off entirely by the burning away of the staircase. The fire originated in a grocery store on the ground floor and it soon swept upward and COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 237 involved the whole building in flames. Foreman Duff exposed himself to the greatest danger in effecting his rescue, but happily it was accomplished without accident, either to himself or to the rescued man. Mr. Connelly and his friends were profoundly grate- ful for this service, and they generously acknowledged it by presenting to the brave fire- man a handsome gold watch, suitabl)' inscribed. Engineer Duff has hosts of friends all over Brooklyn, and especially in South Brooklyn, which has been the scene of his ser- vices and his heroism. ENGINE CO^IPx\NY NO. 6. Among the first of the city's engine-companies to be organized On the establishment of the present Department \\'as Engine Compan)' No. 6. The order creating the organi- zation was issued Sept. 15, 1869, and on the following day the men reported for duty at the quarters which the}' have since occupied at No. 14 High Street. PATRICK Lahey was selected for the honor of being the compan}''s first Foreman, and the choice proved to be an excellent one, for he served with signal success for a period of twent)'-five con- secutive years, lacking a few months, and until transferred, on March 24, 1890, to be Foreman of Engine Company No. 24. Engine No. 6 is located in a two-story brick building, 20 x 80 feet, which from time to time has been repaired and refitted to accom- modate it to the continued improvements in the methods of fire fighting. Like most of the old fire-houses, it is now badly adapted to the wants of a modern Department, and with the progress of the Bridge Terminal impro\-ements will probably soon be razed to the ground. A new site will be chosen for the locatian of the new engine-house and v.dien it is built it will be a structure wanting in nothing that goes to make the equipment of a first-class engine-company of the present day. In interior arrange- ment, the present house varies but little from the others in the city of the same size and general character. The apparatus-room is, of course, on the ground floor, and there also are comfortable stalls for the splendid team of grays that draw the engine and the hand- some sorrel for the tender. Up-stairs are the sleeping apartments, bath and drying- room and clothes lockers. Foreman James Smith, who came to this company from Engine No. 22, on March 24, 1890, when Foreman Lahey was transferred to Engine No. 24, is a veteran fireman. He was born in Ireland, July 17, 1846, and came to this country in time to be made a member of Truck No. i, on Sept. 15, 1869. He did not join the Department as a stepping-stone to some more lucrative position, but from a love of the calling, and hav- ing quickly mastered the details of his duties he performed them with zeal and fidelity and was frequently commended by his superior officers for his efficiency. These, and the other qualities that go to make a good fireman, brought him his reward in time. It came on July i, 1885, in the form of a promotion to the Foremanship of Engine No. 22., 238 OUR FIREMEN. There the characteristics that marked liim as a fireman were more pronounced as a Fore- man, and it was much to the regret of his old command that for the benefit of the De- partment he was transferred in 1890 to the charge of Engine No. 6 as Foreman. He is an exemplary fireman and a devoted husband and father. He lives with his wife and children at No. 14 Elicks Street. Engineer JAMES Lamey is also built on the lines of a model fireman. He is a born Irishman as well as a born fireman, and first saw the light Sept. 22, 1838. He reached America when the first shots on Sumter were reverberating over the land and calling patriots to arms. He quickly saw where clut)' called and enrolled himself under the Stars and Stripes in the navy, where for four long )'ears the Union had no truer- hearted defender than the young Irishman. When the war was over and there was no more fighting to be done against the country's enemies, Mr. Lahey entered in the lists to fight against the element that daily threatens homes, and on Sept. 14, 1869, he received his appointment as a member of Engine No. 6. Though no longer youthful, Engineer Lahey is one of the youngest old men in the Department, and it is the wish of his asso- ciates that it may be a long time before he fails to hear the alarm to which he responds now with alacrity. David O'Keefe, of No. 9 Adams Street, the driver, was born in New York City, July 4, 1859, ^'''cl although only in the Department since March 21, 1888, he is an indis- pensable adjunct to Engine No. 6. He handles the reins cleverly, and when the call to a fire is sounded nothing can be heard on Fulton Street above the clatter of the hoofs of O'Keefe's iron gray team. Michael H. Rovle was born in Ireland, Nov. 16, 1851, and early in life chose Brooklyn as his future home. He was appointed and assigned to Engine No. 6 on Nov. 12, 1880. He has a comfortable home at No. 104 Concord Street. George W. Gurnele, of No. 128 Raymond Street, was born in New York City on May 8, 1845, and at the outbreak of the Civil War joined the Union army, and fought in many of the principal battles of that bloody strife. On April i, 1890, he was appointed a fireman, and assigned to Engine No. 6, where he has proved himself to be an excellent fireman. John M. Coxnell, whose home is at No. 109 Rapelyea Street, was born in Louis- ville, Ky., April 28, i860. He was appointed July 21, 1890, and assigned for duty with Engine No. 6, where during his two years of service he has gained an excellent reputa- tion for himself. Patrick F. McLaughlin, who has been a resident of this city all his life, and at present lives at No. 46 Hicks Street, was born Sept. 18, 1865. He was appointed on Aug. I, 1890, and assigned to Engine No. 6, and he is now considered one of the best and bravest in the Department. !.1 5 j^ 0- o O ■; E S CO u. COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 241 Thomas F. Farrell, who lives at No. 114 Johnson Street, was born in this city, March 3, 1849. ^^ served all through the war with the 28th N. Y. Vols. He was appointed a fireman, March i, 1884, and assigned to Engine No. 6 for duty. On the morning of Jan. 10, 1892, with the assistance of a citizen, he rescued Mr. and Mrs. Ra)'- der from the third floor of a burning building at No. 39 Henry Street. Fraxcis Riley, who lives at No. 35 Middagh Street, was born in New York City, Sept. 7, 1S45, 'incl at the outbreak of the war enlisted in the army and fought in both the battles of Bull Run and also at Antietam and Gettysburg. He was appointed a fireman in Oct. I, 1875, and assigned to Engine No. 6, where he still performs his duty with the same energ)' that he displayed when he went to the front. James Wright, who resides at No. 325 Tenth Street, was born in England, July 12, 1839. He came to this country a short time before the war, and enlisted in the 13th N. Y. Vols., and fought at the battles of Bull Run and Vicksburg. On Jan. 23, 1887, he was appointed a fireman, and assigned to Engine No. 6, where he has served without interruption. James A. Jones was born in this city, Jan. 28, 1866, and was appointed a fireman on March 12, 1891, Engine No. 6 being his original assignment He lives at No. 310 Water Street. At a fire in a building on the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Bridge Street he was seriously injured. He started up a ladder on the Myrtle Avenue front. When he reached the top round the ladder slipped, and Jones fell into a pile of broken glass and the heavy ladder fell on him ; he was taken home in an ambulance, and it was several weeks before he could return for duty. John Keen.\N, who lives at No. 66 Columbia Street, was born in this city June 24, 1865, and was appointed a fireman on Dec. 10, 1891. He was assigned to Engine yYo. 6, and has done good work. ENGINE company NO. 7. Of the sturdy band of firemen who, on the morning of Sept 15, 1869, reported for duty at the old house of Volunteer Engine No. 6, at No. 245 Pearl Street, to be reor- ganized under the name of Engine Company No. 7, of the new Department, but a single man is a member of the company to-day, and he came very near losing his life by being buried under a falling wall at the Smith, Gray & Co's fire. This is Assistant Fore, man John Mallon. The original company comprised the following nine men, the picked firemen of Volunteer Engine No. 6: William Hagen, Foreman ; William Cunningham, En<"j-ineer ; Charles F"ough, Stoker and Fireman ; John Mallon, Frank Wren, Andrew McShane, Richard Smith, Thomas Mackin, Daniel McCauley. Of these Foreman Hac^en, Stoker Fough and Foreman McShane and Smith are dead, and all the others, except Fireman Mallon, have left the Department, and are now following other occupa- 2^2 OUR FIREMEN. tions. No. 7 is located in what has come to be known as the " firebug " district, where Firebug- Miller and others of his kind gave scope to their villany, starting fires to see the engine run. Whether from the constant danger of incendiarism, or for what other cause, certain it is that the men of No. 7 have achieved the enviable distinction of being quicker to get to work than ain- compan\' in the district. They have even been known to take engines out of their district to distant fires, and, on the whole, their record in this respect is a glorious one. The men are comfortabl)' housed in an old but a substantial three-story briclv build- ing, which co\'ers a lot 25 x 80 feet. The ground floor is devoted to the engine and its tender, and as District Engineer Samuel Duff makes the building his headquarters, liis wagon is ever in readiness for instant use. The four horses are quartered in stalls in the rear, and " 15ob " and "Tctry," composing the intelligent gra}' team for the engine, are great pets with the men. On the second floor besides the dormitory is the District Engineer's room, and there is no better collecticjii of portraits of Brooklyn's most cele- brated fire-fighters extant than is to be found there. On the third floor are the firemen's lockers, the drjdng-room and the bathroom. The histor)'of No. 7 is the history of the men who for nearly a quarter of a century have added to its lustre and its fame in the Department by attention to dut}- that has frequently provoked the admiration of the public, and calls for the warmest commenda- tion of the Commissioner. \VlL[.l.\M A. H.\G.\N, the first Foreman of the companj', recently passed over to the silent majority, after having earned an honorable retirement b)- over t\vent)--one 3'ears of service. He was succeeded in i8go by the present Foreman, J.\MES ROBERTS, who is now about forty )'cars of age, and in the prime of a robust manhood. He was born in Ire- land, July 21, 1852, and entered the Department on April 15, 187S. After a service of eight }'ears, A\diich \\'as mark'ed by a conscientious discharge of his duty as a fireman of Engine No. 8, he was promoted to the Forcmanship ; and after a brief service in the same capacity on Truck No. 3, he was transferred, in 1886, to the position he now so acceptably fills. Assistant Foreman JoilN AL\i,r,()N is a native of York, Pa., where he saw the light on New Year's Da)', 1846. His training for the heroic duties of a fireman was under the Stars and Stripes on the battle-fields of the Civil AVar, and the return of peace found him one of the most enthusiastic members of the old Volunteer Department. When selections were being made f(-)r appointment to the Paid Department, Gallon's name ^\'as one of the first to be mentioned, and he has served continuously since the organization of the Department. He has had some narrow escapes, but none that came so near being a final summons as that he received at the Smith, Gray & Co. fire, wliere his leg E i- .-? 5 L^jjluBiL COMPAiNlES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 245. was broken and he was almost buried alive by the falling of a wall. He was rescued by his compctnions, but for a long time was on the sick list. Engineer JOSEPH R. REYNOLDS is a native Brooklynite and was a baby at the out- break of the war, for he was born on March iS, 1861. He has always lived in the vicinity of the engine-house and his boyish ambition was to be a fireman. He was- appointed to Truck No. i on Sept. 2, 1883, and after excellent service with Engine No. 3 he was made Engineer and transferred to No. 7 in 18S5. He is just the man for the place, steady, cool-headed and not easily excited ; and with his hand on the lever, No. 7 is always handled with consummate skill. But without a nervy, courageous driver what signifies the skill of an engineer, the judgment of a Foreman or the willing courage of the men ? In this as in other things No. 7 is blessed, for it is the boast of ARTHUR Johnson, the man who holds the reins over No. 7's grays, and it is stoutly corroborated b)- most of the men, that it's a very rare occasion when No. 7 fails to secure the hydrant nearest any fire to which she is summoned. Driver Johnson is an Irishman, whose love of his adopted country carried him into the navy for three years during the war. When the war was over, Johnson was attracted by the courage of the boys of old Washington Engine No. I, and decid- ing that they were just the kind of spirits for him to train with, he cast his lot with them. He shared all their trials and successes until the organization of the Paid Department, when he received his appointment and was assigned to Engine No. 6. He was made driver of No. 7 in 1873, and the scars he bears from the war are trifling com- pared with the evidences that his body bears of duty well done in the Fire Department. In Oct., 1 88 1, he was almost roasted alive at the fire at the Ansonia Clock Company's, works. It was a three-alarm fire and a bad one, and when Johnson responded to the third-alarm he was ordered to drive by the fire, which was then burning fiercely. He made the attempt, but was caught by a sudden rush of the flames. He was rescued, but was frightfully burned and one of the horses had to be shot on the spot. In 1886 came his next serious accident, when in driving to a fire in Smith Street he was thrown from his seat and had his arm broken, not to speak of other serious injuries. Four- years later a vicious horse came very near relieving No. 7's driver permanently from duty. The horse first kicked Driver Johnson into insensibility and then proceeded to^ .trample on him. After a long siege in the sick-bay Driver Johnson had earned a rest and he was made the driver of the District Engineer's wagon, which duty he still per- forms. Another of No. 7's boys who had a narrow escape from death in the line of duty is. James J. Fullerton. It was at the terrible fire in the Planet Millson April 13, 1889, and though at that time given up for lost and only nursed back to life by two months' tender care in the Methodist Episcopal Hospital, Fullerton is now ready to again risk 246 OUR FIREMEN. his life when duty calls. At this fire Fullerton, then a member of Truck No. i, was caught in the second stor)' with other firemen and almost blinded by the dense smoke; he fell through an open hatch while groping his way to a window. He received a com- pound fracture of the skull and he had a half-dozen ribs broken. Fireman Fullerton was transferred to Engine No. 7, in Nov., 1S90. He was born in Brooklyn, on Nov. 10, 1S54, and he has been a fireman since Dec. 15, 1885. jAMiiS Fay, one of the best men in the ranks of No. 7, came ver}' near losing his life at the disastrous fire which attacked the W. C. Vosburgh Manufacturing Company's plant at No. 273 State Street, on May 5, 18S4. Fay was at the time attached to Engine No. 5 and there was a terrific explosion caused b\- the collection of gases in an archway under the street. Fay was thrown twenty feet and landed in a mass oi debris, sustaining a broken wrist and other serious injuries. After two weeks in the care of the doctors at the Long Island College Hospital he was convalescent and returned to duty. Fire- man Fay was born in Ireland, on Dec. 15, 1843, '^"J he has been a fireman since Feb. 7, 1872, the greater part of the time with Engine No. 5. In 18S8 he was transferred to No. 7, and he is popular with his officers and comrades. Another of No. 7's men who lias had a very close call is WILLIAM H. Dennin, who on account of his admirable qualities was chosen for the responsible post of driver when the veteran Arthur Johnson was nearlj- killed and incapacitated for dut\'. Early in 1890, when responding to an alarm from Bo.x 137, there was a collision at the corner of Pearl and TiUary Streets and very much to Dennin's surprise his machine stood up on its hind legs, so to speak, and turned over on its side. The seat is not the safest place in the world when an accident of that kind happens, and Dennin was a little late in extricating himself. The result was a bad fall, a cracked skull and various con- tusions and bruises, from all of which 'Dennin has long since completely recovered. Dennin is a native Brooklynite. He was born on Nov. 5. 1852, and has been a fireman since Oct. i, 1883. He was first assigned to Engine No. 2, but was transferred to No. 7 on Jan. 10, 1885, and since then he has handled the lines over one of the best teams in the Department. James Riley has shared the fortunes of No. 7 for over twenty-one years, and he is .a veteran fireman as well as a veteran Jack tar, and so equall)- at home \\\t\\ fire or water. He was born in Brooklyn, on Oct. 5, 1844, and in the first year of the war he enlisted for three years in the navy. With an honorable discharge and some ugly marks to remember the rebel gunners by, he came back to Brooklyn and joined the old Volunteer Department. When the Paid Department was organized he was appointed and assigned to Engine No. 6, doing good service there until April 5, 1871, when he was transferred to No. 7, Riley is a man of cool judgment and desperate courage when the occasion arises. COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 247 Francis I. McCann is another veteran fireman and veteran of the war who is enrolled with Engine No. 7. He, too, is a Brooklynite, and after returning with his regiment from the battle fields of the South he ran with old Volunteer Engine Company No. 7, whose house was in Front Street, near Bridge. He was appointed to the reg- ular Department in 1875, and has done duty with No. 7 ever since. He enjoys the distinction of having been born on St. Patrick's Day, 1836, and thus is well on to his sixtieth year. He is a man who can always be relied on in an emergenc)'. Timothy Ryan is also a veteran member of No. 7, for he was appointed on May 28, 1S70, and has seen over twenty years of active service with that company. He was born in Ireland, on Jan. 18, 1844, and is still in his prime. William Hamilton has been on duty with No. 7 since his appointment on Nov., 9, 1S84. He was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 28, 1850, and bids fair to be hale and heart)' for many j-ears to come. James Muldary is comparatively a )'0ung man, having been born in Brooklyn on March 31, 1S65. He has been a faithful member of No. 7, since Dec. 3, 1888. John I. Donohue is another of the young and active members of No. 7. ' He was born in Brooklyn, on Jan. 24, i860, and has been with the company since his appoint- ment on July 15, 1889. Michael J. Condron was born in Ireland, Feb. 11, 1S68, and was appointed and assigned to No. 7, on March 12, 1891. He is an apt pupil of the old fire-fighters and promises to emulate some of their deeds when the opportunit}- offers. William A. Ryan was born in Brooklyn, on Nov. 20, 1868. He was a boxmaker by trade when he was appointed a fireman on July i, 1892. engine company no. 8. Engine Company No. 8 was organized on Sept. 15, 1869. The house provided for them was a two-story frame structure which stood on the site of their present com- modious quarters on Front Street, near Bridge. For t-\\o }'ears the members of the company made themselves as comfortable as possible in the little wooden building. Then the city erected for them a handsome four-story building and fitted it up in a manner which made it what at that time was considered a model house for a fire-com- pany. The house is yet, according to the statements of members of the company, one of the most comfortable in the city, and they are perfectly contented with it. The old building, prior to the formation of No. 8, was the quarters of Constitution No. 7, of the Volunteer Department, and some of old Constitution's men are now members of No. 8. The members of No. 8 are a bright, active, well-built and courageous lot of men, and they are credited with having done some excellent work at the many big fires which have claimed their attention since they became members of the Department. 24S OUR FIREMEN. Their first engine was a " U " tanl^-. Tliis was soon found to be too small for the work required of it, and it was exchanged for a Clapp & Jones steamer. Two years later this was replaced by an Amoskeag engine, one of the first introduced in the Depart- ment. At the present time they have a first-class Amoskeag, which weighs 8,100 pounds. " Harr)' " and "Jim," two fine dapple bay horses, furnish the locomotive power when the engine is in transit to and from fires. "Tom," a chestnut sorrel, seventeen hands high, rattles tlie two-wheeled hose-cart along with surprising s]jeed. The first big fire to which the compan\- was called was at Conklin's lumber )'ard, which covered nearl)' the entire block bounded b\' Pearl, Plymouth and John Streets. The loss was o\'er §200,000. On Maj^ 10, 1872, the company worked twenty hours on a fire at the sugar refinery, foot of Gold Street. The loss was $300,000. In the sum- mer of 1875, the\' did some excellent ^\ ork at Baxter's paint "works on Ja}' Street. Among tlie otlier large fires at which No. S rendered valuable services, ^vere those at the Averill Paint Worlds, on Water Street on Dec. 6, 1872; at ex-Alderman Ruggles's wall- paper and button factor)-, on Oct. 21, 1884; in tlie Equipment Department at the Nav)' Yard, on Jan. 6, 1888; at the carpet works at Front and Washington Streets on Jan. 6, 1883; at Campbell & Thayer's linseed oil factor)- on Pearl Street, on Ma)' 13, 1877 ; at Harbeck's stores, Nov. 13, 1884, at Haveme)'er's sugar refiner)- in 1882; at Pond's E.xtract factory ; at the Brookl)-n Oil Refiner)' ; at the Gowanus Oil Works and E. B. Bartlett's Central grain elevator, Nov. 13, 1S88. The damages at these fires ranged from $100,000 to fSoo, 000. One of the worst fires with which the company had to contend was in the Arbuckle Coffee and Spice Mills at the foot of Adams Street in 18S3. For eighteen hours the)' battled with the flames. It was a stubborn fire, and the fight was against the brave men, who never left their post until the building was burned to the ground. In their work at this fire several of the men had their hands badly cut by falling glass. The damage to the building and stock was estimated at $200,000. A paper box factory which stood on the same site had been burned in 1881. The com- pany also did some excellent work at the fire at the Pierrepont stores, on Sunda)-, Jan. 26, 1S90, wdren the full-rigged iron ship " P)-thomcnc," laden witli jute butts and linseed meal, \\'as totall)- destro)'cd. On that occasion several firemen came very near to being suffocated. P^rom the date of its organization until Jul)- 18, 1892, a period of almost twent)-- three )'ears, the Foreman of No. 8, was James Wal.sh. Tlie proper place for a sketch of his life is now among the District Engineers, and his services \\-ill be found chronicled as the responsible chief of the newly created Tenth District, of \\'liich he \\'as placed in command when he was promoted on the above date. But the histor)' of No. 8 would be incomplete indeed without mention here of the long service as its Captain of District Engineer James Walsh. § o 5 s c < < O a- ,-, 5 « COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 251 Pending the appointment of a successor to Foreman Walsh, tlie command of tlie compan}' devolved on Assistant Foreman JOHN McCOLE, who was born in Ireland on March 7, 1837. He is married, and is the father of eleven children, four of whom are hving. He lives at No. 113 Jay Street. Asamemberof the Volunteer Department, he had some thrilling experiences wdiile attached to Constitution Engine No. 7. He is a retiring man, and dislikes to talk about himself, even to his most intimate friends. Although he never has been injured in the discharge of his duty, it has been through good luck, for he has many times been in perilous positions while doing his part toward saving valuable property. He severed his connection with the Volunteer Department on Sept. 15, i86g, \\'hen he received his appointment to the Paid Department and was assigned to dut\" with Engine No. 8. His valuable services as an ordinar3' fireman, and strict attention to duty led to his promotion to the grade of Assistant Foreman on March I, 18S7. Engineer P'raxciS J. QUAL, Jr., was born in this city, on Aug. 25, 1884, and was appointed to the uniformed force on Dec. 3, 1888. He was promoted to the grade of engineer on Feb. 16, 1891, and assigned to his present position. He is a ver)' able, careful man in the discharge of his dut}', and is highly esteemed by his superior officers. Bartley Guxxixg sits on the driver's seat of Engine No. 8 and guides the horses " Harry " and " Jim." He was born in Ireland, on May 10, 1846, and was appointed to the force on Sept. 15, 1869. WlLLL-\M E. DOL.vx was born in this city, on Feb. 27, 1861, and recei\'ed his ap- pointment to the uniformed force on Feb. 27, 1885. He distinguished himself about two years ago, at York and Jay Streets, when by his promptness and coolness he saved Lung Foo, a Chinese laundryman, from being killed by a live electric wire, which in its fall had struck the Chinaman and knocked him down. l\Ir. Dolan never speal^s of the affair, but his comrades take pleasure in praising him for the brave act. He is at present de- tailed as a lineman at Fire Department Headquarters. S-^:muel Burns was born in Brookh-n, on Nov. 7, 1845, and was appointed a fireman and assigned to Engine No. 8 on Sept. 15, 1869. At present he is detailed at Fire Headquarters as a telegraph operator. Joseph G. Greex was born in New York City, on March 14, 1840, and was ap- pointed to the force Aug. 15, 1870, and assigned to duty with Engine No. 8, in the capa- city of engineer. He is at present detailed at the Repair-shops. AlE-YIS R. L.AVIGNE was born in Lowell, Mass., on Nov. 2, 1857, and became a member of the Fire Department on Sept. 17, 1S83. He is detailed at present as line- man at Fire Headquarters. WiLLLAM SCIIIEBEL was born in this city, on Oct. 27, 1868, and was appointed a Tlircman on Now 16, 1891. 252 • OUR FIREMEN. Thomas P. Connolly was born in England on Dec. 26, 1853, and entered upon his career as a fireman Feb. i, 1887. Prior to becoming a member of Engine No. 8, lie did duty with Engine Company No. 5. James BkiD(;es was born in this city, on Nov. 26, 1870. He is a fine stalwart }-oung fireman, and his ambition undoubtedly will receive its reward in due time. He was ap- pointed Nov. 15, 1891. JOUN GiLLEN is a native of Brooklyn and was born on Jan. 17, 1855. He entered upon the career of a fireman on May I, 1881, and has done duty faithfully since he first stepped into his present position. James H. Quinn also was born in this city, his natal day being Oct. 27, 1S64. He became a fireman on May 20, 1889. John Virtue liails from Boston, Mass., in \\'liich city he was born on April 7, 1856. It was on June 19, 1882, that his name was enrolled on the blotter of Engine Company No. 8. Pie is a tlioroughly efficient fireman. Tliis completes the roll of membership of Engine Compony No. 8. Thej- are, all in all, a fine body of men, and their standing in the Department as a company is A i. They have done good work and are ready to do more, no matter how perilous it ma}- be, whenever the big gong in the engine-house summons them to battle with the flames. Among the large buildings within the district covered b)' Engine Compaii)- No. 8 on a first-alarm are those of Boerum & Pease, manufacturers of fine stationer)- and blank books ; the Brass Rolling Mills ; Campbell & Thayer's paint works ; the Empire Storage Company; the Consolidated White Lead Works; Arbuckle Coffee and Spice Mills; Robert Gavi's paper box factory, and the Navy Yard buildings. ENGINE COMP.\NY NO. 23. (fIREBOAT " SETH LOW.") There is no engine-company in Brooklyn of which the city is more justly proud than No. 23, known as the fireboat " Seth Low." It is onl}' within the last seven years that Brooklyn has had a fireboat in its Department, but within that time the boat has done such work that every citizen is proud of her and of her achievements. On Jan. I, 1S86, the " Scth Low" — technically Engine Co. No. 23 — went into commis- sion, being then stationed at Harbeck's stores, near the head of Furman Street. James Connell was her first P^oreman, and on June I of the same )'ear he was succeeded b}' P'oreman John Finn, who held the position until Dec. I, 1891, when Edward Dougherty, the present P'orem^jn, took charge of the boat. Although the " Seth Low " had several stations during the first eighteen months of her existence, she settled down on July 3, 1887, to her present station at the foot of Main Street, and it is from this station that she has done her most praiseworth)- work as a protector of property and lives. "The Low," as she is familiarl}' called, has a fire- m 6 > i • 6 : i> COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 255 crew of eleven men: one Foreman, an Assistant Foreman, four engineers and six fire- men. Beside this uniformed crew she has two pilots, Joseph Delaney and John R. Hughes, and four stokers, these men being necessary for the proper handling of the boat, while her crew fight fires. The " Seth Low " was built of wood by Trundy & Murphy, at the foot of Smith Street, South Brooklj'n, in 1886. After her hull was launched she was towed over to Jerse}' City where her engines, built by Brown & McWilliams, were ■ put in. It is claimed by the engineers who have handled her ever since her trial trip that for her equation of power and displacement the " Seth Low " rivals any boat of her size afloat. She is a twin propeller with two single-acting engines that may be used as either high or low pressure engines as the exigencies of the occasion may demand. Her cylinders are sixteen inches in diameter with an eighteen-inch stroke. The boat itself is ninety- nine feet and six inches over all, with twenty-three feet beam, and nine feet draught with her coal-bunkers full. She is all wood, copper-fastened and copper-bottomed to her water-line. Red and black are the prevailing colors on her freeboard and upper works, but there is so much brass about her that the black trimmings are almost lost in the flashes of gold. Outside of her appearance the " Seth Low " is what seafaring men call a " sweet boat "; that is, she is well-balanced, a good sea-boat, and handles easily, although she has not the modern steam-steering gear that lier other equipments ^^'ould presuppose. On deck she is much like an ordinary sea-going tug, her pilot-house and upper works being of the usual pattern. Below deck she is made for fighting fire. Her engine and pump rooms take up most of the space, although there is a small officers' forecastle for the officers, and, abaft the engine-room, bunks for four men. Alongside the engine-room are the coal-bunkers, within hand}' reach of her stokers, and it is no idle boast that a lady could handle every joint of the engine or pimips without soiling a pair of white kid gloves, for everything is bright and dry and clean. The business end of Engine Company No. 23 is forward of the " Seth Low's " beam. That is where the big pumps are. These pumps are probably as fine as any afloat. They \\'ere built by Clapp & Jones of Hudson, N. Y., and have at the end iS^i inches diameter and a ten^ inch stroke. At the water end the diameter is eight inches and the stroke ten, the steam end difference increasing the capabilities of the pumps in almost geometri- cal ratio. As a reasonable criterion of what these water-carriers can do, it must be remembered that to pump a few million gallons into the hold of a vessel or into a blazing warehouse at the water's edge is counted but an ordinary job. The pumps worked at their full capacity can throw no less than 3,500 gallons of water in sixty seconds, or 210,000 gallons in an hour. This mass of water can be delivered in more than a dozen ways. Foremost of all, as the boat lays, is the water-tower, with a diam- 2s6 OUR FIREMEN. eter at the nozzle of three and one-half inches. This stream alone can be thrown at least 250 feet, and when it is considered that the average land fire-engine uses a nozzle from one to one and one-half inches in diameter, the worth of this marine water-tower may be imagined. Arranged in the form of a horseshoe and just forward of the pilot- house is what is called the '' battery." This battery consists of twelve separate con- nections, all three and one-half inches, but capable of being reduced to two and one half inches at the battery if more force should be needed. Aside from this reduction are " Siamese connections," revolving nozzles, and other modern means of scattering water over fire. Should the fire be in the hold of a ship, where no access can be gained without cutting open decks and feeding with air a fire that ought to be smoth- ered, the fireboat is equal to the occasion. On either side, just under the battery, are the " flood-gates," each of them six inches in diameter and through which the entire capac- ity of the pumps can be most handily used. It is only when the hold of a ship needs flooding that these gates are used. At such times six-inch holes are cut in the decks and the flood hose nozzle inserted. The ordinary suction for the flood-gates is below the water-line, but should the boat be in shallow water and likely to suck mud or refuse in, her pumps and outboard suction can be rigged, drawing from the surface of the water. In all fires the usefulness of the boat is enhanced by the ease Avith which her twin propellers enable her to turn. Should she, by reason of closely lying ship- ping, be unable to get bow on to the fire, lines of hose are led from the batter}^ aft. Then the fire is fought stern foremost. Abaft the deck-houses is a hose-reel and under the reel lie big coils of hose. Altogether the " Seth Low " carries 2,350 feet of hose, and there have been times when she needed and used it all. As she is built entirely of wood and has been more than once in close quarters, paint is no small feature of her expense account ; but there has never yet been any charge for burning off old paint — the boat does that in her work. There have been not a few fires in the harbor that needed hard work from tire fire- boat, and there have been a great many calls that were for life-saving as well as the pres- ervation of property. Shortly after ten o'clock on the evening of Feb. 27, 1886, there was a call from Coney Island Point for the fireboat to aid the crew of the scow " Sarah," which was dragging her anchor. Application had been made to half a dozen tugs in port, but none would respond as a strong gale was blowing from the northeast and hail and snow squalls were sweeping down every half hour. It took the " Seth Low " one hour and five minutes to reach the scow, from her pier, and during that time the fireboat was the only vessel in the harbor under way. When the scow was reached the fireboat was one mass of ice from the top of her pilot-house to the water-line, but in spite of the dis- advantages under which the men worked they rescued Thomas Olsen, of No. 227 West Twenty-seventh Street, New York City, who was in charge of the scow. Olsen was COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. ^57 nearly frozen to death, but hot coffee and dry clothing brought him around and after nearly four hours' fighting with the icy gale the " Seth Low " got back to her pier.. Pilot John Mahoney and Assistant Chief Dale were in charge of the " Low " in this trip. When the big Nova Scotian ship " Thorva " was loading cases of oil at the foot of Kent Street on June 5, 1886, fire was discovered in the cargo between decks. It was after eleven o'clock at night when the order to attend the ship was received by the fire- boat, and for three hours the " Seth Low " pumped water through two lines of three and one-half inch hose into the ship. There were 33,000 cases of oil in the vessel, but only a small portion was damaged, owing entirely to the work of the fireboat, which received no aid from the shore force. Pilot Francis Bell and Assistant Chief Smith were iii command of the fireboat. When the German bark " Maria," loaded with bales of rags, paper, rosin and guano,, was on fire at the foot of Fourtieth Street, the fireboat pumped water into her for nine- teen consecutive hours. The vessel was ablaze below decks fore and aft. Holes were cut in her decks and ten lines of hose worked at once. Some of the new revolving noz- zles were inserted and did good work. Although for a long time there seemed little hope, the fireboat kept at work and finally saved the ship. It has been on some of the occasions when the fireboat was needed to aid the land force that she has done her most efficient work. Just before midnight on Maj- 28, 1887, the " Seth Low " was ordered to- report to Chief Smith at the foot of North Fifth Street. The fire was in two brick build- ings owned and occupied by Lowell Palmer as a cooperage. Seventeen lengths of three and one-half inch hose were used to reach the fire, and for sixty-nine consecutive hours the " Seth Low " pumped water on this fire. The first stream fell on the fire at midnight. May 28, and the pumping stopped at six o'clock. May 31, during which time the fireboat alone had thrown 3,510,000 gallons of water. At the fire in the Havemeyer sugar house, on the afternoon of June 10, 1887, the fireboat pumped 194,000 gallons through twenty lengths of three and one-half inch hose in six hours. It was necessary to use a two and one-half inch nozzle at the end of the two long lines of hose. On Sept. 2, 1887, the two thousand ton pile of coal in the yard of J. C. Provost, at the foot of Ver- nott Avenue in Long Island City, caught fire. Two lines of hose, each four hundred feet lone, and the water-tower were used. For twenty-seven consecutive hours the fireboat's pumps kept going and in that time threw 4,860,000 gallons of water. The fire in the Brooklyn Navy Yard just after midnight of Jan. 3, 1888, was one of the hardest pieces of work imposed on the fireboat. The building, which was stored with gunpowder and munitions of war, was a long way from the water's edge. The fireboat stretched 1600 feet of rubber and five hundred feet of canvas hose and a press- ure ranging from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and sixty pounds was necessary 2s8 OUR FIREMEN. to force the three and one-half inch stream of water up to the building. The danger- ous nature of the contents of the building made the work all the harder, and the fire- boat's entire crew were at work for over twelve hours, the streams being thrown eleven hours and forty minutes. On March I, 1888, the fireboat extinguished the fires on iive ha)'-laden barges in the Wallabout Canal, making six lines of hose at once and pump- ing 2,250,000 gallons. When the big English ship " Glen Larn " was on fire at the foot of Harrison Street, on April 13, 1888, the dock and shed also caught fire. The fireboat towed the ship out from the flames, and, after beaching her on the shoal off Liberty Island, pumped her full of water, discharging 1,620,000 gallons into her hull. To enumerate all the big fights which the " Seth Low " has had with fire would take too much space, but two others cannot pass unnoticed. At the fire in the coal elevator and railway of the Philadelphia & Reading Coal Co., at the foot of North Eleventh Street on Oct. 10, 1S8S, the "Seth Low " did splendid work. There were practically three fires. The first was in the elevator and railway. On this the water-tower was used. Then the storehouse of the Pratt Manufacturing Company caught fire and next the bark " Ella Voss " was ablaze. For one hundred and seven hours the " Low's " pumps worked continuously, throwing 19,260,000 gallons of water. For one hundred and ninety-seven hours the men of the company were at work on the fire. Never did a city more thoroughly realize the value of a fireboat than did Brookl)-n on the night of Nov. 23, 1S91. At that time fire was raging in the heart of the block bounded by Court, I-lar- rison and Degraw Streets and Tompkins Place. Although there ^\'ere plenty of en- gines, there was no water, for the break in the big conduit had not been repaired and there was little or no water in the city's reservoirs. It seemed certain that the entire block would go, for not one of the engines could get water enough to throw an inch stream twenty feet. A special call from Headquarters brought the fireboat to the foot of Harrison Street, but then she was nearly half a mile from the fire and at the foot of a hill. All of the hose on the fireboat was stretched and some more borrowed from the land engines, until 2350 feet of hose were laid. This enabled them to get a stream on the rear of the fire. Another connection was then made with Engine No. 21 at the corner of Union and Van pjrunt Streets, where another and smaller fire was in prog- ress. For three hours and a-half the " Seth Low " furnished water for both these fires. Without her aid the Court Street fire would have been terribly disastrous, and so well was this fact appreciated that all the residents on the Harrison Street side of the block were ordered out of their houses. When the stream came from the fireboat there was a cheer from the big crowd, and within a short time the fire was under control. Brook- lyn is proud of her fireboat, and justly, for the " Seth Low " has saved millions of dol- lars worth of property since she first went into commission. The crew of Engine Com- pany No. 23 — the fireboat — are a splendid set of men and good fire-fighters. COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 259 Foreman Edward Dougherty has a ship-master's license as well as an enviable record as fireman. He was born in Brooklyn, on Dec. 28, 1S48. On April i, iB/i.he was appointed driver of Engine No. 6, where he served nine )'ears and was then trans- ferred to Truck No. 3. Five j^ears later, at his own request, he was made a pipeman with Engine No. 8, and while there was promoted to be Assistant Foreman on March r, 18S7, and transferred to the fireboat. On Dec. I, 1 89 1, he was promoted again, being made Foreman, and master of the boat. Besides being a good fireman, Mr. Dougherty has done some life-saving. On Oct. 29, 18S9, he and Engineer Charles Nicolls rescued Thomas Keegan from drowning, when his boat was swamped. On Sept. 30, 1889, Mr. Dougherty with Engineer Moses Morgan saw a row-boat capsize and went to the assistance of the occupants. There was not much time to spare, but the}' succeeded in saving the lives of William Malloy and Charles Keel}^ Assistant Foreman FREDERICK J. SxOW was born in New York City on March 22, 1859; appointed to the Department on Nov. 10, i88r, and assigned to Engine No. 15, where he served ten )'ears and three months, making" an enviable record for himself. On Feb. 13, 1892, he was made an Assistant Foreman and assigned to the fii'eboat. Engineer Charles Nichols Jr., was born in New York Cit\', on March 27, 1863; on Dec. 15, 1885, he was appointed as fireman and assigned to Engine Co. No. 20. When the fireboat was undergoing her experimental trials, Mr. Nichols was detailed to her engine-room. On Jan. 16, 1 886, he was made an engineer and the temporary detail to the " Seth Low " was made permanent. Mr. Nichols is one of the best-equipped marine engineers in the service of the city. Besides the rescues already mentioned, Mr. Nichols, with Engineer John Bishop, rescued James Lahey from drowning at the foot of Washing- ton Street. Lahey had fallen off the pier just after midnight and Nichols and Bishop reached him in a row-boat in time to save him. Engineer JOHN BiSHOP was born in Brooklyn on June 28, 1863. From Aug. 2, 1879, till June 28, 1884, he served in the United States Nav)^ On April i, 1S85, he was appointed as a fireman and assigned to Engine Co. No. 18. He was made an engineer on Jan. 14, 1886, and assigned to the fireboat. The rescue of James Lahey, mentioned above, is but one of many brave acts to Engineer Bishop's credit. Mr. Bishop is a first- class marine engineer. Engineer MoSES MORGAN was born in Brooklyn, in 1845, and appointed to Engine Co. No. 9, when first made a fireman on Sept. 15, 1869. In 1877, he was made an engineer and was transferred to Engine Co. No. i, in the following year, afterwards being transferred to the fireboat. James Henry Byrne was born in Ireland, on Sept. 12, 1849. He came to America when a young man and was made a fireman on Dec. 15, 1885, and assigned to Engine Co. No. i. During the trial trips of the fireboat Byrne was one of her details, 26o OUR FIREMEN. and on Jan. i6, 1886, he was permanently transferred to her. While working at a fire in the bark "Maria" off the foot of Thirty-ninth Street on Feb. 25, 1887, Fireman George Rogers was overcome by smoke and fell into the vessel's hold. Byrne saw his brother fireman fall, jumped after him at once and succeeded in saving him. On the night of Jan. 7, 1888, Richard McDadc fell oft the pier at the foot of Washington Street and would have been drowned but for Fireman Byrne. Also it was Byrne who heard Lahey's cry for help and called the men who rescued him. Charles E. Costello was born in Brooklyn, Sept. 15, 1862. He was appointed a fireman with Engine Co. No. 2, on April i, 1885, and transferred to the fireboat when she went into commission, Jan. I, 1886. On the night of Sept. 2, 1889, John Williams and William Gresham, sailors belonging to the United States Steamer " Boston," fell off a ferryboat near the fireboat's pier. The tide swung them in and Mr. Costello hauled them both out by means of a boat-hook. George W. Young was born in Canada on Aug. 24, 1858, and was appointed to the fireboat March 25, 1891. David H. McClymont was born in New York City on Sept. 13, 1851. He was made a fireman May I, 1883, and assigned to Engine No. 3. Later he was transferred to Engine No. 20 and from that to the fireboat. George Cunningham was born in Brooklyn on April 4, 1854, appointed to the Fire Department on Sept. 15, 1879, ^"^ transferred to the fireboat in Jan., 1886. John Henry Trapp was born in New York City on Dec. 5, 1862, and appointed as fireman on the fireboat on Oct. 14, 1890. George VJ. McDonough is a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he was born on June 5, 1864. He was a railroad man before becoming a fireman on July 1, 1892. HOOR AND LADDER COMPANY NO. 3. Truck Company No. 3, which at present is stationed at No. I S3 Concord Street, was organized on Sept. 15, 1869, and occupied the house at No. 236 Gold Street, which was formerly used by Volunteer Engine No. 11 and later by Volunteer Truck No. 2. That house was a two-story brick building, 20 x 50 feet ; the whole first floor was used as an apparatus-room, with two stalls in the rear for the horses, the second floor being fitted up as sleeping apartments for the officers and men. On April 29, 1874, the compan)' removed to its present quarters on Concord Street, a two-stor)' brick building, 25x75 feet. The apparatus-room has three stalls in the rear, and has lately been supplied with a patent extension ladder. On July 29, 1878, Foreman Huestis was transferred to Engine Co. 5, and Thomas Byrne succeeded him, remaining until Oct. 26, 1878, when he was removed and Peter Campbell became Foreman. The next Foreman was David Kirkpatrick, appointed on COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 263 Aug. 6, 1886, but he remained only four days in the company when James Roberts, Foreman of Engine Co. No. 17, was transferred to Truck 3 and John Fitzgerald was promoted to be Assistant Foreman. On Feb. 11, 1890, Assistant Foreman John Fitz- gerald was promoted to be Foreman to succeed Foreman Roberts, who was transferred to Engine Co. No. 7. Up to the present there have been no further changes in the Foremanship. This truck-company is one of the best in the city. It takes the men just twelve seconds from the first tap of the gong to get the truck out of the house and well started, which is good time considering that the horses have a run of fifty-nine feet to get under the harness and that there are three collars to snap and six lines to buckle up. The act- ual time of raising the extension ladder and putting a man on a roof as timed by eight stop-watches before the Oxford Club and Fire Commissioner Richard R. Poillon, was fifty- nine seconds, and the second man reached the roof about four seconds after. The truck weighs 9100 pounds. The men of Truck No. 3 are noted for their courage in the face of danger, and in this they have an excellent example in their Foreman, JOHN Fitzgerald. He was born in this city, on Oct. 8, 1856, and was appointed on Dec. 15, 1880, and detailed to the Kerosene Bureau. He remained there until July 6, 1886, when he was transferred to Truck No. 3, and on March i, 1887, he was promoted to be Assistant Foreman and succeeded Foreman James Roberts on Feb. 11, 1890. On Oct. 5, 1891, while working at a fire on the roof of the old ferryhouse at the foot of Bridge Street, the supports burned away and the roof fell and carried him down with it. He received a contusion of the spine which confined him to his bed for two months. He has rescued a number of persons from burning buildings since he was connected with the Department. Assistant Foreman CHARLES Shay, who lives at No. 137 Jay Street, was born in New York City on Nov. 9, 1851. He was appointed to the Department on May 5, 1874, and detailed to Engine Co. No. 8. He was afterwards transferred and promoted to be Assistant Foreman of Truck No. 3, on Jan. i, 1891, and served faithfully until Feb. 28, 1892. Then he was seriously injured at the fire which occurred in Smith, Gray & Co.'s buildino- on the corner of Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue. He was going down a ladder from the second-story window when the ladder slipped from under him and he fell to the sidewalk headforemost, receiving a compound fracture of the skull, and he was not able to report for duty for months. John Silk is known among his companions as "the life-saver," as no less than eighteen lives, saved at six different fires, stand to his credit. The names of those who owe their lives to Fireman Silk are not all known, but among them are Mr. and Mrs Malloy and their two children, whom he rescued at great peril to himself from a burnino- building at the corner of Doughty and Elizabeth Streets. He saved the lives 264 OUR FIREMEN. of Mr. and Mrs. Van Dusen and their three children, when they were overcome by smoke at a fire at No. 123 Atlantic Avenue. One of his most daring rescues was the saving of five persons at the big fire at No. 199 Concord Street. Though the place was all ablaze when Silk reached the third floor, he got John Carroll and his wife to the ground in safet}', and then went back to the second floor and assisted Patrick McHugh and his wife and Arthur Donnelly out of the flames that had almost been fatal to them. He was the leader of a daring band of life-savers at the fire of Feb. 21, 1891, supposed to have been the work of " firebug" Miller, in the six-story tenement at No. 129 and 131 Sand Street. Notwithstanding his efforts seven lives were sacrificed, but Silk carried two helpless women down five flights of stairs in safet)'. He also saved the life of Mrs. Goetz at a fire in the house at No. 342 Bergen Street, and at a fire in State Street near Smith he rescued a child that in the excitement had been forgotten on the top floor. At this fire two other children lost their lives. At the Smith, Gray & Co. fire. Silk received a severe cut on the left hand that incapacitated him for dut)' for a long time. He ^\•as born in New York, June 24, 1S38, and after returning from three 3'ears' service in the war he became a fire-fighter. f-fe was appointed Nov. 10, 1S69, and has been a conspicu- ous member of Truck No. 3 ever since. George Matthews, of No. 223 Bridge Street, was born on Sept. 15, 1835, in the County of Longford, Ireland, and was appointed and assigned to Truck No. 3 on May 5, 1875. On Dec, 26, 1883, at a fire in a four-story building at the corner of Cranberry and Henry Streets, he fell through a cellar grating and dislocated his shoulder. In 1884, at the fire in St. John's Home, he was knocked from a ladder by a falling line of hose and fell thirty-five feet, breaking his ankle and badly lacerating his body. At another fire in Briggs' cooperage on Durman Street, he broke a blood vessel in his left leg and was unable to report for dut}' for seven weeksu John McLaughlin, of No. 192 Pearl Street, was born in this city on Dec. 12, 1S43, and was appointed on July 15, 1878 as Kerosene Inspector, under Commissioners R)'an, Gallagher and Williams. He was dismissed from the Department in 1880, but was reinstated by the Courts in 1887. He was then detailed to Truck No. 3, where he remains. Charles RHvEL, of No. 140 Duffield Street, was born in Jan. i, i860, in Troy, N. Y., and was appointed a fireman on April 8, 1885. He was assigned to duty on Engine No. 6, and transferred to Engine No. 5, and then to Truck No. 3, on May 21, 1889. He remains on the rolls of that company. COMPANIES OF THE THIRD DISTRICT. 265 Robert NcNearn, of No. 137 Jay Street, was born in Germantown, Pa., on June 3, 1858. He was appointed a fireman on Dec. 15, 1885, and assigned to duty with Engine Co. No. 24. He was transferred to Truck Co. No. 3 on April 5, 1889, where ever since he has bravely done his duty as a life-saver. Patrick Dougherty, of No. 244 Bridge Street, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on June lo, 1 837, and received his appointment when the Department was organized, in i86g. He was assigned to Truck No. 3, and though he has served nearly a quarter of a century he is a wonder to some of the younger men when the gong sounds. Driver CHARLES McFeeley, who lives at No. 1S2, York Street, was born in this city on July 4, 1856, and was appointed on July 30, 1883 and detailed to Truck Co. No. 3. John J. Daly, of No. 367 Gold Street, was born on Feb. 23, 1850, in this city and spent three years of his life in the service of his country in the nav3\ He was ap- pointed a fireman on March 7, 1887, and was assigned to Truck Co. No. 3 and has seen five years of active and meritorious service. Charles Doran, of No. 184 North Elliott Place, was born in this city on March 1, 1863, and was appointed as a fireman on March, 12, 1891 and was assigned to Truck Co. No. 3. WlLLL-VM J. Wilton, of No. 310 Pacific Street, was born in July 7, 1865, in this city and was appointed on Feb. i, 1891 and was assigned to Truck No. 3. Charles McGregor was born in the city of New York, on Jan. 13, i860, and his appointment dates from July i, 1892. The three horses that spring to dut}' at the sound of the gong are great favorites with the men. They are known as " Billy," a white ; " Paddy," a bay ; and " Charlie," a chestnut, which last one has the reputation of being the gentlest and most intelligent animal in the Department. The history of Truck No. 3 would be incomplete without a mention of " Rags." " Rags " is only a dog, but he has a friend in every member of the company. He is a coach dog, beautifully marked and spotted. He can do any- thing but talk, and the men say " Rags" understands everything they say and knows every signal as well as any of them. He sleeps between " Billy " and " Paddy " and is always the first at a fire. JAMES CUNNINGHAM, District Engineer Fourth District, CHAPTER XI. COMPANIES OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER JAMES CUNNINGHAM. The Varied Interests of the Fourth District — Its Boundaries and Char- acteristics — District Engineer James Cunningham— A Worthy Son of A Worthy Sire — Engine Company No. 9 — A Company of Life-Savers — Engine Company No. 10— A Training-School for Firemen — Engine Com- pany No. 30 — A Well-Housed Two-Year-Old — Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. 2 AND its Gallant Rescues. ISTRICT FOUR includes broadly the territory that is fed by the Union Elevated Railroad on Myrtle Avenue and De Kalb Avenue street car line, from Cumberland Street to Throop Avenue. The district is a parallelogram running northeast and southwest, with the two streets last named bounding its ends. Its northwest side is bounded by Flush. ing Avenue from Cumberland Street to Throop Avenue; and the opposite side by Lexington Avenue, with a triangu- lar addition between Fulton and Grand Avenues. The dis- trict is a great congeries of nearly all the varieties of building that go to make up a city — dwellings, factories, tenements, armories, churches and business houses. They are of all qualities and degrees of importance and range from the splendid to the humble. DISTRICT ENGINEER JAMES CUNNINGHAM. James Cunningham, District Engineer in command of the Fourth District, in which are located Engine Companies Nos. 9, 10 and 30, and Truck Company No. 2, per- 270 OUR FIREMEN. petuates in his name and service those of his distinguished father, John Cunningham, who was the last Cliief of the Volunteer Department and the first Chief of the present Department. Mr. Cunningham has thus grown up nurtured in the traditions of the Department ever since he \v-as born in the Fifth Ward on Oct. i, 1839. After an education in the pubHc schools and some years spent at the trade of a shipwright, having moved into the Seventh, or Wallabout Ward, he joined Columbia Engine No. 10, at the age of tWenty-one. He served with this company until the for- mation of the present Department, when he was selected from among man}' applicants to fill the important position of Foreman of Engine Company No. 9. This appoint- ment was the best possible recognition of the value of his previous services ; for No. 9, located in Graham Street, near Myrtle Avenue, held a post of honor, its location being remote and its field covering from Fort Greene to East New York,, and from Flushing Avenue to the Penitentiary, requiring a self-reliant Foreman to cope with the responsi- bilities. ■ The proximity of this field to the Eastern District frequently called No. 9 to duty there, and altogether the company had more than its fair share of duty. There was no telegraph alarm in those days, and when the wind blew strong and wrong the tower bell did not always give an unmistakable signal. But Foreman Cunningham always gave the fire the benefit of any doubt, and started \\'henever he even thought he heard an alarm, or saw smoke by da}' or light b}' night. The long distances necessary to travel to cover the district, and the wretched pavements, often broke down the appa- ratus ; but he was alwa}'s equal to every emergenc}', and either took his horses to the nearest apparatus, or got his hose to the fire in some other way if his tender broke down, or in various ingenious and effective wa}'s covered the necessity of the case. His discretion on arriving at the fire always proved to be exercised in the wisest wa}', and so great was the value of a life-long experience and an inherited "head for the busi- ness," that he never lost his head under circumstances that often would baffle others of ordinarily good judgment. The rapidity with which he always got his apparatus to a fire frequently brought him first on the ground, where his special qualities were of the highest value. His knowledge ma}/ be attributed in part to the fact that, as Fore- man of No. 9, he was thus often called upon to perform duties which properly belonged to a District Engineer, and so well did he perform them, that on the death of District Engineer James Gaffney, in 1876, he was, on Feb. 7th of that year, appointed to the vacant position. In command of this district, he has been successful in keeping down the losses from fire, although it is a ver}' dangerous district, containing many fac- tories, car stables and frame houses. In personal appearance Engineer Cunningham looks ever}' inch a fireman — six feet in height and robust of frame. He attends closely to his work and seldom leaves the city, an occasional da}' off being all the recreation he desires. He is in the prime of COMPANIES OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. 271 life, and bids fair to live long to give the Department the benefit of the experience and knowledge of this " worthy son of a worthy sire." ENGINE COMPANY NO. 9. Engine Company No. 9 is an organization whose history is full of interest, not only to members of the Fire Department, but to the people it has served so long and faith- fully. It is almost inseparably connected with the growth and progress of the city. It was organized right in the heart of this great city in 1869, and during its existence of almost a quarter of a century it has been called upon to battle with some of the fiercest fires on record, the terrible Brooklyn Theatre fire being one of them. A fact that speaks volumes for this company is that nearly every member of it has a record as a life- saver and a place on the roll of honor. Engine No. 9 is located at No. 157 Graham Street, just off Myrtle Avenue, and from this house the brave company who are attached to it have gone out thousands of times to risk life and limb in defence of the lives and property of their fellow-citizens- Strange as it may seem, they have been called out to six fires in a single day, between the hours of 3 P. 'Si. and 2 A. M. It hardly seems possible that men could stand so much strain. This \\'ill give the reader something of an idea of what the average fire- man must go through in the line of duty. The district for which the company is responsible is within the following boundaries: Broadway, the city line, Cumberland Street and Tompkins Avenue. This is a great stretch of territory, but No. 9 covers it and does it well, as the records of the Fire Department and the newspapers demon- strate. The mere mention of these boundaries does not give a correct idea of the extent of the district. To make it clearer, let us say a first-alarm will send the com- pany flying out as far as the Kings County Penitentiary, which is only a stone's-throw from the city line, but nearly two miles from No. 9's house. A second-alarm will also bring it to the foot of Division Avenue, which is the dividing line separating the Thir- teenth and Nineteenth Wards. In a word. Engine No. 9 is responsible for and must answer alarms in the Seventh, Ninth, Thirteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards, which embrace nearly one-third of the city. In cases of second-alarms the company may be called a mile beyond the boundaries of its own immediate district, while third alarms will send it as far as Greenpoint in one direc- tion, East New York in another, or even down to South Brooklyn. The district differs in several respects from others, inasmuch as it includes both the most aristocratic and the most humble quarters of the city. Palatial mansions, costing as much as $150,000, which are an ornament to the city, can be found in one part of the district, and the poorest hovels in other parts. It is a great industrial centre, too; some of Brooklyn's o-reatest factories and mills are in it. And it is a great lumber centre as well. What 272 OUR FIREMEN. is probably the largest publishing house in the world is in one part of the district, and one of the most extensive markets in the country is located in another part. Among the structures of note \vithin it are the United States Naval Hospital, the Pratt Insti- tute, the Adelphi Academy, the Navy Yard buildings, the Clermont Avenue Rink, the 23d Regiment Armor)-, which adjoins it ; the famous Brooklyn Tabernacle, the Walla- bout Rfarkijt, the Girls' High School and the Boys' High School, both magnificent and costly structures; the Criterion Theatre, the Oxford, Lincoln, Laurence, Union League and Jackson clubdrouses ; the Pouch mansion, which cost about $250,000, and the Homccopathic Hospital. There are also the Baptist Home, the Sisters of Mercy Convent, where 600 orphans are sheltered; the Home for Aged Men, the Brookl}'n M. E. Church Home, the Emmanuel and Washington Avenue Baptist churches; the Throop iVvenue, DeKalb Avenue, Summcrfield, Simpson and Francis IMethodist Episcopal churches ; the Roman Catholic churches of St. Patrick, Sacred Heart and St. Ambrose ; St. John's Chapel, the Roman Catholic bishop's mansion, on Clermont Avenue ; the Cumberland, Lafayette Avenue and Central Presbyterian churches ; the Fourth Precinct Police Station. Clinton Avenue, which is included ^\•ithin the dis- trict, is lined with many costly mansions, among them being the residences of Ex-Mayor Shroeder, Mrs. Charles Pratt, Gen. Henry W. Slocum, Ex-I\Ia)'or John W. Hunter, John French, Geo. PL Nichols, William H. Wallace, Charles A. Schieren, Frederick B. Pratt, John Arbuclde, D. H. Houghtaling, Gustav Loeser, R. S. Barnes, Jesse John- son, Louis Liebmann, Henry T. Chapman, Jr., J. C. Hoagland, C. N. Hoagland, Mark Hoyt, W. B. Bocrum, Dr. George R. Kuhn, and others. There are, also, a number of splendid school buildings in the district as follows : Public Schools Nos. 3, 4, 11, 12, 25, 35, 41, 42, 44, 45, 54 and 79. The real and personal property within No. 9's district is worth not less than $125,000,000, and to guard against the danger of fire this colossal amount of wealth. Engine No. 9 must keep unceasing vigil. Engine No. 9 was organized and went into commission on Sept. 15, 1S69. It succeeded Engine No. 12 of the old Volunteer Department, which passed out of exist- ence that }X-ar, and it occupies the same quarters on Graham Street, near Myrtle Avenue, which belonged to old No. 12. It is an interesting coincidence that four of the men who belong to it to-day were appointed the day the engine began service as a branch of Brooklyn Fire Department. They are Foreman James W. Connell, John Friel, James Cassidy and John Farrell. During its career, Engine No. 9 has been called out thousands of times, and many dangerous fires have occurred within its district. Among the ones deserving special notice are those at the Adelphi Academy, the cocoa- mat factory, and the burning of the Nostrand Avenue flats which occurred in the winter of 1892 and which rendered one hundred families homeless and penniless as well. This latter fire was marked by several thrilling rescues of imperilled tenants from the burning o ^ 6 c O -3 z: ^ >- r-' rr -z. < o E ti 5 m m ■- O >j -3 o r CtJ COMPANIES OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. 2^S buildings, and in that brave work tlie members of No. 9 distinguished themselves. Six of them assisted in the rescue of a woman who had to be lowered with a rope. They were rewarded by being placed on the roll of honor. This sketch would not be com- plete if we failed to record the splendid service No. 9's company rendered the unfortu- nate people who suffered from that calamitous fire. They went to work the following day and raised a relief fund of $500, which they distributed among those whose needs were most pressing. All honor to the brave men ! Deeds like that should be recorded in letters of gold. Foreman James W. Connell, although a very young man, is one of the veterans of the Department. He is only forty-four years old, having been born Jan. 9, 1848, in Brooklyn, yet he has been a member of the Brooklyn Fire Department twenty-three years. And before he became a member of it he was for several years attached to the Volunteer Fire Department, serving as engineer and Captain of Engine No. 12. He organized the company for the fircboat " Seth Low," and for a year was in com- mand of it. During his extended career he has served with Engines Nos. 9, 22, 23, (the fireboat " Seth Low ") and 24, but most of his life has been spent with No. 9, of which he is Foreman. Mr. Connell has been a Foreman since June 15, 18S5. On several occa- sions he has distinguished himself by rescuing or assisting in the rescue of life, but of his brave deeds it is impossible to get him to speak. Assistant Foreman Michael McKixxev is a fireman of skilled and recognized bravery. He was born Dec. 10, 1845, 3-i''d has been in the Department since Oct. i, 1 88 1. He was only a boy when he entered the Union army, in which he served with credit to himself and his country. He also served in the navy, so that he was doubly equipped for the hazardous career of a fireman. He had been in the Department about six years when (March i, 1887, he was raised to the rank of Assistant Foreman. Thomas J. Nash, Assistant Foreman (detailed), was born April 29, 1855. He was appointed June 15, 1887, and has rendered the Department most excellent service. He was promoted Assistant Foreman on Feb. 15, 1892. John Farrell is a veteran with twenty-three years of hard and faithful service to his credit. He is a native of Ireland, born Dec. 20, 1842, but he has lived in the United States since childhood. He served with credit in the army, and was one of the first men to enroll in the Brooklyn Fire Department. His appointment was made Sept. 15, 1869. During his long and useful career he has been noted for the conscientious performance of his work and his willingness to take any risk in the line of duty. John Friel is another of the quartette on No. 9, who have seen twenty-three years' service. He was appointed Sept. 15, 1869, the day the company began its career. He was born in Brooklyn, forty-eight years ago, March 9, 1844, and was only twenty- five years of age when he became a fire guardian. He has a war record' a& well, and a. 276 OUR fir1';mkn. good one, for before he joined the Brooklyn Fire Department he had rendered his countr}' two years' service in tlie army as a member of Company F, loth Vols. As he was a good soldier he has proven himself a good fireman and a life-saver as well. James CasSIDY is a fire guardian of recognized ability, and like his comrades Foreman Connell, John Fricl and John Farrell, he has devoted twenty-'tnree years of his life to battling fire. He was born in Ireland, Aug. 12, 1843, =^nd joined the Fire Department, Sept. 15, 1869. Mr. Cassidy is one of the most courageous firemen in the country and he has on more than one occasion snatched imperilled men and women from the jaws of death at fires. He was at the Nostrand Avenue fire and his work there secured him a place on the roll of honor. Engineer JEROME R. JoilNSON was born in Brooklyn, March 10, 1856. Joining the Department April i, 1885, he acquitted himself so admirably that in about a year he was (on April 8, 1885) raised to the highly responsible position of engineer, which he has filled over six years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his superior offlcers. Edward Karcher has been attached to the Brooklyn Fire Department over seven years, having been appointed June 15, 1885. He was only twenty-three years old when he donned the fireman's uniform. He was born in New York, April 21, 1862. During his connection with the Department he has been known as a brave and capable fire guardian. Mr. Karcher rendered splendid service at the great Nostrand Avenue fire, assisting in the rescue of several persons from the burning buildings, for whicli he was placed on the roll of honor. Prior to his joining the Fire Department he served with credit in the United States Navy. Maurice Foley is one of the junior members of Engine No. g, both in years and length of service, but he has proven himself most worthy of membership in that com- pany. He is a native of Ireland and was born Christmas Day, 1863. Passing a most creditable examination, and backed by excellent recommendations, he was appointed on April 16, 1890, by Fire Commissioner Ennis. Like all his comrades he is a brave and capable fireman and his services in the work of life-saving have secured for him a place on the roll of honor. He was with his company at the disastrous Nostrand Avenue fire and assisted his comrades in their heroic work on that occasion. * John Moran was born in Brooklyn, Aug. 29, 1861, and has spent all his life in the city which he is now serving as a fireman. Commissioner Ennis appointed him Dec. 3, 1889, so that he has been in service nearly three years. At first he was attached to Engine No. 10. He is now connected with Engine No. 9, and as one of his colleagues said of him, is a fireman from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. Whenever called out he performs his duty with dash and energy, and bravery as well. Thomas J. Mullen is one of the younger members of this company, having been born on Sept. 20, 1861, in Brooklyn. He was only twenty-four years old when he was ■ COMPANIES OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. 277 appointed, Oct. 9, 1885, after passing a most creditable examination. His career as a fireman, covering a period of seven years, has been marked by hard service, and he has always performed his arduous duties with credit to himself, his company and the De- partment at large. William B. Nerney is a Brooklynite, born on Oct. 5, i860, and was appointed Jan. I, 18S1. During his service in the Department he has demonstrated his fitness for the position he occupies. He is regarded as a brave, cool-headed fireman, prompt and careful in the performance of any duty that may be assigned to him. He has shown his bravery on more than one occasion. Christopher F. Shaw is, like the majority of his colleagues in No. 9, a native of Brooklyn, in which city he was born, Dec. 2, 1858. He is a dashing, plucky and capable fireman. At the Nostrand Avenue fire last winter he assisted in the rescue of several lives and was placed on the roll of honor. John Warren Manning was born in Belfast, Ireland, Jan. 20, 1863, and is the youngest member of the company. He became a fireman Dec. 11, 1890, and he has been connected with the company ever since. His record is that of a brave, conscien- tious and efficient fireman. He is thoroughly devoted to his work and is bound to make his mark in the Department. There is a member of Engine No. 9 deserving at least a passing reference. He never joined the Department and yet he is in it. He is always on duty and serves without pay or hope of reward beyond three square meals a day. His name is " Spot," the company's fire dog ; a bright intelligent animal that revels in a race to a fire. Fore- man Council says " Spot " knows every box in the district and is the "first man" to answer when the gong calls the company to duty. ENGINE company NO. lO. The annals of Engine No. 10 show that beside excellent discipline and hard work a single fire-company may do a great deal for the good of the entire Department through the careful training of the individual firemen. Engine Company No. 10 had done that long before it came under the present pay system. As No. 9 in the Volunteer Depart- ment, it was a " training-school " for firemen, and turned out good men, as their subse- quent records show. The " school " has not changed its location for man)' years, as the Volunteer No. 9 occupied for a long time the house on Carlton Avenue, near Myrtle, that is now the house of No. 10, and save for its slightly antique arrangements is as serviceable as ever. It is doubtful if there is a more important fire district in Brooklyn than District 4, which calls Engine No. 10 in the first-alarms. Part of the district is occupied by costly residences, and there are also many churches and public buildings in it. Many of the 278 OUR FIREMEN. largest buildings are anytliing but firepjroof, and if once well started burning would make great fires. In many of the big flat-houses in the district live hundreds of persons whose lives are constantly dependent upon the prompt action of the firemen, and in such case never has Engine No. 10 been found lacking in either promptitude or energy. Since Engine No. 10 was reorganized under the pay system, she has had six Foremen, William Harris, Charles McDonough, \V. A Beardall, Peter Farrell, James E. .Murray and James Gannon, the present EdnTnan. McDonougli and Beardall have retired, but all the rest are in active service and are excellent firemen. At nearly all the big fires that have occurred in Brooklyn since 1873, No. 10 has done noticeabh' good work. At the burning in 1873, of the big storehouses owned by Woodruff & Robinson at the foot of Conover Street, No. 10 was on hand promptly and for sixty hours, with but one relief of six hours, the engine, an Amoskeagthat was then only a year old, pumped steadily at the big blaze. Almost every minute of the working time — 54 hours — the men were in danger of their lives from the possibility of the fall of the lofty walls. Toward the last of the blaze Fireman Bennett, who occupied a position near one wall that -was evidently cracking, was called back by the Foreman and his fellow-firemen. J-Ie rushed backward just as the wall began to topple toward him, but he was a little too late and the crum- bling bricks knocked him down. When he was taken out it was thought that his injuries would prove fatal, but after some time in the hospital he recovered. During the last hours of the work at this fire, the men of No. 10 were so blackened b>y smoke and worn out by the long hours of continuous w'ork, that it was not for several days that they recovered either their complexions or their natural strength and activity. The burning of the Elavemeyer & Elder sugar refinery, at the foot of North Second Street, Jan. 13, iSSi, was another event that brought out the good qualities of Engine No. 10. The alarm was sent in shortly after four o'clock in the afternoon, and although the fire- boat " Seth Low" pum[)ed millions of gallons of water onto the big building, the land forces were kept at work until the next morning at seven o'clock. During all the night No. 10 held a dangerous position near the enormous iDuilding, wdiich was one mass of flan-ies within the lofty walls that bulged threateningly but did not drive the n belonging to Engine No. lo from their work, although several of them had narrow scapes from falling timbers and masonr)'. All of the good work done by No. 10 has not been confined to the saving of prop- erty. When fire started in the bakery on St. Maria's Avenue, near Albany, and adjoin- ing St. John's Elome, the men of No. 10 worked faster and with more energy than even usual with them. In the Home which is under the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, there were more than five hundred destitute boys, none older than fourteen years and many not three years old. The flames from the baker)' extended to the Home, and three alarms were sent out at once. The thirty-six Sisters of Charity that had the care me e o o COMPANIES OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT. 281 of the little ones aided the firemen in preserving the little children from panic or deatli in the flames. The men of No. 10 were among the first to enter the Home, where the children stood in frightened groups. Fortunately the fire was in the rear and the little orphans were able to march out of the front doors between the lines of big firemen.. Man}' of the smallest of the children were carried out by men from No. 10. After the children were taken out the fire was subdued in good season. When an engine working at a fire comes so near being burnt up herself that water has to bo pumped on her instead of the burning building, the fact should be an excellent proof of the class of work that engine-company does. Such an incident occurred to En- gine No. 10 at the burning of Palmer's cooperage on Kent Avenue on the first day of June, 1S91. Engineer William F. Ivingsland had just settled down to the working of the en- gine when flames shot out from the building and hemmed the engine in between it and the river, drove the men a\\ay — though Engineer Kingsland stuck as long as he could — and, reaching the engine, burned off the tongue and set the wheels ablaze. Nothing saved her from destruction but a deluge of water from neighboring engines, which was kept up till the fire was over, and the horses could be brought down to drag away the charred and blackened machine. At this fire Engine No. 15 was entirely destroyed in much the same manner that No. 10 was damaged. Had it not been for the thorough discipline and the presence of mind of the men of No. 10 there would have been several of them burned to death at the Smith, Gray & Co. fire that occurred in Feb., iS92,in the bis building at the corner of Flatbush and Fulton Avenues. The fire was in the base- ment when No. lo's crew entered the building with their pipe. After a few hours' work it was evident that the fire was deeply rooted, but the men were so busy working that they did not notice the clouds of smoke that were pouring up from the floor behind them until the}' were almost overpowered. Foreman Gannon ordered the crew to quit work and run for their lives. There was no time to haul out the hose and it looked for a few minutes as though the half-suffocated men were not going to find their way through the black wall of smoke that was between them and the outer doors. Foreman Gan- non decided to make a rush, trusting to his knowledge of the building to point him in the riint kiridge. In their own district are Ketcham's tin factory, Schulz's bakeries, McKee's refrigera- tor factor)', Greenfield's candy factory, Fallart's brewery, Williamsburg Brewing Com- pany, Aletropolitan Brewing Comi)an\', Otto Huber's brewery, Abbott's brewer}'. Burger's brewery, Sietz's brewery. New York and Brooklyn ale brewery, Och's brewery, St. Catherine's Hospital, Ixalbfleish's chemical works, Beiizer's chemical works, Brook- field's glass works, Huber's glass works, Herseman's bakery, Worn's furniture factory, Thomas' shoe factory, an electric light plant, Bossett's moulding mills, Idard}- & Voorhis' moulding mills, Re}'nolds' coal and wood yards, Waterbury rope-walk. Wall's rope-walk, Och's moulding mill, Peter Cooper's glue factory, Valentine's varnish works, Dunkqj's and several other large hat factories, Lewis' wood matting factory, Laurence rope-walk. Cable Wire Works, PLirve}' & Pease's saw factory, silk weaving mills. Smith's shoe factory, Ivlot's lime, brick, coal and lumber yards, the Lyceum theatre, eleven public schools, Nos. 18, 19, 21, 23, 23, 36, 43, 49, 50, 69 and 71, German Lutheran church. South Third Street Methodist, Union Avenue Baptist, Zion African E. church. Old Bushwick Dutch Reformed, St. Mary's Roman Catholic, Holy Trinity, St. Nicholas Roman Catholic, and the Cluirch of the Transfiguration. Foreman THOMAS Clearv was born in Dublin, Ireland, Aug. 24, 1856, and was educated in that city. At the age of fourteen he came to this country and worked at whatever his hands found to do until he was old enough to become a railroad man. At this he continued until he was appointed a member of the F"ire Department on Jan. 12, 1882. He was then assigned to Engine No. 17, transferred to Engine No. 13, then to Engine No. 12, and while a member of the latter was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman on March I, 1S87. On June I, 1891, he was advanced to the grade of Foreman and placed in command of Engine No. 29 and after«'ard of this compan}'. In August, 1 89 1, Mr. Cleary assisted in the rescue of three persons who were found unconscious on the top floor of a bakeshop and dwelling on Meeker Avenue. Although he has been in many perilous positions since he became a fireman he has fort- unately escaped without injury. Assistant Foreman JoiiN O'Brien, like ever}' man connected with the company, has seen some hard service to which at times great peril was attached. He is one of the fortunate ones wdro in his fourteen years' connection with the Department has escaped being injured. Mr. O'Brien was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 25, 1848, and was appointed to the uniformed force on Jan. I, 1S78. His first duty was with Engine No. COMPANIES OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT. 309 13. After his transfer to Engine No. 16 and on Feb. 11, 1890, lie was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman and sent to Hook and Ladder Company No. 8, from which company he was transferred to this company in 1891. Driver WiLLIAM C. BONXER was born in New York City, on Sept. 20, 1S54, and his appointment to the Brookl)-n Fire Department dates from Sept. i, 1885. Since that time he has done duty witli Hook and Ladder Company No. 6 and Engines Nos. II, 18 and 16. At a fire in a dwelling-house on South Third Street, he was sent through the house to open it up. On the top floor he stumbled over a woman who had been overcome b}- the smoke and unaided carried her down a ladder to the street, T.\'here she was brought back to consciousness. Engineer Andrew Taylor Avas born in Birmingham, England, on Nov. 2, 1S44. He was an engineer in the Brookl)ni Volunteer Department from 1865 till 1869 and was attached to Neptune Engine Company No. 7. Fie \\'as appointed to the new Depart- ment on Sept. 15, 1869, and was the first engineer of Engine No. 13, from \vhich com- pany he was transferred to this at the time of its organization. PHn.iP Andrew Bailey was born in Brookl)-n, on Sept. 16, 1S5S, and became a member of the uniformed force on Dec. 15, 1S85. He did his first fire dut\' with Engine Compan\- No. 15 and was transferred to Engine No. 24 at the time of its organ- ization. He was afterward transferred to Hook and Ladder Company No. 4 and from that compaii)' to Engine No. 16. In 1S88 at a fire in a desk factor)' on Hopkins Street, Mr. Bailey \\'ith Fireman Madole was left on the third floi-ir of the building with the pipe. The smoke was so dense that the two men could not stand it longer and the)' began to grope their wa)' along to find the staircase. Madole crawled along the floor and after reaching the stairs lost consciousness and rolled down. Bailc)' follo\ved the line of hose and as he was crawling came in contact with a member of Engine No. 9 who was lying across the hose unconscious. Fireman Baile)', although nearh- exhausted him- self, rolled his unconscious comrade along the floor ahead of him to the stairwa)' and that was the last he remembered until he was picked up with the other two men at the foot of the stairs b\' members of his own compan)' who had come into the building to relieve them. In 1890 at the white lead factor)' fire on South Third Street, Fireman Bailey was standing on a ladder holding the pipe in one of the windows of the top story. Suddenly the flames burst out from the windows of the floor below him and enveloped his feet and legs. Fie was badl)' burned and was laid up for a long time. Stoker Joseph Briscoe -iN-as born in Brookhm, on July 10, 1846. He served in the United States Navy on board the " Savannah" during the war, and was in the Vol- unteer Fire Department for five years as a member of Northern Liberties Engine No. 5. He was appointed a member of the uniformed force on Sept. 20, 1872, and has done duty in Engine Companies Nos. 12, 15 and 16 and Hook and Ladder No. 4. 3IO OUR FlRKMhiV. William Hlnrv McCort was born in New York City, on March 24, 1852. He has been a member of the Brooklyn Fire Department since Feb. 17, 1887, and dur- ing that time has been connected witlr Engines Nos. 11,16 and 18. During tlie fire in tlie flats on Nostrand Avenue he found a kitten in a burning building and tenderly car- ried it to the street. At Palmer's cooperage fire on May 29, 1887, he was about to step from a 35-foot ladder onto the roof with a line of hose on his shoulder when he •went over the side of the ladder and fell three stories to the ground. His left arm was broken, his hip was dislocated and he was otherwise so badly injured that he was not able to perform active dut)' for seven months. John Hixeson, besides being a very efficient member of the present Fire Depart- ment, is a veteran of the Volunteer Department and also of the late war. He was born in the town of Mill Creek, Penn., on Aug. 25, 1856. During the war he was a member of the 56th N. Y. Volunteers. As a volunteer fireman he ran with Red Jacket No. i, formerly Red Jacket No. 10. He was ajipointed to the uniformed force on June 5, 18S0, and assigned to duty with this company. From April, 1886, till November, 1890, he was detailed as bell-ringer in the Fourteenth Ward tower. Thomas Joseph Flaherty was born in Bath, Maine, on Sept. 15, 1S49, and has been connected with the Brookl)'n Department since Dec. 30, 1878, during which time he has seen some hard service with Engines Nos. 6, 11, 22 and 16. In the dark early morning of a bitter cold da)' in December, 1885, he was precipitated down a half-burned hatcliway to the cellar of a factory at South Eighth Street and Kent Avenue. When he was picked up by his comrades he was believed to be dead, but on his arrival at the hospital it was found that his injuries were confined to the back and that no bones had been broken. It was six months before Mr. Flaherty was able to go out and he was then detailed to the Fourteenth Ward tower as bell-ringer, where he remained for about three )'ears. Tn0M.\S Poland was born in Brooklyn on March 11, 1866, and he has been a fire- man since Jul)- 20, 1890. He did his first fire duty with Engine Company No. 20, and was transferred from that compan)' to this in 1 89 1. Mr Boland, although but two years in the service, has proved himself to be a valuable acquisition to the force. Aera.\[ L. Turner was born in Middletown, Orange Count}-, N. Y., on Nov. 27, 1866. He was fiiUowing the occupation of saw-making when he received his appoint- ment to the Department on Jul)- i, 1S92. There is another member of this company who performs duty but whose name does not appear on the pay-roll at Headquarters. She is known as " Tops}'," and is as black as the ace of spades. Nine }'ears ago Fireman Hineson brought " Topsy," then a kitten, into No. i6's house, and there she has remained ever since. She is a very intel- ligent cat, and the men sa)' she is worth her weight in gold as a ratter. O Q o 2 < < U (i> _c COMPANIES OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT. 313 In a list of big fires at which this company have performed many hours of hard labor are the Havemeyer sugar house, Dick & Meyer's sugar house, the Commercial Street sugar house, Pratt's oil works (three times), Kingsland Avenue oil works (three times), Knickerbocker ice stables, Herseman's bakery. Church's soda works. Palmer's cooperage, (twice), Heckler Iron Works, (twice), Nostrand Avenue flat-houses, Harbeck stores, Watson's stores, Ovington Brothers' crockery store, Hamburg Avenue flat-houses, the Delmonico Place dwellings, color works on Tenth and Eleventh Streets, Hubert's glass house, Wallabout Market (twice), Waterbury rope-walk, Wall's rope-walk, Kalbfleisch's chemical works, Reubert's moulding mill, Solon's moulding mill, Remsen's carriage fac- tory, Warner Institute, also St. John's Home, and the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor. ENGINE COMPANY NO. 21. Engine Company No. 21 was organized on June 16, 1885. Its home is in South Second Street near Bedford Avenue, and a very comfortable place it is. There are three equine members of the company, and their names are " Tip," " Bill " and " George," and they furnish the power for transporting the engine and two-wheeled ten- der to and from fires. There is also a feline member whose name is "Jumbo," but so far as the size of the animal is concerned there is nothing to warrant the name. The district covered by this company on a first-alarm is bounded by Bushwick Creek, Union Avenue, Broadway and the East River. In it there are seventy-seven boxes, and the company responds to calls from ninety-nine additional boxes on a second-alarm. Im- portant buildings in the district are the large sugar houses along Kent Avenue extend- ing back to the river-front. Palmer's cooperage, Pratt's oil works, Hinds and Ketcham's electrotyping establishment. Central Stamping Company, Electric Light Works, Industrial School, Public Schools Nos. 37, 17, 19; Primary School No. 2, and the branch of No. 19, Homceopathic Hospital, Eastern District Hospital, Eye and Ear Infirmary, the Novelty, Grand, Bedford, Amphion and Lee Avenue theatres, Christ Episcopal church, St. Paul's Episcopal church, St. Mark's Episcopal church, St. Peter's and Paul's Roman Catholic church, Bedford Avenue M. E. church, African M. E. church, Dr. Well's Presbyterian church, and two Lutheran churches. Assistant Foreman JOHN A. Travis was born in Brookljm on July 15, 1853, was made a fireman on March 2, 1885, and advanced to the rank of Assistant Foreman July I, 1891. Engineer GEORGE M. WiLLETS was born in Brooklyn in 1854, and became a mem- ber of the uniformed force on Jan. 24, 1887. Driver THOMAS F. MAIN was born in New York on Oct. 4, 1858 ; he became a fire- man Jan. 12, 1882, and was promoted to driver on June 16, 18S5. 314 OUR FIREiMEN. WiLijA^i Thomas Sylvester Canning was born in Brooklyn on New Year's Day, 1661, and he has been a member of the Brooklyn Department since April 2, 1S85. Francis Smith Joseph O'Brien was born in Brooklyn on Oct. 30, 1849, '''^'^ 1^*^ has been a fireman since Sept. 15, 1876. John Sylvester Cai^NEY is a native of Brookh-n, and was born Feb. 10, 1S54. He was appointed Jan. 30, 1882. Christoi'IIER S. Lea\'Y was born in New Yorlc on Sept. 7, 1S43, '^"'J ^^'s connec- tion with the Fire Department began on l\Iay 4, 1 87 1. Da\'I1> J. Ryan is a Brooklj-nite, and he was born on Dec. 25, 1862. He has been a member of Engine N13. 21 since he was appointed on Dec. 14, 18S5. James Thi">Mas GeatdNS was born on Feb. g, 186G, in Brookl)-n, and lias been a fireman since Aug. i, 1889. Richard FLvrold Brown was also born in Brooklyn, Nov. 20, 1867. He is comparatively a new m.m in the business, having been apjiointed on Aug. 11, 1891. John Strh-"KLER is also a new man in the ser\-ice. Fie was born in New York Cit)' on Oct. 9, 1865, and \\-as a[)pointed to the force on .ALirch 23, 1891. Naloleon Ducharmi; hails from West Troy, N. Y., in \\diich to^^-n he \\-as born. Fie has been a member of this company since he was appointed to the uniformed force, on March 12, 1S92. Following are a few of the fires to which the company ha\'e been summoned on first, second and third alarms, and where they have done credit to themselves as well as the Department : — Pratt's oil works, the Commercial Street sugar house, the North Seventh Street sugar house, Palmer's cooperage, the Nostrand Avenue and Park Avenue flatdiouse fires. Hover's glass house. Church's soda works, the Bushwick glass works. Young's bagging factor)', Furman Street stores, the Agricultural Works, and Contractor Clark's stables, where one hundred mules were roasted alive. hook and l.adder company no. 4. Hook' and Ladder Compau)' No. 4 has been in active service since the organization of the Paid Department. They are located in a district which is bounded on the north by Union Avenue and Ni:>rth Seventh Street; on the east by Hayward Sti'eet ; on the south by Rodne}' Street ami the Wallabout Iiasin, and on the \\'est by the Y'allabout B isin and the water-front extending up to Nortli Seventh Street. In this district there are sixt)'-nine boxes. (_')n a second-alarm of fire they respond to calls from ninet\- ad- ditional boxes. They are supplied with a first-class Haj'es truck wdiich has an 85-foot extension-ladder, and threb powerful horses to draw it. The names of the horses are " George " and " Frank," both ba)-s, and " Mikado," a gray, who takes his name from the comic opera of that name. C3 O o COMPANIES OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT. 317 In the district covered by the company on a first-alarm is Batterman's dry goods- house, and other large mercantile houses on Grand Street; Smith, Gra)- & Compau}', clothiers; Cross & Austin's moulding mill, several large knitting mills and machine- shops. Hinds & Ketcham's paint ^\'orks, Johnson's moulding mills, the Ro}'al Baking Powder and Cleveland's Baking Powder Companies' works, Vogel's tinware factor)', the large sugar house on the water-front, and the immense freight depots of the Erie, Penn- sylvania and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Comisanies. Also Palmer's cooperage, Pratt's oil works, Central Stamping Company, Electric Light Works, Nugent's electro- typing works, several public schools, three hospitals, the Lee Avenue, Bedford, Amphion, Grand and Novelt)' theatres, St. Peter's and St. Paul's Roman Catholic church, the PSed- ford Avenue, South Third Street and Roebling Methodist churches. Dr. Wells' Presby- terian church, St. IVIark's Episcopal, Dr. Harkins' Episcopal, First Baptist and Central Baptist, All Souls Episcopal, two Lutheran churches, African M. E. church, St. John's M. E. church, Father Hoffman's Roman Catholic, St. Vincent De Paul's, Cah'ary Church, St. John's Methodist and Christ Episcopal churches. The station of Truck No. 4 is on South Third Street near Driggs Avenue. Since the organization of the companj' the men ha\'e had some extremely bad fires to handle, among them being Pratt's oil works, the Standard oil works at different times. Palmer's cooperage, Havemej-er's sugar house, the Commercial Street and North Seventh Street sugar houses, the flat-house fires on Nostrand and Park Avenues, the Bushwiek glass house, Young's bagging factory. Church's soda ^\■ork-s, Agricultural W^orks, Clark's sta- bles, Harbeck stores, Pierrepont stores, and in fact nearl)- all the big fires «-hich have occurred since 1869. Foreman Hugh Gall.agher was born in Count)- Fermanagh, Ireland, on March 25, 1856 ; and received his education at the common schools. He came to the L'uited States in 1872, and became a member of the Brookl)m Fire Department on Nov. 30, 1881. Fie was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman on March I, 1887, and to the rank of Foreman on July I, 1SS9. Foreman Gallagher is one of the brave men in the Department who have rescued their fellow-beings at great risk to their own life and limb, and he has sustained injuries from accidents. On Nov. 13, 1885, he sat in the tillerman's seat when the axle of the apparatus broke. He was tlirown violently to the pavement and sustained a compound fracture of the left elbow. On Decoration Da)-, 1886, he \\as riding on the extension-ladder of Truck No. 4, during the parade. The truck was deco- rated with a figure of Libert)', and Mr. Gallagher's duty was to see that no overhead obstructions swept it from its place. At Berr)' and South Ninth Street a large branch of a tree hung so low that the truck could not pass under it without disturbing the deco- rations. He was attempting to pull the branch out of the wa)' when it broke and knocked him off the ladder. He was picked up unconscious two of his ribs were 3i8 OUR FIREMEN. broken and his back was badly contused. It was a long while before he was able to resume his duties. In Nov., 1886, at a fire at No. 10 Jackson Square, he rescued an aged German woman who lived on the third floor, who had been overcome wdiile trymg to escape. On April 30, 1S92, with the assistance of Firemen Rogers and Wayrick, he res- cued the Scholer family, consisting of six persons, from the third floor of a burning dwelling. Assistant Foreman John McKenna was born in Ireland, Dec. 17, 1845, and has been a member of the Department since its organization. Mr. McKenna was advanced to the rank of Assistant Foreman on June i, 1891. Driver DANIEL EDWARD Kain was born in New York City, Nov. 19, 1854, and has been in the Department since Jan. 27, 1882. Patrick Kennedy, the tillerman, was born in Ireland, Dec. 2, 1845, and was appointed a fireman, Dec. 19, 1872. George Rogers was born in New York City, Aug. 19, 1859, and his connection with the Department began on June 15, 1885. While a member of Engine Company No. 23, on Jan. 2, 1S86, he saved a man from drowning at great risk to his own life. At a night fire on April 30, 1892, at No. 191 Broadway, he found a girl of seven years on the third floor, and carried her down the ladder and placed her in the arms of her distracted parents. George W. Pr.ATT was born in Massachusetts, Dec. 14, 1856, and he has been a most excellent worker since he became a member of the uniformed force, March 12, 1891. Russell Glasier Gardner was born in New York City, Oct. 9, 1853, and has been a faithful member of the Brooklyn Department since April i, 1S85. James Y. Rhodes was born in Williamsburg, Jan. 8, 1875, and has been in the service since Sept. i, 1878. George Whitehead Keighler was born in New York City, Dec. 29, 1842. He served three years in the United States Navy during the war, and in the Volunteer Fire Department da)'s was a member of Neptune Engine Compan}' No. 7. He became a member of the Paid Department on March 6, 1878. Francis Xavier Wayrick was born in Broolvh-n on July i, 185S. He served three years and three months in the United States Na\'5', and was made a fireman b)' Commissioner Poillon on April i, 1885. Michael J. Short was born in Brooklyn, Oct. 15, 1854, and since he was made a fireman on Jan. 30, 1882, has been a faithful and useful member of the Department. William John Stapleton was bom in Brooklyn, Jan. 2, 1855, and on Jan. 30, 1882, was appointed a member of the uniformed force. James Smith was born in this cit)', Oct. 20, 1864. He was a plumber prior to his appointment on July I, 1892. WILLIAM A. GALLAGHER, District Engineer Sixth District. CHAPTER XIII. COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER WILLIAM A. GALLAGHER. jSJewtown Creek and the Eastern District Water-front — A Dangerous Dis- trict — District Engineer Gallagher — A Soldier and Volunteer Fire- man — Engine Comrany No. 12 — In the Heart 01-' the Worst Fire District in the City — Engine Company No. 13 — Protectors of the Residential Quarter — Engine Company No. 15 — The Pride of Green- point— Engine Company No. 29— On the Line of the Manhattan Beach Railroad — Hook and Ladder Company No. 6— Veterans with Honora- ble Scars — The "David A. Boody " Fireboat, Engine Company, No. 32. F the greater part of the water-front of the Eastern District the engine-companies of the Sixth District have the guardianship. This district is adjacent to the Fifth and e.xtends from the northern boundary of the latter to Newtown Creek. The district is in the form of an irregular triangle, with its base on the East River water line, its north side on Newtown Creek, and its south side lying along Grand Street and Maspeth Avenue, with a notch at Graham Avenue and North Second Street. So large a district requires more than the usual number of protecting companies. Of the six companies located in it, four are stationed near the water-front — Engines Nos. 12 and 15, Truck No. 6, and the new fireboat " David A. Boody," No. 32. Nos. 13 and 29 lie further uptown. The extensive stretch of water- front, with its wealth of shipping and dock property, rendered necessary the new fireboat, which has just gone into commission. These interests, together with the kindred ones along Newtown Creek, constitute not only an important but a dangerous charge for those 322 , GUI; FIREMEN. responsible for the safety of tlie district. In the interior of the district is a vast terri- tory containing much excellent material for fire, in the numerous manufacturing estab- Hshments of "extra-hazardous" products, residences of the humbler Icind as well as some of the better class — altogether a district requiring untiring vigilance and much hard work. DISTRICT ENGINEER WILLIAM A. GALLAGHER. Of William Augustus Gallagher, recentl)' appointed District Engineer, and placed in command of the Sixth District, it is safe to say that no better fii-eman ever "wore the Department uniform. At the time of his appointment, Jul)' iS, 1892, he was Foreman of Engine Company No. iS, attached to the Seventh District. Ele had been a fire- man for t\\'ent\'-one \'ears and a Foreman for six years, and knew the details of his ^^"ork perfectl)', as was inevitable when long experience was added to an original stock of brains of exceiitionall)- good equality and quantit}'. j\Ir. Gallagher was born in New i^ork, June 11, 1S46. He enlisted on Ma}' 27, 1862, ■with the "hundred day" men, and «'ent to the front with the 47th Regiment, N. Y. S. Militia. On his return from the seat of war, he attached himself to Neptune Engine Company No. 7 of the Volunteer Department, and ran with her up to the time the Department was disbanded. He joined the Paid Department, Dec. 13, i8Si,and performed his first dut)' with Engine No. 16. Gradually he \\'orked himself up from the ranks until on Aug. 5, 1886, he was given permission to wear " two trumpets" on his cap, and assume full command of Hook and Ladder Comjvau)' No. 4. Twice dur- ing his career as a fireman, Mr. Gallagher has been injured so badly that he will alwa3's carr)' tlie scars. The first time was in 1886 at the fire in Palmer's cooperage, \\hen his face and both hands were terribly burned. At the fire in Stern's cow stables on Beaver Street, his hanels were again severely burned. ENGINE COMPANY NO. 12. Like all the older companies, Engine Compan\' No. 12 was organized on Sept. 15, 1869, and since that time has occupied its present quarters on \\')-the 7\\-enue near the corner of North Eighth Street. The house was built in 1S61, and prior to its occupa- tion by Engine Company No. 12 was tenanted by" Northern Liberties " No. 5 of the Volunteer Department. The house, with the exception of a few small repairs, is in a very comfortable condition. It is located in the centre of a district which comprises all the large sugar refineries, oil works and factories which turn out goods of an inflammable nature, and make the hottest kind of fire when ignited. Man}' of the buildings are eight, ten and twelve stories high, and b}^ reason of their great altitude, and the large area of ground covered by some of them, the firemen meet a difficult task z > < a, s ^ i COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. 325 when called upon to battle with a fire in one of them. The members of No. 12 know whereof they speak when they say that they are located in the heart of the worst fire district in Brookh-n, for they have many times had experiences \vhich confirm their belief. The company is equipped with a second-class Amoskeag engine, and a four- wheeled tender, and four kind, young, serviceable horses. On a first-alarm they cover the entire territor)- l\'ing between Kingsland Avenue on the east and Kent Avenue on the west, and from the Hunter's Point jute works to South Ninth Street. Among the larger buildings included in this territory are Haveme}-er & Company's sugar refineries, the Chelsea jute works, Pratt's oil works, Palmer's grain elevators and storehouses, the large freight depots of the New York Central, Erie and Pennsylvania Railroad Companies which stretch along the river-front, Havcmeyer & Elder's sugar refiner}-, the Royal Palving Powder factory, Sone & Fleming's oil works. Church's saleratus works, Verm^jn's book-binder}-, Heckler's iron works, Tuttle & Bailey's iron works, the New York quinine w'orks, the New York stamped tin factor}^. The Acme Stationer}' and Paper Compan}-, Hines & Ketcham's lithograpliiug establishment, the American tin factor}', Wiedman's cooperage, Wiedman's brewery, Martinc's paint fac- tor}-. Chase's varnish factory, C. C. Reed's varuish factory, Eugene Dohcrty's rubber works, and Streeter & Dennison's brewery. The brave, hard-worlcing men of No. 12 have battled with many disastrous fires, and among the number were a few where lives as well as propert}' were sacrificed. The}' recall the fire at L. AT Palmer's cooperage at North Fifth Street and Kent Avenue about four }-ears ago. The cooperage occupied t\\-o buildings, one located on the south side of North Fifth Street and the other on the north side. The fire broke out on a Saturday night in the building on the north side of the street. The firemen worked continuously until a late hour on Sunda}- morning before the flames were sub- dued. Scarcely had the men got back to their quarters when another alarm from the same box called them back to the cooperage. This time the building on the south side of the street was in flames, and before the fire could be got under control the building was in ruins. When the ruins were searched the charred body of James Dearing, the watchman, was found. At the height of the conflagration the front wall fell outward. Engine No. 12 was at work in front of the building when the crash came, and when the dust and smoke cleared away Patrick Traverse, the engineer, was found buried beneath the debris alongside of his engine which was badly damaged. He did not remain there long, for the crash was no sooner over than Foreman Donohue, who realized in an instant the peril of his engineer, sprang into the scorching mass of bricks and smoulder- ing timbers and dragged the bruised and bleeding body of Traverse out to a place of safety. He was thought to be dead at first, but after a long period of intense suffering he recovered. There was a suspicion in the minds of the owner of the cooperage that 326 OUR FIRKMKN. the fires were of incendiary origin. After a searching investigation, two brothers named Jolmson, who fornierl)' wor]-;ed in the cooper-shop, were arrested, convicted on a cliarge of arson, and sentenced to sixteen years' imprisonment. Tlie fire at Have- meyer & Compan3''s sugar refinery wliich caused a loss of over $700,000 gave the boys of No. 12 aljout twcnt}' hours of liard, unrelenting work. At the fire in Pratt's oil works on North Twelfth Street the)' stood for t\\'eiit}'-nine hours in the hottest part of the battle. They worked for the same length of time at the Standard oil work's fire on North Tenth Street, at which several firemen were so badly burned as to cause disfigure- ment for life. They accomplished some very effective results at the big fires at Pierrepont stores, the Walkibout Market, Heckler's iron works, Haveme\-er & Elder's sugar refinery, foot of .South Third Street; Sone & Fleming's oil works, on Kingsland Avenue ; at a fire on the banks of Newtown Creek, which was caused by lightning strik- ing and destroying a naphtha lighter together with several other vessels ; at Dick & Me}'er's sugar house, which was destroyed together with several dwellings on North Seventh Street on Sept. 7, 18S8; and at Paul Wiedman's cooperage, at the foot of North Sixth Street which occurred in 1S89. Foreman WiLl.IAM DuNOllUE, commander of No. 12, is highly esteemed by his men. Pie was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, in 1835. His first experience in fighting fire was obtained as a member of " Northern Liberties" No. 5, in the Volun- teer Department days. He became a member of the uniformed force on Jan. 27, 1872, and was assigned to duty with Truck No. 6, where he remained six months and was then transferred to Engine No: 12. He was made P'oreman Dec. 31, 1S85, and given ci.immand of Truck No. 6, in which company he remained until Aug., 1S91, wdien he was ordered to Engine No. 12. During the period of his service in the Depart- ment he luis been injured three times wdiile in the discharge of his duty. At a fire in a furniture factory at Leonard and Devoe Streets, he broke one of his wrists. While going to a fire with Truck No. 6, he was thrown off and badl}' injured. The nearest approach to being killed was while he was Acting District Engineer. On the wa)' to a fire his horse took fright, became unmanageable and ran from North Second Street to Manhattan Avenue, where the w^agon collided with some obstruction, and Mr. Donahue was thrown violently to the street and received injuries which laid him up for six weeks. Mr. Donahue is married and is the father of seven children, and lives at No. 141 Bedford Avenue. MarcU-S FitZ(.;er/VLi:), the Assistant Foreman, was born in Brooklyn, on March 4, 1859. '^^■'^ learned the cooper's trade, after finishing his education at the public schools, and was engaged in that occupation when he was appointed to the Fire Department, on Jan. 15, 1882. He did his first dut)' with Engine Company No. 12, but was subse- quently transferred to Engine Company No. 20. While serving with the latter, he COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. zn was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman, on Feb. 13, 1892, and about that time was transferred back to Engine No. 12. While a private in this company, he^ with others, was thrown from the tender, but his injuries were pronounced not to be of a serious nature. Mr. Fitzgerald's name is on the roll of honor at Headciuarters, he having assisted in the rescue of a sick woman from the dwelling No. 306 Fourth Street (E. D.), during a fire at that place on July 6, 1885- Engineer Michael F. Delaney was born in Ireland, in 1835. He served in the 84th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., during the, war and for five j'ears was an active member of Atlantic Hose Company No. 2. His appointment to the new Department is dated April 22, 1878. He was promoted to the grade of engineer on May I, 1889, and has been connected with Engine Companies Nos. 14 and 18. He is married and lives at No. 94 North Second Street. Bryan Rourke hails from the Emerald Isle, where he was born, Dec. 13, 1846. He served two years and four months in the late war as a private in the T3th and 47th Regiments. He has been a member of Engine No. 12 since he was appointed a fireman, on Jul)' 17, 1871. Mr. Rourke is a married man and lives at No. 103 North Eighth Street. At the Solon Planing Mill fire, six )'ears ago, his back was injured by the caving in of the floor on which he was standing. At another fire he had one of his ribs broken by being pulled out of a window while holding the pipe. At a dwel- ling-house fire, at North Third Street and Wythe Avenue, .he was instrumental in rescu- ing a girl from the top floor of the burning building. While in the volunteer service, he did dut}' with Columbia Engine Company No. 10. Felix Donnelly was born in Ireland, April 12, 1843, and was appointed a fireman- April 12, 1S70, and assigned to duty with Hook and Ladder No. 6. Ten years ago he was transferred to the company to which he is now attached. Daniel Hurley was born in New York Cit)- on Oct. 21, 1846. In 1864 he enlisted in the 56th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., and on Nov. 6 of that )'ear was honorable- discharged. He has been a member of Engine No. 12 since his appointment on Jan. 28, 1882. Edward Casey, the driver of No. 12, was born in this city, in 1852. His appointment to the force was made on May 10, 1874. He was sent to Engine No. 15 and one year later was placed on the driver's seat of Engine No. 12. Edward L. Lynch was born in Troy, N. Y. , in 1862, and has been attached to this company since his appointment on March 12, 1891. He lives at No. 136 Wythe Avenue. Cornelius G. Fagan was born in this city, in 1868. He is single and lives at No. 181 South Second Street. He was appointed on Oct. 29, 1890, and was trans- ferred from Engine No. 15 to Engine No. 12 on Feb. II, 1891. 328 OUR FIREINIEN. Matthew J. Gargan was born in this city on March lo, 1S57, and received his appointment on Dec. i, 18S7. He is married and lives at No. 87 Berry Street. David Howard was born in this city, in 1S54. He is married and lives at No. 96 Bcrr)' Street. Since his appointment in 1878, he has done duty with Hook and Ladder Nos. I and 4 and Engine No. 21. James Joseph Whalen was born on March 6, 1851, in this city. He was appointed on April I, 1890. Mr. Whalen is single and lives at No. 9I North Sixth Street. Edwin Mills was born in Brooklyn in l86g, and his appointment dates from July 1, 1892. ENGINE COMPANY NO. I3. Engine Company No. 13 has its quarters in one of the pleasantest and most aristocratic portions of the Eastern District. The house stands on Powers Street, near Ewen, but a short distance from the residence of Fire Commissioner John Ennis. It was built in 1880 and stands on the site of the house occupied by Neptune Engi'ne Company No. 7, in the Volunteer Department days. It has a frontage of 25 feet and is 90 feet long, with 10 feet of yard at the rear. The interior of the house is a marvel of attractiveness and throughout shows the clever handiwork of the men who make up the compaii)'. On the ground floor is the sitting-room of the men, the stalls for the horses, and the engine and hose-cart. Along the wall on the northerly side are thirteen hose-racks, one above the other, which run half the length of the house, and on which lengths of hose are stretched to dr)-. On the opposite wall are photographs of prominent fire officials, and memorials of brave men who lost their lives in the discharge of their duty. The electric clock, which hangs over the big brass gong, is surmounted by a heavy bronze eagle, holding in its beak a bunch of red, white and blue streamers. An invention located in the cellar — which, by the way, is a model for the owner of a private dwelling to imitate — furnishes the heat for keeping the water boiling in the engine, and was planned and built by one of the men in the company. At the rear of the engine is anotlier device which is so arranged that when the engine goes out it will stop a small clock in another part of the house at the exact second, and remain in that position until the engine returns. Foreman Keighler has displayed some of the ingenuity of which he has an abundance, in decorating the five horse stalls which are located in the rear of the house just back of tire four-wheeled hose-cart. Over the front of each stall is a semi-circular iron bar. Depending from the centre of each is a small board sign, the ground-work being red and the lettering in gilt. The signs bear the name of the horse in the stall over which it hangs. With the exception of the centre stall, a miniature bronze horse surmounts the sign. The centre stall is occupied by a handsome, good tempered }'oung bay horse called " Harry," after the Foreman of COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT.- 331 the company. In addition to the sign bearing the name of the horse, there is also a shield on the front of which is inscribed " B. F. D. No. 13," and on the reverse in white letters, "Organized Sept. 15, 1869." Above all is a large bronze eagle. " Bill," a fine young bay horse, is named after the Assistant Foreman and occupies the first stall; with " Harr}-," he makes up the team for the hose-cart. In the second stall is a large dapple gray horse called " Stonewall Jackson." He and " Mike," a big black horse, who occupies the fourth stall, make up the team for the engine. The fifth stall is occupied by a handsome little dark bay horse, who is as fleet-footed as the wind. His name is plain " John," and he carries Fire Commissioner John Ennis to and from Headquarters every day, and wherever else that duty may demand his master's presence. The apparatus consists of a first-class Amoskeag engine which weighs 7640 pounds and has been in use about two years. Prior to that time the compan)' had a " La France " which weighed 9000 pounds. The latter is now used as a spare engine for service on the water-front. About seven months ago the company was furnished ■\\'ith a new four-wheeled hose-cart which carries all modern equipments. The old hose- cart was rebuilt and is now in service with Engine Company No. 31. The members of Engine Company No. 13 are all first-class men. They have first- class apparatus and horses, and their quarters are kept in first-class condition. No body of men in the Department, congregated under the same roof, work and associate more thoroughly in unison than do these men. Foreman Henry M. Keigiiler is one of the most courteous and oblig-inG: men in the Department. He is prominent in social, political and fire circles, and has been a fireman since he was old enough to run with a machine. Mr. Keighler was born in New York City on March 23, 1840; he is married and lives at No. 267 Ainslee Street. In the days of the Volunteer Department he served faithfully as Foreman of Neptune Engine No. 7, and for a few years as Assistant District Engineer. On Oct. 19, 1869, he received his appointment to the uniformed force, and was assigned to duty as a private with Engine No. 13. His ability was soon recognized, and on the first day of July following he was promoted to the grade of Foreman. Soon afterwards he assumed command of Engine No. 11 and remained there sixteen months. Later he was trans- ferred to Hook and Ladder No. 6, and remained there for ten months, then to Hook and Ladder No. 4, and on Feb. 11, 1886, was again put in command of Engine No. 13. In 1883 his leg was injured by a falling wall. He won the title of a hero as far back as 1873 by an attempt to rescue a woman and several children from the top floor of a burning three-story frame dwelling and store at Boerum and Graham Avenues, after all were supposed to be out. The smoke was so dense that he was nearly suffocated before he could make his way into the rear room where the woman and children were said to be sleeping. The woman was very large and it took all his strength to get her to the 332 OUR FIREMEN. front window and down the ladder to tlic ground. This done, he went back to rescue the children. His heroic exertions were of no avail, as mother and children had suffo- cated before Mr. Ivcighler reached them. Assistant h'orcnian WiLLLVM CRocERS is one of the bravest and hardest workers in the service of the Department. He was born in New York on April lo, 1861, and received his appointment as a fireman on June 15, 1885, when he was assigned to Engine No. 13. He rose rapidly from the ranks and on March I, 1887 was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman. He is married and lives at No. 49 South Sixth Street. Engineer Wir.LlAM H. HoLMES was born in this city, Nov. 15, 1855. At the time of his appointment, Jan. i, 1863, he was assigned to duty with Engine No. 5. He was transferred later to Engine No. 13, and on June 17, 1865 was advanced to the grade of engineer. He is married and lives at No. I37 Ainslee Street. During his term of ser- vice he was laid up for several months with a dislocated hip received from the kick of a horse. Engineer GEORGE H. Wallace was born in this city on Nov. 30, 1862. He was assigned to Engine No. 6 when appointed on Sept. I, 1885, and on Feb. 7, 1S91, after his transfer to Engine No. 13, was made an engineer. He is a married man, and lives at No. 235 Ainslee Street. Henry Reese, the stoker, was appointed Sept. I, 1885 and has since served with this company. He was born in this city on April 9, i860, and lives at No. 39 North Seventh Street. Thomas F. Harrington is a first-grade fireman, and was appointed on Jan. 2, I8S9. While detailed to Truck No. 6, he was quite seriously injured by the kick cif a horse. Mr. Harrington was born in this city on Nov. ,27, 1862, and was recently mar- ried ; he lives at No. I73 i\inslee Street. John Ad.ams was born in this city, on Oct. 10, 1854. He was appointed on March 21, 18S8. He is in the first-grade, is married, and lives at No. I3 Ainslee Street. John Knapp Fickett is also a first-grade fireman, and was appointed on Sept. 15, 1880. He was born in this city on Jan. 16, 1839, ^-'""^ lives with his famil)- at No. 120 Wither Street. He enlisted as a sergeant in the 9gth Regiment, N. Y. Vols., in May, 1861, and after serving three )'ears, re-enlisted on Aug. 4, 1864, with Company E, 19th Regiment, N. Y. Vols. John J. O'I^RIEN was born in New York City on Oct. i, 1854, and was appointed to the I'"ire Department on Aug. I, 1889. He is a fireman of the first-grade and lives with his family at No. 554 South Fifth Street. Eugene Oscar Powxall is the driver of the engine. He is a bachelor and COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. 333 was born in New York on Sept. 22, 1859. ^^ has been attached to this company since he was appointed to the uniformed force on April i, 1892. Charles Worner Norris is an old volunteer fireman and ran with Neptune Engine Company No. 7. He was born in this city, Sept. 22, 1839, -^^^ received his appointment to the Department on April 10, 1872. He is a fireman of the first-grade and lives at No. 237 Ainslee Street with his family. Joseph P. Flvnn was born in Cambridge, Mass., on April 23, 1867. He was a railroad man at the time of his appointment on Jul}' i, 1892. On a first-alarm the members of Engine No. 13 respond to calls from 66 boxes, and their district includes all the large buildings, both private and public, in the Eastern District. Among the principal ones are the Waterbury rope works, the Lawrence cord- age \A-orks, Solon & Fleming's oil works. Cooper's glue factory, Hardy & Voorliis' lumber yard, Charles H. Reynolds & Son's coal and wood yard and planing mills, Kalbfleisch & Son's chemical works, Solon's planing mills, Warn's furniture factory, -Turner Hall, Union Hall, Batterman's large dry goods house, Benjamin Kaufman's Bazaar, Huber's brewery, Kiefer's brewery, Fallott brewery, P'riese & Son's brewery, Seitz's brewery, St. Catherine's Hospital, Och's brewery, a large chair factory covering nearly a block on Meserole Street, near Bushwick Creek, Ketcham's furniture factor)'. Cable's wire works, a six-story tin factory on Union Avenue, Yeoman's cork works, Havemeyer's frame stables, a large blacksmit hand wheelwright shop at Grand Street, the Brookfield glass works, the Grand Street Line car stables, tlie South PVjurth Street car stables, Congress Hall, Public Schools Nos. 18, 20, 23 and 37, Holy Trinity church school, the First Baptist church and a Presbyterian church on Ainslee Street, the Second Baptist church, St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, Grace Free Baptist church, German Roman Catholic cathedral, the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, the German Lutheran church and school, the Novelty theatre, the Amphion theatre, the Lee Avenue Academy, the new Bedford theatre, the Grand Street Museum and Phillip's theatre. The district also includes a large number of five-story frame tenements which run 70 feet back, and in each of which at least fifty families live, all of whom are Polish Jews. This company has attended all the large fires in the Eastern and Western Districts since it has been in existence. The company worked thirty-five hours at the first fire at Pratt's oil works in 1874. They effected good work at Solon & Fleming's oil works, when eight tanks blew up one after the other and placed the lives of the firemen in great peril. They were at fires at the Havemeyer sugar works, Solon's planing mills, where some of the men were badly scorched ; and at the big fire in Herseman's bakery, June 22, 1884, when Firemen Tyack and Haight were killed by falling walls. They worked hard for nine hours at the Grand Street car stable fire in 1876, when fifty-four horses were burned to death; and three years later they had a hard experience at the burning 334 OUR FIREMEN. of the South Fourth Street car stables, at which nearly sixty horses were destroyed. The last big fire they attended was the Smith, Gray & Company clothing house fire. On second and third alarms and special calls they go to all the big fires in the Eastern District and Greenpoint, and at times down into the Western District. ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1 5. Greenpoint is proud of Engine Company No. 15. Among the members are nit-n who have saved human life, some with scars which they will carry to their graves, and others who have received injuries from which they never will recover. Notwithstand- ing this, they are each and all willing to go through their terrible experiences with smoke and flame again to save lives and property in time of danger. The company was organized Sept. 15, 1872. The house is a two-story brick building on India Street, a few doors from Franklin Street. It is in good repair, and as far as modern improvements and comfort is concerned is one of the finest in the Eastern District. The company was originally furnished with a second-class .-\mos- keag engine. At the great fire at Palmer's bagging factory, at the foot of North Seventh Street, in 1891, the engine was so badly burned and crushed by falling walls as to render it necessary to have it rebuilt. An engine from the Repair-shop took the place of the disabled engine until the return of the latter in March, 1S92, as good as the da}' she was purchased by the Department. A four-wheel hose-cart with all the modern appliances, and four 3'oung horses complete the company's equipment for fighting fire. "Jim," a dapple gray, and " Dan," a light bay horse, handle the hose-cart, 'while " Bill}'," a dark brown, and " Charlie," a dapple gray, take the pole of the engine when the gong strikes an alarm. The territory over which the compan}' has immediate supervision is a large one, and it includes oil works, "wood\\'orking shops, sugar refineries, machine-shops, public schools, churches, and a very large number of handsome private dwellings, man}^ of which are frame buildings, and several large flat-houses. It is bounded by the Hunter's Point Bridge, Newtown Creek, North Sixth Street, and the river-front. On a first- alarm the company responds to calls from 40 boxes, on a second-alarm 20 boxes and on a third-alarm 33 bo.xes. The prominent buildings in the district are Orr & Com- pany's lumber yard, American Sugar Refining Compan}', Pratt's oil works, Chelsea jute works, American Cordage, Rope and Bagging Co., Bulmer's lumber }'ards, Con- tinental Iron Works, F"abcr's pencil ^\•orks, Abem'oth & Root's manufactor}^ New York dye works, Logan's iron -^N'orks, Brookl}-n City Railroad car stables, Reeves S: Church's bo.x factory. Palmer's barrel works, Church's soda works, Reeves & Church's lumber yard, Brooklyn Oil Works, E. C. Smith's box factory, Cheeney & Hewett's iron foundry. New York Cedar Company's works, Leary's ship-yard, Kell's o < 5 COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. 337 moulding mills, Brooklyn Wire and Nail Works, Crosstown Railroad car stables, James L. Jensen's porcelain works, Empire oil works, Kings County oil works, Cunning- ham's boiler \\'orks. Braid Bros' foundry. Young & Gerard's sash and blind factory, Smith's pottery, Port & Doig's woodworking factor)^, Fallon's woodworking factory, Self Manufacturing Co., Kniffen's woodworking factory, Randall & Miller's woodworking fac- tory. Heckler's iron works. Public Schools Nos. 22, 34, and 36, St Anthony's Catholic church, First M. E. church, Union Avenue Baptist church, Presbyterian church, First Baptist Church, and the Lutheran church. The company have since their organization had many big fires to battle with in their own district, and among the worst was the first fire at Pratt's oil works, which occurred more than five years ago, and at which they remained on active duty for forty- eight hours. Smith's box factory fire in 1880 was a prett}- hot one and kept the com- pany at work for many hours. The second fire at Pratt's oil works, Oct. 11, 188S, was a sad one for the company. It was at this fire that Foreman Joseph J. McCormick, and Firemen James Henry McElroy and Henry Hellen \\ere terribly burned by the explosion of a naphtha tank on the dock. McCormick was burned about the face, head, arms and hands, and to this da)' his hands are so crippled that they are almost useless. McElroy's face and hands still bear the scars from burns received at that time. It is not probable that any member of the companj' will forget the fire at Palmer's bagging factory in 1891, when the walls fell and crushed the engine and barel}- escaped killing Engineer Alfred Ford. Besides the fire at Reeves & Church's box factory, which also consumed a dozen dwelling-houses before it was got under control, the company have done very effective work at the Church soda works fire, the fire at Heckler's iron works, and on second and third alarms have served many hours on a stretch at all the big fires \\hich have occurred in the Eastern District since the organization of the Brook- lyn Fire Department. Foreman Patrick Francis McGinniss was born in Ireland, March 19, 1848. He is married and lives at No. 240 Java Street. He served in the Volunteer Depart- ment with Ridgewood Hose No. 7, better known among the old veterans as " Hop-up." His appointment to the new Department was made Aug. 15, 1870, when he was assigned as a private to Hook and Ladder Company No. 6. Mr. McGinniss remained with the company as driver and Assistant Foreman for nearly seventeen yezrs and was then transferred to Engine No. 15, where he served as Acting Foreman up to July i, i88q when he was promoted to be Foreman. Mr. McGinniss has endured many hardships since he became a fireman, but has had the good fortune thus far not to have met with injury. Assistant P^oreman CHARLES Wll.LlAM DAVID LaNE was born in New York City, on Nov. 23, 1861. He served in the United States Navy, on board the " Constitu- 33S OUR FIREMEN. tion," and was honorably discharged, when he made application to become a member of the Fire Department. His appointment took effect Oct. 12, 1SS5. and on July I, 1889, he was made Assistant Foreman and sent to the company of which he is now a member. While he was on the way to a fire on Jewell Street, shortly after his pro- motion, the axle of the hose-cart broke and he was thrown to the ground with such violence as to break his leg. Mr. Lane is married and lives at No. 94 India Street. William Fo\YLER Dains is a fireman of the first-grade, and his name is enrolled among the heroes who have risked their lives to save those of their fellow-men. He was born in New York Cit)', Nov. 20, 1S64, is married and lives at No. 123 Oak Street. From 1880 to 1885 he served in the United States Navy as a seaman, on board the " Esse.x " and the " Minnesota." He was appointed a fireman, Ma)' 20, 1889, and assigned to No. 15. On Aug. 7, 1889, a fire broke out at eight o'clock in the morning on the upper floor of the two-story building. No. 189 Kent Street, just across the street from Air. Dain's residence. He ran out and gave the alarm to a brother fireman, who sum- moned the engine, and then dashed into the burning building. He made his "way through the smoke to a bedroom, where he was told a child was sleeping, and, not finding it in the bed, returned to the street, but went back again on learning that there were two beds in the room, the danger by this time being greatly increased. He found the child fast asleep with its head covered by the blankets, and, seizing child, blankets and all, and throwing a corner of one of the blankets over his own head, so as to protect his face from the flames, which were now burning fierceh' all about him, he dashed out into the street anel placed little Frederica Decker safe and sound in her frantic mother's arms. A mighty cheer went up from the people who had witnessed the heroic act. James Henry McElroy is also a first-grade fireman, and was born in this city, Dec. 28, 1864. He is a married man and li\'es at No. 178 Huron Street. He has been a member of Engine No. 15 since his appointment to the force on March 21, 1888. At the fire in Pratt's oil works Oct. 11, 1888, he was so severely burned about the face and hands b}' an explosion of naphtha that he was laid up for seven months. On April 2, 1S89, before he had fully recovered from his injuries, Mr. McElroy was thrown from the District Engineer's wagon on the way to a fire and received injuries to his head which laid him up for two months more. Engineer ALFRED FORD is an old-time fireman, having served seven years in the Volunteer Department with "Valley Forge" Engine No. 11. When the Civil War broke out, he went to the front with the 47th Regiment, N. Y. State Militia, and served four months. He was born in New York City, Oct. 24, 1840. He is married and lives at No. 115 Greenpoint Avenue. After his appointment to the uniformed force on COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. 339 Feb. 8, 1870, he served with Hook and Ladder No. 6 for a while and then was made stoker of Engine No. 11. On Dec. 21, 1872, he was promoted to be engineer, and has since had charge of Engine No. 15. He can graphically describe various incidents of the big fires which have occurred since the organization of the Department, and at the Palmer bagging factory fire came near being killed by the falling walls which crushed his engine. John Morrissev, the driver of the engine team, was born in Ireland on Aug. 3, 1827. He is married and lives at No. 388 Manhattan' Avenue. He served with Hook and Ladder No. 6 for a few months after his appointment to the force on Dec. 21, 1872, and the balance of the time with Engine No. 15. At the Pratt's oil works fire he fell from the engine and received injuries from which he has not fully recovered. On another occasion, while he was exercising one of the engine horses, the aminal slipped, and in falling crushed Mr. Morrisscy under him, injuring him severely. As a volunteer fireman, Mr. Morrissey was attached to Old No. 5, of Williamsburg. George William Bennett was born in New York City on Dec. 17, 1865, and besides having shown himself to be a valuable acquisition to the company, since his appointment on Nov. 16, 1891, he has made an excellent record for himself in the United States Navy, which he entered as an apprentice in 1884 and from which he grad- uated six years later as " Captain of the Top." During that period he was on the " Minnesota," " New Hampshire," " Portsmouth," " Tennessee," " Richmond," " Conso- lation," " Pensecola," " Franklin " and the " Vermont." He is graded as a third-class fire- man, by reason of his short term of service in the Department. He is married and lives at No. 222 North Eighth Street. John Flood, now detailed to the Kerosene Bureau, by reason of his being an expert in the testing of oils, was born in Ireland on Jan. 16, 1853. He has been a member of this company since his appointment to the force on May 8, 1874. He is a bachelor, and lives at No. 119 Eagle Street. Patrick John Golden was born in Ireland, May 26, 1859. He lives with his family at No. 121 Manhattan Avenue. He is a first-grade fireman and was appointed June I, 1889. After serving two months with Hook and Ladder No. 8 he was trans- ferred to this company. Edwin Alexander Thomson is a second-grade fireman, and has been with Engine Company No. 15 since he was appointed on Feb. 11, 1891. He was born in this city, April 27, 1865, is married, and lives at No. 600 Leonard Street. Henry Thomas Geiger is also a second grade fireman and has been attached to Engine Company No. 15 since his appointment on Nov. 12, 1890. He was born in New York City on Nov. 22, 1861, and resides with his family at No. 72 Oakland Street. 340 OUR FIREMEN. ENGINE COMPANY NO. 29. Engine Company No. 29, although of comparatively recent organization, has among its members those who have saved life in the hour of peril, and others who have been seriously injured while in the discharge of duty. When the company was organ- ized on Nov. I, 1890, it toolv immediate possession of the new house built expressl)^ for it in Frost Street, between Humboldt Street and Kingsland Avenue. No com- pan)f in tlie Department has finer quarters, and the men individually and collectively have taken especial pride in fixing up the interior in a tasteful and artistic manner. The engine team consists of a large bay horse and a bald-faced sorrel, both young and handsome, while " Dick," a beautiful bright bay, and his mate, a fine young gray horse, pull the hose-cart. For beauty, speed and endurance they cannot be excelled. A very important attache of the company, and a great favorite among the men is "Spot," an English coach-dog. He is seven months old, but during this brief exist- ence he has acquired an insight into the habits of the men and horses. The company is provided with a second-class Amoskeag engine, which, as she stands on the floor resembles a mass of highly burnished gold and silver. The hose-cart is of the latest pattern and is equipped with all the best appliances for fire service. *Foreman Michael McGinness was born in this city, June 29, 1856. He was appointed to the uniformed force on March 8, 1881, and rose to the rank of Assistant Foreman on Sept. I, 1888, while connected with Hook and Ladder Company No. 4. On June I, 1891, he was promoted to the grade of Foreman and placed in command of Engine Compan)' No. 29. Mr. McGinness is married and lives at No. 182 Devoe Street. He is a brave man and has been many times in positions where his own life was in peril. While responding to an alarm of fire from box 487 on the night of Oct. 3, 1891, he received severe injuries by being thrown violently between the suction and the boiler of the engine, when the latter came in collision with a house which ^\•as being moved, and which had been left standing in the centre of Oakland Avenue with- out, as is alleged, having any danger lights upon it. t Assistant Foreman OwEN S. Campbell is a relative of several well-known Campbells who are prominent in Brooklyn public life, Superintendent and Captain Campbell, of the Police Department, Ex-Congressman Felix Campbell, and the famous, " Tim " Campbell. He was born in Ireland on Sept. 20, 1839. I" 1861 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the " Iroquois " and " Montauk." He was severely wounded during the war and in consequence received an honorable discharge in the early part of 1864. He was made a fireman on Sept. 15, 1869, when the Department was organized, and was promoted to the grade of driver on May I, 1870. Flis promotion to the post of Assistant Fore- man occurred March I, 18S7. Mr. Campbell is a widower and has four children livino-, *Transferred, August, 1892, to Engine Co. No. 13. t Promoted to be foreman of No. 29, August 11, 1892. a 5 O 2 E < COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. 343 one of whom, a daughter, is a well-known contralto singer in the choir of a New York church. A son holds the position of Professor of Music under the Board of Education of this city. Mr. Campbell was badly burned about the hands in the fire at Stover's dry goods store on April 29, 1887, and at a fire on Dec. 14, 1888, he fell from the second story to the cellar of the building and would have been instantly killed had it not been that the cellar was partially filled with water at the time, which broke his fall. As it was, he received severe injuries to his body and legs in the descent. Engineer JOHN M. Pratt is a man of whom the company is proud. He was born in New York State on Feb. 18, 1865. He received a good education and turned it to account, when he started out in life. He is well read, methodical in his ways, and to his comrades is a perfect encyclopedia of information. He carries a diary in which is kept a record of all that has transpired since he was appointed a fireman, even to the minutest details. Fifteen years ago he commenced the collection of ancient coins and relics, and at the present time has over 700 coins of various denominations, including gold, silver, brass, copper and pewter, some dating as far back as 1793. One of the most valuable pieces in the collection is a Judea Shekel, made of pewter and issued in the reign of Simon Maccabees, 145 B. C. Engineer Pratt was made a fireman Dec. 3, 1887, and since that time has been attached to Engines Nos. 18, 26 and 29. He was promoted to the grade of engineer on Jan. 9, 1888. He is married and lives at No. 271 Lorimer Street. At a fire in a four-story frame tenement on Atlantic Avenue near Nevins Street, on the night of Aug. 31, 1890, Mr. Pratt made a brave rescue of Mrs. Swietzer and her child, whom he brought safely to the street from the second floor, down a burning stairway. About a month prior to this event, while going to a box factory fire at the foot of Nevins Street, he was injured by the engine colliding with a heap of upturned earth from a sewer. Henry M. Hellen has twice met with serious misfortunes since he was appointed on April I, 1885, and to-day he is a cripple, and will be for the remainder of his life. He was born in New York City on Nov. 11, i860, and during his career as a fireman has seen active service with Engines Nos. 12, 13, 15 and 29, the last of which companies he is still a member. He is married and lives at No. 96 Jackson Street, and was the driver of Engine No. 29 when he was last injured. At the great fire at Pratt's oil works, he was so severely burned about the face and hands, that he was not able to perform duty for several months. He sat on the driver's seat of Engine No. 29 when she rolled out of the house on the night of Oct. 3, 1891, in response to a call from box 487. The horses were dashing swiftly down Oakland Avenue, when without the slightest warning they turned quickly to the left, and the right front wheel, axle and forward part of the engine came in collision with a house in course of removal which stood in the middle of the street. The axle broke and Driver Hellen's right leg was crushed between the house 344 OUR FIREMEN. and his engine. He was conveyed as quickly as possible to the City Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the leg. TiiDMAS J. McGlNNEsis the second engineer of the compan)', and the brother of the Foreman. He was born in PhiladcliDhia on July 4, 1848, and was appointed a mem- ber of the Fire Dei)artment Sept. 11, 1S83; since which time he has been attached to Engines Nos. 5, 12, igand 29. He is married and livesat No. 1S2 Consel)-ea Street. He was riding with his brother on the back of the engine on the night of Oct. 3, 1891, when Driver Hellen had his leg crushed, and was thrown so violently against the hand rail of the boiler that his face and head were severely injured. John F. AsmuS has been the driver of the engine since Driver Hellen was injured, and was biMai in Albanj' on July 4, 185 I. Fie lives at No. 499 Graham ^\\'enue wath his faniil)'. He secured his appointment through Ex-Fire Commissioner Poillon, then Deputy Fire Commissioner, on Feb. i, 1S82, and was assigned to duty \vith Engine No. 15. He is a fearless man in discharge of duty and one well liked b}' his superior officers and b\' his brother firemen. Mr. Asmus helped to rescue Foreman Fanning of Engine No. 15, now District Engineer, when the latter fell Sept. I, 1884, from the roof to tlie second floor of a furniture factory at Leonard and Devoe Streets, and received injuries which laid him up for three months. During the time Foreman Fanning was on the sick list, Mr. Asmus was Acting Foreman of the company. It was through the bravery of Mr. Asmus at the Pratt's oil works fire that Foreman Joseph McCormick, then in command of Engine No. 15, was saved from being burned to death when he was cut off from escape by the flames which had wellnigh enveloped him. Mr. Asmus saw McCormick's hand stretched out toward the window near which Asmus was at the time. He seized it and the roasted flesh fell off in his grasp. He held on to the unconscious man although the heat was terrific, until assistance came and McCormick was pulled out from the seething caldron of oil into which he had fallen, and hurried away to the hospital. Charles Franklin Way is a second-grade fireman, and ^\'as appointed Feb. 11, 1891. He was born in this city May 2, 1867, is married, and resides at No. 173 xA-in- slee Street. Mr. Way distinctly remembers his first fire, for he was called on to help remove bodies from the ruins. Patrick Head is among the life-savers of the company, and the act of bravery which placed his name on the roll of honor, was one difficult to perform and attended with great peril to himself. The fire broke out in a bakery on the ground floor of a three-story frame building on Kingslancl Avenue on the night of July 26, 1891. On the top floor was Mrs. Gaffncy and her child, who were cut off from escape by the stairway, which was in flames, and had been overcome with the smoke. The truck compan}^ had not arrived, and Fireman Head knowing that there was not a moment to lose, found a thirteen-foot ladder, ran up to the cornice, drew the ladder up with the assistance of COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. 345 comrades, and then placing the foot of the kidder on the cornice mounted to the third story and got the unconscious woman and child out and lowered them down to tlie men below. At the Waterbury rope works fire, Mr. Head was completely overcome by smoke, and was laid up for some days after. He was born in this city on March 7, 1854, and has a family with whom he resides at No. igS Kingskind Avenue. His appoint- ment was made on June 15, 1885, and since that time he has served with Trucks Nos. 4 and 6, and Engines Nos. 12, 24 and 29. Martin Joseph Smith occupies the driver's seat of the hose-cart, and handles the fleet-footed bay and gray which draw it. He was born in this city, Jan. 30, 1867, and has been quite a traveller in his da)-. He was made a fireman April 16, 1890, and served for a short' time with Truck No. 6 before being transferred to this company. He assisted in the rescue of Mrs. Gaffne)- and her child at the Kingsland Avenue bakery fire on Juh' 26, 1S91. He lives at No. 61 Driggs Avenue. Patrick F. Carroll was born in this cit)-, April 16, 1S58, and has been a fire- man since Jan. 3, 1888. He has been connected during the time with Truck No. 6 and Engines Nos. 16 and 29. Mr. Carroll lives with his family at No. 382 Leonard Street. Charles StOTIIARD was born in New York City, Aug. 21, 1857, and was appointed July 16, 1891. Prior to becoming a member of this company he was attached to Engine No. 30. Mr. Stothard is a widower and has five children and resides at No. 506 Driggs Avenue. Henry W. Reickenberg was born in the city of New York on Feb. 22, 1869. He began life in the merchant marine service, and when he left it was second mate of the " Nova Scotia." In 1886 he entered the llnited States Navy and served for four years on board the men-of-war "Minnesota," "New Hampshire," " Ouinebaug " and " Galena." He was the coxswain of the " Galena's" cutter which captured the Navassa Island negro rioters, three of whom are now serving terms in the Kings County peni- tentiary. Mr. Reickenberg has been once and a-half around the world, and a descrip- tion of the places he has visited and incidents that have occurred are highly interest- ing. He is still a bachelor and lives at No. 104 North Henry Street. He became a fireman Nov. 16, 1891, and was assigned at once to this company, where he has made a good record for himself. Michael Marks was born in this city on Oct. 4, 1863, and was made a fireman Jan. 3, 1888. He has done duty with Truck No. 8, and Engines Nos. 22 and 29 respectively. He is married and lives at No. 275 Humboldt Street. Mr. Marks was overcome by smoke at the 'Waterbury rope works fire. John F. Hickly, a comparatively new member of the company, was appointed May 4, 1892. He is a native of Brooklyn, where he was born June 5, 1858. 346 OUR. FIREMEN. John J. McCarthy was born in the State of New Jersey on April 24, 1868 and was appointed on Juh' i, 1892. The tcrritorv cox'cred by this company is an extrcmel}' large one. On the first- alarm they respond to calls from 73 boxes and on the second from 124. The boundaries arc Hunter's Point Bridge, the city line, Graham Avenue and Meserole Street and BcdfortI Ax'cnuc and North Eleventh Street. Among the large buildings in this district arc two public schools and se\'eral churches. Besides these there are the Chelsea jute mills, several buildings belonging to the Standard Oil Company, the New York cordage worlvS, Logwood works and Eagle pencil works. Church's soda works. Continental Iron W'oi'ks, Kalbfleisch's chemical works. Hardy & Voorhis' lumber )'ard, Bossett's lumber )-ard, the New Haven cooperative fur factory, St. Catharine's Hospital, Waterbur\' rope works, Lawrence's rope works, Brookfield's glass works, Reynolds' coal yards, a large tanner)-, Seitz's brewer}-, Huber & Abbott's brewery, Graham's pottery, Peter Cooper's glue factor}-, a refrigerator manufactory, Fisher's furniture factory, Fallon's moulding mills, Orr's lumber }-ard. Reeves & Church's lumber }'ard, Charles Havemeyer's sugar house, Safet}^ Boiler Manufacturing Company works and Palmer's cooperage and barrel yard. As this history goes to press, announcement is made of the transfer of Assistant Foreman James S. Jones from Engine Co. No. 27 to Engine Co. No. 29, of which he now becomes second in command. The details of his service will be found under Engine Co. No. 29. HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY No. 6. One of the first truck companies to be equipped when the Department went into active operation in 1869 was Hool^ and Ladder Company No. 6, and the changes in of^- cers and men since the first time the truck rolled out of the house have been man}-. The company's quarters are on Greenpoint Avenue near Manhattan Avenue, Green- point, and the house, which was rebuilt in the 'So's is on the site of the one occupied by "Valley Forge" Engine No. 11, of the Volunteer Department. Among those who make up the present company are men who have saved human life and others who have been injured while in the discharge of duty. All have seen hardship since they entered the service, and not a few have been placed in perilous positions from which they escaped fortunately without a scar. There have been brave, fearless men connected with this company in times past, who while battling with smoke and flame went down beneath a falling wall and were crushed and burned beyond all possible recognition. There are still others who yet carry scars upon their faces and hands to tell of fierce con- flict with the destroyer of life and property. The interior of the truck house is com- fortable, the apparatus is equipped with all the modern appliances for life-saving, and the team which pulls it is made up of a sorrel and a roan, and both young and powerful m Ir ill! IK- o o M S l^ COMPANIES OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. 349 specimens of fire horses. The company on a first-alarm respond to calls from 48 boxes and on a second-alarm to 45 additional. The territory covered by them on a first- alarm is bounded by Newtown Creek, Kingsland Avenue and Wither Street, North Ninth Street and by the East River and Newtown Creek. Among the large manufacturing establishmentsjn the district are the Kings County oil works, Logwood Works, Smith's box factory, Ward's paper box factor)', New York Stamping Company, the Havemeyer sugar works, Orr & Company's lumber }'ard, Faber's pencil works. Heckler iron works, Smith's American Porcelain Companj', Jensen's porce- lain works. Reeves & Church's bo.x factory and lumber yard. New York wire and nail fac- tory, Chelsea jute mills, Crosstown car stables, Kent Avenue car stables, Adler veneering and cane seat factory, Leary's ship-yard. Storm's planing mill, two large sash and blind factories belonging to Young & Gerard, Refrigerator Manufacturing Company foot of Guernsey Street, the Rutherford soap works and IMcCaffrey & Jacob's varnish works. The compan)' has done active service at all the big fires in Greenpoint and the Eastern District since its oi'ganization, and the Herseman baker)- fire ^\■ill ever be fresh in their minds, for it was there that Jonathan Tyack, then Acting Foreman, and George Haight, temporarily detailed to the company, lost their lives beneath the falling walls. At Pratt's oil works fire on Oct. 11, 1888, where Foreman Joseph J. McCorniick, James McElroy and Henry Hellen of Engine Compan)^ No. 15, were severel)^ burned, they worked for twenty hours without intermission. They were present and did active duty at the Reeves & Church's box factory fire, at Havemeyer's sugar refinery, South Third Street and Kent Avenue, at Church's soda works in 1S91, at Heckler's iron works in 1891, and at Palmer's bagging factory fire at the foot of North Seventh Street at which fire Engine No. 15 was burned up, and several firemen had a narrow escape from being crushed by falling walls. Foreman Stephen Allen was born in the city of New York, Aug. 13, 1853, and was appointed a fireman on May 28, 1880. He rose from the ranks step by step, and on March i, 1887, was made Assistant Foreman. On July i, 18S9, he was promoted to the grade of Foreman. During the period of service in the Department and prior to being put in command of Hook and Ladder No. 5, he did active duty with Hook and Ladder Companies Nos. 4 and 8 and Engine Company No. 12. At the Herse- man bakery fire, on June 22, 1883, he was so badly burned about the face and body and bruised on the back and legs by falling walls, that he was laid up for nearly six months. Mr. Allen is a bachelor and lives at No. 638 Leonard Street. Assistant Foreman FRANCIS C. Spillane was born in New York City, on Sept. 9, 1861. He is a bachelor and resides at No. 308 Lorimer Street. When appointed to the force, Feb. 16, 1884, he was assigned to duty with Truck No. 6, where he has since remained. He was made an Assistant Foreman on July i, 1889. 350 OUR FIREMEN. Cornelius Cunningham was born at L)-ons Falls, Lewis County, N. Y., on Sept. 15, 1856. He was appointed to the Department on Oct. 6, 1886, and is numbered among the life-savers. On Oct. 23, 18S8, a fire occurred at No. 322 Hicks Street, a three-story and attic building". In the attic lived John Gravesmuller, who had but one leg. Cunningham was sent up the ladder to search the attic and while thus engaged, and being almost exhausted by the dense smoke, he stumbled over the cripple. Cun- ningham seized the unconscious man and dragged him to the window, where a rope was let down from the roof, b}' which Gra\'esmullcr was lowered to the ground, but he died fi\'e weeks later at the Long Island College Hospital. Mr. Cunningham is mar- ried and lives at No. 219 Twentieth Street. Patrick ^Murray is the driver of the truck. He \\'as born fort}'-three years ago in Ireland, and was appointed a fireman on March 8, 1888. He served three years in the United States Nav}', and in the Volunteer Department days was attached to Ridgewood Hose No. 7. John Clunie was bom in Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 3, 1865, and became a member of the uniformed force, July 21, 1890. He served seven )-ears in the na\'3', on board the " Minnesota," " Portsmouth," " Constitution," " New Hampshire," " Essex," " Pow- hattan " and " Wabash." He is a bachelor and lives at No. 18S Kent Street. Michael Reardon was injured some time ago by the breal^-inch streams, built by the American Fire Engine Co. A four-inch swivel nozzle will also be a part of its equip- ment. The propeller is of manganese bronze and has four blades 6 ft. 6 in. in diameter and of 9 in. pitch. She carries also a surface condenser with 1,000 ft. of cooling surface JOHN J FANNING, D:strict Engineer Seventh District, CHAPTER XIV. COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER JOHN J. FANNING. Boundaries of the Seventh District — " Dutchtown" and its "Tinder-Boxes" — District Engineer Fanning — An Honorable Record in War and Fire DuTV — Engine Company No. 17 — Leaders in Life-Saving — Engine Company No. 18 — Stationed Between Club Houses and Factories — Engine Company No. 22 — Protectors of Brownstone Fronts — Hook and Ladder Company No. 8 — In the Heart of the " Tinder Boxes." EARLY all the Eighteenth and Sixteenth Wards and parts of the Twenty-first and Twenty-seventh Wards are included in the Seventh District. This territory is irregular in shape, and is con- tained within the following boundary lines : — Throop Avenue, i|A where it adjoins the Fourth District; Graham Avenue, adjoining "'§' the Fifth; Maspeth Avenue, adjoining the Si.xth; Lexington Ave- \^'.}-i^S^3 nue to the southeast, Gates Avenue to the east, and to the north- ■-■£^^ -^-.Q^srs^J sA east the city line from Gates Avenue to Newtown Creek. The district is large and, from the fireman's point of view, important. It contains much material for a good rousing fire, such as, under conditions favorable to it, might extend no one knows how far. In the Sixteenth Ward is the settlement known as " Dutch- town," which is composed almost entirely of frame buildings, classed as " tinder-boxes," and fires once started there are very destructive. district engineer JOHN J. FANNING. District Engineer John J. Fanning, in command of the Seventh District, was a Brooklyn boy who was turned from the peaceful career of a milkman into a soldier by 356 OUR FIREMEN. the breaking- out of the War of the RebelHon, won honor and promotion on the field, and owes his present high position in the Fire Department to his merit. He was born in 1845, ^'"d was educated in the public schools of this city. On tlie call for troops in 1861, he enlisted in Company D., 25th New York Zouaves, and won a first sergeant's chevrons by his bravery. lie served twentj-five months, and then returned to Brook- lyn, where he followed the trade of a ship-carpenter. He never was a member of the Volunteer Department, but he had many friends in it, and in connection with them per- formed so much fire duty — more, in fact, than manj' regular members of the Department — that he was regarded as a comrade b)' his Department associates. On Sept. 16, 1869, he was appointed a member of Engine Company No. 11, in the new Department, and was very soon made driver of his company. The duty was arduous, the company being one of only three to cover the entire Eastern District, for which the onh' commu- nication with the rest of tlie city was by the police telegraph, and the protectors of all tliat region from the East River to East New York and from the Navy Yard to New- town Creek had to depend largely on their own resources. Driver Fanning performed his duty so well that when the Foreman, the late George A. Frost, was promoted to be District Engineer, he was made Foreman of No. 11. In 1877 he was assigned to Truck No. 6, but preferring his original service he was very glad when, a year later, he was. transferred to Engine Company No. 15, located on India Street, in the Seventeenth Ward. At that time there were many small oil refineries on Newtown and Bushwick Creeks, and oil fires were of almost dail}- occurrence, requiring diligence, courage and good judgment on the part of the Foreman, to save not onl)' property but lives. On the accession of Commissioner Poillon to the charge of the Department, it was decided to create two additional districts, in order to reduce the duty required of the District Engineers, and a civil service examination of the Foremen was ordered to decide who should be promoted. In this examination Foreman Fanning \vas among the success- ful ones, his percentage being very high, and on July I, 1885, he was promoted to his present position. It has been predicted that if a great fire ever does occur in Brooklyn, it will start in the dangerous district in which he is located, but Engineer Fanning has shown good judgment and no serious fire has occurred. The engines assigned to duty here are Nos. 17, iS and 22, and Truck No. 8. Engineer Fanning is assiduous in his attention to his duties, and with a preference for domestic life spends his spare time with his family. ENGINE COMPANY NO. 1 7. Engine Company No. 17 has been in existence sixteen j'ears, and during that time its members have acquired an enviable reputation for bravery and ef^cient work. At every fire of consequence and many of little importance, the boys of Engine No. 17 have s o I -o 5 COJNIPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. 359 been present to fight the flames and risk their lives to save the Uves or property of others. The company was organized in 1876 and was located on DeKalb Avenue, near Lewis Avenue, in the Twent\--iirst Ward. John Connors was appointed Foreman, and at once got his compan)- into a good state of efficiency, which has under succeeding Fore- men been kept up ever since. The present quarters of th.is company are in a handsome two-story brick building specially designed for their occupancy, and it is fitted up with e\-ery convenience to facilitate quick work and for the convenience of the men. On the first floor, ready at the sound of the gong to rush forth to any part of the district and fight fire, are the engine and hose-wagon ; the four horses, favorites with the men, and known as " Bill," "Dan," "Mike" and " Terry," stand in their stalls at the rear, alwa\-s read)- for a quick run. They can be on the street in seven seconds after the signal is receix'ed. The company's life-saving record is a good one. At a fire in a cand\- store on Delvalb Avenue in 1886, they took three persons from the flames after the building was given up as lost. In their work, one fire- man was seriously injured by a falling \\:l11. One of the most dangerous fires to which Engine No. 17 responded, \\'as that of Sept. 21, 1887, which consumed the big four-story brownstone flat-house at Lafayette and Lev.-is Avenues. The alarm came in at 10 o'clock that night, quickly followed by a second and third alarm. When the engine-company, which was the first to reach the conflagration, came on the scene, they found that the fire had started in the dry goods store of Peter AUsgood on the first floor and was making rapid headway through the building. The front windows of the third and fourth stories were filled vi-ith anxious men, -women and children, cut off from all escape by the stairways, and watching from their position the flames mounting higher and higher, and coming closer to them with every second that passed. The air was already filled with heat, sparks and smoke, and they could hardly see the street below, or the preparations the firemen were making to rescue them. No hook and lad- der company with their apparatus had yet arrived, and the members of Engine No. 17 saw that if anything was to be done to save human life it must be done at once. They scattered in search of a ladder, and found one at a builder's near by. When placed against the building it was found to be about six feet too short to reach the windows. The flames coming from the lower windows were already licking the rounds of the ladder and threatening to burn it away in a few minutes. The firemen were determined to rescue the people and ascended the ladder through fire and smoke. One man took a position at the top of the ladder, clinging as best he could to the smooth brick walls of the build- Incr in front of him while a comrade climbed to his shoulders and reached with his fingers the window above. Another member of the company climbed over the living ladder and entered the building. From here he passed the frenzied occupants of the house down to another fireman who in turn passed them one at a time to others, until they 36o OUR FIREMEN. were all placed safely on the ground. Ten persons were thus rescued. The following members of the present company took part in this noble work and were complimented b)' their chief for having brought credit to themselves and the Department : Phillip McDonough, Martin F. 13rady, Patrick McGuire and Thomas Culkin. On the night of Oct. 23, 1 89 1, there was a big fire in a two-story frame tenement house at No. 471 Knickerbocker Avenue. Through the exertions of the members of this and other com- panies, the occupants escaped without loss of life, and the fire was confined to the one building. ILarly on the morning of Nov. 16, 1891, a second-alarm brought the boys of old " 17 " to a big fire in a row of four-stor}' frame tenement houses, extending from Nos. 120 to 126 Nostrand Avenue. There were seventy-two families living in the houses and it was onl)' b)' almost superhuman work on the part of the firemen that they were saved from a terrible death. The brave firemen entered the houses, through the suffocating smoke, driving out the stupified occupants, and carrying out such as had been overcome b)' the smoke. The members of the company then turned their attention to the fire itself, taking a position on the roof of the house at No. 124. So perilous was their posi- tion that they were obliged to retreat, but not until their hose had burned behind them. Returning to the ground the}' pla)'ed water on the third story for an hour and a-half, but the fire was so fierce that it did not seem possible to extinguish it until the whole building was burned to the ground and perhaps some of the adjoining ones as Avell. Their next hour and a half's work was on the fourth floor. From here, in obedience to orders from the District Engineer, they shifted their hose to No. 122, where for half an hour they worked at the fourth floor. After half an hour's hard work on the fourth floor of No. 120, their work was concluded, and almost ready to drop to the ground from exhaustion, the members of Engine No. 17 returned to their quarters. The fire was under control and not one of the hundreds of occupants of the rickety frame houses had been killed or injured. It was a good morning's work and has added laurels to the brows of the deserving firemen. They were engaged in fighting the flames continuously for seven hours and fifty minutes. In the big fire on May 16, 1S92, at Zoellner Hall, corner of Broadway and Wil- loughby A\'enue, in which two lives \vere lost, the members of this company succeeded in getting out the famil)- of Carl Richter, the janitor, who lived on the top floor of No. S78 VVilloughby Avenue, and this prevented even greater loss of life. In another fire on DeKalb Avenue, near Hamburg, a row of eight three-story tenements was burned down. The houses were thickly populated, and there was great danger of loss of life. The members of this company alone saved seventeen persons from the flames. Among the other big fires at which Engine Compan}^ No. 17 did valiant service, were those at the Old Folk's Home, Bushwick and DeKalb Avenues, at which many lives were lost ; the famous Brooklyn theatre fire ; the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, in COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. 361 December, 1885, where a number of lives were lost; the Ridgewood car stables, in Febru- ary, 1886; Feigenspan's Ridgewood brewer)', in August, 1886; Pratt's oil works, where they fought the flames for twenty-two and oiK-half hours, and where several firemen were badly injured ; Havcme)-er's sugar house, Dick & Meyer's sugar house; the sal- eratus works on Ash Street, where they worked all night ; the Adelphi Academy; Palmer's cooper shop, where one man was burned to death, several injured, and a valu- able fire-engine destroyed by a falling wall ; Smith, Gray & Co.'s store, and at the big fire on Court Street during the water famine. Foreman Frank J. Duffy is a young man to fill his responsible office, but during his whole service with the Department has never been found at fault in any matter of duty. He is a native of Brooklyn and was born January 5, 1S55. As a boy, he served an apprenticeship as a shipsmith in the construction department at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, remaining there from 1869 to 1876. On July 7, 1880, he was appointed to the Fire Department and assigned to duty with Engine No. 4. Three months later he was transferred to Engine No. 5, and two years later to Engine No. 7. He received his first promotion, to Assistant Foreman, on July i, i8Sg, and was assigned to Engine No. 26. He became a Foreman b)- appointment on April 27, 1S92, and was put in charge of Engine No. 17. On July 19, 1883, while a member of Engine No. 7, he was on duty at a big fire at Harbeck's stores on the water-front. A British ship unloading there had caught fire and the flames communicated to the dock and store- houses. Mr. Duff)' and sixteen other firemen were fighting the fire from a position on top of a shed, where they were close to the ship and }'et screened from the terrible heat. The rigging of the ship was in flames, and suddenl)', without a second's warning, the ponderous mainmast of the vessel fell, striking the shed where the firemen \\'ere at work. One fireman, Robert McDougall, whose handsome monument in Greenwood Cemetery was afterward erected by his comrades, was fatally injured. Thirteen others were injured. Fireman Duff}', luckier than his companions, escaped with slight injuries, but was confined to a cot at the Homceopv-ithic hospital for two weeks there- after. In April, 1891, while a member of Engine No. 26, he was coming down State Street, on his return from supper, when passing a house, he heard a cry and saw flames bursting from the windows. He rushed in and found a woman with clothes on fire, running about in terrible agony, and the sides of the room on fire. Picking up a rug from the floor, he threw it about the woman's form, smothering the flames, and then rushing out again gave the alarm that brought a fire-engine to the spot and put out the remaining fire. The woman, who was terribly burned, had been lighting a kerosene lamp when it exploded, throwing the burning oil over her clothes. Mr. Duff)' \vas at the big fire at Wescheler & Abraham's store. No. 292 Fulton Street, in 1882, at Tal- mage's church when it burned down a few years ago, at the big penitentiary fire and at 362 OUR FIREMEN. Hyde & Behman's theatre in 1891. Besides these he has been at nearly every fire that Engine No. 17 has been called out to. Assistant Foreman PATRICK McGuiRE is a native of New York City, born on April 3, 1S55. He was appointed to the Department on June 9, 1883, and first assigned to Engine No. 6. March i, 1884, he \\'as transferred to Engine No. 18, and again on June 16, 1885, to Engine No. 22, «diere he was made driver. He came to Engine No. 17, on June i, 1 89 1, as Assistant Foreman. He \vas present at the big fire at Haibeck's stores, the one at Worn's furniture factory, in June, 1884; at Herse- man's bakery in June, 1S84, when two men were killed ; at the penitentiar)' fire in 1890, at the Warner's Institute and adjoining buildings, and at nearly every big fire that En- gine No. 17 has worked at since 1S83. Mr. McGuire is a faithful and efficient member of the Department. Philip McDonougii, the engineer, was born in Dublin, Ireland, on June 18, 1856. He was appointed to Engine No. 17 on April i, 1885. I" Oct., 1890, he went to En- gine No. 22 as Assistant Engineer, and came back to Engine No. 17 again on Feb. 7, 1891, as engineer. In the big fire at Feigcnspan's brewer)', in Aug., 1886, Fireman McDonough saved the life of a man wdio was pinned down beneath the falling timbers. He has done other good work at fires with this company. Ed\v.\RD ElCt-iiiOKX was born in Brooklyn, Sept. i, 1S59. He was appointed a fireman Feb. I, 1882 and assigned to Engine No. 17. He served about fourj-ears with Engine No. iS, and seven months with Engine No. 6; the rest of his service having been passed with Engine No. 17. Fireman Eichhorn once had the opportunitj', fort- unately not often accorded to members of the Department, to save the lives of his own wife and children from the flames. While he was with Engine No. 18, he lived on the top floor of a three-story house at Humboldt and Moore Streets. One night he went out with his company on a still alarm and found the fire to be in his own house. The fire was on the ground floor and filled the stairway with flames and smoke, but the gal- lant fireman noticed nothing of this as he fought his way up-stairs to the rescue of his wife and little ones. He reached the top floor and succeeded in carr)"ing them down the fire-escape to safety. He liclped fight the flames about two j'ears ago on a big Britisl: ship at Robinson's stores in Furman Street. More than twenty firemen were overcome by the heat and smoke and it became necessary to sink the \-essel to save the surrounding vessels and docks from destruction. At the big fire at Pratt's oil works, he was working on the roof of a building and the flames became so fierce and hot that he came very near being roasted. While backing from his position, he stumbled and fell from the building, striking below in the waters of Newtown Ci^cek. Comrades noticed his fall, and rescued him. Mr. Eichhorn is one of the oldest members of the company. COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. 363 Thomas Culkin, who has been in the Fire Department longer than any otlier man in the company, was born in Brooklyn, Feb. 20, 1840, and was appointed a fireman May 29, 1S71. He served in Engines Nos. 16, 17, 18 and 22 and Trucks Nos. 4 and 8. Owing to long service, he has been present at most of the big fires in the city, serving always with credit to himself. Andrew Boylan was born in Ireland, April 4, i860. He was appointed a fire- man Nov. 16, 1891, and was assigned to Engine No. 17, and has been with this com- pany since. He has been at all the big fires with his company the past year. Charles H. Dougherty is another New York City man, born Jan. 28, 1854. He was appointed to the Fire Department April i, 1S85. John J. Eagan was born in Brooklyn, April 4, i860. He has become one of the most popular members of the company since his appointment, which was made on July 15, 1889. Felix Herling was born in Germany, Jan. 18, 1871, and is the youngest in years of any member of the company. He was appointed Aug. 11, 1S91, and was assigned to Engine No. 17. Frank P. Moran was born in Ireland, Nov. 1S66, and was appointed to the Fire Department May 4, 1892. ENGINE company NO. 1 8. There are no life-savers in Engine Company No. 18, and the reason is that the cry for " help " from a human being, hemmed in b)' smoke and flame, has never yet reached their ears. But there is not a man in the company who will shirk from his duty when that heart-rending appeal rings out upon the night air. Nevertheless, every man of the company has been where the flames were the hottest, and the smoke densest, and not a few of them will carry scars to their graves of injuries received while in discharge of duty. The company was organized and went into active service Nov. 30, 1887. Its home is on Hart Street, a few doors from Central Avenue, and a very comfortable and attractive place it is. The district in which the company is located is bounded on the north by the city line, on the east by Bushwick Avenue and Siegel Street, on the south by Ralph Avenue and Halsey Street, and on the west by Bushwick Avenue and Boerum Street. On a first-alarm the men respond to calls from 56 boxes, the farthest being two miles and a-half away. Within this territory are the " Berlin " and Cutter's large dry goods houses, Lesslan's, Traum's and John Schwartz's furniture warehouses, the Iron Clad tin factory, Castle Braid Company, Wall's rope walk, Liska's varnish works, Bonner's cradle manufactory, Rueger's moulding mills, George Och'sand Meyer's mould- ing mills, Sprower's brush factory, DcKalb Avenue car stables, three large stables of 364 OUR FIREMEN. the Brooklyn City Railroad Company, Labor Lyceum, Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, St. John's College, St. Leonard's Hall, the new building of the Bushwick Democratic Club, the National Athletic Club-house, the Fourteenth and Twentieth Precinct police- station houses, Ryan's paint, wall-paper and carpet storehouses, Renwick Hall, fourteen large breweries, ten churches and four public schools. Assistant Foreman JOIIN Franci.S Welton was born in New York City, Dec. 17, 1856. His connection with the Brookljai Fire Department dates from Feb. 14, 1887. Mr. Welton was promoted to the rank of Assistant Foreman June i, 1891, and the chances arc ten to one that before his career terminates he will be advanced to a higher grade. Engineer William Cunningham is a native of Scotland, and was born on Sept. 15, 1842. During the Civil War he was a private in the 3d Regiment, N. Y. Volun- teers, and from 1867 to 1869 was a member of Atlantic Hose Company No. 2 of the Volunteer Department. He was appointed a member of the Paid Department, March 26, 1871, and in 1876 was promoted to the grade of engineer, and assigned to Engine No. 16. It is only necessary to look at Engine No. 18 to be convinced that he is an expert at his business. Assi-stant Engineer JoiiN Poiil:\ian was born in Brooklyn, Nov. 14, 1845. He was made a fireman and assigned to Engine No. 17 on June 2, 1880, and promoted April 13, 1882. Thomas D. Doran handles the ribbons over " Tom " and " Bill)'," the two hand- some grays who draw the engine. He was born in Brooklyn, Feb. 24, 1848. He was appointed to the uniformed force, Sept. i, 1870 and assigned to Truck No. 5. On Sept. 18, 1872 he was transferred to Engine Company No. 16, and on April 22, 1878 was promoted to the grade of driver. Charles Freudel occupies the driver's seat of the four-wheel hose-cart, and pilots " Ginger " and "Pete," the two fine-looking bay horses attached to it. Mr. Freudel was born in Brooklyn on June 21, 1862, and became a fireman Jan. 2, 1889. Thejirst service performed by him was with Engine No. 16, and covered a period of sixteen days. He was then found to be an expert driver and was transferred to the company to which he is now attached. Of Fireman Thomas McKeever it may be said " no better man ever wore a fire- coat." There was no place at a fire that he would hesitate an instant about going into, and it is said of him that he is the last man to leave a burning building when it becomes unsafe to remain in it longer. Mr. McKeever was born in Ireland, Jan. 22, 1842. In the days of the Volunteer Department, he was an active member of Metamora Hose No. 5, and at one time Assistant Foreman. He became a member of the present Fire Department on the day it went into active operation, and since that time has been con- , . , , , p I s. rzT* i li □ E E 5 COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. 367 nected with Engines Nos. 13, 16, and 18, and Truck No. 5. During his twenty-three years of service he has many times been seriously but fortunately not fatally injured. Charles Price is a native of Brooklyn and was born Aug. 6, 1845. He was appointed to the uniformed force, Aug. i, 1S70, and has been a valuable man to the Department. Herman Weigel was born in New York City, Jan. 7, 1871, and has been a sea- man in the United States Navy. He was made a fireman Aug. 24, 1890, and though young in years and experience, has in him the right kind of stuff to make a first-class fireman. Peter J. Reilly was born March 25, 1862 in Brooklyn. Although he has only worn the uniform since Dec. 10, 1S91, his work shows him to be a valuable acquisition to the force. Louis T. Hauck is also young at the business, he having been appointed on Aug. II, 1891. He was born in New York City on Sept. 24, 1S64. Mr. Hauck possesses all the requirements necessary for making a good fireman. J.-VilES McArdle has been on the force since March 21, 1888, and has made his mark as a faithful, earnest worker. He ^\'as born in Ih'ooklyn, Jan. 19, 1856. Patrick Lavin began his career as a fireman on Jan. 2, 1889 and has been attached to Engine Company No. 18 since that time. He was born in Ireland on March 15, 1856. Although but two years in the business his record has been a good one. There is another member of the compan}^ not on the pay roll but who must not be forgotten, and that is " Nell," a handsome greyhound. She has been in the service but a few months but has learned considerable. The company has been called out to some big fires in its day. Among them may be mentioned the fires at Pratt's oil works. Heckler's iron works, Church's soda works, Wiedman's cooperage, Dick & Meyer's sugar refiner}-, Nostrand Avenue flats, American cocoa-matting works, Och's flat-houses on DeKalb Avenue, Huwer's glass works, Waterbury Rope-walk, Stern's cow stables, Harbeck's stores, Smith, Gray & Company's building, Stover's dry goods' house, and the Zoellner Mannerchor Hall, ENGINE COMPANY NO. 22. Located in one of the most aristocratic portions of the city of Brooklyn, t-he house occupied by Engine Company No. 22 on Ouincy Street, near Patchen Avenue, in the Twenty-fifth Ward, is surrounded on all sides by handsome brownstone and frame private residences and first-class apartment houses. The company was organized on June 16, 1885, by Fire Commissioner Richard H. Poillon. In the district covered by it on a first-alarm there are 64 boxes, which are distributed about in the territory lying between 368 OUR FIREMEN. the city line on the north, ]Myrtle Avenue and Broadway on the east, Atlantic Avenue on the south and Stiiyvesant Avenue on the west, in all about three miles square. In this territor)' besides the hundreds of elegant pri\'ate residences are the House of the Good Shepherd, Lutheran Home for Aged Women, Warner Institute, Public Schools Nos. 26, 74 and 75, Bohannan's immense lock factory, Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, of which Rev. Father Mahoney is pastor, the Reid Avenue Methodist Episco- pal church, and any number of smaller churches, DcKalb Avenue car stables, Green and Gates Avenue car stables, Ebert's brewery and Eppig's brewery. It is in this dis- trict that County Clerk Cottier, School Trustee Ferris and George Glendcnning, the leader of the Twenty-fifth Ward, reside. The majorit)' of the men in the compan)' have been in the service for many years> and notwithstanding this fact they have fortunately escaped serious bodily harm and with but one exception have not been called upon to rescue a fellow being cut off by flame and smoke. Foreman J 01 IN A. Keveny was born in the County Roscommon, Ireland, on Ma}- 6, 1847, 3-iid came with his parents to Brookljm when he was six years of age, and settled in the Fifteentli Ward. He attended Public School No. 18 and completed his education at the Parochial School attached to Father Malone's parish. After being three years in the Custom House as a broker's clerk, he engaged in a more lucrative business, which he pursued up to the time of his appointment to the Fire Department on Dec. 31, 1869. He was assigned to duty with Engine Compan}' No. 11, then transferred to Engine No. 9 and subsequentl}' back ti3 Engine No. 11, from which company he was detailed to the Kerosene Bureau for three }'ears as an Inspector. He gave up his position in the Kerosene Bureau on March i, 1887, to become Assistant Foreman of Engine Company No. II, and while holding that rank he was, on July i, 1889, promoted to the rank of Foreman and sent to take command of this company. When the Civil War broke out he went out with the 56th Regiment New York State Militia, and received an honorable discharge when the regiment was mustered out of service. As a volunteer fireman he ran for two years witli Victor}- Engine No. 13. During his long period of service in the Department he has escaped injur}-. Assistant P^oreman J/VWES L. Havil.vnd was born in Brooklyn on Jan. 28, 1848, and became a fireman on P~eb. S, 1876. He was assigned as a private to Engine Com- pany No. 17. On Jan. 15, 1882, he was promoted to the grade of engineer, and on March i, 1887, he was made Assistant P'oreman, which position he held up to June I, 1 891, when he was transferred to No. 22. While a private in No. 17 he was accidentally knocked off a wagon and had his head so badly cut that he was unable to do duty for over t\\'o months. Engineer TIMOTHY J. DOLAN was born in the County Roscommon, Ireland, on < o o 2 5 ? c c rt .^ COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. 371 Washington s Birthday, 1840. For five j'ears, 1862-67, he was actively engaged in tlie United States Revenue Marine Service in looking for smugglers. He was appointed a fireman on July 9, 1872, and assigned as engineer to No. 13. At the organization of Engine Company No. 19, he was transferred there and later sent b.ick to Engine No. 13- where he remained until the organization of this company. Edward Boerum, the stoker, was born in the city of Brooklyn, on April 25, 1842. He fought in the Civil War, with the 47th New York Volunteers, fiom 1861 to 1S64, and at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, was wounded in the right shoulder. On Feb. 15. 1879, ^^^ '^^''^s appointed a fireman and assigned to dut}' -with Engine Com- pany No. 9, \\'here he remained up to the time of the organization of this compan)". While a member of Engine No. 9, one of the horses kicked him on the left k'nee joint and seriously injured him. A year later, on the wa}' to a fire, a DcKalb Avenue car ran into the tender and upset it, and Mr. Boerum received severe injuries to his spine. THOM.A.S J. McCUE, the driver of the engine, was born in the Fourteenth Ward of Brooklyn, on Nov. 19, 1S63. He became a member of the uniformed force, on Sept. 7, 1887, and has served continuously since that time with Engines Nos. 11, 21 and 22. At the fire in Bartlett's stores, in July, 1890, Mr. McCue was so badly overcome by the heat and smoke that his life, for a time, was despaired of. John Mackin is one of the old-timers of the new Department. He was a vol- unteer fireman as well, and in the dark days of the Rebellion for twenty months shoul- dered his musket with his comrades of the 125th New York Volunteers and marched with them into the thickest of the fight. For another year he served his country well and faithfully on board the transport steamer " Corwin." When peace was restored he returned to his home and joined with his friends and neighbors in the grand work of saving the lives and property of Brooklyn's citizens. When the Legislature of the State of New York did away with the old system, John Mackin was among the num- ber of " old vamps " who made application to the first Board of Fire Commissioners for appointment in the Paid Department. He was a successful candidate and on Aug. 18, 1870, he donned the uniform and began his new career with Hook and Ladder Com- pany No. 3, and remained in that companj^ until Engine No. 22 was organized. At a fire on Doughty Street, when he was a member of Truck No. 3, Mr. Mackin found an unconscious woman on the top floor of the burning dwelling and carried her dov/n the ladder to the street. He afterward assisted in rescuing three other members of the same family who had been overpowered by the heat and smoke. William Foley was born in the Thirteenth Ward of Brooklyn, on June 23, 1853, and became a fireman on Jan. 24, 1887. Since that time he has done duty with Engine No. 21 and Hook and Ladder No. 4 and was transferred from the latter to Engine No. 22, in May, 1890. 372 OUR FIREMEN. Bryan Duhigo was born in County Limerick, Ireland, on Dec. i8, 1841. He was made a fireman on April 22, 1878, and when Engine Company No. 22 was organ- ized he was transferred from Engine Company No. 18, of which company he had been a member from the time of his appointment. Clatus Burkk was born in the old Ninth Ward of Brooklyn, and is one of the late appointees to the Department. He first donned the uniform on July 17, 1891, and was assigned to this company. Ben'Jamin F. Delamater was born in the city of New York, on Oct. 28, 1841, and prior to becoming a fireman, on April 20, 1878, he served in the United States Navy. He was a member of Engine Company No. 13 when his transfer to this corn- pan)' took place. Daniel R. Ketcham was born in New York City on Sept. 9, 1833. He was appointed a member of the new Department when it was organized and did duty -with Engine Company No. 11, up to the time of his transfer to this company. He is now detailed to the Kerosene Bureau as an Inspector. Frank Pybus Hart was born in New York City on Jan. 20, 1857, ''^"d he has been connected with the uniformed force since Aug. 11, 1891. Michael L.angan was born in Ireland on March 11, 1844. He was appointed bell-ringer Dec. 2, 1879. When that branch of the Department was abolished he was assigned to duty \\'ith this compan)-, where he remained in active service up to June 12, 1892, when he was transferred to Engine Company No. 18. Andrew Tennant was born in Boston, Mass., on Oct. 26, 1847. He became a fireman on the date of the organization of the present Department, and is detailed from this company to the Repair-shop. The men who compose this company are intelligent, active and fearless, and are in every way a credit to the Department. They are equipped with a second-class Amos- keag engine, a two-wheel hose-cart and three well-trained horses. Since the compan)' has been organized they have had several fires which have been both wearisome and perilous. Among them were those at Pratt's oil works, Adelphi Academ)', Bartlett's stores, Remsen's carriage factor)^, Stover's dry goods' house, the Warner Institute, the Commercial Street sugar house, and in Smith, Gray & Company's building at the junction of Flatbush Avenue, Fulton and Nevins Streets. HOOK AND ladder COMPANY NO. 8. Hook and Ladder Company No. 8 occupies a two-story brick structure with brown- stone facings, on Siegel Street near Graham Avenue, in the Sixteenth Ward. The district covered by this company is a large and particularly dangerous one, for the reason that nearly every lot has a front and rear house standing upon it, the majority of COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. 375 which are four-story frame dwellings occupied chiefly by German families. On a first-alarm the members respond to calls from 108 boxes, which cover the territory bounded b\' Leonard and Jackson Streets, by Newtown Creek, Atlantic and Albany Avenues, and by Penn Street and Broadway. In addition to this they cover 88 boxes on a second-alarm and 56 on a third-alarm, which latter takes in the Greenpoint District. On "special calls" the)' go down to the Western District. Among the large build- ings in the district are St. Catherine's Hospital, the Montrose Avenue Orphan Asylum, St. Joseph's Home, St. John's College, Home for the Aged, the Beccher Home, St. John's Orphan Asjium, Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, Holy Trinity Roman Catho- lic Church, St. Alary's Catholic Church. There are also in this district se\'cral public schools, the Lyceum Theatre, Batterman's dry goods and furniture stores, Berlin's dry goods house. Worn & Sons' furniture factory, the Iron Clad manufactory, Bossert's lum- ber \'ard, Newman's lumber yard, and Ruger's sash and blind factory. This company was organized Nov. 30, 1887. The house was formerly occupied by Engine No. iS. It has a second-class Hayes truck with extension-ladders, which was built in 1890. "Tom," a gray horse, and "Frank" and " Billy," dark bays, all fine, serviceable young horses, furnish the power for transportation. District Engineer Fanning's horses "John " and "Dick," a roan and chestnut, also have their quarters in the house. The apparatus and horses are always in the pink of condition when not in active service. There are among the members those who have been in perilous posi- tions while in the discharge of their duties as protectors of the property and lives of citizens, and still others who have unflinchingly thrown aside all feeling of personal safety to save the lives of those who were cut off by smoke and flame. Foreman JOHN J. Fee was born in Belfast, Ireland, on April 23, 1856. He is married and resides with his family at No. 31 Stuyvesant Avenue. He served fou years in the 69th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., and resigned to become a fireman. When he was appointed, on April 22, 1S76, he was assigned to Engine Company No. 13 on Powers Street. From it he was transferred to Engine Company No. 18, then to Engine No. 17, and while attached to this company on March I, 1887, he was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman. On Feb. I, 1890, he was advanced to the grade of Foreman and placed at the head of the company which he now commands. On the evening of Jan. 14, 1880 while Mr. Fee was attached to Engine No. 13, a fire broke out in a three-story frame house at the corner of Bushwick Place and Montrose Avenue. When the company reached the fire, Mr. Fee was ordered to take the pipe up the ladder to the top floor. He reached the point indicated and was standing on one of the win- dow-sills when he felt the front wall rocking. In an instant he realized his peril, and sprang off the sill just as the walls fell with a terrific crash, carrying down with them twelve brave men, among them Foreman William Baldwin of Engine No. 16, who was r 576 OUR FHIEMKN. so badl\- injured that he died three days later. Foreman Baldwin was the first fireman killed under the new Department, and the first to be honored with a monument. Mr. Fee, in his rajMd and peiilnus descent, landed fortunately in a pile of soft dirt in the street and escaped with slight injury. At a fire at No. I 28 Ewen Street, .Sept. 28, j88o, he rescued Mrs. Uhlman, the wife of the proprietor of a Grand Street dr}- goods store, who had been overcome with the smoke. At a fire in Ewen Street, near Johnson Avenue, Mr. Fee saved the life of a little boy by bringing him down the fire-escape from the top floor of the burning building. Mr. Fee was in charge of Engine Company No. 17 on Jan. 8, iSgo at a fire at No. 300 Throop Avenue, and assisted in removing from the ruins the bodies of si.x persons. In the foremost rank of life-sa\'ers stands Assistant Foreman I-Ienkv W'ACKERitAN, a man modest and retiring by nature, little given to speakdng of incidents in his career as a fireman, but as brave as a lion where dut\' calls. He ^\■as born in this city, Sept. 25, 1S60, and lives at No. 312 Maujer Street with his family. On Feb. 3, 18S7, he received his appointment to the uniformed force and was assigned to duty with Engine No. 17. He was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman and on June 2, 1S91, placed second in commantl of Engine No. 12. Subsequent])' he was transferred to this compan)-. On the evening of Sept. 21, 18S7, a few months after ]Mr. W'ackerman became a member of No. 17, a "still alarm" came in from the corner of Le\vis and LafaA'cttc Avenues. When the compan\' reached the scene the fire had A\-orked itself up to the third story and had cut off all means of escape for the Nolan family \\'hich occupied the top floor. The family consisted of Mr. Nolan, his wiie and four children, and they were at the windows imploring piteously for some one to sa\-e them. Air. Wackerman tried to reach them b)' the fire-escape at the rear of the house, but the iron ladder bm-ned his hands so badly that he had to give it up. The truck compan)' had not )'et reached the fire although an alarm had been sent out, and the onl)- ladder available was a mason's ladder which had been hastily brought from a building in course of erection half a block awa)' by Mr. Wackerman. The ladder was set up on the side of the house nearest to the kitchen and dining-room windows where the Nolan famil)' were gathered, but it would not reach ^\'it]iin five feet of the window-sill on that floor. The smoke was pouring out of the windovws on the lower floors in such volumes as to almost stifle a person mounting the ladder. Mr. Wackerman threw off his rubber coat and his fire-hat and sprang up the ladder. When he reached the top round, he shouted to Mr. Nolan to pass out the children one at a time. The brave fireman stood on the top round with his face and body pressed against the building and without a sin- gle thing to save him from falling backward, but he assured Mrs. Nolan that it was per- fectly safe to pass the children out to him. It was a perilous undertaking, but wlien the first child was passed out he took a firm hold of its clothing with his teeth and COMPANIES OF THE SP:VENTH DISTRICT. 377 swung the little one upon his shoulder, and then after getting carefull)- down one round slid the rest of the way down the ladder. In this way all the children were brought down safely, but when it came to getting Mrs. Nolan out, Fireman Wackcrmaii, ^\■ho was becoming exhausted, realized the fact that only by the utmost coolness on the part of the woman and himself could they ever reach the ground alive. Mr. Nolan, taking a firm hold of his wife's hands, lowered her carefully over the window-sill. " Talk to her and keep her looking up," shouted the brave man to Mr. Nolan, and the direction was carried out to the letter. Had not Mrs. Nolan been a brave woman both she and her rescuer would have been dashed to pieces on the ground, but she obeyed every direction gi\'en her until the courageous man had secured her firmly with one arm and taken the first step downward to a position where he could get a firm hold on the ladder with his unoccupied hand. When he had gained the ground in safety, both the rescued and the rescuer were recei\'ed with cheers. Mr. Wackerman ascended the ladder again to rescue JMr. Nolan, but in the meantime other engine and truck companies had arrived and Mr. Nolan had been taken out b}^ a front window. y\s he was descending the lad- der, congratulating himself that his perilous u-ork was o\'er, the crowd in the street began to shout, " There's a girl on the second floor, go in and get her." Fireman Wackerman swung liim.ielf trom the ladder and got into tlie second-stor\' window. The fire was burning fiercely in the rear of the apartments and the smoke almost overcame him. He groped about until he came to a bedroom, but before he could reach the bed he was obliged to go to a window for air. Then he called for a lantern and groped his way back until he found the bed, but there was no one in it. He held the lantern close to the floor and discovered a man of large build with his head and arms jammed in the narrow space between the lower part of the bed and the floor. He was wedged in so tightly that Mr. W^ackerman had great difficult}' in getting him out. The next difficulty was to get the man, who was very heavy, to the window. This was only accomplished by lifting him along a foot at a time. It was an arduous task, and before it was accom- plished, Mr. Wackerman was scorched and so overcome by the smoke that when he was taken to the engine-house, his chances of recover}' for a time were exceedingly doubtful. The man for whom he had taken the great risk was an invalid, who had been unable to more than roll from his bed and try to crawl under it when he was overcome b}' the smoke. When taken out into the street life was extinct. Mr. Wackerman had an experience at the Havemeyer sugar house fire on Sept. 7, 1889. Two of the sugar house men were standing on a gravel roof in the rear of the burning building holding the immense pipe of the fireboat " Seth Low." The pipe got the best of the men, and, owing to the immense pressure of water being forced through it, began to dance at a furious rate about the roof, throwing the gravel like hot shot in ever}' direction. Several men tried to get hold of it before it caused serious damage, but were unable to 37S OUR FIREMEN. cope with the great nozzle, which was tearing up the roof at a lively rate. Mr. Wack- erman made up his mind to take a chance with it, and watching his opportunity flung himself full length on the hose and grasped the pipe with both hands. The thing seemed to gain renewed strength when it found there was an effort being made to capture it. It jumped about so viciously that before Stephen Allen, now Foreman of Truck No. 6, and two other men could get to Wackerman's assistance, the latter's rub- ber boots had been torn from his feet, the coat from his back and his fire-hat flung a considerable distance away. All this had happened while a messenger was running to the frreboat to have the stream shut off. During the tussle with the pipe Mr. Wack- erman received bruises all over his body, and an injury to his back which still causes him much trouble. Francis Bowers is another life-saver, having twice saved the life of Fireman Jacob Lehman. On the first occasion Lehman was trying to board the truck while it was on the way to a fire. He missed his footing and would have been crushed beneath the wheels of the heavy apparatus had not Bowers at great personal risk to himself seized him and hung on to him until he regained a foot hold. At the big candy fac- tory fire on North Third Street in 18S9, Bowers and Lehman \:-ere on the third floor near the rear windows. The floor suddenly gave way and went down with a crash, only leaving the last beam nearest the window on which Bowers was standing. Leh- man was disappearing with the floor when Bowers clutched the «'indow-sill and reached down and seized Lehman by the neck and dragged him up on the beam badly cut and bruised. Mr. Bowers was born in this city, Sept. 15, 1S61, and has been a member of Truck No. 8 since his appointment to the Department on Aug. i, 1889. He is married and lives at No. 296 Ellery Street. Joseph Davis was born in Germany, Jan. 6, 1846. He served in the Civil War, and was appointed a fireman Jan. I, 1880. He is married and lives at No. 43 Graham Avenue. On the morning of Jan. 8, 1890, Mr. Davis assisted in rescuing six persons from the ruins of a house on Throop Avenue which had been crushed by a falling church, all of whom were seriously injured, two so badly that they died a short time after being dug out. Mr. Davis was injured on Feb. 16 by the falling of a heavy door while he was at work at a fire. Jacob Lehman was born in New York City on Feb. i, 1842. He is married and is the father of nine boys, and lives at No. 29 Scholes Street. He was appointed to the Department Feb. 15, 1879, a-"d is now detailed as bell-ringer. He assisted in taking out the six persons who were buried in the ruins of the crushed building at No. 300 Throop Avenue. WiLLiAii Tracy, the driver of Truck No. 8, was born in this city, Sept. 21, 1847. He is married and lives at No. 179 Maujer Street. He was assigned to Engine Com- COMPANIES OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. 379 pany No. 13 at the time of his appointment, Feb. 14, 1887, and was transferred subse- quently to Truck No. 8. Bernard A. Matschke, the tiller-man, was born in New York City, Dec. 31, 1865. He enlisted as an apprentice in the United States Navy, on Sept. 3, 1883. When he was discharged on Dec. 30, 18SS, he was captain of the top on the " Essex." He was appointed a fireman April i, 1890, is married and resides on Ewen Street. Franxis McLarney is a first-grade fireman and was appointed Jan. i, 1888. He was born in the city of New York, May 15, 1855. Richard S. Wood is a third-grade fireman, having been appointed Nov. 16, 1891. He was born in Kings County on Dec. 28, 1865. George Lajipert was born in this city on June 4, 1854, and received his appoint- ment on June 15, 1889. He is married and lives at No. 719 Hart Street. Charles E. Fernald was born in New York City, May 22, 1S62, and was made a fireman April i, 1885, and sent to Engine Company No. 14. He was transferred to his present company in 1891. Mr. Fernald is married and lives at No. 68 Graham Avenue. OUI^'CY J. Kraft has been a fireman since Jan. 2, 1889, and since that time has been attached to this company. He was born in the city of New York, Oct. 22, 1866, is married and lives at No. 35 Montrose Avenue. The first fire which this company attended after it was organized was at Lawrence's rope-walk on Maspeth Avenue, Dec. 2, 1887, at which S^O.ooo worth of property was destroyed. It has done active work at all the big fires since. DENNIS McGROARTY, District Engineer Eighth District. CHAPTER XV COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. DISTRICT ENGINEER DENNIS MCGROARTY. On the line of the Kings County Elevated — A District of Homes Accessi- ble BY THE Railroad — District Engineer McGroarty — A United States Artilleryman and Volunteer Firejian — Engine Company No. 14 — Among Hospitals and Palaces — Engine Company No. 19— Am(.)NG Schools, Clubs, Churches and Armories— Hook and Ladder Company No. 5 — Heroes of many "Close Shaves" — Hook and Ladder Company No. u — A Busy First Year — Engine No. 34 — The Baby Company of the Department. AVING the Kings County Elevated Railroad as a base line for the description of the limits of the Eighth District, it may be said that the district includes everything between the railroad. Flat- bush Avenue and the city line at Flatbush, to the right of the Elevated, going uptown from Cumberland Street to Rochester _-_,_ Avenue ; and besides that, all between this road at the left and the Union Elevated on Lexington Avenue, from Grand Avenue to Reid Avenue. This forms a large and important district, and the four companies designated to look after it are distributed at intervals throughout the length of it, not far from the elevated railroad as a central line. It is a vast cen- tre of homes that makes up the district, such as the elevated road would be likely to develop along its line ; and while there is a good deal of manufacturing too, it is prmci- pally as a residential district that it must be regarded. A noteworthy feature of the district is the presence in it of a large proportion, perhaps the majority, certainly more than in any other districts, of the public institutions, hospitals, etc., which, with their thou- 3S4 OUR FIREMEN. sands of the helpless and )-oung, constitute a most sacred trust, and call on the fireman to be especially careless of his own safety to lend succor to those who may so sorely need it. DISTRICT ENGINEER DENNIS McGROARTY. The Eighth District is commanded by District Engineer Dennis McGroarty. He was born in Ireland in 1844, and one year later his parents came to this coiintr\- and set- tled in the !Ninth Ward of Brooklyn. He received his education at Public School No. 9. When the Civil War broke out he was but seventeen }-ears of age, but he was bubbling over with patriotism and resolved to give his life to his adopted country if necessary. He found that his )'outh was a difflcult obstacle to surmount in his ambi- tion to become a soldier, but he overcame it and it was the happiest daj- of his then brief existence when he was allowed to wear the blue uniform provided b}' Uncle Sam, and shoulder a musket as a private in the Fifty-first Regiment New York Volunteers. In 1S62, at his own request, he was transferred to Battery- K., First United States Artil- ler}', in which compan}- he was promoted to be a corporal, and lield this rank until Januar)', 1S64, when he was honorably discharged from the service. He immediatel}- enlisted in Batter)^ G., Third United States Artillery, and soon after was promoted to the rank of sergeant. At the battle of Beverly Ford, Va., he was so scrioush' wounded in the thigh as to incapacitate him for service, and necessitate his second honorable discharge from the army on July 29, 1865. On his return to his home in Brookl)-n, Mr. McGroarty found employment as a hatmaker, with the firm of Pierce, Hall & Company. As a volunteer fireman he was an active member of Goodwill Engine Compan}- No. 4, then located on Underbill Avenue, near Bergen Street. When the new Department came into existence, Mr. McGroarty was made a driver and assigned to Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, the boundaries of their district being from Fort Green to East New York, and from the Wallabout to Flatbush. When Engine Company No. 14 was organized in 1872, Mr. McGroarty was promoted to the rank of Foreman and put in command. At the St. John's Orphan As}-lum fire, he saved the lives of three little boys, who but for his prompt action w ould have perished in the flames. On July i, 1885, he was promoted to the rank of District Engineer, by Commissioner Poillon, and put in charge of the Eighth District. His district, one of the most important in the city, was, soon after his promotion, enlarged so as to include the Twenty-sixth Ward, increasing his responsibilities, and although the redistricting of 1892 has somewhat reduced the earlier extent of it, he still has a vast territory to be responsible for. In his career as a District Engineer he has performed many credit- able and noteworthy acts, one of which deserves especial mention, for it was through his promptness and cool-headedness and with the assistance of members of Engine Com- COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. 385 pany No. 14, that the Hfe of Eliza Millard, an elderly woman, was saved on the night of Nov. 23, 1 888, at No. 45 Albany Avenue. Mr. McGroarty is not only a popular man in the Department, but also in the district in which he lives and over which he has supervision in tire matters. During his career as soldier and fireman he has made a record of which any man might be proud. ENGINE COMPANY NO. I4. The city has no more efficient factor in its excellent Fire Department than Engine Company No. 14, which was organized twenty years ago, and has since won a record most creditable to itself and the Department at large. Its house is at No. 231 Herki- mer Street, between New York and Brooklyn Avenues. The company covers a most important and extensive district, which includes portions of the Seventh, Ninth, Twent}-- third and Twenty-fifth Wards, and nearly all the Twent\--fourth Ward. It is bounded by Ralph Avenue, Grand Avenue, Lafayette Avenue and the cit)' line. Several square miles of Brooklyn's territory is included within these boundaries. Until a few years ago the district was rather sparsely settled, but now it is dotted all over with houses, adding largely to No. 14's labors and responsibilities as a fine guardian. It is essentially a residence district, factories being few and far between. And it differs from every other district in this respect, that it contains probably one-half of Brooklj-n's public institutions, a condition of things which calls for the exercise of the greater vigi- lance on the part of the men attached to the company. Under the roofs of these institutions — asylums, homes, retreats and hospitals — from six thousand to eight thou- sand persons are housed temporarily or permanently. A large percentage of them are children, aged men, and women or invalids who \\'ould be helpless in case of a fire. Among the more important ones are St. John's Catholic Home for Bo}'s, St. Mary's Hospital, St. John's Hospital, Home for the Aged, and Home for Orphans, St. Josejjh's Home for Mutes, the Nursery and Children's Hospital, the Home for Consumptives, the Colored Zion Home for the Aged, and the Colored Orphan Asylum, the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum, the Home for Incurables and the Penitentiary. Besides these there are twelve public schools, Nos. 3, 15, 25, 26, 28, 35, 41, 42, 44, 57, 68, ;o, the Girls' High School, the nev,' Boy's High School, fifty-three churches, the Union League Club-house, the Brevoort Hotel, and a number of magnificent apartment houses. Some of the most costly residences in Brooklyn, especially those on St. Marks Avenue and Pacific Street, are located in No. I4's district. A number of street car companies have immense stables there also. Something like seventy per cent, of the structures are frame. Fires have occurred within this district that would have been marked by the most disas- trous consequences but for the timely arrival and effective work of this engine-company. This is a matter of public record and one of which the gallant members of it feel proud. 386 OUR FIREMEN. Engine Company No. 14 may be ranked as a veteran, as it has been in existence for over twenty j'ears. It was organized in 1872, or sliortly after the old Volunteer Department passed out of existence. By a happy coincidence, it began its career on the nation's holiday, July 4, with Dennis McGroarty as Foreman. At that time its district was much larger than it is at present, and the men had to attend to every call coming from that part of the city which was bounded then by Flushing and Washington Avenues, the city line on the south and the New Lots line on the east. It seems hardl}' possible that one fire engine company could cover so extensive an area and yet do it well, but No. 14 did it and did it with splendid results, as the fire records show. To-da)' No. 14 answers all alarms in the section bounded by Lafa}'ette, Grand, and Ralph Avenues and the cit}' line. Second-alarms call it to points in some cases nearly a mile beyond these limits, except on the southern or cit}' line. Third-alarms call it much further, and special alarms bring it to the furthermost parts of the city. The recent organization of Engine Company No. 31 in the Twenty-si.xth Ward, has reduced the eastern end of No. 14's territory about one-half mile. This change was absolutely necessary in view of the rapid increase in the number of buildings in the Twent3'-fourth, Twent)'-fifth and Twenty-si.xth Wards. Within a few j-ears several hundred frame structures have been erected in the Twenty-fourth Ward alone. During its extended career Engine No. 14 has attended hundreds of fires and has done effective work. It has alwa\-s been prompt in answering calls, and zealous in its efforts to save life and propert)-, and citizens living within its bailiwick have always been loud in their praises of its work. To the credit of this branch of the fire service it may truthfully be said that ver}- few of the fires which ha\'e occurred within its territor)- were marked b)' loss of life. This can be said without detracting in the least from the splendid records of the other fire-companies. The worst fire that ever occurred in this territorj' was the burning of St. John's Kome for Boys, in which over looo children were being cared for. It broke out late in the afternoon of Dec. iS, 1884. The fire had gained twenty minutes' headway before No. 14 was summoned to it. About looo of the inmates were gotten out in safety. A Sister of Charit}' and fourteen boys lost their lives, however. Nearly all of the latter were in the infirmar)- in the upper part of the building. No. 14 and its gallant crew did splendid work at this disastrous fire and prevented a frightful holocaust. Foreman McGroarty (now District Engineer of the Eighth District) distinguished him- self at the fire by catching in his arms a boy who had jumped from a window of the upper story. Mr. McGroarty was standing on the top rung of a ladder at the time. The commander of the compau)' is Foreman Edward Fitzgerald, a fireman of twenty-three years' standing, with a record as honorable as it is long. He is one of the best-known and most popular members of the Department. He was born in Ireland, B p 1 '*^'i BMBm "'4. ''''^^^ ^^^HB^^^^HBi^^^HHIl «»a.; ^^MBBBP. IW iaiLJ ] n^^ 5 o o E 5 COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. 389 Sept. 25, 1840, but he has been a Brooklynite the greater part of his life. He joined the Department Sept. 15, 1869, and proved himself a valuable acquisition to it. He worked his way from the ranks, advancing to Assistant Foreman, and as a reward for meritorious service he was made Foreman on Aug. 5, 1886. During his career he has distinguished himself on several occasions by the rescue of lives. Assistant Foreman Alexander J. Sheridan was born in England, Sept. 8, 1850. In early life he was a mechanic. He joined the Fire Department July i, 1885. Proving to be a faithful and efficient man he was less than two years in the Depart- ment when, on March i, 1887, he was made Assistant Foreman. During his career as a fireman he has distinguished himself by assisting in the rescue of several persons at fires. A fire broke out in the tenement. No. 45 Albany Avenue, Dec. 23, 1888. A woman named Eliza Williams was hemmed in by flames on the third floor. Assistant Foreman Sheridan and another member of No. 14 reached the imperilled woman and with much difficulty brought her down in safety. Encrineer PATRICK H. Travers was born in Ireland, March 12, 1846, and came to the United States when a boy, entering the army when only sixteen ; he served with o-allantry for three j^ears with Company H., 164th New York Volunteers, and was seriously wounded at Cold Harbor. Travers became a fireman Dec. 19, 1872, and after ten years' service he was appointed engineer of Engine No. 12. He has beei: connected with Engine No. 14 for several years. While attached to No. 12 Travers had a thrilling experience at the fire at Palmer's cooperage, Kent Avenue, Williams- buro". May 30, 1887. He was buried under a four-story brick wall which collapsed. The hydrant to which his engine was attached was at the curb directly under the burn- ino- buildino-. The wall fell. Travers saw it bulge and totter and he dropped to the crround behind the engine so that it would interpose as a shield. The great mass of bricks completely buried the engine and the brave engineer. The fall of the mass of bricks was broken by the engine, which, however, was wrecked. Travers was dug out by his comrades. The two young men who set fire to this place were sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment each. John J. Martin is a native of Pennsylvania ; he was born at Carbondale, June 24, 1854. He joined the Department July i, 1889. He is a steady, reliable man and as brave as he is reliable. He has performed excellent service during his connection with the Department and is deservedly popular with his comrades. John Mullady was born in Maryrath, Ireland, on June 24, 1864, and his con- nection with the Department began on July I, 1892. Thomas F. KilfoIL was born in Brooklyn on June 4, 1865. Prior to his appoint- ment on May 4, 1892, he had served seven years in the 14th Regiment, National Guards. 390 OUR FIRE.MEN. Thomas F. Reilly is an Irishman by birth and was born Nov. 17, 1854. He became a fireman Sept. 10, 1887. He is regarded by his comrades and superior officers as a brave, steady and reliable man, prompt in responding to every call of duty. He is bound to make his mark in the Department. Charles, A. U. Schulz was born June 30, 1S58, in Germany, and was only twenty-two j'cars of age when he joined the Fire Department. He was appointed Dec. I, 1S80. He has an excellent record and has on many occasions distinguished himself by his bravery at fires. George Van Cott was born at Farmingdale, L. I., Ma)' 17, 18 50. He became a member of the Fire Department, July i, 1885. Daring his career as a fireman he has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a thorough-going fire-fighter. On more than one occasion Mr. Van Cott has performed acts of the highest braver}' at fires great and small. Jf.THX T. Farrell has been in the Department over four years, having been appointed Feb. 10, 1S87. Since then he has won golden opinions by his splendid work. He is one of the junior members of the Department. He was born on Oct. 8, 1862, in New York City. He has on several occasions assisted in the saving of human life. Thomas F. Sweeney is the senior member of No. 14 and his record is one of which he may well be proud. He has seen nearly a quarter of a century of active ser- vice as a member of the Department, which he joined Sept. 15, 1869. Mr. Sweeney was born in New York City, June 30, 1843. He was only nineteen years old when he joined the army, on April 12, 1S63. He went out with the io6th New York VoJun- teers and fought like a hero to the end. He was mustered out July l, 1865, when he returned home. He roughed it for four years and then he joined the Fire Department. He has been connected with several engines. While connected with Truck No. 2 he distinguished himself by rescuing several lives. He is a brave, unassuming man, and it is difficult to induce him to speak about his record. WlLLL\M H. Egan is one of the junior members of his company and a native of Brooklyn. He was born in 1853 '"^'id joined the force March 20, 1888. Mr. Egan is an excellent fireman, proud of the company to which he belongs. He has rendered the city faithful service during liis connection with the Department. ENGINE COJIPANY NO. I9. The home of Engine Company No. 19 is in Dean Street, near Underhill Avenue. The company was organized Dec. 24, 1880, and is located in a very large and important district, which is bounded by Park Avenue, Kingston Avenue, the city line, and Carrol and Nevins Streets. There are 112 boxes in this territory, and on a second-alarm the men respond to calls from 94 additional boxes. They are expected to be first on hand ^ i a o 5 ? COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. 395. should a fire occur in any of the following places : Knox's hat factory, Budweiser's brew- ery, Reilly's storehouse, Vosburgh's gas fixture factor)-. Graves' storehouse, 'Webster's silver-plating establishment, the Brookl)-n Riding Academy, the Home for Destitute Children, St. Joseph's School, St. Theresa's School, Adelphi Academy, Pratt Institute, Public Schools Nos. 9 and 42, Chester's silver-plating works, King's furniture and car- pet house. Long Island Brewery, Brcvoort flats, Union League Club, Kings County Penitentiary, Montauk Club, Brooklyn City car stables, Richardson's car stables. Flat- bush Avenue depot of the Long Island Railroad and the large freiglit depot of the same company, on Atlantic Avenue ; Crawford & Valentine's Scrimshaw works, the 13th Regiment and the 3d Catling Battery armories, the Criterion theatre, Seney Hospital, Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Home for Aged Men and Women (two build- ings), private hospital on President Street, Ansonia clock works, Brasher's oilcloth fac- tory, Homceopathic Hospital, Talmage's Tabernacle, St. Luke's Episcopal and several other large churches. Foreman Edward Fitzsimmons is an " old vamp," having served his time in the Volunteer Department with Neptune Engine No. 2. He was born in New York on Jan. 28, 1846, and was on the United States Frigate " Lackawanna" at the battle of Mobile Bay. r\Ir. Fitzsimmons was appointed to the Brooklyn Fire Department on Sept. 24,. 1869, and assigned to Engine No. 3 as driver. It was while acting in that capacity in Oct., 1886, that be was thrown from the engine and received such injur\- to his spine that he was taken to St. Peter's Hospital, where he remained in a helpless condition for over four months. On March i, 1S87, he Avas promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman and transferred to this company. On June i, 1891, he was advanced to the grade of Foreman and put in command of the company. Assistant Foreman Patrick Hoyxes was born in the County Tipperary, Ireland, in March, 18.48. His connection with the Department commenced on Nov. 15, 1881. He proved himself to be a valuable acquisition to the uniformed force and in recogni- tion thereof Commissioner Ennis on Feb. 25, 1887, promoted him to the grade of Assist- ant Foreman. William J. Higgins, the engineer, was born in Ireland, May 2, 1843. His intro- duction to the career of a fireman occurred on Feb. 9, 1876. Mr. Higgins having had a laro-e experience with oils and other materials of a combustible nature, is now detailed at Headquarters as an Inspector in the Kerosene Bureau. Edward Francis Carney, the acting engineer, is not only a first-class man at the business but a very brave man as well. He was born in Brooklyn, Feb. 20, i860, and began his career as a fireman on April 15, 1890, when he was assigned as stoker to Engine No. 27. At a fire in a tenement house on Nostrand Avenue, between Myrtle and Park Avenues, Nov. 17, 1891, Mr. Carney was one of the men sent in to open up 394 OUR FIREMEN. the building. He found Edward Ashworth on the fourth story of No. 120 Nostrand Avenue in an unconscious state and carried liim down the extension-ladder of Truck No. 2 to a place of safety. At the same time and place he assisted in the rescue of Mrs. Annie Bowen and John Ashworth, the father of Edward. Alfred Gilmore Hunter, the driver of the engine, was born in Perth Amboy, N. J., on July 31, 185 1, and was appointed a member of the uniformed force, June I, 1884, when he was assigned to duty with Engine No. lo. He is a first-grade man in every respect. John Howard Long drives the tender horses. He was born in Brooklyn in 1857, and became a member of the uniformed force on March 23, 189I, since when he has been attached to this company. John J<3SEPH Kenniff has been a member of this company since June 15, 1885, and in that time has had one of the narrowest escapes from a horrible death that it is possible to imagine. It occurred on December 4, 189I, at a dwelling-house fire on Seven- teenth Street, between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues, South Brookl)'n. Kenniff, with Foreman Fitzsimmons and Firemen Hugh McGowan and Peter Hecker, were on the roof of the burning building, Fitzsimmons and Hecker on the edge of the roof near the ladder of Truck No. 5, and Kenniff and McGowan some feet awaj-. Suddenly the roof went down with a crash, carrying with it Kenniff and McGowan. Fitzsimmons and Hecker had just time to stretch out their hairds and seize the top of the ladder by which they descended uninjured to the street, and with other members of the compan}' began the search in the ruins for their comrades. They located Kenniff b}' his feeble cries for help, \\-hich he kept up until he was dug out, ^\•hen he lost consciousness. He was badly bruised, cut and burned, and it was many weeks before he recovered from his injuries. Fireman ?iIcGowen was past all need of medical and surgical aid ^\'hen his crushed body was dug out of the ruins. Mr. Kenniff was born in Brooklyn on Maj' II, 1864. WiRLR\ii F. Jeffry is a native of the County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born on Sept. 14, 1S46. Pjcfore coming into the Department on March 12, 1888, he served two years in the l6th Ne\\' York Vol. Cavalrj' and ten years in a U. S. cavalr)- regiment. He has made as good a fireman as he was a soldier. Andrew S. Leire hails from Norway, in which countr)- he was born on Jan. 28, 1854. He has been a fireman since March I, 1887, and is at present detailed from this company to the harness-shop of the Department b}' reason of being a skilled workman in that line of business. James Joseph Egan is one of the new men in the business, but he has proved himself to be well adapted for it. He was born in Brooklyn on Sept. 7, 1864, and was appointed on Aug. 11, 1891. COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. 395 Charles E. Victory was born in Brooklyn on May 25, 1867, and his appoint- ment to the uniformed force dates from May 3, 1892. He has all the qualifications for making a first-class fireman, and he has started in the right way to make himself eligible for promotion. WiLLlAJi C. Lloyd hails from Nassau, N. P., where he was born on Sept. 28, 1864. He was a rigger when Commissioner Ennis appointed him to the Department on July i, 1892. The company is equipped with a second-class Amoskeag engine, a four-wheel hose- cart, and four \'oung, well-trained horses, three of v,-hich are handsome ba)-s and the fourth a dapple gra}-. The following are some of the big fires at which the company has been engaged laboriously and often at great peril to their lives for many hours before the fire fiend could be controlled: — Palmer's cooperage (t^vice), Dick & Meyer's sugar house. Church's soda works, Pratt's oil works (twice), St. John's ITome, the Peni- tentiary shoe shop, Jewell's wharf, Watson's stores, Harbeck stores, Warner Institute, Adelphi Academy, Heckler's iron works (twice), Richardson's car stables (three times), Talmage's Tabernacle, Baum's millinery establishment, Koeke Brothers' ha)- and feed storehouse. Contractor Clark's stables, where one hundred mules were burned, Loomis' moulding mills, Budweiser brewery, Brookl}'n Cocoa-matting Company, Fink's coal yard and dwellings, a large rag repository on Kent Avenue, McDonald's oil works, Smith & Pettinger's lumber }-ard, the Almshouse, Hyde & Behman's theatre, Ovington Broth- ers' crockery store, Buchanan & Lyall's Planet mills, Herseman's bakerj-, the Wallabout jMarket fires, and the dwelling-house fire on Court Street during the water famine. HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. 5. Hook and Ladder Company No. 5 was organized by Fire Commissioner Richard H. Poillon, on June 15, 18S5. It is located in Pacific Street near Si.xth Avenue, in the centre of a very important district which is bounded by DeKalb Avenue, Nostrand Avenue, Fifth Street and Bond Street. There are seventy boxes in this district, and on a second-alarm the company respond to sixty-five additional boxes. In this district are Graves' furniture house, Green's underwear factor}^ Knox's hat factory. Kings County Penitentiary, Brooklyn watch case works ; Ovington Brothers' crockery store, Journeay & Burnham's store, the Johnson building, Dyckman's box fac- tory, Municipal Gas Company's works, Public Schools Nos. 9, 15, and 47, St. Joseph's parochial school, Talmage's Tabernacle, Washington Avenue Baptist church, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic, St. Luke's Episcopal, Dr. Cuyler' schurch, Lafayette Avenue Congre- gational, St. Augustine's and Frs. McCarty, McNamee and Corcoran's churches, the 13th Regiment Armory, the Long Island R. R. passenger and freight depots, Young Women's Christian Association, Seney Hospital, Long Island Brewery, Buddweiser brewery, Web- 396 OUR FIREMEN. ster's silver-plating factor)-, Schicber's silver-plating factory, Tivoli Hall and the Frank- lin Avenue car stables. The company have a second-class Ha)'es truck and three handsome, well-trained horses, " Dan," a sorrel, " Bab}'," a dark iron-gray, and " Charlie Hart," a brown. They have a full-blooded English coach-dog, which is called " Frances," after Mrs. Cleveland. Frances is as intelligent as she is handsome, and prior to being run over by the truck in i8S8, when one of her legs was broken, it was customary for her to go out with the truck on every alarm, and when the fire was reached to follow the men up to the roof. Since that event Frances has been detailed on the house watch, and it is as much as a man's life is worth to try to enter the house when the company is out. There are quite a number of men in the company who have been wiih it since its organization, and as such they have seen many fires which required many hours of hard and perilous work to subdue. Notable among these were Watson's stores, the Peniten- tiary shoe shop, Adelphi Academy, Planet Mills, Talmage's Tabernacle, the Seventh Avenue car stables, Brasher's oilcloth works, Butler Street car stables, Watts' lumber yard, Hyde & Behman's theatre, Poillon's ship j^ard, Loomis' moulding mills, the Hul- vert mansion, Bradley's carpet house, Messuli's paint works and the Sand Street flat- house fires. Foreman TuOMAS Healey has had several narrow escapes since he became a mem- ber of the Department on Dec. 6, 1S70. The closest "shave" he ever had was when he walked off the dock during the fire at Watson's stores and sank in twelve feet of Avater. When he came up his fire-hat was gone, and being weighted down with his rubber coat and boots he found it extremely difficult to swim to the dock. The boys, succeeded in getting him out with a rope just as his strength was deserting him. At the fire at Woodruff & Robinson's stores, Mr. Healy with others was on the roof when it fell in and precipitated them a distance of fifteen feet into a bin of burning grain, from which the}' Avere extricated with great difficult}'. At the Pratt's oil works fire he made his best running record while tr}'ing to keep ahead of a river of burning oil. Mr. Healy was born in the County Roscommon, Ireland, July 18, 1841, and was educated at the common schools of his native town. When he came to Brooklyn, he joined Goodwill Engine Company No. 4 and ran with her until the disbandment of the Volunteer Depart- ment. His first fire dut}' in the new Department was with Truck No. 2. He was afterward transferred to Engine No. 19 and then to Truck No. 6. While with the latter company, on Sept. 5i 1885, he A\'as promoted to the grade of Foreman and placed in command of Engine Company No. 9, and from that company was transferred to his present command. Assistant Foreman Martin J. Corcoran was among the first to be promoted when Commissioner Ennis created that rank. He was born in the city of Limerick, -^^ mm i '« i I COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. 399 Dec. 5, 1S60, and was educated on his native heath. He was appointed to the uni- formed force on Jan. 30, 1S82, and assigned to Engine Company No. 19, and later was detailed as driver for District Engineer Farley. He was a private in Truck No. 5 at the time of his promotion on March 1,1887. Mr. Corcoran has been injured many times in discharge of his dut)-. While a private in Engine Company No. 19, in Aug., 18S3, hewas so ill with malaria that the Department surgeon advised him not to do active duty for a time. A fire broke out on a very hot day and Mr. Corcoran, disregard- ing the doctor's advice, went out with his company. He was stationed on the wall of .an adjoining building when he was overcome with the heat and fell backward, injuring his head so badly that it was necessar)' to remove him to the Homoeopathic Hospital, ■where he remained for several days. He narrowly escaped being killed at the Portland Avenue flat-house fire, when one of the ceilings fell on him and others, and nearh- buried them under a mass of burning timbers. At another time one of the horses belonging to Engine No. 19 threw him and nearly fractured his skull. At " The Abbey " fire, Mr. Corcoran sprained his ankle so seriously that he was laid up for six \\'eeks, and at a fire at Raymond and Fulton Streets his shoulder ^vas nearly wrenched out of the socket. John H. Hixtox, the driver of the apparatus, was born in New York City, Oct. .27, 1848. \A'hen he was appointed a member of the Paid Department he was assigned to duty with Truck No. I. ITe was later transferred to Engine No. 20, then to the Veterinary Department, back to Truck No. I, then to Engine No. 3, from there to Engine No. 24, and then to this company. At the ink factory fire on Forty-second -Street, South Brooklyn, in 1882, he with ^three other firemen narro-\vly escaped being Tvilled by the caving in of the roof on wdiich they were standing. WlLLIAil H. Jones, the tillerman, is one of the life-savers of the Department. "While tillerman of Truck No. I, he assisted Engineer Duff, then Foreman of Engine No. 3, in bringing out an unconscious \\-oman from the first floor of a dwelling on Co- lumbia, near Congress Street. In Feb. 1S87, unaided and with no little peril to himself, he carried a woman from the third floor of a burning house on Fifth Avenue, down the .stairway to the street. Besides being suffocated she had inhaled fire, and she died at the City Hospital some hours later. Mr. Jones was born in Brooklyn, Nov. 2, 1849. In July, 1875, he enlisted in the regular army, where he served for five years with the -9th Infantry. His appointment to the Department was made on Jan. 30, 1882. Michael Joseph Kellev was born in Manchester, England, Jan. 15, 1857, and he lias been a member of Truck No. 5 since he was appointed to the uniformed force, on Dec. 10, 189I. Louis SchuLZ was born in New Hyde Park, L. I., on the anniversary of Washing- ton's Birthday, 1866. He enlisted in the United States Navy May 23, 1887, and received .an honorable discharge together with a continued service certificate June 12, 1890. 400 OUR FIREMEN. Commissioner Ennis made him a fireman Nov. i6, 189I, and he has been with Truck No. 5 since that time. Edward Patrick Coffey was born in the city of Dubh'n, Ireland, Feb. 14, 1864. He was made a fireman Aug. I, 1889, and since that time has done duty with Engines Nos. 14, and 27 and Truclv No. 5. John L. Tucker was bom in Brooklyn, July 24, i860, and became a member of the Department June 4, 1890. James J. McGarry was born in Brooklyn, March iS, 1859, s"d he has worn the uniform with credit to himself and the Department since July 17, 1S9I. Jame.S a. Malone was a member of Mount Hose No. 10 when the Volunteer Department was disbanded. He was born in Brooklyn in 1S47, and during the Civil War fought under General " Phil " Sheridan. He was appointed to the new Depart- ment Jan. 29, 1870, and assigned to duty with Engine No. 10, where he remained for fifteen years. He was then transferred to Engine No. 19, then to Engine No. 6, and thence to Truck No. 5 at the time of its organization. While a member of Engine No. ID, the tender upset on the way to Loomis' moulding mill fire, and Mr. Malone narrowly escaped being killed. Henry A. Brinkiian has been a member of this company since its organization and has worn the uniform since Nov. 12, 18S0. In 18S3, while a member of Engine No. 4, he received internal and spinal injuries by the collapsing of a church on Third Avenue. Mr. Brinkman was born in Brooklyn, Aug. 18, 1855, and has proved himself to be not only a good citizen but a faithful member of the Department. The orders have been issued and preparations have been made for the organization of a new engine-company. No. 34, to be attached to the Eighth District. Its house, now building, will be on Bergen Street, east of Troy Avenue. HOOK AND LADDER COiH'ANY NO. II. Hook and Ladder No. 11, went into active service at two o'clock in the afternoon of April 26, 1S92. The home of the company is in a pretty two-story brick building, located on Halsey Street, near Sumner Avenue. Three fine, large, gra}- horses draw the latest improved Hayes' extension-ladder apparatus. The district covered by the company is bounded by De Kalb Avenue, Broadway, the city line, and Nostrand Avenue. \Vithin the territory mentioned are St. John's klome, St. Mary's Hospital, St. John's Hospital, Brooklyn Orphan Asjdum, Hebrew Orphan Asylum, Home for Aged Females, Dr. Well's private insane retreat. Public Schools Nos. 28, 35 and 41, the Grammar School for girls, the Boy's High School, Dr. Meredith's church. New York Avenue M. E. church, and the stables of six street car lines. o o I X d COMPANIES OF THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. 403 In Foreman David Kirkpatrick the company has a commander who will stay in a burning building as long as any man in the Department. He is a native of Brook- lyn, where he was born on Dec. 14, 1841. He received his appointment to the Paid Department on Feb. 15, 1879, -^^d was assigned to duty with Hook and Ladder Company No. 2. On August I, of the same year, he was promoted to the grade of Foreman. Foreman Kirkpatrick stands in the front rank of life-savers, and were medals for meritorious conduct one of the features of the Brooklyn Department one would surely adorn his breast. On June 29, 1885, ^t a fire at No. 162 Spencer Street, he assisted in the rescue of two persons. At one o'clock in the morning of Jan. 3, 1887, a fire broke out in the brick fiat-houses Nos. 705 and 797 DeKalb Avenue. Foreman Kirkpatrick was the first to reach the fourth floor, where he found three persons, and with the aid of some of his company carried them out to a place of safety. On Sept. 21, in the same year, he assisted in rescuing five persons from the four-story flat-house No. 897 Lafayette Avenue. At the Adelphi Academy fire on Dec. 17, 1890, he received a fracture of the knee cap which confined him to his home for two months. He was appointed Feb. 15, 1879, ^n*i °^ Aug. I, of the same year was made a Foreman. He came to Truck No. II, from Engine No. 17. Assistant Foreman BERNARD F. DONNELLY was born in Brooklyn on April 10, 1845. He was appointed Sept. 15, 1869, and assigned to Truck No. 6. On March i, 1887, he was promoted to the grade of Assistant Foreman and sent to Engine No. 21. Subsequently he was transferred to Engine No. 16, then to Engine No. 12, from which he came to Truck No. 11. He is married and lives at No. Ill North Second Street. Henry Boerum, the driver of the apparatus, was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 3, 1857, and when appointed to the uniformed force Sept. I, 1885, was assigned to duty with Engine No. 19. In 1886 he was promoted to the grade of driver, having had a life-long experience with horses. He was the driver of Engine No. 9, when transferred to his present company. Francis L. Woods was born in Brooklyn, Feb. 9, 1862. He received his appoint- ment to the present Department June 15, 1885, and did duty with Engine No. 14 up to April 26, 1892, when he was transferred to this company. Mr. Woods ranks among the life-savers, having assisted in the rescue of Eliza Millard at a fire at No. 49 Albany Avenue on Nov. 23, 1888. George Gibson was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, on Dec. 26, 1863, and when he joined the Department on Feb. I I, 189I, his name was put on the roll of Engine Company No. 14. Charles J. McLaughlin was born in Brooklyn, March 28, 1864, and donned a fireman's uniform on Monday, May 20, 1889. He was a member of Truck No. 7, when transferred to his present company. 404 OUR FIREMEN'. John J. Griffin was born in Ireland on March 4, 1S62. He became a fireman on Oct. 29, 1890, and Engine Compan}- No. 2 was the one to which he was first assigned ■for dut}'. William Doucherty came from the Emerald Isle, where he was born on Feb. 8, 1S47. For two 3'ears he served his adopted countr)- faithfnlly and honorably as a member of Company G., I8th Regiment X. Y. Cavalry. He was appointed a fireman Dec. 3, 1888, and assigned to Engine Compan\- No. 16. He served with Engine No. 27 previous to his transfer to Truck No. 1 1. Peter Hecker was born in Brookl)'n on Jul)- 12, 1S63. He served in the United States Navy for five years and eight months, during most of which time he was on the Pacific station. He was one of the crew of the " Massachusetts," and can tell some inter- esting stories of the war between Chili and Peru. On April I, 18S5, he became a member of the Fire Department of his native city. At the time of his transfer to this ■company, he was a member of Engine Company No. 19. Twice since his appoint- ment has he been instrumental in saving life in time of great peril, and with no little risk to himself. He rescued two girls from the third story of a house at Lewis and Lafayette Avenues, and carried them safel}' down the ladder to the street. At a fire corner of Classon and Atlantic Avenues, he rescued a woman from the third story of the burning house and carried her down the ladder to a place of safet)*. He had a narrow escape from serious injury if not death, at the fire on Seventeenth Street, where Fireman McGowan was killed. Henry B. Burtis is also a native of Brooklyn, and was born April 13, 1862. He was made a fireman on Oct. i, 1887, and was transferred from Engine Com]:iany No. 17 to this company on May 4, 1892. Samuel Allcorn was born in Brookl)-n, Oct. 8. i860. When appointed on Sept. 14, 1883, he was assigned to Engine Compan\- No. 14, and remained there up to the time of the organization of this company. George C. Henne.SSEY was born on March 6, 1864, in the city of Brooklyn. He was made a fireman Oct. 14, 1890, and at the time of his transfer to this company was a member of Engine Company No. 30. On Sept. 10, 1891, the engine passed over one -of his feet and crushed it. John F. Scanlon was born in Ireland on June 10, 1863, and began his career as a ■fireman on July I, 1892. WILLIAM MCCARTHY, District Engineer Ninth District. CHAPTER XVI. COMPANIES OF THE NINTH DISTRICT. DISTRICT EXi;iXEER WILLIAM .MCCARTHY. Lively Work in an Immense District— A City in Itself— District Engineer McCarthy — Steady Prc.laiothjn Through Merit— Engine Company No. 25— Protector of Neav Lots — Engine Company No. 27 — A Majority of Veter- ans — Engine Co.mpany No. 31 — A New Broom that Sweeps Clean — Hook AND Ladder CoriiPAXY No. 7 — The First in the Annexed District — Engine Company No. 33 and Truck No. 12— New Companies for the New Dis- trict. UMPING from one end to the other of the Ninth District makes pretty livel}- work for the companies that take care of the immense expanse of cit}- territor}- included in its extensive Hmits. To get an idea of the \'astness of the district one must look at the map and compare this with other districts. It is four miles long, and in its greatest width is more than three miles wide. The First, Second and Third Districts, which include all the water- front from Gowanus Bay to the Nav)' Yard, the Heights, Walla- bout, and the bus}- line of the ele\'ated roads up to Cumberland Street and Sixth Avenue, could be dumped into the Ninth District and be lost. It is a city by itself, and the men and officers — \'es, and horses, too — that ha\"e to cover its needs find as much work cut out for them, merel)^ in getting over the ground, as man)' a provincial Fire Department. It includes, besides parts of other ^\'ards. all the great Twenty-sixth Ward. Its centre of activity, from the civilian point of view, is East New York ; but for the fireman the central point is where the fire of the moment hap- pens to be ; and that may take the various commands to the extreme limits of their terri- tory. The duty of keeping the district from destruction is laid on Engines Nos. 25, 4oS OUR FIREMEN. 27, 31 and }^, and Trucks Nos. 7 and 12. The last-named engine company and truck company are the new ones for which houses are under construction as this history goes to press. Until these are completed and their companies organized, the other four commands have all the responsibility. DISTRICT ENGINEER WILLIAM MCCARTHY. William McCarthy is one of the five Foremen whom Commissioner Ennis, on July 18, 1892, decorated with three trumpets, the insignia of the rank of District Engi- neer. Among the five, there vv'as not one better entitled to advancement than Mr. McCarth)-, who had risen from the ranks simply on his own merits. It was on June 10, 1S73, that l\Ir. AlcCarthy was made a member of the Fire Department and assigned to duty with Engine Xo. 12. He had been in the Department but a few months when a fire occurred in an old frame building at the foot of Grand Street. The building had a gable roof and the only foothold f(3r the firemen was in the gutter. A.IcCarthy was standin" in the crutter and near him was Foreman Kei^diler of Encrine Xo. iS- In attempting to change his position Foreman Keighler's foot slipped from the edge of the gutter, and had it not been for Private AtcCarthy's prompt action and firm grip, the sturdy Foreman of Engine Xo. 13 would have fallen to the street. It was an heroic act on the part of McCarthy, for in stretching out his hand to save his brother fireman he well knew that he was in eminent peril of being dragged down to a horrible death with the man he was trjdng to save. But luck and skill were with him, and his strong right arm clung with death-lilve tenacity to its burden until assistance arrived and Fore- man Keighlcr was rescued from his perilous position. It was an exciting moment in the lives of both men. Foreman Keighler and a few others who witnessed the brave act have nc\'er forgotten the occasion nor ceased to praise the galhmt deed. At the Locust Hill oil works fire, where Foreman Charles Keegan lost his life, John \V. Smith, then Assistant Cliief Engineer, was an e\'e-v\"itne3S to this scene ; — (3ne of the crude oil tanks sprung aleak and the flames ignited the oil. A man with liis clothing ablaze rushed out of tlie building and sprang off the dock. It was low tide, and instead of jumping into the water, the man landed in the soft mud. Just at this juncture }ilr. IMcCarth)', then, a member of Truck Xo. 4, -iwas seen running in the direction of the man who had jumped overboard. As he ran, he was pulling off his hea\-}' fireman's over- coat, and when he reached the point where the man, whom he then supposed was Fore- man Keegan, had jumped olf, he leaped off into the mud and with his coat began to beat out the flames, which were fast eating awa}- the flesh of the unfortunate man, who was afterward found to be not Foreman Keegan, but Captain Dearing, the owner of a canal- boat laden with oil. When assistance arrived. McCarthy aided material!)' in getting the unconscious form of Captain Dearing to the dock, where he died soon after. COMPANIES OF THE NINTH DISTRICT. 409 In the earlier history of the present Fire Department men were not advanced in rank through civil service examinations, but were selected for promotion simply by their superiors' estimate of their ability and worthiness. From the day that " Billy " McCarthy entered the ser\'ice his adaption for the business was noted by his superiors in office, and especialh- b\- Assistant Chief Smith. He was a man who could be depended upon at all times. His judgment was good, and no better worlcer could be found in the Department. When he was detailed for a time to the sub-telegraph of^ce in the Eastern District, there was never a fire of any importance but McCarthy reported for dut\' to his company and took an acti\'e part in the work. When Engine Com- pany No. 21 was organized Assistant Chief Smith recommended McCarthy for Foreman and he was promoted to that rank on July I, 1885, and placed in command of that com- pany. The man who recommended him says, " I have never had reason to regret that recommendation." Mr. ^IcCarthy was born in the Emerald Isle on June 16, 1S47, ^"d came to this country «ith his parents when quite a }-oung lad. He served his adopted country in the Civil W'ar as a member of Compan)' I, Sjth Regiment, N. Y. \^olunteers, and after receiving an honorable discharge took up his residence in Brooklyn. His service in the Fire Department constitutes one of the most creditable careers recorded in the Department annals. ENGINE CO>[P.\XY NO. 25. When the law annexing the town of New Lots to Brooklyn went into effect on Aug. 4, 1S86, the old Volunteer Department of that town disbanded and the city authorities took immediate steps to afford the residents of that new ward the protection against fire guaranteed them by the provisions of the annexation act. Accordingly on the night of Aug. 3, an engine compan)' and a truck company were organized and installed in the annexed district ready to do service as soon as the midnight hour arrived. The tolling of bells, the shrieking of whistles and other nois)' demonstrations, announced to the towns-people that New Lots onl)- lived in histor)' and that henceforth the territory was a part of Brooklyn. Engine Company No. 25 was accordingly born with the ward. Thirteen men under the command of Foreman Michael J. Murray made up the company. A two-story frame building on Liberty Avenue, near Vermont Avenue, had been fixed up as a temporary home for the men, and everything started under the most favorable auspices. For some time the company had no engine, the tender doing all the duty necessary. As the flow of water in every part of the ward is great the lack of an engine was not felt. In the meantime a site for a new engine- house was selected on Liberty Avenue near Cleveland Street, and work on the present structure was begun. A fine double-cylinder engine of the Clapp & Jones pattern was 4IO OUR FIREMEN. ordered for the company's use. On June lo, 1S90, the house was in readiness and the formal transfer was made. Tlie men were pleased to get into the new quarters and the occasion was one participated in by many prominent city and fire officials and citizens of the Twenty-sixth Ward. The present liouse was built expressly for Fire Depart- ment uses, and it is needless to say has all the latest appliances and improvements known to facilitate the work which above all others must be done promptly. It is of brick, two stories in height, with brownstone trimmings, 25 x lOO feet. The interior is finished in j-ellow pine, with racks, lockers and other necessary requisites for the men, horses and apparatus. The district covered by the compaii)' is a large one and includes all the Twenty- sixth Ward. It is bounded by the Queens Count}- line on the east and north, by the town of Flatlands on the south, and by Rockaway A\'enue on the west. It covers an area of seven and three quarters square miles, and while essentially a residential district, it has several large manufactories and institutions within its confines. The houses are mostly of ^\'ood. There is perhaps no section of the entire city growing as rapidly as the Twenty-sixth Ward. During the )'ear I 891, permits for the erection of upwards of 500 buildings \\-ere issued. At the present time the company responds to thirty-two first-alarms and twelve second-alarm calls. In 1S91 the compan)- attended between forty and fifty fires, but none of them, thank's to the efficiency of the compan)-, made much headway. Among the large structures in the district is the House of the Good Shepherd — taking up the entire block bounded b\' Atlantic Avenue, Pacific Street and Rockawa)^ Avenue — with its nearly 2000 inmates; the Truant Home and St. Malachi's Orphan Asylum. The manufactories include Clever & Nelson's torpedo works, Davis' starch \\'orks and other large concerns. The district is the terminal point for three lines of elevated railwa)\s, ^^■here hundreds of cars and locomotix'es are housed. In addition to these Atlantic and Fulton Avenues are lined \\'ith large buildings used for mercantile purposes. Four of tlie fleetest and best-trained horses in the Department belong to the com- pany. Excellent time is made hitching up and not a second is lost in getting to a fire. The personnel oi the compau)- is equal to an)- other in the entire Department. At present there are thirteen i-nen on the roster. Up to the present time Engine Com- pany No. 25 has a " clean sheet " on the records at Headquarters, and froni the willing way in which the men perform their duties and the famil\--like feeling that per\'ades the house it will be a long time before this meritorious record is broken. The men are all ambitious, devoted to the business, and have a full knowledge of what is expected of them. They go about their \\'ork coolly and intelligently, and in the parlance of the day. get there every time." Foreman MICHAEL J. MURRAY is an old-time fire laddie. He was born in Ire- CD -r, i • E I I COMPANIES OF THE NINTH DISTRICT. 413 land on Nov. i, 1847, but arrived in this country before he was able to tell his name. Before the Paid Department was organized he was a member of old Volunteer Hook and Ladder Company No. 4. On Washington's birthday, 1872, he was made a member of the Paid Department, and assigned to Engine No. i, where he remained for nine years. From there he was transferred to Truck No. i, where he spent a short time. He was then sent to Engine No. ig, and continued a member of that company for six years. When Engine Company No. 25 was organized, he was appointed Foreman. His record as a fireman is good. During liis twenty years' service he has taken part in all the big fires. He has assisted in the rescue of several lives, notable among them being the removal of a woman from the third story of a burning building in Sheffield Avenue, near Glenmore Avenue, on April 13, 1888. For this brave act he was compli- mented by his superior officers. He was also commended for his action in extricating a woman from the ruins of a building that collapsed in tlie Twenty-sixth Ward, on May 10, iSoo. Foreman Murray served in the nav\' during the war and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Assistant Foreman JOSEPH H. Bennett enjo)'s the distinction of being the first man appointed in the Paid Department. Six days before the Department was in running order he was delegated to look after the horses that were to be used, and on the 15th day of September, 1869, was assigned as driver to Engine No. 10. He served with that company for nearly twenty years, the only interruption being a short time he did ser- vice with Engine Xo. 22, to which he was transferred by Commissioner Poillon. He then returned to Engine No. 10, where he remained until he was made an Assistant Foreman on July i, 1889, and sent to his present place. Like Foreman Murray, "old man Bennett," as he is familiarly called, served in the navy during the war, and not only has a good iire record but a good war record. He has been at nearly all the big fires and has had several narrow escapes from death. At a fire in Moore's stable on Penn- sylvania A\-enue, he was overcome by the heat, but his wonderful vitalit)' enabled him to recover in a few minutes. On another occasion he fell from a ladder a distance of twenty feet, and his associates thought he was dead. The onl)' injury he received was a sprained ankle which kept him indoors only for a week. Mr. Bennett was born in New York City on ALay 11,1842, and though 50 years of age is as sprightly as the young- est man in the company. Patrick J. Kelly, the driver, although a member of the Department only since September I, 1887, is an old fireman. ■ He served in the New Lots Fire Department before the town was annexed, being a member of Independent Pump and Bucket Com- pany. He was promoted to Assistant Foreman and later to Foreman, and at the time when the Neiv Lots Department disbanded, had been raised to the responsible position of Assistant Chief Engineer. Since his connection with the Paid Department he has 414 OUR FIREMEN. served for a short time with Truck No. 7, and was then transferred to Engine No. 25^ He was born in lirookl)'n in 1862, and before becoming a fireman was engaged in the furniture business. Engineer PETER H. CARROLL has a record that any man might feel proud of. He was born in New York on May 27, 1845, but became a resident of Brooklyn at an early age. During the daj-s of the Volunteer Department he ran " wid der masheen " and was a member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, of the Eastern District. On April 9, 1872, he was appointed a fireman, and has done dut\' respecti\'eh' with Truck- No. 5, Engines Nos. 15 and 16 and has been with Engine No. 25 since February 10, 1891. He won much praise for the daring rescue of two children from a burning house on i-Xinshe Street, near Union A\'enue. WrLLL\M H. ]-!erI)AX was born on Feb. 20, 1849, at Paterson, N. J. He was apjjointed a fireman Dec. 9, 187S, and has a good record. P'or two years he was a meinber of Truck No. 7, and for six years of Engine No. 10. When Engine No. 25 was organized, he was sent there and has been a member ever since. John R. ]-5ra[sted was bom in Brooklyn, June 20, 1852. On Dec. 15, 1885, he was appointed a fireman and assigned to Engine No. 22. He serx'cd there for only four months, when lie was transferred to Engine No. 14. P'rom there he went to Engine No. 25, and for four years he has served faithfully. Iiefcjre becoming a fire laddie he was an agent and collector, and possesses all the wit and snap characteristic of men in that business. CiiRtSTOi'iiER Mang has been a member of the Department since Feb. i, 1887. Pie was liorn in this cit)- on Feb. 27, 1858, and with the exception of one month's service as a member of Engine No. 19, he has spent his entire time vith Engine No. 25. Pa'I'RICK J. Graham has been a fireman since Dec. 2, 18S7. He was born in Ireland on March 25, iSGo, but has spent a quarter of a century of his life in this cit)'. He was a member of Truck No. 7 for three years and was then transferred to Engine No. 25. His record is good. At a fire in the Twenty-sixth Ward two \'ears ago he fell from a ladder a distance of 2- feet and escaped uninjured. Hexrv Carlin was born in Ireland on Sept. 14, 1S54, but came to this countr\' at an early age. His famil)- located in Brookl)-n, where Henr)' has spent an active life. On July 15, 1889, ''"^ '^^'as appointed a fireman and assigned to Engine No. 25, where he has served since. On P""eb. 10, 1891, he was made stoker. He is popular with his associates, and enjoys the confidence of his superior of^cers. Whhjam J. Callan was born on May 4, 1867, in. this city. On Oct. 15, 1890, he donned a fireman's uniform, which he has worn with credit to himself and the Department. He is a quiet, unassuming young man who promises to make his mark. COMPANIES OF THE xMINTH DISTRICT. 415 James J. Cozine was born in this city on Jan. 18, 1869, and was appointed a fire- man on March 12, 1891. Although only a short time in the business he has demon- strated that he is made of the material so much desired in a fireman. Arthur T. Roeb was appointed on Nov. 16, 1891. A perfect athlete in build and cool as the proverbial cucumber, he possesses all the requisites of a good fireman. He was born in this city and before being a fireman was a car conductor. ENGINE COMPANY NO. 27. Although a comparative!}' new company, Engine Companj' No. 27 is made up of a thoroughly disciplined and brave body of firemen, who are fully equipped and prepared for any call that ma)- be made upon them. Some of them are new men in the fire ser- vice, but the majority are veterans. Taken as a whole thej' are a body of men of whom the citizens of Brookh-n have every reason to be proud. Engine Compan}' No. 27 covers a wide territory, which a few j'ears ago had but scant protection against fire. Before No. 27 was called into existence, the district now covered by that engine was dependent in case of fire on the services of engine-companies stationed miles away and which could reach a fire within it only after long and trying runs. Commissioner Ennis realized the necessitj- for an engine-compan}' in the district and promptly organized one, and events have justified his excellent foresight in the matter. No. 27's house is located on Herkimer Street, near Ralph Avenue, in the heart of the territory for whose protection it was organized. The section of the cit)- in question has practicall)- been built up during the past ten )-ears, and 90 per cent, of the buildings within it are of frame construction, being erected outside the established fire-limits. It is an important district on account of the great number of public institutions which are located in it. Each of them gives shelter to hundreds of persons, most of them help- less. Should a fire break out in any of them, nothing would save the inmates but the prompt response of the Fire Department. Hence it is that a great responsibility rests upon the shoulders of the members of Engine No. 27, and they fully realize it. So far as is known no fire which No. 27 has ever been called to was marked by a loss of life. There are numerous educational institutions in the district, all fine, large and costl}' structures. Among them are Public Schools Nos, 25, 26, 28, 35, 57, 68, 70 and "ji, in which thousands of children are taught dail)'. The district is dotted all over with immense structures such as asjdums, hospitals and homes and retreats of various kinds. The principal ones are St. Mary's (Catholic) Hospital, the House of the Good Shepherd, in which over 400 women are quartered, St. Malachi's Home, St. Joseph's Institute for the Education of Mutes, the Sanitarium, St. John's Hospital, St. John's Catholic Home for Boys, in which over 1,000 inmates are cared for, the Brooklyn Nursery and Infants' Hos- pital, St. Martha's Sanitarium, the Day Nursery of the King's Daughters, the Howard 41 6 OUR FIREMEN. Colored Orphan Asylum, the Zion Home for the Aged, the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, with its new structure now being built at Ralph Avenue and Pacific Street, the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum, the Church Charity Foundation Home for the Aged, and the Orphan- age, the Truant Home and the Wartburg Home for the Aged, the Bedford Dispensary, and the Broolv-l)'n Diet Dispensary. There are many churches within the district, among them being St. Benedict's, St. Malachi's, Church of the Holy Rosary, the Presen- tation church, St. Timothy's, Ocean Hill Reformed church, the Beecher Memorial church, the Rochester Avenue Congregational church. Good Shepherd Episcopal church, and Embury Metliodist Episcopal church. The above list, extended as it is, does not by any means include all the institutions for whose protection against fire Engine No. ij is responsible, but it will suf^ce to show the importance of the district covered by this engine which, by the way, has made a splendid record in keeping down the losses at fires to which it has been summoned. The district boundaries are Halsey Street, Kingston Avenue, city line on the south and the Queens County line. No. 27 responds to calls within these boundaries ; second and third and special alarms call it miles beyond. No. 27's house is located at No. 979 Herkimer Street, between Ralph and Howard Avenues. It is a plain, two-story brick structure, 25 x 90 feet, fitted up in a solid and substantial manner. The Company was organized in i88g, and it began service at 2.36 P.M., on Jan. 11, of that year. The commander of this serviceable company is Foreman JOHN Fr.\NXIS O'Hara, who is probably one of the youngest Foremen in the United States. He has been connected with the Brooklyn Fire Department over ten 3'ears and his record is Ai. Foreman O'Hara is a native of Ireland, where he was born Sept. 22, i860. He became a fireman Jan. 22, 1SS2, before he was twent)'-two. After five years of excel- lent service, he was, on March l, 1887, raised to the rank of Assistant Foreman. T\\-o years later, when Engine No. 27 was established, he \\-as appointed Foreman and placed in command of the companj'. Assistant Foreman jAAfES S. JONES'"' is a Brooklj'nite by birth, born on the Fourth of July, 1859. '^^'^ became a fireman on St. Patrick's Da)-, Alarch 17, 1SS8. After three years' meritorious service he ^^'as promoted to the rank \\'hich he now enjoys. Assistant Foreman Martin F. Bradv was appointed to his present office on Aug. II, 1892, when Assistant Foreman Jones was transferred to Engine No. 29. Mr. Brady was born in Brooklyn Feb. 28, 1858, and was appointed to the Department on Jan. 15, 1882. His serx-ice A\'as continuous with Engine No. 17, to \\-hich he was originally assigned, up to the date of his promotion and transfer to this company. Engineer Elisha Snethen is one of tlie veterans of the Department, having served as a fire-fighter for nearly a quarter of a century, during which time he has * Transferred to Engine Co. No. 29, August ii, 1S92. COMPANIES OF THE NINTH DISTRICT. 419. served in various quarters of the city. He was born in New York, July 23, 1845, but has resided in this city the greater part of his life. He was only twenty-four years old in September, 1869, when he was appointed. He proved himself a steady, careful man, faithful in the performance of every duty assigned him, and on several occasions distinguished himself as a life-saver. On June 16, 1885, he was created engineer, and when Engine No. 27 was organized he was assigned to it. John J. Deegax is a native of Brooklyn, born in 1841. It was late in life when- he joined the Department, but he has shown himself to be a valuable member of it. The date of his appointment is Dec. 15, 1885, since which time he has been attached to several companies. Fireman Deegan has a splendid army record as well. In 1862, when only a stripling, he joined the Union army, and served to the end of the war as a member of the 158th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., of which Gen. James Jourdan was commander. Deegan was a brave and an excellent soldier and rendered his country three years' service. John J. Hughes, the driver, is a fireman of ten years' standing. He was born Sept. 23, 1854, in New York City. He joined the Department on June 19, 1882, and is known as a steady, trustworthy man. He has often assisted in the rescue of life at fires. On May i, 1886, he was promoted to the position of driver. John Joseph Cantwell is a man with a gratifying record. During his career he has served his country as a fire-fighter, a soldier, and as a sailor in the na\'\-. Mr. Cantwell is a native of the Green Isle, where he first saw light on Jan. 19, 1844. He came to America when but a bo}'. During the Rebellion he joined the navy and served faithfully for fourteen months. He afterward joined the army and served nearly a year, when he was honorably discharged. He received his appointment as fireman, March 15, 1888, and the same day was assigned to dut)' on Hoolc and Ladder Company No. 8. On Jan. ii, 1889, he was transferred to Engine No. 27. Thomas McNamara is a veteran fireman with a long and honorable record. He was born in Ireland, July 31, 1848. He was appointed Nov. 19, 1876, and since then he has served with credit in various companies. He has assisted in the rescue of life on several occasions. Alexander Johnston was born in New York City on Feb. 28, 1853, ^'""^ nearly seven years of his life have been devoted to the Brookh-n Fire Department, of which he is one of the most valuable members. His commission is dated Dec. 15, 1885. Henry Joseph Sahth is a Brooklynite. He was born Sept. 10, 1861, and appointed to the Department June 15, 1887. He was first assigned to Engine No. 19, as driver. After nearly four years' faithful service with that company he was, on March 25, 1881, transferred to Engine No. 27. He is a plucky and energetic member of the force. 420 OUR FIREMEN. Charles Francis Connolly is a native of the great city which he serves as a member of the Fire Department. He was born June 5, 1862, and he joined the Department Jan. 2, 1889. During his connection with the service he has been noted as a reliable and efficient fireman and capable of performing the most difficult work that may be assigned to him. Fireman PATRICK McGrath commenced doing fire duty on July i, 1892. He was born in Ireland, on March 20, 1868. ENGINE company NO. 3 1. On the Eastern Parkway, within a short distance of the grounds of the Brooklyn Baseball Club, stands the handsome two-stoiy frame building, thirty-five feet front by one hundred and twenty-five feet in length, occupied b)^ Engine Compan)' No. 31. The date of the formation of this companj' was March 12, 1892, and at twelve minutes past two o'clock in the afternoon of that day, the company began active operations, under the command of Foreman Charles D. Rudd\', who for several years was Foreman of Engine Compan)- No. 3. The interior of the house is fitted up in a first-class manner, and the members of the compan)- have added much to the beaut}' of it, b}' their tasteful decorations. It is equipped with a Clapp & Jones steamer, which formerl)' was used b}' No. 27. It has been in service about four years, and weighs about 6500 pounds. The liose-cart, a four-wheeler, is new and has all the latest improvements. The horses — four bays — are well trained, strong and serviceable. " Paddy," one of the tender horses, was seven years old when he was purchased for the Department. That was nearh- fifteen years ago, but notwithstanding tlie fact that he weighs onh' 1300 pounds, he can pull as much weight as any horse in the Department. Foreman Rudd)- was so much attached to the animal that he asked permission to have " Padd)'," transferred to No. 31, when that compan}' was organized. " Tanner," the mate to " Padd}'," came from Engine Compan}' No. 20. "Tanner" acquired a reputation for good work during the "blizzard" of 1888. Tlie engine horses came from Hook and Ladder No. 3 and Engine No. 19, and are both }-oung, gentle and serviceable. The indicators, alarm- bells, telephone, clocks and other paraphernalia used in engine-houses, are all new and have the latest improvements. The district covered b}' the company on a first-alarm is an exceedingh' large one, and includes the entire Twent}--sixth and a portion of the Twent}--fifth Wards. It is bounded b}' Saratoga A\'cnue and Bainbridge Street, the city line, New Lots Road, and pjuffalo Avenue and Dean Street. On a first-alarm thev respond to calls from 43 boxes, and on the second from 75 boxes. The majority of the dwelling-houses in the district are two and three-story frame buildings. The principal buildings included in this territory are the House of the Good Shepherd, German Lutheran Hospital, St. o e COMPANIES OF THE NINTH DISTRICT. 423 Marj^'s Hospital, Piel's brewery, Public Schools Nos. 84, 72 and Ji, Father Hand's Catho- lic church, a Congregational church, a Jewish synagogue, the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, German Orphan As\-lum, Bennett's Casino, the Howard House, Bourke & R)-an's dry goods store, Miles Brothers' brush factory, Cummings' moulding mills, the New Jersey mills, Adams' coal yards, the Twenty-sixth Ward Bank, the East New York Bank, Linton banking-house. Post Office Station " E," Ratner's ilower hall, Morris assembly-rooms, Washington Hall, the repair-yards and shops of the Kings County Elevated Railroad Company, and of the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad, Brookd\-n City Railroad stables, Schellein's Hall, a Baptist church, St. Francis De Sales' church. Union gas works, two Brooklyn pumping stations. Long Island Water Supph- Company's works, Burnett's Hall, the Beecher Memorial church, and the handsome new police- station of the Seventeenth Precinct, corner of Miller and Liberty Avenues. The com- pany attended its first fire on March 13, 1892, the day after its organization. The compan)- is composed of active men, selected, \\-ith only one exception, from other com- panies in the Department, and among them are those who have been exposed many times to serious danger, and others who have risked their lives to save others from per- ishing. Foreman CilARLES D. RuDDY is an old fireman, and his record in the Depart- ment is that of a brave and fearless man. He is highly esteemed not only by his superior officers but by every man who has worked under him since he was first put in command of a company. He was born in the County Donegal, Lxland, in April, 1 85 I. He came to this country "with his parents in infancy, and wdien at the age of eleven he lost his father, he found work in Hauck's cracker bakery on Water .Street, and took upon himself the responsibility of supporting his mother and educating liis two 3-ounger brothers. He acquired an education by studying at night after ha\-ing performed a hard day's work-, and as he grew up to manhood, he applied himself diligently to such work as his hands found to do. Before he was twent}'-one he had thoroughly mas- tered the housesmith's trade, which stood him in good stead when he became a fireman. He was possessed of a fine baritone voice, and developed such talent as a character sketch artist, that comedian Hugh Fay, of the Barry & Fay combination, became interested in him, and later Mr. Ruddy made his appearance with Mr. Fay in several sketches which became very popular with the public. Mr. Ruddy is a widower, and lives at No. 14 Hicks Street. He was appointed a fireman on FJec. 20, 1872, and assigned to duty with Engine No. 7. From this company he was transferred to Engine No. 6, then back to Engine No. 7, then to Engine No. 5 and again to Engine No. 6. While in the latter he was made Assistant Foreman and detailed to organize Engine Company No. 26. He remained in command of this company until he was pro- moted to the grade of Foreman and sent to take command of Engine Company No. 3. 424 OUR FIREMEN. His knowledge of iron-work made him a very valuable man in the district in which Engine No. 3 was located, for it contained the large warehouses along the water-front, all of which were secured by iron doors and shutters. When Commissioner Ennis resolved to organize Engine Company No. 31 for the better protection of property in the Twenty-sixth Ward, Mr. Ruddy was transferred to the command of the new com- pany. His superiors regarded him as most valuable in the district in which he was and disliked to transfer his services. But for years he had had nothing but the hard- est kind of work and his transfer to a less arduous post was favorably regarded by the Commissioner. AVhile he was connected with Engine No. 7, a fire occurred in a pho- tograph gallery in St. Ann's Building on Fulton Street. He was obeying the orders of the Chief Engineer to open up the building, when a large plate glass in one of the windows broke and in falling struck Mr. Ruddy's right wrist and severed the artery. At a factory f^re in the "Old Glass House," on State Street in May, 1SS5, Mr. I^uddy was severely burned about the head, face and hands while rescuing Fireman James Fay, who by the force of an explosion of a naphtha tank had his skull fractured and his arm broken. In Dec, 1887, at a fire in the old Harper mansion on Clark Street at which two men were killed, Mr. Ruddy rescued two colored female servants from the third story. In Sept., 1 891, at a fire at No. 42 Atlantic Avenue, he brought out a Swedish man from the building who was so nearly suffocated that lie died soon after. At a fire in Ever's jewelry store, Dec. 28, i8gi, he carried an aged Swedish woman, weighing two hundred pounds, down the firee-scape and saved her from being suffocated. In 1880, at a fire in the paint works, corner of Gold and Tillary Streets, an explosion occurred while Fireman McShane, a member of Mr. Ruddy's compan)', was in the build- ing. Mr. Ruddy dashed into the building, in which another explosion was liable to occur at any moment, and brought out McShane, bruised and bleeding. ^Ir. Rudd)- has been to every big fire which has occurred since his appointment. Engineer Jijlix MuRAX was born in this country on Aug. 29, 1859. -He is mar- ried and lives at No. 833 Kent Avenue. He was appointed a fireman Dec. 3, 1888, and has served witli Engine Companies Nos. 6, 10, and 9. He was promoted to be an engineer ]\Iarch 12, 1S92, and transferred to his present company. Wn.LiA.M T. Canxixg, a first-grade fireman, was born in the Nineteenth Ward on Jan. I, i86r. He is married and lives at No. 1 1 8 Division Avenue. He became a fireman April 2, 1885, and has done duty with Engines Nos. 13, 2i, and 11. He was with Engine No. 21 when transferred to the new company. Mr. Canning is a life-saver. In iS6oat a fire in a tenement house at Wythe Avenue and Keep Street, he rescued a woman sixty years of age who lived on the second floor. At the burning of Stover's drj' goods store, on South Eighth Street and Bedford Avenue, he saved Foreman Maouire, of Engine No. i I, from being killed, by pulling him away from the coping just as the walls COMPx-VNIES OF THE NINTH DISTRICT, 425 fell. At Dietz's lock works fire, at Wythe Avenue and Cl)'mer Street, Mr. Canning was overcome by smoke. He has been present at every big fire which has occurred in the Eastern District in the last seven years, except theCliurch's soda works fire, and then he was on the sick list. William J. Lyon was born in New York City, Aug. 12, 1869, and was appointed a fireman April I, 1892, and assigned to the new company. His father was an old fireman in the New York Department, and was killed on Nov. 8, 1885, in discharge of his duty. John J. Tobin was born in Gloucester, Mass., on Aug. 20, 1850. He is married and lives at No. 107 Skillman Avenue. Mr. Tobin was made a fireman June 15, 1885, and has done duty with Hook and Ladder Companies Nos. 4. 6, 7, and 8, and Engines Nos. 15, 16, and 21. He has been slightly injured twice during liis term of serx'ice. W1LLI.A.M O'Brien, the driver, was born in Bristol, England, Oct. 27, 1853. ^^s is married and lives at No. 438 Rockaway Avenue. He was appointed a fireman April 15, 18S2, and since that time has done duty with Engines Nos. 5 and 7. At the fire at Har- beck's stores, July 19, 1SS2, at which fireman Robert McDougall of Truck No. 3 \\-as killed and eighteen men were seriously injured, Mr. O'Brien was among the latter number, and had his right leg and two ribs broken. Li 18S5, while responding to an alarm of fire he was thrown from the tender and had his left leg broken. On a cold Sunda\' morning in Januar)', 1892, a fire broke out in a laundry on Henr)' Street. A stout woman, -who lived on an upper floor, had climbed out of the window and was hanging to the coping of a stable roof adjoining. Mr. O'Brien, then a member of Engine Com]ian\- No. 5, as soon as a ladder was put up, was the first to mount it and rescued the woman from her perilous position, by dragging her up on the stable roof. Francis H. Strickland was born in New York City, April i, 1843. During the Civil W^ar he served nine months with the 47th Regiment, and two years in the 176th Regiment, N. Y. Vols. He was an old volunteer fireman and ran with "Columbia" Engine No. 10. He is a member of the Veteran and Volunteer Firemen's Associations of the Western District. He was appointed to the new Department Feb. iS, 1879. He was assigned to Engine No. 10 and subsequently transferred to the fireboat, " Seth Low." He was after\^'ard transferred back to Engine No. 10, where he remained until he became attached to his present company. John Ramsay, the driver of the hose-cart, was born in Scotland, Feb. 7, 1S62, and came to this country in June, 1865. He was a truck driver in New York Cit)- up to the time of his appointment, July 19, 1891, and was transferred from Engine No. 1410 No. 31. He is married and lives at No. 499 Bergen Street. Peter B. Carney was born in this city, Sept. 28, 1850, and lives with his family at No. 13 Pleasant Place. He was made a fireman May 5, 1885, and has done duty with Truck No. 5 and Engine Nos. 9, 17, and 19. 426 OUR FIRKMKN. Michael J, McGinn was born in Lowell, Mass., Sept. 17, 1S52. He is a widow-er and lives at No. 33 South Sixth Street. When appointed, Aug. i, 1875, he was sent to the Repair-yard, where he remained for two years and four months, and was then trans- ferred to Engine Company No. II, from which company he was transferred to No. 31. While with Engine No. 11 he was thrown from the tender and had his head severely injured. Pl-IILIP Frey was born in New York City on Christmas Day, 1863. He is a ma- chinist b\' trade. He was appointed a fireman IMarch 12, 1881, and assigned to Hook and Ladder Company No. 8, where he remained until No. 31 was organized. HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. /. Truck No. 7 is located on New Jersey Avenue, between Fulton Avenue and the Jamaica Plank Road. It was organized on Aug. 4, 1 886, the day the town of New Lots was made a part of Brookdyn. The first home of the company was in a little two-story frame building on the Jamaica Plank Road near New Jersey Avenue, ■\\diich was fitted up for temporar)' quarters. For nearl}' three \-cars the compan}- remained there, until the present fine structure was built and read}' for occupanc}'. On the night before the law annexing New Lots to the city of Brook}^! went into effect, twelve tried and true men were delegated to go out to East New York and do service with the new truck com- pan)'. Captain Peter Campbell, for many )'ears in charge of Truck No. 3, was placed in command, and as he lias often said since, he was surrounded by a force of men that seldom had an equal and never a superior in the Department. The hour of midnight announced to the men that their duty had begun. Ih-ovided with a new and perfectly equipped Hayes Truck and a spanking trio of horses, the men started out under the most favorable auspices. How well the trust reposed in them has been discharged is best attested b}- the esteem in which the men are held b}' the residents and tax-pa)'ers. There was of course some opposition to the Paid Department in the new ward, but it onl)' came from the members of the Volunteer Fire Department. For a huig time the latter had performed all the fire duty in the town and look-ed upon the work and attendant honor as theirs by right. But it did not take the residents and tax-pa\'crs long to appreciate the change for the better, and while the}' felt grateful to the \'olun- teers for what they had dune the introduction of the Paid Department of iM'ool^h'n was hailed as a great b who had been in charge of Engine No. i, was placed in command of the new Truck, and James Connors, his assistant, assumed charge of the Engine Company. The section of the city covered by the truck company is a large and important one. It includes all the water-front property from the ITamilton Ave- 454 OUR FIREMEN. mie bridge down the bay as far as the New Utrecht line. During the winter months thousands of yachts arc moored at the docks. In the past few years several large fac- tories have been built in that region, including the immense wall paper manufactory of ■Graves & Co., the window-shade factory of Jay C. Wemple & Co., and the Terra Gotta Brick Trimming Company's factory. The oil works of Denslow & Bush are also located in the district. Firemen who have been in the Department for any length of time are familiar with the regularity and fierceness of the fires there. With the immense oil tanks and chemical retorts filled with the most inflammable material, explosions have been frequent and fraught with great dangers. In recent years, however, they are not so frequent. The Phoenix Cheinical Works, at the foot of Fortieth Street, is also one of the places that requires eternal \-iligance. Repeated fires have occurred there, and on many occasions the fire laddies of Gowanushave rendered yeoman service before the arri- val of other companies. A more gallant company of men does not exist in the Department than those attached to Truck No. 9. Alert, fearless and conscious of their duty, they need no further incentive to do the perilous work allotted to them. In addi- tion to tiie truck, a hose-carriage is kept at the house and is used for slight fires in the neighborhood. On account of the large hills it is sometimes difficult for engines to get to fires above Seventh Avenue. Truck No. 9 makes excellent time in getting to a fire. A spanking team of steeds is the pride of the company. Foreman MlCH.\EL OuiNX is one of the most fearless fire fighters in the Depart- ment, lie is known as an excellent disciplinarian, and many young firemen who did their first fire service under him and have been promoted from the ranks, owe much of their success to his experienced advice and the knowledge of fighting fire inculcated by him. Foreman Ouinn was born in Ireland, Aug. 10, 1842, but arrived in the home of the brave and the land of the free when a youngster. Before he attained his majority -he used to frequent the house of the old Volunteer Engine Company, and ah^-ays accom- panied the men to fires. As soon as he became eligible, he joined Hose No. 9, and served for six years. On Dec. 25, 1869, he was appointed on the Paid Department, and assigned to Engine No. i, located in the same house where he is now in command. For three years he served in the ranks, and on Sept. 25, 1872, he was made a Foreman .and placed in charge of Truck No. i,at Van Brunt and Seabring Streets. He remained there until Sept. 17, 187S, when through what is known as the " Shannon deal " in poli- tics, he, with several other Foremen, was dismissed from the Department. Fore- man Ouinn was out for a year and a day, and was reinstated under Commissioners McLaughlin, Wafer and Brennan, and sent to Engine No. i, where he remained until the engine was replaced last August by the present truck company of which he is still in command. During his long service he has frequently distinguished himself by acts ■of bravery. He has been complimented time and again by his superiors, and his name d O c CL O o X COMPANIES OF THE TENTH DISTRICT. 457 adorns the roll of honor. At a fire at Campbell & Thaj'cr Linseed Oil Works on Front Street, some years ago, he was the last man to leave the building. A few seconds after he got all his men out, the roof fell in with a crash, and what might have been a fearful loss of life among his subordinates was happily averted. He is exceed- ingly kind and considerate with the men under his charge, but requires them to attend to their duties. In the occasional absence of Foreman Ouinn, Assistant Foreman STEPHEN F. Gill assumes command. Although but seven }-ears in the Department, he has done as much real fire service as many veterans. His promotion to the rank of Assistant was well deserved, and was a tribute to a fearless and conscientious fireman, whose excellent record had long attracted the notice of the Commissioner. He was born in this city on Jan. 11, 1S63, and attended the public schools. Earl)' in life he concei\'ed the idea of becoming a fireman, and although he engaged in mercantile business before he attained his majority, he never lost sight of the one object of his desire. The civil ser\-ice law went into effect about that time, and young Gill, a perfect athlete, \vas one of the first to enter the competitive examination for the Fire Department. Out of a class of over one hundred, he was tenth on the eligible list. He was appointed a fireman on April 7, 1SS5, and after serving for a short time in different companies was assigned to Engine No. 26, on State Street, when that company was organized. For a short time he acted as driver, but asked to be allowed to do hose duty. On two occasions he distinguished himself by rescuing persons from fires at night. At a tenement house fire on Atlantic Street, between Hicks and Henry, he assisted in the rescue of six persons. On another occasion, unassisted, he carried a half-prostrate woman from the third story of a burn- ing building in Bergen Street, near Third Avenue. In consideration of these and his record, he was made an Assistant Foreman on Feb. 13 of this year and sent to Truck 9, where he soon won the confidence of Captain Ouinn and every man in the company. In the company there are several old-timers who have grown gray in the service. Among them are JOHX TiERXEV, who was appointed March 15, 1871, but is just as spry as any of the younger men. Patrick MiNTON was appointed Feb. 4, 1872. He has made application to be retired on half pay on account of rheumatism, superinduced by exposure and sudden changes incident to a fireman's life. Another veteran fireman, and the oldest member of the company, is Charles Ferris, who was appointed June 2, 1871, and has a first-class record. He was a plumber before he became a fire-fighter, and as good mechanics are needed in the Fire Depart- ment, he was detailed to mechanical work, but is attached to Truck No. 9, and reports there for duty every night. Hugh Riley, a brother of the late Sheriff Thomas Riley, is also a member of the 458 OUR FIREMEN. company. He was appointed a fireman Feb. i, 1882, and after serving in several different companies was sent to Engine No. i, seven years ago, and when Truck No. 9, superseded the former in the Fourth Avenue house, " Hughey," as his comrades call him, remained at the old stand. There is also a number of new men in the company. Among them are Daniel, J. Cahill, appointed June 15,1887; RuBERT English, appointed Dec. 24, 1887; James Langan, appointed Oct. 15, 1S87 ; John J. JMcGronen, appointed April i, 1890 ; John F. Mulligan, appointed July 21, 1890; Thomas J. Hill, appointed Oct. 29, 1890 ; Frank Stewart, appointed Nov. 16, 1891, and Cornelius Donovan, appointed Jan. 18, 1892. None of the new men has had a chance to distinguish himself, but it is not their fault. They are victims of circumstances which have not allowed them to show the sort of metal they are composed of. Although several of them are mere novices in the business, they go about a fire like veterans. Prior to his connection with Truck No. 9, Hill served for a short time as a member of Engine No. 19 a)id Truck No. 10 ; English was for two }'ears a member of Engine No. 5. All the other new men were sent to Captain Ouinn when appointed, and have only seen service in Gowanus. Taken altogether. Truck No. 9 is a model company. Its quarters are beautifully situated in a healthy and fast growing section. The house is well kept, has all the latest improvements and appliances, and, above all, the officers and men enjoy the respect of the residents, who retire at night feeling tliat life and property can be safely intrusted to the gallant men of Truck No. 9. Among the attaclic's of the Fire Department who ha\-e not been classified in the sketches heretofore printed in this volume are the following; — Michael Reardon, bell-ringer, was appointed to the Department April 2, 1885, and was assigned to Hook and Ladder Co. No. 6. During his service there he received an injury to his spine, and on his recovery was detailed to the Fourteenth Ward bell-tower, where he now does duty. He was born in Ireland, Dec. i, 1859, ^nd came to this country when he was four years old. Edgar Combs is the latest addition to the bell-ringer's staff at the Fourteenth Ward tower. He was born in New York, Aug. 26, 1841, and came to Brooklyn when he was twenty-two years old. He was appointed a bell-ringer March I, 1892. Gilbert Stevenson is in charge of the blacksmith-shop at the Repair-shops. He was born in Brooklyn, April 12, 1832, and was educated in the public schools of the city. He entered the Repair-shops in 1865, during Wvt re'gbiic o{ the Volunteer Department, and acted as foreman of the blacksmith-shop until the Paid Department came into existence. He is still in the same employment. COMPANIES OF THE TENTH DISTRICT. 459 Peter Luyster is one of the oldest employes in the Repair-shop. He was born at Oyster Bay, Queens County, July 26, 1833, and came to Brooklyn in 1855. He entered the Repair-shop as a wheelwright, June I, 1862, and has served as such right along. Thomas jNIorris was born in Brooklyn in March, 1845, and was educated at St. James' Catholic School. On March 7, 1864, he entered the Volunteer Department and became a member of Union Engine Co. No. 5, remaining with that company until 1869, when the Department was disbanded. With the inception of the Paid Department he entered the Repair-shop as a blacksmith's helper, a position which he still holds. Robert J. Furey has served the Department for forty-two years. He was born in New York City, Oct. 22, 1831, and came to Brooklyn in 1840, and attended St. Paul's School. He entered the Fire Department in June, 1850, as a member of Neptune Engine No. 2. In 1865 he was appointed a bell-ringer, and served in the Sixth Ward and City Hall bell-towers. The Commissioners of the Paid Department transferred him to the Repair-shop, and since then he has worked at the carpenters' bench there. Patrick Farley was born in New York City, in 1852. He has passed thirty- seven years of his life in Brooklj'n, and was educated at the Assumption School, in York Street. He entered the Fire Department in 1879, and was detailed to his present position as a wheelwright at the Repair-shop. Robert W. Ferrier was born in Brooklyn, Oct. 29, 1859, and ^^'^s educated at Public School No. 8. He entered the Department as a blacksmith's helper Jan. i, 1884, and is now working there. Catharine Ralph, the janitress at Fire Headquarters, is one of the oldest employees of the Department, her nearly twent)--three j-ears of service having begun on Jan. I. 1870, since which time she has had charge of the orderly condition of the ofifice. ROSTER OF THE BROOKLYN FIRE DEPARTMENT. 461 John Exnis, Commissioner. William D. Moore, Deputy Commissioner. Thomas F. Nevins, Chief Engineer. Inspector : Canice Cassin. Fire Marshal : Bexjamtx Lewis. Su!-gcons : Nathaniel A. Robbins, M. D. Joseph E. SiiriH, M. D. / 'itcrinarx Surgeon: Edward H. Heard, ^I. R. C. V. S. E. Supcrintcuiknt of Telegraph: Prescott L. Watson. Assistant Inspector: Jajies H. Flvnn. Inspector of Telegraph: Jajies T. Wafer. Superintendent of Supplies: John Murphy. Superintendent of Repair-shop: Patrick Nevins. Superintendent of Bureau of Combustibles: jAiiES Kellock, Foreman Detailed. Foreman of Detailed Mechanics: Peter W. Birck, Foreman Detailed. Thomas F. Nevixs, C/iief Engineer, Appointed Nov. 12, 1870. Assistant Chief Engineers : James Dale, Appointed August i, 1890. James Doyle, First District, Appointed July i, 1885. Samuel G. Heustis, Second District, Appointed July 18, 1892. Samuel Duff, Tliird District, Appointed December i, 18S7. James Cunningham, Fourth District, Appointed February 7, 1876. James McGuire, Fifth District, Appointed July 18, 1892. John H. Perry, Appointed February i, 1892. District Engineers: William A. Gallagher, Sixth District, Appointed July 18, 1S92. John J. Fanning, Seventh District, Appointed July i, 1885. Dennis McGroarty, Eighth District, Appointed July i, 18S5. William McCarthy, Ninth District, Appointed July 18, 1S92. James Walsh, Tenth District, Appointed July 18, 1892. ROSTER— CONTINUED. A. Ari AMS, John Engine No. 13 Allcorn, Samuel H & L. " 11 Allen, Stephen, { Foreman) " " 6 Allen, Wm. F., F^ngine " 30 Asmus, John, " " 29 B. Bailey, Bhilit A., Engine No. 16 Begley, John, " " 28 Beith, Andrew, Jr., " " 10 Bennett, George W., " '' 15 Bennett, Joseph H., (Ass't. Foreman). .. *' " 25 Berdan, Wm. H., " " 25 Bishop, John *' " 23 Bixbv, Charles H., (Ass't. Foreman) . . . . H & L " 2 Boerum. Edward, Engine " 22 Boerunr, Henry, H & L " If Boland, Thomas, Engine " 1 1 Bonner, William C, " '" 16 Fiowers, Francis, 11 & L " 8 Boyle, ]\L IF, Engine " 6 FjO\-lan, Andrew, " " 17 Bovne, Christo]5lier D., " " 2S Boyne, Daniel F., H & L " I Bradv, Martin, (Ass't. Forenran) Engine " 27 Braisted, John R., " '' 25 Brennan, James, H., (Forenran) \'eterinarv Dep't. Bridges, James, Engine No. 6 Brinkman, H. A., II it L '' 5 Briscoe, Joseph, Engine " i5 Brown, William IF, " " 16 Brown, Charles E " " II Brown, Richard IF,. " " 21 Burns, James, (.Vss't. Foreman) " " 3 Fjurns, Samuel, " '' S Burns, Tlrouuis F., " *' 3 Burke, Clatus, " " 22 Burtis, Flenry B., II & L " 11 Butler, James, I'^ngine " 24 Byrne, James IF, " " 23 Byrnes, James W^ " " 16 C. Caiiill, Danmel J II & L No. 9 Callaghan, Jolin A., F'.ngine " 2S Callaghan, John J., FI & L " i Callen, W'illiam J lingine " 25 Campbell, James B., H & L " 6 Campbell, Miles Foreman. Campbell, Owen S., (F'oreman) Engine No. 29 Campbell, Teter J., (Foreman) H&L Canning, William, Engine Cantwell, John, " Carlin, Henry, " Carney, Peter B., " Carney, John .S. " Carney, lidward F., . . . - " Carroll, Peter II " Carroll, Patrick F., " Cartwright, Peter, (Ass't. Foreman).... " Casev, Edward, " Cassidy, James, " Charlock, Frank B., " Clearv, Thomas, (Foreman) " Clunie, John, II & L Coffey, Edward, " Collins, James J Engine Collins, William E., H & L Condon, Michael J Engine Conlon, Timothy F " Connell, James W^, ( Foreman ) " Connell, John M " Connelly, Thomas P., " Connelly, John II & L Connolly, Charles F Engine Connors, James, ( F'oreman) " Conroy, Edward, (Ass't. Foreman) " Constant. Silas, Jr., " Cook, Anthony H II & L Coppinger. Thonras S., (Ass't. Foreman) " Corcoran, Martin, (Ass't. Foreman). ... ■' Costello, Charles E., Engine Cozine, James J " Creighton, Francis Cullen, James. (Ass't. Foreman) " Culkin, Thomas H & L Cummings, James, (Ass't. F'oreman). . ..Engine Cunningham, Cornelius, H & L Cunningham. George, Engine Cunningham, Michael, Cunningham, William, " Curran, Francis, *' Curran, William J., " No. 7 " 31 " 27 " 25 " 3' " 21 " 27 " -5 " 29 " II " 12 " 9 " 28 " 16 " 6 " 5 " 30 " 10 " 7 " 4 " 9 " 6 " 6 '■ 6 " 27 " I " 6 " 24 = 5 10 S 28 6 ~j 28 18 ^4 D. . Engine No. 15 402 DAIN.S, William F., Daly, John J., H &: L Davis, Joseph, *' Deegan, Jtjhn J., Engine F>elamater, Beniamin F., " Delaney, Jeremiah J., " ROSTER. 463 Delaney, Michael J., Engine Xo. Dennin, William H,, Devine, William C, Dobson, John F., (Foreman) Dolan, Timothy, " Dolan, William E., D'Olier, William H., Donnelly, Felix, " Donnelly, Bernard F., (Asst. Foreman). H & L Donohue, James, Donohue, John J " Donohue, James T., " Donohue, William, (Foreman) Donovan, Cornelius D., H i; L Donovan, John B Engine Dooley, John J., (Foreman) Doran, Charles M H ic L Doran, Thomas D., Engnic Dougherty, Charles H., " Dougherty, Edward, " Dougherty, Patrick, H&L Dougherty, William, Dowd, John " Dowd, William F., " Ducharme, Napoleon, Engine Duddy. John Duffy, Frank J., Duhigg, Bryan " Dunn, John W., " Dunne, Martin J., " Duni)e, Peter " Dwyer, John, " E. Eagan, John J., Engine No. Egan, James J., Egan, William H., " " Eichhorn, Edward, " " English, Robert, II & L " Ennis, John J., (Ass't. Foreman) Engine " Ennis, Thomas F., " " Estes, Wayland A., F. Fagan, Cornelius G., Engine No. Farrell, George, Farrell, John W., Farrell, John T., Farrell, John H., Farrell, John Farrell, Peter, (Foreman) Farrell, Thomas T., Fay, James, Fee, John ]., (Foreman) H & L Feeney, John, Engine Fernald, Charles E., H & L Ferris, Charles S 5 12 II 26 7 20 12 9 iS 17 10 21 -4 17 20 ^4 15 17 3 14 ^4 9 20 6 7 8 10 S Fickett, John K., Engine No. i Field, Charles E., IKS; L Finn, Edward " Fitzgerald, Edward, (Foreman) Engine Fitzgerald, John, (Foreman,) H & L Fitzgerald, Marcus, (Ass't. Foreman) . ..Engine Fitzpatrick, Edward J., " Fitzpatrick, James " Fitzsimmons, Edward, (Foreman) " Fitzsimons, Jolin, H&L Flaherty, Thomas J., Engine Flanagan, Bartley, " Fletcher, George H., " Flood, John, Engine Flynn, Joseph P., " Flynn, James H., Jr., II & L Fohey, Matthew, { Foreman) Engine Foley, Maurice, H&L Foley, William Engine Ford, Alfred " Fo.x, Hugh, H&L Fredericks, Charles A., Engine Freeth, George A., " Freudel, Charles, '* Frev, Pliilip S., " Friel, Dan'l J., II & L Friel, John, Engine Friel, James F., II & L Friel, Michael, (Foreman) " Fritschler. Louis Engine Fullerton, James J., Furey, Charles A., II&L Gallagher, Hugh, (Foreman) H&L No. Gallagher, Hugh J., Engine " Gannon, James, ( Foreman) " " Gardner, John S., H&L " Gardner, Russell G., " " Gargan, Matthew J., Engine " Garrah, Hugh II & L " Garritv, Daniel J., (Foreman) " " Geatons, James T., Engine " Geiger, Henry T., " " Geischard, Isaac E., " '' Geraghthy, James T., Jr., " " Gibson, George, II&L " Gillespie, John S., " " Gill, Stephen H., (Ass't. Foreman) " " Gillen, John. Engine " Golden, Patrick J., II&L " Gordon, John H., Engine " Gordon, Michael J., " " Gottlock, Henry, ... " " Graham, Patrick, *' " Gray, Bernard, " " 7 4 26 10 7 4 12 7 I 21 15 15 4 9 S S 3 28 30 ^5 4 464 ROSTER. Crreen, Josepli, Engine No. S rrlitlin, Juiin J., [I & L " n (.IruniJiri.in, Alfreii 1^.., Engine " 1 1 (_!nnning. I'Cirtley " " 8 Ciurnell, George AV., " " 6 II. ILvDiMjcK, Fetek J. H & L No. 7 1 1, inley, Patricia, H&L " i Il.mn.ixin, lolm A., Engine " 24 Hamilton, William " " 7 llarrigan, George F., " " 3 Hanigan. Patrick " " 4 Harrington, Thomas F., Engine " 29 li arris, William, H., Ass't. Foreman. Hart, Frank P Engine No. 22 Haiick, Louis T " " iS Hart, Michael, " " 3 Haxalanel, James L. (Ass't. IVjrcnran} . .. " " 22 Head, Patrick, " " 29 Healey, Thomas, (Foreman) H & L " 5 Healey, William L., Engine " 5 Heard, Richard S " " 20 Heath, Charles, Jr., H i L " 4 Heath, John H Engine " 26 Hecker, Peter, II cV- L " 11 Heffern, Thomas Ass't. Foreman. Heffernan, Michael J H & L No. i Hellen, Henry M Engine " 29 Elendrickson, Valentine, " '' 19 Hennessey, George C, H&L " ti Herling, Feli.x Engine " 17 Flickey, John F., " " 29 Higgins. AViUiam J., " " 19 Hill, Thomas J., H&L " 9 Hineson, John, Engine " 16 Hinton, John H&L " 5 Hogarth, John, (.Asa't. Fmcnian) " " 7 Holmes, William H Engine " 13 Hou'arf.l, David " " 12 Hoynes, F'atriok, (.-\ss't F.ircnian) " " 19 Hughes, John J., *' " 29 Flughes, Norman '* " 13 Hunter, .Alfred (.1., " " 10 linrley, Daniel, '* " 12 I. Irwin, S.4muelT., Engine No. i J. jErFEKS, JoiiN H Engine No. 30 Jeffrev, William F., '' '' 19 Jennings. John W. " " 14 Johnson, Arthur, " " 7 Johnson, Jerome R., " " 9 Johnst("m, Ale.xander, " " 27 Jones, James N., " " Tones, James .S., (Ass't. Foreman) Engine No. 29 Jones, Williairi H., H ;m L " 5 Judge, Michael F., Engine " 3 K. K.'MN, Daniel E., H & L No 4 Kain, Thomas F., Engine " 21 Kane, John C., " " 30 Kauffeld, Herman, H&L " 7 Karcher. Edward, Engine " 9 Keegan, Jolin J., II & E " 3 Keenan, John, Engine " 6 Xcighler. George H&L " 4 Keighler, Henry M., (Foreman) Engine " 13 Kelly, John, H&L " 10 Ke I h, Michael J., " " 5 Kelly, Patrick J., Engine " 25 Kem[i, James, " " 2 Kennedv, I'atrick, H&L " 4 Kenniff, Jcdin J Engine " 19 Kerrigan, James, H&L " i Kctcham, L)aniel R Engine " 22 Ke\'eneA', John A., (P'oreman) '' " Ti Kilfoil, Phomas F " " 14 Ivingsland. A\'illianr F " " 10 Kirkpatrick, David, (F'oreman) H & L " ir Kralt, Ouincy J., " " S L. L.iFFERTY, Ht'OH, Engine No. 28 Eafferty, I'atrick D., " " 5 Lahey, James " " 6 Lahey, Patrick, ( p'oreman) " " 24 Laml), Richard C, H&E " 2 Lampert, George Engine " iS Lane, Charles W. D., (.A.ss't. Foreman).. " "15 Langan, Janres, H&E " 9 Eangdon, John A., .... " "• 7 La\dgne, AIe.\is R Engine '" S La\ in, Patrick. " " iS Ea\\h")r, James " " 3 Eca\-\', Christopher .S " " 21 Eeiie, Andrew .S " " 19 Leci, John J., ( Ass't. Foreman) " " 4 Linden, Peter W ., " •' 12 Long, John H., " '* 19 Lo\'e, Sanruel A., H&L *' 7 Liiwery, Patrick H .' Engine " 4 L\nch, luluard P., " " 12 L)"nch. p^tigene J., '' " 3 LycMi, William S., " " 31 M. ILvcKiN, John Engine No. 22 Madole, Samuel, " " 22 Maguire, Jcdin J., (Ass't. Foreman) *" '' 24 Maguire, Henry F., " " 10 ROSTER. 465, Maher, John F Enfiine No. M.ihoney, John, Mallon, John, (Ass't. Foreman) Malone, Jame.^ A H & L " Malone, Thomas, Entwine " Maloney, Henry \V II i; L " Maloiiey, Michael J. Ent;ine " Alaloney, Patrick H & L " Mang, Christopher Engine " JNIanning, Frederic J., Wanning, John W " " Mapes, Henry A., " Marks, Michael Martin, John J " " Matthews, George, H & L " Matschke Bernard, Engine " May, Edward J., ■' " McArdle, James " " McCaffrey. Thomas, " " McCann, Francis, " " ^McCarthy, Eugene, " " McCarthy, John J " " McCarthy, James C, " " McCleary, William " " iMcClymont, David H., ■' " McCole, John, (Ass't. Foreman) " " McConeghy, Charles H & L " McCormick, Joseph J,, (Foreman) Engine " McCort, AVilliam H., JMcCue, Thomas J., " " McDonough. George \V., " " McDonough, Philip " " McElroy, James H., " " 15 McFerley, Charles H&L " 3 McGarry, James, J., " " 5 McGeary, George F " " 6 JIcGinness, Michael, (Foreman) Engine " 29 McGinnes.s, Thomas, " " 29 McGinness, Patrick F., (Foreman) " " 15 McGinn, Michael J., " " 31 McGrath, Patrick, " " 27 McGregor, Charles, H & L " 3 McGronen, John Foreman McGroneii, John J. H & L No. 9 McGuire, Bernard T., Engine " 15 McGuire, I'atrick. (Ass't. Foreman) . ... " " 17 McKenna, John, (Ass't. Foreman) H & L " 4 iMcKenna, Eugene J., " " 6 McKeever, John J Engine " 11 McKeon, Thomas F., " " 24 McKinney, Michael, (Ass't. Foreman).. " " 9 McKinney, Dennis J., (Ass't. ForemanjH & L " i McLarney, Francis, " " S McLaughlin, Charles J., " "11 McLaughlin, Patrick F., Engine " 6 McNamara, Thomas, '' " -7 17 McNearn, Roljert, H & L No. 3 McVey, Daniel J,, Engine " 7 Meagher, Patriel^ J., " "11 Meagher, John J H & L " 7 Meddis, John, Engine " 28 Miller, James J., H i- L " 7 Miller, Philip E., Engine " 24 Mills, Edwin, ■' "12 MoUoy, Francis II., " " 2 MoUoy, George L., " " 3 Monnaville, Francis " " 2' Moran. Frank }' " " 17 Moran, John, ■' " 31 Morgan, Moses, " " 23 ISIorrissey, John, ... " " 13 Muldary, James, ■' " 7 iluldary, John J " " 10 Mullaly, John J., " " 10 Mulleady, John, " " 14 Mullen, Thomas J., '' " g Mulligan, John F., H & L " 9 Murphy, Martin J., Engine " 26 Murray, Michael J., (Foreman). ..... . " ■' 25 Murray, James F., (Foreman) H & L " 10 Jlurray, Patrick, " " 6 Myers, William L., Engine " 26 N. Nash, Thom.as J., Engine No. 9 Near^', John T. , •' " 3 Nernev, \\'illiam ]j.. " " 9. Nichols, Charles, Ir "' " 23 Nolan. Thcinras F.. H & L " 5 Norris, Charles ^^^, Engine '*' 13: Norton, Alexander F., " '' i Norton, Edward J., Foreman O. OT!kiex, Francis, ,S., Engine No. 21 O'Brien, John, (Ass't. Foreman) " " 16 O'Brien. John J., " " 13, O'Brien, William, " "11 O'Brien, William, " " 3 O'Connor, Thomas F., " " 26 O'Hara, John F., (Foreman) " " 27 O'Keefe, David, " " 6 O'Keefe, Michael, H&L " 6 O'JNIalley, Patrick, Engine " 5 O'Neill, Michael, " " 5 O'Neil, Peter M., " " 24 P. Padian, John, H&L No. 10 Paul, Henry J., Engine " II. Peacock, James M., H&L " i Penson, Horace C " " 7- Piatt, Henry, (Ass't. Foreman) Engine " i -466 ROSTER. PoHman, John, Engine No. i8 Porter, John, H & L " 7 Pownall, Eugene O., Engine " 13 Pratt, George W H & L " 4 Pratt, John M., Engine " 29 Price, Charles, " " 18 Pryor, James S., " " 11 Q. QUAYLE, Fr.ancis J., Engine No. 8 ■Quinlan, Michael, " " 2 Quinn, James H., " " 8 Quinn, Michael, (Foreman) H & L " 9 Quinn, Michael, " " 6 R. Ramsay, John, Engine No. 31 Reardon, Robert, " " 3 Reardon, Michael, H & L " 6 Reekie, Alexander J., " " i Reese, Henry, Engine " 13 Reilly, Peter J., " " 18 Reilly, Thomas F., " '' 14 Reilly, James, II&L " i Reynolds, Hugh, " " 2 Reynolds, Joseph R., Engine " 7 Rhodes, Leonard R., " " 11 Rieckenberg, Henry, " " 29 Rikel, Charles E., H&L " 3 Riley, Francis, Engine " 6 Riley, Hugh, H&L " 9 Riley, James, Engine " 7 Roach, Michael H&L " 2 Robb, Arthur T., Engine " 25 Roberts, James, ( Foreman) " " 7 Roberts, Lester A., H&L " 10 Rocl"ie, David, Engine " 20 Rogan, Michael F., " " 3 Rogers, George, H&L " 4 Rogers, William C, (Ass't. Foreman). .Engine " 13 Rorke, Daniel J., H&L " 2 Rourke, Bernard, Engine " 12 Ruddy, Charles D., (Foreman) " " 31 Ruddy, Neil F., " " 24 Russell, Joseph C, " " 3 Ryan, David, " " 21 Ryan, James J., H&L " t Ryan, George J., Engine " 28 Ryan, John ]\L, > " " 5 Ryan, Timothy, " " 7 Ryan, William A., " " 7 S. ScANLON, John F., H&L No. 1 1 Shannon, James T., Engine " 20 Schiebel, William, " " S Schulz, Charles, " " 14 Schulz, Louis, H&L No. 5 Shannon, John J., Engine " 2 Shaughnessy, Edward, " " 10 Shaw, Christopher F., " " 9 Shaw, William H., " " ' 4 Shay, Charles, (Ass't. Foreman) H & L " 3 Shea, Thomas P., Engine " 2 Sheridan, Alexander J., (Ass't. Foreman) " " 14 Short, Michael J., H&L " 4 Shute, Eben H., P'oreman Silk, John, FI & L No. 3 Skidmore, WHlliam P., Engine " 2 Smith, Edward E., H&L " 2 Smith, Henry J., Engine " 27 Smith, John W., Jr., " " 25 Smith, James, (Foreman) " " 6 Smith, James .S., (Foreman) " " 4 Smith, James H&L. " 4 Smith, John, Engine " 4 Smith , Martin J H&L •' 6 .Smith, Owen, " " 2 Snethen, Elisha Engine " 27 Snow, Albert W H&L " 6 .Snow, Frederick J Engine " 23 .Soden, Emmet, (Ass't. Foreman) *' " 17 Spaulding, John S " " 4 Spillane, Francis C, (Ass't. Foreman).. .H&L " 6 Sprague, George, Engine '' i .Sprague, W'esley, '' " 28 .Stack, Robert, " " i Stapleton, William J., H&L " 4 .Stewart, Frank, " " 9 Stothard, Charles, Engine " 30 Stoop, Bernard L,, " " 26 Strickland, Francis D., " " 31 .Strittler, John, '' " 21 Sullivan, Patrick J., " " 24 .Swanton, Dominick., " " 5 Sweeney, Thomas, " " 14 T. Taylor, Andrew Engine No. 16 Tennant, Andrew, " " 22 Thomas, David S., (Ass't. Foreman). ... " " ;; Thomson, Edwin A., " " 13 Thornton, John J H&L " i Tierney, John, " " 9 Tierney, William H., Engine " 4 Tillev, John G., " " 30 Tobin, John J., " " ji Toman, Patrick, H&L " i Tracy, Simon,. " " i Tracy, William, " " 8 Trapp, John H., Engine " 23 Trapp, Richmond J., " " 2 Travers, Patrick H., " '■ 14 ROSTER. 467 Travis, John A., (Ass't. Foreman) Engine No. 21 Tucker, John L H & L " 5 Turner, Abraham L., Engine " i5 V . Van Cott, George, Engine No. 14 Van Cott, Piatt, (Foreman) '■ " 2 Victory, Charles E., " •■ ig Virtue, John, " •• S Vonderlin, Frank, '• " 30 W. Wackerm.^n, Henry, (Ass't. Foreman). H & L No. S Wallace, George H. Engine " 13 AVard, John H., ■' " 36 Wayrick, Francis X., H & L No. 4 Way, Charles F\, Engine " 29 Weigel, Herman, II & L " 8 Welton, John F., Engine " 18 Whalen, James " " 16 White, Patrick, " " 30 Willetts, George M " " 21 Wilton, William J., H & L " 3 Wischerth, Philip, F^ngine " 21 WoUesber, Frederick J ., " " iS Woods, Frank, " " 14 Wood, Richard S. H & L " 8 Wright, James, Engine " 6 V. Young, George W., Engine No. 23 SUMMARY. Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Chief Engineer, . Headquarters Staff, Etc., ..... Assistant Chief Engineers. ...... District Engineers, ...... Foremen, Ass't Foremen, Engineers, Firemen and Sundry, Total 10 61S 645 TRANSFERS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, 1892, DURING THE PROGRESS OF THIS VOLUME. Feb. 3, Ass't. Foreman John O'Brien from H. & L. No. 8 to Engine No. i6. Feb. 3, WiLLiAii J. CuRRAN from Engine No. 8 to Engine No. 24. Feb. 3, Patrick J. Sullivan from Engine No. 24 to H. & L. No. 10. Feb. 3, Ass't. Foreman Bernard F. Donnelly from Engine No. 16 to Engine No. 12. Mar. II, Foreman Charles D. Ruddy from Engine No. .3 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, John J. McKeever from Engine No. 11 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, Peter B. Carney Trom Engine No. 19 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, Phillip Frey from H. & L. No. 8 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, Michael J. McGinn from Engine No. 11 to Engine No. 31. Mar. ir, William O'Brien from Engine No. 5 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, Francis H. Strickland from Engine No. 10 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, John J. Toein from Engine No. 16 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, William T. Canning from Engine No. 21 to Engine No. 31. Mar. II, John Ramsay from Engine No. 14 to Engine No. 31. 46S TRANSFERS. Mar. II, J(jHN MoRAN from Engine No. lo to Engine No. 31. Mar. 31, 1;. A. ;\L\t.schke from H. & L. No. S to Engine N". 13. Mar. 31, Junx J. McKeever from Engine No. 31 to Engine No. 11. Mar. 31, Herm.in \\'ei(:;el from Engine No. iS to H. & L. No. S. ^lar. 31, CIeorge Lajipert from H. & L. No. S to Engine No. iS. .\pril I, Philip E. Miller from Engine No. 5 to Engine No. 24. April I, Leonard R. Rhodes from Engine No. 30 to Engine No. 11. April 27, A.-fs't. Foreman Frank J. Duffv, Engine N o. 26, promoted to Foreman and trans- ferred to Engine No. 17. May 4, .Iss't. Foreman Marcus Fitzgerald from Engine No. 20 to Engine No 12. May 4, Ass't. Foreman Bernard F. Donnelly from Engine No. 12 to Engine No. 11. i\Lay 4, Henry B. Buriis from Engine No. 17 to H. & L. No. 11. May 4, James \V. Byrnes from H. & L. No. 2 10 Engine No. 30. May 4, John \V. Jennings from Engine No. 30 to Engine No. 14. INEry 4, John J. Thornton from H. & L. No. i to Engine No. 20. yiny 4, Ja.mes Whalen from Engine No. 12 to Engine No. 16. May 5, Michael Reart^on from H. & L. No. 6 to Engine No. 16. May 5, John T. Maher from H. & L. No. 6 to Engine No. 12. i\Rry 10, Thomas McCaffrey from H. & L. No. 6 to Engine No. 21. ^laY 10, NoRiiAN Hughes from H. & L. No. 6 to Engine No. 13. June ;^o, John H. Farrell from Engine No. 2S to Engine No. 24. June 30, Sajiuel T. Irwin from Engine No. 28 to Engine No. i. June 30, Ja:\iesJ. Collins from Engine No. 30 to Engine No. 16. Aug. 10, Foreman Edward F. Conroy from Engine No. 3 to Engine No. S. Aug. II, Foreman John A. Keyeney from Engine No. 22 to Eagine No. 11. Aug. II, Michael McGinness from Engine No. 29 to Engine No. 13. Aug. II, Ass't. Foreman James S. Jones from Engine No. 27 to Engine No. 29. Aug. II, ALartin F. Brady of Engine No. 17, promoted to Assistant Foreman and transferred to F^ngine No. 27. Aug. 13, Thomas J. McCue from Engine No. 22 to Engine No. 11. Aug. 13, Samuel MAr)(jLE from Engine No. 11 to Engine No. 22. Aug. 23, James J. Fullerton from Engine No. 7 to Engine No. 3. PENSIONERS ON THE ROLL OF THE FIREMEN'S INSURANCE FUND. 1892. JOHX BENHA^[, WlLLIAJI DOWD, Patrick Murray, George F. Stewart, Adaji ;\Iark, Charles F. Pouch, Michael Start, TnoiiAS C. Oram, Thomas IMoran, JOHX Krl'escher, Charles McDoxough, "\A'lLLIAiI A. }iIlN'ARD, \'\'lLLIAM E. BrOADHL-RST, Hexry C. Cheshire, WiLLiA^i J. Crawford, William A. Beardall, Thomas Lee, William H. Youngs, Ass't. Foreman, James McCoRiiiCK, Fireman, John W. Smith, Asst. Ch. Eng'r. William Gilfov, Thomas IMcKeever, James V. Rhodes, Patrick Minton, Relircd for Bellringer, Ie ifirmity, Fireman, Eng. 13, - <( True). i 2, " i<. Eng. 18, !.( C( Eng. s- 1.1. ii Eng. i7> '' a Eng. t " a Truck 2, '' u Eng. iS, u Foreman, Eng. 22, ii Dis't. En ^-^ a Fireman, 1.1. 16, 19, 15- Foreman, a 10, a Fireman, (t 10, u Fireman, " 27, 18, Truck 4, I, Ain't Paid Placed on roll per aniiuDi. Dec, 1S79, $300 April, 18S2, 300 Aug., 1S83, 500 Feb. I, 1S84, 500 Felj. I, 1884, 500 Jan. I, 1885, SCO Dec. I, 1885, 500 Dec. I, iSSs, 500 April I, IS86, 500 Aug. I, I8S7, 475 Sept. I, IS87, 75° Oct, I. 1887, 1000 May I, 1889, 400 Feb. I, IS89, 300 June I, 1889, 525 Feb. I, 1890, 850 Feb. I, 1890, 55° May I, 1890, 650 May I, 1890, 400 May I, IS90, 2,000 Jan. I. 1892, 55° Mar. I, IS92, 55° Mar. I, 1892, 550 April I, 1892, 55° INDEX. PAGE A. Adams, John 532 Allcorn, Samuel 404 Allen, Stephen ^45 Allen, William F 287 Amateur Firemen of Old Times , 34 Apparatus, the Early 25 Applegate, George L 2SS Asmus, John F 344 Auxiliary Fire Alarm System So B. Bailey, Philip Andrew 309 Baldwin, Death of Foreman 64 Banner Presentation in 1S26 34 Barrett, Joseph 231 Beardall, W. A 278 Begley, John 452 Bennett, George William 349 Bennett, Joseph H 413 Berdan, William FI 414 Berth, Andrew W 2S2 Eirck, Peter W 157 Bishop, John 259 Bixby, C harles H 292 Boerum, Edward 37 1 Boerum, Hem'y 403 Boland, Thomas 310 Bonner, AVilliam F 309 Bowers, Francis 378 Boylan, Andrew 363 Boyle, Michael 238 Boyne, Christopher D 453 Boyne, Daniel 206 Brady, Martin F 416 Braisted, John R 4'4 Brennan, James li 161 Brennan, Philip F 95 Bridges, James -5- Brinkman, Henry A 4°° Briscoe, Joseph S^^Q British, Brooklyn under the 23 Brooklyn as a City 3^ Brooklyn as a Village 3° Brooklyn Incorporated 24 PAGE" Brooklyn Theatre, Burning of 2i r Brown, Charles E 303, Brown, Richard Ilarold 314 Brown, William A 87 Brown, William H. Jr 282 Erueckelen, the Original Name 22 Burke, Clatus 372 Burns, James 162 Burns, Samuel 170 Burns, Thomas 28S Burns, Thomas F 195 Burtis, Henry B 404 Butler, James 221 Byrne, John Flenry 259 Byrne, Thomas 260 C. Callaghan, John A 452 Callaghan, John J 206 Callan, William J 414 Campbell, Anthony F 87 Campbell, Miles i6i Campbell, Owen S 340 Campbell, Peter 429 Canning, William T 424 Canning, William T. S 314 Cantwell, John Joseph 419 Carlin, Henry 414 Carney, Edward Francis 393 Carney, John Sylvester 314 Carney, Peter B 425 Carroll, Patrick F 345 Carroll, Peter H 414 Cartwright, Peter William 303 Casey, Edward 327 Cassidy, James 276 Cassin, Canice 129 Charlock, Frank B 453 Chief Engineer, Office of Created 31 Chief Engineer's P'irst Annual Report 34 Chief Engineers from i8i5 until 1869 31 Chimney Inspectors First Appointed 26 Chimney Register, the 30 Church, the Earliest 23 Citizens at Fires 28. INDEX. Clcary, Thomas 306 Claiiie, John 350 Coffey, Edward Patrick 400 Collins, James J 2^7 Collins, William .E 231 Comcsky, Afrs., Ijurnt to Death 430 Condron, Michael J 247 Conlon, Timothy F 201 Connell, James 2 ^2 ■Connell, James W 271^ ■■Connell, John M 238 ■Connolly, Charles Francis 420 ■Connolly, John 3c;o Connolly, Thomas P 252 "Connors, James 438 'Conroy, Edward F 193 Consolidation Act of 1S55 . 36 Constant, Silas, [r 221 Constitution Club 62 Cooke, Anthony A 230 ■'Coppinger, Thomas Steven 230 Corcoran, Martin J 306 Costello, Charles E 2G0 Cozine, James J 41c; Crazed by Purning Jutii 220 Creighton, F'rancis P 282 Culkin, Thomas 3G3 Cullen, Jamcs 187 Cummings, fames 4 :;i ■Cunningham, Cornelius 3c^o Cunningham, George 260 Cunningham, James 269 Cunningham, John 74 Cunningham, Michael 452 ■Cunningham, William 364 Cur ran, Francis 187 Curran, William J 221 D. Dains, William Fowler -38 Dale, James J34 "Daly, John J 265 T)avis, Joseph -78 Dearing, Death of Captain ^oS Deegan, John J 419 X)e]amater, iienjamin F 372 Delaney, Jeremiah T 446 Delaney, Joseph 255 Delaney, Michael F 327 Dennin, William H 246 Department Funds and i\ssociations 57 Detailed Firemen 165 Devine, William Charles 215 Disbandment of Old Companies 37 Discipline in Early Times 27 PAGE Dobson, John F 2S5 Dolon, Timothy J 368 Dolan, William E ^^51 D'Olier, William Henry 216 Donnelly, ]!ernard F 403 Itonnelly, Ftlix 327 P)onuhue, James (Engin: 4J 201 iJunuhue, James ( Engine zG) 226 I*onohue, [amus T 447 Dum.)hue, Juhn J 247 lAjuuhue, William 326 r)onovait, John B iSS Dooley, John I 222 I)ooley, John S 2SS P'oran, Charles 265 E'oran, Thomas D 364 L)oulile Dtrcked Engiutr, First 45 iJi.muberty, Charles Pi 363 Dougherty, Edward ( Fireboat " Ij'W "} 259 P)()ugherty, lidu-ard (Telegraph Pureau) 169 Dougherty. Patrick 26^ Dougherty, William 404 P)()\vd, fohn 430 r^"nvd, William PVancis 232 Doyle, James 1S2 Ducharme, Xa])oleon 314 Diidclv, John 221 Pfuff, Samuel 2 :;6 P'artv, Frank J ■ 361 1 'uliigg, Pr}'an 372 Dulv, John 193 rUmhf . James - 236 P'unne. >[art;n J 221 Dunne, Peter 188 P)unn. John W 446 Dutch, Brooklvn Settled by 21 Dwyer, John ( Engine 26) 226 Dwyer, John (Engine 2) 1S7 ■E. Ea<;an, John J 363 Easterii District Fire L>eparrment 53 Eastern District. Settlement of 23 Egan, James Joseph 394 Egan, XA'illiam H 390 Eichhorn, Edward 362 Eight PJistrict, Companies of 3S3 Engine and Truck Companies, 1S69 - 74 En-iue Company, No. i 437 '•• '■ ' '■ ^ 1S3 " 3 1S9 " 4 195 " S 211 '• <^' --37 " 7 -41 INDEX. 47; t'AGE Engine Company. Xa. S ^_,y : : ' ;; ^ :;::::::::::: ^71 '° -77 " " " " -99 " " 12 -.22 " 13 32S " " " ■-* 3S5 " '5 334 "^' 305 " '7 356 ' ''^ 363 " '9 390 " " " -° 442 -■ 3'3 " " " - 367 " 23 (Fireboat " Seth Low ") . . 252 "24 216 " -5 409 '' '■ 26 222 " -7 415 " =S 447 " -9 340 "30 2S2 " 31 420 Engine Co. No. 2- (Fireboat " David A. IJoody "), 351 34 400 Ennis, John j02 Eniiis, Jolm J 2S6 Ennis, Matthew , 173 Ennis, Thomas F 447 Envin, Samuel T 453 Estes, Wayland A 201 Exempt Firemen's As.sociation 63 Exemption for Firemen 26 Evergreens Cemetery 65 F. Fagan, Cornelius G 327 F^agan, Lawrence i^S Fagan, Peter 193 Fanning, John J 355 Farrell, John 165 Farrell, John II 45^ Farrell, John T 39° Farrell, John W 19S Farrell, Peter 445 Farrell, Thomas F 241 Fay, James 246 Fee, John J 375 Feeny, John • - -'-'^ Fernald, Charles E 379 Ferris, Charles 457 Ferry, the first 22 Fickett, John Knapp 332 Field, Charles K 431 Filtli District, Companies of 297 F'ighls willi Police 40 Finn, Edward 231 Finn, John 252 Fire act of i 76S 24 Fire Alarms, Pri mil ive 29 F'ire Alarm Telegraph 77 Fire Alarm, The Sachs 80 Firediell, tlie Original 29 Fireboat " David y\. Iloody " 351 Fireboat " Seth Low " 252 Fire-biickcts 26 F'ire-buckets, Citizens Rc(|uired to Own 29 " Firebug "District 242 Fire Commissioners First Appointed 36 Fire Commissioners, Names of 82 Fire Commissioner's Office 98 Fire Company, first Organized 24 Fire Department Headquarters 100 Fire Department, the first 24 Fire Engine, Description of first 25 Fire Engines Seized 54 Fire Factions in \\' 11 liamsliarg ^-^ Fire Limits First Established 26 Firemen Censure the Mayor 40 Firemen from 17S9 until 1793 27 Firemen Killed in battle 44 Firemen's Fights 40 Firemen's Insurance Fund 57 F'iremen's Monuments 64 Firemen's Parade, the first 35 Firemen's Vi.sits, llie first 44 Firemen, til e si. X Pioneers 24 Fire or Chimne)- Inspectors 26 Fires, Citizens at ^ F""ire-\vardens First Chosen 30 F""ii'st I3istrict, Companies of i8r First Firemen in the War 44 First House in Prooldvn 22 First Land Grant in IJrooklyn 2r Fitzgerald, Edward 3S6 Fitzgerald, John 261 Fitzgerald, Marcus 326 Fitzpatrick, Fidward J 226 Fitz|5atrick, James 166 Fitzsimmons, Edward 393 Fitzsimons, John 29"^ Flaherty, ^I'homas Joseph 310 Flanagan, Partley 200 Flatbush, Original name of 23 Fletcher, George II 446 Flood, John 339 Flynn, James H 149 474 INDEX. PAGE Flviiii, James H. Jr 294 Flynii, Joseph P 333 Flynn, Robert T i/O Fohev, Mattliew 45' Foley, Maurice 376 Foley, William 371 Ford, Alfred 33S Foul Chimneys, fine^ fi ii- -7 Frnir Settlements Uniicil 23 Fourtli District, Coni["ianiLS of . . 269 Fourth of July Semi-Ceiilcnnial 35 Freelh, George A 453 Frendel, Charles 364 F'rey, Philip ' 426 Friel, Daniel 292 Friel, John "■ 275 Friel, Michael 292 Fritschler, Louis 442 Frost, George A 298,356 Fullerlon, Janres J 245 Furey, Charles H 2o5 G. Gallagher, Bernard 93 Gallagher, Hugh 317 Gallagher, Hugh J 226 Gallagher, William A 322 Gannon, James 2S1 Gardner, James S , 430 Gardner, Russell Glasier 31S Gargan, Matthe\\- J 32S Garrah, Hugh 431 Garrity, Daniel J 202 Geatons, James Thomas 314 Geiger, Henry Thonras 339 Geischard, Isaac Prower 304 Geraghty, James T 200 Gibson, George 403 Gillen, John , 252 Gillespie, John S. . . 2S6 Gill, Stephen F 457 Golden, Patrick John 339 Gordon, John H 195 C.otllock, Henry 2S7 Crowaiuis, Scene of Plrst pLiilding 22 Coahani, Patrick J 414 Gray, F.ernard 1 66, 200 Great Fire of 184S 47 Cjreen, Joseph G 169 Gregory, i\Tichael Francis 170 Gi iffin, John J 404 Grundman, Alfred Eli i65, 303 Gunning, Bartley 251 Gurncll, George W 23S TAGF. H. Haddock, Peter J 43' Hagan, William A 242 Haight, George \V 300 Plamilton, William 247 Haiiley. Patrick 205 Hanna\'in, Joln'i .A 2CJ Harrigati. George F 2or FLarrigan, Patrick 195 Harrington, Thomas V jj2 Harris, William Henry 162 Hart, Frank Pybus 372 Hart, Michael 195 Ilauck, Louis T 367 Hayiland, James L j('>S plawkins, John S 170 " Hay Wagon " of the Old Guard 48 Head, Patrick 344 Headquarters Puilding 100 Healey, Thomas 3C'6 Healy, AVilliam L 216 Heard, Ed\yard If 145 Heard, Richard S 446 Heath, John H 225 Hecker, Peter 404 Heffern. Thomas ir,j Ilellen, Henry M 343 Hendrickson, Valentine 2S2 Hennessey, George C 404 Herling, Feli.x 363 Heroes of the Department 67 Heroism at fires 45 Henstis, Samuel (3 210 >Iickey, John F 345 PTiggins, William J 393 I lineson, John 310 Hinton, John 11 399 Hogarth, John 430 Holmes, AVilliani H 332 Hook and Ladder Company, hr^l 40 Hook and I^adder Comjiany, Xo, i 2or 2 2oo " " 3 260 "4 314 '■ 5 395 " '^' 3'1'5 ■' 7 426 " S 372 " 9 4x5 " " "10 226 " " " 11 400 "12 431 Hook and L I'lder Truck I-"irst Bought 51 " Hoppers " of the Old Guard 48 Hose Companies Formed 52 INDEX. 475 PAGE Howard, I^avicl 328 Hoyiies, Patrick 1^07 Hughes, John J 4ir) Hughes, Joria R 25^ Hugiies, Xornuin 7^0 Hunter, Alfred Gihnure 394 Hurley, Daniel 1G6 I. ImTROVEMENT of the DlCPARTMKNr 121 Indians, Land I.'.ought frum 21 Influence of early Firenic-n, 53 Irwin, Samuel W^ 174 Irwin, William 173 Island uf Nassau 23 J. Jeffers, Jonx II 2S7 Jeffry, William F 394 Jennings. John ^\' 2S7 Johnson, Arlliur 245 jolinson, Jercnne R 276 Johnston, Alexaiulcr 419 Jones, James .\ 241 Jories, James S 416 Jones, Wdlliam II 399 Judge, Michael F 193 K. Kain, Ijaxiel Edward 31S Karclier, Edward 276 Keegan, Charles !oS Keenan, John 241 Keighler, George Whitehead 31S Keighler, Henry M 331 Kelley, Jlichael Joseph 399 Kellock, James 157 Flelly, John -j' Kelly, Patrick J 4' 3 Keni|j, janics ''''7 Kemiedy, Palri' k 3'^ Kenrdff, John Joseph 394 Kerrigan, Jamt., -06 PZetcharn, Lianiel R 37- Keveny, John A 3'^S Kilfoil, Thomas F 3S9 Kingsland, V\'illiam F 2o2 Kirkpatrick, David 403 Know Nothing Troubles 47 Kraft, Quincy J 379 L. Lafferty, Hugh, 453 Lafferty, Patrick J "'5 Lahcy, James - J° Lahey, Patrick 2-'. 237 PAGE Lamb, Richard C 170, 293 Lani[)ert, George 379 Land, Fdrst Grant of 21 Lane, Charles AV. D 337 Langan, Michael 372 Langdon, John A 430 Larney, Patrick 445 Lavigne, Ale.xis R 251 Lavin, Patrick , 367 Lawder, James 194 Leavy, Christopher S 3r4 Lehman, Jacob 378 Leire, Andrew S 394 Leo, Joseph 200 Lewis, Benjamin 130 Licenses of early Firemen 25 '' Little Roosters " 40 Lloyd, William C 395 Locking out a Fire Company 41 Long, John Howard 394 Lowery, Patrick II 201 Lynch, Edward L 327 Lyncli, James 154 Lyon, William J 425 M. Mackin, John 371 Madole, Samuel H 304 Maguire, Henry F 2S2 ?.Iaguire, John J 221 Maher, Johii F 350 Mahone\-, Jijhn iSS Main, Thomas F 313 Mallon, John 242 iMalone, J.nnes A 400 Malone, Thomas J 200 ^laloney, Ileniy W . . 231 Mang, Christopher 414 Manning, Frederick John 215 Manning, John Warren 277 Mapes, Henry A 215 Marks, Michael 345 Martin, Jfdni J 3S9 Martyrs of the Prison .Ship 24 Massey, F'rederick S 83 Matschkc, IJernard A 379 Matthews, George 264 May, Edward J 2S6 Ma\-or Censured bv Firemen 40 McArdle, James 367 McCaffrey, Thomas 173 McCann, Francis I 247 McCarthy, Eugene 4 53 McCarthy, James 194 McCarthy, John J . . 346 476 INDEX. ATcCarthy, William McCleary, William McClvniont, David 11 McCole, John l\Ic(_loiieghy, Charles Mr(;urnii(.k, fosriili J ]\ii.i;rii-t, WiUi.iiii Iknry Ml' 'uc, Thomas J McDonuugh, Chailfs MiDonijugh, fieorac W McDonougli, I'hili|i MclJoLigall, Rcibeit Ml h'lia i\-, James 11liii"\' MLFeulLy, Charles McCjarry, James J McGeary, George F ■ McGinn, Michael J McGinness, Michael Me(iin]iess, Thomas [ IMef.jinness, Patrick hranei.-. McCirath, Patrick McGiegi^r, Charles McGruarty, Dennis Ml. Crone n, [oh.n MLCnire. James McGc.ire, Patrick M(T\ee\-er, Thoi^ias McKenna, Eugene f MeKemra, John , I\lcKeon, Tlionias V McKinney, Dennis j McKinney, Michael McLarney, Francis, McLaughlin, Charles J McLaughlin, Hugh McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, Patrick V McNamara, Thoma- McNearn, Robert ]\'IcQueeny, Charle.^ Meagher, J(jhn [ Meagher, Patrick J - . , Mcddis, John IMcyers, William I MiiJwoirt, or F1atbu-li Miller, James J Miller, Philip E i\lills, luhvin Mintuii, Patrick Mollo)-, Francis H 170, Molloy, George L M'inna\ ille, F^rancis M mienls to F'ireniL n Ml. (.re, William D Moran, Frank P 400 3°3 260 = 5" 174 310 371 273 260 3fc 361 33S 265 400 351 426 340 344 337 420 26q 3S4 IS4 2gS 3fc 364 351 3'« 205 =75 379 403 84 264 -38 4!9 265 1 38 431 305 45= 225 43' 216 3=8 457 iSS 194 1 88 64 I TO 3f^3 Mo Mo Mo: Mu fthd Mui Mill Mul ]\lur Mur Miir Mur an, John gan, iMoses lissey, [ohn dary, fames 'lary, Join, J lady, [ohn laly, John J len, 'idronias J [)h;-, Martin [ 1 a )■, James Francis , ray, Michael J ra)', Patrick 276, 4=4 259 339 247 2S2 3S9 2S2 276 226 229 410 350 N. Nash, Thomas J 165 Nassau, Fsland of 23 Ne« nc)', William B 277 Nevins, I'atrick i 53 Ne\'ins, 1 homas F' 117 New Lots Exempt F'irenien's Ass'n 64 Nichols, Charles, Jr 259 Ninth District, Companies of 407 Nolan. 'I'liDinas F" 442 Nolan, 4"iiiio;hv 202 Norris, Chailes ^^'arner ^j^ Norton, ,'Vlexander F" 441 Norton, Edward J 158 O. G'pRiF.N, F'rancis S. J 314 G'F'.iien, John 306 O'Prien, John J 332 Cjdh ieii, William 425 O'P.rien, William FI 216 O'Prien, W illlain M O'Connor, 'Fliomas F 304 226 (J'llara, John Fhancis 416 n'Kec fc, David Ci'Keefe, Michael " Old I'.caii Soup " ('Id (iiiard Association. ( )ld Finie Fiienren G'Neill, RFichael O'Ncil, Peter M -3& 351 4= 47 = 5 215 Padi.an, John 232 l^rid De]rartment, Origin of 6S " " Roster of in 18119 74 Pastor, the F^irst 24 Patriotism of the Firemen 44 I'aul, llcury J. . . . 30c Pel I son, Horace C 430 Perry, John H 137 Phraiier. R. M 8S Ihanodiox Fiiigine, the Fir.st. 4= INDEX. 477 ■r^, ,^ PACK Piatt, Henry Polilman, Joliu ,(r Puillun, Kichaid H |- Police, Fii'hta with,... ^0 Poi-tei, [nlin 1 own.Jl, hugene O.^car Pratt, Gc.jrge W ^rS Pratt, Joliii M i' j43 Price, Charles f- Prison Ship, Martyrs uf the 2 . Privileges Granted lo Firemen 26 Prizes tor II. & L. Men r , Pi yor, Janies Sylvester ^ , i). Qii.u,, Fr.\ncis ]., ]r 2^1 IJiiinlan, Michael ,SS Qiiinn, James II 2C2 Quinn, Michael , -, 434 (Juinn, Michael S tcj R. R.\MS.A.Y, John 425 Real Estate Speculators, Early 21 Reardon, Robert 1,93 Reardon, Michael j co Reekie, Ale.xander T 4^7 Reese, Henry 332 Reickenberg, Henry W j^r Reilly, James 205 Reilly, Peter J 367 Reilly, Thomas F 3go Revolution, Ilrooklyn in the 24 Reynolds, Hugh 292 Reynolds. Joseph R 245 Rhodes, James V 318 Ridgwood Water Introduced 44 Rikel, Charles 264 Riley, Francis 241 Riley, Hugh 4 57 Riley, James 246 Rivalries Between Companies 40 Roach, Michael 292 Robb, Arthur T 415 R'lbbiiis, Nathaniel A 146 Rjberts, James 242 Robert-, Le-ter .\ugustus 230 Roche, Da.itl 446 Rodwell, James 89 Rogan, Michael F 193 Rogers, George J'S Rogers, William C 33- " Roosters " of Williamsburgh 53 Rourke, Piyaa 3-7 Ruddy, Charles D 4=3 Ruddy, Neil F 221 PACK Russell, Joseph C 194 R)'an, David J J14 Ryan, Geoigc J 188 Ryan, James ni Kyaii, J.imes J 206 K\an, J(jlni Michael 231 Ryan, Timotliy 247 Ryan, William A 247 S. S.vcirs Instantaneous Auxiliary Ai,.\i;m. ... So Scanlon, John F 404 Schepens, or Early Magi^,trates 23 Schiebel, William 251 Schouts, or Early Constables 27 Schulz, Charles A. U 390 Scliuiz, Louis ^n,. Second District, Com|)anies of 209 Semi-Centennial <)( Inde|iendence 3^ Seventh District, Companies of 353 Shannon. James T 44r) Shannon, John f 442 Shaughnessey, Edwai rl 282 Shaw. Christopher F 277 Shaw, William Henry 2co Shay, Charles 2O Shea, Thomas P 18S Sheridan, Alexander J ^uO Sheriff Defied by Firemen 54 Short, Michael J 3,8 .Shute, Eben H 1:8 Silk, John 26- Sinnott, Edward 170 Sixth District, Companies of 322 ."-^kidmore, \\'iliiam P 188 Slide for Life, " Fatty " Irwin's 173 Smith, Henry Josejjh ^,g Smith, James (Engine 6) 237 Smith, lames (H. & L. 4) -i8 Smith. James S j|,n Smith. John 201 Smitli. John W 14, Smith, John W. Jr [(3n Smith, Joseph E 146 Smith, Martin Joseph 34 r Snethen, EJisha 415 .Snow, Fiederick J 2 eg .Soden, Emmet jtS^ Spaulding, John Francis 201 Spillane, Francis C -40 Sprague, George 44, Sprague, Wesley 44 , Stapleton, William John ^,8 Stack, Robert 44, Steam Fire Engine, First 40 47 S IXDKX. TAGF St. T'-'hn's Iliinie Fire j^6 Sh.irp, l^etnard ] , 226 Slotliard, Charles 343 Sli icidand, Francis II 4.2^ Slijrilcr Jijlm 305 Sill! I \' an, Patrick Joseph 232 Swaiitiin, I )( iiiiinicl-: 216 Su'cunc}', Thomas 1'' 390 T. Taylor, Andrew 309 Telegraph Tureau ib>) Tennant, Andrew 166 Tcnih I.)i strict, Companies nl 4:; 5 'J'liird ] ^i,-^t rict, Cumpianius ol 2 "^", Thoma... Davifl S 215 Thonisi 111, Fdiv/in Alexan(Ur 3 ^9 'I'hunUon. John ] 20I) 'I'icrnev, John 4 ^7 Tierney, William Ileiiiy 2<")r Til ley, |ohn ("iralKun 2.S7 'l^'l-'in. JohiiJ 42s 'l^iman, Patrick 206 Tdwn, l^irst Fouiidation uf :'-^ Town (. ifilcials, Farliest 2 ^ 'Ihaev, Simon 206 Tracv, William :;7.S Trapp, John Henry 200 Tra\ rrs, Patrick II ;'^'-'-r) Tra\is, John A ^ -; Trea.-iircr, the First of tliu V. D ^ 2S I'laielv Comi:)anies, .\ p]ioiniin(.ni -. l^.") in 1 01.19 7 :; Tru|"ip. Riclmiond J ■ ■ ■ ■ 2;.6 '.ruilvL-r, John I., . . 400 Turner, Abram L 310 Tyack, Jonathan 300 U. Umforms Perfectei' [29 V. Van Cu tt, Gecirce VX-' Van Cott, Phut JS4 Vanderlin, Frank 2Sri Veterans' Headquarters (jz Veteran Volunteer Flrun.enV^ As^oidations 61 Victory, Charles E yiz^ Village Fire Department :;o A^illage Trustees, the First 30 Virtue, John 2^2 Volunteer r)epartmciit, l'\ii'e\vell [ii 70 Volunteer Fire Companies }h'cioklvn En;j;ine <_.'oii)]iaii\' No. 1 7 4(1 Clinton H. \: L. Crunpaiu'" Xo 2 sr Columbia En^irie < "Minjiuiv Xo. [o .| (^ Constitution En^^ine < '( anpaiu- Xo, 7 44 I^aglc En,!::;ine Coni|*anv .\m. 4 4[ Franklin Engine *.'ninp;ni\ >.'(>. ■; 30, 41 T-alavette Engine < 'iMnpaip; \m. ^ , 4:: Fafnvctte U.'^&: L. Co. ..." . . ." 51 Neptune Fncjine ( 'onipanv .\". 2 ^,0, Y) ( )h.l (o.iavd Associcitimi 47 PAGC Pacific Fn^irie Company Nli. 45 45 ] '!( itcctor hhigiue Company No. 6 4~ ^\'a.^i■linut(ln Engine Comp>anv No. 1 25 ^\'ashington Plose Company No. 6 5- Voluntfcr Firemen's Association, W . l) 59 \V. W.\AE-P()i;'i', i>k Waelabout 22 A\'acheiman, Henry 376 Wail.djout, (Piie,in\.(f 22 W",dlooiis, thu Earlv Settlers 21 W.ifcr, [allies T. . .' 153 WalVr, A1.....S 1 94 WadacL-, (hjMi-Me H 332 AVaKn, [ain<.s;" 43'^ W'.iy^'., Jolm F 226 W.is'iing Matches 4*^' 43 Wa[i r-works, the First Opened 44 Walsdii, Pic-c-tt 1 150 ^\'ay, Cliarle.^ hhanklin 344 A\' ay rick, h'ranci.-. Xavier - 31-S Wei,^.';el, HeiTnnn ■ 367 AVeJtMii, pihn Francis 364 ^\■alL■n, Janu-, Juseph 328 While. I'atrl. k 2S7 \\"\-\u\\s and < ii-pli.,ns' Fund 58 W iieaiid. '.'harlts T 202 Wdk-ts, (;-:,;|-ue M 313 A\' illiam.-l mg Fire 1 department. 52 As.-"t lai-iiitLi's ("office Crc U^nl 54 AMaiUic Hose Comj^any No. 2 c6 ( h.iiE.ible Fund Organized 34 < diicf Engineer's Ciltice Cheated c^ CimjI incntal Pmgirie Companv No. 9 56 l\aL;le Enginu Companv No. 6 56 hire I'.cll Introduced 55 1 irL-ini.n's Fights 1^3 Firo Warden, (Office Created 54 Fi ieiidslil[) Hose Company Nrj. 3 t;6 ( H )( id Intel !_"st Phigine Compaiu' No. 3 33 Pad\' Wa.shingtLin Engine C'.uniiany No. I . . , . 33 Marinn Pfose Companv No. t 36 Ahi: iial H. (!\: F. C<.'m])any No. i c;^ Neptnne Fneine Chnnpanv No. 7 36 I'acihi" lanjine Conipany No. o s*^ Protection Engine Companv No. 2 53 Putnam H. .N: E. Company No. 2 c;6 lo.'d Jaekel Engine Company No. lo 56 lh;iii_-(l States Engine Companv No, 4 c,6 Washington Engine Companv Xo. r 11,3 \hnmg .'\meriea H. & L t^6 ^^ iliiains. 1 )a\'id 90 Wilhni, Willi. on ] 263 \\'isehraih Phdip 303 Wol;lh.Eer, Frc:leriek [ "169 W>uu\, Pirhard S. . . .' 379 WoimI.-;, I'hMncis F 403 Worth, Jac.ib 95 Wright, James 241 V. ^d)|■l^shI|-e. Eong :u-id S'.aten Island 23 Young, ( iLorge W 260 THE AMERICAN SUGAR REFINING CO. No manufacturing industr\- in Broolc^-rres ts. O. F. RICHARDSON, Secretary. TRUSTEES: Wm. Dick, A. D. Baird, Darwin R. James E. B. Tuttle, John Truslow, Ditmas Jewell, F. W. Wurster, Bernard Peters, Wm. E. Horwill, Judah B. Voorhees, A,D, Wheelock. Wm. F. Garrison, John T. Willets, Charles H. Russell, John Loughran, Edward T. Hulst, John McLoughlin, A. M. Suvdam, Wm. E. Wheelock, O. F. Richardson, Henry Seibert. Nassau Fire Insurance Co., OF BROOKLYN, Was organized in 1S52, and for over fort}" years has occupied the Cor. of Court and Reiiisen Sts., As Their Office with a branch office at 151 Broadway, N. Y. Pursuing a conser\'ative course and eco- nomically conducted in the management it has had an uninterrupted career of pros- perity since its organization. Its officers are: Wm. T. LANE, Pres't. THOS. M. HARRIS,, Sec'y. Hamilton Trust Company, 191 AIOJSTAGUB STREET, BROOKLYN, N. Y. Cai)itaU500,000. Surplus, $250,000. SILAS B. DUTCHER, President. WM. H. LYON, First Vice-President. ALFRED J. POUCH, Second Vice-President. JOSEPH B. WHITE, Secretary. Board of Trustees. William 71. I.von, William H. H. Childs, John Ditmas, Jr., Henry H. Adani.s, Silas B. Dutclier, Timothy L. Wood- ruff, Wm. V. R. Smith, I^eonard Moody, James 6. Carpen- ter, Henry N. Whitney, Camden C. Dike, John C. Mc- Guire, William Herri, Henrv E. Hutchinson, Rodney A. Ward, William C. Wallace, Charles W. Betts, Calvin "Pat- terson, William Hester, Alfred J. Pouch, Charles Cooper, Harlan P. Halse\', ISIillard V . Smith. Eugene F. O'Connor. Deposits received subject to check ]>ayable through New York. Clearing House. INTEREST ALLOWED ON DAILY BALANCES. special and higher rates of interest paiJ when Certifi- cates of Depo.sit are is.sned, pa}-al.ile on five daws' notice ■or on specified dates. This Company is a legal depository for Court and Trust funds, and is authorized to act as Administrator, Execu- tor, Trustee, Guardian and Registrar of stocks aiid bonds. CAPITAL. $2O0,000T0a NEW YORK WAREHOUSING COnPANY, General Storage. Office, S2 Broadway, Room 21, C. K. WALLACE, - - Sec'y and Treas. Stores A, B, C, D, and Nos. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, Piers 1, 2, 3, Foot Van liriuit and Conover vSts., Brooklyn. Direct Private Wire to Stores. Telephone Call, 3078 Cortlaiidt. D. & M. Chauncey Real Estate Company, L't'd No. 207 MONTAGUE vSTREET, BROOKLYN. Capital, 5150,000. George W. Chauncey, Cornelius E. Donnellon Ezra D. Bushiiell, Edward F. Linton, President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Every branch of the Real Estate bu.sines.s a specialty. ISAAC H. GARY, R?al Estate and iDstiranc^, 196 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. Stores, Houses and Flats. Loans Negotiated, Rents Collected. Security given where estates are managed. Coal and Wood. Telephone, 3^,2 Brooklyn. Hubert G. Tavlc Charles J. Fox. TAYLOR & FOX. AUCTIONEERS, REAL ESTATE BROKERS, No. 45 Broadway, - . Brookh'n, E. D. Telephone Call. AA"ni.sburg'h .S63. THE BROOKLYN BANK. [Incorporated iN..,2.] Cor. Fulton and Clinton Streets. All are cordially invited to inspect the special accommodations provided for both ladies and genileiuen desiring to transact business with us. This Bank is a di:signaied depository for City and County funds. OFFICERS, HENRY E. HUTCHINSON, THOM.\S M. HALSEY, President. C--^ .SHIER. DIRECTORS, Henry P. :Morgan, Joseph S. Hibbler, AVilliam Sinclair, John Ditmas, Jr., John Lefferts, Timothy Hogan. Elias Lewis, Jr., George P. Sheldon, Clement Lockitt, George W. Bergen, Thos. H. Messenger, Frederick Jansen, Henry E. Hutchinson. The Long Island Safe Deposit Company Occupies spacious offices iu the above building. "Ancbior Line." American Mail Steamers, AND OTHERS. New York to Glasgow. New York to Avonmouth (Bristol). Glasgow and Liverpool to Bombay. Glasgow and Liverpool to Calcutta. Naples, Genoa and Marseilles. WEST INDIA SEEVICE. Kingston, Jeremie, Cartagena and Port Lemon. Goods received and forwarded on through B /L to all the Principal Ports of Northern and Southern Europe, Africa and Australia, either via Mediterranean or British Ports. Special Attention given to the Safe Carrying of Perishable Freight. For Freight and further particulars, apply to the Agents. HENDERSON BROTHERS, 7 BOWLING GREEN, New York City, 70 La Salle St., Chicago. III. Martin's Stores, Fur man St., near Fulton. JNO. E. FAY, FRANK B. MARTIN. OFFICE New Yort anJ Soiilli Brooklyn Ferry AND Steam Transportation Company, Piers 2 and 3 East River, foot of Whitehall St., New York. John W. Ambro.se, Preset. Telephone Call: William A. Stephen.s, Treas. New York: Brooklyn: Francis H. Bergen, Sec'y. Cortlandt, :J3"4. South, 25. FLINCH, EDYE k CO, AND 27 South William Street, NEW YORK. THE CLYDE STEAMSHIP GO,, For CHARLESTON, S. C, the South and Southwest. For JACKSONVILLE, FLA., and all Florida Points. From Pier 29, East River, N. Y. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 3 P. M. THE ONLV LINE BETWEEN NEW YORK AND JACKSONVILLE, FLA. 6 Bowling Green, New York, RED CROSS LINE. STEAMERS FOR HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, AND ST. JOHNS, - New Foundland. A Delightful Summer and Autumn Trip. Bowrii & ArcMliall 18 Broaflway, New Yorl C. T. BQWRING & CO., - Liverpool. C. T. BOWRING & CO., - - London. BOWRING BROS., - St. Johns, Nfld. Fast Passenger arid Freight Routes for South, South-West and West. GENEEAL OFFICES, Pier 26 North River, Foot Beach Streets NEW YORK. PLANET MILLS, BUCHANAN & LYAI.L, Proprietors. JUTK OOODS, 372 TO 40i PEESIDEXT ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y. 0£±±oe, lOl ATvTall St3x»eeti, NEW YORK. 25,000 Offices. 800,000 Miles of Wire. Tk Western Union Telegrapli Company Offices in tlie States, Territories and Provinces of tlie United States and Canada. 200 BRANCH OFFICES IN NEW YORK CITY. Cables to Countries beyond the Atlantic, to Mexico, Central America, South America, the West Indies and the Bermuda Islands. rioney Transferred by Telegraph. NIGHT MESSAGES AT REDUCED RATES. 200 Offices in New York City. 50 Offices in Brooklyn. Bj' agreement with the Brooklyn District Telegraph Company, messengers may be signalled from the residences of subscribers of that Company, to carry telegrams and cable- grams to the nearest Western Union office, without expense for such messenger ser\-ice, at anv hour of the day or night. These offices are always open and occupied jointly by Vjoth Companies. W. C. VOSBURGH MFG. COMPANY, Limited Manufacturers of GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURES, 269 to 281 State Street, • Brooklyn N. Y. a The Standard for Quality." TRADE VA-R^NTiSES' ALENTINE & HENRY C. VALENTINE, Pres. C. S. HOMER, Jr., Vice-Pres. L. FAIRBANKS, Sec'y. CHAS. B. BECKWITH, Treas. Manufacturers of High-Grade Coi).cK si Cm^ V^rai^KQ^ ffli Color^, NEW YOPav. 255 BI?,O^^ID^Ar^^^. CHICAG-0. BOSTON. PARIS. ,,.« " ""-* *., FOE VESSELS ^ , At Work or Idle. m ^i APPLY AT Atlantic Dock Company's Office, Port of New York. Telephone Call, - No. 1498, Brooklyn. EST^IiLIi-JIIED ISGO. WILLIAM M. TEBO, Stei DreJii, Si Biiii, Dry Docts, WtofasB, Storage, Towii, ^^nSTJD COJ^JL, Excellent Facilities for Laying up Vessels and Yachts. POWERFUL TUGS for SEA and COAST TOWING. DRY DOCK, SHIP YARD and COAL POCKETS, Foot 23d St., Brooklyn. OFFICES : 23 South St., New York, and Foot 23d St., Brooklyn. Telephone, Brooklyn, 987. ^o ws-^MR, Columbia Foot of Pacific Street, brooklyn. Rivers. Photographers, 461 Fifth Avenue, Corner Tenth Street. our specialties : ELECTRO-TINT, ELECTROGRAPH, THE "AUBRY," PEERLESS PEARLETTES, And LE-VERD-MONT (Imported.) We respectfully urce a comparisun of our Wurkmansiiip. MR. K. IVERSON BOOTH having located permanently with us, we take pleasure in announcing our abihty to pro- duce Paintings in Pastels amu Oils, also Crayons of the finest possible grade. BROOKLYN Brass """ Copper Co., MANUPACTUKEBS OF SolManltet Brass anl teiiiaii Silver, COPPER SHEETS, Circles, Segments and Bolts, BRASS and COPPER WIRE, Brass, Copper and Zinc Tubing, CoDser SliealliiEg, Kettle Bottoms, etc, No. 100 JOHN ST., ■\Vsr. H, Davol. Pres't. Fra>'k H, Dayol, Sec'y. NEW YORK. A. KREAMER, MANUFACTURER OF Heavy Tin, Copper AND Japanned Wares, OFFICE and FACTORY, KENTT AVENUE, Cor. South Third St. D. J. Reilly & Co., PR VT ROLLERS, OPPOSITE HARPER BROS. O. T. Maigne. NEW YORK. BROOKiL-srnsr, X.. I. WILLIAM VOGEL & BROS., TINWARE SPECIALTIES, PAINT CANS, OILERS, SEAMLESS BOXES, Sheet-Metal Screws, T±n3.33-e3:?s ' -gs. 37 to 47 South 9th St., BROOKLYN, N. Y. Telephone. lOSg •Willlamsburgtx. F*HiLiF» H. Gill, Designer and Builder of Flour Mills, Grain Elevators and Breweries, Shaftings, Pulleys, Beariugs, &eariii£, Etc, Specialties for Grain Elevators, Mills, Etc. 9 to 19 Bowne St., BliOOItLYTV, IV. Y. Telephone, 3.37. Andrew J. Post, William H, McCord, POST & McGORD, loa Bi-oaclTvfiy, Ne"«^ York. Civil Engineers and Con- tractors in Iron, Railway and Highway Bridges, Turntables, Roofs and Structural Iron Work of Every Description. WORKS: BROOKLYN, E. D. r»ri,^inal l.)esi^ns Furnislied if Desired. ' M.T. DAVIDSON, Manufacturer of IMPROVED STEAM PUMPS HYDRAULIC "machinery. Plans and Estimates Furnished for City Water Worl 21 N. cSc p. SCOTT^ Manufacturers of Showcases and Store Fixtures New York Salesroom, 448 Canal Street. Factory, 440, 442 & 444 Adelphi St., BROOKLYN, N. Y. Telephone, Brooklyn, '^4y. CHAS,^L PART R I D E E, [A Corporatio-n.] A/aiiuJ£=ieturers of Cane and Wood Seat, ALSO REED AND RATTAN CHAIRS. Manufactory, South Ashburnham, Mass. Warerooms, 495, 497 and 499 Kent Avenue, BROOKLYN, E. D. J. Lee SiTii-th & (p. Importers and Manufacturers of PAINTS 59 Frankfort and 19, 3i & 23 Jacob Street, New York. Factory: cor. Hicks & Nelson Sts., Brooklyn. Wagon and Carriage ardu/are, Nos. 337 & 339 Adams St. BROOKLYN. Established 1864. Telephone Call 287 A. 6. M. McKENZIE, REFINERS, AND DISTILLERS, ESSENTIAL OILS. 15 Whitehall St., New York. J. K. BROWN. H. H. DAVIDSON. BI^OWH 8( oaViosoN, SCAFFOLD AND DERRICK BUILDERS, Ladder Manufacturers and lii^m, Clothes, Flag and Scaffold Poles, Swing Scaf= folds. Step Ladders, Trussels, Scaffold Horses and Tubs, Hoisting Columns, Girders, Smoke Stacks, Base Stone, Chimney Caps, Coping, Safes, and Machinery. S?io'£yn!.5B3 185 THIRD AVE, BROOKLYN. BROOKLYN, N Y. ^/)(\^2a_fac:-i:arii.gj j. Tl|e Foiieera ENTIRELY FIREPROOF. yiPyi^TllQEI^T l^OUSE, ON THE HEIGHTS. ^i^ j^^jrr V BROOKLYN, N. Y. W/ITER NATIONAL Meter Company, i^ETERS 159 Franklin St., BOSTON. 25:2 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. THE COWLES ENGINEERING CO., Constructing Engineers ^^ir Contractors. HIGH POWERED STEAM VESSELS. STATIONARY STEAM PLANTS. (THE COWLES WATER TUBE BOILER.) Main Office and Works, FOOT 43d STREET, SOUTH BROOKLYN, N. Y. TELEPHONE, SOUTH, 145. EngjiTieer^ and Bonfer cMaf^er^^ Gov. hii\l:xy gvi^gI Scn?7i29Tt StreeiL^, TELEPHONE 848. ~QrOo\{iyn^ X. \. SANDKRSON ^ SON, Sff'fiJHsJi ip Af/eitts. WILSON LINE OF STEAMERS BETWEEN LONDON, HULL, NEWCASTLE, BOSTON AND NEW YORK. J/u-inii/li /mis iif LiiiliiKJ IfiSiil-tl til 'III J'inis ml llir- MEDITERRANEAN, BALTIC AND BLACK SEAS, INDIA, CHINA AND JAPAN. FURNESS LINE TO NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE. 4 Liberty Square, Boston, 2 1 and 22 State Street, l\/ew Yorl?. JAJIES HdWKLL. I). Y. SAXTAN. HOWELL & SAXTAN, Iroi M i Mn Description for Boilngs. 0}Pce:Sr,:i MJam. street, , RPnOk'T VM norJcs: llHdsoit. Cur. Farh Arcs. \ D ITi Kj KJ iK L^ I IN. REPAIRING and JOBBING ATTENDED TO PROMPTLY. LOGAN IRON WORKS, i^^Dulivcturer^ # ffli i ('oDircvcIor^, Commercial and Clav Streets, BROOKLYN, N. Y. W. A. PERRY. C C. WORTHINGTON. ESTABLISHED 1845. HEMY R. WORTHmGTOi\ Hydraulic tf S^^^n] Pumping i^^cKinery, INDEPENDENT CONDENSERS, WATER METERS, 145 Broadway, HYDRAULIC WORKS, gg xtd 88 Liberty Street ^^^^™^ ™^^^^' 'N'EW YORK. BBAJSCH OFFICES: PittsbureE. Cleveland Cincinnati. San Francisco. Boston. Chicago. St. Louis. LIDGEIiWOOD MANUFACTDIIING CO, Manufacturers of ImproYQd Hoi^Iin^ En^inQ^, SimiOUEI MD MME MM M UL PlPOSEl OFFICE AND SALESROOM, 96 Liberty Street, New York. (Jjorks; Gor. Dikefiian, Ferris and Parlitisn Sis., SquU] BreDklxri. Established 1848. Incorporated 1870. Tcfcphoiic Calf: Cortluu'Jt, 104. E XCELSIOR WIRE M'F'G COMPANY. Warehouse: 43 Fulton St., New York, Factory, 143, 145, 147, 149 & 151 Union Ave., and 82, 84, 86 & 83 Ainslie St., Bfooklyn. Manufacturers of Copper. Brass, and Iron Wire-Cloth, COPPER, BR&SS AND IRON WIRE, Sieves, Coal and Sand Screens, Bird Cages, Wire Work of Every Description. Cylinders and Dandy Rolls Made and Covered to Order. A Superior Article of Wire for Brusli- makers Constantly on Hand. '2- "National Wire and Ventilating Works." USTABLINHUD 1850. MOWAKD & MORfiiE, Warelioiise : U5 Fnltoii St, New Yoii City. Manuiacturerc ol Ever}- Variety of -ALSO- Blackman's Patent Power Ventilator WHEELORAIR PROPELLER And l/enfdoting Appliances. BROOKLYN WIRE-CUSTH WORKS, ESTABLISHED 184-4. Fact. .IV, S97, 3)10. 101, 4(>:5 and 40.5 Soulli :5d SI., and -.i'J-.i, 15 (,-., 3!>7, 3i>», 401 A 40:{ HoAves St., Biooklyii. K. B. « ViSBOmU'Si:, 107 .SoBlBl St., Now V<»rk. -:Maiiiil'achnvi- of- Brass, Coiipr M \m\ Wire-Clotli, rOUKDKlNIEE, CVLIl-lDEE WASHEF, AMD DU3TEE WIKES, Rirlianlsuns Kilcnt Urnss Twillf,! \Viiv-( 'Ir.l li f.n- Rnsin ami Tiiiiiruliiir Stnniins. lialvanizea I'miltly NpttiiiE-. Sieves. Hi'lilles, ('(lal ami Saiiil Screens. Kxelusi\-e iiiaimfaertirer of Tlie " A< J?1H" Steel rempered Battery and Koltin:; Mire < lolli. Ornamental A» i ri. Work, Bank and Oflice Kailinus, Al'jiidow (^nards, Ete. William Taylor & Sons, iSMiioiiiiiii MANUFACTURERS OF HYDROSTATIC PRESSES FOR COTTON AND LINSEED OILS AND OTHER PURPOSES. GENERAL MACHINERY FOR OIL, PAINT, AND WHITE LEAD MANUFACTURE. STEA M EM GIMES. Mill, Hoisting, Mining and Wrecking Machinery, — ALSo- CA8TINGS FOK STOKE FKOMS, COL- UMNS, (ilRDERS, LINTELS, ETC. Brass and Iron Castings of every description. 23 to 39 ADaMS ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y, EJ vv. dLISS LIMITISIJ. Plymouth, Pearl, John and Adams Streets, .Tlaimfactiirerw of PRESSES, DIES, —AWE- Special EQacl^iiiery For Workincr Sheet Metals. ABEliTH k BOOT MT'G CO., IT9aiiiiiactiiror» E. B, WTIAXiX. WIL(-ET ■I'H'iMPSON. BROOKLYN NEEDLE WORKS, SEWING MACHINE JVEEBLES. FULTON FOUNDRY, Fine Machinery Iron Castings, Tool and Pattern Makins, General Matliinists, Die, Prews and lBiteroS»aiii;eable M ork. ^rPlain and Ornamental Japanning. > 21, 23, 25 and 27 FURMAN ST., Oili- lihirl; South of J'^iilfon Fei-ffl, BROOKLYN, N. Y. TAYLOR & COMPANY, Iron Foundry, 5 to (I DRIGGS STREET, BI^OOI^LYl], E. D'. Telephone Call 22 7 , Greenpoint. ERIE BASIN IRON WORKS. I^RAJEWSI^I \ PESANT, iriaimiiuturers and Exporter* ol GENERAL [^iCHlNERV, SUG^R f^SOHII^E^Y, ETC. Worts: IMU\. DfiElit & Van Dyie Street!;, SOl'TH 5SKOOKI.YN, IV. Y. ,,„^. ,-,-,_, 52 Elizabeth St., Brooklyn, N. Y Ol- i- l<^ J -r-^. 35 Broadway, New York. Branch Office, Aguiar 52, Havana, Cuba, Post Office Address, Bo> 1815, New York. Cable Address, "idoiwax," New York. Teleplione Willianisbii ri.'li ;'3"J HkNir, Vkxkkk, Trcas. S iM'r H. Mil i.ik-EN, .Scc'y. J.MiKS H.iKii.i.-.N-, Supt. THE SIMPSON FOUNDRY CO. j. S. & G. F. SIMPSOX, IJortl] Brooklyi] Iroi] EoiiiKlry, 26-36 RODPaEY ST., BROOKLYN, N, Y. IRON COLUMNS, GIRDERS, Railings and Machine Castings of ail Kinds. .Johhiilfl ll'orl.- I'roiilptlii Att(ii(l,-,1 To. THOMAS BURKHARD Established in New York, 1S36. iSIanufactiirer, designer, im- prover and invetitor of all r*r\Dacac:KAi-ri-i ' ^'""J^ "f Copper Work. My V-/WrrtriaiVll 1 1-1, specialties are Steam Jacket Kettles of every description. Vacuum Pans, Stills, Mixing- Kettles, Sugar Coating Pans, Drying Cylinders, Dyers' Tanks, Varnish Kettles and Pipe'Work of all kinds.' Re- pairing punctually attended to and neatly executed at reasonable prices. Prices given when drawings and specifications are furnished. 494 and 496 Flushing Aye., Brooklyn, N. Y., between Bedford and Nostrand A\es. 'I'elfijhi.^ne connection. F-RED A-DEE & CO. PLUMBERS' SUPPLIES, No. 90 Beekman St., Cor. Cliff Street, - New York. Sole agents for J. Zaue Sc Co. '3 Goods, F. Adcc's Patent Traps and Bath Fixtures, F. Adee's Patent Enameled Drip Trays. Foley's Patent Basin and Bath Valves, "The Boss" Stop Cock anil Boxes, Fred'k Kreimeier. John Becker. KREIMEIER & BECKER, COOPERS AND TANK BUILDERS, M.inufactiirers of all kinds of Casks, B,irrtls, Tubs, Tanks, etc. Also dfalers in Second Hand Casks, Barrels, Tanks, etc. Xos. 59 and 6i Jackson St. and 74 and 76 Withers Street, Brooklyn. N. Y. WILLIRM STARTS, Manufacturer of Artistic Wire, Wood, Tin, Glass, Brass and Metal Signs of Every De= scription, Brewers' Wire Signs a Specialty. i[2^Si;^n Tainting in all its brandies. ,m cf ns jnit lip in any part of New ^York^ Brooklyn and Vicinity. Tele- phone call, ■S29 AVilliainsbnrgh. Cor. Johnson Ave. & Lorimer St., Brooklyn, E.T). and 499 I'lushint; Ave. Telephone. S3 Greenpoint. JAMES BRENIMAN, Late BREXX,\X & COLLIG.\N, COOPER AND TANK BUILDER CEDAR VATS TANKS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. Kri.tjcrs Ave. and X. 1 ith ,St., Brooklyn, N. Y., Cor. N >rth nth St. Xew York Offi..-e, No. 20 Burlintf SJip. '"«^SfP| 40 MASS TX TOY 'COMPANY. 284 & 286 Penn Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Christian K. Rust. Herman T liomass. THOMAS SILK. ARCHITECTURAL IRON WORKS, 6Sand70 Summit St., bet. Hamilton Ave. and Columbia St., Brooklyn. Wrought and Cast Iron Railings, Area Qates, Vault Lights, Gratings, Window Guards, Fire Escapes, Columns, Beams, Qird= ers, Sills and Lintels. JAM3S MITCHELL. PURITAN IRON FOUNDRY 56 to 62 Water St., near Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn. Telephone call, 86 Brooklyn. Casting of Iron and Brass of every description promptly attended to. JOSEPH Le COMTE, Manufacturer of Stamped and T'lain TIN WARE, SQUARE AND ROUND OIL, VARNISH AND PAINT CANS, SEAMLESS BOXES AND ALL KINDS OF METAL GOODS TO ORDER. 167 to 175 Plymouth Street, Corner Jay St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Boxes and Cased Cans a Specialty. Telejilione Call, ,s.s=i Brooklyn. Joseph Seheider. K. Htteiiheinier. JOSEPH SCH EIDER & CO., Manufacturers of Stamped, Japanned and Pieced 103 to 1 19 N. Third St., Brooklyn, E. D. Teleplione, AV'nisburg'h 717. ^.C.Vosl)uro;l]Mf|j;. Company [I.illliled.l Manufacturers of Gas and Electric Liidit Fixtures, 269, 271,273,275,277, 279 & 281 State Street, Brooklyn, N. V. Clias. 1. Haiick S: Son, MANUFACTURERS OF Fancy Metal Goods. FACTORY : 36-4O Stagg St., Brooklyn, N. Y. j p. O. Box 104. CHAS. J. HAUCK, JR The Nichols Chemical Company, MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS. Oil Vitrol, All gravities, /jguS Fort/'s, Higli i^fra<.lt'S a specialty. Muriatic Acid, Suipliate of Soda (Calcined), Nitric Acid, Glauber's Salt, Alum, Acetic Acid, Acid Phosphate, Blue Vitrol, and Heavy Chemicals generally. 45 - 49 Cedar Street, STOKES BUILDING. New York. THOMAS B. RUTAN, MASON AND BUILDER, Office: Room 41, Thos. Jefferson Building:, Mechanics und Traders JixcJiaage , Bo.v lo. Rcsidefice^ IJJ Monf-oc Sirect. BROOKLYN, N. Y. P. J. CARLIN & CO., Masons and Builders, 186 Remsen St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Mas 395. 397, 399, 4°! and 403 Hewes St. Brooklyn, E. D. • WAREHOUSE, 107 JOHN ST., NEW YORK. BUSH g. DENSL^OW MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 130 PEARL STREET, NEW YORK. WORKS: FOOT 40TH. STREET. Chas. H. Medicus. Chai. H. Cox. Henry W. Mcdicus. C H. Medicus & Co., Manufacturers of FINE PARLOR SUITS AND DINING ROOM FURNITURE. OFFICE, WAREROOMS AND FACTORY 38, 40, 42, 44 AND 46 ROSS STREET, Between Kent & Wythe Avbb., BROOKLYN, N. Y. Telephone Call, "564 Williamsburgh," American Carpet Cleaning Works, LOUIS H. SCHENXK, Proprietor. 159, 161, 163 Twenty-Fifth Street, BROOKLYN, N. Y. Telephone Call, South 137. Brooklyn Chair Co., MANUFACTURERS OF CHAIRS. FACTORY I SAMPLE ROOM 118-126 Waverly Ave., No. 164 Canal Street, BROOKLYN, N. Y. I NEW YORK CITY. J. A. & W. H. PORT, CARPENTERS AND BUILDERS Cor. Norman Ave. & Russell St., BROOKLYN, N. Y. Telephone, 62 Greenpuint. W. R. ADAMS & CO., WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN LUMBER & TIMBER, SHIPPINB LUMBER FOR ESPORT, Yard Cor. Van Brunt and Bowne Streets, Near Hamilton Ferry, Commercial Wharf, Atlantic Dock. BROOKLYN. TELEPHONE CONNECTION, NO 116. ONE PRICE, C. O. D. MEN'S AND BOYS' Retail ClotMug f arerooms, Baldwin Building," 380 & 382 Fulton St., I'or. Smith Street, BROOKLYN. T,K.Horton&Co„ '"%:^ 394 & 396 niton St, "^ and 17 Smitli St. ( )nl\' strictlv Cash pular prices nur sjieeialtw U\'i/in'sa'ny our S/'.riirl Day. EeliaMe Sloves at Popular Prices. Thomas & Co., EXPORT AGENTS AND Shoe Manufacturers, 304 to 310 Hewes Street, NEAR BROADWAY, BROOKLYN. HOBERT DIX KOBERT S. DIX. EstabUahed 1863. Robert Dix & Son, MAN(TF.\CTrREBS OF Ladies', Misses' ami (Children's Machine Sewed SPRING HEEL SHOES — AND — 36y, -;7T 8: 373 Kent A\e., Entrance South Sixth Street, BROOKLYN, E. D. H. R. Curtis. E. A. Croater- T. A. & L. F. NEAA^MAN, DEALERS IN DI^Y aOODS, 305 Fri.TDN Street, THROUGH TO WASHINGTON, OPPOSITE PO-T OFFICE, NEAR JOHNSON STREET, BROOKLYN. mason's, 117, 119, 121 Myrtle Ave., COR. BRIDGE STREET, BROOKLYN. The oldest and most reliable carpet tiouse in Brooklyn. EDV/IN C. BURT & CO,, MANUFACTURERS OF Fine Shoes, 446 & 44S Fri.idN Street, BROOKLYN", N. Y. A, PEARSON, Furniture & Carpets, 59, 61 & 63 Myrtle .-Vvenee, Fifth door west of Jay it , BROOKLYN. MAXWELL & CO., Dry Goods, Carpets, Etc., Fifth Avenue and Fifteenth Street, IlRijOlvl.YN. BENJ. S. DONAHUE, TAILOR AND IMPORTER, Fe.vtbush & SlXIH .\.\'ENUE, St. Marks Square, BROOKLYN. BLUMENAU'S Glove Bazaar. No. 463 Fn.TdX Street, BROOKLYN. PROSPECT HEIGHTS BOARDING STABLES, P. H. POWERS & CO,, Proprietors, 117, 119 and 121 Stirling Place, Near Seventh Avenue, BROOKLYN, N. Y. l\-l,/-hoiu- No. 3 = 2. Direct Line. ,\11 kinds of Coaches, Coupes, Light Wagons and Horses TO LET BY THE DAY, WEEK OR iMONTH. John W. Masury & Son, A^ezi^ York and Chicago. ManufacturkRvS op PAINTS ID VARNISHES New York. Office: 44-50 Jay Street, BROOKLYN. JOST MOLLER, JR. ESTABILISHEJB 1S63. JOHN H. scHuivrATrar. MOLLER & SCHUMANN, Mfai^ufootT-ii'-^rs of iF'zi^rE Tr=^^^3^^Z3Z^E S JAPAMS, LACQUERS and WOOD FILLER, Gor. Marcy and Flushing Aves. OFFICE AND FACTORY. and Gerry Street, - - BROOKLYN. N. Y. S9 IMIa±c3-eix Laixe, USTe'v^ -MANUFACTURERS OF- LINSEED OIL, Raw, Refined *^ Boiled, in Casks ^ Bl3ls. ^^LSO LINSEED CAKE. MARX & RAWOLLE, ]«3 William Street, 'NEW YORK- MANUFACTURERS OF •1'- Q HEMICALLY ^ P URE ^ .^gLYCERINE. Brilliant! White! Uniform Excellence! SUPERIOR TO ANY OTHER Ili THE WORLD, CHAS. PFIZEE & CO.. Mr- fiyir|UFyieTUi(ii|Q c^I^Mists, 4^ 81 3yLa±d-exx LaniLe, CHAS. PFIZER, NEW YORK. CHAS. PFIZER, JR. The Davis Oil Co., Manufacturers of LARD, MEATSFOOT, Tallow Oils, and STEARINES. PRODUCE EXCHANGE, NEW YORK, U. S. A. CH/\8. W. HAND. Manager. J. LEE SMITH & CO.. Importers arid Maiiiifactiirers of 59 Frpaiin aiKl 19, 11 aiiS B JacoJ] St. NEW YORK. Factory, Gor. Hick and Kelson Sts,, BROOKLYN. J.&W. MATHISON, — i^ e: <^ ^ — POB White Lead, Paint, Varnish, Lard, Pickles, &c. 107 & 109 NORTH FHIST ST., Near Berry St., Brooklyn, l\l. Y. C.T.Kaysolds&Co., Manufacturers of P/IINTS, 283 Plymouth Street. io6 and io8 Fulton St., NEW' YORK. Purity, Durability, Economy, Established 1842, 0. ¥, IN&ERSOLL, ProDT Iiiser^oll Paint Worts, " INGERSOLL^S LioiilO [JBBEii PSIHTS," Tlip only jmiuls lliat will s ssfully ivsist the actinii of lIlMi^llJl ,-. mm, sail ail- anil waha-. fuliui-y Irian crial yas. etc, Jla-lr in wliiti- anil all shades and tints. "Buggy and Wagoii Paints." "Indesiructible Paints" Jlailr in le-ii niliirs onlv. f.ir n.i.ls. I.ariis. laa linililinL;s. ami all tanpuses wlinv a Ijrinll rllMAP PAINT Hill answer. IFiaSriE IBHXXSXIIES. OUR SPECIALTIES: Ei-ailv llixeil P.-iints f. a' Hratses and Barns. Ri,r,fs and Fenecs; Kailri.ad,Teli-i;i-ai.li. Telephime and BrldM-- Companies, and all i.'iaieHiiis nsin.^r paints lai e::[)OSed \\'(.ii.d and Ifun sli-Licturi-'s, wliere i.ither ]iaints wall nut stand. Salii[ili' l.uir I'linis, I'rirrs, Oliice and Fnelnrv. a41-24:< liiiiis, )laiii-il lnT, I'lviiioiilli Sireel. ili'ouklvii. .\. V, Dry Kalsoiiiiiie aiii Fresco Paint foils, 25 and 27 JOHN ST., H. M. Johnson. Manager BROOKLYN, N. Y. tj;ljsfho\i: so. i<>.->r,. J. H. TIEMANN, 88 Fulton St„ Brooklyn, N. Y„ Maniifactufter 'if TIEMANN'S LUNAR OIL, I Pa tented INS,"), i Tii'iiiaiiii's SoJuble Blue, Siifiial Oil and L,ii- bi-icatliiK oils. Spei'ni, Lai-ii, ^oalsloot, LiiiL^eed and otliei* 4Hls. Lamps, "IVicks, (liiiiinpys, Shaded, Ktc., Keadj Mi-ved Paints. W liite l,<>ad, Vai-nislies, Win- dow Qlass, I5lc. Wholesale and Retail. CHE&SEyi tl^TE mW^ 319 Bro^dwe^y, Dew Jort. Carpets, Sean^less Bags, AVide Burlaps, Yaros, aocl otlner Specialties in Jute. Peter Cooper'^ Glue Fe^ctor No. (7 Burlington Slip, - New York. Glue, Refined American Neat's Foot Oil, Gelatine, &c. Sheet and Shred Gelatine is in pound packages, in boxes 12 lbs. each. The Shred is also put up in 2 oz. packages for family use, 12 lbs. in a box. Price by the box, for either kind, $1.00 per lb. less 5< cash. Refliietl IVea-t's Foot Oil, -wai-i-niitea eriual to the Tbest Spornx Oil Tor HVIa^cliiiitM'y use. F. E. PINTO & SONS, WAREHOUSEMEN, NORTH PIER, ATLANTIC DOCK, Adjoining Hamilton Ferry. BROOKLYN. New York Office, Brooklyn Office, 459 N, Y. Produce Exchange Building. 17 North Pier, A. D. BELL TELEPHONE : i BROOKLYN, I PEARL, - 54S. 253. HANDllEN & FtOBIiSS, Erie Basin Dry Docks Sliip Yard, ENGINE AND BOILER f OEIS. BROOKLYN, N. Y. NEW YORK. Stean^sllip I^epairs a Specialty. NESMITH & SONS, Empire Stores; Corner DocI and later Streets. C. & R. POILLON, Sliipriilits, Caiters M Spr Maleis, 224 SOUTH STREET, Ship Yard and Wharves, foot of Clinton Street, BROOKLYN. Telephone New York, 528 Cortlandt, "liVW VflPlf Vewscl^ lidate H IIh , Ht*. Evergreen Ave., BROOKLYN. Linden and Cove Sts. NEW YORK. Tcleplioiie Call, 87. C. TEVES, Ii>^DERTAKER, 22 Driggs Street. -n.. isr. "X". AVllolesale and Kctail 182 Flatbush Arc, - Brooklyn, 1^. Y. GEORGE BOEMENNAMAN, ■Wme F^ooA, 1155 FULTON ST, - BROOKLYN, N, I 24 Grand St., Brooklyn, N. Y. CHAS. H. HOLLWEDEL, 2 90 'Vv^aslx±3::igtioii- Si:., BROOKLYN, N. Y. WHARF BREWING CO. hix^2T Beer, 7IIe$ eviid Porler. 48 to 60 Hamilton Avenue. 14 to 30 Conover Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Telephone. I 1 07, Brooklyn. WILLIAMSBURGH H gCo„ l>li»iltecl. AGER Beer, Sole Brewers of the Celebrated KAISER CONGRESS Extra Palf . KAPUZINER Especially Brewed for Bottlers. Superior to Imported Beers. Hnmlioldt, ScMes aud leserole Streets, BROOKLYN, E. D. P^lcgcnheimer Bros Cr,,,,rs 0/ „n/ CALIFORNIA AND OHIO Wines and Brandies, <';ilitoriiia i'^riiU jiiitl Hollo}', 119 Ewen Street, Brooklyn, E. D, 261-269 Eighth Ave., N. Y.: 43 Fifth St., N. Y,; 1028 Sec- ond Ave., N.Y.; 48 /Willis Ave., cor. 147th St.,N.Y., 100 Market St., Newark, N. J.; 280 First St., Jersey Cit>j N. J.; 149 Washington St., Hoboken. N.J. Telephone Call 566, Williamsburgh. AGATE IRON WARE, Two Thousand Styles and Sizes. Extract from an Editorial by illAKlO\ HARLAND. " Those who use AGATE IKON W^ARE need no rec-" onniiMnilatiuii nf it. Eniiiieut chemists eertitv to it.s walety, till rabilily and oleaiiliiiess <.if the niatprials employed in lis rnmimsition. TJie ^liape.s aiv nnnsiially g:raeei'nl f(ii- liDuseliMlil and kitflien utensils. It is easily- Ivejit eloail ; is li<>Jit; stiMHig-, and jileasiny t(i rlip siglit hy conlra.sr \\iLli tlie hlaek Iron and dim or i-usty Tins, After several 3"ears" trial and thoroug"h satisfaction \\-ith this \\-are, editorial attestatif.m to its excellence isan act df 8iiii]>le jiislice to tlie nianufaclnrers- It is ^iven in hope that ocliei-s niav jshare the conilort and i>leasure attendant upon its use." Isaac Danenberg. Thomas L. Coles. DANENBERG & COLES, Brewers of Extr^^ Viener Beer, Bushwick Ave. and Bremen St., 3'j:ir YOiiK. Office 35 Bremen St,, Brooklyn, E. D. Telephone Call, Williamsburgh, 4-2 1 . FEIGENSPAN BREWING CO., Brewery and Office, Cypress Hill Road, Willow & Greene St. Brooklyn, N. Y. Wm. H. FRANK, - Treasurer. HHBEf^St GEI^HJII|0T'S G^SH^© Conceris Every evening 10 AND 12 ELM PLACE. Saiiirdays Matinee. Sundays Sacred Concerts. 144 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. N. Y. Opp. Bridge Entrance. Wine Vaults : Brooklyn Bridge Arches, 1, 2,3,4, 5. Established 1851. Telephone, 54-8 Williamsburgh. Importer and Wholesale Dealer in WINES, BRANDIES AND WHISKIES, FINE CIGARS, ETC. No. 223 Broadway, _ _ _ _ Brooklyn, E. D, •"Tilt: F^VR^VCiOIV,'" 173 and 175 Grand St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Cor. Bedford Avenue. Tplepli'Mie ('all. lli;.3 Williauisljiirell. Jl. ]'.. J!OSi:X,S<}\, J^ro,, FLEETWOOD Boarding & Livery Stables, 1 13-1 15 STERLING PLACE, Telephone 785. BROOKLYN. J. McGKOARTY, 196 Montaarue St. WINE ROOM. Establislned 1836. ROCK SPRING DISTILLERY KK.VNIi. SE.4i11A>, IProp.,, Distiller. Importer and Wholesale Liquor Dealer. 52 to 64 North 4th St., Brooklyn, E. D. FISCHER BROS., linlHjrt^is. I-;p.t:!'.-rs. Wholesale Liquor Dealers and TiEtillers of Coi dials. Sola Agcrts for Spaniah HtJi f ^utj c. 694 THIKD AVEMJSi, - - HISOOKLYN. II. A. <,;R.4EF'S soiv, Jniijnrter of AVines, Liiqiiors and Havana Cigars. 40 Court Street, Brooklyn. S(j]f Agent for " IMctnograrn '' Brandies. Cognac, '" Yin Des- Pi-ineess "' Champagne, Epernay. THE BRIGHTON CAFE, Cor. Jay and Willoughby Sts. , J. L. DU/\II\I, Prop'r. BROOKLYN. ZOELLNER MNNEECHOR HALL, ♦ 'H.'IKLKS KIi'J-ITBilK, Fr«|)., Broadway, cor. Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Restaur.-.nt .-, I.'. Cru-t.. IK-t-ilor r)lni-..;r. '^'■'■;:;""';;'';'", ;,'!;;„l!rt n'',ll sisS'S-;!;",,::,;'":' 7^^i^,i;:iff:X^ b;:;,/;;;^ ......e John Whittaker's COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE. Choice Wines. Liquors and Cigars, 621 Manhattan Avenue, - Brooklyn, E. D Telephone Call, 2 / 1 Greenpoint. i^Van's Wing f^ooa, 223 "Wa-shingto Street, Adjoining Post Office. B '(){, KLYK, W. Y. TrjclilMjije Oill No. 1:J7«. Harper t£*»I\i err it t WINE PARLOR BILLIARD ROOM, 151 5fh Avenue. - - Brooklyn. GEO. BOEMERMANN, fraillii Holel M EestuBrant, \V>r, Full, 1)1 SI.. Frill, kliii .\r,'.. F'.l . SUiliuii, lifi,(>',liji,. K2B.M4B5BS A IN O E.O W b. I MIJ At.LICV. 'r.-lr|,lH .\.,.-j:L', I.r,li,,nl. THE WASHINGTON L'Ti' AVAsiiix(;'i()\ s'|-i;ei:t. I'.KODKL^X, N. V. Opposilc 111.' \i,--\\ I'nst I )ltii/e. TII(")S. J. DF^XXFJIV, I'p.prietor. PIERE.EPOMT C]AF] 150 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn, KT.Y., nniir Fiilt. i FINE WINES. ALES. LIQUORS AND CIGARS. 18. BB.I K.BCWB.SKtP, - E'l-opi'ietoi-. CENTRAL HOUSE, Cor. Myrtle Ave. and Washington St., BROOKLYN, N.Y. M. LEMMKI!MANN(t SOX, PKOr'S. M. MINDEN. :mini)Ein iiorsE BROOKLYN, E. D. Wli.ilfsalf- Whiskies, Wines, Brandies, Etc. l8 and 20 Tompkins Ave., and 134 and 136 Hopkins St., Brooklyn, N. Y. T,'li iilinu, ,;ill. .•.:;;: ]t'iinii,i,.-\-s, Caio and Win.- i;....in, C. .nii.-.'tpil with Fn-sl-.-lass . ivsi.-i' ,a...l ch.a. H.-ns... Wm. F. GROTZ'S Union Sanger Hall, Cor. Ewen & Meserole Sts., Brooklyn, E.D. B4»»liii:: Alloys. l,ocl;i«' and Kali Rooms. KiM»kN 4>|>oii (or tlie *'oiiiiiiif Season, Telrphuiie IKJS, \VilliaiiJsbiii-y;U. lE^IDGEWOOD ^3:0USE, WHIGAM & CO., Props. 721 Fulton Street, BROOKLYN. Elegant funiishetl ronnis for jjt'iitleriien only. WalTef^ WooDsiDe, 20 ELM PLACE, BROOKLYN,.,N. Y. THE COTTAGE, G. HOLSTEN, 7/ 6' 7 Bedford A ve., cor. Putnam, Brooklyn. Faiiiil\- tiailH a sjK'.'iaii \-. loi|iMi-rHi-s aiui ilt-aleis in Bi-an- dlHS. Wint--^. Ciiiw. linpoi'tpd. Key Wcsl ami iJcine^tic l/i^ai's. Branoh ..f i;*! Fult.in Street, Hn.oklrn. N. Y. WM. F. KOEKER'S HOTEL AXD RliSTAURAXT. ICl StOPIi.W PLAN. 604, &06 and 608 p'ulton St., and 73 and 8r Ashland Place, BROOKLYN, N. Y. JiOiillis hii ll,< Ihni ,,f ir, ./,■,,/. .,■ 1^' „llr,„ri, .nil,/. T II li: js t: ^v 1^. ji. j.yi: i:lk 1:. 38 J Jay Street, near Fulton, Broolilyn. N. Y. .\i>i:s, avim;s, i>iqi<>rs ,\\d < i4;Ai{s. D^ATINEL HOUSE. .; A II .1 ) ,s ori:\. 191 to 191 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. N. K. Tiv.i !,|.,oks tji.io l;i-iriklv]i l!rhli,-f. .1. .J. "%!<■ I >T: Arv. I'l'opiiel or. FRANK KIHLHOLZ, 588 Fulton Street, near Navy St.. Broot^lyn. I.MPORTJCD A>D U I'.N'rSCKN' BUKKS 0\ BltAl «;hii\ DENN ETT'S Unmmi Coffee aiul Coiitiiieulal Luiicli RoouiJi, NEW "»"«Ki<. '-, Kaik laav .,|,|„„it.' l-'o~t > HIir,.. .si-al .Ti^ .■aiiacit.v :J30. ] III J.:a-1 mil Stu-.-I .,|,|,ci-itf Tainniaii.\ Hall. It.^, ^:,-K.ii( sri r ['.at.-r Biulilii!^. (,ai;|-:.-,.kiiiaa stitPt, immi' F">-t nilirf. IT Mvrtli- .\v-i.nii|.. ar,-o- l'"-l 1 Ulii-''. ]y:i Kiiltna sriei-l. ai-af threat la-iil'„'<'. ■.•i>:', yiillc.n IStreer. niiiiM-lt.- I'iH Hall. PHII,AIHil,PlllA. 13l:i . Mark. -t street, ..|'|."Site WananiakerV. V>'| fla-lniit strei't opposlti- I ii.l« Ea-l Italtlinore Sliv^t. cppnsiti' Sun TiinMmg. :;ri >. I'^t Haltinion- street, near Entaw Street. BOSTON. 2tl \Va^liiii-4ton Street. o|)pii^lte HoBton Aflvertiser. S,\\ FlSA\. II^VLI^ 61- .1/r ei-„/r St., Iti-oohlilii, li. J>. Lar.u'est alal Il.indMiniest Hall in the eity. speeially adapted for tii.sl-Ldass I. alls, eoneei'ts. fairs. weddiiiLis, sraniilit. Smitlni Brothiers, Jefferson & Bedford Avenues, BROOKLYN. A^ irS 1: X2 0031. GUSTAV SCHLEMM, Wines and Liquors, No. 360 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N.Y. FINE LODGE ROOMS. C. TEVES, Wholesale and Retail Wines, Liquors and Cigars. Bottler of Wines, Liquors, Lager, Ale and Cider. Cor. South Fust St. and Driergs Ave., formerly 5th St,, BROOKLYN, E. D. Rehert Snntli's Philadelphia. William ,V. Miles & fo.'s Celehra- te.l (lid and New .\les, Imported Bass, Ihirton. .Mlsnjip's and Guinness' Stout; alsii Imported and Westei-n and ottn Huber'.s City Beer on DrauKlit. Orders delivered In any part of the eity. >4> "^^^h^^S^ ■|l^*f- .ii ■^' «. A. .11. SIciti. IJ. ■»!. M.Nli. S. \K SI. ■ill A. M. Stem & Go's EXCELSIOK BOAEDING E STABLES 1 >Va.sliiii^- I 1 si..RliIui. Ill OOKLYN. S. W. SALT, Koardiiig uiicL Livery Stal)les, 594 & 596 PACIFIC STREET, NEAR FLATi3USH AVE. TELEPHONE CALL, BROOKLYN 87 BROOKLYN, N.Y. B. 0. HOLLmGSWORTH, PJoai-diiig and Livei-A' Stn.l:)les, Seventh Ave. and Union St., BROOKLYN, N, Y. Wm. Lockitt, Manager. I'licpii : iinmLiyn in, l'".S'IAIlLISl[l-:i> 1S5 ]X(.'"lKPOK.\TEll l8c ^\^ (>^r.\i; SilALM^ul.]'. Pie.-^t. J. Nelson Ii\i,'ivis, See y ,nid 'It SHADBOLT Maniifactiiring Company, TRUCKS, MONS Ai CARTS, Flushing Ave. and Cumberland Street, BROOKLYN, X. Y. 'I'elfphuncj ]!ruijklyn, Nu. 277. RHEINGOLD FULTON AVENUE BREWERY, EVANSVILLE, IXD. RICHARD O. S:H1EFER, Kepr. for the East i-n. States. 217 Kwen .V; i(';i Maujc-r Sts. lilv'")' )KLVX. -TdsiAii KiRj'.Y, Prest, Tho^^. 'M. Akmstrmni;. "\'ici--T'ri'st, "\Vm. K. Bee^tox, Trcas. Fki:d'kT^entlarge, Gen. IM^r.-Ii. PENTEAR'iE Spei . S;ili.-.-iiYii. The U. S. Buno; Manuf acturino; Co., Incnrp'irated January, 1885, OFFICES: Kent Ave., cor. North First St ., Brooklyn E, D , N, Y. E/ans Street. Cincinnati, O, 24th and Railroad Sts,, Pittsburg-n, Pa. MANUFAt.TUUEi;s OF ALL KlNUh iJF Bungs, Plugs, Taps, Spiles, Bushes, &c., &c. Sole Owners of Patents for all kinds of A^ent Buii.o-s, FaucY't Pluus, Heanicrs and Ii<»rrrs. TELEPHONE 286 Williamsburgh, PIERREPONT STABLES, ((.'(iniiectc'd witli ATiicrican District and Bmnklyn District Telegrapli, and Telepiione Xo, ■JOl.) C. R. COLYER. Prop. LIVERY AND SALE STABLES, Nos. 2, 4, 6 & 8 CoUege Place, I (HiUT Lu\'e L;ine, Hordes taken nu Livery, ur sent to owi at nwiuTV rl' aucl Treas. New York and Brooklyn MAL^ITING COMPANY, Manufacturers and ] )ealers i:i Barley Malt Roebling, North 7th and North 8th Sts., BROOKLYN, N. Y. TELEPHONE PAY STATIONS IN BROOKLYN. SOUND-PROOF CABINETS. i6 Smitli, Telephone Building. Sands and Washing-ton Streets. Waiting-Room of Union Elevated Railroad. 371 Fulton St., "Mail and Ex- press ' ' office. Court House. Brookl}-!! Annex Ferry House. LOOK FOR SIGN OF THE BLUE BELL LONG. DISTANCE' lELfiF^lpNE COMPLETE SECLUSIO^l. COXNKCTINC, WITH New York, Boston, Albany, Phil- adelphia, Washington, Pittsburg, liuffalo and intermediate cities and towns. g-JIi A-ou wish a tele])hone in your office or residence, call at 16 Smith Street, Room 4. H. BATTERMAN. 11.'^ ATTKKMAN. Bro.atlway, Graham and Flusliins Avenues, BROOKLYN, N. Y- NfW V<_)r] 1 ^rt^\i xeh. liCX ) A\ ] ->rai veil, o7( ) 3(1 ^A't-. Corner ISth St. JAMES McCURRACII & BROTHER, ^6(; a nd ^j/ Bivadzi'iiy, Cor. Prime St ., MEW YORIv IMPORTERS OF SILKS and MANUFACTURERS OF NECKWEAR. ■ James McCuRRACir & Co., 27,S ami 2 ;o Fifth A\-e., Chicago. Factories, r;,^ to \:/- Stone Ave lirooklyii. WISSNER PIANOS. FACTORY AN] J WARIiKOOMS : 294, 296, 298 and 302 Fulton Street. .-vmoerson: & CO., IIARDMAN .ANDKRSON & CO. BKNT. —PIANOS— 569 I'lillou St., ophosifc Hanover Place. .Seeon.l door ahoi'e the Brooklyn l^nrniture Co. RICHARD C. HAIJ,, "FiNi; Arts, Artist M-ATKRI.AI.S," No. 302 .Seventh Ave., Brooklyn. JAMKS WEIR & SONS, FLORAL - AXD - PLAXT - DECORATORS, 272 Fnlion St., Brooklyn. TELEPHONE, BROOKLYN 271 FSTIMATES FURNISHED FOR V/EDDINGS, F. HOSCH, Fur .Skin Dresser and Dvcr. Manufaeturer or SLEIGH ROBES. Beaver, Otter and IMnskrat r)}-ed. RepairiiiL;" in alliL.-- Iiianches. Elack and Bruwu Tjycing of Ciiiiia Gnat k')l.)es a specialL\'. j^- to 6j Bogart St., Brooklyn, X. Y. ATJAnX'S FLORAL DEPOL No. J2S Broadway, near Bedford .-l-eenne. BROOKUYX, K. 1>. Roses — Parlor, Hall, Church Decorations — Orchids. Cut Flowers of the Choicest Selection. Plants, Trees, Vines, Seeds, Bulhs, Natural and Fancy Dyni Grasses, F^verlast- ing" Flowers. Fniieral Orders at slmrtest imtice. New designs a speciaU\'. tellphone, 819 williamsburgh. K. m. HEINRICMS. No, 6.4.S FnUr)n Street, near Fort Green Place, I!KOOKr\"N. PIAAJOS and ORGAAJS To rent, cash or on iustalhnents. Elegant styles in Rosewood, Mahognny, 0:ik. French M'alnut. and F'bon- ized Cases, prices from S200 upward. Old Pianos taken in exchange as part payment. Second-hand Pianos (t-<.>iu ^75 upwards. Tuning. Repairing. -i-i -r-l o tL) o Qifl Pi -rH -r-l Pi X o to xd ca o 171 O Id O t/0 O (X < o o _l (/) Q LU < m LU O CO cc LU cc D I- o < B W n w w « o o M o o ht p« o ^ w w H & O M o p. o a. « p I? H W K H Joumeayi^Biirnliam, A 1 iv';, 28, 30, 32, 34 & 36 Flatl )ush Ave. lime. Pulton St., Brooklyn. I,. S liurnham. Hugh Boyd. John RI. Coiikli 11 G. Latimer & Sons, Carpetiii!i;s, Oil Clotlis, Ci UliliUUv Broadway and Drig'S:i"s Ave, Brooidyii, X. Y. Telephon ', 32 Williamslnirgh. .-/. ]\ Matthews c~' Sous, I)npoiiers and Retailers in DRY GOODS. Fulton Street, Conic?' Gallatin Place, BROOKLYN, N. Y. BROWNING, KING k CO., IManufricturers aud Retailers of Men's, Boys' and Cliildren's Fine Clotliln*!;, .^47, 540, 55 f Fulton St., Brooklyn, X. Y, Cor. Dk Kai.b Avknue. EDWARD F. COONEY, ilauufacLurer of MATTRESSES and BEDDING Anil W'hiilesale aud Retail Dealer in LIVE GEESE FEATHERS, CURLED HAIR, TICKING, BED LACE, TWINES, TUFTS, MOSS, HUSK, EXCELSIOR, AFRICAN FI- BRE, ETC, 100 Myrtle Avenue, near Fleet Plaee, Brooklyn, *3"01d Hair IMattresses Carefully Re-Made. Old Feath- ers Renovated b}- Patent .Steam Proce.ss. Ketchum, the Clothier, ,"^(l(l Fulton St., :iio, :n8 and :id Fulton St., 2114 Columbia St., Brooklvn, X. V. MEN'S, BOYS' MD CHILDREN'S CLOTHING. CUSTOJI WORK A SPECI.ALTY. I'NIKOR-M CONTR.lCTtJRS. SPERRY 5. BEALE, JNTaTiufactiirer-s of A'lattresses, Cushions, Stair Pads, Etc., Importers of Worsted Damasks and Linen Veiours. No. .S White Street, New York. Factories: .|('>n Hicks St., Brooklyn. K. V. 1 MAKE THEM. The Best I'arliir Suits in the "Worlil for llie Mimev. JOHN WOOD, Hanufacturer, 223 Puitcn Street, Brooklyn. - p. O. BOX 272, N. Y. & Manufacturers of AND BLANK BOOKS A] Pl^otograpl] ALBUMS. OfflceuM Salesrooms, ,, ^, ..-^ T,o and 32 Reade St., NEW YORK. Factory, Cor. Bridge and Front Sts., BROOKLYN. SYLVESTER ROSS, LUMBER DEALER, Cor. ColiiMa ani Harrison Streets., Between South and Hamilton Ferries, BHOOlvLYX, \. Y. Telephone Call, Brooklyn 1 19. JOHN C. KEEKETH. A. J. VISEL. CHAS. W. VISEL. JOHN C. KEENETH & CO., Virginia Pine Cord Wood. NEWTOWN CREEK and GEAND ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y. YARDS, WORKS and WHARVES. Bushwick Kirj.iliiiK W.iod Works, Grand St. and Newtown Clreek. Newtown Kindling "Wood Works, 1208-1220 Grand St. Brooklyn Kindling Wood Mfg. Co., Morgan Ave and Me.serole St. Gowanu.s Kindling Wood Works, .3d St. and Gowanus Canal. Wallabout Kindling Wood Mfg. Co., Flushing Av. bet. Clinton and Vanderbilt Aves. Brooklyn, and Sunny South Wood Mfg. Co., Portsmouth, Va Capacity per Annum. 12,000 cords. 5,000 10,000 8,000 Towpertliwait Co., FURNITURE AND CARPETS. A. AMMERMAN, Secretary. 408 to 416 Fuhon Street, Cor. Gallatin Place, BK.ooK:L^2"3sr. HALL SASH -° DOOR CO., Manufacturers and Dealers in HARD VENEERED DOORS, Saslies, Doors, Blinfls, loiiliiEs, Etc. E°afeSoom, 713-715 Herkimer SI. mi?a a™. FACTORY, RKnnHun U V MOULDING DEPT,, 1760-1762 Fultin St. DlUURiyil, H. I. 680 Herkimer St, Special attention given to STORE, SASH and DOOR WORK. TELEPHONE CALL, 233 BEDFORD. LINDLEY Z. MURRAY, FURNITURE -- CARPETS, 40 and 42 Myrtle Avenue, Corner Pearl St. BROOKLYN, N. Y. Manufactui-ei- of ^:flRLOR JpTlRNITURB. Office, Factory and Wareroom, 343, 345. and 347 Adams St.. Brooklyn, l\l. Y. ^/ ' e-^d-^'t- t '.^0 I'^iUto-n- /0i'O-O--kl'J^'}^. V/m. Scharzvv^aelder & Co., BANK & OFFICE FIXTURES AND COMMERCIAL FURNITQRE. ('f)R. FULTOX & I'EARL STS,, NI':\VA'()RK. George M, Eddv & Co., MEASUPJITCI TAPES, of all kinds 345 '!■'■' 353 Classon A\-e. EROOKLYN, N. V. AMALGA SOAP CO., ^Iaxufactureks op FINE LAUNDRY SOAP 85 & S7 Sedgwick Sjkeei', RROOKLYN, X. Y. TELEPHONE 1277, BROOKLYN. STEVENSON & MARSTERS, STATIONERS AND PRACTICAL ENGRAVERS, 391 KuETcj.M St., (opposite City Hall,) liROOKLYX. Van Nostrand's Express Company, PRINCIPAL OFFICE 115 Rrua.lway, „edE";'i:";vc. BRf)r)KLYX, I-:. D. Tfiephone Call 1.53 Williainsbui-}jli. N. Y. OFFICES, m JOHX STKEF.'l'. T^l<-i.)in,ie r:,ll, if,04 (^.rll^nd. SliUWNALSTKKKT. ■■ ■■ :; J Spriii-. 117 \VEST HRt.iArtWAV, ■' " >((,^> S|,ri[i-. S6 WortsTERS'I'KlLKF, ■■ - ■.'-,:: ~,,rii,j,r. Goods called for and proniptly dulwcruiJ to idl points Ib.iac Schf^uer. Hermnn .Scheucr. Charltjs .Schcucr. SCHEUER & BrO. _M.\Nt"F.\ni"KERS CJF LEATHER AND FANCY GOODS. Pocket BoMjks anil Ladies' Uami Satcliels, Purses and liill BoolvS, Ladies' and ( ients' Yaliscs, Sliawl, Look, Slioulder ami I'ateiit Straps, Ladies' Belts, Patent P'aiis, Tijilet Cases, ^^'ork Beexes, ^Manicure tK; Slia\in^ .Sets, also Travelers' Sole Leather Cloods. 359 Broadway, NEW YORK. Facti">ry IS7-19'', jVent .-Vve., Prooklyn. ESTABLISHED 1841. STEPHEN KIDDER. Etchings, Engravings & Photographs, Picture and Mirror Frames in Special Designs. Xo. 13S Ate.vxtic Ave., BKoOKLYX. HOME OFFICE, LITCHFIELD, COETM". THE ECHO FARM COMPANY, !MiLK, Cream axd Butter, S03 FULTCX STREET, BR()(iKL\'X, X. Y. JAMES F. KELLY, DIAMONDS AND WATCHES, 141 Rl.O.\D\\'.AY, mOOKLYN, N.Y. The Old Staten Island Dyeing Establishment, EST.VIllTSHErj 1819. Principal ( >lTice ; gS L)t"-VNE Street, XT-A\' Y( iRK CITY. THOMAS MANNING. YACHT BROKER. 45 BEAVER STREET. NEW YORK. Long and Short Distance Telephone Call, "2597 CORTLANDT.' Cable Address " YACHTBROKER, NEW-YORK." ROBERT GRAVES, Prest, HENRY BURN Tr THE ROBERT GRAVES CO., Manufacturers of Fine Wall Papers JJecorations. SALESROOMS : 506 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. 483 and 485 Fifth Ave., New York. ROBERT GAIR^ Manufacturer of Ml] Descrlttii of Pajer M PRINTER and LITHOGRAPHER. Salesroom, 163 Chambers St., !N"ew York. Factory, Wareroom and General OfBce, ■Washington and Water Sts., Brooklyn, BRANCH OFFICES : 2i8 Devonshire St., Boston, Mass.; 39 Dearborn Street, Chicago, 111.; 126 Kearney St., San Francisco, Cal. 33 Cashing- Building, Spokane Falls, Wash. Telephone Call, p „ j,^ jiSfl, SEIV YOKK. .,? ^"'^ ^''^'n 'V 4075 Cortlandt, ' ' Live Oak," N. Y. JOHN S. EAKINS, MAKER OF PAPER STAINERS' COLORS. 24 Libeny Street, New York. FACTORY 248 Plymouth St., BrooR.yn, L. I. CHICAGO BRANCH, 273 DEARBORN ST. FUCHS & LANG, ftlTHOGRAPHERS' W^Ml, Printers Inks, Broi]ze Powders ^ EQetal Leaf. FACTORY, Driggsand North 12th St., BROOKLYN, E. D. SALESROOM, 29 Warren St., St., New York. S. E. k M. TER} J MANUFACTURERS OF specialties in Blank Books, No. 69 Duane St., BrookTyrE. P. NEW YORK. A. E. COATES, Manufacturer of LEATHER BACK HORSE BRUSH K S (IFoi- til© Tiraa©-) Broadway, cor. Fairfax St., BROOKLYN, N. Y. On.VS. A. Si mF.UEN". F. A. M. BC'RRELL. CHAS. A. SCHIEREN & CO., MANUFACTUr;ERS OF Leather Belting and Lace Leather, STORE AND BELT FACTORY, 45-51 FERRY ST., NEW YORK. GEORGE F. SULLIVAN, Morocco and Kid Manufacturer, I02 Raymiinji St., Brcioklyx. EXCELSIOa 'WHITING- WTlAjS. Established lS;i7. CONRAD ZEIGEPx, Manufacturer of Extra Gilders' and Common Wliiting, AND American Paris White. IiJipor/t-r of iniJ Dtiiler in Clialk, China Clay, J-:iii;/isk Paris IVliiU, Etc. Depot and Office, 214 North Ninth St., Factnrv, 20S, 210, 212, 214 .Tii^l 216 Xorth Ninth St., I;K(_)(_)KLYN, E. D, n. n. dodge. bbookltw e. birkjiax. LEATTIER IJELTIXG CO., Manufaclurers ,,£ fJakTanned. Sbi>rt Lap Lea:her Relting. Rubber Belting, Ho,^e, Packing:, Lace Le.ather and Mill Supplies. 3.5.5 KEN'T A^Tl., near South rrth St., BROOKLYN, X. Y. Telephone, Wl Wijliams'mryrh. McDERMOTT & HOWARD, Glazed Kid Manufacturers, 180 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. rACTflRIES: 355 t(j 367 Park Ave., and sb to 54 S,-/u-iu/; St., Brooklyn. JohR Meliermott. M. F. MoDermott. A\'iu. J. Howar,!. CHAS. GRAHA.M Chemical Pottery Works, 110, 112, 124 and 116 MetropoUtan Ave., Brooklyn, N. T. .Maiui/acturors of GR.iH.lM' S P.4 TENT IMPERTSHABLE PORCEL.il.Y WASH TUBS. Clean! Irnperviini^ ! I)urable as Iron 1 PH. CORELL, Successor to Frcdk. Horsr, MANUFACTUREK OK American Russia, Calf Skins, AND Bookbinders' Pocket Book Leather, 296 BROADWAY, Faetory : Cl-e8 Tompkins A%'e., ani;l 1:19-119 Floyd St., Bi-ooklyn, X. Y. NEW YORK. EUREKA LEATHER. WORKS. P. FREDIvTlEXHART, JIaniif.i,;ttircr of Skivers, Hat and Cap Leathers, 203 AND 205 GREENE STREET, Betivecn Bhaeker ami "\V. Third Sts., NEW YORK. Kactorv, 11-13 Sclienck Street, Ilroriklvn, E.I. C, & E. CHAPAL Freres & CiE., Sons and Successors to L, CHAPAL Freres, Cutters of Hatters' Furs. AND TMEdRTERS LONG - PULLED - SHEARED L. C. F. DITED CONIES I-'OR FURRIERS .VND GLl^VERS. 31-33 RrE COFiEFROiy C.V\'.\ION"AC, Pakis, Er.vnce. lg-23 JrillX Sl'REET, BKn.iKI.VN, N. Y. GEO. H. RICE, Fine SIGNS in Wire Wood and Metal. 72-78 FLATBUSH AVE., BROOKLYN", N. Y. Specialties ; Brewers' Wire Signs, Net Banners, Gilding on Glass, Wood and Metal Eloek Letters, Novelties in Advfrtising:, &e, References: Brooklyn Fui-nitiire Co., L. I. BreMi-ry, Wm. Beiri's Sons, Geo. A. Powers, anil l.OO) others. ■ MERCANTILE STEAM LAUNDRY. Hotel, Restaurant, and Steamship Work; Bed and Table Linen. OPERATING THE LARGEST IRONING MACHINES IN THE WORLD. Daily Capacity, 100,000 Pieces. GOODS COLLECTED AND RETURNED THE SAME DAY. 218. 220. 222 PEARL STREET, BROOKLYN. TELEPHONE, 678 WILLIAMSBURGH CORK WORKS. D. S. YEOMAN, MANUFACTURER ''V. BOYEK. L BOYErS SONS, LIGHTERAGE and TRANSPORTATION. QUICK DISPATCH. Office, No. 90 Wall St., New York City. BRANCH OFFICE, S. FIFTH ST. PIER, BROOKLYN, E. D. TeUpJione Call, " Xt'.ij 614." James E. Pitcher, Pres. Wm. G. Fuuiile, Treas. Stepiien O. Lookwood, .Sec'y. NEW YORK Leather Belting Co., OAK TANNED LEATHEE BELTIN&, OFFICE ASD SALESEOCM, ?4 and 86 GOLD ST., - NEW YORK. Telephone, Coi-tlaiidt i8fi. Factory, cor. So. nth St. and Kent Ave., Brooklyn. Telephone, Williamsburgti 209. HERMAN BEHR & CO., MiNTTFACTUKERS AND IJIPiJRTERS, Ruby, Flint and Emery Paper, Corrundum, Pumice Stone, Glue, Rotten Stone, Grit, Etc. EMERY, GROUND ELliVT, PUTTY POIVDER, HONE, ETC. 75 BEEKMAN ST., NEW YORK, BROOKLYN MILLS/ BROOKLYN, N. Y. THEO. R. CHAPMAN, Chapman s Docks, NEWTOWN CREEK, Junction of Metropolitan Ave. and Grand St., BROOKLYN, N. Y. SHORTLAND BROS, & CO,, Cooperage and Lighterage, No. 108 WALL STREE:T, NEW YORK. STEAM LIGHTERS AND BARGES. JAMES B. HEALY, Draper and Tailor, 20'! Montatrue Street, Brooklyn. JOSEPH WETTER & CO., 20 and 22 Morton St., BI^:ooKLVx, n. p., - y/tiv roRK. E^'cry postal note, postofficc money rn-rler and treasury receipt issued hy the IE S. Go\'trrumeiil :ire uunibered hy the Wetter Numberiuy Machines. S. WECHSLER & BRO.. BROOKLYN, N. Y. %°t^''?' le oF J3R.ooKLyri. K. G. WEBER, GENTLEMEN'S AND LADIES' TAILORING, 342, 344 and 346 .Smith .Street, Corner First Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. Dre.^s and Business Suits, Uniforms and I,i^-eries, etc. Ladies' Dresses, Jackets, Cloaks, etc- Cleaning;, Repair- in,2: and D>"eing. If j-ou wish, ^ve will open an account witli N-ou. F. G. WEBER. JOHN A. DOWST, Prodncer of ami Dealer in CIDER VINEGAR, 179 to 193 Meserole Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. / a 1 i f o r n i a V orset Company. CORSETS. Keady-lMade and to Order. L-ony: Waists and Hijrh Busts a Specialty, All Corsets Fitted. 446 and 448 Fulton Street, BROOKLYN, N. Y. Over Burt's Shoe Store. ipllpf ■ "'"- ,— J ROEBUCK'S WIRE SCREENS FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS, By THE 1000 OR SINGLE ONE, HAMILTON AV. & CANAL. BON-BONS (/ & CHOCOLATES. Faney Boxes and BonTDoniiieres, suitable for Presents. 339-341 FULTON ST., BROOKLYN, ALSO 458 FULTON STREET, Bet. Hoyt St. & Elm Place. Branches of 864 Broadway, NEW YORK. ;j3-0rders by mail receive prompt attention. Tee our PEEJIir:M FA5IILT CHOCOLATE for Drinldng, Cooldng, Cakes, Pudding, etc. Pare! Healtliful I Sol J by all Grocery. E, GREENFIELDS' SON & CO,, Sole Agents for DR. WHITE'S COUGH DROPS, MANUFACTURERS OF CONFECTIONERY, 44 BARCLAY ST., NEW YORK. 107 G^VIXXET^ ST. Bet. Harrison & ^larcy Aves., BROOKLYX. SMOKE L. AREMBERG & CO.'S CLIMAX 5 CENT CIGAR. 143 Myrtle, Brooklyn. M. PEYSER, MANXTFACTUREB White Lily of the Valley and Sweet Lily 5 c Segars, 372 aaiND STBBET, BBOOKXYK, B. D. The Grand Eagle and our Daisy lOo Clarars are made of the finest VueJta Havana. HORTON ICE CREAM MADE FKOJI PURE ORANGE COUNTY CREAM 495 Fulton Street, BROOKLYX". 1084 Bedford Ave., Bath Ave. Both Beach. NSW YOHK DEPOTS. 39.5 Fourth Avenue. .598 Sixth Avenue. lis Park Eoiv. 108 & 110 East 13-,th Street. FRENCH CREAMS,— ALL FLAVORS. BAIN/IBOO ART Gi-OOI3S. screens, cabinets, brackets, furniture and novelties OF EV^IIT DESCRrPTION. ARTISTIC, USEFUL AND DURABLE. G. E. CAHOOXE, Manufacturer. Factory, 87 i 89 WallRijout St., Brooldyn, N. Y. Office and Salesroom, ±67 Do Kalb Ave., Brooklyn, N. T. JAJVIES RIPLEY, HRST-CLASS Boarding and Livery Stable, 129 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn. Telephone, No. 443. C. O. PEASE, manufacturer of Hand-Made Tufted Comfortables, 386 Atlantic Avenue, BROOKLYN, N. Y. If. G-. PAB,SOK"S. J. TJ. PAB.SONS. PARSONS BROS' STEAM CARPET CLEANING WORKS, 19TH. STREET, BET. 2ND. & 3RD. AVES,, BROOKLYN, N. Y. R. M: ARE SI, Caterer, CONFECTIONERY, 30 CLINTON ST., BROOKLYN. 719 Sixth Ave. oor. 41st. St., NEW YOHK. Branches, 961 Sixth Ave., 1243 Ninth Ave., N. W. Cor. 75th St. il;iiieS^fe:filT®R^Ei 976-978 Ftilt.ii St., iieni- Grand We., and 399 and 101 itloBonousli St. FIRI! in the soles of the feet is very uncomfort- able. As often as not it proceeds, not from the heat of the weather, or excessive foot exertion as some people think, but from poor leather in the soles. points should be considered Avhen pur- chasing shoes: ist. The fit — if it isn't per- fect and easy the slioes are worthless. 2d. — The material. If the leather is good, soft and pliant, )'ou may rely upon longand comfortable wear; otherwise not, 3d. — The price. This should be in reasonable accordance \\ith the fit and material in a shoe. A Cousins shoe is evcrj'thing that is good, and the wearing of it occasions no cause for J. & T. COUSINS, "!^"s=a.ers. 498 Fulton St., Bond St. Corner, Brooklyn. T fiiOT»n When you find a shoe to your liking how hard Jj6al III it is to find that same shoe again. The Hanan —————^ may be duplicated in all iis styles and sizes. HANAN & SO MEN'S SHOES AT RETAIL. 207 KRO.iDWAY, cor. Fnlton. 297] BKOAD WAY, bet. Reade and Duane. 1,203 " cor. 29tli St., N. Y. 36.5 Fnlton (St., Brooklyn, opp. City Hall. H.--...,.i. «t„.-..». BOSTON, PHII-ABKI.FHIA, BlIFFAl-O, CLEVELAND, Blancli Stoies: ' CHDfAGW, .^J 1 1. W A I M. !iE. Brooklyn Furniture Co. 553 to 571 FULTON STREET, BBOOKLYW, N. Y. Largest Display, Newest Styles and Lowest Prices of any house in America. MM Fmiim Umm P -^laimlaotiirers kihJ KeSailcrs, THE LARGEST IN THE WOMLD. WILLIAM P. RAE & CO., 394 GATES AVENUE, Cor. Nostram Ayenue, 189=191 Montague Street, REAIi ESTflT-E EXdHllNCE BDIliBlNG, Telephone, Bedford 524. BROOKLYN. FLEISCHMANN'S VEGETABLE VCilCT COMPRESSED I tA5 I HAS NO EQUAL JOSEPH HEGEMAN. ARTHUR WINNINGTON. Telephone No. 1008. JOSEPH HEGGAAN \ GO., AUCTIONEERS, Special and Personal attention given to Sales of FURNITURE, etc., at Private Houses in Brooklyn, New Yorii antl Vicinity, REGULAR WEEKLY SALES ON FRIDAYS Of Furniture, Pianos, f'arpets, and Mertlian- dise of every description, at tlie CENTRAL SALES ROOMS, Willoughby, cor. Pearl Sts., BROOKLYN. Chargres Moderate and Sales Guaranteed. STOE.^A-C3-E B'OIi :FTTE,3 CARBOYS W Office: 03 FjsltsnStregt Jew York, Maniifacturer of AND BOTTLES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, INSULATORS AND BATTERY JARS. PARTICULAR ATTENTION PAID TO PRIVATE MOULDS. FRIEDLAIER & GMN, Importers of French and English jn wanlfMBtep I3i"ool5:lvi:t, T^. "^l''. DEMUTH BROTHERS, PRACTICAL Gb/ISS BL-OVEKS- fflaiiiifacturers of ScieiiMc Glassiare. No. 89 Walker Street, - - New York. Factory on Newtown Creek, Brooklyn, N. Y. Take Calvary Cemetery Car. Coi^cord Street _j^ ■ Blii^t Glass (Horks. ^'^^ HIBBLER & CO. Nos. 212-218 Concord Street and Xos. 2-32 1'rince Street, BROOKL YN, N.Y. Success. ir b. A. Lazansky, lualci ill Polifslied, Plate aiui SBtoet, Kli anBd ISibbod ^Biri'or., Kcveled, tiiroasiad ansd f'sit Glasj* of <*v<'rj' desoripttloci. £*anBia<^, 1i bB?.- and 1~aB*Bii>>lio!>i. Krii^lBes, <'oBors aaid PaiBsffers' ^iaipplle!^, ■ 234 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn. N. Y. Teli-Iihone Call ISO BriH.klyi Warehouse, 126 Carlton Ave. JACOB H. WEHliELOrSKY, Sole Client for Kr(.*ncri and American WINDO WfnuJ PICTUJiJE GLASS .\Isn a larsri- stuck of AuHTiran ami French Lookini; Glass Plates, and a i;rcal assortiiiciit of Eiiaiiielecl, Rllibed, Cathedral ami C"l- '■rod (ilass. Looking Glass and Pieture Frames manufactured ]''r the trade. Glazing proiu]itIv attended to. Telephone 7t9 WilliaiiisijurKh. 01 A. <>3meseB-ole St., Bet. LeotBardA; EwenSts., BKOWKLYN, E. B. MARVIN SAFE COMPANY, Address Correspondence to General Office and Works, \ 90 and 92 S. 5th Ave., and 136 to 140 Thompson St., N.Y Salesroom, 265 Broadway, - ■■ New York. JEWELL MILLING CO., Fulton St. and East River, Brooklyn, N. Y. MILLERS OF HIGH GRADE FAMILY FLOUR u WHITE LIGHT." THE GRAIM WAREHOUSING CO., STORES and ELEVATORS, ATLANTIC DOCK, BROOKLYN. ,^,p"R'^;.l^^^";^oR gleaning and drying grain. ;*«toi*e8 2 to IC <'OBiiiiifr<-ial W^liarf, Elevator A. Stores 51 to 59 Commercial ^Vliarf, Mo( oriiiaok, Elevator C Stores 6 to 11 CJluton %Vliarf, Laimbeer Elevators. Stores 70 to 92 Soutli Pier, Excelsior Elevator. CAPACITY, 7,000,000 Bushels. »<^i — R. H. LAIMBEER, Pres. and Treas. New York Office, - Room 121 Produce Exchange. 'ffEIiEPHONE CAlLt,, 3067 rOKTliANBT. UiNlTEl) STATES WAREHOUSE CO. " IRON ELEVATOR." WareliBisB M Oie, Foot of DoGrawSl, BrooBn, TELEPHONE OAI>t,, "l.A\V 924." CHANNING FROTHINGHAM, President. ROYAL BAKING POWDER is free from lime, alum, and all extraneous or detrimental substances, and ABSOLUTELY PURE. It is in every way superior to every similar preparation. Witness: The United States Government tests (Chemical Division, Agricultural Department) show Royal Baking Powder a cream of tartar powder superior to all others in leavening strength. — See Bulle- tin 13. AG. Dep., p. 599. I find the Royal Baking Powder superior to all the others in every respect. It is purest and strongest. WALTER S. Haines, M. D. Prof. Chemistry, Rush Medical College, Consulting Chemist, Chicago Board of Health, etc. I have found the constituents of Royal Baking Powder to be of a high degree of purity, free from adulteration or admixture of deleterious sub- stances. J. W. Mallet, Ph. D., F. R. S. Prof, of Chemistry, University of Virginia. I find the Royal Baking Powder far superior to the others. It is pure, contains none but whole- some ingredients, is of 23 per cent, greater strength. F. X. Valade, M. D. Public Analyst, Dominion of Canada. The Royal Baking Powder is perfectly healthful, and free from every deleterious substance ; purest in quality and highest in strength of any baking powder of which I have knowledge. Wm. McMuRTRIE, E. M., Ph. D. Late Chief Chemist, Agricultural Department. The Royal Baking Powder is absolutely pure. It is undoubtedly the purest and most reliable baking powder ofieied to the public. Henry A. Mott, Ph. D. Late Chemist for U. S. Government. "The Great Atlantic k Parifir Tea Co'., celebrated Teae. Cotteee, BokinK Pow- der and Cond' eolaee rated Teae. CotteeB, KokniK l^ow- nd Condensed Milk, havetieenmy e throiiih life." r..~i.vnTnKE. [ CUP OF GOOD TEA. For a "-, l\ayiiioiid S/rccf, BOA-RDI/NG STABLES. I.OUIS KARCHER, P-ROVISIO/N BEALE-R, 120 and 122 Grand St., Cor. Berry St., BROOKI^YN, B. D. JACOB -DAMGLE-R, PRO\ISIO]S[ - - - nBA^LER, Extra Sugar Cured Hams. jVo. "22 Myrtle ^-Ive., Cor. ]Vatwortli St., BROOKIvYN, N. Y. TELEPHONE CALL, 635 W'MEBURGH. Heissenhuttel, Nearing & Co., Wholesale Dealers in Staple and Imported Groceries. Choice (.'.rocers' and Bakers' Flour Constantly on Hand. 'in AND 250 FLUSHING AVE. 52, 4, 6 AND I HAL'_ ST., Opp. Wallabout Market, BROOKEYN, N. Y. TELEPHONE, 1091 WILLIAMSBURGH . T. H. Wheeler, Rre.s. C. M. Webber, Sec'y. Telephone Comieetiun, 1006 Brooklyn. w. H. Wheeler, Treas. ATLANTIC BEEF CO., Limited, Commission Dealers iu GEO. H. HAMMOND'S WESTERN DRESSED BEEF, MUTTON, LAMB, ETC. 1?4 5 176 FORI GREENE PLACE, BROOKLYN, N. Y. AA-RO/M LEVg, WHOLESALE - BUTCHER, :\Il'TTOX, LAMB AND VIC.VL, 2^S Jludsoi Ai'C)i?u\ Bj'ookh'fi . Wool Factory and Beam House: 242 Hudson Ave, One of the -Heaviest Expenses of a Fannily is the bill for the Children's Shoes. "Reduce it by "Buying the STEEL SHOD rv REGISTERED BRENNAN k WHITE, MAKERS, SCHOOL SHO BROOKLYN, N. Y. SELF-SEALING BOTTLE WRAPPERS ALL FIRST-CLASS HOUSES ARE USING THOSE WRAPPERS FOR BOTTLES SOLD OVER THE COUNTER. US' Vox sale by all dealers in bottlers' supplies or the man- ufacturers. THE THOMPSON & NORRIS CO., 10 to 34 Prince Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. BATTELLE & RENWICK 163 Front Street, New York. defined Bristone and Flour Sulpliiir Manufactured at THE BROOKLYN SULPHUR WORKS. F. J. W^. BURSCH, Telephone Soiil/i _/y. DEALKR IN SALT, Office: 4:^0 Hamilton. Ax'-eiine, t>rool Qe Telejlme Calls ; BROOKLYN 16 ■ WlSBDRfiH, 142. Cor. IZexit .i^TT-e. and Cross St., Brooklyn c, y, Branch Yard : - - Grand St, and Newtown Creek. Telephone Gall, 748 W'msburgh. .^ C. ORR ^ Wholesale and Retail Dealers in lumber;-'. TIMBER -WITH-^ Mills for Dressing. JOHN c. ORR. hp:nrv stkkrs, cHAs. K. SPARKS, RicH'D s. WHITE. Telephoi'W Call, 23 Greenpoint. MICH'L MlDOXNKLL Foot of India, Java and Huron Streets, (GREENPOINT,) BROOKLTX, K Y JOHN S. LOOMIS, i^ouIdiD^^ of Every DQ^cripIion. WINDOW KRAMKS, CABINKT TRIMS, Ktc. Cor. Baltic and Nevins Streets, Brooklyn, N. Y. P 0. Box 98. Telephone: Brooklyn 60. S. & G. Loomis,— Sashes, Doors and Blinds. ARDY, VOORHEES & C0„ LUMBER DEALERS, PLANING AND MOULDING MILLS, Metropolitan Ave. and Newtown Creek, MARTIN N. PAYNE, tj K vJ vj Ix L Y 1 N , WM. S. WANDEL. KENYON & NEWTON, LUMBER MERCHANTS AND JIANUFACTURKRS OF SASHES, BLIDS, DOORS, MOULDINGS, ETC. Office, B88 Union Street, near Third Avenue, B-ROOKLg/N, /N. CJ. BEERS & RESSEGUIE. \VH(n.KSALE AND RKTAIl, Ivtimber Dealers, ]'ARD: Corner of Washington and Hushing Az-oiiies. STEAM PLANING AND SAW MILL, Grand Ave., near Fliislti?ig Ave., BROOA'J^}'?\'. TELEPHONE, 215 BROOKLYN. N.^xioN^r. I HALSTED BROTHERS, PACKING BOX FACTORY, 280 to 2g8 Kevins St., near Union. JAMKS IT. DYKEMAX, Prop. TELEPHONE, NO. 637, BROOKLYN. LUMBER and TIAIBER, Cor. Ncvhis ami Butlei^ Sts.^ TELEPHONE CALL, BROOKLYN, Jl 5. B ROOK L ) "-^', -^'. }' CUTTER & DOUGHERTY, ..co.kuh,.„. aEo"„ jrE'-„°:: ! -— NATHANIEL CONKLIN, JR. Planing and R^saWing Mill, MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS IN SA^SHES, BLi:S[13S, DOORS, 66 to 76 Oliav St (Ireentioint L I i M.-mldings, Trimming.s, etc., Luiiiher, Timber, Si ding, ' ~ - ^ Flooring, Ceiling, Roofing, Joi.'^t, etc.. Mill for Dressing, rlaning Sawing and Resawing Itxtra Large Timber Jlindioil Blefropolitau Ave. and Grand St., sawed and dre.s.sed. Hardwood HooriiiL; and Wainscot- j -' ■' /- i /-> i 7 ing a Specialty. telephone, liti3, w'wsburgh. Jy'eZi'iOZL'n Cvcek, hvooklyu. LOUIS BOSSERT, Moulding and Planing MANUFACTURER OF AND DEALER IN Mouldiiio's, Saslies, Blinds and Doors, Stairs, Brackets, Posts, Store Fronts, Slidin,ir and Vestibule Doors, AND ALL KINDS OF SIDINGS, FLOORING, AND TIMBERS. Office and Salesrooms, 6 and 8 Union Ave. Mill, (8 to 3oJohnson Ave. Lumber Yards: Harrison Ave., Rutledge and Heyward Sts.; Newtown Creek and Grand St. BROOKLYN, E. D. G. H. GERARD. YOONG, GERARD & CO., Manufacturers and dealers in SASHES, BLINDS, DOORS MOULDINGS. (ji'cenpoint Ave., Jcicell and Provost Sts. BROOKLYN, E. D., N. Y. Telephone, 48 Greenpoint. J. W. & W. F. SMITH, TIMBER DEALERS. PROPRIETORS OF THE EAGLE STEAM SAW MILL, Corner Kent and West Sts., fiREEXPUIXT, s/a^rPo^.T. BROOKIYX, X. Y. G. E. SHAW. W. E. TRUESDELL. SHAW & TRUESDELL, -WHOLESALE DEALERS- Grain, Feed, Meal, Etc. ELEVATOR AND MILLS, Second St. and Gowanus Canal, Brooklyn, N. Y. TELEPHONE CALL, 427 BROOKLYN. t LUMBER 91 Wall St., nsTE^w^ -yoi^K:. WILSON GODFREY. RALPH E. SUMNER. WATSON & PITTLNGER, LXJ3VLB-EII, TIMBER YARD, ON THE CREEK 13.y Cfirroll Sti'eet Bi'iclge, SOUTH BROOKLYN. JAMES H. WATSON. i JAMES H. piTTiNGER. <" Teleplwue No. 412. BULMER LUMBER QO., (LIMITED.) PIKE Wholesale and RetaU. Gor.MiSlaMMewoleAffi,, BROOKLYN, E. D. CDsbzc LotiS a SipGG±a3--t-y- . H. B. SCHOLES, UMBER Dealer, 632 Kent Ave., Brooklyn. z. BTE I?, a- E isr. Manufacturer and Dealer in STATES, 3Miiir Cypress Lumber and Sliingies. 9 OLB SLIP, NEW YORK. YARD, EAST RIVER AND NEWTOWN CREEK, GREENPOINT. Brooklyn Clay Retort and Fire Brick Works. Edward D.White & Co. MANl-FACTCRERS OF CLAY GAS RETORTS, TILE AND EIRE BRICK. Dealers in Ground Fire Clay, Ground Fire Brick, Kaolin, Fire Sand, Etc. YRN DYKE, ELIZABETH MD RICHARDS STS., BROOKLYN, N. Y. Office, 88 A"an Dyke Street. H. F. BURROUGHS & CO., DEALERS IX Lime, Bricks, Lath AND ALE KINDS OE* MASONS' >E\TERIAES. YARDS ; Kent Avi'iiut', Foot of Hciocs Street. Telephone, 42s "Winsliurgh. Stasrg Street and A^eii'- town Creel;. Telephone, 471 W'nisbur;;^h, Brooklyn, N. Y. e;STABLISHF,D i.S66. R. B. FERGUSON, coNfKACfOK ANo bUiLoek, .?57 and 2f;6 !.ee Ave., Brool^lyn, N. )'. Wm. MARTIN, CORNICE AND SKYLIGHT MANUFACTURER. FREDEF?ICK W. STARR, DEALER IX Lumber and Timber, Yard, Foot of 25th St., South Brooklyn. 'J'elephone Call, "217 ,South." Chas. A. Klot-i. Walter J. Klots Walter T. Klots k Bro's Sons, SUCCESSORS TO Walter T. Klots & Bro., dealf;rs in LiriE, LATH, BRICK, And Masons' Materials. FIRE ™'''^' MORTAR, ETC. MAIN OFFICE: MeseroleStaiidMoroinAye. YAPvDS: Meserole St., and Newtown Creek. Newtown Creek and JV\etropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. TELEPHONE CONNECTIONS. Best facilities for shippinj^ materials to all points on l^on.si Island by Long Island Railroad. SILSBE d CO., Hstablished 1S57. LADIES' AND GENTS' Ol'STER AND CHOP HOUSE, 4()(l ;iu(l 462 Fulton Street, Between W'echsler & Abraham's :iiid Loeser's. BROOKLYN. 'I'ck-phnne i7Jy. Seating Capacit>' ,^o". LADIES' PARLOR UPSTAIRS. OYSTERS Ol' OI'R OWN PLANTINCi. PETER CI^ARK. joHx G. price;- U. vS. & BRAZIL Mail Steamship Company, [American I,ine.] BETWEEN NEW YORK [Via Newport New.s, Va.] AND ST. THOMAS, BARBADOS, [Connecting- for West Indies, Central America, etc.] Para, Maranhani, I'ernanibuco, Bahia and Rio (le Janeiro. Connecting for Santos, Paranagua. Autonina, Santa Catharina, Rio Grande do Sul, Pelotas, Porto, Alegre, :Montevideo and Buenos Aires. This is the onl\- steamship line carrying- passengers from the I'nited States to the East Coast of South America. " ijrooklvn § (aiant I)l|op))ii|^ ^ei]tre/' Weciisler & Aliraliaiii. Clark & Price, SUCCESSORS TO PETER CLARK fi CO. AVholesale and Retail Dealers in COAL AND WOOD. POCKETS AND ELHVATOR. celp;brated ■ old forgl; ■ coal for STEAM purposes. Cor. Bedford & Fliishino- Aves. BROOKLYN, N. Y. Telephone call, 182 Williaiiisbur^li. The F?igel Car Cornpany, A. T.. ROIXiERS, President. Maiiutacturers ot Steam Cars and Street Cars, Office, No. lOS Wall St., New York. Factory, Nev/ Utrecht, N. CJ. E.J.BEGGS&CO., Manufacturers of and Dealers in BREWERS' SUPPLIES. 105 John Street, New York. Factory and Warehouse, pth Street, South Brooklyn. Tele plume, "Cortlali.lt .si i ." Beard's Erie Basin Stores, STOIR-i^GrE OIF Sugar, Cotton, Nitrate of Soda, Cement, Iron, Logwood, Rags, AND GENERAL MERCHANDISE. Trustees of Estate of WM. BEARD, Proprietors. Office, 1 6 Beaver St.. N. Y. IT. B. — "W^H^A-IRIF^^G-E :F'0I^ "VESSELS. TELEPHONE "314 NEW." ■\V. H. MURTHA Gf.1i. W. Rice. W. H. MURTHA & SON, DEALERS IN COAL^WOOD; OFFICE and YARD. 6or. yitlai^tic ai^l Cflasljir^gtoi] ]/Ives. WHARF AND DEPOT, (lOffaiius Canal anil Degrai Street, Telephone Call, 30 B. BROOK L YN, N. Y. THOMAS F. TAYLOR, 833 to 894 I^eiit ^veijiie, FOOT OF WILSON STREET, 3sr. IT. Telephone. 365 Williamsburgh. Maunfactnrers Siippliefl liy tlie Carp, CHAS. 5. LYNAN, Wholesale and Retail Dealer iu iNortliRiver and Pennsylvania Bloe Stone Flagging, Sills, Coping, Steps, Etc., Also Rubbed Sills, Mantels and Hearths, Planed and 5awed 5toneand Trimmings for Buildings, Constantly on Hand. Office cor. Clinton and Flusliin,;,^ Avenues, BROOKLYN. Telephone, 6i8 Brookl3'n. Rankin & Ross, Dealers in BROWN DORCHESTER MD OHIO F-REESTO/NE, Cor. Bond and Carroll Streets, Brooklyn. Andrew D. Kaird. Richartl !• i itz, A. I). Baird & Co., STEAM Stone Mill and Yard CONNECTICUT BROWN STONE, BLUE, DORCHESTER AND OHIO FREE STONE. Cor. Keap St. and Wytlie Ave. Brooklyn, E. D., New York. Telephone Call, 45? Williaiusburgh. Cranford & Valentine, ^09tra(;tor8. 16 Court Street, Broolvlyn, N. Y. Telephone, Brooklyn 467. FACTORY AND PREMISES : No. 4S4 to 524 St. Marks Ave. No. 527 to 573 Prospect Place. Telephone, Bedford 261. J. P. CRANFORD. D. H. VALENTINE. TRADE "KOSMOCRETE" — THE WILSON & BAILLIE MANUFACTURING CO., Main Office and Factory, 85, 87, 89, 91 and 93 Ninth St., BROOKLYN, N. Y. We refer to Two Million One Hundred Thousand (2,100,000) Square Feet of "Kosmocrete* "Work, constructed under a guarantee of five years, comprising Sidewalks, Courtyards, Garden Paths, Driveways, Curbs, Ornamental Copings, Steps, Area Walls, Reservoir Walls, Railroad Depot Platforms, Cellar Floors, Water-tight and Fireproof Warehouse and Stable Floors, &c., &c. SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF Patent Machine-Made "Kosmocrete" (PORTLAND CEMENT) SEWER PIPE, CHII/ENEY FLUES and TOPS, WELL PIPE, HOT AIR FLUES, &c. New York Office, Aldrich Court, 45 Broadway. SID K WALKS. Telephone, Cortlandt 643. E, H, ITJEN, COALa^WOOD, Wharf and Yard, Union Street and Gowonus Canal, BROOK:L^z"nsr- Telephone 1 95. C H. Reynolds. cr*-,i^\\^u^A ia/^r\ ^I- L. Reynolds. C. H. Reynolds, Jr. E^t^'^l'^f'^t' I860. ^ 3 Reynolds. C. II. REYNOLDS & SONS, Dealers in the best qualities of COAL-WOOD, WHARVES and YARDS, fflorpn Ave. Meserole it Sclioles Sis., 1181 to 1207 and 1200 to 1214 GRAND ST., Newtow^n Creek, and Cor. South 1st and Rodney, late 9th St,. Telephone Call, 45 "WiUiamsburgh. Telephone Call, 74 "WiUiamsburgh. P.liOOIvLYA^, A'. Y GEO. LOGKITT'S SONS, IMPORTING RETAIL GROCERS, Tlie largest and clioioest. Slock of Slaple and FanL^if Groceries, Talde Delica- cies, Wines &e, in tills city, HOTELS, CLUBS AND FAMILY SUPPLIES, 530 I'ulton Avenue, 212 iS: 214 Fulton Street cor. Pineapple, -Myrtle, cor. Clinton, S9 Atlantic Ave., DeKalb Ave., cor Nostrand. BOASTINa DEPAETMENT: 271 & 273 ELLEKT ST. MILLER MILLS. MILLER & GAUS, \\'hnlcsalo Clrocers, Dealt^rs rnd Jobtjt'rs \n Teas, COtfecs anil S^'ices, 790, 792 ANi> 794 EkoAiiWAY, 1!R< lOKI.YX, N. Y. TELEPHONE NO. 395 WILLIAMSBURGH. W. H. HARRISON, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in FLOUR, BUTTER SUGAR TEAS, COFFEES. SPICES &c. 579, 581, 583 & 585 WASHINGTON AVENUE, 890,892, 908 &9I0 PACIFIC STREET. AND NEVINS STREET, COR. WYCKOFF. TEI,1:PH( ink, 303 I'.Rl )( )KI,VX. J. G, HULSBLRG, Siicci'ssoi- to 11. Ilt'LSBERG & CO. Jobber in Flour, Feed, Hay, Straw, &c., &c. No. 51 Kent Ave., Corner North nth .Street, TelcpHone Call, Wmsburgh 268, BRr)OKLVX, E. D. Depot f«r Dnrycas Starch and H.ckc/s Flour. MARK MAYER & CO.. AViidleaali.' C'lunmisi^ioii Deal^Ts In Beef, Veal, Pork, Mutton and Lamb, 71 E.\ST A\"EN("E. Wallabout Market, Tilt-lili'>Mc Call. :)1)5 WiUmmsburu'li. IJrOi )KLY\, N. Y. IIAHK MATER, HA^'ID MAYER, A.BV.. LKYT. AIe.vdow Brook Dairy Co., .4 c. COKWIN & f'o . Pruiirietois, 1017 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N. Y. I'UKE MfLK. SU-EF.T CKEAiir, FAXCV CREAMERY BUTTER. Milktren ajul Ice Cream Dcalcrc SufpUcd at Short Notic, THE FRUIT CLEANING CO., Imioktkrs AND Cleaners OF CURRANTS AND RAISINS, Office and Works, 14 ATLANTIC AVE., BROOKLYN. I'aukers of the Cule]>ratcil Tclekatharos Brand. Long Distance Telephone: Ercoklyn liOl. A. NICHOLS, Prcst. Henry D. Mc Cord, GRAIN. 04 SrocLcL St., JV. IT. FLOA TIXG GRAIN ElEl'A TORS. COLUMBIA" and "EMPIRE STATE. A. CASTRUCCIO & SONS, MANUFACTURERS OF VERMICELLI (id Sackett Street, Corker Van Brtnt St. Nii.-\.R Hamilton Ferrv, BROOKLYN, N, Y, IIcj->na7i C. Lohiiut)!. Henry Martens. LOHMAN & MARTENS, DEALERS IN FINE GROCERIES; Ales, Wines and Lic[uors, Fruits l\: Vegetables in Season, No. 1373 Fulton St. Cor. ^L\kcy Amc, BROr)KLYN. Polite Attention a7id Promfi Dciii-et-y Gnaranteed . H. NIELAND&SON, Curers of Fine Provisions, Nos. 9 &. II CHAUNCEY STREET, JUNCTION FTLTONAND TRi>V ,J.\'1-S., 44 Baixi:kiii(;e Street, BROOKLYN, N. Y. TELEPHONE, 104 BEDFOKD. A. & C. FERGUSON, DEALERS IX FLOUR, GRAIN, FEED, MEAL, BALE HAY, STRAW, &c, 40 Grand SL, BROOKLYN, N. Y. THE Intern^lionivl ProYi5ion fo., Packers and Exporters offiiic Sugar Cured BACON, HAMS; &c. Absolutely Pure Kettle Rendered Lard a Specialty. 35, 37 & 39 DEGKA^vST., BROOKLYX, X. Y. Telephone, Brooklyn 988. J. T. STORY, yjjiixs: DEALER IN 634 to 642 Kent Avenue. Telephone Call, 137 Williamsbuich, 250 to 256 Kevins St., cor. Degraw. TeleiilK.ne Call, M Brooklyn. 1205 Myrtle Ave., cor. Busliwick. Telephone Call, :!90 AVilliamsburgh. 1652 Fulton Street. Telephone Call, IT:: Berlforfl. COAL, BROOKLYN. Kings County Milling Co., Established 1868. 31, T,i AND 35 Broadway, OUR PATENT FLOUR OUR ROYAL FLOUR BROOKLYN, NP:W YORK. is as good as anv manufactured in the world. ELEVATOR AND MILLS. — f 1 F — S, W. BOAVNE, DEALEr^ IN HAY, STRAW, GRAIN, FLOUR, FEED, &c. GOWANUS CANAL, near Hamilto.i Ave., SOUTH BRr)OKLVN. TELEPHCiXE 75 BROOKLYX. MARTIN WILKLNS, DEALER IN" Choice Family Groceries, WINES, LIQUORS AND SEOARS. 1445 .iiicl 1447 J''ulton Ave, cor. Tompkins Ave, EHOOKLTN. T(-IK FULTUN TEA AiN'U COFFEE ,MARKET. WILSON BROS., Tea,-:, CoITcori, EuUor, Flnur, Etc., ©10, 912 and 914 FTJLTON ST., Cor. Washiiii^'tun Ave., and 659 FTJLTON ST. TKRSIS CASH. SWIFT A COMPAXY'S CHOKE OHICAG > DRESSED DEEP, A^EAL, MUTTON, LAMB, AN'D UKOVISIONS Can br lia.l ;(l: tlir fnll,. wilier CraiiflL Houses; WKST SIDE. IX NE\\' York. east SIDF,. I^. F. & E.r. Swift, Ki.> l;:,r.|:ivSt. Mnrri^iinia BfL-f Co., l«th Si. a Dd Av. i;aiis.fvi.ort ){.;.-t Co., Is ;,ii.l ■.'() |i \\s Av. I lurleui LVef Co., foot Elicit V.'TlIi St. <;. F. Swilt A C, Mai,lKLlt:iii iM:irlu-t, Miirmv Hill He.-f Co., tV.ot K:ist ;ilst SL ( W.-l :;.-.11i St. I 1-|-ri!n- Miirlict Hri^f Cii,, ci,,. C-n re ; ii Nr.rlli \\\'.,-y I'.., iCo., font W. ■:m\\ St. (;r:ui.l S1-. l;iv..T-i.i.' l'"'i 1 c^... i:;iitli si. ,i. i-ili Av. \\"a=li'ji .\l:tili.-t -^{^K'-Y '■'■'., iJloMi.ifiel.i j. WT-.-L St., W. \V.i-lMn-t..|i Miirli^t. I-.' JERSEY CITY. .T.-r?i-y City Betf Co., Ills till. St. JliuUon Bc-f «',,.,< ;ruve i W:iyii,' Si-;. IN BROOKLYN. WilliaiM-l.nr-li I;i-..r''M,, lofinnd H)i; Mronki vii IV,-f (\,., 74 Jt 7i'. .M l^tnl m- A v Khil M, I4f^ J. 15(1 FfiKMi As- volkommer, bloomingdale & co., Hay and Straw, 88 N. 4th STREET, - ];R()( )KEYN. NAvSSAU COFFLL COMPANY (Ei.mitei>), H. EAUTOW, Prest. Coffee Renovated, Milled and Cleaned, Nil. 63 EikM \x St., - - ]'.i;ooKi,\'N. A',-7.. ]",.;•/.■ OJJu-,-,S3 Wale,- street. W S. TRAYIS, WHOLESALE DEALER IN GRAIN. 86 anil 88 Kent ,\vc., cm-. Noitli ytli St. Rm'iii J. Broeklyu Prodiiee J'Al/uuij,',-. -W. .T. I'URDY, Ma.m.:. Telephone Call, ■I'yi. J^rtistic Pfiotogrgplj^. ^1/ '\^ Charles E. Bolles, 244_™!-T0N_STREET^ BROOKLYN, II NEAR CLARK, Long established, at this Studio, Mr. Bolles' work has a reputation for artistic quahty and finisli well known to a generation of prominent Brooklynites. In addition to his ^tddio ^rtrait \f(ov\{ of Fvery l/^rietg, HE IS PREPARED TO EXECUTE OuT=DooR Work and Interiors, With the use of an Improved Flash Lic^ht. CHARLES E BOLLES, 244 Fulton Street, Near Clarl-c Street, BROOKLYIM. The Best Work by tlic Simplest Means in the Shortest Time is accomplished b}' the Remington Standard Typewriter Constant Improvements make it the most Modern machine on the market. SEND FOR AX IIJ A'SI'KATEI) (/ATALOCUE. Wyckojf, Seamans & Benedict, 327 Broadway, New York. TJriE THE GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM Mmhattm Supply CoMMY, TELEGRAPH CO., Government, Railroad AND Fire Department Supplies. U BARCLAY STREET, 74 7 CHAMBERS ST., NEAAT YORK: ROWLAND A. ROBBINS, Pres't. JAMES F. McELVARE.Vice-Pres't. ySVW] VflDF EMOTT SEWARD. Sec'y. H Ij W IUrR, RANDALL P. BARRON, Treas. Fire Alarm and Police For General Correspondence Signal Telegraphs for ASK FOR Cities and Towns. Ye MmMu Wntii Tail OVER 500 OF OUi; SYSTEMS IN yicnfe Statioi;.firy a^rt Paper Co., ACTUAL USE. 59 DUANE ST., N. Y. Over Thirty Years' Experience Pads and Tablets of all Qualities. OVINGTON BROTHERS, Fulton and Clark Streets, Nos. j8 and 40 Flatbnsh Ave^^^te, BROOKLYN, N. Y. PA^TEIST akpModern \Q7atial7; -^ Slinds« ALLTIItLEADinq SUPERIORITY i^r y\warded \S\^ AT THE ..,^'v ", ]^f!ERICANlNSTIIUTE?llil" city; Send FORlLLUSTRATtD^CArALOOUE;. Fr_ee Rep'esented by W. ARTHUR SHAW, 16 Court St, Brooklyn, N. Y. NEW DEPARTURE ROTARY ALARA FIRE BELLS. Mechanical Experts have been constantly tr^nnp for more than twd years to perfect this Firp: Hbll. 'Suvc- g'est'ons froni the best Fire Departinents have had proper consideration. This bell is now offered as the final result. Admitted by I'ire Departments now having- them in use to be the Hest, Simple and Compact. "Durable and Efficient. lo to 15 Strokes for each foot pressure. Easy to operate. No. 8, 11 Inch Gong, Nickel Plated. No. 8';j, II Inch Gong, Bronze Plated. No. 9, 13 Inch Gong, Nickel Plated. No. 9,to, ij Inch Gong, Bronze Plated. Write to us for particulars. JOHN H. GRAHAM h. CO., Sole Agents. No, 113 Chambers Street, New York. New Departure Bell Co., Sole Manufacturers, Brihtol, Conn. 1fttF?^:R!p^ ©^l,0irH^. » SOL.e AGENTS 86 &8§jra(iklm 6t. J^^W-Y^J^^. ^~^ ' ess. ==1 C^ -Z-^ ^ ^^^^^^^ MOLLENHAUER AT^;^// ^z^., Sovtth nth St., Division Ave^uie and East River, John Mollenhauer, Pres. F. D. MoLLEXHAUER, vSec'y and Treas. J. Adolph M©llenhauer, Gen'l Manager. BROOKLYN, N. Y. HIGH GRADE FIRE HOSE- American Chief" (Rubber) White Diamond" (Rni)l)er) Eagle ' ' (Rubber) Duplex " (Double Jacket Cotton) A. i" (Doul)le Jacket Cotton) Reliable " (Hea\'>- vSin'>-le Cotton) vSuctions. I'la)- Pipes. \'ah'es. Ccniplings. I{xtinguisher Hose. Droj) Pole Cushions. A complete line (jf Mechanical Ruljber Goods. ^IaunfacUir(.il ]'y Xow Jersey Car Sprin,i( & RuMicr (lo., coriKT Wayne and lininswick Sts., Jersey City, N. J, Write fc.r samples and prices. Branch Office, No. 10 Barclay St., New York. GUSTAVE HURLIMANN, 171 to 18/" WallabOLit St., Brooklyn, N. Y. NASSAU SULPHUR WORKS, 3d AvL'. and 2d St., Brooklyn, N. V 10^ John Street, New York. JOHN HARR.S, ALUM LEATHER DRESSER, Cor. Keep and Hope Streets. LEWIS' PATENT SCREW-ROD MATTING for Hotels, Hallways, Batlirooms, Restaurauts, Florists, IMaiuifacturiiig Jewelers, Ktc. SAMUEL LEWIS, ratentee and Manufacturer, 12-18 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn. R. WENT, .Alaiuifacturcr uf Tents, Panlins, KxprLS.s, Truck, Cart aiui I'arin "Wa^on COVERS, lIorsL* Covers, I'lain and Oiled; Beer AVai^on, Truck and Easiness WAOON TOPS. WaL^on Aprons. Colton-I")nck Cu.shions, ete., Horses' Heed Bag:s, CoUun Duck— Heavy n lul Lii^ht. 205 and 207 Leonard St.,ne3rGrand, Brooklyn, E.D. New York. M. MONTAGUE, Dealer in CHARCOAL, V;ii-ds: 202-204 Roel^ling- St., Bi-ooklyn, E.D. Teleplidur Xit. lui, AA'i 11 iani sbnrj^h. Tl|eQi(ttct|^ercl|aai|(|l{i(|)|)er|Vlf^.eo. WAREROOMS : .VJ Wfu-ieit street, NEW YORK. FACTORY : Franhlin and llushitu/ Aves., BROOKLYN. MANlFAJTrRITRS OF RUBBER BELTING, PACKING, HOSE, ETC. t= ;-!■■ ^^" Mets, JHatting, Sec, Sec, AND A FULL LmE OF MECHANICAL RUBBER GOODS 0."F EATEI^-y ICIITID. CHICAGO. BRANCH STORES: SAN FRANCISCO. PORTLAND, ORE. Eureka Fire Hose Co, 13 Barclay Street, New York City, MANUFACTURERS ol? THE CELEBRATED BRAXIIS: "Eureka," "Paragoe; "Red Three Ply. Two Ply. COTTON HOSE, ALL SIZES, RUBBER LINED ?? One Ply. "U. S." BRAND RUBBER LINED COTTON FIRE HOSE Adopted as the Standard Factory Fire Hose by the Associated Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies, for Factory and Mill Fire Protection. LINEN HOSE (LINED AND UNLINED), ALL SIZES. T'TTTIT'TT' 1\ DUT "TTTTP cheaper and better than Leather. Unlike J2 U Ktii a DJIL 1 lilLj. ^^^ °^'^'='' ^^^"^ ^^"^^t^- t'l's will not stretch — - or separate at the plies. These Goods are especially adapted for use in Woolen, Cotton, Silk, Print, Knit Goods and Carpet Mills, Dyeing and Bleaching Establishments, Pulp and Paper Mills, Breweries and Distilleries, Sugar Refineries, Ice and Refrigerating Machinery, Chemical Works, Tanneries, Etc. Samples and Full Information Given on Application. I Z/...^.fi -*> *S 'V^^*^T^o-^^ , W^Sl^SSMS:$^im