An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 46

Author: Gillespie, Charles Bancroft, 1865-1915; Curtis, George Munson
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Meriden, Conn. Journal publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1252

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Meriden > An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it > Part 46

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men, and Simon S. Hills, F. G. Bolles and Emanuel Withey.

About four years later the depart- ment was installed in safe and com- fortable quarters in the remodeled

POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

Town hall where were a main office, chief's office, patrolmen's room, squad room and police committee room. The lock-up then was well equipped and divided into sections for men and women prisoners.

In 1895, the force consisted of a chief, captain, lieutenant, sergeant and twelve patrolmen and also a corps of fifty special policemen.

At the previous session of the Leg- islature the jurisdiction of the police was extended to the limits of the town, and the Police court was made the only tribunal for the hearing and dis- position of criminal cases within the town's boundaries, abolishing the cum- bersome and unsatisfactory system of grand jurors formerly in vogue.

In 1892 the Gamewell police signal and telephone system was installed and a patrol wagon was placed in ser- vice during Chief Ford's regime. During Mayor Ives' administration the present municipal commissions were established and much of the power of the Police committee and the Council became then vested in the Board of Police Commissioners.

Things went along smoothly in the department, with few noteworthy in- cidents, until February, 1904, when the Town hall was destroyed by fire and it was necessary to hastily seek quarters elsewhere. A store in the Byxbee block on Colony street was rented by the city, cells being con- structed in the basement, pending the completion of the new Town hall.

April 30, 1898, Captain Van Nos- trand was promoted to succeed Chief

Ford. Under him the department was soon brought to a high standard of efficiency. He resigned February I, 1906, and was succeeded March I by Charles B. Bowen and at which time also James J. Landrigan was ap- pointed captain.

In 1903 the Legislature gave the four officers of the force the right to appeal to the Superior court if dis- missed or reduced in rank. In 1905 the Legislature granted an amendment. to the city charter, at the instance of Mayor George S. Seeley and com- missioners August Maschmeyer, C. A. King, C. L. Upham and Robert W. Carter, whereby a police retired re- serve list was established. The Coun- cil had defeated a movement for a pension fund. In August, Patrol- man Simon S. Hills, who has been on the force since 1882, was placed on the list, and later at his own request, Chief Van Nostrand was also placed on the reserve list.

The department is considered one of the best in the state. Its mainte- nance costs the city $20,000 a year and it is conducted on an economical yet wise basis. In addition to four offi- cers, twelve patrolmen and forty su- pernumeraries, there is a superinten- dent of the police signal system, a matron of the police station and a jan- itor. Funds are provided by the city for a physician for the prisoners and hospital service for the police. The signal system costs $600 a year and the patrol wagon but $125.

The department is provided with up-to-date equipment of which one of

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MERIDEN POLICE FORCE, MARCH 1, 1906.

James M. Tolles

Chas. D. Lewis

Lieut. John J. McGovern Capt. J. J. Landrigan James F. Grady Jas H.Burke Joseph B. Dcran Simon S. Hills

Chas. P. Kimball Chief C. B. Bowen Jeremiah J. McCarthy Herman F. Schuerer

Herman Duis Sergt. Wm. D. Thayer Edwin A. Puffer Howard H. Bartram

POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

the latest and most important addi- tions is all the necessary apparatus for photographing prisoners accused of a felony.

The yearly arrests average about 600 and fines and costs nets a revenue to the city of about $5,000.

The personnel of the force is as follows: Chief of police, Charles B. Bowen ; captain, James J. Landrigan ; lieutenant, John J. McGovern; ser- geant, William D. Thayer ; patrol- men, Herman Duis, Charles P. Kim- ball, James M. Tolles, Edwin A. Puf- fer, Charles D. Lewis, James H. Burke, James F. Grady, Herman T. Schuerer, Joseph B. Doran, Jeremiah J. McCarthy, Howard H. Bartram, Joseph N. Lajoie and Biagio Guer- rieri, the last two of whom were ap- pointed March 19, 1906; reserve of- ficers, Simon S. Hills and Geo. Van Nostrand.

MERIDEN FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The Meriden Fire Department had a very small beginning which dates back to the Cataract Engine Company, No. I, West Meriden, formed in 1851 and numbering 100 men. The first engine of that company is now proud- ly exhibited by the Meriden Veteran Firemen's Association in parades and on other occasions. The company had quarters in a building on the site afterwards occupied by the opera house block. Water was first ob- tained from Harbor brook and cis- terns conveniently placed ; the old pumping pole on what is now the

Bradley & Hubbard company's prop- erty and the cistern on what would now be West Main street are as well remembered by a few old timers as the cry of "Break her down, boys." Robert Oughton, later chief engineer of the fire department, was the first foreman of the old Cataracts. Later S. F. Linsley was first assistant fore-

Photo by Akers & Pigeon.

JOHN C. BYXBEE.

man ; R. Moss Breckenridge, secre- tary and treasurer. Some of the oth- er members were: W. E. Benham, William P. Clark, E. R. Merriam, E. D. Castelow, A. E. Camp, H. B. An- drews, Mark M. Linsley, James Bea- dle, C. H. Warner, George Gay, J. P. Parker, C. J. Hull, J. B. Stevens, H. Botsford, Bela Carter, Wallace Bull, C. D. Loveland, Truman Stiles,

:76

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

John Vorra, W. J. Kirtland, Wilson Carpenter, D. B. Comstock, Levi Moses, Gordon Bailey, William Good- will, Norris B. Bull, Milo Goodrich, .G. W. Lyon, and later on O. H. Platt.

Some six years after the forming of the Cataract Engine Company, T. J. Coe and other organized the Bucket Brigade which had a short existence.

Charter Oak Engine Company, No. I, and the company had quarters in the first engine house in Meriden, lo- cated on State street.

John C. Byxbee was also instru- mental in giving Meriden its second company-Washington Engine com- pany, No. 2. By subscription another and improved engine was bought and

Photo by R. S. Godfrey. CHARTER OAK HOSE HOUSE, ALSO HOME OF VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

The machine used by this brigade was built after the style of the present "trucks," and buckets hung from long iron rods.

It was after the famous Corner fire ·of 1863 that John C. Byxbee, after- wards the first chief engineer of the department, with others, started the

at the time the Pratt street station was dedicated, in 1867, was put to test with flattering results.

The old engines still do good work but Meriden has made progress in fire matters and there is now no further use for them.

The Charter Oak Hose Company,

POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

No. I, began its useful existence in 1863, as a companion to the Charter Oak Engine Company, George O. Higby being the first foreman. The company's two-story brick house on Butler street was the first of the buildings erected by the city ; and this company holds an important place at the present time in the fire fighting

tain of the company ; John D. Rob- erts, lieutenant ; W. E. Tourgee, clerk, and the hosemen are: Curtis- Rockwell, W. D. Francis, William H. Rees, H. B. Penfield, B. I. Thompson: and the substitutes, Albert Kaschu- bey and Oliver S. Warner.

At the outset, the Byxbee Hose- Company, No. 2, was known as the

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

HEADQUARTERS OF BYXBEE HOSE CO. AND DOOLITTLE HIOOK & LADDER CO.

service of Meriden. Its equipment comprises a hose wagon and a pair of fine horses skilfully handled and well cared for by Driver George N. Shepherd, who grew up with the com- pany and was appointed in Chief John Tracy's administration. The other permanent man is Wallace R. Lucas. William N. Goodrich is cap-

Washington Hose Company and in 1865, was associated with the old Washington Engine Company. In 1870 the members joined the depart- ment under the present name and the company has proved a very valuable addition to the fire fighting force. Frank McPartland was the first reg- ularly appointed foreman and then

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

came William Seery with John Luby as his assistant. In 1885 the hand "jumper" was exchanged for a new hose wagon and horse and E. J. Cor- rigan, the present driver, was ap- pointed the driver. Mr. Corrigan was the first of the permanent men and possesses a proud record.

The company is now housed in the

driver ; John J. Coogan, Michael J. Liddy, James Ford, Frank Waldron, P. F. Corcoran, John M. Reynolds, hosemen, and Robert J. Donahue and William H. Watts, substitutes.

The Parker Engine Company, No. 3, old, reliable guardians of the up- town district, was organized in a building on School street in 1869.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

PARKER ENGINE CO.

commodious fire building on Pratt street and has an up-to-date hose wagon with a pair of the best horses in the service. The beginning of 1906 finds the company personnel as follows: John F. Donovan, captain ; James J. Donovan, lieutenant ; Chris- topher Seery, clerk; E. J. Corrigan,

Originally this was a hose house lo- cated on Center street opposite St. Rose's church and in 1877 quarters on East Main street were dedicated ; but shortly after the steamer was bought the present fine building was erected on Broad street and the com- pany's name was changed from the

POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

Parker Hose Co. to the present title.

Finding that the pressure of the city water was low on the hill, the Common Council voted to buy a steamer and one was procured in July, 1884. Although not sufficiently sur- rounded with modern equipment at that time to prove its usefulness, the steamer has since become a valuable

lieutenant; N. C. Smith, clerk ; Wil- liam C. Lucas, engineer ; George C. Coan, stoker; Charles A. Merriam, hose driver ; John H. Santaus, steam- er driver; John Spencer, Charles A. Berry, C. H. Thomas, John Stickel, J. J. Thomas, W. H. Bemont, hose- men ; Charles L. Selka, John J. Mar- quardt, substitutes.

Photo by R. S. Godfrev. WILCOX HOSE CO.

adjunct of the service and this steam- er is now drawn by three powerful horses.

When the Parker Hose Company was organized George Lee was elect- ed foreman. The members of the Parker Engine Company are: Wil- liam R. Bailey, captain ; M. J. Cullen,

The E. J. Doolittle Truck Company, at present a very important adjunct of the department, was organized in 1868 and William Haggerty was the first foreman. The "Hooks" had quarters in the old police building on Pratt street but afterwards moved op- posite to share the present large and

CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

handsome fire house with the Byxbees.

The company was first known as the Ever Ready Hook and Ladder Company, but the name was changed when the present quarters were tak- en, in honor of ex-Mayor E. J. Doo- little. The first foreman of the "Ever Readys" was William Haggerty. Lat- er came C. H. Warner, William Mar-

er July 1, 1887. Patrick McGrath came next and he is. the present driv- er of the three horses that haul the new Seagrave Trussed Hook and Ladder truck. The members of the company are: John E. Moffatt, cap- tain ; Charles M. Blackwell, lieuten- ant ; Walter C. Case, clerk and tiller- man ; Patrick McGrath, driver;

VETERAN

VOLUNTEER HOSE CO.

Photo by R. S. Godfrey. VOLUNTEER HOSE co.

shall, George M. Barnes, Lew Allen, I. B. Hyatt and James O. Brainard. Among the old "Ever Readys" still in the "Hooks" are : Charles M. Black- well, W. C. Case and A. S. Butler.

When the old hand truck was suc- ceeded by a modern one Julius A. Lego was appointed permanent driv-

Charles E. Tyler, spare driver ; Wil- liam Roselius, Jr., A. S. Butler, Sam- uel Hobson, Thomas J. Roark, John Hobson, Emil Rebstock, John L. Cole- man, John T. Ryan, laddermen ; Frank M. Wollschlager, Thomas F. O'Con- nor, substitutes.

The Wilcox Hose Company, No. 4,

POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

is one of the younger companies but long ago made up for its youth by faithful and conscientious attention to fire fighting. It was started in 1871 as a volunteer company and in- stalled by the city in the handsome brick house on Colony street in 1878 as a permanent and regular company. John Inglish was the first foreman and his assistants were John Fitzpat- rick and Oliver McCarthy. Later John Fitzpatrick became foreman and afterwards John Rahaley and later W. E. Byrne.

The Wilcox Company now has a substantial hose wagon and a pair of fine horses. The make-up of the com- pany is as follows: Richard Shaw, captain ; Dennis J. Horgan, lieutenant ; T. L. Hagerty, clerk ; John Rahley, driver ; Timothy L. Haggerty, spare driver ; T. F. Waldron, William L. Fredericks, Thomas H. Haggerty, James Kenworthy, Daniel Alexander, C. J. Heineman, hosemen ; William J. Dowling, Michael Walsh, substitutes.

The last organized fire company is the Veteran Volunteer Hose Com- pany, No. 5, located in comfortable but cosy quarters on Camp street. This company came to be organized through the removal of the "Wilcoxes" from Camp street in 1878 to their present home. This left a thickly- populated district practically without fire protection, so prominent citizens got together and the Veteran Volun- teer Hose Company was the result. Among the charter members were: P. E. Hull, E. E. West, L. C. Brown, J. H. Williams, C. A. Miller, D. T. Lyon, 6

Robert Oughton, W. T. Church, H. L. Sharkey, C. J. Heineman, R. Lee Is- bell, T. M. Smith. Robert Oughton was the first foreman and D. T. Lyon succeeded him in 1884.

The volunteers have pulled their old reliable hand hose wagon to many fires in recent years, and they have done good work, but the fine equipment of the regular companies has made their services less and less urgent and the members now give more attention to the social gatherings for which they are justly renowned.

The officers and members of the company are as follows: David T. Lyon, captain ; Henry G. Strickland, first lieutenant ; James Hirst, second lieutenant ; J. Messner, clerk ; L. H. Sutterlin, treasurer; William Benzi- ger, G. J. Griswold, H. L. Starkey, G. Gehrman, E. J. Oefinger, D. Flans- burgh, J. J. Cassidy, William Oefinger, John Meiklem, William Benziger, Jr., Charles Milner, Harry Hirst, P. H. Timms, Jacob Oefinger, Gustave Kis- er, hosemen.

The Meriden Veteran Firemen's As- sociation, which has been in existence only a short time, numbers among its members many of Meriden's promi- nent citizens. It gives frequent social times that are very well received by all the people. John C. Byxbee was the first president; E. E. West, the second, and John D. Roberts is now president. The late Senator O. H. Platt was a member and when he died in 1905 the association took appro- priate action and many members at- tended the funeral.

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

The Meriden fire alarm and tele- graph system dates back to 1869 when Charles Warner was chief engineer. Under Chief John C. Byxbee the ward system of sounding an alarm in case of fire was adopted. In 1881 the fire alarm telegraph was intro- duced and the alarm was sounded from St. Andrew's church bell for a time, then the present tower bell was erected on Pratt street. In 1889 the fire alarm boxes were changed and systematized much as at the present time. There are now tower bells in all the houses and the amount of wire used in the fire alarm telegraph is seventeen and one-half miles. From the last annual report of Superintendent William C. Lucas, it is found that there are also forty-five signal boxes and one mile of under- ground wire. The fire alarm tele- graph system of Meriden is valued at about $15,000.

The volunteer fire department was started in 1867, when Meriden was in- corporated a city, and John C. Byxbee was made the chief engineer. His as- sistants were Christopher Rebstock aad Michael Carlin. The following year J. W. Hiney was made chief and he was assisted by Charles Warner and Arthur J. Hughes. Warner, with A. J. Hughes and A. W. Harvey, as assistants, followed. Hiney and that same year, 1869, the water works was finished, and the old hand engines were abandoned. Arthur Hughes succeeded Chief Warner and then came Robert Oughton. He was the last head of the volunteers.

The present paid fire department was started in 1873 and John C. Byx- bee was made first engineer. He was also chairman of the water board and for both positions received $500 a year. After two years he declined to serve longer and Edward Roarke was elect- ed. Following Chief Roarke came Linus Moses, John F. Butler, Isaac B. Hyatt, Owen Horan, John Tracy and Frank L. Cowing. Chief Hyatt served many terms, coming between Chief Engineers Horan and Tracy and Tracy and Cowing, but after many years of efficient service he died April 28, 1906.

Jerome Bailey, assistant chief engi- neer for years and rightfully consid- ered a valuable man in the department, then became acting chief. David Bloomfield has been the efficient fire marshal for years.

The Meriden department is one of the finest in Connecticut. It consists of ninety-one men, sixteen horses and there are about 9,000 feet of hose. The apparatus is as follows : One hook and ladder truck, one Silsby steam fire en- gine, four hose wagons, one chief's wagon, one hand jumper, two three- horse exercise wagons ; in reserve, one two-horse hose wagon and one two- wheeled hose jumper.

The property of the department is valued at nearly $100,000, and the de- partment is maintained at an expense of about $28,000 a year.

The largest fire the department had to fight in recent years was the burn- ing of the old Town hall in February, 1904, and the force did nobly in pre-

POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

venting the total destruction of the building.

Meriden's latest great fire was that of the Meriden Opera House in 1906.

MERIDEN VETERAN FIRE- MEN'S ASSOCIATION.

This organization, as its name im- plies, is composed of men who have made records as fire fighters in Mer- iden. Although the services of some date back to 1851, the association was organized under its present name, June 13, 1902, since which time its meetings have been held at the Charter Oak Hose house, where it was formally organized. John C. Byxbee was elected the first president ; Edward E. West, vice-president ; John D. Roberts, secretary ; and George N. Morse, treasurer ..

About a month later the old "hand pump" shown in the accom- panying illustration was presented to the association by the Charles Parker Company. The engine has an interesting history, being over fifty years old and is a relic of by- gone days justly cherished by the members of the association, and it has been the center of attraction at the different firemen's parades in this and other cities for many years past. This machine recalls interesting reminiscences to the old- er citizens of the town, for as rec- orded by R. Moss Breckenridge, one of the first officers of the old Cata- ract Fire Engine Company, when the machine was in its best days

practically every male resident of the town, whether rich or poor, loaned a helping hand in case of local conflagration.

The constitution of the Veteran Firemen's Association was drawn up by George O. Higby, L. C. Brown and Thomas Kearns. This was adopted at a meeting held April 16, 1903. The late E. E. West, at one time mayor of Meriden, was chosen the second president of the association May 4, 1903; John D. Roberts then being made vice-presi- dent ; George N. Morse, secretary, and George N. Shepherd, treasurer. On September 2, 1904, the associa- tion, largely augmented by the ad- dition of several new members including many prominent citizens of the town who were made honor- ary members, took a most credit- able part in the firemen's muster held in Southington, the uniform of the association at that time com- prising caps, red shirts, and badges, the old "hand tub" being gorgeously decorated with ribbons.

On January 7, 1904, the associa- tion held its first ball which was one of the social events of the town. At a meeting of the association held September 15, 1904, John D. Rob- erts was elected president ; A. A. May, vice-president ; A. B. Butler, secretary ; and George N. Shepherd. treasurer. May II, 1905, John D. Roberts was elected president ; Rich- ard B. Kearney became its vice-presi- dent : Albert A. May, secretary, and George N. Shepherd, treasurer. In

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

1905 the association voted to apply for membership in the Connecticut Val- ley League, and for several months prior to the Centennial celebration of Meriden, this association became ac- tive in the formation of plans to bring to Meriden during the celebration the Veteran Firemen's Associations of

other Connecticut cities, during which the old "hand tub" was again the cen- ter of attraction, and drawn through the streets with just pride on the part of the men of the town who have earned their title as veterans, and with it membership in this organ- ization.

Fanden

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

OLD CATARACT ENGINE AND MEMBERS OF VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

SOCIAL CLUBS.

SOCIAL CLUBS

THE HOME CLUB.

The Home Club of Meriden, the leading social organization of the city,

1 composed of men representative of the best interests of the state.

The Home Club was formed in 1880, when, after the disbandment of

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

HOME CLUB HOUSE.

occupies a handsome club house at the corner of Colony and Foster streets, which was built for its use in 1902. Its active membership is limited to 250 and includes the leading business and professional men in the city while its non-resident membership list is

the old Meriden Club, which occu- pied rooms in Palace block, the need of such an organization became appar- ent. Early in that year a meeting of those interested was held at the Mer- iden House. A temporary organiza- tion was effected and arrangements

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

made for securing rooms on the third floor of Wilcox block, then being built. When the block was completed that fall, the club was formed with E. J. Doolittle as its first president and at the January session of the Legislature it was incorporated as "The Home Club of Meriden" with E. J. Doolittle, Horace C. Wilcox, Isaac C. Lewis,

which rooms on the second floor had been planned for its use.

Before 1900 those quarters were inadequate and unfitted to the growth and development of the club, and a number of efforts were made by spe- cial committees to secure a club house but without success until January, 1902, when a special committee was

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

PARLORS, HOME CLUB.

Levi E. Coe, E. B. Cowles, W. H. Lyon, E. C. Savage, George H. Wil- cox and John W. Coe as incorporat- ors. This act of incorporation was accepted by the club on May 7, 1881.

The club continued to occupy those rooms until January 1, 1885, when it moved to the new Byxbee block in

appointed to report to the club plans for enlarged quarters. This commit- tee consisting of Abiram Chamber- lain, E. J. Doolittle, C. F. Linsley, Dr. E. T. Bradstreet, James H. White, Charles T. Dodd, C. F. Monroe, Dr. E. W. Pierce and F. E. Sands, after careful consideration of plans and

SOCIAL CLUBS.

sites, recommended to the club the formation of a holding company to purchase a site and to erect thereon a club house. The lot at the corner of Colony and Foster streets was se- lected by vote of the club and a spe- cial committee of seven, consisting of C. F. Monroe, F. E. Sands, I. L. Holt, A. B. Squire, Dr. F. L. Murdock, Louis

let the contract to H. L. Morehouse for the erection of the club house. It was completed, furnished and for- mally opened, January 1, 1903.

The club house is a very commod- ious and conveniently arranged build- ing of colonial design with broad ve- randas, and large and light rooms, at- tractively furnished. On the north

Photo by R. S. Godfrey.

UPPER HALL AND BILLIARD ROOMS, HOME CLUB.

Fisk and James H. White, was ap- pointed to further the plan and obtain subscriptions to the capital stock. They were so successful that soon af- ter the Home Club Realty Corpora- tion was formed, with a capital of $25,000. The corporation at once purchased the site, adopted plans and

side of the first floor is the reading room, and on the south side very handsome parlors. Back of the par- lors is the dining room and a café, and back of the reading room, a card room and coat room. On the second floor, besides a large, light card room open- ing on the upper veranda, is the big

A CENTURY OF MERIDEN.

billiard room at the north end with committee and card rooms at the south end. On the third floor is a large ball room with storage room ad- jacent. In the basement are private dining rooms, the kitchen and neces- sary storage room. The building is equipped throughout with 'telephones, call bells, exhaust fans and all mod-

About the club centers the social ac- tivity of the city, as each year there is given a series of balls, cotillions, club dinners, card parties, ladies' af- ternoons and musicales. For such events the club is particularly well equipped with its three floors of com- modious rooms, including the ball room on the top floor. Its social

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An historic record and pictorial description of the town of Meriden, Connecticut and men who have made it, Part 46

Author: Gillespie, Charles Bancroft, 1865-1915; Curtis, George Munson Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Meriden, Conn. Journal publishing co. Number of Pages: 1252

Author: Gillespie, Charles Bancroft, 1865-1915; Curtis, George Munson
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Meriden, Conn. Journal publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1252