USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of the Fire Department of the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1772-1890 > Part 12
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During the year 1858 the department was called out 79 times ; there were 42 fires ; 37 false alarms.
1859-Called out 72 times ; 32 fires ; 38 false alarms ; 2 fires out of the city.
1860-Called out 87 times ; 51 fires ; 26 false alarms; 10 fires out of the city.
1861-Called out 29 times ; 26 fires ; 3 false alarms.
1862-Called out 31 times ; 29 fires ; 2 false alarms.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
1863 --- Called out 23 times ; 23 fires ; no false alarms. 1864-Called out 32 times ; 30 fires ; 2 false alarms.
The above statistics, taken from the official records of the Board of Engineers, are very significant, and tell their own story. My readers will see how rapidly the whole fire service merged into another atmosphere from that which had charac- terized it under the old regime. Business methods at the very outset were put in operation, and were improved upon as time advanced, until the system was quite as perfect as that of any of the important business corporations of our city.
The Board of Engineers for 1861 consisted of :
Chief Engineer, Tillinghast P. Tompkins. Assistant Engineers, John Mathews, Moses H. Bliss, Henry H. Fisher, William Cook. Clerk, Charles M. Peirce, Jr.
1861-63.
The same, with William H. Mathews, Clerk.
1864-65-66-67.
Chief Engineer, Tillinghast P. Tompkins. Assistant Engineers, John Mathews, Moses H. Bliss, Henry H. Fisher, Frederick Macy. Clerk, Charles M. Peirce, Jr.
Jan. 18, 1861, Hancock, No. 9, was transferred to the Head of the River, and the Citizen, No. 2, that had done service in this part of the town, was withdrawn and sold.
Late in the afternoon of Jan. 2, the city was startled by a terrific explosion, soon followed by the cry of " fire" and ring- ing of bells. From Fish Island arose dense clouds of smoke and flame that proceeded from the buildings of the Petroleum Oil Co., which were totally destroyed. A sad feature of this conflagration was the tragic death of two of the employes- David Welch and Michael Downey, and the injuring of sev- eral others. One of these men was lighting the factory and passed through one room into the other leaving the door open. At this moment naphtha was being run from the stills, and it
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HISTORY OF THE
is supposed that a draft of air brought gas in contact with his light, and the explosion took place, blowing up the buildings, and setting everything instantly in flames. The bodies of the victims were found terribly burned. The loss of property was $5350.
May 18, about quarter past eight in the evening, the carriage sheds of the Friends' meeting-house were set on fire. Damage slight. No. 10, first water.
At 6 o'clock, July 4, 1861, a trial took place on Market square between Franklin, No. 10, and Oregon, No. 11. Each played through 150 feet of hose with the following result : Franklin, No. 10, 180 feet, 10 inches ; 185 feet, 9 inches ; 170 feet, 4 inches. Oregon, No. 11, 166 feet, 5 inches ; 165 feet ; 164 feet, 8 inches. A large crowd witnessed the trial.
Sept. 21, a big blaze took place in East Fairhaven, near the railroad, in which the Keystone oil works were destroyed.
The records of the fire department during this and the fol- lowing year show many withdrawals of members who enlisted in the army for the war of the rebellion.
Jan. 29, 1862, a large fire broke out in the building III Union street, occupied by Almy & Swain, hardware dealers, and Warren W. Parker, sheet iron worker. The flames ex- tended to the next building west, occupied by Joseph Hicks' clothing store, the building at the east, occupied by Israel F. Parsons' book store and printing office, Davenport & Ma- son's express and Peleg Howland's hardware store. Loss, $16,380 ; insurance $12,880.
April 3, 1862, a fire broke out at twenty minutes of five in the morning in Nathan Chase's building, on Purchase street, opposite the Stone church. It originated in the armory, on the third floor and burned down into the dressmaking rooms of Miss Cordelia Raymond. The rooms in the second story, occupied by Dr. C. L. Spencer and Charles E. Fales, ambrotypist, were deluged with water, as were the stores on the first floor, occupied by B. W. Pierce, books and stationery, E. Wilson, confectioner, and H. Wilkinson, auctioneer.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Sunday afternoon, April 6, 1862, Simeon Doane's house, on the Point road, was destroyed. At this fire the hand engines Nos. 10, 6 and II rendered the only service. Capt. George Wilson, of the Franklin, who was on his way to church when the alarm was given, lost his best suit of broadcloth because of his plucky action in performing service that one of his officers hesitated to do. Capt. Wilson was thoroughly drenched with water and ruined his best clothes.
Several funny things happened at this fire that may be told now. Among the neighbors who responded to the call for as- sistance was Mr. Nathan S. Ellis, an old fireman, for many years a member and clerk of Philadelphia, No. 7, an enthusi- astic citizen and kind neighbor. At this fire he paid especial attention to details in removing the goods. Some of his acts served as a permanent subject for joke for many years, and are not laid entirely on the shelf to-day. Mr. E. rushed into the pantry, carefully emptied a number of earthen dishes filled to the brim with milk, and threw every one of them out of the window, each being broken in its fall ; but the milk was saved anyhow. In the front hall stood a massive hall rack, built of iron, so solid that it would have required the intense heat of the furnace to melt it. Among the many pieces of valuable furniture he was instrumental in saving from destruction, Mr. E. didn't neglect this rack, but heroically tugged it across the lawn to a place of safety. None would laugh more heartily over these episodes than did neighbor Nathan. The family cat, a great favorite with the children, was thrust hastily into a capacious apron, the ends gathered up, and was transported in quick time to a neighbor's. No catastrophe happened to that cat.
April 7th, 1862, a fire in the brick building of the Cordage Co. on Court street. Loss, $4000. Insured.
There were eight fires during the month of April,-three of them of incendiary origin.
Oct. 5th, 1862, at I o'clock A. M., a fierce fire occurred on Purchase street just north of Middle, in William G. White's
A
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carriage factory, which was destroyed, with James M. Tripp's blacksmith shop. Several other buildings were partially burned. There was a strong gale from the southwest blowing at the time, and but for a heavy rainfall the conflagration would have been much more disastrous.
Early on the morning of Oct. 24th, 1862, a fire broke out in the clothing house of John Cunningham, 45 Union street, spreading rapidly to the adjoining buildings on the west, occu- pied by Charles Taber & Co. The inflammable character of the buildings made an intensely hot fire, and the upper stories were quickly destroyed. A most distressing accident occurred, resulting in the death of a well-known citizen and in the injury of several others. A number of the members of the Protect- ing Society were engaged in the removal of goods from one of the upper rooms in the Taber building, when without warning the blazing roof and the attic floors fell in with a crash. In a moment the whole kindled into a seething mass of flames. It is a marvel how any of the firemen were able to clear them- selves from this frightful situation, but all escaped without se- rious injury except Mr. Henry C. Kelley, vice-president of the Protecting Society, who was rescued in a most appalling con- dition, his face and hands being burned in a frightful manner, besides internal injuries. He was at once removed to his home, and everything done to alleviate his sufferings. He lingered for two weeks, and died on Nov. 9th. The Protect- ing Society furnished a corps of watchers, made generous gifts of a practical nature, and performed many acts of kindness that were highly creditable to themselves. Mr. Kelley was father of the present president of the society, Mr. Charles S. Kelley. He was held in high esteem and respect by all who knew him, and his untimely death was regretted by the entire community.
The year 1863 was an unfortunate one for the soap manufac- tories, two being burned; one on May 14th, belonging to Richard Wilson, at Jesseville, with a loss of $3550 ; insurance $3200. On Sept. 15th, Burgess' soap works, on Ray street, were destroyed, with a loss of $5500 ; insurance, $4000.
to dest The Pel
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This year was remarkably free from serious conflagrations, the entire loss being but $14,985, with an insurance of $10,950.
At 1.30 A. M., on Feb. 10, 1864, fire was discovered in the west end of Liberty Hall, which was quickly communicated
HENRY C. KELLEY.
( Vice-President of the Protecting Society. Died from injuries received at C. Taber & Co.'s fire, Oct. 24, 1862.)
to every part of the building, and the interior was quickly destroyed, with all the hall furniture, scenic properties, etc. The occupants of the stores, which were all burned out, were : Peleg Allen, merchant tailor ; William Little, carpet dealer ;
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Hathaway & Keith, eating house ; B. G. Wilson, undertaker ; City liquor agency ; Edward Wing, restaurant ; Chas. Dehn, billiard rooms. In the third story, Messrs. Eaton & Smith, architects ; William B. Topham, albumen paper manufac- turer. The entire loss was $32, 190; insurance $25,000. The fire raged with great fierceness and, at one time, promised to spread to the surrounding buildings. Immense clouds of smoke, flame and burning cinders rose into the sky, and illu- minated the heavens for miles around. It was a stubborn fire and required consummate skill and pluck on the part of the fire department to keep it within the limits of the building. The wooden building on the southeast corner of William and Purchase streets took fire on the front cornices and would have been quickly in flames, but for the prompt service of Mr. Geo. S. Hoyt, late local manager of the Western Union Telegraph Co., who climbed to the roof and put it out himself. The steamers were kept in continual service for twenty hours before the fire was pronounced out. There is no question but the services of the steamers Onward and Progress at this confla- gration saved a vast amount of property from destruction.
Hardly had the firemen rested from the exhausting labors of this fire, when the alarm sounded at 2.30 o'clock on the morn- ing of Feb. 13th. William G. Blackler's barn on Anthony street had caught fire, and was speedily destroyed. The con- flagration promised to be a serious one, for the flames spread to the barn of ex-Gov. John H. Clifford. The fire was soon under control, though the latter building was much injured. The spacious dwelling was in great danger from burning cin- ders which were carried from the burning barns.
I shall be pardoned if I relate an incident that occurred at this conflagration. It so happened that a masquerade party was being held that night at ex-Gov. Clifford's, in honor of one of his sons, who was at home for a few days from college. A number of his student friends were present at the entertain ment. When the fierce conflagration broke out the festivities
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
were suddenly brought to a stop, and all lent their willing aid to save the building from the flames. The exigencies of the hour called for prompt service, and there was no time for change of raiment. So they were soon carrying water to the roof, and laying wet blankets on the most exposed portions of the building. There were devils in red, devils in black, devils with forked tails, devils with horns, demons and hobgoblins, witches and spirits of the night, all eagerly at work. Here one with a pail of water mounted the ladder, passed it to a. goblin, who threw its contents on the burning roof and then. tossed the empty vessel to the ground, only to be caught on the fly by a mysterious witch, filled again by a red devil and returned. There may have been seen a party of goblins and witches tugging with a carpet, which they soon spread over the roof, furnishing more work for the mysterious water car- riers to keep it wet. Now look and see a troop of these wild masqueraders, who, leaping into an open window, appear sud- denly on the roof, prancing and dancing about as if the carni- val were prepared purposely for their enjoyment. The bright flames from the raging fire were throwing their brilliancy upon the scene, giving it a supernatural effect, and suggesting a glimpse of the infernal regions. It had this effect upon Clerk Paisler, of the steamer Onward, who, running along Cottage street, passed the residence of Capt. J. C. Delano, which in those days was surrounded by a high fence, back of which was a tall and almost impenetrable hedge. This shielded from his view the vividness of the flames, till he suddenly emerged from under the hedge into open space. Here before him were roll- ing clouds of flame and smoke, mounting high into the heav- ens, below them the burning buildings, now one solid mass of fire. To the sound of crackling timbers and falling walls, the fantastic group of hobgoblins, witches and devils, were cavort- ing about the roofs of the Clifford mansion. The scene,- weird, wild and wanton,-was too much for our friend, though his education had been among the mysticisms of German folk
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HISTORY OF THE
lore. He brought himself to a sudden stop and involuntarily exclaimed, " Gracious Heaven, I've run myself into sheol !" (This word was not in use in those days, and so he used its equivalent. ) Slowly he recovered from his surprise ; the
CHARLES S. PAISLER. ( State Commissioner of Firemen's Relief Fund, 1890.)
approach of the Onward brought him fully to himself, and, as he said, he entered into the duties of the hour and soon mingled with devils, demons and witches of the night. with as much familiarity as though they were kindred spirits.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In 1864 the Excelsior steam engine, No. 3, was ordered, and held as a reserve for some time. The Young Mechanic Co., No. 6, was disbanded Jan. 29, 1865, and a company for the Excelsior was formed from her ranks.
Foreman, Joseph Hafford. First Assistant, Job H. Gifford. Second Assistant, William T. King. Clerk, George P. Reed.
John C. Damon;
Samuel Thompson,
John W. Walker,
Martin Blanchard, Jr.,
Henry K. Paine,
Joseph T. Hafford,
Isaiah Wilcox,
Henry M. Gifford.
The brick buildings formerly occupied by Oregon, No. II, and Young Mechanic, No. 6, were taken down, and the mate- rial was used in the new building and stable for the Excelsior on the northwest corner of County and Hillman streets.
April 23. 1864, a disastrous fire occurred in Fairhaven, the paint shop of Messrs. Purrington & Taber, and some twenty other buildings, being wholly or partially destroyed, the loss amounting to about $10,000. Many valuable volumes of the early town records were burned in this fire.
Dec. 10, a large fire occurred on Cheapside, corner of Wil- liam street, buildings owned by the Cummings estate.
Nov. 10, another large fire occurred in Snell's Bakery, northwest corner of Water and William streets.
The annual report of the Board of Engineers for 1864-5 showed the department as being prosperous, well organized, and very efficient. The fire loss was $13,630; insurance, $5650.
Feb. 5, 1865, the Congregational church at the Head of the River was burned. Loss, $2500.
April 24, the works of the New Bedford Oil Co., foot of South street, were burned. Loss $3000.
July S, fire in Josiah Dexter's store, 40 Purchase street. Loss $1700.
Oct. 26, still house and stock of the New Bedford Oil Co., Fish Island, burned. Loss $17So.
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HISTORY OF THE
Nov. 18, Kirby's paint mill, on Eddy's wharf, burned. Loss $2200 ; insurance $2000.
The Contest Steam Fire Engine Co., No. 3, of Fairhaven, was organized April 5, 1865, with the following membership :
Foreman, Andrew M. Braley. First Assistant, George Clark. Second Assistant, John A. Dexter. Clerk, Nathaniel P. Fish.
James G. Card,
John P. Ellis,
Calvin Hackell,
E. Eldredge,
George Miller,
G. F. Eldred,
William E. Eldred,
C. Grinnell,
John Dexter,
Thomas Hanna,
Martin Westgate,
Robert Hanna,
Thomas H. Bowen,
Alfred Jones,
Patrick Quirk,
John Quirk,
Edwin Jenney,
William Rounsville,
Stephen Westgate,
John Sampson,
James Severance,
James D. Stetson,
William Bowen,
Joseph Smith,
B. H. Butler,
J, P. Perry,
John Brown,
David Jenney,
Ebenezer Boyden,
William Webb,
Luther Cole,
Henry Waldron,
Charles Cannon,
B. Wilcox, Jr.
E. Copeland,
Philip Westgate,
Charles F. Stetson, C. F. Perry,
David Shepherd,
William Macomber,
Stephen Hutchins,
Alexander Pierce,
Edward Manchester,
John Wilcox,
B. Wilcox,
James E. Card,
E. H. Sears.
Their engine, built by Jeffers, side brake, was exchanged for a steam fire engine May 1, 1869.
May 11, 1866, Seamen's Bethel partially destroyed. Loss $600.
Sept. 13, Greene & Wood's planing mill, Leonard's wharf, destroyed, with loss $4800.
Dec. 2, Trinitarian Church partially destroyed by fire. Loss $1225.
The annual report for 1865-6 speaks in praise of the har- monious action and zealous devotion of the department. Fire losses, $12,675 ; insurance, $6035.
8
Benj. Westgate,
HENRY H. FISHER. ( Assistant Engineer, 1861.)
CHAPTER XII.
HE following is a list of members of the fire department in 1867 :
BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
Chief Engineer, Tillinghast P. Tompkins.
Assistant Engineers, John Mathews, Moses H. Bliss, Frederick Macy, Henry H. Fisher.
Clerk, C. M. Pierce, Jr.
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HISTORY OF THE
ONWARD, NO. I.
Foreman, Charles H. Church. First Assistant, Charles H. Brownell. Second Assistant, Samuel H. Rulon. Clerk, Charles S. Paisler.
James Devine, James G. Harding,
Peter Nelson, Edward G. Tallman,
Ephraim G. Kempton,
Clark Leavitt,
Abram R. Wood, Albert P. Winslow,
James D. Allen.
PROGRESS, NO. 2.
Foreman, Franklin Shaw. First Assistant, John E. Brown. Second Assistant, William P. Sowle. Clerk, Philip E. Colby.
John Downey,
William H. Miller,
Michael Dugan,
Charles H. Phinney.
Charles L. Gifford,
Loring T. Parlow,
Joseph Hammond,
Edward A. Sowle,
Thomas B. Rowe,
John Duffy.
EXCELSIOR, NO. 3.
Foreman, Joseph Hafford. First Assistant, Job H. Gifford. Second Assistant, M. Henry Gifford. Clerk, George P. Reed.
Martin Blanchard, Jr., William T. King,
John C. Damons, Samuel Thompson,
James Duddy, Joseph T. Hafford,
John W. Walker, Isaiah H. Wilcox,
Horace M. Plummer.
CORNELIUS HOWLAND, NO. 4.
Foreman, Abraham H. Howland, Jr. First Assistant, Samuel C. Hart. Second Assistant, Michael F. Kennedy. Clerk, Giles G. Barker.
Andrew J. Brown, John Murdock,
George L. Jennings, Hugh McDonald,
Charles E. Jennings, James M. Tripp,
James A. Murdock, Clarfaus Vansant,
Charles F. Briggs.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
HANCOCK, No. 9.
Foreman, Reuben Washburn. First Assistant, Charles E. Howland. Second Assistant, Edward C. Spooner. Clerk, George A. Cobb.
Arthur C. Brooks, Seth Hoard,
John Silva, Jireh B. Gifford,
James H. Hathaway,
Charles H. Hathaway,
Joseph H. Lawrence,
Thomas R. Hawes,
Thomas W. Pierce,
Samuel T. Patterson,
William D. Perry,
Sylvester Pratt,
David Turney,
Asa Reynolds,
Alfred Williams,
Frank P. Washburn,
Leander Perry,
Charles Skiff, Howard Pittsley,
William R. Washburn.
THE PROTECTING SOCIETY.
President, F. L. Porter.
First Director, Charles Chandler.
Second Director, Edward Russell.
Third Director, Edmund Rodman.
Fourth Director, Dennis Wood.
Fifth Director, George R. Phillips.
Sixth Director, David S. Bliss.
Secretary and Treasurer, William C. Macy.
William H. H. Allen,
Cornelius Howland, Jr.,
Gilbert Allen,
John P. Knowles, 2d,
Gideon Allen, Jr.,
Humphrey S. Kirby,
Edward H. Allen,
Edward Knights,
Charles Almy,
L. M. Kollock, William Leveritt,
Samuel P. Burt.
Charles H. Lawton,
William H. Bartlett,
Edward D. Mandell,
George L. Brownell,
John W. Macomber,
T. Frank Brownell,
Obed C. Nye,
Joseph Buckminster, William P. S. Cadwell,
Andrew G. Pierce,
Charles S. Cummings, Nathaniel S. Cannon,
Otis N. Pierce,
George F. Parlow,
Wendell H. Cobb, Leonard B. Ellis,
William F. Potter, Abraham Russell,
C. B. H. Fessenden,
James H. C. Richmond,
James Robinson,
William R. N. Silvester,
William T. Smith,
H. A. Gifford, Jr., F. L. Gilman, Edward R. Gardner,
Bethuel Penniman, Jr.,
Francis T. Aiken,
Reuben Ellis,
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HISTORY OF THE
Charles H. Gifford,
William C. Taber, Jr ..
George D. Gifford,
Charles Taber,
William L. Gerrish, Jr.,
Abraham Taber,
Ebenezer Hervey,
Robert B. Taber,
Joshua C. Hitch,
Henry J. Taylor,
Charles B. Hillman,
E. P. Taylor,
Charles M. Haskell,
Alden Wordell,
Jonathan Handy,
William H. Willis,
Sylvander Hutchinson,
Alfred G. Wilbor,
Ezra Holmes,
William G. Wood,
Cyrenius W. Haskins,
James DeWolf,
William Howe,
Alfred Wilson,
Samuel C. Hart,
George F. Kingman,
Joseph Knowles.
PIONEER HOOK AND LADDER, NO. I.
Foreman, Charles H. Walker.
First Assistant, Christian Dantsizen.
Second Assistant, Edward M. Durfee. Clerk, George C. Hardy.
Horace Aiken,
Nathaniel Booth,
Stephen W. Booth,
Griffin T. Cornell,
James Doull,
Alexander Doull,
John P. Ellis,
Herbert Gardner,
William B. Hardy,
William W. Hatch,
Martin L. Hathaway,
Samuel A. Hardy,
Charles J. Johnson,
William H. Knights,
Revere G. Lindsey,
Abraham Luscomb,
Leander Luce,
Thomas Manley, Timothy O'Neil,
Alexander G. Myrick,
Barnabas H. Packard,
Warren W. Parker,
Charles Ruberg,
Philip H. Shepherd,
Asa R. Sherman,
Henry Shiverick,
Francis H. Slocum,
Stephen H. Shepherd,
Philip M. Tripp,
Charles West,
Joseph Wheeler,
Josiah W. Gardner,
Peter Lynch,
Reuben Corson,
William H. Harp,
Charles Wood,
Charles E. Pierce,
William Clymont,
James W. Warren,
John H. Judson.
Steam fire engine Cornelius Howland, No. 4, built by the Amoskeag Mfg. Co., was placed in commission Feb. 1, 1867. A company was organized, the membership being largely from the Franklin Engine Co., No. 10, Capt. A. H. Howland, Jr., which had been disbanded but a few days before. An elegant
.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
gold headed cane was presented to Capt. Howland by the Franklins on the evening of January 31.
The following is the roster :
Foreman, Abraham H. Howland, Jr.
First Assistant, Samuel C. Hart.
Second Assistant, Michael F. Kennedy.
Clerk, Giles G. Barker.
Torch Boys, Augustus A. Wood, William H. Coffin.
James M. Tripp, Clarfaus Vansant, Hugh McDonald,
Andrew J. Brown,
James A. Murdock,
George L. Jennings,
Charles E. Jennings,
John Murdock.
The engine was located on the corner of Bedford and South Sixth streets. It was named after one of our most energetic and esteemed citizens, who had been an important factor in the establishment of the steam service in our fire department. April 20th a fine photograph of him was presentsd to the com- pany by Mrs. Cornelius Howland.
The Cornelius Howlands are proud of their record, and well they may be, for they have furnished from their ranks Mayor and Chief Engineer Abraham H. Howland, Jr., Chief Engi- neer Samuel C. Hart, Assistant Engineers Michael F. Ken- nedy, Augustus A. Wood and Hugh McDonald.
The first pair of horses attached to this steamer were named Mike and Red Jacket, and were much petted by the company, for they were very intelligent. After long and faithful service Red Jacket was sold to a farmer, and entered upon a career of ordinary hard work. He chafed under the change, and one night broke out of the barn, trotted to the engine house, and whinnied for admittance. The door was opened by one of the company ; he plunged in with manifestations of real joy, and place being made for him, he took possession of the stall in a manner that plainly said he knew he was at home. Curious to see if he had forgotten his old duties, the alarm was struck. With a dash he flew from the stable and took his place at the pole, ready for the harness to be put upon him. The faithful
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HISTORY OF THE
creature was liberally fed and led back to his new home. Another intelligent horse attached to this company was Gen- eral, and he was assigned to the hose-reel. He, too, becoming old and past effective service, was sold to a farmer in a neigh- boring village. He nearly bothered the life out of Mr. Farmer
CORNELIUS HOWLAND, JR.
whenever he was in town, if the fire alarm sounded. At the ringing of the bells General would at once become uncontroll- able, run away with his owner and his load of wood and make a bee-line for No. 4's house.
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
It would be generous treatment for such faithful creatures to pension them with good living and tender care, with the priv- ilege of running to all fires as volunteers. Why not have an organization of veteran horses of the New Bedford fire de- partment? What a feature they would make in a Fourth of July parade.
At the great Boston fire in 1872 the Cornelius Howland, No. 4, was sent from this city and performed effective service in that fearful conflagration.
At two large fires at Padanaram this steamer went out, and rendered aid to the citizens that called out their gratitude in a substantial way, for the firemen report such glowing accounts of the bountiful spreads made for them that one is tempted to join the force when next they go to Padanaram just before the dinner hour.
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