USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of the Fire Department of the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1772-1890 > Part 6
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" The fire department was on hand, all but No. 6. Many of our ven- erable citizens were seen 'swinging at the brakes' like veterans. Among them we noticed our deservedly esteemed member of Congress, Mr. Joseph Grinnell, who proved himself, as he has often done in the House of Representatives, 'a good spouter.'"
May 18, 1848, occurred the Dudley Davenport fire, which de- stroyed about $30,000 worth of property. The fire commenced about 10 o'clock in the evening and was one of the fiercest ever experienced in our history. Mr. Davenport's steam plan- ing mill, lumber yard, grocery store, dwelling house belong- ing to William Rotch, and other buildings were burned. A vast amount of property in the vicinity, including the candle works, oil, etc., was rescued from destruction only by the spirited and hearty exertions of the firemen and citizens. Sev-
Mír. fire
$1
75
NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
eral of the engines were worked for five hours without inter- mission. A more severe or more satisfactory test of the cap- abilities and efficiency of the fire department as then consti- tuted can hardly be imagined. The firewards furnished a fine breakfast for the department when the flames were finally subdued.
Among the buildings saved from destruction was one owned by Matthew Luce. Mr. George M. Eddy found in the upper story a barrel of lime, and, using his broadbrimmed hat for want of a shovel, he spread it freely upon the roof, and by this novel means was successful in keeping the fire fiend at bay. His services were gratefully recognized the next day by Capt. Luce by the presentation of a new hat.
At this time a fire occured in Oxford Village that furnished an opportunity for sweet revenge. The Mechanic, No. 6, went over and played first water. William H. Sherman held the pipe and proud he was, and is to-day, of the event. This balanced the first water of the Oxford engine at the Centre street fire in 1820.
June 9, 1847, occurred a large fire at the Head-of-the-River, destroying hotel, bowling alley, stable and several dwelling houses. The bowling alley and appendages were regarded in the community as a nuisance. The origin of the fire was con- sidered not wholly accidental, as the Mercury intimated in its notice of the event. The firemen of our city repaired to the scene, and their exertions were highly commended. There was a great scarcity of food the next day, for the hungry firemen were liberally fed by the grateful citizens.
The next day at 3 P. M. a dwelling house on the farm of Mr. Gideon Nye, Jr., was burned. One of the victims of the fire on the day before, Mrs. Margaret Hathaway, had moved into it with what household goods she had been able to save, only to have them all destroyed in the second fire.
ZACHARIAH HILLMAN. (Chief Engineer, 1848-1850.)
CHAPTER VI.
HE following citizens composed the Board of Engineers for the year 1848 :
Zachariah Hillman, William H. Taylor, Edmund Gardner,
Ambrose Vincent, Samuel Watson, Oliver M. Brownell,
Sampson Perkins.
77
NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
1849.
Zachariah Hillman,
Wm. H. Jenney, O. M. Brownell, Philip S. Davis, Robert C. Topham,
Caleb L. Ellis,
Benj. B. Covell, Samuel Watson, George Perry,
Alanson Williston,
Ezra K. Delano, Philip Groves.
1850.
Z. Hillman, E. K. Delano, W. H. Jenney, George Wilson, George Perry, B. B. Covell,
C. L. Ellis, T. B. Denham, Joshua B. Ashley, Thomas P. Potter,
Tilson Wood, Asa R. Nye.
1851-2.
Ezra K. Delano, Z. Hillman, Robert C. Topham,
George Perry, Elisha W. Kempton, Tilson Wood.
July 4, 1847, the Philadelphias made an excursion to Nan- tucket and had a grand reception on their return. If I glean more frequently from the records of Nos. 7 and 10 than from those of other companies, it is for the reason that they were kept with great care, and everything of interest found mention in their pages at this time.
The Relief engine, No. 5, built by John Agnew, of Phila- delphia, was received in Oxford Village, Fairhaven, in Sep- tember, 1849, and the following company was organized that year :
Captain, Benjamin D. Coombs. First Assistant, Paschal Allen. Second Assistant, William H. Davis. Clerk and Treasurer, William H. Hoeg. Hosemen, Elisha B. Stevens, A. K. Bowen.
John P. Winslow, James M. Allen,
Frank Bates, Jr.,
John W. Smith,
Squire S. Stevens,
E. K. Jenney,
Oliver Wilcox,
John Lawton,
James A. Cannon,
Ebenezer Aiken, Jr.,
Andrew Wilcox,
Timothy Sanford,
Charles Savery,
Davis Landers,
William H. Hoeg, Jr., Thomas W. Nye,
Charles Coombs,
Ebenezer G. Grinnell,
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HISTORY OF THE
Dexter Jenney,
George Davis, Benj. Drew,
William Burgess,
George F. Neil,
Amos Rogers,
D. K. Hathaway,
Ansel D. Bourne,
E. S. Jenney, Jr.,
John A. Peck, Eli Sherman,
James Braley,
Isaiah West,
John West, Loring Boomer,
Joseph N. Peck,
Edward Winslow,
Elihu Wood, Jr.,
Ezra B. Briggs,
Joseph H. Burgess,
Watson Nickerson,
James H. Taber,
Edward West,
William H. Davis,
Robert Bennett,
John Kendrick, Alden Davis,
Jeremiah West.
Jason Spooner, Asa West, Andrew W. Hart, Philip Wilcox.
The company, arrayed in uniform caps and mourning badges, joined the procession in New Bedford on the occasion of the obsequies of President Taylor, in August, 1850.
The Relief, No. 5, continued in effective service until 1879, when it was condemned and retired. It was succeeded by the Alert, No. 4, of Taunton, built by Button, of Waterford, N. Y. The old name and number, Relief, No. 5, was re- tained, and this engine continued in service until 1886, when it was taken out of commission. The following company was attached to it at this time :
Foreman, Marcellus P. Whitfield. First Assistant, Joseph C. Jenney. Second Assistant, James K. Paull. Clerk, Charles P. Maxfield.
Amos Rogers, Wm. H. Bates,
Wm. H. Norris, Charles Coombs, Wm. H. Eldred, Thomas Wrightington,
James M. Allen, Jr., Charles H. Coombs, Jr., Henry Wilson, Robert Campbell, Edw. L. Besse,
Geo. Carpenter, Oliver H. Wilcox,
Edgar C. Taber, Lorenzo F. Wilde,
Wm. K. Rogers, Oliver S. Gurney, Seth Shaw, Albert Charey,
Thomas W. Nye, Albert Eldred, Henry B. Gifford,
pn
79
NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
James Cannon,
H. T. Wilde,
Wm. H. Dunham,
Edward C. Earley,
James A. Gammons,
Fred. J. Vaughn,
James C. Chapman,
Arthur Harrington,
Benj. W. Kempton,
Stilman Ryder,
Herman H. Hathaway,
Courtland Shaw,
John J. Hammond, William Aston.
Nathaniel Dunn,
For a "used-up engine," the Relief made a surprising exhi- bition in the hand-engine trial, July 4, 1890. Of this perform- ance I shall speak again.
On Jan. 28, 1850, a disastrous fire occurred in Tallman's block, on Union street, Messrs. George M. Eddy & Co. being burned out. A sad event at this conflagration was the death of Mr. Timothy Tallman, an aged and well known citizen. He occupied a room in the upper story, and was smothered by the dense smoke. Messrs. William Neal and William H. Sherman were the first to enter the room and rescue the body ; but life was extinct. A favorite dog, " Wallace," be- longing to Mr. Eddy, met the same fate. He was a powerful mastiff' and a valuable watch dog.
Wallace had a fine reputation, gained principally through an incident which I will relate. In the yard of the house was kept a swill barrel, which was regularly emptied by a poor neighbor, rich in pig stock. Much to his annoyance, it was frequently found empty when he made his regular calls. These occurrences came so often that a sharp lookout was kept, but without success. It was concluded finally to let Wallace take a part in the investigation, and so he was left out of doors for the night. The family retired at the usual time, but before sleep had come to the eyelids the short, sharp, significant growl of Wallace was heard on the night air. Mr. Eddy con- cluded not to get up ; for if anybody was in the yard not intent on mischief, the dog would do him no harm. Should it happen that any person was on the premises engaged in unlawful pur- suits, he was confident that Wallace would attend to the busi- ness faithfully. In the morning the barrel was found lying on
So
HISTORY OF THE
the bilge, and the dog, with his head close to the open end, was comfortably taking his ease. On close investigation a a plump, good-sized colored boy was found in the barrel with his head toward the lower end. Wallace was sent into the house to partake of his morning meal, and the lad crawled out. He acknowledged that he was the thief. On being asked to explain matters, he said that he had turned down the barrel to scoop out the contents when he heard the dog com- ing. Becoming suddenly frightened at the situation, he crawled in for safety's sake, and the dog coolly lay down and looked at him in calm contemplation. Any movement looking like a desire to depart was greeted with a sugges- tive growl. No doubt it was an edifying spectacle for the dog. As to the boy, he concluded to stay all night, as his parents wouldn't be very anxious about him. Suffice it to say that the regular scavenger had no further trouble in getting the weekly supply for his pigs.
The Philadelphia records give this item for July 4, 1850 :
" The engine was taken to Market square, drawn by a pair of beau- tiful black horses, provided by Mr. N. O. Tripp, a member of the com- pany. We then had a trial with Nos. 5, 6, 9, 10, II, and the No. 5, of Fairhaven. It was admitted by everybody that No. 7 'beat the crowd."""
I find the following " Song to the Firemen " among the re- cords of the Philadelphia, No. 7, and I presume the poet was inspired to write it in praise of this engine. It is written to the tune of " Lucy Long :"
Now comrades pay attention While I rehearse the fame Of a pretty little engine We always love to name.
Chorus.
O, break her down, my hearties, My hearties, stout and strong, O, crack her down, my hearties, To the tune of " Lucy Long."
ppe
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most
For
Hal
Kate
men,
81
NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This little one's a snorter, A hardened case indeed, And the way she throws the water Is a caution to the breed. Chorus.
Her lungs are made of copper And her limbs are clothed in brass, And she runs, the young jade hopper, Like a snake among the grass. Chorus.
She's no rum soaking sinner, Her drink is from the wells, And you'd think the deuce was in her When she hears the ringing bells. Chorus.
The saucy little vixen Is fire's deadliest foe, And the way she puts the licks in When she comes to the scratch ain't slow. Chorus.
The strife she's ever after, She always holds out game, So long as smokes a rafter, So long as flares a flame. Chorus.
Where'er the fire is hottest You'll find her on the spot, Then toast the saucy varmint In cups of " coffee hot." Chorus.
On July 4th, 1851, engine companies Nos. 5, 7, 9 and 10 spent the day in Providence, participating in the grand parade in that city.
The rivalry between the fire companies at this period took a most singular turn. Among the performers belonging to the Forbes Dramatic Co., of Providence, then playing in Liberty Hall (the old wooden structure, burned Nov. 10th, 1854), were two talented actresses, Miss Evangeline Hathaway and Miss Kate Newton. These ladies were very popular with the fire- men, Miss Hathaway being the favorite of Nos. 5 and 7, and
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HISTORY OF THE
Miss Newton of Nos. 6 and 11. How this sort of thing came about nobody knows, but all the enthusiasm of the rivalry was fully developed in this mad craze. Every benefit night, (and they occurred almost weekly in the season) the compan- ies would parade in uniform, accompanied by music, and at- tend the performances of these actresses, showering upon them
e
e
ien
EZRA K. DELANO. ( Chief Engineer, 1851-1852.)
1
wreaths, bouquets of flowers, and purses liberally filled with money. " Anything to beat Grant," seemed to be the spirit underlying this whole transaction, and the greatest wonder is that this foolishness continued as long as it did.
The year 1851 developed a strange and alarming condition
frer Nat
went
Ti bel
S3
NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
of things, that spread alarm among our citizens. The fre- quency of incendiary fires was disturbing enough, but the fire apparatus was tampered with, the hose was cut, and other malicious acts were committed. The No. 6 was mutilated, and also No. 3. Several large rewards for conviction vere offered by the Board of Firewards.
The interest in the Fire Department at this time was simply vonderful. Every one had his favorite company. He was a veak-minded youth or a comparatively new resident in the own who had attained the age of eight or ten years, and didn't 'blow " for Nos. 5 or 7, or Nos. 6 or 11. So contagious be- ame the racing spirit that it was a common sight during the summer evenings to see boy companies with miniature engines, built from large shoe boxes, mounted on a set of condemned wheels, bought at a close bargain from some block-maker. The sides of these elegant creations would be covered with hieroglyphics containing the information that it was No. 5 or 6 or 7 ; that it was "Always ready," that it "Strives to conquer," or " Our duty done our aim accomplished."
With these instruments of fun the boys would have race after race, night after night, unless good fortune broke the spell with the frequent false alarms calling out the bigger boys with their apparatus. What days they were ! Let the reader be gentle in his criticism of this sport, and remember that we were boys then, with boyish fancies, boyish aspirations, and brimful of enthusiasm for that which our fathers were identified with and preferred ; and so we lifted our voices and shouts in praise of our favorite.
I wonder if any of my readers remember the Juvenile En- gine Co., No. 12, of which Charlie Collins and Henry Howe were captains. Among the members were Zach. Cushman, Nathan D. Maxfield, Gen. George Worth, Fred. Wood, Wil- iam Howland, John D. Howland and others, making about twenty-five in number-all scholars at Bush street school. We nad for an engine a tiny garden machine, with end brakes. It belonged to Edward S. Taber, Esq., who kindly loaned it to
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HISTORY OF THE
the boys, and it is still in Mr. Taber's possession. He was for five years a member of Oregon, No. 11, and was captain of the company when he withdrew from membership, in 1854. He was presented with a silver trumpet during his term of service, the presentation being made by Mr. William G. Taber, in be- half of the Oregons.
Our uniform consisted of white shirts, red stripes on our trousers and bright bands on our caps. What grand parades we used to have on Saturdays! Bright, happy days they were; that is, most of them. One lovely sum- mer day our company started out with drums beating and banners flying for an excursion to Fort Phoenix. We paraded through our own streets first, dragging our little engine, beau-
12
.M
JUVENILE ENGINE, NO. 12.
tifully decorated with flowers, wreaths, and gaily colored ribbons. After permitting ourselves to be admired by our own citizens first, we took passage in the staunch ferryboat Union, bound for Fairhaven. We had a delightful passage, and landed in safety and in good health. None were seasick, but all were homesick before the day was over. We marched into the town with great pomp, and we received a warm re- ception from the youth of the village; very warm indeed. Before we had reached the centre of the town every native- born had "scented the battle from afar." And we were soon surrounded with a large and enthusiastic following. They be- came very demonstrative, they became close friends, too close for comfort, they did their best to amuse us by tossing pebbles
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NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
at us. They hustled us about good and ill naturedly. They wanted very much to see how our engine looked bottom side up. Now all this didn't furnish any real fun for us, and so boy-like we got mad and, singular as it may seem, that made fun for them.
This sort of entertainment continued until we got tired. The fact was there was too much of it and too long continued to be thoroughly enjoyed. Fort Phoenix seemed to be far, far away, and the day was passing so rapidly that we finally concluded to go home. They generously furnished us escort. When we turned down the street and had a straight course, we took a double quick and went on board the ferryboat as if we had been shot from a mortar. Pleasant social remarks passed between us as we sailed out upon the river.
There used to be a little ditty, familiar to all in those days, which we might have sung on this occasion :
Corsica jigs put on your wigs, And over to Bedford come ; New Bedford boys put on your hats, And make the Corsicans run.
If I remember correctly, our future excursions were confined to Howland's Grove and Clark's Point, which were much pre- ferred to Fort Phoenix because of better protection from vio- lent winds and sudden storms.
At this time there was a juvenile company, No. 13, Captain Records, at the north part of the city. The company had uni- forms and appeared frequently on the streets in parade. They made almost as fine an appearance as the No. 12s, but they couldn't put on such airs as we did, for they hadn't been to Fair- haven. Besides, the No. 12s had the distinguished honor of actually joining in the torchlight procession with Franklin, No. IO, on the evening of Oct. 4, 1851. The occasion was the escorting of Columbian, No. 5, and Philadelphia, No. 7, from the station on their return from a visit to the Protectors, of North Bridgewater.
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HISTORY OF THE
The Active, No. 2, was a little bucket machine belonging to Mr. George M. Eddy, on Third street It had an organized company, and among the boys were Abram T. Eddy, George M. Eddy, Jr., Fred. Smith, Rodman Tripp, William Cobb, Frank Taber, William Bryant, Charley Knights, "General" George Worth (he must have been an enthusiast, for he also belonged to No. 12), Fred. Barker, Jake Johnson and others. In their parades the dog Wallace appeared with a blanket suitably adorned.
The Board of Engineers from 1853 till Aug. 21, 1854 :
George Wilson, Chief.
George G. Gifford,
Caleb L. Ellis,
Benjamin B. Covell,
Tilson B. Denham.
1854. Joshua B. Ashley, Chief.
Oliver M. Brownell, Tillinghast P. Tompkins,
Israel T. Bryant, George Hinckley.
1855. Zachariah Hillman, Chief.
James Durfee.
George Perry,
George G. Gifford, Robert C. Topham.
The Ohio, No. 3, was received from its builders, the Ag- news, of Philadelphia, early in 1850, and placed in the North Second street engine-house. It was esteemed a valuable and powerful addition to our fire apparatus and gave satisfaction to the authorities. Their pleasure took the form of compli- mentary resolutions, passed by the Board of Firewards, speak- ing in flattering terms of all engines built by the Agnews for our city. The resolutions were spread upon the records and published in the newspapers.
Singular as it may seem, more than six months passed before any attempt was made to provide a company for the new en- gine. Then Mr. Henry R. Wilcox took the matter in hand and completed the organization with the following officers :
Foreman, Henry R. Wilcox. First Assistant, Nathan Johnson.
S7
NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Second Assistant, Frederick P. Chase. Clerk, George W. Paine.
A substantial brick house was built on Purchase street, just north of Maxfield, and the engine was moved to the new
JOSHUA B. ASHLEY. ( Chief Engineer, 1854.)
quarters Jan. 2, 1855. The company made a parade through North Second, Union and Purchase streets to the house, where the engine was worked, taking water from the cistern under the new building.
SS
HISTORY OF THE
I give my readers the full roll for 1852, which we are assured by Capt. Wilcox is substantially the same as when organized in 1850 :
OHIO ENGINE CO., No. 3. (North Second street.)
Foreman, Henry R. Wilcox. First Assistant, Nathan Johnson. Second Assistant, Frederick P. Chase. Clerk, George W. Paine.
Josiah Coggeshall,
Enoch Crocker,
W. F. H. Clapp,
James Conway,
James C. Devine,
Gorton Aessey,
James McKenney,
Cornelius Smith,
Samuel Johnson,
Joseph Hoyle,
Edward Hicks,
James H. Hood,
James Durfee, Jr.,
Valentine Francis,
William Lavers,
Leander Manchester,
Joseph M. Shiverick,
Bernard McGurk,
Patrick Mead,
Michael H. Elliot,
W. H. Damon,
George G. Peck,
Michael Ryan,
Jacob Moores,
Thomas Cross,
Benjamin Tripp,
Michael Devine,
George Young,
Patrick Devine,
Charles Westgate,
Charles J. Place,
Job Slocum,
W. B. Hathaway, Samuel Haven,
Ezra Tew.
Lemuel R. James,
David P. Devoll,
Richmond M. Taber,
Thomas Cranston, James Warren,
Benjamin R. Brownell,
Maltiah J. Bourne,
Andrew Harper,
Richard T. Durfey,
Benjamin Crocker,
Timothy Blanchard.
On the evening of June 30, 1851, a fierce conflagration oc- curred on Purchase street, in Albert Shaw's looking-glass and picture frame manufactory. The combustible nature of the materials made a fire of fearful intensity, and the entire struc- ture, with contents, was quickly destroyed. At this fire an un- pleasantness occurred between the Chief Engineer and Frank- lin Co., No. 10, growing out of a misunderstanding of an order. Considerable feeling was stirred up, but the mat- ter soon subsided without any serious consequences. At this fire the Ohio, No. 3, was used for the first time, Mr. William Durfee acting as pipeman.
So
NEW BEDFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In November, 1852, a serious difficulty arose between Co- lumbian Engine Co., No. 5, and the Board of Engineers, which resulted in the disbanding of the Columbians. The occurrence took place at the period when false alarms were raised, many of them no doubt to furnish an opportunity for a race. One evening Nos. 5 and 6 started north on Purchase street at a tearing pace, when the Chief appeared on the scene and or- dered the No. 5 to stop. In their zeal and excitement they failed to obey his command, and seizing the headrope, he took a turn around a lantern post. This would have been success- ful if a ready knife hadn't left some twenty feet in the hands of the Chief, as the Columbian still pursued its course. The affair, of course, resulted in an investigation, and a demand was made by the Board of Engineers that the captain of No. 5 should furnish a list of the names of the disobedient members. This was refused and the com- pany disbanded, only to be invited to return to the fire depart- ment the following year.
Sept 18, 1852, the Franklin Engine Co., No. 10, went on an excursion to Newport. On their arrival at Fall River they were met by Capt. Buffington and Mr. Wrightington of the Niagara, No. 4, and escorted to the Exchange Hotel, where they enjoyed a substantial breakfast, provided by the Niagaras, a handsome compliment, and one that found due appreciation from the Franklins. (I find numerous instances on record where our fire companies were the recipients of the generosity and courtesy of the Fall River firemen.) At 9 o'clock they took passage on the good steamer Canonicus, arriving in Newport at II, where they were cordially re- ceived and generously entertained by Protection Engine Co., No. 5. After several hours of enjoyment in the town, they took a return steamer to Fall River. The company were again met by the Niagaras, and, after being escorted through the principal streets, they took the train for home. On their arrival another agreeable
. 90
HISTORY OF THE
able surprise was in store for them, for the Columbian, No. 5, with full ranks, awaited them with cordial greeting. After a short parade the Columbians escorted them to the Mansion House, where a sumptuous banquet was prepared and fully en- joyed. Toasts, speeches and music followed, and the festivi- ties of the day closed with their being escorted to their house, and the fun was over. Clerk Charles D. Tuell records it as being one of the pleasantest excursions ever had in this country or " any other." A card of thanks was prepared by a committee consisting of Charles D. Tuell, Robert C. Topham, John P. Taylor, George R. Hurlburt, and George H. Jennings and published in the home newspapers and in Fall River and Newport.
At this time the rivalry between the engine companies de- veloped many false alarms of fire-raised to give an oppor- tunity for another race. Almost every evening found them racing through the streets as if the fate of the nation depended on the result. An unusual smoke from some chimney was sufficient cause to vell "fire" and raise the alarm. The record books of the companies show it to have been a common occur- rence to have three or four alarms in a week. A genuine fire was a surprise, so frequent were these alarms.
I am tempted to give a story bearing upon the subject. A large congregation had assembled to hear a strange preacher of some note. Soon after he had introduced his subject the cry of " Fire ! Fire ! ! " in the street, very much disturbed the congregation, and many were about to retire, when an elderly brother arose and said : "If the congregation will be composed I will step out and see if there is any fire, and report." The congregation became composed and the minister proceeded. Taking advantage of the occurrence, he called attention to a fire that would consume the world, a fire that would burn forever in the lake that is bottomless : and had just concluded a sentence of terrible import, and not without manifest im- pression on his audience, when a voice from the other end of the
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