USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 115
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 115
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1873.
Common Council, James C. Ludlow, president ; First Ward, James Reave Sayre, John MeLorinan ; Second Ward, 1. 8. Armstrong, William HI. Baldwin ; Third Ward, Theodore Mackuet, E. R. Pennington ; Fourth Ward, Decar Baraett, Henry D. Gould; Fifth Ward, Edward Shickhaus, Nicholas J. Fredericks ; Sixth Ward, James L. Gurney, Il. T. Dusen- berry ; Seventh Ward, Matthew Melowell, William M. Freeman ; Eighth Ward, Eli II. Reynolds, Daniel Geary ; Ninth Ward, James M. Durand, Isane Champenois, Walter Grracen ; Tenth Ward, A. C. Westervelt, Abram S. Staats; Eleventh Ward, John Radel, Jumes E. Bathgate; Twelfth Ward, Frederick Bonykamper, Thomas (fConnor; Thirteenth Ward, John D. Harrison, Frederick .A. Trundt ; Fourteenth Ward, James C. Ludlow, William Stainsby ; Fifteenth Ward, Charles Kreitler, Henry R. Baker, James 11. Muchmore ; James Gillen, clerk.
1874.
Common Council, James C. Ludlow, president ; First Ward, Joha M.Lorinaa, James Breve Sayre ; Serond Ward, William II. Baldwin, Henry C. Soden ; Third Ward, Ed. R. Pennington, John C. Johnson ; Fourth Ward, Henry D. Gould, John C. Littell 9, Henry J. Yates 10; Fifth Ward, N. S. Fredericks 11, William E. Greathend, William B. Glasby 12 ; Sixth Ward, II. T. Dusentwerry, Julius C. Fitzgerald ; Seventh Ward, William M. Freeman, Matthew MeDuwel ; Eighth Ward, Daniel Geary, Kli HI. Reynolds ; Ninth Ward, Walter Grencen, James W. Miller ; Tenth Ward, Abrum S. Staats, A. C. Westervelt ; Eleventh Ward, James E. Bathgate, Joseph Permm ; Twelfth Ward, Thomas O'Connor 13, Frederick Bonykamper ; Thirteenth Ward, Frederick A. Trundt, John D. Harrison ; Fourteenth Ward, William Stainsby, James C. Ludlow ; Fifteenth Ward, James H. Muchmore, William Currolton ; James Gillen, clerk.
1875.
Common Commeil, Albert C. Westervelt, presklent ; First Ward, James Itreve Sayre, William E. Pine ; Second Ward, Henry C. Sodea, Willinta H. Baldwin ; Third Ward, John C. Johnson 14, Oliver Reeves ; Fourth
1 lied. " Elected May 31, 1864, to All varancy.
3 Removed from ward.
& Removed from ward.
s Elected April IS, IN65, to fill vacancy.
? Resigned.
4 Elected March 21, 1×65, to hll vacancy.
$ Elected Oct. 9, 1866, to fill vacancy.
10 Elected Feb. 3, 1874, to All vacancy.
12 Elected June 22, 1871, to fill vacancy.
1ª Died.
14 Jind 1873.
457
CITY OF NEWARK.
Ward, Henry J. Yutex, J. W. Vanderveer ; Fifth Ward, William E. Greathead, John P Hudson ; Sixth Ward, J. C. Fitzgerald, James MI. Paterson ; Seventh Ward, Matthew M. Dowell, William M. Freeman ; Eighth Ward, Ell I. Reynolds 1, Charles Marsh, William A. Smith ?; Ninth Ward, James W. Miller, Walter Greuren ; Tenth Ward, A. C. Westervelt, Edwin Later ; Eleventh Ward, Joseph Perfum, H. V D. Schenck; Twelfth Ward, Frederick Bonykamper, Themis MoSally ; Thirteenth Ward, John P. Harrison, John Hunkele ; Fourteenth Wand, James C. Ludlow, William Stainsby ; Fifteenth Ward, William tarrol- ton, William A. Ure ; Georgo K. Colmuin, clerk.
1876.
Common Council, William Stainaby, president ; First Ward, William E. Pine, William Thun ; Second Ward, W. H. Maliwan, Joseph Culver ; Third Ward, Oliver Reeves, C. N. Lockwood ; Fourth Ward, J. W. Van- derveer, Henry D. Gould ; Fifth Ward, John P Hudson, William E Greathead ; Sixth Ward, James M. P'atorvous, Jos. I. Wightman , Siv. enth Ward, Willinm M. Freeman, Jamen Met'nuley2 ; Eighth Ward, Charles Marsh, W. A. Smith ; Ninth Ward, Walter Groaren, Jantes W' Miller, Tenth Ward, Edwin Linter, Alrum S. Staats, Eleventh Ward, II. V. D. Schenck, David Young ; Twelfth Wurd, Thonma JF Nally, W W. Hawkins ; Thirteenth Ward, John Hunkele, " HI. Holzwarth ; Four- trenth Ward, William Stainsby, M. L. De Vourney ; Fifteenth Ward, William A. U're, John G. Harrison ; Jacob L. Sntphon, clerk.
1877.
Common Connell, William Stainsby, president ; First Ward, William Titus, S. V. C. Van Rentalner ; Second Ward, Joseph Colyer, Nicholas Van Ness; Third Ward, Charles X. Lackwork, John S. Clark ; Fourth Ward, Henry D. Gould 4, Carl F. Seitz&, Herman W. Grdicke; Finh Ward, William E. Greathend, Wataun F. Larnes, Stepien Pelli ; sixth Ward, Jos. Il. Wightman, William JJ. F. Fiedler ; Seventh Ward, Freu- cis Lenimon 6, Jamen G. Irwin º, Timothy Donnelly ; Lighth Ward, Wil- liam A. Smith, James L. Marvin ; Ninth Ward, James W. Miller, George W. Huldel ; Tenth Ward, Abram S. Staats, Edwin Lister ; Eleventh Ward, David Young, Henry Lang ; Twelfth Ward, William W. Hawkins, Jacob Kaiser ; Thirteenth Wan), C. I. Holzwarth, John Hunkele ; Fourteenth Ward, M. L. Je Vonney, Willinm Stainaby ; Fifteenth Ward, John G. Harrison, Charles M. Thetwrath ; Jacob L. Sntphen, clerk.
1878.
Common Council, David Young, president ; First Wurd, S. V. C. Van Rensselaer, William Titus ; Second Ward, Nicholas Van Ness, John B. Thorne 10, Joseph Colyer11 ; Third Ward, John S. Clark, Wickliffe B. Durand; Fourth Ward, H. W. Grdicke, John C. Littell ; Fifth Ward, Stephen Pell, Stephen A. Gardner ; Sixth Wand, W. H. F. Fiedler, Julius B. Brone 12, Albert Ridler ; Seventh Ward, Timothy Donnelly, Jamen G. Irwin ; Elghth Ward, James L. Marvin, Martin B. Provost ; Ninth Ward, George W. Nuttall, Henry W. Wilmm ; Tenth Ward, Kalwin Lister, Henry M. Mundy, Joseph Mueller ; Eleventh Ward, Ilenry Lang, David Young ; Twelfth Ward, Jacob Kaiser, W. W. Huw- kins; Thirteenth Ward, John Hunkele, C. H. Holzwarth ; Fourteenth Want, William Stainsby, M. I .. Dr Voureney ; Fifteenth Ward, t. M. Theberath, John G. Harrimm ; Jneob L. Sutphen, clerk.
1879,
Common Council, Hvid Young, president : First Ward, William Titus, David D. Bragaw ; Second Ward, Joseph Calyer, Nicholas Van News ; Third Ward, Wickliffe B. Durand, John s. Clark ; Fourth Ward, John C. Littell, Hermann W. Godicke, Fifth Ward, Stephen A. Gardner, Stephen Poll ; Sixth Ward, Albert Hidler, Willlam H. F. Fiedler, Fred- crick G. Kraist3; Seventh Ward, James # Irwin, Timothy Donnelly ; Eighth Ward, Martin B. Provent, Aaron P. Jattell ; Ninth Ward, Henry W. Wilson, Willhum C. Hammond ; Tenth Ward, Somph Mueller, Henry HI. Mundy ; Eleventh Ward, Dayhl Young, Henry Lang , Twelfth Ward,
" Horted 1875, tur till vacancy.
3 Died Dec. 27, 1876. 4 Resigned Ang. 3, 1877
& Elected at charterelection to fill vacancy. & Piel June 18, 1877.
7 Elected June 17, 1877, to All vacancy.
6 Elected Jau. 30, 1877, to fill unexpired term of Alderman Mccauley, do- could.
# Resigned Sept. 7, 1877. 10 Reigned April 6, 1878
11 Died Aug. 19, 1878.
12 Elected to fill vacancy.
13 Elected Nov. 18, 1878, to All vacancy occasioned by removal of Alderman Fiedler from the ward.
William W. Hawkins, Jacob Kaiser ; Thirteenth Ward, t'harles H. Holzwarth, Frank L. Felnd, Fourteenth Ward, M. L. De Voursney, Elias A. Wilkinson ; Fifteenth Ward, John G. Harrison, C. M. Thebe- ruth ; Jacob L. sutphen, clerk.
Conunon Council, David Young, president ; First Ward, David D. Bruges, Persel de. Bude ; recond Ward, Nicholas Van Ner, Joseph Colyer ; Third Ward, John S. Clark, Ebenezer A. Smith ; Fourth Ward, IS W Giodicke, John \' Littell ; Fifth Ward, Stephen Fell, James E. Fleming ; Sixth Ward, Frederick G, hmais, Adam Turker ; Strnth Ward, Junotty Donnelly, John Hogan, Eighth Ward, Aaron P. Littell, Martin B. Provost ; Muth Wurd, Williams (' Hammond, Henry A. Lyon ; Tenth Ward, Henry H. Wundy, Juneph Mueller ; Eleventh Warst, Henry Lang, David Young ; Twelfth Ward, Incoh Kaleer, John W. Ripley ; Thirteenth Ward, Frank L. Found, William Kommer ; Fourteenth Ward, Ellas A. Wilkinson, Y L. De Vourehey ; Fifteenth Ward, C. 3). Thelwrath, Willlam Currolton ; Jncob L. sutphen, clerk.
Common Council, David Young, president , First Wand, Pierson G. Fuld, David D. Bragaw ; Second Ward, Joseph Colyer, William Wright ; Third Ward, Ebenezer Smith, Schuyler R. Jackson ; Fourth Wan), John C. Littell, Joel W. C. Pool ; Fifth Ward, Edward Schickhaus, Stephen Fell ; Sixth Ward, Adam Turken. Frederick G. Kram ; Seventh Ward, John Hogan, Thomas O'Connor ; Eighth Ward, Martin B Pro- Fint, Aaron P. Littell ; Ninth Ward, Henry A. Lyon, George B. Sanfont ; Tenth Ward, Charles M. Sipp, Henry H. Mundy ; Eleventh Ward, David Young, Henry Lang ; Twelfth Ward, John W. Ripley, George W Wiedenmayer ; Thirteenth Ward, William Roemer, William Bounet ; Fourteenth Ward, M. L Ihr Vourshey, David It. Barnet ; Fifteenth Ward, William Currolton, I'hurles M Theberath ; Jacob L. Sutphen, clerk.
l'ommon Council, Pierson G. Fluid, pr sident ; First Ward, Perenn G. Hodd, David D. Brugaw ; Second Ward. J. W. Vanderveer, John h. Denke] ; Third Ward, Ang. Dusenberry, schuyler B. Jackson ; Fourth Ward, Edwin Lanter, Juel W C', Pool; Fifth Ward, John W. Ripley, Stephen Pell ; sixth Ward, Mam Turkes, Frederick G. Kruis; Seventh Ward, John Hogan, Thomas Of'Connor ; Eighth Ward, MI B. Praviat, Aaron I. Littell ; Ninth Ward, & Thomas Wilcox, George B. Sanford ; Tenth Ward, A. Jumes Payne, Henry H. Mundy ; Eleventh Ward Onela Carrier, William S. Ayres; Twelfth Ward, Louis Hallering, G. W. Weidenmayer : Thirteenth Ward, Thomas Dickey, William Bonnet ; Fourteenth Ward, C. Edgar Sutphen, David H. Barnet Fifteenth Ward, J. Il. Muchmore, Charles MI. Theberath ; Jacob L. Sutphen, clerk.
Common Connell, George W. Wiedenmayer, president , First Ward, Plerson G. Dodd, David D. Bragaw ; Serond Ward, J. W. Vanderveer, James Smith, Jr. ; Third Ward, Ang. Huwentworry, Franklin Murphy ; Fourth Ward, A. C. Dennun, Theodore 1. Hessen ; Fifth Ward, John W. Ripley, Jamen F Connelly ; Sixth Ward, Man Turken, Heury Henninger ; Seventh Ward, John Hogan, Thomas i'Connor ; Eighth Ward, Martin B. Pruvost, T. F. McKingan ; Ninth Ward, S. Thomas Willcox, George B. Sanford ; Tenth Ward, A. James Payne, Henry s. Dann; Eleventh Ward, oncedla Carrier, Tyler Paraly ; Twelfth Ward, Jamix Hallgring, G. W. Wiedenmayer . Thirteenth Ward, Thomine H Hirkey, T. C. Eggerking ; Fourteenth Ward, C. Folgar Sutphen, David N. Barnet ; Fifteenth Ward, James H. Muchmore, C'. M Thebernth ; Samuel Il. Pemberton, clerk.
184.
Common Council, George W Wiedenmayer, president ; First Ward, David G. Bragan, Pienon G. Bold ; Second Ward, James Smith, Jr., Warren J. Vanderveer ; Third Ward, Franklin Murphy, Augustus Du- Menterry; Fourth Ward, Theodore (. Howmm, Abrom 1. Denman ; Fifth Ward, James F. Connelly, George S. Smith ; Sixth Ward, Houry Henninger, Richard & P. Beffenturk ; Seventh Ward, William E. U'Con- bor, Patrick C'allen ; Eighth Ward, Thomas F. M. Kirgan 14, Martin I. Provint; Ninth Ward, George B. Sanford, Thomas S. Wilcox, Tenth Wand, Henry S. Dunn, ;Gustav A. Ortmann ; Eleventh Wand, Tyler Partly, Chaeolo Currier; Twelfth Ward, tirergo W. Wiedenmayer, John J. U'lancy ; Thirteenth Ward, Theodore t'. Eggerking. Thomas H. Ilickey ; Fourteenth Ward, David H. Barnett, C. Edgar sutphen , Fif- tronth Ward, George W. Frey, Heury R. Baker.
14 Died. Lewin L. Carlisle elected to All vacancy.
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
NEWARK CITY GOVERNMENT FOR 1884.
Joseph E. Hayns, mayor ; P. T. Quinn, comptroller ; Henry G. Darcy, city treasurer; Charles H. Gleason, anditor of accounts ; Joseph Atkin- son, city clerk ; William B. Guild, Jr., city counsel ; Horace J. Konny, city attorney : John Jackson, receiver of taxes; Charles Marsh 1, street commissioner ; John S. Shaeffer, city surveyor ; John Me Lorinan, overseer of the poor, William C. Atchley, superintendent of almis- bonne ; John S. Bell, chief of police, Charles W. Bannen, chief engi- nrer of fire department ; Julius Jaeger, clerk of Centre Market ; Louis Hood, police justice First Precinct; William Lomax, Jr., police justice Serond Precinct ; F. B. Mandeville, health physician ; William Wago- her, health inspector ; Varon K. Baldwin, police surgeon ; Daniel Elliott, alms-house physician ; Sugust T. Schuessler, inspector of gas and gar-murters; Patrick Brady, superintendent of lamps ; James Fitzsim- mons, sealer of weights and measures; Jamies Gilsenan, excise in- spector , John Wardell, licence inspretor.
Police Department .- The memory of man runnetli uot back to the time when there was not some sort of a vigilance officer in Newark. Beginning over two hundred years ago, when one constable was sufficient to quell riots, serve all kinds of legal papers then in use, and do the business of a "man of all work." Ile was a power in the land, and no one thought of dis- puting his authority, for he was a man of character and high standing in the commumty. But as time went apace, the numerous duties and responsibilities of the business official of the town increased ; so much so, that in March, 1773, two persons were elected to that responsible position, viz. : Isaac Ogden and Syl- vanns Baldwin. Ten years later (1783) it was deemed advisable to increase the constabulary force, and the freemeu of Newark elected Sylvanus Baldwin, Oba- diah Bruen, John Tichenor, Jacob Brookfield, Josiah Quimby, Stephen Fordham, Benjamin Lyon, Henry Ratan and William King constables for the ensuing year. In 1833, at the first election after the town had been divided into wards, the number was in- creased to ten, or one constable or policeman to about every fifteen hundred of the inhabitants of Newark. Jan. 1, 1884, there were in all a total of one hundred and sixty-four men on the police force of the city of Newark.
Chief, William II. Meldrum ; Captain, Herman Beyer ; Lieutenants. Edward Bergen, George T. Trow- bridge, Peter F. Walker, Alfred C. Dowling, Benja- min H. Van Ness, Henry Schafer; Clerk, Charles Glori.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CITY OF NEWARK. ( Continued.)
The Fire Department. PRIOR to 1797 the in- habitants of Newark possessed no machinery for fighting fire and had no organized company for that purpose. It is probable that there never had
been a fire of any consequence in the community up to that time (except during the Revolutionary war, when the British burned the old academy), and the people seem never to have suffered any apprehension in regard to the destruction of their homes and other property. But they were suddenly aroused from their oblivion to danger. Early in Jan- uary, 1797, the beautiful residence of Judge Elisha Boudinot, on Park Place, caught fire and was burned down. This disaster led to the organization of New- ark's first fire company. The following call was issued :
"NEWARK, Jan. 16, 1797.
"Those of the inhabitants of Newark who have subscribed, and such as incline to subscribe, for a fire-engine for the use of the town are re- quested to meet to-morrow evening at the court-house, at the ringing of the bell, to consult on the purchase of an engine and also on the forma- tion of two fire companies.
" ALEXANDER MACWHOSTER. " UZAL OGDEN."
The meeting was duly held, and a large number of persons subscribed to the fund for securing a safeguard against the element which had recently proved so disastrous. It does not appear, however, that an or- ganization was effected at this meeting. The embers of the fire at Judge Boudinot's, however, had scarcely cooled when Caleb and Matthew Bruen's carpenter- shop was destroyed. This was on the 25th of Jan- uary. The next evening one hundred and seventeen subscribers met, and a company was formed. It con- sisted of the best men in the town.
The first officers of what was known as the Newark Fire Association, elected Feb. 6, 1797, were as follows : President, William P. Smith ; Vice-Presi- dent, John N. Cumming ; Secretary, Jesse Baldwin ; Treasurer, Samuel Hay ; Standing Committee, James Hedden, Nathaniel Beach, William S. Pennington. Robert B. Canfield, Samuel Whitaker, Jolin P. Crane, Dr. Thomas Griffeth; Assessors, Nathaniel Camp, Caleb Wheeler, Abraham Ward; Fire Wardens, Caleb Bruen, Isaac Alling, Thomas Ward, Joseph Brown, Jr.
The assessors were directed to make a fair and just valuation or appraisal of the house or honses or other buildings of cach associator (always taking into consideration the exposed situation of such property to fire), to levy sums of money upon each associator in such proportion to the whole amount to be raised as the amount of the appraisal of his property bore to the amount of the whole valuation, and to perform various other duties.
The association adopted the following resolutions :
" Resolved, That the subscription for the purpose of raising money for the purchasing of fire-engines, so far as respecta the members of this amorintion, be done away with, and that no subscriber thereto, who i- now or may be un mariator prior to the first newsment, shall be held answerable to pay the sum he there autocribed, but that ench wanciati shall be considered liable to be read, and to pay auch sum of sum of Intey as the ussrsom, agreende to the principles of aremment, . . . shall lovy upon him.
" Resolred, That three fre-engines be purchased for the uer of this on- ( sociation, under the direction of the standing committee, of such power
Resigned. Succeeded by William Allen.
459
CITY OF NEWARK
and capacities as to them shall appear mont advisable, provided that the price of one shall not exceed Tel, and the other two 138. rach.
" Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be raised to aid in carrying into effect the parques of this association.
" Resolved, That the standing committee da immediately pun ham, at the expense of the ammerintion, such uumlwer of fire-hooks, axes, ladder and other implements us they shall judge hermary to render the effecta of fire lows alstructive.
". Resolved, That each amariator immediately provide himself with one or more fre-buckets that he may be enabled to render more effectual soistaber in case of fire
". Resolved, That the standing mumittee take in charge the artele of association and give the same a general circulation through the town as Amigas expedient, and when one that they deliver it to the amor, that they may proceed to execute the duties of their offi e."
Nearly all of the members procured leathern fire- buckets, and for many years afterwards they were to be seen hanging in the halls of the best houses in Newark, where they could be quickly grasped by their owners when an alarm sounded. A small hand- engine was procured soon after the organization of the company. It was built in New York and was run by Hugh MeDougall, who remained foreman for sixteen years. There was no hose in those days, the engine being brought as closely to the fire as possible and the water directed through a long pipe upon the flames.
The first mention of the engine to which we have referred occurs in the following call, which was puh- lished in the C'entinel of Freedom, Oct. 25, 1797 :
"NEWARK FIRE ASSOCIATION.
". At a meeting of the standing committee on Friday, the 20th inst., Resolved, That the member of the masrelation be requested to meet on Saturday Dext, at three o'clock in the afternoon, in front of the court- hunm', in order to exercise the fre-engine, etc., thereby to acquire u facility in the different operations necessary in extinguishing fire. It is expected that the fre companies will appear in their pruper dress, and the officers of the neamintim with the insignia of their respective stations. Such of the inhabitants as have provided themselves with fire base keta are requested to bring them to the place of meeting, and to such as have not the committee raruestly reconnuend an immediate attention to this in- elimpensable duty.
". Ry order of the committee, " JAMES MEDDEN, NY "
In 179% the otheers of the association were, with few exceptions, the same as in the preceding year. Among the leading firemen at the beginning of the present century were lingh MeDougall, Matthew Day, Cable Ballwin, John Poinier, Jeptha Harrison, Thomas Eagles, Nehemiah Crane, Isaac Meyer, Zebulon Morris, Obadiah Woodruff, James Brown and Matthew Plom.
On the 30th of December, 1799, the fire company met at the house of Mrs. Margaret Nushels to choose three officers and a clerk. On this occasion lugh MeDougall was chosen foreman, Matthias Day pres- ident and Caleb Baldwin treasurer. Social gatherings of the firemen were frequently held after the beginning of the century. On Saturday evening, Nov. 29, 1801, according to the original minutes, " the company, ex- cept five members, had a goud supper at Capt, Baker's, finishing a few bottles of wine etc., and after a song from each member around the table, adjourned."
In the early years of the present century a number of
small fires occurred, which, however, were sufficiently large to tax to its ntmost the company and its crude little engine. In 1804 the dwelling of Mr. Hays, on Clinton Avenue, took fire, and snow instead of water was used as an extinguisher. The largest store in town, owned by Beach & Vanderpool, and situated at the corner of Broad and Orange, was consumed in 1805. Fires were frequent, and the newspapers were constantly warning the people to prepare for emer- gencies, yet httle was done in the way of improving fire apparatus. On February 15th a large cotton-mill at Belleville was destroyed, and a few days later the large and handsome residence of John A. Schuyler was burned. At both of these fires the Newark company labored diligently, but with little avail, beyond delay- ing the progress of the flames, so that greater time was allowed for saving some of their contents.
At noon on the 20th of March in the same year, while the workmen in the office of the Centinel of Free- dom were at their dinner, the building took fire, and the greater part of it was destroyed.
During the latter part of the war of 1812 fires were quite numerous, and it was supposed that they were the work of ineendiaries instigated by the British.
Measures tending to advance the usefulness of the company were from time to time adopted. The first suction hose was procured and put in use in 1815.
About this time a second company was organized by Daniel Poremus, Moses Ward, John II. Stephens, William Rankin and others, and the fire association purchased another engine. This was claimed both by No. I and No. 2, and the dispute was decided by the toss of a coin, No. I winning ; No. 2 then took the old engine which had been operated by No. I. and the hose was given to a new company designated as No. 3. The new fire company became famous as Relief, No. 2.
In 1819, Fire t'ompany No. 3 was organized, and a new engine, the first built in Newark, was brought into use. It was constructed by Stephen Dodd and Caleb S. Ward. In the early thirties two more com- panies, Nos. 4 and 5, were organized by some of the best citizens. In 1836 the several companies under- went some changes calculated to enable them to work more systematically and effectively.
But, notwithstanding the fact that the firemen were now better prepared than ever before to fight flames, the largest and most destructive fire the people of Newark had ever witnessed occurred in 1836. The firemen were not, however, blamable for the rapid spread of this tire and the consequently large loss. Their efforts were hampered by an inadequate water supply. The fire to which we have alluded had its origin in a German boarding house, a two-story frame building on the south side of Market Street, a short distance east of Broad, on the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 27, 1536. The buildings adjacent easily became food for the flames from the nature of their material and style of construction. Although the firemen were
460
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
promptly on hand, the fire spread with uncontrollable rapidity to the east and west and in the rear. The supply of water was limited, and the gravity of the situation was increased by the bursting of the hose at an early stage of the conflagration. Fire companies were summoned from New York, Belleville, Eliza- bethtown and Rahway, and these, with the five New- ark companies and a great number ofcitizens, battled the flames without a moment's rest for five hours. The victor, however, was the destroying element. It had made its way up and down Market Street, through to Mechanic Street, up and down that street on both sides and northward along Broad and Mulberry, con- suming buikdling after building, until almost the entire square was left in smouldering and blackened ruins. The State Bank building, a substantial brick structure on the southeast corner of Broad and Mechanic Streets, and the First Presbyterian Church were saved only through the most desperate efforts of the firemen. Among those who came from Elizabethtown to render assistance were two naval officers, Lieuts. Gedney and Williamson. They endeavored to check the advance of the flames by blowing up several buildings, but their efforts were not successful. The total loss was about one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, which, taking into consideration the relative values of money then and now and the relative wealth of the city at that time and the present was fully as large as would be a loss of one million dollars in 1884. De- structive as was this fire and distressing as were the consequences, the citizens expressed satisfaction that the demolition of property was not infinitely greater, as at one time it had threatened to be. In summing up its account of the fire, the Daily Advertiser said : "Great apprehensions were excited at one time that the whole eastern part of the city would be destroyed. But it was preserved, and great as the calamity is, there is still great cause for thankfulness for the pro- tecting care of a merciful Providence." An instance of peculiar heroism and self-abnegation was chroni- (led by the same newspaper, as follows: "Alexander Kirkpatrick, a journeyman mechanic, signalized him- self in saving Asa Torrey's house, upon the roof of which he was sometimes exposed to the billowy sheets of flame from the adjoining building, pouring water from buckets handed through the scuttle at the peril of his life." It seems that the recipient of this praise was as high-spirited as he was brave, for he declined a generous fee offered him by Attorney-General White as "an expression of his estimate of Kirkpat- rick's services." He subsequently received the thanks of the eity, formally tendered him by Mayor Halsey and the members of the Common Council, all of whom were present at the fire, and they also expressed their feeling of thankfulness to the firemen from New York, Elizabethtown, Belleville and Rahway. The burnt district was not completely rebuilt for many years.
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