Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 118

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 118

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The officers of the road are John Cary, Vice- President; Thomas P. Way, Treasurer and Sec- retary; Amos Free, Superintendent. The affairs of the road are controlled by a Board of Directors, which at present is composed of the following members: Charles Newman, James B. Jermain, Dudley Olcott, J. W. Tillinghast, Evert Evertson, F. A. Fayles, R. H. King and A. A. Sumner.

The office of this company is at North Albany.

North Albany, the Cemetery, Old Men's Home, Island Park and Watervliet Arsenal are reached by this line of street cars.

ALBANY RAILWAY .- The Albany Railway Com- pany was organized and incorporated September 14, 1863, with a capital of $100,000. Its first direc- tors and officers, many of whom are now dead, numbered some of the most reliable business men of Albany. These Directors were James Kidd, George Dawson, John K. Porter, Eli Perry, Hugh J. Hastings, C. W. Armstrong, John Tracey, Thomas Kearney, H. Crandall, G. I. Amsdell, M, Delehanty,

Paul Cushman and A. Van Vechten. President, James Kidd; Secretary, John W. McNamara; Engi- neer, Samuel McElroy; Superintendent, Henry Mix.

In the winter of 1863-64, work upon the new road was commenced on what is known as the State street route-extending from Broadway through State, Washington, and Central avenue to Knox street-and completed in February of this year, the first car runing over this route February 22, 1864. In 1865 this line was extended to West Albany. At the same time a road was built through South Pearl to Kenwood.

The next extension was make in 1866, from State to Van Woert on Pearl street. In 1873, what is known as the Clinton avenue line was completed. This route extends from North Pearl street up Clinton avenue, through Lexington avenue to Cen- tral avenue. In 1875, what is known as the Hamil- ton street line was completed to Lexington avenue. In 1877, this route was extended to Quail street, and in 1885, to Partridge street.

The capital of this company has been increased twice-in 1869 and 1873, and now amounts to $ 200, - 000. In the first report made to the Railroad Com- missioners in 1865, this company had 12 miles of double track and 5} miles single track, 12 cars, and 69 horses. From a like report made in 1884, we find the following: four miles double track, 18 miles single track, 44 cars, and 215 horses.

The present Directors are A. B. Banks, T. J. Cornell, Michael Delehanty, Willliam H. Johnson, Daniel Manning, William P. Prentice, John W Mc- Namara, Robert C. Pruyn, Joseph T. Rice, S. W. Rosendale, Philip Ten Eyck, A. Van Vechten, Isaac Waldman. President, Treasurer and Superintendent, John W. McNamara; Secretary, James H. Manning.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

There is an old record of the existence of fire officers in Albany as early as October 15, 1694, called "Brant-masters."

"It is ordered, and found very Requisite yt ye Aldermen of each respective Ward shall cause to be made two Brantleere [fire ladders], a greate one and a little one, with yron hooks, and yt in time of one month, and cause to be brought to a ready place in case of any occasion whatsome ever, and then to bring in their accounts."

As early as December 7, 1706, the city had a kind of primitive fire department, consisting of what were called "Fyre-masters." Says the Council record:

"It is resolved that the following Persons be appointed Fyre-masters for ye ensuing yeare, until ye 19th of October next: William Hogan, Anthony Coster, William Jacobse, Johs Claese, Jan Evertse and Jacobus Schuyler, who are to view ye chim- neyes where are fyres within ye city, and oye" inconvenient places, one each fourteen nights; and where they find chimneys extraordinary foule, to fine ye owner in ye summe of three shillings, and where fyres kept in unconvenient places, dan- gerous to take fyre, to cause such fyre to be broak doune."

520

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

These " Fyre-masters," with like powers and du- ties, were appointed for many successive years.

In 1726, the Common Council ordained that if any person appointed fire-master refused or neglected to serve, a fine of thirty shillings was imposed for each offense. That year the following persons were appointed:

Joh's Defreest, Egbert Bratt, Teunis Slingerlandt, Gelyn Verplank, Gerret Lansing, Peter P. Schuyler.

At a meeting of the Common Council, November 24, 1730, it was ordered that "hooks and ladders be made with all speed, and kept within con- venient places within the city for avoiding the peril of fire."

December 22, 1731, the Common Council re- solved to purchase a fire engine, and on February 22, 1732, the city fathers resolved to purchase the Richard Newsham engine, fifth size, with six feet suction-pipe and forty feet leather hose-pipe.

In due time the engine was received in the city with great rejoicing. It was an object of greater curiosity, and gave a greater sense of security and satisfaction, than the arrival, over a century after- wards, of the first fire-steamer. It protected the city against fire for many years.

In 1743, Robert Lansing, Barnardus Hartsen and Michael Bassett were appointed managers of the engine in case of fire, and were directed to be always ready upon any occasion when it might be wanted. They were each to make a key to open the lock of the shed where the engine stood, and to place the keys in some part of their houses where they might be found when they were absent; and they were each to receive for their services a skepple of wheat each per year.

The shed where the engine was kept, stood on the ground now known as the corner of Beaver and South Pearl streets. This was the first fire engine brought to the City of Albany.

In 1763, an engine was purchased by Harmse Gansevoort in England, at a cost of $397.50. This, probably, was the second fire engine ordered by the city.

In 1792, another engine was owned by the city; for the times, a very superior machine, one of the only two manufactured by the elder John Mason, in Philadelphia. Its mate was, for a long time, in possession of the Diligent Fire Company of that city. The engine-house in 1792 was at the north-west corner of the old English Church on State street.

In 1793, ranks were formed of people, consist- ing of two lines opposite each other, one to pass the water to the fire and the other to return the empty buckets. It was not uncommon to see both young and old, male and female, in the ranks. In those days every house was required to have three leather water-buckets hanging in its hall. In case of fire the inmates were required not only to bring them to the scene of the disaster, but were compelled to go into the ranks. A fire engine was a novelty in those days. Albany with 5,000 inhabitants boasted of two-one could scarcely be called an engine. The largest one was about as powerful as our present garden

engines, and the other, which was called a house engine, was so light as to be easily carried by one man. The engines were filled by buckets and the water thrown by a pipe.

In 1839, a bell was directed to be placed in the cupola of the jail to be rung in case of fire.

The expenditures of the Fire Department for six years ending May 1, 1840, were as follows: 1835, $3,477.16; 1836, $5,679.69; 1837, $6,847.94; 1838, $3, 834.60; 1839, $4, 107.98; 1840, $10,- 950.30.

March 6, 1843, the Common Council passed a law regulating the duties of Chief Engineer, and fixed his salary at $600 per annum.

In January, 1846, the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department reported that Albany had eleven engine companies, two hook and ladder companies, one hose company, and one ax company. In 1845 there had been forty-two fires and twenty-one alarms; loss of property $57,232, on which was insured $43, 252.

The Common Council, October 2, 1848, favored paying firemen $30 per year, and appointing a Chief Engineer with a salary of $700, to devote all his time to the duties of the office.

On the 27th of November, a new fire law was passed entirely reorganizing the fire department.

It was ordered also that no wooden building, wholly or partially covered with wood, should thereafter be erected in any part of Albany east of Lark street; and that eaves, cornices and gut- ters should be made of metal.

The amount expended by the Fire Department for the year ending May 1, 1850, was $20,476.47. Of this $2,528. 57 were for the Hose Depot, $1,- 303. 58 for new hose, and $890 for fire police.

In September, 1852, the first use of a fire anni- hilator in Albany was satisfactorily made at a fire which destroyed but one building. The amount for the year ending November 1, 1852, for the Fire Department amounted to $16,178.92. 1

In the year 1856, the losses by fire in Albany amounted to the sum of $72, 200.

The number of fires from July Ist to December 27, was 27; alarms, 13; false alarms, 8; losses, $26,285. During the corresponding period of 1856 there were 12 fires; 8 alarms; 3 false alarms. Losses, $72, 200.

June 30, 1858, the Chief Engineer reported 37 fires during the past year; 21 alarms; and 7 false alarms, making sixty-five times the department had been called out. The amount of property destroyed was $45,064, of which $34, 149 was in- sured.

September 29tlı, a firemen's jubilee was held in Albany for three days. About three thousand fire- men from six different States came to the city; from Detroit, Providence, and Newark. Exempt firemen to the number of 200, drew old "No. 4." The old men became so enthusiastic as to cause much sport. Becoming inspired with their old ardor and giving the old cry " Hi yi ! give way boys! give way!" they dashed up State street, calling out hearty cheers from the young firemen and the spectators.

521

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

On August 9, 1859, a resolution was passed au- thorizing the sale of the old fire apparatus, with the exception of two old engines and two hose- carts.

The report of the Chief Engineer for the year end- ing January 1, 1860, shows there were 10 fires where companies were in service; 18 where companies were not in service; false alarms, 8; amount of property destroyed, $11,537; insurance, $7,362. Fire Department expenses for the year ending No- vember 1, 1861, were $ 18,641.55.

April 23, 1861, a resolution was passed by the Common Council granting members of the several engine, hose, and hook and ladder companies who might join any military organization to main- tain the integrity of the Union, their full time dur- ing their absence.

During the year ending June 30, 1863, the Report of Chief-Engineer James McQuade shows there were 29 fires; 20 alarms; and 3 false alarms; amount of property destroyed $19,350, all covered by insurance.

On July 13, 1863, the City Council authorized purchasing a steam fire engine to be located on Capitol Hill, at a cost not to exceed $3, 500.

On April 25, 1864, J. C. Cuyler, William Mix, Jr., William J. Shankland, Edward Leslie, James Allen, William G. Weed, Jacob Fredenrich, Theo- dore J. Cuyler, Oscar L. Hascy, J. Owen Moore, William A. Sumner, Frank W. Vosburgh, John A. Goeway, Robert Harris, William H. Reid, Henry L. Wait, Ed. A. Clapp, Charles F. Clapp. John S. Dickerman, Harris Parr, George E. La- tham, Thomas Hastings, Andrew G. White, James D. Wilson, Theodore S. Comstock, Daniel Don -. caster, William H. Taylor, James Main, John Mahan, and Henry Lansing were appointed fire- men as members of the Beaverwyck Steam Fire Engine Company.

J. C. Cuyler was made fireman of the company; William Mix, Jr., First Assistant; William J. Shankland, Second Assistant; and Edward Leslie, Clerk.

Chief-Engineer James McQuade, in a petition to the Common Council in January, 1865, stated that experience had proved beyond question that steam engines must supersede those worked by hand. All the principal cities and many large villages had introduced steamers, and hand engines had been abandoned. He also suggested that horses should be substituted in doing the drag work, as the force of men required to drag an engine to a fire was beyond the number obtainable.

Albany in 1865 had three steamers: the James McQuade, the Putnam, and the Thomas Kearney.

February 19, 1865, it was resolved to pay each of the engineers of the several steamers the sum of $75 per month; firemen and drivers to be allowed $45 per month.

The amount paid by the city on account of the Fire Department for the year ending November 1, 1865, was $34,016.02.

March 29, 1867, an Act to Reorganize the Fire Department of the City of Albany became a law .- The provisions of this law, with subse-

quent amendments, are easily accessible to every citizen.

On February 19, 1872, the act reorganizing the Department was amended by the Legislature in some particulars

The powers and duties of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department are very large and responsible. These duties are now, and have long been, most ably performed by James McQuade.

In 1870 the number of alarms was 60; number of fires in which the Department was in service, 23.

There were six Steam Fire Companies; two Truck Companies, and 1,800 feet of hose in the Hose Depot.

Gongs were placed in the residence of each As- sistant Engineer. The working of this alarm tele- graph did not fail in a single instance in transmit- ting the alarm during the year, giving sure evidence of its great value as a rapid agent for conveying fire alarms and preventing destruction by fire through delays.

In February, 1870, the incorporated Fire De- partment leased the pleasant and commodious rooms in the City Building, which have been com- fortably furnished with every convenience and comfort.

On September 2, 1870, the horses attached to steamer No. 6 became unmanageable while coming down Hudson avenue and ran away. Mr. Andrew McGraw, the driver in charge, used every exertion to check them, without success. They continued at a furious rate to the dock, and dashed into the basin carrying the driver and steamer with them. The horses were drowned, and the steamer so badly damaged as to render it necessary to send it to Amoskeag Works to be rebuilt; it was placed in perfect order and returned to the city in two months. Mr. McGraw was not injured, although the shock was a very severe one to him.

In the year 1875, the Board of Fire Commis- sioners was as follows:

Hon. Edmund L. Judson, Mayor, President, ex officio; Philip O'Brien, George E. Latham, Garret A. Van Allen, Thomas Austin; J. C. Cuyler, Secretary.

ENGINEERS .- James McQuade, Chief Engineer; J. C. Griffin, George E. Mink, John C. Mull, William K. Clute, Assistants.

FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH. - William J. Cull, Superintendent; John M. Carroll, Assistant-Super- intendent; John H. Nelson, James B. Finn, Oper- ators; John Wilson, Janitor.

The losses by fire during the year aggregated $335,000. Nearly all the fires were of incendiary origin.

During this year incendiarism was more extensive than at any time since the organization of the Department. The boldness of these crimes exhib- ited daring and recklessness of most alarming character. The most earnest efforts of Chief McQuade and the police were made to detect and bring to justice the perpetrators of these dastardly deeds. The loss by fire in the building corner of Green street, occupied by Rathbone, Sard & Co .-

522

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY.

which was an act of bold incendiarism as was ever committed in this city-exceeded $100,000.

The Protective Association, an honor and a source of untold safety in the protection of prop- erty, was organized and supported by the insurance interests.

In 1880, we find :

Insured losses on real and personal property .. $137,299.09 Uninsured ,, 15,866.64

Total loss

$153,165.73

Annual cost of maintaining Fire Department, $74,677.96; total number of men employed by Fire Department, 221; area covered by Fire De- partment, 14-6 square miles; population of Albany, 100,000. Nine lives were lost by fire during the year.

On November 22, 1880, Steamer Company No. 5 was suspended, by order of Chief McQuade, for neglect in the performance of duty at a fire. Not one of the members. except the foreman, appeared at the fire. On December 13, the company was re-organized, with John J. Mee, the former foreman, reappointed.

The Insurance Patrol is of great value to the Department, and it is noticeable with what promptness Captain Foster has responded to all calls, as is the activity of the officers and mem- bers of the company when in service.

The total insurance on the Fire Department property amounts to. $59,350.06 The receipts from all sources for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1880 71,517.60

Total

$130,876.60

Disbursements for the year ending October 31, 1880.

$74,677.96

Indebtedness of year ending October 31, 1879 10,596.61

Total expenditures $85,274.57

Steamer companies of Albany are as follows: Steamer Comapny No. 1, 12 members, 236 Wash- ington avenue; Steamer Company No. 2, 16 mem- bers, 157 Livingston avenue; Steamer Company No. 3, 15 members, 895 Broadway; Steamer Com- pany No. 4, 15 members, 69 Hudson avenue; Steamer Company No. 5, 14 members, 289 South Pearl street; Steamer Company No. 6, 15 members, Jefferson, corner Swan street; Steamer Com- pany No. 7, 16 members, Clinton avenue, corner Ontario street; Steamer Company No. 8, 16 members, Broadway, corner North First street, North Albany; Truck Company No I, 22 members, 57 Westerlo; Truck Company No. 2, 23 members, 126 Clinton avenue; Insur- ance Patrol, 9 members, 41 Hudson avenue; Hose Depot, 133 Hamilton street; Repair Shop, 34 Plain street. Fire Alarm Telegraph Central Station, City Building, South Pearl street, corner Howard.

During the year ending October 31, 1882, there were forty-two alarms of fire; the total loss, $147,- 970.05.

Fire-alarm Bell in City Hall .- The question for a fire-alarm bell became a very interesting one in

the year 1882, during the erection of the new City Hall.

For some time the bell in the Second Reformed Church on Beaver street was used as a fire-alarm bell. The congregation having moved into their new edifice, the Department lost the use of one of the best alarm bells in the city.

No provision had been made for a bell in the imposing tower of the new City Hall. The Board of Fire Commissioners, by authority of the City Council, purchased of Meneely & Co., of Troy, a bell seventy inches at mouth, fifty and one-half inches in height, five and one-tenth inches thick- ness, of sound bore. Weight, 7,049 pounds.

This bell exceeds in size, weight and volume of sound, any bell in the city. It was hoisted to its place in the tower October 28, 1882. Within two weeks after, the attachment to the fire-alarm circuit was made.

The fire-alarm telegraph was first put in operation in Albany in 1868.

The Board of Fire Commissioners in 1884 .- Hon A. Bleecker Banks, Mayor, President, ex officio, Thomas D. Coleman, Andrew B. Uline, John McEwen, James H. Lyman, Dennis A. Ronan; Andrew B. Uline, Secretary; Lewis J. Miller, Clerk.

James McQuade, Chief Engineer; Joseph C. Griffin, John C. Mull, George E. Mink, William K. Clute, Assistants.

From the Annual Report of the Fire Commis- sioners ending October 31, 1884, we gather the following: the financial standing of the Depart- ment is in a very favorable condition; the annual expenses are about $85,000.

The Companies, having ten steamers, consist each of a foreman whose salary is $300 per annum; eight members at $200 each. The three Truck Compa- nies have twelve members each, at $200 per annum. The permanent employees are an engineer, $1, 080; fireman, $720; driver, $720, to each engine; a tileman, $720; and driver, $720, to each truck. The whole force, including the telegraph depart- ment, numbers 145.

There are ten steamers, of which Nos. 9 and 10 are reserves, and, with the exception of the two latter, were made at the Amoskeag Works, in Man- chester, N. H., and with their hose-carts are valued at $5, 150 each. The trucks, valued at $2, 250 each, are drawn by horses worth $300 each, of which there are thirty. The property of the Fire Depart- ment is valued as follows:

Apparatus .. $45 000

Fire-alarm telegraph, apparatus fixtures and supplies. 56 000

Furniture, fixtures, etc. 26 000

Hose, fixtures, leather, tools. etc. 28 000

Horses, harness, etc. 14 000

Real estate . 135 000

Repair Shop and Supply Department. 6 000

Total $310 000

The fire record of the year was below the average in total losses. The record of incendiarism has also been less.

523

THE ERIE CANAL AS RELATED TO ALBANY.

The salaries of the officers are as follows:

Chief Engineer, $3,000 per annum; Secre- tary, $1,000 ; Clerk, $720; Superintendent Fire-alarm Telegraph, $1,500; Superintendent Hose and Supply Depot, $1,200; Relief Engin- eer, $1,080; Veterinary Surgeon, $600.

The amount of insurance on the property of the Department is $62,850.

The Hose Depot is one of the most attractive adjuncts of the Fire Department. The hose, with extra tenders, wheels, fuel, etc., and extras of all kinds, are stored. The hose is all brought to the depot after a fire and is washed and dried, a constant supply being always on hand in case of need.

The Relief Fund, incorporated in 1883 for the relief of disabled firemen, consists of the Mayor, the Fire Commissioners and the Chief of the De- partment as the body corporate. The fines paid by firemen are placed in this fund, and are increased by voluntary subscription. It now amounts to about $2,000.

The fire-alarm telegraph was first operated in Albany in June, 1868. There are now seventy- seven alarm-boxes, seven church bells, the City Hall bell, and the engine and truck houses con- nected with this office by over seventy miles of wire. The hammers and striking machinery are independent of the tongues and ropes of the several bells. The wires are tested every twenty minutes in the twenty-four hours. There is also an exten- sive telephone service in connection with all engine- houses.

We may say, without question, that the City of Albany has great confidence in all the officers and men of its Fire Department, trusting fully in their courage, skill, and fidelity.

THE ERIE CANAL AS RELATED TO ALBANY.

In the early development of the canal system of this State, many citizens of Albany took a promi- nent part. The first company formed to improve the inland navigation of this State was called the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. It was incorporated March 30, 1792. The object, as stated in the act of incorporation, was to open a water communication between the southern, north- ern and western parts of this State. This was to be accomplished by a system of lock navigation from the Hudson River to Lakes Ontario and Seneca. Another company was formed called the Northern Inland Lock Navigation Company, to open naviga- tion between the Hudson River and Lake Champ- lain. The Commissioners in Albany to receive subscriptions to the stock of $250,000, of each company, were Abraham Ten Broeck, John Tay- ler, Philip S. Van Rensselaer, Cornelius Glen and John Ten Broeck. The first Directors of the West- ern Company were Philip Schuyler, Leonard Gansevoort, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Elkanah Watson, John Tayler, Jellis A. Fonda, William

North, Goldsbro Banyar, Daniel Hale, John Watts, Walter Livingston, Dominic Lynch and James Watson. The Directors of the Western Com- pany were Philip Schuyler, Abraham Ten Broeck, John Williams, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, John Van Rensselaer, Abraham G Lansing, Cornelius Glen, Henry Quackenbos, Robert R. Livingston, Philip Livingston, James Duane and Abraham McComb.

The plans as attempted to be carried out by these companies were not very successful, but an account of their efforts does not exclusively belong to a his- tory of Albany County. This brief reference to them is given to show the large percentage of Albany ca- pitalists who were interested in them and who were ever ready to lend their influence and wealth in promoting the commerce of the State.

In 1810, the Legislature resolved that the agricul- tural and commercial interests of the State required that the inland navigation, from the Hudson River to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, should be improved and completed on a scale commensurate with the great advantages to be derived from the accomplishment of that important object. Doubting the resources of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company to be adequate to such improvement, the Leg- islature appointed Governeur Morris, Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Simeon De Witt, Will- iam North, Thomas Eddy and Peter B. Porter, commissioners for exploring the whole route, and to examine the outlet to Oneida Lake, with a view to deepening the channel to prevent inundations. The opening of hostilities between this country and Great Britain two years later, put an end to this contemplated improvement.

No city on the line of the Erie Canal has been more directly benefited by the opening of this great water thoroughfare than the City of Albany; nor was there a place, in the beginning of this great undertaking, which furnished more men of brains, character and wealth, who largely contrib- uted to push forward this great work.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 118

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452