USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Memorial history of Syracuse, N.Y. : from its settlement to the present time > Part 17
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
street, S. P. Pierce & Co., Kennedy & Spaulding, John Crouse & Co., Pope, Alexander & Co., and many others, the list footing up to the number of about five hundred names.
Among the arguments put forth against the free delivery system were several rather amusing ones. One argument was that private and business letters would be placed in the hands of irresponsible men, and that bribes and personal reasons would be brought to bear upon them and lead to tam- pering with the precious missives, and it really seemed as if those opposed to the system did not consider it possible for an honest man to be found in the ranks of the mail carriers. Dreadful and doleful were the prog- nostications as to the outcome of the system ; business affairs were to be spread broadcast on the waiting population ; lovers' letters were to be desecrated, and their sweetness disseminated by gossippers; persons en- gaged in intrigue would be exposed, and false husbands and unfaithful wives saw no end to the calamities overtaking their contraband vows. And so the meeting was called. The eventful evening arrived. Postmaster Agan and Assistant Gardner picked up a mass of documentary evidence in favor of the system and sallied forth to do wordy battle for the adminis- tration against the foe. Of all the five-hundred signers of the petition four- hundred and seventy were absent and the meeting adjourned until the 18th of the month. At that time but fifty of the five-hundred were present, and the inciters of the movement withdrew their opposition.
The post-office was removed to the new Government building in 1889. The force of the office now consists of Postmaster Carroll E. Smith, Assist- ant E. H. Maynard, 24 clerks and 43 carriers.
Following is a list of the postmasters of Syracuse with the dates of ap- pointment : John Wilkinson, appointed February 24, 1820; John Wilkin- son, July 9, 1836; Jonas Earll, Jr., June 26, 1840; Henry Raynor, March 10, 1842; William W. Teall, July 23, 1845; William Jackson, April 14, 1849; Henry J. Sedgwick, May 4, 1853; Patrick H. Agan, August 27. 1861 ; George L. Maynard, April 1, 1863; Dwight H. Bruce, April 10, 1871 ; Austin C. Chase, January 1, 1876; James M. Gilbert, February 23, 1884; Milton H. Northrup, 1887; Carroll E. Smith, present incumbent.
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SYRACUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE SYRACUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Early Protection from Fire -- The First Engine-How it was Purchased-Fire Regulations- Members of the First Company-A Second Engine Ilouse -Purchase of a Third Engine-Ke- organization of 185t-Establishment of the l'aid Department-Present Features-Commissioners.
P REVIOUS to the year 1825, the village of Syracuse was substantially without protection from fire, excepting such as might be afforded by the citizens with a few buckets or pails. No sooner was the village incor- porated, however, than steps were taken to provide an engine and other apparatus.
At a meeting held on the 9th of May, 1825, the following resolution was adopted:
" Resolved, That the safety of the villiage requires that immediate measures be taken to procure a good fire engine, and that M. D). Burnet, on behalf of this board, take measures to ascertain and re- port as soon as may be, on what terms such engine with necessary hose, may be procured."
The result of Mr. Burnet's investigation was the adoption, on the 7th of June, 1825, of the following preamble and resolutions:
"WHEREAS, The Albany Insurance Company has proposed to this village, that the said Company will loan the sum of $1,000, to be used in the purchase of a good and sufficient fire engine, with proper implements, to extinguish fires, on the following conditions :- The village to secure the pay- ment of that sum in four years, by a bond under the corporate seal, two years without interest, and after that at three per cent. a year for the remainder of the time, therefore,
" Resolved, That the trustees or the village be authorized to effect the loan of the sum of one thousand dollars on the terms aforesaid, and that the same be applied to the purchase of a good first- rate tire engine, and that they procure the same under the corporate seal.
" Resolved, That the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be raised for the purpose of building an engine house, purchasing hooks and necessary ladders, which sum to be assessed on said village, pursuant to statute."
It is only sixty-five years ago that these resolutions were passed, and they speak eloquently of the early character of the place and of how very important to the inhabitants seemed the raising of so small a sum of money.
Joshua Forman was delegated to make the purchase of this first fire engine and on the 11th of October of the year named he reported the pur- chase in New York of an engine and hose at a cost of $925. To render the machine effective Thomas B. Heermans was appointed captain of Fire Company No. 1, and given authority to raise a company of thirty-five men.
Some difficulty seems to have been met in closing the arrangements for obtaining the money required for the purchase, and at another meeting held at the house of James Mann (the Syracuse House) on the 28th of November, resolutions similar to those above quoted were passed, but they provided for the payment of seven per cent. interest on the loan.
564
MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
On the 3d of January, 1826, the Board of Trustees adopted resolutions providing that housekeepers of the village should provide themselves with good leather buckets, with the name of the owner painted on them, ordi- nary dwellings to have one each, two-story houses to have two, and taverns to have four each. John Rogers and M. D. Burnet were at the same time authorized to contract for the building of an engine house, "22 feet by 16 feet, 8 feet posts, and to be neatly painted, and furnished with a good box stove, which building to be placed in a line with and next to the barn of John Rogers."
Mr. Rogers then lived in the brick dwelling now occupied by a saloon adjoining the Bastable block and one of the very old buildings of the city; it was the first brick house built in the village, and as far as we have been able to learn, the engine house stood in that vicinity and on a part of the site of the Bastable block. Following is a list of the members of the first fire company: John Durnford, Stephen W. Caldwell, Paschal Thurber, Linneus P. Noble, Agrippa Martin, Thomas I. Field, Thomas Spencer, Edward Chapman, Joel Owen, William O. Chope, Henry Van Heusen, Harman Van Heusen, Russell Hebard, Zopher Adams, Humphrey Mellen, Samuel Mead, Theodore Ashley, John Wall, Volney Cook, Archibald L. Fellows, Seth K. Akin, and Henry Gifford. The reader who is familiar with this history will not need to be told that this list embraced a good many of the solid men of the village.
Suitable fire hooks were ordered of Henry Van Heusen, at a cost of SIS.75, and on the 4th of December, 1827, a hook and ladder company was organized with the following as members: Daniel Elliot, David Stafford, C. Walbridge, Ambrose Kasson, J. C. Fields, J. Whitney, and Captain Archer.
These facilities served their purpose for the village until 1832, when the authorities took steps to provide a second engine and company. At a meet- ing held on the 23d of January, 1832, it was voted to levy a tax to raise $850 for this purpose, and in April Charles E. Leon was authorized to make the purchase. A company was at once organized with the following mem- bers: Parley Bassett, Wm. S. Campbell, Alfred Daumas, Henry Davis, Jr .. T. B. Fitch, William M. Fitch, Ezra Foster, Jr., I. A. Hall, L. P. Hall, Solomon R. Howlett, A. A. Hudson, Benjamin C. Lathrop, Charles L. Lyons, James Manning, Horace Pemberton, Jacob Raynor, Willett Raynor. Charles T. Stanton, Joseph II. Starin, R. A. Yoe, Wm. K. Lathrop, Gard- ner Lawrence.
This action necessitated a second engine house, and a meeting to make provision for it was held on the 26th of April, 1832. There were only eighteen persons present, for some unexplained reason, but the business was dispatched. John Wilkinson made a motion that "the location for the two engine houses be fixed at the west end of the public square (Clinton
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SYRACUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Square) in the center of said village, one on each side of the canal, imme- diately contiguous to the bridge." This motion was adopted by a vote of twelve to six; but M. D. Burnet entered a protest against using the Square for this purpose on the ground chiefly that the village had no right to thus obstruct the public place. On the same day the trustees met to consider a proposition of Henry Gifford to build the two houses for $300, and he was awarded the contract. The buildings were located according to the ex- pressed intention. It has not been learned how long they stood there, but eventually, and probably in 1835, as a resolution was adopted that year to appropriate 8595 for the purchase of two lots, the house of No. 2 company was removed to the rear of the old County Clerk's building and that of No. I was taken west on Water street and served for many years as a boiler. house for Alexander, Bradley & Dunning: it was burned only a few years ago.
In September, 1836, a meeting was held to consider the purchase of a third engine, at a cost of $1.100, and the erection of a new hook and ladder house. The engine was purchased and a house built for it at a little later date. There seems to be no record of a No. 4 company, but one was organized and in the year 1843 the tax-payers again came together to consider the erection of a new house for No. 5, which was built in June 1843, on the site of the old No. 1, at a cost of $500. The sum of $75 was appropriated for a "bucket wagon," and at about the same time a new engine was purchased at a cost of $750. Meanwhile, the company of No. 5 was dissolved for un- explained reasons, and a new organization at once effected. In 1844 W. A. Cook was occupying the office of Chief of the department, with J. W. Barker as Assistant. At the annual election later in the year, Henry Gif- ford was made Chief, and at a little later period held the office many years; Stephen W. Caldwell was Assistant in 1841.
On the 4th of August, 1845, it was resolved by the Board of Trustees "that the Bucket Company No. 1 be permitted to take engine No. 4 and become a fire company, provided they give up their warrants as bucket men, together with their keys, and leave the bucket wagon and house in good order, so Engine Company No. 4 can be filled up to its full complement."
Philo N. Rust was appointed Chief, and Hamilton White, Assistant. These gentlemen prepared a report, at the request of the trustees, that they had examined into the condition of the several fire companies, and found two with no efficient organization; also, that it was difficult to induce a sufficient number of "spirited young men" to join them, as the membership was a tax upon them financially and otherwise. Therefore, they suggested that the "corporation appropriate Stoo for each of the fire engine compan- ies, one hook and ladder. and one bucket company, to be expended for equipage, to be under direction of the trustees." These suggestions were carried out a little later.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
In 1846 it was decided that radical changes were necessary to render the department as efficient as it should be with the resources at hand. Notice was accordingly published that the Legislature would be asked to incorpo- rate the fire department of Syracuse, and in 1847 a committee consisting of John Wilkinson, James R. Lawrence, Hamilton White, Henry Gifford, and Captain Hiram Putnam was appointed to thoroughly re-organize the department. This resulted in delegating the care of the engines and apparatus to a board of three men, who should have immediate control and be responsible only to the village authorities. Oliver Teall, Henry Gifford, and John Wilkinson were named as this board. From that time until 1862 the department did excellent service and was kept abreast of the needs of the city by the purchase of new engines, erection of new buildings, and the organization of new companies.
From the year 1851, after the re-organization of the department had been effected, the various changes in company officers, company names, and extension of apparatus, may be briefly noted as follows:
Chief Engineer. Jacob Smith; First Assistant, Abraham Fredendall ; Second Assistant, Elijah Clark. No. 1, Salina Blues, organized about 1825, motto, "Storm"; foreman, David Smith. No. 2, Rough and Ready, organ- ized 1846, foreman, Edwin Brown. No. 3, Deluge, foreman, Peter Conrad. No. 4, Empire, foreman, Peter Ohneth. No. 5, Champion -- Ever Ready, organized 1848, foreman, V. P. Effner. No. 6, Semper Paratus, Cataract, organized 1845, foreman, Benjamin L. Higgins. No. 7, Eagle, organized in 1850, foreman, George Scoville.
About the date under consideration, the Salina Blues adopted the motto, "Onward and Upward," instead of "Storm." In the years 1853-4 the following changes had occurred in the department : Chief, V. P. Effner ; First Assistant, F. X. Oliver ; Second Assistant, William Tisdale. No. 2, Rough and Ready, foreman, Daniel Farrell. No. 6, Cataract, foreman, William Elliott.
In the following years, 1854-55, numerous changes were made, and two new engines were added to the apparatus of the department and numbered 7 and 8. Chief, Benjamin L. Higgins; First Assistant, James Spencer ; Second Assistant, Francis Jackson.
The Chief now acted as Fire Inspector, and was paid a salary of $200 annually. Companies were as follows: No. 1, Croton Plug, E. E. Chap- man, foreman. No. 5, Champion, Henry Olds, foreman. No. 6, Cataract, Thomas B. Heermans, foreman. No. 7, Franklin, J. F. Kidder, foreman. No. S, Eagle, Alfred Wilkinson, foreman.
The location of the various companies at this time were as follows : No. 1, First ward. Salt Springs, No. 2, First ward. Young America, No. 3. Bank alley, Sixth ward. Empire, No. 4, Division street, Second ward.
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SYRACUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Champion, No. 5, Montgomery street, Sixth ward. Cataract, No. 6, Clin- ton street, Seventh ward. Franklin, No. 7, Eighth ward. Eagle, No. 8, West street, Fifth ward.
A bucket wagon was still kept with 100 buckets, also a well equipped hook and ladder truck. In the next year, 1856, James Spencer was made First Assistant, and August W. Field, Second Assistant, and Charles Henson, Foreman, of No. 6.
Chief Higgins remained at his post, though several changes were made of his assistants, until 1862, when he resigned. He was succeeded by Walter Welch, with Charles L. Guerber as First Assistant ; John Stead- man, Second Assistant, and Edmund Schneider, Third Assistant. Chief Welch resigned after one year's service and Simeon Luce was appointed to fill the vacancy, until March, 1864, when Philip Eckel began his long and successful career at the head of the department. He remained in the office until 1877, when, on the 2d of April, the Fire Department was organized on the plan which has existed ever since. The Board of Fire Commissioners then consisted, as appointed by Mayor James J. Belden, of Henry L. Duguid, President of the Board, Henry J. Mowry, Francis Hendricks and Chauncey B. Clark. At the first meeting of the Board, Ira Wood was appointed Chief Engineer of the Department, and two weeks later, Charles J. Miller was appointed Clerk ; Philip Eckel, Assistant Engineer, and Hor- atio Kirtland, Superintendent of the Fire Alarm Telegraph. The Depart- ment was placed on a paid basis, the salary of the Chief being made $1,200; Assistant, $800; Clerk, $600; Superintendent, $800; Engineers, $720; Foremen, $600, and the members of companies, $480.
The force at the completion of this re-organization consisted of thirty- four paid men, including officers, all being properly uniformed. The appar- atus comprised four Amoskeag engines (one in reserve), one Champion chemical fire extinguisher, one hook and ladder truck, and five hose car- riages (one in reserve), with 11,000 feet of hose. There were sixteen horses and the engine houses were all in good repair. Two-hundred and fifteen hydrants were distributed throughout the city and there were fifteen cis- terns, only eight of which were in good repair. The fire alarm system was equipped with thirty-four signal boxes.
On the 20th of July, 1878, Henry L. Duguid resigned as President of the Board of Commissioners, and Hamilton S. White was appointed to the vacancy. Citizens of Syracuse do not need to be reminded of what Mr. White has done for the department; but without incurring the charge of partiality we may quote the following from the report of the board for 1878-79:
"Chemical Extinguisher No. 2, bought and maintained by Commissioner White, at his own expense, has proved an invaluable aid to the department.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
Commissioner White has erected and furnished an engine house which is a model of beauty and convenience. It possesses every facility for prompt responses to alarms and is lacking in nothing which could add to the com- fort and efficiency of his company, which is composed of young men well known in this community, possessing the confidence and respect of all, en- thusiastic and capable in their work; they add greatly to the strength of the department, giving their services heartily and promptly without cost to the city." Mr. White is a natural and enthusiastic fireman, and his capa- bilities are known among firemen throughout the country.
In October, 1881, Chief Ira Wood resigned his office and Philip Eckel was again placed at the head of the active service, with Henry Reilly as Assistant. Hamilton S. White was made an honorary member of the force and appointed Second Assistant.
In April, 1883, Chemical No. I was organized and entered the service of the department. In 1885, a new Silsby engine was purchased and the old No. 1, a very heavy engine, placed in reserve. A new Silsby hose cart was also added to the equipment.
On the first of June, 1886, Chief Philip Eckel was thrown from a ladder truck, while going to a fire, and fatally injured. It was said of him that he had been "connected with the department almost continuously since 1848. On the organization of the paid department in 1877, he was appointed First Assistant Chief, and three years later, on the retirement of Chief: Wood, was by the unanimous vote of the Board, appointed Chief Engineer. Chief Eckel was an excellent fireman and an honest public servant, who dis- charged his duties faithfully and well."
The vacancy caused by the death of Chief Eckel was filled by the pro- motion of First Assistant Chief Reilly, and Steamer Engineer Nicholas Eckel, of Co. No. 2, was promoted to the position of First Assistant Chief. John P. Quigley, of Co. No. 1, was made Second Assistant, the new office being created to meet the requirements of the extended district. A Hayes truck was added to the equipment and stationed at the house of No. 1, and the old truck was removed to the house of No. 2.
In 1888, the department was strengthened by the addition of Hook and Ladder Company. No 2, with a Gleason. & Baily truck, which was located on Division street,and a second-class Silsby engine located at Engine House No. 2, Wyoming street. A new lot was also purchased in the new Ninth ward, and an engine house erected at a cost of $7,785 for steamer No. 5.
In 18Sg President White was succeeded in the board by Oramel G. Jones, but again became a member of the board in March, 1891. A new Silsby engine was stationed at the house of Engine No. 1, Engine Con- pany No. 5 was organized and a supply wagon was added to the equipment of the department.
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SYRACUSE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
At the present time (IS91) the Fire Department comprises the following officers and companies :. Henry Reiley, Chief Engineer; Nicholas Eckel, John P. Quigley and Hamilton S. White, First, Second and Third Assist- ants, respectively.
Engine Company No. 1, located on Montgomery street, between Washi- ington and Water streets, with a second-class Silsby engine. Entered the service April 12, 1888. George T. Shean, foreman.
Engine Company No. 2, located on Division street, between North Salina streets, with a second class Amoskeag engine, entered the service October, 1867. Christopher Gebhardt, foreman.
Engine Company No. 3, located on Wyoming, near Fayette street, a second class Silsby engine, which entered service December, 1887. This is also the location of the llose depot. In reserve a second class, single pump Amoskeag engine, which entered service in March, 1866. Thomas F. Ryan, foreman.
Engine Company No. 4, located on Wolf street, between North Salina and Park streets, second class, double pump Amoskeag engine; entered service November, 1871. William Roushe, foreman.
Engine Company No. 5, located at the corner of Hamilton and Furnace streets, third class Silsby engine, entered service June, 1885. Company or- ganized March 31, 1888. L. Dean Avery, foreman.
Chemical Company No. I, located on East Genesee street, between Orange and Grape streets. Two Champion Chemical extinguishers equipped with ladders and hand extinguishers. Company organized April 24, 1883. John Murphy, foreman.
Hook and Ladder Co. No. I, located on Montgomery street, between Washington and Water streets. Hayes hook and ladder truck and fire es- cape fully equipped ; entered service November 30, 1886. Charles Eckel, foreman.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, located on Division street, between North Salina and Townsend streets; second class Gleason and Bailey truck, organized May 30, 1887. Andrew Wolfrom, foreman.
Supply wagon, located at hose depot, Wyoming street, entered service May 8, 1888. Edward O'Brien, driver.
Boards of Fire Commissioners :- 1877-8 to end of fiscal year-Hon. James J. Belden, Mayor; Henry L. Duguid, President ; Henry J. Mowry, Francis Hendricks, Chauncy B. Clark ; Charles J. Miller, Clerk.
1878.9-Henry L. Duguid, President ; resigned July 20th, and Hamilton S. White, then appointed. Chauncy B. Clark, President, after July 20th. Henry J. Mowry, Francis Hendricks ; Charles J. Miller, Clerk.
1879.So-Hamilton S. White, President; Henry J. Mowry, Charles Listman, Thomas McManus; Charles J. Miller, Clerk.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF SYRACUSE.
1880-81-Hamilton S. White, President ; Henry J. Mowry, Charles Listman, Thomas McManus ; Charles J. Miller, Clerk.
1881-82-Thomas McManus, President ; Charles Listman, Archimedes Russell, Charles Demong ; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1882-3 -- Thomas McManus, President; Archimedes Russell, Charles Demong, Charles Listman : Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1883-4-Archimedes Russel, President : Charles Demong, John Dunfee, Charles Listman ; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1834-5-Archimedes Russell, President ; Charles Demong, John Dunfee, Peter Kappesser ; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1885-6-Hamilton S. White, President ; M. L. Yann, Peter Kappesser, John Dunfee ; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1886-7-Hamilton S. White, President ; John Dunfee, Peter Kappesser, Martin L. Yann; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1887-8-Hamilton S. White, President ; John Dunfee, Martin L. Yann, Edward A. Powell; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1888-9-Oramel G. Jones, President ; John Dunfee, Martin L. Yann, Clarence G. Brown ; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1889-90-Oramel G. Jones, President ; John Dunfee, Martin . L. Yann, Clarence G. Brown ; Matthew Leahey, Clerk.
1890 91-Oramel G. Jones, President; Hamilton S. White, Edward Kanaley, Martin L. Yann ; Patrick Sullivan, Clerk.
CHAPTER XXXV.
CEMETERIES.
The First Burial in the County-First Burial Ground in Salina-The Second and Present Bury- ing Ground in the First Ward-The Old Burial Place of Syracuse Village-Rose Hill Cemetery- Movement for Establishment of Oakwood Cemetery-Dedication.
0 N the shores of Onondaga Lake, in the rear of the residence of the late
Wm. A. Judson, on West Genesee street, now occupied by his widow, is the grave of a man who is supposed to have been the first white person buried within the limits of Onondaga county. This assumption leaves out of consideration the possibility, the probability, perhaps, that some one or more of the Jesuits who visited this locality about the middle of the 17th
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CEMETERIES.
century died and were buried somewhere in Onondaga soil. But whether that is true or not, is unimportant. The lone grave is that of the pioneer, Benjamin Nukerk. The rude stone bears this inscription :
BENJAMIN NUKERK, Died December 7, 1787, Aged thirty-seven years.
Nukerk came to this locality as an Indian trader about the time that Ephraim Webster came, in 1788, and died soon after his arrival. In making excavations near this grave about the year 1845, the late Joseph Savage, who then owned the land in that vicinity, discovered a series of graves ex- tending in a direct line some thirty feet and containing the remains of sev- eral human beings. The bones were mostly decomposed excepting the skulls. Among them was also found a number of bullets. Other remains were found on the same little eminence, the skull in one instance appearing to have been cleft by a tomahawk. A gun, a brass kettle, pipes, flints, and other implements have also been found at various times in that locality.
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