USA > New York > Schenectady County > Schenectady County, New York : its history to the close of the nineteenth century > Part 18
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It seems that the passage of this act was not done in response to the wishes of the people of this city, for the following year the
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POLICE DEPARTMENT.
board of supervisors passed a resolution condemning the passage of the act, and asking for its appeal. But nothing was done in this direction beyond remonstrating against it, and this system of police protection remained in force till the passage of the act to organize and establish a police for the city of Schenectady, April 15th, 1870.
The passage of this act provided for the election of two police commissioners by the people, who, in conjunction with the mayor, should constitute a police board, having the general charge of all matters pertaining to the police force. These commissioners are elected for two years, and perform their duties without compensation. The act creating them provides that they shall select not more than ten policemen, whose term of service shall continue during good behavior and capacity to perform the duties required. The pay of policemen is fixed by the commissioners, and cannot be less than $500 nor more than $800 per annum. A chief of police and an assistant chief are selected from the ten members composing the force by the board. The chief of police, under the direction of the board, is the chief executive officer of the police department, and is obliged to keep a book of records of proceedings in his department, and all the services rendered by himself and the several policemen. During the absence of the police justice, the chief possesses the power of that officer to entertain complaints for criminal offences, and to issue warrants for the arrest of persons charged with criminal actions. The salary of the chief of police is fixed by the police board, when approved by the common council, and cannot be less than $500 nor more than $1,200 per year.
The present police commissioners are: Mayor Horace Van Voast, Merritt Hammond and Fred D. Cherry ; chief of police, William L. Campbell.
When the first police force was organized under the Capital Police system, the city furnished a station house in Wall street, near Devine's hotel. Here were provided suitable cells for the confinement of prisoners until final disposition was made of them before the police justice. A police court was arranged on the second floor, over the police station.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY
This building was used for this purpose until the completion of the present city hall, a present from the Hon. William K. Teller, in 1881. Here commodious apartments are provided for police court, police justices' offices, office of chief of police, sleeping apartments for patrolmen and cells for the confinement of prisoners.
Frederick Eisenminger, police justice, was appointed by the com- mon council, May 2, 1882, and elected to the same office for four years, in April, 1883. He is chairman of the board of magistrates to distribute relief to the poor. He has held office ever since.
William L. Campbell, chief of police, has been a police officer here since August 3, 1869. He has served the city faithfully, and from the accounts kept in his office, records back to 1798 can be traced. ' He is still in office.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Before Schenectady was incorporated as a city, the means for the extinguishment of fires were limited to the use of leather buckets. Each dwelling was supplied with as many as the authorities pre- scribed. Every able-bodied citizen, in case of fire, was obliged to render all the assistance within his power, and any refusal so to do was an offense against the safety of the inhabitants, deemed worthy of a fine, and, in certain cases, imprisonment. The first law passed by the legislature, relating to protection from fires in Schenectady, was on March 1, 1788. This act provided that the justices of the peace should select from the inhabitants living south of the Mohawk river, and not more than three-quarters of a mile from the Dutch church, twenty able-bodied citizens to act as firemen, such persons to have the care and management of all fire apparatus and to render assistance at fires. The justices made and established the rules
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and regulations governing the firemen, and had power to remove any fireman for disobeying them. The persons appointed under this act probably constituted the first regular fire company ever organ- ized in this city.
The first date we find any reference made to fire engines was in 1797. September 11th of this year, the trustees of Schenectady, at a regular meeting, directed by resolution, that a letter be sent to Alexander Ellice, London, England, directing him to purchase two fire engines, one large one at a cost of one hundred and twenty guineas, and a small house engine at a cost of twenty guineas. These engines were soon after obtained and used for many years. They were operated by hand and were small and crude affairs even com- pared with the hand engines used at a later date. The larger of these two engines was about eight or ten feet in length, between three and four feet wide, and stood three feet high. The condensing case, inclosing the works, was placed in the center of the machine, considerably higher than the main portion of the case. On the top was an elbow or " goose neck," to which, when the engine was at work, was attached a pipe, through which the stream of water was directed upon the flames. As this engine had no suction, it was sup- plied by means of buckets, the water being drawn from neighboring wells, carried to and emptied into the engine through an aperture in the side of the box, so as not to interfere with the working of the engine. This box held inany gallons of water. The arms or pump- ing handles were placed fore and aft, working lengthwise of the box, the bows striking on the ends ; and, when full manned, four men could work on each arm, making eight in all. Such were the engines in use at this time, which were considered instruments of utility and beauty.
When Schenectady was incorporated as a city, there were two fire companies, the members of which were appointed by the mayor and common council. At this period, and for a number of years after, it was a duty incumbent upon the mayor and aldermen to attend fires and give personal supervision to the work of the firemen. Indeed, at this time, the city magistrates performed the same services in later years delegated to the chief engineer and his assistants.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
May 12th, 1798, an ordinance was passed by the common council, which provided that two persons should be appointed for each ward, called inspectors, who were required at certain times in each month to inspect the dwellings in their respective wards and ascertain if proper precaution was taken to guard against fire, and to make a report to the aldermen of the condition of the buildings in the ward as to their safety from fire. This ordinance contained many regu- lations respecting the necessary things to be done by property owners for the prevention of fires, and any citizen whose dwelling did not comply with these regulations, who was reported by the inspectors, had a limited time to remedy such defect. If he failed to do so he was fined.
In 1798 a company was organized called the Fire Bag Company. To this company was principally entrusted the work of removing personal property from buildings exposed to danger by fire, to places of safety. Such property, when removed, they were expected to guard and protect from loss by thieves until it should be taken care of by the owners. This company consisted of twenty-one members. The first members were: David Tomlinson, Jeremiah Van Rens- selaer, Gilbert R. Livingston, James Murdock, Jonathan Walton, George Leslie, William N. Lighthall, Dorcey Jones, James I. Hoyt, William J. Teller, Lawrence Van Baskerk, Dow Clute, James Ander- son, Robert Wendell, Samuel Thorn, Luther Halsey, James Adair, Andrew M. Farlan, Abraham Van Ingen, Henry Yates, Jr., William Corlett.
In 1798 the fire limits were defined as extending one mile due north from the northwest corner of Union College building, thence due west one mile, thence south two miles, thence east two miles, thence north two miles, thence east two miles, thence north two iniles, thence west to the place of beginning, two miles.
The charter of the city of Schenectady, as amended April 2, 1813, provided that not more than eighty able-bodied freeholders should be selected by the common council from the two wards of the city to act as firemen, who should have the care and management of the engines and tools provided for the extinguishment of fires, which persons were to be called the firemen of the city of Schenectady.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire district at this time extended from the south side of the Mohawk river, and not more than three-quarters of a mile from the site of the present First Reformed Dutch Church.
The first hook and ladder company was forined in 1814, and con- sisted of ten members. This company was provided with the necessary apparatus by the city and was under the supervision of a captain and an assistant appointed by the common council.
In 1814 a company was organized called the Ax Men. It con- sisted of two members under the same supervision as the hook and ladder company. Each man was provided with an ax, and expected to cut down fences and buildings where necessary to check the spread of fire.
The first superintendent of firemen was appointed in 1814. To this officer was not only intrusted the general supervision of the fire- men at fires, but he was required to see that the engines and all other apparatus were kept in proper working order. His duties were some- what similar to those imposed upon the present chief engineer.
In 1815 there were four fire companies in the city, exclusive of the hook and ladder and ax men. They were designated as Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Company No. I had quarters near the present stores of John Clement ; No. 2 near the corner of Front and Ferry streets ; No. 3 a few doors below the residence of the late Edward Walker, on Liberty street ; No. 4 near the location of the present John J. Camp- bell Hose house. Each one of these companies had fire engines at this date. The engine purchased in England in 1797, was still in use, and the other engines though larger, were similar in construc- tion.
The laws of the city were very strict in regard to the duty of citi- zens at time of a fire in these days. Every able-bodied citizen was pressed into service, and it was no uncommon sight to see a line of men nearly a quarter of a mile long, standing in a close line, reach- ing from the nearest point where water could be obtained, to the engine, passing buckets of water from one to the other, to supply the engine with water. Even women at times, were engaged in this work. A fine was imposed on any citizen who refused to performn such work when requested to do so by the city magistrate.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
From pictures of the larger engines used at this date, we see simply a long tank or box placed upon wheels. On each side of the tank was a long arın or handle extending the entire length of the tank, which worked on the principle of a pump-handle. At a time of fire this engine was drawn as niear as possible to the scene of destruction, the tank was filled with water, and then, by means of the pump, the water was forced from the tank through a hose. About thirty men could work at the pump of the largest engines. Although there was much labor, requiring a large force of men, attending the use of these early engines, they did good service and prevented any extensive conflagration until the year 1819, when, not- withstanding the most strenuous efforts of our firemen, spoken of at that time in the most praiseworthy manner, the entire lower portion of our city was destroyed.
The Teapot .- There are those living who can remember the small engine used at this date (1815), and for many years after, by the members of Company No. 3. It was a small engine, called the "Teapot," on account of its appearance. It was simply a tank, with a pump attached, capable of being carried when full of water by four men. It was of great service at a fire, often being carried into a burning building and doing excellent work where the larger engines could not be used. This engine was used for many years.
Double Deck Engine .- In 1825 the common council purchased the first double deck engine ever used in this city. It was given in charge of Company 4, and was something of a wonder at this time. It was purchased from a firm in Philadelphia. It was larger than the other engines in use in the city, but worked on the same princi- ple. The two decks made it possible for more inen to work at the pumps, and thus more force was given the water. Some of the fire- men of this period who are now living, claim that this engine could throw a stream of water even higher than the modern steam engines.
Fire Wardens .- In 1825 five fire wardens were appointed, who had supervision over the buildings erected in the fire district, as to the regulations to be observed under the laws of the city relating to safety from fires. The first fire wardens were : Isaac S. Miller, Ben-
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
jamin M. Mumford, John Van Voast, Nicholas Van Vranken and George McQueen.
Incorporation of the Fire Department of the City .- April 21st, 1828, a law was passed by the legislature constituting all persons belonging to the several fire companies a body politic, under the name of " The Fire Department of the City of Schenectady." This act provided that each company of firemen should choose two repre- sentatives, who should select a president and vice-president, and out of the whole body of firemen, three trustees, a treasurer, secretary and a collector. The first representatives were George McQueen, John Van Voast, Richard F. Ward, Myndert Van Guysling, Cornelius L. Barhydt, Henry Peek, Robert Osborne and Peter Bradt. The first president was George McQueen ; the first vice-president, John Van Voast ; the first trustees, Joseph Mynderse, Jacob DeForest, Jr., and Harmanus W. Peek; the first secretary, Joseph Mynderse, and the first collector, Richard F. Ward.
The trustees managed the affairs and disposed of the funds of the corporation according to the by-laws, rules and regulations of the corporation. By this act, the time of incorporation was extended to April Ist, 1848, and the firemen were granted all the rights and priv- ileges then extended by law to the firemen of the city of New York.
First Hose Company .- In 1830 the first hose company was forined for the purpose of attending to the hose of the fire companies, but in 1834 it was disbanded and converted into a supply company of twelve members. The members of this company were expected to supply the engines with water, but, a few years later, the purchase of suction engines did away with this work, and the company was disbanded.
The First Suction Engine .- About the year 1836 three suction engines were purchased by the city for the use of the fire depart- ment. Two were called the Seeley engines ; the other was known as the Button engine. Both were constructed at Rochester.
These engines were a great improvement over those heretofore used by the firemen. They were hand engines, but did away with the laborious and difficult task of supplying the engines with water by the use of buckets.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
The first three engines bought were given to Companies Nos 1, 2 and 4. A few years later a similar engine was purchased for Company No. 3. These engines were successfully used until the steam engines came into general use many years after.
The First Chief Engineer .- September 16th, 1836, the commnon council passed a law creating the office of chief engineer of the fire department. In December of the same year the offices of first and second engineers were created.
The first chief engineer was Richard F. Ward. The first assistant engineers were John C. Burnham and James E. Van Horn.
These officers were subject to the direction of the fire wardens, but the firemen received their orders through the chief and his assis- tants. September 2, 1846, the chief and his assistants were given exclusive authority to direct the action of all firemen.
Act of Incorporation of 1862 .- April 2, 1862, an act was passed by the legislature incorporating all persons belonging to the several fire companies in a body politic, by the title of "The Fire Depart- ment of the City of Schenectady," for the term of thirty years. With a few changes, this act is similar to the act of incorporation of 1828.
First Steam Fire Engine .- The first steam fire engine was pur- chased at Portland, Maine, by the city, February 14th, 1864, for $5,000, but was not received and accepted until the following year. It was named the A. W. Hunter engine, in honor of the presiding mayor at that time. It was placed in engine house No. 4, upon its arrival, and is still used for the extinguishment of fires. The first engineer was John Schermerhorn ; assistant engineer, Jeremiah Ten- broeck ; fireman, Vedder Peters. The salary of the fireinan was fixed at $500 a year, and that of the engineer at $100. In 1867 another steam fire engine was purchased for No. 3 engine house, called the Andrew McMullen steamer, and in 1869, a steamer for No. I engine house, called the A. A. Van Voast. Thomas Carroll was appointed engineer of steamer No. 3, and Jolin J. Hart for steamer No. I.
These three steamners were used until the year 1872, when the coinpletion of the Schenectady water works, and the arrangements
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
made with this company for supplying the city with water for the extinguishment of fires, made their use unnecessary. Steamers Andrew McMullen and A. A. Van Voast were withdrawn fromn ser- vice immediately and subsequently sold. Steamer No. I (A. W. Hunter), was retained and is still used.
In 1872, in consequence of the adoption of the new system of fire protection, the entire fire department was reorganized by the com- mon council. Companies Nos. 1, 3 and 4 were disbanded, but soon after reorganized. Company No. I, which retained the steamer A. W. Hunter, was the first to be enrolled. Companies Nos. 3 and 4 were soon after reorganized as hose companies. A hose depot was established this year in the building used by Company No. I. and has been used ever since for such purpose.
Superintendent of Hose .- I11 1872 the office of superintendent of hose was established. James W. Clute was the first superintendent appointed. The present incumbent is John H. Shaffer. This officer is obliged to inspect, and keep all the hose used by the department in serviceable condition, to keep the steamer in running order, and to accompany and regulate it when its use is required.
The history of the volunteer fire department, from the incorpora- tion of this city to the present time, has ever been a credit to the city and an honor to the men who composed it.
Schenectady has been remarkably free from any extensive con- flagration in many years, and credit for this fact can be attributed solely to the self-sacrificing spirit, intelligent labor and praiseworthy exertions of its firemen. The present efficient force 'has been ever ready to respond to the call of duty, and by zealous united efforts has saved much valuable property.
History of the different fire companies .- The first year from which we can get a connected history of the different fire companies organized in this city is 1824.
Following will be found the history of each company since 1824 not previously mentioned, down to the present time :
Company No. 1 .- From 1824 to 1858, when it was disbanded, this company was known simply as Engine Company No. I. It was reorganized in 1858 with twenty members, under the name of Protec-
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
tion Hose Company No. I, and retained this naine until it was dis- banded, by order of the common council, September 24th, 1872. It was reorganized with twenty-eight members September 27, 1876, as Ellis Hose Company No. I. It disbanded May 2, 1886, but reor- ganized two days from this date as Protection Hose Company No. I. This company is still in existence.
Company No. 2 .- From 1824 to May 16, 1855, this company was known as Engine Company No. 2. It was reorganized March 4, 1857, as the Deluge Company No. 2. It subsequently disbanded and did not reorganize until 1873, when it assumed the name of Van Vranken Hose Company.
Company No. 3 .- This company, from 1824 to 1835, when it was disbanded, was called Engine Company No. 3. March 18th, 1835, it was reorganized, but a few years after disbanded. March 3, 1857, it was reorganized as Niagara Company, No. 3, which name it retained to October 9, 1867, when it was reorganized with twenty-seven inem- bers, as Rosa Hose Company No. 3. It was disbanded by the com- mon council, September 24th, 1872, and reorganized with thirty- three members, January 10th, 1876, as the Cain Hose Company No. 3. It disbanded September 16th, 1879, and reorganized October 14th, 1879, as Neptune Hose Company No. 3.
Company No. 4 .- From 1824 to December 15th, 1847, this com- pany was known as Engine Company No. 4. It was disbanded in 1847, and reorganized January Ist, 1848, and again disbanded May 2, 1856. It was reorganized August 16th, 1856. October 6th, 1857, the name was changed to Neptune Hose Company No. 4. June 16th, 1867, it was reorganized with twenty-eight members, as the Hatlıa- way Hose Company No. 4. September 24th, 1872, it was disbanded by the common council, but immediately reorganized with nineteen members,. as the Stanford Hose Company. May 3d, 1876, it was again disbanded, and reorganized with twenty-five members, June 13th, 1876, as the J. D. Campbell Hose Company.
Company No. 5 .- This company was organized with thirty-six members, November 18th, 1835. It at one time was the Mohawk Hose Company. August 28th, 1860, it was disbanded, and not reor-
2II
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ganized until July 21st, 1876, when it was called the E. W. Paige Hose Company.
Company No. 6 .- This company was organized with forty-eight members, November 20th, 1838, and existed for many years, when it was disbanded. January 14th, 1878, it was reorganized with thirty members, as the J. S. Myers Hose Company. It disbanded in 1881, and reorganized March 13th, 1884, with nineteen members, as the Elmer Ellis Hose Company.
Ax, Hook and Ladder Company .- The first ax, hook and ladder company was organized in 1814, and continued to exist until dis- banded, June 5th, 1856, but was reorganized on the same date. It was disbanded August 17th, 1860.
July 8th, 1862, Hook and Ladder Company No. I was organized with fifty-five members, and continued in the service to December 24th, 1867, when it was disbanded, since which time another com- pany has been reorganized and is now existing.
Fire Guards .- A company called the Fire Guards was organized September 6th, 1836, from the supply company, which disbanded at that time. The Fire Guards disbanded August 5th, 1845, and have never been reorganized.
Eagle Hose Company .- A company called the Eagle Hose Com- pany was organized from the members of the Fire Guards, August 5th, 1845. It was disbanded January 4tlı, 1851, and has never been reorganized.
Following is a list of Chief Engineers of the fire department since 1862 : James Babcock, Patrick Kelly (three terms); Thomas H. Kennedy, Edward Ellis (four terms) ; William E. Walker (two terms); Ezra McCue, Francis Cain (four terms); George B. Swartfigure, Martin Eagan, William J. Anthony, Arden W. Weller, John A. Vedder.
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SCHENECTADY COUNTY: ITS HISTORY.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE FIGHT FOR WATER.
Schenectady is fringed and honey-combed with springs. Until about twenty years ago, creeks of pure water oozed out under the banks along the base of Prospect Hill. This hill is now being levelled and sold as a sand heap and disappearing under the naines of East Liberty, Landon Terrace, Prospect street and some other new streets under process of development. A hydraulic ram fed by a large spring fur- nished water for Union College as long ago as 1848. It was imme- diately in the rear of the Schenectady Brewing Co's plant and gave a generous supply. Under the bank below Veeder avenue, along South Center street, the earth was once honey-combed with springs and it is a damp country yet.
As long ago as May 7th, 1799, a firm composed of Wright Tryar, Jamies Case and Oliver Bull, obtained consent from the common council to supply the city with water by aqueducts if they could get consent of the owners, the works to be at the disposal of the com- mon council should they be needed. Nothing seems to have been done under this resolution.
On July 6th of the same year, the common council passed the fol- lowing resolution :
Resolved, That Henry R. Teller, Richard Rosa and Reisen R. Teller be permitted to lead the water works through any of the city lands from a certain spring which heads at the road leading to Gerrit S. Veeder's, upon condition that this board shall have the use of the tubes to be made use of by them in case they should at any time be necessary for the purpose of conducting water to the city for public uses ; the said persons, however, in such cases, to have the use of the water so to be conducted to the city, in common with other citi- zens. Adopted.
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