USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Annals of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania in the olden time; being a collection of the memoirs, anecdotes, and incidents of the earliest settlements of the inland part of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 45
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gave cheerfully, and in a short time seven hundred dollars were raised by contribution. This was enough and to spare for a be- ginning. Reuben Haines gave the company the use of the lot No. 7 North Fourth street, and in connection with the Philadel- phia Engine Company a house was built; so great was the anxiety for its completion that the water was heated in the street. to make mortar. The hose was obtained from Frederick Shultz, at the cost of forty-three cents per foot, under a contract for six hundred feet; it was made of leather sewed with thread, in sec- tions of fifty feet each, except two of twenty-five feet each. The next duty to be performed was the building of the machine, and Patrick Lyon was the maker. It was an oblong box upon wheels, six feet nine inches long by two feet six inches wide and two feet deep ; the hose was carried in the box without a cylinder. It was used as a reservoir also when the hose was in service for holding water to feed engines. This box had arms at the front and back to assist in changing its position, and lanterns on either side with candles; this wonder of the age cost ninety-eight dollars. The
PHILA HOSE COMP.
THE FIRST HOSE-CARRIAGE IN THE UNITED STATES .- PATRICK LYON, BUILDER.
first fire at which the hose company turned out was in old Har- mony court, then called Whalebone alley, south of Chestnut street and east of Fourth street, on the 3d of March, 1804, about three months after the first meeting of its founders. As this was the first occasion at which the first hose-carriage was in service at a fire in Philadelphia, we propose to give a list of the members on duty. The minutes record that there were twenty members pres- ent-viz. Reuben Haines, Roberts Vaux, Joseph Parker, Abra- ham L. Pennock, William Morrison, William Morris, Charles E. VOL. III .- 2 B
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Smith, Joseph Lea, Samuel Hazard, John J. Wheeler, James P. Parke, William C. Nesbitt, Ralph Smith, Lloyd Mifflin, Daniel D. Smith, Charles Jones, James Chambers, Joshua Emlen, Charles L. Smith, and John Rakestraw.
" Large iron arms on handles were attached to each end, in size nearly the width and depth of the ends of the body ; a roller, with small upright rollers at each end, was also attached to the top of the back of the carriage; a lantern was placed on each side suit- able for carrying a lighted candle in each : the branch-pipe was fastened on one side of the carriage and the axe on the other. The body was painted an olive-green on the outside and red on the inside ; on each side near the top was painted ' Philada. Hose Comp .; ' some short time after the motto ' Non sibi sed omnibus' was painted in a semicircle on the front, and under it ' Original Institution, 1803.' In August, 1804, the bell apparatus was affixed to the carriage. In March, 1805, a railing was put around the top to enable the company to carry eight hundred feet of hose. "The second hose company was called 'Good Intent,' third, ' Resolution,' and fourth, 'Humane.' It is interesting to refer to the minutes of the Philadelphia Hose Company, to discern the spirit in which these rival institutions were regarded by the mother company. Addresses were made to each, and in token of the good feeling of the Philadelphia a copy of its constitution and by-laws was presented in order to facilitate the new asso- ciations in their action. The correspondence evinces the best feelings and an elevated and courteous determination to make their joint powers tend to the general welfare. As already appears, the Philadelphia Hose and Engine companies were located at the same house, and at the fire in Harmony court both were promptly on the ground. The engine took a favor- able position, and waited the flow of water from the hose; the director of the hose who had the command carried the attach- ment from the hydrant on to the fire, and with a pipe played directly from the hose. This attracted general attention ; it was the first time the hose had been used, and the observation of all was centred on the new company. A very worthy citizen, whom many of us have seen in our day active at fires with his breeches and stockings and buckle shoes, had command of the engine ; he became impatient at the non-arrival of the expected water from the hose, and on ascertaining the cause proceeded to the hose director, who was, as he thought, usurping the functions of the engine. The engine director demanded the water; the hose director refused to yield the pipe. The engine director became warm, indignant, vexed, and forcible; the hose director resolute and silent. At last, to give a finishing argument to the hose director, he cried out with some excitement, 'If thee don't put the water in the engine, I'll kick thee -; ' but the noise of the crowd drowned the last words, and the engine had on that occa-
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sion to be satisfied with the bucket supply. After the other hose companies were formed, a joint meeting of the officers from each company entered into a treaty to prevent any cause of difference, and the routes to fires were agreed upon, as the localities of the companies were in proximity. The Philadelphia, it was agreed, should keep along Fourth street; the Good Intent, Chestnut street ; the Resolution, Third street ; the Humane, Second street, in order to prevent clashing ; and when either was better manned than the other, and behind, notice should be given before passing. Prosperous, respected, and of high standing, the Philadelphia Hose Company was not exempt from trouble. The 'Good In- tent' was one of the new companies just in existence, and took as its model the 'first institution.' The 'machine' was almost a fac-simile of the Philadelphia, and it was difficult to discover the difference between the two. This gave great uneasiness to the Philadelphia, and they passed a resolution as follows : 'Resolved, As the Good Intent Hose Carriage so nearly resembles our own, that a bell of convenient size be procured and affixed to the car- riage in such a manner that the discovery of the vehicle may be facilitated by those members who happen to arrive at the house after the hose is removed.' The duty of carrying out this reso- lution devolved on Mr. Parke. It is somewhat doubtful if the whole object of the bell is fully set out in the resolution ; a very little pride was no doubt mixed up in the reason. However, be that as it may, the bell was procured, and the report to the com- pany informed them 'that it was made to move by means of a spring, which was the prime mover, and by which the effect was given to the entire structure.' It was a difficult business, this fixing of the bell; at last it was set up at the cost of eighteen dollars and eighty-one cents. The Philadelphia rung itself into new favor and into new trouble. The Neptune Hose Company, a new company, determined to have a bell. This information greatly troubled the Philadelphia; they addressed the Neptune -remonstrated-stated it would be a serious inconvenience to the Philadelphia if carried into effect ; they appealed to the Fire Association, composed of the different hose companies for general benefits and unanimity of action and police regulations. The Neptune, hearing all that was said on behalf of the Philadelphia, ordered the bell-maker to proceed. The Philadelphia members were indignant ; they voted thirty dollars to Mr. Parke to obtain a patent for the bell he, as the committee, had placed at the dis- posal of the Philadelphia. The proper papers were sent to the United States Patent Office, and, after some delay, in November, 1809, a patent was regularly issued 'for the attachment of an alarm-bell to a fire-engine or hose-carriage or other vehicle for conveyance of fire apparatus.' The bell on the Philadelphia was marked 'Parke's Patent Alarm Bell.' Fifty dollars was the price of the right to use this bell. Thus armed, the Philadelphia
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rung their bell at the Neptune, and she yielded and took off the one attached to her carriage, and thus matters continued for some years. But in 1812 the Good Intent was still intent upon a bell; the bell was the peculiar distinction of the Philadelphia, and a monopoly of the music was not agreeable. The Good In- tent placed two bells on their carriage; this the Philadelphia looked upon as an infringement of its patent. The Fire Asso- ciation, again appealed to, decided in favor of the Philadelphia. The Good Intent withdrew from the association. Still, the two bells were continued on the Good Intent, and at last it was deter- mined to commence proceedings under the patent in the Circuit Court of the United States, before Judges Washington and Peters. The plaintiff retained J. R. Ingersoll, Esq. ; the defend- ants, P. A. Brown and J. B. Mckean, Esqs. The trial was one of interest ; the charge of the court was with the plaintiffs, but the jury, after considering about ten minutes, returned a verdict for defendants. The Good Intent applied for readmission into the Fire Association, and the Philadelphia paid its counsel $50 more than his agreed compensation, because it was so well pleased with his management of the case. Another example of the Phil- adelphia worthy of general imitation. The Philadelphia deter- mined to have a peculiar distinction, and it invented another bell apparatus, fixing a lever to work by cogs on one of the wheels with a crank connected with the bell. While the wheels were in motion this bell rang continuously, and with this they were satis- fied as a distinguishing badge. It was abandoned some time afterward. In 1806, a new carriage was suggested as necessary, and in the same year a new location for the hose-house was desired. The committee on site reported Fourth street between Market and Arch, and Arch and Fourth streets; both were un- attainable. The same year, in December, the subject of firemen's equipments was brought before the company. A committee was raised, which, after much discussion and difficulty, agreed upon a uniform for the members. This was the first attempt of the kind made among firemen. Hitherto, fire-hats of leather, painted and inscribed with the name of the company, and leather badges for hats with like inscriptions, were the only uniform per se. The committee reported the uniform as agreed upon, consisting of a shirt of net-work, woollen drawers from the loins to the ankles, and a short frock-coat of dark steel-mixed cloth, with a painted cape and belt, suitably inscribed ; these, with the hats, constituted the first firemen's equipments.
" Nothing worthy of particular public notice occurred until 1814, when it was determined to construct a hose-engine, an en- gine machinery, with hose carried on the same apparatus. The company had been engaged from 1810 to 1814 in considering this idea ; it was carried into effect at the cost of $1400.
" The apparatus was a hydraulion. and was a source of much
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difficulty to the company, as it required a division of the mem- bers into classes for services as engine and hose men. The old hose-carriage was removed to Twelfth and Clover streets, and the hydraulion was located in the new house in Fourth street above Arch. It is worthy of remark that to this hydraulion was affixed a most peculiar alarm apparatus. Its novelty at the time, and even now, renders it proper to record it here. At the back of the body of the carriage was attached a 'gong,' imported from China by a member of the company, made of copper, round in shape, very thin, and about eighteen inches in diameter. When the carriage was proceeding to a fire a man was stationed at this gong, who, running, struck it continually with an implement like drummers use for the bass drum. Its sound was remarkable, and attracted the most lively curiosity. This lasted but a short time, but while it did last it was exempt from any attempts at com- petition by other companies. In this respect, or at least as to this feature of the apparatus, the Philadelphia Hose had no proceed- ings at law to secure their peculiar distinction. It is a little odd that this company was so tenacious as to its alarm machinery. On one of the carriages was erected a bellows, located in the front locker. It was constructed like a smith's bellows, and was worked by the springs of the carriage when in motion. The air escaped through a vent, and the noise resembled that now made by a steam-whistle-not so loud or clear in sound, but of some similarity, however. This was used for a short time, and aban- doned, giving place to the original bell.
"The hydraulion lasted only about three years, and was sold, to the great satisfaction of the company, in 1817 for the use of the Insane Asylum. The hose used by the Philadelphia was origin- ally leather, sewed, which was liable to loss and injury. The company were constantly making experiments to improve their apparatus. An experimental committee was appointed, and out of its labors grew the great improvement in hose called riveted hose. This was a long time under course of experiment. On the 31st of 8th month, 1811, the company published in the pub- lic papers the following card : 'The Philadelphia Hose Company will exhibit for trial an original specimen of " rivet hose" at their hose-house to-morrow afternoon at four o'clock. The patrons of the institution and members of other companies are respect- fully invited to witness the experiment.' The minutes of the directors, under the same date, record that there were present all the directors. At the time appointed many respectable citizens appeared to witness this interesting experiment. The result 'was highly gratifying to all, and in an especial manner to the mem- bers of the company, whose high ambition was to excel in objects of public utility.' In October following an order for eight hun- dred feet of this new hose was given by the company. The want of proper persons to fill this order for the improved hose re-
36
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Annals of Philadelphia.
quired that some of the members of the company should engage in carrying on the business to ensure the completion of the order. J. Wainwright furnished the leather, and Jenkin & Son made the hose at a charge of two dollars per day. The rivets were made at Wilmington, Delaware, and called Titania rivets. Ziba Fer- ris, a member of the company, manufactured these rivets, so that it may be said the invention and the manufacture both orig- inated and were consummated by the members of the institution. Thus, for a most valuable and important invention are the pub- lic indebted to the intelligence and energy of this meritorious association. In 1817 an alligator's skin was presented by Mr. F. Kreeger to the hose company ; this was suggestive of a new idea for hose material, some thinking that alligator-skin hose would no doubt keep up the peculiar distinction of the company. It was sent to a committee which consisted of William Lippin- cott and John K. Kane, who reported against this amphibious aqueduct.
" In the year 1817 the company had a disposition to take out a patent for their riveted hose, but it was abandoned after much correspondence between J. Sellers, who with A. L. Pennock was a member of the company when the riveted hose was intro- duced. Mr. Sellers was about to start the business for himself, and he was left to carry it on. Sellers & Pennock afterward be- came a famous firm in this department.
"In 1823 Mr. S. V. Merrick, one of our most distinguished machinists and a member of the company, made a new engine for the company to take the place of the hydraulion. It had both a forcing and suction action ; the cylinder was eight inches and a half in diameter, with eleven hundred feet of hose attached. This engine drew water eighty feet, and forced one hundred and thirty- four feet from the branch-pipe. On many occasions at fires this engine carried and threw the water five hundred feet.
" In 1828 the company were required to leave Fourth and Arch streets, the location granted them by the Zion Lutheran Church. They sought a suitable site, and at last selected the one they now occupy.
" In 1832 the company gave up all its ideas about hydraulions and engines, and returned to its original idea of a hose-carriage. One was purchased for five hundred and forty dollars, and in 1835 a tender was obtained. Still, the hydraulion seemed to have friends and admirers in the company, and in 1835 one was again ordered of Merrick & Agnew, but it was not completed. A hose- carriage was obtained in 1837, and again a new one in 1839. During 1848 the present carriage was made of the finest and best materials by Watson, and of most finished workmanship, at a cost of over one thousand dollars.
"In 1849 the company were anxious to erect a new hose-house, and designs were offered-one by Charles M. Slocum, Esq., a
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member of the company, which was worthy of much praise. At last a most suitable plan for a building was agreed upon, and we are now for the first time occupying it."
This building stands (1879) at the south-east corner of Seventh and Filbert streets, and was vacated on the disbanding of the company on the creation of the Paid Fire Department.
On the 15th of December, 1853, the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the company, fifty-one members, with invited guests, met at the La Pierre House, in Broad street below Chestnut, then kept by Taber & Son. Among the after-dinner table-speeches, James P. Parke, the oldest member present-whose name stands fourteenth on the roll, and who was elected seven days after the institution of the company-read the following historical paper :
" At this season, when we are assembled at the festivities of the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of this institution, I am de- sirous of commemorating the names of the two original leaders in the respective departnients of our voluntary fire associations- the engine and hose companies.
"On December 7, 1736, the first engine company was estab- lished in this city. It was organized by twenty individuals, among whom was the celebrated Dr. Franklin, and an impression has gone abroad that to him we are mainly indebted for its for- mation. But this is by no means the case, for his name is found the seventh on the list. At the head of that list-an illustrious list, gentlemen, as the commencement of that long series of patri- otic men who have for a hundred and seventeen years so nobly devoted themselves to this laudable purpose-stands the name of Joseph Paschall, and let it ever be remembered through many successive generations as the name of the first volunteer fireman of the city of Philadelphia. Think you that if Dr. Franklin had been the founder of the Union Fire Company, his colleagues would not have paid him the compliment of the first signature ? Certainly. But he was not the man. It was to the exertions of Joseph Paschall, 'as the most energetic and worthy toward the establishment of the company,' that this compliment was paid, and while the records of that company remain there will continue that decisive testimony.
" Human nature is the same in all ages, and we should render the same homage now to the founder of any institution. 'There is not the slightest evidence given, in a careful revision of all the proceedings of the Union, that Dr. Franklin did more than any other member either toward its original formation or subsequent management. Indeed, his political character called him more away from the meetings of the company than the other members.'
" I need not dwell, gentlemen, on the name of the great leader in the other department of our voluntary fire associations-the founder of this company. His name is at the head of your list,
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and familiar to you all. And some of us who are now present can cast our view back in the vista of the last fifty years, and bring to our remembrance all the events of the dawn of this com- pany, so interesting to our youthful feelings.
" I therefore beg leave to propose the following sentiment: .
"'The memory of Joseph Paschall and Reuben Haines, the great names which stand as leaders of the two respective branches of our voluntary fire department-the first fireman and the first hoseman of this city ; and while Philadelphia shall stand may the Union be preserved in righteousness and justice.'"
The following historical memoranda are taken from the Hose Company's minutes :
The Hose Company was instituted January 2d, 1804 .- Jan- uary 27th, 1801, Schuylkill water introduced by a canal, two steam-engines, and pipes .- December 13th, 1803, fire in Sansom street, south side, consumed and injured eight new houses nearly finished ; not extinguished for three hours ; high wind, the whole row in danger ; great want of water; suggestions and expedients to prevent extending of fires. Three days after the fire a meeting of citizens was held, parapet walls and unconnected eaves pro- posed ; idea of hose in place of lanes proposed by Reuben Haines. Several companies possessed hose to connect with nozzle of en- gines, and so to the fire .- April 13th, 1804, hose divided into sections, eleven of fifty feet and two of twenty-five feet, with swivel screws and uniform standard size to fit every plug .- Octo- ber 8th, 1804, it is mentioned that the city has been exempt from fire for four months !- October 10th, eighty hydrants and forty- four fire-plugs in the city ; March 25th, 1805, one hundred and twenty ; September, 1805, one hundred and fifty-one.
The old University buildings, on Ninth street below Market, were torn down in the summer of 1829, and the new ones were completed in time for the fall lectures. Many now living nt doubt remember the "old Dilly," which occupied the engine- house on the north, and the " Washy House " on the south. All the University buildings, engine-houses, etc., have gone to give room to a splendid government post-office building.
The Northern Liberty Hose and Steam Fire-Engine Company, No. 4, one of the famous organizations of the old volunteer fire department, instituted May 7, 1828, was for many years located in New Market street, and nearly all the prominent men of that section of the city were connected with it as active, contributing, or honorary members. It dissolved after an existence of nearly forty-nine years, and its affairs were wound up, the assets being divided among the members. The close of its existence was marked by a banquet on Feb. 21, 1877, at New Market and Brown streets, Conrad B. Andress, Esq., for many years presi-
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dent of the company, occupying the chair. A feature of the oc casion was the presentation to Charles S. Austin, Esq., member of the Board of Public Education from the Eleventh Section, of a handsome gold watch and chain bearing an appropriate inscrip- tion. Mr. Austin had been for twenty years secretary of the company. The Northern Liberty Hose Company members were known as the "Snappers," hence the gift bears this symbol among its decorations.
The Washington Hose Company from 1811 stood on the Uni- versity lot. When the house was torn down in 1829, they re- moved the materials and put up a temporary house in Rowland's court, running back from Zane (now Filbert) street, below Eighth. After that they moved to North street (now Morgan), above Tenth. After standing there a short time the company moved to the double frame house on Market street, next to the pottery, near Schuylkill Fifth (Eighteenth) street. A number of citizens in the western part of the city put up that double frame building for the use of any companies that would occupy it. The company soon found this location to be too far out. The most of the members lived east of Ninth street. At an alarm of fire, by the time they ran out and brought the carriage in, the fire would be extinguished. The company then moved to Tenth street below Arch-not on the brewery lot, but farther up. This was about 1831. It after- ward moved to Ninth street, between Arch and Filbert streets. While the Washington Hose stood out Market street no other company stood alongside them ; nor has any other fire company been located on that street since the time of the Union and Sun engines, which stood in the market-house at Front and Market streets, except the Diligent, which stood on the south side of Market street below Eighth, from whence it removed in 1807 to the University lot on Ninth street, and from there moved in 1830 to Filbert above Tenth, until it built a house at the south-west corner of Tenth and Filbert streets.
The fire company occupying the building on Broad street near Bainbridge, west side, before the establishment of the paid fire department, was the Harmony Engine Company. The building was occupied originally by the Franklin Hose Company, which bought out the rights of the Harmony in order to get into the Fire Association, and changed the name accordingly.
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