USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 45
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
Dean in 1846. The building has a fine bell, valued at $600. The apparatus of the company is valued at $1.852. Steamer Co. No. 14, William H. Glasgow, foreman, is located on Putnam street, and has engine and apparatus valued at $5,442. The house, which stands at the corner of Amherst street, is a brick structure, surmounted by a bell which cost $600. It was built in 1875 at a cost of $10,000. Hose Co. No. 15, William H. Johnson, foreman, occupies a part of Police Station No. 3, on the corner of Wickenden and Traverse streets. The house was built of brick in 1875-6, for combined police, fire and ward purposes, at a cost of more than $40,000. The lot on which it stands was purchased of the heirs of Abraham Still- well in 1872. It has a fire alarm bell, which cost $860. The build- ing is also the headquarters of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 4. of which George J. Gammell is foreman. Chemical Engine No. 3 occupies the new building on Manton avenue, on a lot purchased of the Dyerville Manufacturing Company June 28th, 1887. The building is provided with a bell costing $860, and the chemical engine and exercise wagon are valued at $1,975. Other alarm bells of the same size are stationed on Cove promenade, on Pallas street, and on the corner of Stampers and North Main streets.
It will be of interest to review, even in a very brief way, some of the more important fires that have from time to time destroyed prop- erty in this city. The first fire of importance, of which history tells us, was that set by the Indians, March 30th, 1676, of which mention has already been made in connection with King Philip's war. At that time, it is said, 30 houses were burned, the most or all of which were located in the north part of the town or village, more definitely what is now the north part of the city. The first prison, located on Benefit street, near the junction with North Main, was destroyed by fire in 1705. The town and county house, which stood on the north. side of Meeting street, between Benefit and North Main, was de- stroyed by fire, together with the books of the Providence Library Company therein contained, on the evening of December 24th, 1758. The burning of the " Gaspee " in the harbor was one of the notable episodes of the fire record, though not a loss to the town, nor a disas- trous event to its property in any sense.
The first destructive fire in the town after the revolution is thus described. On the 21st of January, 1801, the town was visited by fire. The alarm was given at about 10 o'clock in the forenoon. The fire commenced in the loft of John Corlis' large brick store, situated on the west side of South Main street, nearly opposite the foot of Planet street. It extended along both sides of South Main street, between Nos. 101 and 143, and was not subdued until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, after several buildings had been blown up and pulled down in front of it. Sixteen dwelling houses, ten stores and eleven outbuildings, valued altogether at $300,000, were destroyed
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
by the fire. The weather was intensely cold, and the wind was high. A greater amount of property was destroyed at that time than had ever been destroyed before at any one conflagration in the town, and the event was for many years known as " the great fire." In conse- quence of the heavy loss on bonded merchandise contained in the burned storehouses, congress allowed a remission of duties, a very unusual favor.
The First Congregational church, on the corner of Benefit and Benevolent streets, was destroyed by fire on the morning of June 14th, 1814. It was a wooden structure, and is said to have been the first church burned in the town. A fire occurred on the evening of May 24th, 1825, which destroyed the First Universalist church, which stood at the corner of Westminster and Union streets, and several other buildings. At a fire which occurred in South Main street, in 1×29, a fireman, Mr. Joshua Weaver, was killed by a falling rafter. The need of a fund for the relief of injured firemen and their fami- lies, which was awakened by this event, led to the formation of the Providence Association of Firemen for Mutual Assistance, an organ- ization which was chartered by the legislature in October of that year. The leaders in its organization were Amasa Manton, Benja- min Dyer, Jr., and Zachariah Allen. This association remains to the present time and is in a flourishing condition. Its officers for 1889 were: George A. Sayer, president; Jeremiah W. Miller, vice-presi- dent: Benjamin F. Harrington, secretary; Charles H. Swan, treas- ttrer: Charles H. Swan, Benjamin F. Harrington and George A. Church, relief committee.
In December, 1836, a large four-story hardware and paint store was destroyed by fire at a loss of about $40,000. October 25th, 1844, the theater on Dorrance street, together with the Planetarium of Messrs. Haswell & Robinson, and other valuable works of art were destroyed. The fire extended to other buildings, entailing a loss of some $35,000. A considerable fire occurred August 5th, 1851, when Cleveland's turning establishment and 14 adjoining buildings were destroyed or badly damaged. October 13th, of the same year, the Richmond Street church was burned; and December 1st Barstow & Co.'s lumber yard was destroyed. January 13th, 1852, the Hoppin Building was burned. The aggregate loss for the year, of which the three last mentioned were the principal ones, amounted to over $100,000. The dates and losses of several important fires occurring in subsequent years run as follows: McNeil Building, on Exchange place, October 16th, 1852, $5,000; Almy's waste house on Canal street, October 23d. $11,000; Cove Street Machine Shop, December 31st. $7,850; fire on Eddy street, February 13th, 1553, $13,500; Burr & Shaw's store, Westminster street, May 3d, $6,050; Gile's factory on Atwell's avenue, May 13th, $14,000; T. Whitaker & Son's store, North Main street, September 4th, $12,000; Arnold's Block, October 11th,
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$30,500; Howard Block, October 26th, 27th and 28th, $240,000; Mason's building, Dyer street, October 1sth, $8,200; lumber yard at Fox point, October 1st, 1854, $15,914; Roger Williams church on Burges street, January 5th, 1855, $28,000; India rubber works on Dorrance street, April 30th, $13,000; William R. Dean's planing mill on Dorrance street, January 12th, 1857, $14,000; Hayward's India Rubber Works and Hope Iron Foundry, five buildings at the corner of Clifford and Eddy streets, October 29th, 1857, $85,400 ;* Wheeler & Elsbree's stable in rear of No. S North Main street, March 2d, 1858, $10,145; Howard and Phonix blocks, November 15th, $117,850; Pike's lumber yard, South Water street, November 2d, 1859, $15,000; a quantity of cotton belonging to James T. Rhodes, on India street, December 9th, $13,500; Providence Dyeing, Bleaching and Calendering Compa- ny's works, in Savin street, December 6th, 1860, $34,400; Car- penter Street Iron Foundry, August 13th, 1-62, $18,000; Earl P. Mason's building on Smith street, February 22d, 1863, $7,800; Salisbury & Gladding's on Dyer street, November Sth, 1863, $7,090; Thomas Phillips & Co.'s building, South Main street, January 6th, 1864, $8,219; Hope Iron Foundry, February 26th, $12,850; Swarts' Hall on Pine street, April 1st, $9,000; Seekel's Hollow, about 30 buildings, September 22d., $44,500; Elm Street machine shop, April 21st, 1865, $10,000; cotton on board schooner "William Irish," at Pike's wharf, July 29th, 1865, $11,500; Matthewson & Allen's build- ing, Middle street, December 31st, $20,000; Valley Worsted Mills on Eagle street, February 2d, 1866, $200,000; Providence Rubber Works on Dorrance street, February 9th, $10,000; American Penholder building on Dorrance street, May 19th, $8,000; Peleg W. Gardner's shop and other buildings on Weybosset street, January 5th, 1867, $8,500; Lyman Pierce & Co.'s grain store on Dyer street, October 18th, $12,000; Adams & Claflin's comb works, and other buildings on Pine street, March 27th, 1868, $19,300; building on the corner of Hay and Dyer streets, November 1st, 1868, $11,800; Press Company's build- ing on Dyer street, December 31st, $21,000; I. B. Mason's pork pack- ing establishment, May 25th, 1869, $15,000; Lester's tea store and other buildings on Westminster street, August 13th, $24,000; Gros- venor estate on Weybosset street, October 12th, $11.000; Lester's spice mills, and other buildings on Dorrance street, December 10th, $8,700; Clark's coal yard on Dorrance and Dyer streets, June 23d, 1870, $69,000; Brigg's planing mill on Fountain street, August 5th, $17,300; Cove Machine Shop on Gaspee street, August 11th, $13,000; Providence & Stonington Railroad Company's round house, October 2d. $50,000; Mowry & Steere's lumber yard, South Main street, November 7th, $41,000; a steamship at Fox Point wharf, January
*This fire was caused by the bursting of the boiler, which was thrown from the building some 300 feet into Page street, fatally injuring the engineer and kill- ing Ira E. Smith, who was passing on the sidewalk.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
28th, 1871, $12,000; the Dunnell block, on Canal street, April 28th, 1873. $27,500; the Phoenix Building, in Westminster street, June 28th. $59,000; The Providence Iron Works, on India street, July 21st, 823,000: Fifield's clothing store, on Weybosset street, December 6th, $12,000; the state prison, on Gaspee street, January 15th, 1874, $11,000; Allen's Print Works, February 3d, $75,000; Dailey's planing mill, on Dyer street, June 25th, 1575, $20,000; Chapin's silk mill. on Aleppo street, Olneyville, February 23d, 1876, $12,000; American Horse Nail Works on Harrison street, February 25th, $27,000; Free- man & Francis' stable, on Pine street, May 28th, $35,000; three dwel- ling houses on Parade street, December 1st, $16,500; John O'Con- ner's dwelling, on President avenue, December 29th, $15,000; the paper box factory of Charles W. Jenckes & Brother in Harkness court, with the Daniels & Vaughan blocks, and other buildings on Dyer, Pine and Custom House streets and Harkness court, Septem- ber 27th, 1877, aggregating a loss of nearly half a million dollars. and being one of the most destructive fires ever known in the city; Rose & Eddy's building, in Custom House street, April 13th, 1875, $10,000; Fletcher Block, Westminster street, June 4th, $16,000; Mackee, Ed- wards & Co.'s dry goods store, on Westminster street, December 26th, 1879, $19,400; the Wanskuck Mill, April 1st, 1880, $25,000; the Dyer Street Land Company's building, December 23d. $24,000; the Oriental Mill, April 25th, 1881. $25,000; Rowley's stable, corner of Dean and Fountain streets, August 13th, $23,000; Fletcher's Mill on Valley street, February 17th, 1883, $32,000; New York Store, Butler Ex- change. December sth, $31,000; the Vaughan Block, on Custom House street, January 18th, 1884, $66,000; Norfolk & Baltimore Steam- ship Company, April 23d. $10,000; Oliver Johnson & Co.'s store on Exchange street, May 26th, $13,000; Sanders, Whitford & Bartlett, grocers on Dyer street, March 5th, 1585, $12,400; Providence & Springfield Railroad Company's round house, August 20th, $11.000; the Aldrich House and other buildings on the square surrounded by Washington, Union, Fountain and Eddy streets, and bisected by Worcester street, February 15th, 1888, $206,700, of which Anson W. Aldrich, E. Winsor & Co., Burke Brothers and Billings Brothers were the principal losers.
In order to review the military history of this town and city we must go back to the early years of the settlement. In the year 1654 we find the first record of the election of military officers. The sur- roundings and exigencies of the times demanded attention, in a de- cidedly practical way, to a matter of hard experience which is now regarded more as a matter of fancy, parade and recreation. At the first election of military officers to which we have alluded, and which took place on the 6th of November, Thomas Harris was chosen lieu- tenant, John Smith, ensign, and Benjamin Smith, sergeant. At the same meeting it was resolved that one man on every farm situated
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
at a distance as great as one mile from the town, might be left at home on training days. This doubtless was for the protection of those lonely neighborhoods. In 1655 the town directed that there should be four military trainings in each year. In 1676 a garrison was established in Providence for the protection of the place against ravaging Indians. This garrison was organized under authority of the assembly, being called the King's garrison, and Arthur Fenner was appointed its captain. In 1730 the militia of the colony were divided into five regiments, and there were five companies in Provi- dence. In 1755 there 275 men in Providence capable of bearing arms and liable to military duty, besides 406 enlisted soldiers, ready to march in the expected campaign against the French on the north- ern frontier. In 1757 the militia actually started. but news of the falling back of the French arriving when they had gone as far as Smithfield, they returned. In 1774 the military of this town was called upon to go to Kent county to assist in quelling a mob in riotous progress there. They moved in accordance with the orders, but the riot had subsided before they reached the scene of action.
At the outbreak of the revolutionary war Providence did not organize any companies of minute men, their places being supplied by the independent companies, which consisted of volunteers from the militia organized under charter of the general assembly. and fos- sessing certain privileges, among the chief of which was the right of electing their own officers, subject only to the approval of the gov- ernor or the governor and his assistants. They received their orders directly from the governor as captain general, being independent, as their name implied, of any regimental organization. An artillery company was incorporated in 1774, as the Cadet Company, which was commanded by a colonel. At the same session of the legislature a light infantry company was incorporated, and a little later a grena- dier company was formed. This was chartered in October, and in December following there were chartered two other companies, the Providence Fusileers, a company of horse, and another of artillery. In April following the fusileers and artillery were consolidated as the United Train of Artillery.
In 1792 a company known as the Providence Light Dragoons was formed. This company acted as an escort to President Adams on the occasion of his visit to Providence in 1797. They also formed a part of the military escort on the observance of the obsequies of General Washington, in which they were joined by the Independent Volun. teers and the United Train of Artillery. They were again in the parade when President Monroe visited Providence, in 1817. In Sep- tember, 1831, the First Light Infantry, the Light Dragoons, the Cadets, the Artillery and Volunteers aided in quelling the riots which disturbed the peace of the town and pressed the necessity of a city form of government.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
The first officers of the United Train of Artillery were: Daniel Tillinghast, colonel; Daniel Hitchcock, lieutenant colonel; John Crane, major; Levi Hall, captain; Elihu Robinson, lieutenant; Wil- liam Denison, clerk. This company formed a part of the thousand troops who went to join Washington's army at Cambridge. In the revolutionary war it did gallant service, both as heavy and field ar- tillery, and among its members were many who distinguished them- selves by special deeds of bravery. Colonel Hitchcock was person- ally thanked by Washington, after the battle of Princeton, for the bravery of the Rhode Island troops, and in many other battles they performed important and conspicuous service. Colonel Robert Tay- lor succeeded in command of the company in 1795, and he was fol- lowed by Colonel Nathan Fisher in 1796. The latter was succeeded by Colonel John Carlile in 1802, and he was followed by Colonel James Burr, who was in command of the company during the war of 1812. Here again the company proved its mettle, demonstrating its patriotic spirit by prompt response to the call of the country. It was active in its exertions in building fortifications for the defense of Providence, and old Fort Independence at Field's point and the works on Fort hill for many years attested to its labors. At that time the legislature allowed the amendment of the charter of the company so as to enlarge the limit of its membership to 150, exclusive of its officers. Its successive commanders from that time to the present have been: Colonels John Andrews, 1815-19; Thomas Chace, 1820-22; Gardiner Vaughan, 1823; Bradford Hodges, 1824 6; Christy Potter, 1827-8; John Hopkins, 1829; John Fisher, 1830; William Blanding, 1831; Alvers Benson, 1832; Sylvester Hymes, 1833 4; Elhanan Mar- tin, 1835-7; Thomas J. Griffin, 1838; Westcott Handy, 1839; William B. Cranston, 1840-41; George W. Bennett, 1842; Bradford Hodges, 1×43: William G. Mereweather, 1844 6; Christopher Blanding, 1847-9; Nicholas Van Slyck, 1860- 69; Charles D. Jillson, 1869-70; Harry Allen, 1870-71; Oscar Lapham, 1872-4; William E. Clarke, 1874-7; Edwin R. Holden (Major), 1875- 81; Frank G. Allen, 1881-3; Cyrus M. V'an Slyck, 1884 to the present.
The company was represented by several of its members in the Mexican war, though as a company it did not participate in that struggle. When the war of the rebellion broke out it responded to the president's call for troops, and became Company B, 1st R. I. De- tached Militia. Subsequently many of its members entered the ser- vice in the 2d R. I. Volunteers and in Company E of the 3d R. I. Regiment. Its members distinguished themselves for military prowess, discipline and heroism on many a southern battle-field. After the war its depleted ranks were filled up from the Burnside Zouaves, and that name was given to the company, but later the old name was restored. The company was originally organized as a skeleton regiment, with both field and company officers, but in 1872
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
it was reorganized as a battalion, and its charter was amended to permit the formation of ten companies. The company has several times made excursions to other cities, notably to Philadelphia in 1871, and again in 1876, when it took part in the grand parade at the centennial opening ceremonies. It has always maintained a high standard of discipline, and in equipment and drill it has been noted ·for its excellence.
The 1st Light Infantry Regiment grew out of a literary organiza- tion known as the Greene Association. The meetings of that asso- ciation were held in the Hamilton building, which stood on the site of the later Atlantic building, and in their room the military com- pany held its preliminary meetings. The first was held April 21st, 1818, and in May the legislature granted a charter to the company, limiting its membership to 100. As the names of its original incor- porators will be of increasing interest to future readers, we give them in full. They were Job Angell, Stephen K. Rathbone, John Padel- ford, John Hartshorn, William P. Rathbone, Richard C. Martin, Cary Dunn, Job Carpenter, 2d. Caleb Westcott, Jr., Stephen P. Richardson, William Weeden, Orville Mann, J. G. Gladding, William Field, Jr., Arlon Mann, Samuel S. Young, Charles Derby, N. G. Sumner, S. C. Hoyle, John A. Peck, Benjamin F. Taylor, Benjamin Clifford, Jr., William Church, Jr., Jacob P. Thurber, Samuel Palmer, John C. Cady, Samuel Davis, Joseph G. Metcalf, Ebenezer P. Brown, Edwin H. Har- ris, Elisha Manton, Joseph Armstrong, Isaac H. Cady, Lawson D. Maynard, Gershom Jones, John W. Oldham, Pardon Miller, Israel H. Day, John J. Stinson, J. Bassett Nichols, Stanton Bebee, William H. Hale, Henry Pearce. George W. Backus, James Temple and Samuel M. Taber. The charter allowed the company to choose its own offi- cers. The first officers elected were as follows: Job Angell, captain; Stephen K. Rathbone, first lieutenant; John Padelford, second lieu- tenant; John Hartshorn, ensign. A uniform was adopted, which consisted of a high leather hat, with high front of leather and brass. citizens' common blue dress coat with brass bell buttons, white trous- ers and gaiter boots reaching to the knee.
The 1st Light Infantry became the right flank company of the 2d Regiment of the state militia. They made their first public ap- pearance on the 4th of July, and were highly commended for their pro- ficiency in tactics. The first escort duty performed by them was at the college commencement in the autumn of 1818, when they acted as escort to the college students. In 1821 the company gave its first reception, taking part in receiving a company of cadets from West Point. New ideas were obtained from the cadets, and this company adopting their drill service, were soon as proficient in it as they were. In 1822 a change was made in their uniform, a military coat, with plumed cap, being adopted. In 1824 an armory was built, funds being raised by subscriptions to five dollar shares in its stock. It was a
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
small building, crude in its finish, and stood on Benefit street, oppo- site the Mansion House. In August of this year they had the honor of greeting Lafayette. In March, 1525, a new stand of arms was ob- tained, $350 being raised for that purpose. The first actual military service in which they took part was at the Olney Street riots of 1s31. On that occasion Captain Shaw, who was then in command, ordered out the company on Friday night at 11 o'clock, and 22 men appeared. With Governor Arnold and the sheriff they proceeded to the scene of the mob, each man being supplied with two blank and two ball cartridges. It was expected that the mob would disperse at thisshow of arms, but they would not, and the authorities, reluctant to precipi- tate a conflict and bloodshed, ordered the militia back to their armory. Thirteen of them had been injured by the missiles thrown at them by the rioters. On the next night, with other companies. they were again ordered out by the governor. They marched to Smith's hill, the infantry being placed upon the right of the bridge. Then followed the conflict, Captain Shaw giving the order to fire, when four inen were killed, and the mob was thus finally quieted. This is said to have been the first instance in the United States where the militia were called upon to quell a riot in a time of peace.
The second armory was built in 1839, at a cost of $3,000. It is still standing on its original site, Meeting street, west of Benefit. In the time of the Dorr excitement this company gained popularity by being in sympathy, as to action at least, with the conservative forces. They marched to the bloodless conquest of Chepachet, and triumphantly returned to Providence with other troops. In October of the year 1542, a new uniform was adopted, having red coats, with black trou- sers striped with white. In 1844 it was endowed, with other charter companies, by the legislature with full regimental titles for its officers. In 1860 the company visited Cleveland, Ohio, to take part in the anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie. On their return one of the chime bells of Grace church was purchased and presented, on condition that the chimes should always ring on the 10th of Septem- ber, the anniversary of Commodore Perry's victory. The bell. in- scribed with the name of the company, still hangs in the group and is still rung as provided.
When, in 1861, the call was made for troops to enter the service of the country for three months, the 1st Light Infantry Company went out in two companies, Company C under Captain W. W. Brown, and Company D under Captain N. W. Brown. The company now gave up the regimental titles of its officers. While the young men were absent at the seat of war, the old members organized at home and elected Captain Joseph W. Taylor as colonel. In August, 1861, the companies returned, and again Captain W. W. Brown became the commandant. In 1872 the full regimental organization of the com- pany was effected by an act of the legislature. The organization
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
went to Philadelphia in 1876, and in the parade there it was honored with a position in the right of line in the Centennial Legion. The event of most conspicuous importance in its history during late years was the abandonment of the old Infantry Building on Dorrance street for the new armory on South Main street, in 1880. This handsome building was erected in 1879, by an association organized for the pur- pose. Its location is 116 South Main street. It is built of brick, with olive stone trimmings, and is capped by a tower. Its cost was about $60,000, and its dedication was celebrated by a grand fair, the pro- ceeds of which were devoted to furnishing the rooms. The ground floor of the building is divided into stores, and on the second and third floors are business rooms, ten company rooms, a supper room and the veterans' room. In the rear is the Infantry Hall, which is 120 by 75 feet in area, with a gallery on three sides, and having a seating capacity of over 2,000. The fourth story contains the armory, officers' room, club room, and the library and reading room.
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