USA > Rhode Island > The "Old Stone Bank" history of Rhode Island, Vol. III > Part 35
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whales. In the second week of September, the "Emigrant" log relates the unusual capture of five handsome specimens. Such good fortune was short-lived, for the next successful encounter was not recorded until some three months later, on December 5, 1845.
For nearly a full year the "Emigrant" continued its wearisome cruise throughout the vast expanse of the Eastern Indian Ocean, trying in vain to capture more of the valuable "kings of the sea," but only the winds of ill-fortune filled her cumbersome sails and, bitterly disap- pointed, Captain Sherman ordered the ship homeward-bound in the early fall of the year 1846. Circling the Cape of Good Hope, ever on the watch for stray whales to fill out their lean cargo, the men became more and more cheerful as each day brought them nearer to home and the loved ones they had left behind. After sailing off the coast of West Africa for several months the "Emigrant " headed for the shores of North America, and, early in the morning of January 29, 1847, the joyous shout came from the crow's- nest, "Thar's old Block Island, boys, arisin' to the larboard." Two days later the little bark sailed into Bristol harbor, and a welcoming cheer of both joy and thankfulness arose from the crowded wharves as one of the seamen yelled the good news at the top of his voice, "All safe, none lost."
Thus ended the last successful voyage of the whaling bark "Emigrant," for the next year she again set out for the Indian Ocean, this time from the busy port of New Bedford. She was found tossing about in a hungry sea, bottom up, with all hands, in the words of Irving, "gone down amidst the roar of the tem- pest; their bones lie whitening among the caverns of the deep. Silence, oblivion, like the waves, have closed over them and no one can tell the story of their end.”
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JOB DURFEE
IN the field of historical research one will often come upon an old forgotten manuscript, a musty volume, a sheaf of time worn papers, or a pile of discarded writings. More often than not the dis- covery of one of these leads to nothing that will add to the already-known facts of past history. The contents may be valu- able in a sentimental sense to the descend- ants of the original owner, or, especially in the case of old books and pamphlets, such specimens of antiquity may be of value in the archives of a library and in the files of a collector. The great interest in matters historical during the past two decades has brought to light much that is of exceptional value in the study of American history, and the greater part of it has found its way into public and pri- vate libraries and into other safe deposi- tories where the student may, with very little effort, have before him the original works and rare published copies of most anything of importance that has been written since the beginnings of literary composition. House-cleanings, rummage sales, auctions and other means of dis- posing of articles of antiquity occasionally make it possible for a person to find him- self in possession of something that another has found valueless and has discarded, and it was one of the foregoing that brought into the hands of the author, at a very small price, a certain book that has been the source of highly inspirational reading, and the source of many facts pertaining to Rhode Island history. Furthermore, this volume, and there may be many copies still in existence, revealed the identity of a great Rhode Island student, poet, philosopher, author and lecturer concerning whom little or nothing is said today. But his writings and obser- vations upon the familiar subjects of local history, Roger Williams and religious liberty, the extermination of the Nar- ragansetts, the idea of the supernatural among the Indians, and the influence of scientific discovery and invention in art on social and political progress, furnish
priceless thoughts and opinions for writing and observing today.
The full title of this book is "The Com- plete Works of the Hon. Job Durfee, LL.D., Late Chief Justice of Rhode Island with a Memoir of the Author" and it was published at Providence, in 1849. Job Durfee was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, in September, 1790, just a few days after the visit of President Washington to Rhode Island, the Colony that had become a State in the Union just a few weeks before. Job's father, the Hon. Thomas Durfee, was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas before his death and had fought under Generals Greene and Sullivan during the action on Quaker Hill. Job's earliest years were spent in the Durfee homestead in Tiver- ton located on a height that overlooked Narragansett Bay, and, in later years, he referred to that period as "the happiest in my life" when to outstrip his comrade in the race, or to possess the swiftest shingle-boat was a triumph, and the frown of his schoolmaster was his only fear.
As a mere youth he showed great talent for composition, and he was soon far ahead of his age in his knowledge of sub- jects of literature and politics. Once he surprised and delighted his playmates by an attempt at authorship when he pro- duced a sort of "Gulliver's Travels" satire wherein was described a pigmy race that founded an empire. The materi- als for his first poem were found in his own neighborhood. When a local group of cracker-barrel politicians and hot-stove philosophers, that met nightly in a nearby shop, ended a heated discussion of some topic of the day, with flying fists and torn clothes, the young poet took note of these exciting proceedings and celebrated the affray in rhyme. The portraitures and caricatures of the well-known Tiverton folks were posted on the door of the shop, to the great amusement of all except the victims, but the identity of the author was never disclosed.
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In the neighborhood was a man who had spent his life dreaming of buried treasure. For three successive nights a spirit had directed this man to a definite spot but he dared not visit the lonely place alone, so he enlisted the assistance of young Job Durfee who knew Latin and could there- fore act the part of a magician. They met at midnight and proceeded to the haunted spot. The magician described his circle; pronounced the awful spells to drive out the spirit who kept the hidden gold in charge; and then they commenced dig- ging. Of course, several practical jokers were in on the fun. They had hidden themselves behind nearby rocks and trees clothed in white sheets ready to appear at the psychological moment. A few previously planted coins were uncovered by the diggers and the old man deemed his hopes realized. He cheered on the dig- ging - when suddenly, a blood-curdling shriek, and the apparition of a sheeted spectre, sent a shudder through his heart. The magician boldly faced it, thundered out his Latin "prestos" and "changos," and waved the magic wand. More ghosts and goblins appeared, more and louder Latin curses were hurled by the youthful and impromptu Merlin; the circle was broken; in rushed the dancing, fire-spit- ting spectres; and home rushed the terri- fied money-digger. The visionary, un- cured by this midnight ordeal, lived on to dream again of hidden gold; the neigh- borhood found his adventures the source of ample merriment; his assistant, young Durfee of Tiverton, made them the foun- dation of a poem. ...
"Before, behind, on every side,
They yelled and pressed, and pressing tried
To break the mystic spell; Strained to its utmost height
The stern magician's magic might Could scarce the demons quell."
In 1809, after a brief schooling in Bris- tol, he entered Brown University which was then under the presidency of Dr. Asa Messer. There he showed unusual pro- ficiency in mathematics and Greek; he was a diligent student of ancient history, and in Latin he acquired an excellent knowledge of the works of Cicero and
Vergil, the reading of which became one of the pleasures of his maturer years. He graduated with high honors, respected among his classmates for his vigorous powers of reasoning and imagination. From college he returned to study law under the direction of his father, but he still found time to devote to literature, producing at this stage of his career an allegorical poem entitled "The Vision of Petrarch," a piece distinguished by fine passages, melodious versification, and a luxuriant indulgence in imagination.
In 1814, Job Durfee was elected repre- sentative to the State Legislature, and, in a short time raised himself to the level of the best debaters in the House. Six years later he was elected to Congress and there his course was marked by an honest concern for the welfare of the country, a devotion to the interests of his constit- uents and a desire to attain wide informa- tion and sound statesmanlike views upon the questions of national policy that were before lawmakers at the time. In spite of his ability as an orator, and although he was a thoroughly informed and com- petent statesman, he was defeated for a second term in Congress and thereafter devoted himself more unreservedly to literature and philosophy. In 1826, he was again returned to the State Legisla- ture and was later elected Speaker of the House. Later he declined re-election, retired to private life, and mingled with professional and agricultural labors the more delightful pursuits of literature. To complete the biography of this man - in 1833, Mr. Durfee was appointed Associ- ate Justice of the Supreme Court of the State; and two years later, upon the death of Judge Brayton and the resignation of Judge Eddy, was made Chief Justice. He married Miss Judith Borden, a daughter of Simeon Borden, and was the father of seven children. He died July 26, 1847.
Mr. Durfee's "Whatcheer," a narrative poem, in nine cantos, traces in detail the experiences of Roger Williams from the moment the great apostle of soul liberty left the fireside at Salem to the important event in world history when the founder of a great state and city stood by the bubbling spring on the banks of the
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Mooshassuck and there established a haven for men of all races, colors, creeds, and men without creeds, to come and live in peace. "Whatcheer" brings out the magnanimity, benevolence and piety of Williams, and it tells of his solitary wanderings and adventurous sojourn among the inhabitants of the forest - it describes his heart-thrilling experiences - and his hardships, toils and disappoint- ments are so vividly set forth and mingled with such glowing descriptions of New England scenery, Indian customs and manners, and accounts so instructive of their traditions, as to render the piece one of the most valuable and enchanting productions available to students of Rhode Island history.
His lecture "History of the Subjection and Extermination of the Narragansetts" delivered before members of the Rhode Island Historical Society, in 1836, is by far the most complete and most accurate tale of a race that fell before the coming of the white man that has ever been written. Mr. Durfee was one of the few writers who have turned to this subject,
who have treated the matter fairly, with due respect to the red man's loyalty and genuine patriotism in a hopeless cause. Another lecture delivered by Mr. Durfee on an aboriginal subject treated of the Indian's idea of the supernatural. His interpretation of the Manitto or supreme spirit and the relationship of the sub- ordinate Manittos is unquestionably the most enlightening discussion of a little- known subject ever composed and pre- sented.
Poems, narratives, orations, lectures, satires, historical accounts, charges to juries, philosophical discourses - all were in the realm of this Tiverton sage who, fortunately, has left behind many of his writings in printed form. Little is said of Job Durfee today, few of the present generation have ever heard of him and his works. No doubt, there are many more such as he who thought deeply during the course of life and who penned their thoughts, opinions and deductions for some searcher for truth to stumble upon in the far dim future and eventually reveal to others.
FIGHTING FIRES
HY is it that everyday occurrences such as the shriek of a siren, the headlong dash of a fire-truck, an ominous red glow in the sky or black smoke clouds ascending, invariably send young and old alike to the nearest window, or into the street to join the helter-skelter rush to the scene of conflagration? From time im- memorial the cry of "Fire " has electrified all ages with a sense of personal responsi- bility or duty, and if cities did not make provision for quickly and professionally fighting what has been called "man's precious assistant and servant, and also his terrible and ruthless tyrant," and if regulations did not prevent, there would always be plenty of volunteers to man the ladders, hoses, buckets, extinguishers, wrenches, pikes, lifenets and axes (espe- cially the axes). The answer to the fore- going question and the explanation of this universal interest in all that goes
with a fire, rests in an inherited human weakness traced directly to the early days when the protection of life and property was everyone's concern, an exciting duty that our ancestors willingly and efficiently performed.
This universal hold that firefighting has upon most people is more apparent, however, in the smaller towns and villages where much of a community's social life often centers around the firehouse. The annual inspections, the parades, the card parties, strawberry festivals, dances and oyster stews are as important in the lives of small town folks as the rare but mem- orable occasions when the whistle on the local mill, or the doleful toned bell in the town hall tower, sends everyone scurrying to fight a fire. But the days when an adventurous youngster could ride the bar on the upstroke of a handpumper are gone forever; red shirts, white leggings,
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and silver trumpets filled with sweet peas on inspection day, are practically for- gotten, and the thrill of tugging at a hand rope is unknown to the boys of this genera- tion. Modern pumpers and speedy ladder trucks are fast replacing the old hand drawn hose reels and top-heavy hook and ladder wagons. Even the picturesque horse-drawn machines have been dis- placed, but the spirit remains, in the towns and in the cities where established firelines, guarded by efficient police offi- cers, hold back the surging mobs that would like nothing better than an oppor- tunity to hold the nozzle of a twisting hose, or to climb a ladder where the smoke is thickest and the fire the hottest.
Rhode Island, like the other eastern states, has a long and interesting record of fire-fighting, going back to Colonial days when every citizen was required to hang one or more leather fire buckets in his "front entry," to be used only for fighting fires. In those days, if the man of the house happened to be away when the alarm for fire was heard, the buckets were immediately placed outside by those at home, and were used by the first passerby. That explains the reason for the painting of family names on the buck- ets that are so highly prized as antiques today; it was not for the purpose of beautifying personal property with fancy scrolls and lettering but was a practical means of unscrambling and identifying the buckets when the flames had been quenched and the ancient recall had been sounded. These early crude water containers were inspected annually by town officials and all delinquents were promptly fined for failure to keep them in first-class condition.
Many, many stories could be told of fires, fireman and fire-fighting experiences in the early days throughout Rhode Island. But, this account deals principally with old-time, local fire-fighting equip- ment, also a subject that offers unlimited opportunities for research and story telling. And, many of the facts you are about to learn were secured from an authority on the subject, Mr. G. Frederick Aiken, a Rhode Islander who has pursued a thorough study of every phase of Rhode Island fire-fighting history for many years. He is said to have the most com-
plete collection of original pictures, rec- ords, rosters and muster score cards in existence, and this collection has been exhibited at the famous Ford museum at Dearborn, Michigan.
According to Mr. Aiken, the oldest hand fire-fighting engine in America is preserved in the rooms of the Narragan- sett Engine Company in Warren, R. I., and it boasts the romantic name of "Hero." Built, in 1802, by E. Thayer, the "Hero" was in active service for one hundred years, and it can still throw a stream of 100 feet, for it was taken out and tested not long ago. This early American pioneer machine is known as a bucket tub, and during a fire was filled from the buckets which citizens were sup- posed to keep in their homes. In this con- nection there is a quaint and rather humorous story. It seems that it was once the practice of some citizens to use these buckets for depositories for every- thing but what they were designed to hold, and the story is related of one man who had long been in the habit of stor- ing dried beans, peas and corn in his bucket. Late one night a fire broke out and this particular volunteer, suddenly aroused from his slumber and of course sleepy-eyed, rushed out into the street, and before he had time to think, dumped at least three quarts of dried corn into the "Hero's" reservoir, with the result that the engine was disabled and the fire completed its destruction before aid could be summoned from a neighboring village. The "Hero" is unique in that it is only 86 inches long, and 33 inches high from the ground to the top of the tank. The wheels are fastened to the axles with linch pins and the hand-wrought iron tires, made in sections, 22 inches wide, are held on the rims with large headed, hand- made nails. The two pumps have a di- ameter of six inches - the stroke is only 7 inches - and a heavy, copper-riveted leather hose is reeled at the top of the machine. The Warren veterans are proud of this "grand-daddy of them all" and proudly show the machine and explain its operation to all visitors who call at the quarters on Spring Street.
The Providence Veteran Firemen have in their possession today a most unusual
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engine called the "Waterwitch," long known as "Ira Winsor's Pet," built by James Smith of New York, in 1833. This machine was once housed at the corner of College and Benefit Streets in Providence and is now kept in the quarters of the Providence Veteran Firemen on South Main Street. Long ago it was a common sight in Providence to see this engine being dragged along the street by dignified men of the East Side, dressed in tall silk hats and wearing the popular side burn whiskers that were all the rage following the Civil War. It can be imagined that the return from the conflagration was less auspicious than the run from the fire house. For several years the captain of the company that operated the "Water- witch " was Mr. Joseph W. Taylor, the first man to be named chief engineer, an office that corresponds to our present fire chief, and Mr. Taylor assumed office in 1853.
Pawtucket stands out notably in the history of Rhode Island fire-fighting since some of the country's most famous hand engines were built in that community by Mr. William Jeffers. Mr. Jeffers, a young mechanic, was engaged in 1847 to rebuild an engine called the "Hay Cart" for use in his own community. This engine was originally built, in 1844, by Joel Bates of Philadelphia, but the Pawtucket firemen were not satisfied with its performance and therefore hired this young man to look it over. He practically rebuilt the machine from top to bottom, and his work was so satisfactory, that he was deluged with orders from other companies, result- ing in his entrance into the business, in 1848, on a large scale. His shop stood on the river bank below the site of the present Capitol Theatre in Pawtucket, and prob- ably the most famous engine to leave his shop was the "Protector" of Brockton, Mass. This engine was turned out in 1856 for Mobile, Alabama, but made its re- markable record while located in the Montello section of Brockton, Mass., where it has won more than $18,000 in prize monies at countless musters.
The "Gaspee" of Providence, very nearly an exact replica of the "Hay Cart" of Pawtucket, was the first hand engine built by Mr. Jeffers and was delivered to the Providence firemen in 1849. After
twelve years of active service it was sold to New London, Conn., and was in service in that town until 1868, passing then to Putnam, where it remained until 1886, when the Providence Veteran Firemen borrowed it for a muster. It was repur- chased from the Putnam Organization in the late eighties, and has won a con- siderable amount of money in competition with other hand engines.
Considerable rivalry existed between various fire companies in the good old days and it was the goal of all companies to be the first on the scene following the sounding of an alarm. The first arrival was the engine that got all the credit for putting out a fire as the water pumped from this machine did the actual work. The late comers were assigned positions in relays pumping water from one engine to another and it was often the sole ambi- tion of the tardy arrivals to pump more water into the lead engine than it, in turn, could pump on the fire. If successful in "washing out" the first engine, as the questionable or, rather, ridiculous sport was called, that tub was often disabled and forced to withdraw to make repairs. Then the next engine in line would take the coveted place. This often ended in disastrous results, the flames doing their damage before new connections could be made; and, such rivalry and strife among local fire companies actually caused the disbanding of all volunteer organizations and the establishing of the first organized paid fire department in Providence.
At a fire in the old Arnold Block on North Main Street in Providence on October 11, 1853, members of Niagara No. 2 and Gaspee No. 9 became involved in a fist fight and during the scuffle, Mr. Neil Dougherty was struck over the head with a spanner wrench and died as a result of his injuries. The sentiment for a paid department became stronger follow- ing the tragedy and an organization was effected March 1, 1854. It may be inter- esting for some to know that at the time of the dissolution of volunteer fire com- panies in this city there were eleven hand engine companies, with a force of 480 men, and one hook and ladder with thirteen men.
Perhaps people of this generation
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wonder how these ancient, awkward con- traptions could have coped successfully with a raging fire, but it is a fact that these little engines, forerunners of the masterpieces of today, attained a high degree of efficiency. Then again it must be borne in mind that, in the days when these engines were the sole protection of homes, the average dwelling was only one or one and a half stories high, and the smallest of these tubs or hand engines could throw a strong horizontal or per- pendicular stream of water for more than 150 feet, which was more than it was ever called upon to do.
It is also interesting to note that the bitter rivalry of the old days has changed to friendly, but very keen competition. Every summer the old vets drag out the ancient machines, polish them up, put them in working order in preparation of the musters that are held in all parts of New England especially at the country fairs. As much as $1600 has been offered as prize money for hand engine competi- tion at these musters and from twenty to forty engines from every New England
state and New York regularly compete during the season. Rhode Island engines have stood up well on the list with "Hay Cart" and "Defiance" of Pawtucket, " Volunteer " of East Greenwich, "Nonan- tum " and "Gaspee " of Providence, being in the championship class.
As tricks were enjoyed in the old days, so in the present they are indulged in by the veterans who perpetuate this colorful era of fire-fighting in America. Not so long ago at one of these musters, one of the tubs failed to make much of a showing. The members were puzzled since the machine had performed excep- tionally well at the practice squirts, and when the old engine was brought home an expert was called in and he decided to take the engine apart. Lo and behold, he discovered a fireman's red shirt stuffed into the tank where it seriously interfered with the flow of water. It was said that the faces of the veterans of this organiza- tion turned redder than their own shirts at this discovery and, by request, names, places and the identity of the engine have been left out of this account.
COMMODORE PERRY
M ATTHEW CALBRAITH PERRY was born in Newport April 10, 1794, the brother of Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of one of the most thrilling stories in the annals of the American Navy. A student, fond of books, and inclined to research, Matthew might have become an educator, but instead, he followed in the footsteps of his famous brother, and in 1809, entered the naval service as a midshipman. His early naval career was varied and adven- turous. He fought pirates in the West Indies and the Mediterranean. He took fighting ships to all the seas and into many faraway foreign ports; he became an im- portant factor in the raising of American naval standards; and, most fortunately, he trained himself to be a resourceful and clever diplomat. At the age of 47 he had attained a high rank in the American Navy, and was then well prepared to
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