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^ History of the
Fire Department
of Warren
Rhode Island
Virginia Baker
LIBRARY
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1895
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A History
of the
Fire Department
of Warren
Rhode Island
By Virginia Baker.
Author of The History of Warren in the War of the Revolution, Massasoit's Town, etc.
9pi
BOUNDFIELD PrESS
Warren Rhode Island
1912
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Copyright, 191 2,
by Virginia Baker.
/Ij^ ^a3?^&
SP. CCl.
Autho?^'' s Note,
'The data from which this history is compiled has been care- fully collected from authentic sources. From the Town and Town Council Records of Warren^ and from the Records of the various local Fire Companies liberal extracts have been made. Much additional matter has been gathered from old newspapers^ and many reminiscences contributed by citizens interested in the -work of the Fire Department.
To all persons who have, in any way, assisted her the au- thor desires to express her gratitude. She also wishes to acknowl- edge courtesies extended to her by the Chief of the Freetown, Massachusetts, Fire Department and the Chief of Fire Alarms of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Special thanks are due Foreman William B. Child of the Narragansett Company and Mr. Thomas C. Monahan Clerk of the Mechanics Company, of this town, to whom she is indebted for many favors.
Warren^ Rhode Island, igi I .
A HISTORY OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
OF WARREN, RHODE ISLAND.
PRESUMABLY the questioH of protection from fire inter- ested the inhabitants of Warren prior to the date of the town's incorporation in 1746. However, we find no mention made of the subject on the town records until Jan- uary 21, 1797. Upon that date a town meeting was held at which a motion relating to the purchase of a fire engine was made, with the result that the electors passed the follow- ing vote: -
"Voted that the Sum of three Hundred and Sixteen Dollars and Sixty Seven Cents Be Granted out of the Town Treasury for the purpose of Procuring a fire Enjoin for the Use of the Town.
"Two hundred and forty Dollars of the Above Said Sum be Levied on the Poles and Estates in the Town of Warren and Collected & Paid into the Town Treasury at or before the first Day of May next Pole Tax to be in the Same pro- portion as the Last Town Tax.
"The Above Vote Passed Unanimous.
"Voted that a Committe of three Be appointed to Pro- cure a fire Enjoin for the Town's Use. John Croad Charles Wheaton and Samuel Child Be a Committe for the Above Purpose."
Whether the tax levied on the " Poles and Estates" failed to furnish the required sum of money we have no means of ascertaining. But that the " Enjoine" was not
2 A History of the Fire Department
purchased seems evident. There is no record of any re- port submitted by the " Committe " if such a report was ever made. And no further allusion to fire occurs until four years later when at a town meeting, January 31, 1801, it was
"Voted that the Representatives be Instructed to have an Act of the Genr' assembly Passed at their next Sessions Simmeler to that Respecting fires in the Towns of Newport & Providence.
"Voted that James Maxwell Sylvester Child Ju'' John T. Child and Charles Wheaton Be A Committe to Report Such Regulations as are Nessesary in Case of fire and to Re- port thereon at the Next Annual Meeting."
At a town meeting held May 4, 1801, further action in relation to fire was taken. It was voted that Charles Wheaton, John T. Child, John Haile, and James Maxwell should be a committee "to Draught an Act Respecting fires in the Com- pact Part of the Town and Lay the Same before the Town at their Next Meeting." It was also voted "that if any per- son Shall be Convicted of Smoking pipes or Segars in the Night time within the Compact part of the Town in the Pub- lick Streets Between Sun Set and Sunrise he Shall pay a fine of twenty five cents lor the first offence and tor the Second offence fifty Cents and for the third Seventy five Cents to be recovered by Action of Debt before any two Jus.tices for the use of the Town to be Commenced by the Town Treas- urer."
Ingenious as this ordinance was, it appears to have proved wholly inadequate. Either because the citizens ignored it, or were careless with the "pipes and Segars" they were not for- bidden to smoke in their homes, or for some other good rea- son, the town found it necessary to take still further precau-
of Warroi, Rhode Island J
tionary action. The old question of the purchase of an en- gine was again brought up and discussed. The town had been growing ever since the close of the Revolution. The inhabitants were mainly engaged in maritime pursuits. There were ship -yards and sail-lofts, cooperages and ware- houses that needed protection. It was decided that a fire engine was a necessity and at a town meeting called for De- cember 26, 1 80 1, James Maxwell, John T. Child, and Wil- liam Carr were appointed a committee "to procurean Engoine with the Nessesary Apperatus the Said Committe to Draw on the Town Treasurer for a sum not exceeding five hun- dred Dollars." At the same meeting it was "Voted that the Town Treasurer be Directed to Hire Such Sum or Sums of Money as May be Necessary to Carry the aforesaid Pur- pose into effect."
The committee went to work with commendable alac- rity and, early in the following year, the "Engoine" made its appearance in Warren. It was diminutive in size, but it bore the proud name of "Hero" and was considered a very fine specimen of the machine then in use. It is still in ex- istence, being regarded as the chief treasure of the present Narragansett Fire Company No. 3, and a description of it may not be amiss.
The little machine measures, approximately, as follows:- Wheel-base 66 inches. Rear Track 34 inches.
Width of Tires. 2 1-8 " Front Track 303-4 "
Diameter of Rear Wheels 30 inches.
Diameter of Front Wheels 26 "
Length from Pivot to End of Side Bars. 86 inches.
Height of Tank from Ground, 33
r Width 27 "
Dimensions ot Tank J Length 42
Depth 22 1-2
^ A Histo?'y of the Fire Department
On account of the tank being round - cornered, the capacity is somewhat less than the above figures would seem to indi- cate.
The wheels are fastened to wooden axles by lynch -pins. The tires, which are of iron in five sections, are held in place by large -headed, hand hammered iron nails.
There are two end-bars crossing the side-bars.
The two pumps have a diameter of 6 inches. The stroke is 7 inches.
An extremely old, copper-riveted leather two-inch hose is reeled at the top of the machine. The bore at the deliv- ery of the nozzle is % of an inch. The goose-neck had, originally, a delivery for a 2-inch hose, but this has been changed to meet the requirements of the muster rules. It now has a delivery for a 2I/2 inch hose.
On the cover of the odds and ends box, at the rear of the engine, is an oval brass plate bearing the inscription
ISlo. gj
E
'Thayer
Boston
1802.
This plate is apparently fastened on by only four cop- per nails but, in reality, a heavy bolt beneath it keeps it in place. At musters, the Warren firemen have been frequent- ly amused by the inefTectual efforts of souvenir hunters to dislodge it.
The Hero is a "bucket machine," that is it has no suction hose. When in u^e at fires, it was filled by means
of Warren, Rhode Island
5
of fire buckets passed from hand to hand along a Hne of men and boys. It did not take long for a "bucket brigade" to empty a well, and Warren's two rivers were frequently called upon to assist the tiny machine in the performance of its duty.
The engine having been procured, the next step was the organization of a company to work it. At a town meet- ing held June 7, 1 802, the citizens elected twelve men to form this company, as follows :-
Captain • ,
Lieutenant
Charles Collins. John Pearce
Coomer Haile. Amos Haile, Jun. Jonathan Luther. Nathaniel Sanders. Nathaniel Phillips. Allen Hoar. Ebenezer Luther, Jun. Seth Peck. William Carr. Preserved Alg^er.
Engine Men.
It would be interesting to know something about the the work done by this company. But, unfortunately, no company records were kept. All that is known of the en- gine men has been gathered from the town records which are pitifully meagre in respect to details.
At a town meeting held April 20, 1803, the following persons were appointed: —
6
ci History of the Fire Department
John Pearce. Coomer Haile. Jonathan Luther. Nathaniel Sanders. Allen Hoar. William M. Hubbert.
[Hubbard.] Palmer Munroe. William Carr. Seth Peck. Amos Haile, Jun. Nathaniel Phillips, Jun. Ebenezer Luther, Jun.
Fire Wards.
On December 5, 1803, '^ ^"^^ voted in town meeting "that the Town Treasurer be Directed to Purchase Six Trumpets for the use of the fire Wards and Cause the Same to be properly Painted at the Expence of the Town."
By the spring of 1804 ^^e town Fire Department was well organized. At a town meeting, on May 7 of that year, the following; were elected :-
James Maxwell. William Barton. John Haile. Charles Collins. Level Maxwell.
Presidents of Fire Wards
Fire Wards.
"Injoin Men" Ebenezer Luther,Jr. Nathaniel Sanders. Coomer Haile.
of Warren, Rhode Island J
Palmer Munroe. Benjamin Haile. John Pearce. Jonathan Luther. Amos Haile. Samuel Hoar. Nathaniel Phillips, Jun. Thomas Baker. Gardner Willard.
A month later, at a town meeting held on June 4, it was voted "that Ebenezer Luther Jun. Be Impowered to Procure two fire Hooks with the Nessesary Apparatus there- for and Lay his Account thereof Before the Town as Soon as May be".
At a town meeting called for June 2, 1 806, the question of a proper shelter for the engine was brought up. It is probable that, at that date, the Hero had been housed in some conveniently located barn or store-house. The Cit- izens promptly voted,
"That a Building Be Erected on the Town Lott for the Purpose of Covering sd. Injoin with Nessasary Apparatus And the Herce Belonging to the Town and that Mr. James Maxwell & Ebenezer Luther Jr. Be Authorized to Procure it Built and Lay an Account of the Same before the Town as Soon as Said Building is Compleated and that the Said James & Ebenezer Draw on the Treasury for the Amount of sd. Building."
The "Town Lott" was what we know, to-day, as the "Common", It was purchased by the town of Martin Lu- ther in 1800, the price paid being I500. The engine-house was erected upon the north-east corner of the lot and re-
8 A History of the Fh^e Department
mained standing within the memory of many persons now living.
It was a long, narrow building, running north and south, with one door opening on Church Street, and another facing west and opening upon the Common. A partition divided it into two apartments. The Hero was kept in the north end, while the south end was occupied by the hearse.
On June i, 1807, the electors assembled in town meet- inor voted that the Town Treasurer should be instructed to "Procure two fire Ladders at the Expence of the Town."
On May 7, 18 10, it was voted "that the Town Clerk notify the Fire Wards of their Appointment and deliver to each his Badge, (i.e. a Trumpet.)"
At a town meeting called for September 14, 181 1, The Fire Department received more than the ordinary de- gree of notice. The following votes were passed:-
" Voted that two large Fire Hooks and four Small Fire Hooks be procured at the expence of the tov/n.
"Voted that Four Axes and four Laders be procured at the expence of the town.
"Voted that the roof of the Engine House be contin- ued southerly far enough to receive the Fire Hooks and Laders: the roof at the south end and northly to rest on Locust Posts.
"Voted that John Stockford, Benjamin Cole, and Jo- seph Adams be a Committe to procure such things and make such preparations to stop the progress of Fires as the town shall direct.
"Voted that the abovesaid Committe be authorized to sell the stone on the town lot belonging to the town.
"Voted that Twelve Buckets to be kept in the engine house be purchased at the expence of the town.
of Warren^ Rhode Island g
"Voted that the Fire Wards ascertain the number of Fire buckets in the town & to report the owners of houses destitute of Fire Buckets to the Town Council at their first meeting after Ninety days from date hereof and the council are requested to report delinquents to the proper ofticer for prosecution,
"Voted that this vote together with the first Section of the Law of the state respecting fires in the towns of Warren & Bristol be published in the newspaper, for the information of the inhabitants of this town.
"Voted that the above committe Call on the Town Treasurer for a sum of money not exceeding one Hundred & Fifty Dollars to defray the expences of the above prepara- tions which have been ordered by the town to be made by sd. Committe,"
In town meeting, May 4, 1812, the following motion was made and carried :-
"Voted that Benjamin Cole John Stockford and Joseph Adams, the Committee appointed by the town to procure fire hooks, build an addition to the Engine house &c, be authorized to paint said Engine house and the fire Laders and present their Bill for the same at the next Town Meet- ing for allowance."
The question of buckets again came up at the next town meeting held June 11, 18 12. Whether there was a scarcity of these, which were all n^^ade by hand, or whether their price was high, or whether the citizens were careless and negligent, there is no way of ascertaining, but, for some reason, the houses were not properly supplied with these very necessary articles. In order to remedv this evil the following vote v/as passed :-
"Voted that the time allowed to the citizens of this
10 A History of the Fire Department
town to procure fire Buckets be prolonged three months from date hereof, and that the town Council be directed to make out a list of delinquents and post up sd list in three Publick places in said town and that each delinquent be au- thorized to erace his name from sd list as soon as he shall have procured his Buckets."
It is fair to presume that the above vote was product- ive of good results, for several years elapsed before buckets again became a disturbing element in the town. Doubtless the delinquents vied with one another in hastening to secure the right to "erace" their names from the lists conspicuously posted up in "three Publick places." Some of the buckets purchased by them, and inscribed with the date 1812, are still in existance.
But a lack of buckets was not the only difficulty that the Fire Department had to contend with. In town meet- ing, May 5, 1 8 1 8, it was voted :-
"That every Man belonging to the Engine shall be Fined one dollar for every absence at the regular Meetings of the Engine Company and that the Money arising from said Fines be appropriated to the repairs of said engine and that the Surplus if any shall be divided among the Engine Men as a Compensation for their Services."
One cannot help regretting that there remains no re- cord to show the workings of this act. It had one good point. If a man was compelled to pay fines he had a chance of receiving a portion of his monev back again — provided, always, that the expense of the Hero's repairs did not ex- haust the treasury.
As time passed on and the town increased in popula- ton, a single small engine was found inadequate as a means of protection from fire. Therefore at a town meeting, held
of Warrefi, Rhode Islci/id II
August 31, 1824, William Carr, Freeborn Sisson, Joseph Smith Jr., Paschal Allen, and John T. Croade were appoint- ed a committee to "ascertain the probable expence of a good and sufficient Fire Engine for the use of the town."
This committee reported the results of their investiga- tions at the anuual town meeting, April 20, 1825. They stated that "an Engine of the first rate" could be procured in Boston for five hundred dollars. Whereupon the elect- ors immediately voted, without opposition, that "a Fire En- gine be procured," the expense thereof to be paid out of the town treasury. Messrs. Carr, Sisson, Smith, Croade and Allen were given power to make the purchase.
The engine selected by these gentlemen was somewhat larger than the Hero, but resembled it in appearance. It was named the "Rough and Ready," but upon the town records is generally alluded to as "Engine No. 2", while the Hero is designated "Engine No. i."
On September 10, 1825, the Collector of Taxes was authorized to pay the sum of six hundred amd fifty dollars to Freeborn Sisson, one of the engine committe, and to take a receipt tor the same, said receipt to be "received bv the town Treasurer of said collector as cash."
Upon this same date thirteen engine men were appoint- ed to take charge ot the Rough and Ready. Their names follow: —
John Trott. Morris Child.
Allen Hoar. John Salisburv.
Stephen Johnson. James E. Bowen.
Willam Baker. Wm. B. Child.
Henry W. Child. Joseph Burt.
Thomas Emery. John Luther.
John Stockford.
^^
S^^
.^
12 A History of the Fire IDepartment
It was voted, also, that an engine house should be erected on the lot belonging to Freeborn Sisson on Water Street, Mr, Sisson offering the use of his land rent free. The site of the engine house is, at present, occupied by the block owned bv Mrs. Quirk, and standing between Com- pany and Sisson Streets.
John Stockford was appointed a committee to super- intend the construction ot the building, with authority to draw on the town treasury for the money necessary to de- fray the expenses thereof. He was also empowered to pro- cure twelve fire buckets for the new engine. On September 17, the Town Treasurer was directed to purchase a good and sufficient hose for each of the engines.
At a town meeting held August 28, 1827, an "Act to Regulate the Fire Engine companies in the town of War- ren" was passed. This act was divided into the following sections: —
"Section i. Be it enacted by the freemien of the town of Warren in town meeting legally assembled on the 28th day of August A.D. 1827 and by the authority thereof it is enacted, that each of the fire Engine Companies in said Town shall on the first Saturdav of May, Annually elect a captain, lieutenant, Clerk and such other officers as they may deem necessary.
"Section 2. And be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the captain at all times to preserve order, in the company, to preside in the meetings to direct the movements of the Engines and of the Company whenever called out, and to call special meetings of the company whenever occa- sion shall require, and o;enerallv to superintend the affairs of the company and to see that the Engine is put in order for ser\'ice.
of Warren^ Rhode hid fid ij
"Section 3. And be it further enacted that the lieuten- ant shall aid the capt. in the performance of his duty, and in case of the absence or inability of the Captain shall exer- cise all the authority vested in the office of Captain.
"Section 4. And be it further enacted that the Clerk shall keep a fair record of all the proceedings of the com- pany, call the roll at the meetings and keep an account of all fines collected and shall also keep a record of all fires that shall happen & of any remarkable circumstances attending the same.
"Section 5. And be it further enacted that said Fire Engine companies shall meet on the last Saturday of every month At such hour as the commanding officer shall appoint & at such other times as said commanding officer shall di- rect for the purpose of working the Engines when necessary.
"Section 6. And be it further enacted that all meet- ings of said companies shall be convened by a warrant from the commanding officer of the Company to the clerk one day previous to the meetings and the Clerk shall notify the members of the company of the time and place of meeting on the day thereof, either by personal notice, or by leaving a printed or written notice at their usual place of abode. And if any command" ng officer or clerk of s:iid companies shall neglect his duty prescribed by this section he shall pay a fine of one Dollar unless he shall be excused by a vote of a majority of his company at their next meeting.
"Section 7. And be it further enacted that at all meet- ings Oi said company, the roll shall be called at the time appointed lor the meeting and also immediately preceedinc; the adjournment thereof' and at each call of the roll, every member who may be absent, shall pay a fine of tv/enty-five cents, unless he shall be excused by the vote of the majority
Izf A History of the Fire Depart nieiit
of the company at the next meeting.
"Section 8. And be it further enacted that the mem- bers of said companies, shaii be subject to the orders and di- rections of the commanding Officers thereof And any member of said companies who at any meeting thereof, or at a fire, shall neglect or reiuse to obey the orders of his com- manding officer shall for every offence pay a fine of five Dollars.
"Section 9. And be it farther enacted that at the cry or alarm of fire, each member shall repair as spedily as pos- sible to the Engine house, and if the Engine is not there he shall endeavor to find her, and shall perform his duty faith- fully under the order of the commanding Officer, and any member of said company who shall absent himseH from any fire, at which his company shall attend shall pay a fine of five Dollars, unless he shall be excused by a vote of a ma- jority of the company at the next meeting and at the alarm of fire, and housinor the Engine the roll shall be called and every member then absent shall pay a fine of fifty Cents unless he shall be excused in the manner aforesaid.
"Section 10. Be it further enacted that the command- ing officer of said companies shall have power to call on any ot the members of said companies at the intervals between company meetings, to assist them in any thing relating to the Engines. And any member who shall neglect or refuse to comply with their request shall pay a fine of twenty-five cents.
"Section i i. And be it further enacted, tliat the clerks of said fire Engine Companies, shall collect and account tor all fines which shall be incurred by the members of said companies under this act, and whenever any member of said company, except the clerk thereof, shall refuse or neglect to
of WiwreUy Rhode Island 75
pay any fine, by him incurred, the Clerk of the company to which said member may belong shall sue for such fine be- fore any to justices of the Peace of the town of Warren agreeably to the provisions of an act of the General Assembly, entitled an Act for enforcing the several town acts relating to fire Engines. And when any Clerk of said companies shall refuse or neglect to pay any fine by him incurred, or shall refuse or neglect to pay over any fines by him collect- ed, agreeable to the directions of his company, the command- ing officer of said company shall sue for the same agreeable to the provisions of the act aforesaid.
"Section 12. And be it further enacted that all fines which shall be collected under this act shall be appropriated in such manner as said companies may respectively direct."
It will be noted that the eleventh section of the above act provided for the keeping of records by the various com- panies. Probably records were kept but, so far as known, none are in existence at the present date. Tradition says that both the little "tubs" did excellent service. Unfortu- nately the old-time newspapers devoted but little space to local events, thougli their columns were filleci with items re- -lating to European happenings. The ubiquitous "local reporter" was a product of the closing years of the nine- teenth ceritury. He was quite unknown, to our great e;rand- fathers.
At a town meeting held April 1 6, i 834, action was taken in regard to a Hook and Ladder Com.pany. The electors voted "that there be a Fire Hook and Ladder Company formed & organized to consist often men, whose business it shall be to keep the Fire Hooks and Ladders in good order & repair with them immediately to a fire whenever the alarm be given, and take charge of them after the fire is over."
1 6 A History of the Fire Depart/netit
The men chosen for the new company were
Wm. H. Turner. Nathan Luther.
Samuel Pearce. John Luther.
Henry Baily. Wm. B. Snell.
Caleb Carr Jr. Daniel B. Wheaton.
Benj. M. Bosworth. Henry Sanders.
At this same meeting the bucket question was again agitated. John T. Child and William Carr were appointed a committee to visit "every dwelling in this town West of Little Bridge and ascertain & report to the town Council what dwelling houses are destitute of two good and lawful Fire Buckets" On May 5, 1834, they reported to the Council that more than one hundred houses were in want of buckets. The Council immediately ordered the Town Sergeant to notify the owners of the houses designated in the report that they must furnish themselves with two good leather buckets for their respective dwellings within three calendar months from date of notice.
In May 1834, the Council appointed John T. Child a committee to procure a good and sufficient hose for engine No. 2 and a lantern for the same. Mr. Child was also di- rected to "cause such parts of the engine to be painted as in his opinion would preserve it from decay.
In 1835, ^^^ freemen voted that the south end of Engine House No. i should be altered and repaired in order to afford better protection to the town hearse.
John Salisbury and John T. Child were made a com- mittee to ascertain the condition of the fire hooks and lad- ders, and to put them in order if found in need of repairs.
At a town meeting held August 30, 1836, it was voted
of Warren, Rhode Island ij
to allow the clerks of the engine companies two dollars per annum, each, for their services. It was also voted that the fines collected by the companies should be paid into the town treasury.
In town meeting April, 1838, the fire hooks and lad- ders were placed in the care of the Fire Wards. The fol- lowing resolution was passed: —
"Resolved that it any person is hereafter detected in injuring, removing, using, or in any way meddling with either of the fire Engines, Hooks, Ladders, Buckets, or any apparatus belonging to the fire Department of this town, except under the direction ot one of the Fire Wards or in the presence of one Engine man, he or they giving consent to the same, shall on conviction thereof, be fined not exceeding five Dollars nor less than one Dollar."
In 1 840, the Presidents of the Fire Wards were author- ized by the town to put the engines in complete order, and to procure additional hose and other needed apparatus. They were also requested to "keep all the fire apperatus in good order." The task assigned them apparently proved not an easy one for, three years later, they laid a petition be- fore the electors representing that the fire hooks and ladders were liable to become decayed owing to there being no con- venient place for their safe keeping. They prayed the town to extend the engine house on the common so as to afford better accomodation for the apparatus. Their petition was promptly granted.
Nothing appears on the records to indicate the meth- ods employed in giving an alarm of fire in the early days. It is probable that the ancient bell in the Baptist Church tower generally clanged out the warning in the good old way so graphically described by Poe in his poem, "The Bells."
1 8 A History of the Fire Department
There was something picturesque about the manner in which
night alarms were sent into the settled part of the town from
the outskirts.
In 1844, a barn on the Butterworth farm was burned.
At midnight a horseman, armed with a large old-fashioned
dinner bell, dashed through the streets like a resurrected
Paul Revere.
"Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Butterworth's barn is afire! "Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Butterworth's barn is afire!" At the weird sound windows flew open and night-capped
heads were thrust far over the sills. But, before questions
could be asked, the rider had vanished.
"A hurry of hoofs in a village street, A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark. And beneath, from the pebbles, in passing, a spark Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet: That was all ! "
And it is more than probable that the fire demon had finished his work ere the Hero and the Rough and Ready were run out of their houses.
At a town meeting called November 22, 1845, ^^^ ^" lectors were asked to appropriate a sum of money for the purchase of a third engine. Twenty years had now elapsed since the acquisition of Engine No. 2, while the Hero had been in service for forty-three years. It was the general feeling that a large, up-to-date machine was required for the safety of the town, and it was voted "that a sum not exceed- ing fifteen hundred dollars be appropriated for the purpose of purchasing a Fire Engine and that James Coffin, Haile Collins, and Henry H. Luther be a Committee to purchase the same with power to draw on the town Treasurer for the
of Warren^ Rhode Island ig
amount necessary to purchase the same."
The engine selected by the above committee was, in every respect, a first class machine. It is at present owned by the town of Freetown, Massachusetts, and is in excellent condition. The body is of cherry, varnished, and the wheels are painted. The brakes are about 1 8 feet long, giving room for about ten men on each side. The engine bears the inscription "L. Button & Co. Builders Waterford N.Y."
In town meeting April 4, 1846, the committee were authorized to procure a house for the engine, and Edmund Cole and William B. Snell were appointed to organize a new Fire Company,
On Tuesday evening, April 7, a number of leading cit- izens assembled at the hall in Cole's Hotel. William B. Snell presided as Chairman, and George W. Carr officiated as Secretary of the meeting. Engine Company No. 3 was organized and officers elected as follows: —
First Captain William B. Snell.
Second Captain .... Thomas G. Turner.
Secretary George W. Carr.
Treasurer Joseph B. Child.
William H. Driscol, George W. Carr, and William B. Snell were appointed to draft a set of By-Laws.
On April 9, the Town of Warren purchased of Ed- mund Cole, for 1 400, a lot on Baker Street and, almost immediately, steps were taken for the erection of an engine house thereon. In the deed the lot is described as bound- ed northerly by Baker Street, easterly by land belonging to Henry Sanders, southerly by land of Elias Magoun, wester- ly by land of Charles Collins.
On April 11, the new Company met for the purpose
20 A History of the Fire Department
of giving the engine a trial. The breaking of one of the pumps, however, frustrated their purpose.
On the 20th inst. they again met and elected these ad- ditional officers: —
Hose Director, ..... William H. Driscol.
First Engineer, Edmund Cole,
Second Engineer, .... James B. Barrus.
Leading Hose Men.* John Frieze. John H. Chace.
Henry A. Bowen. Charles Collins.
Suction Hose Men. Wm. H. Thurber. Allen Drown.
Chas. H. Collamore. Sam'l Drown.
The Committee on By-Laws made their report which was accepted and the articles from i to 19 were adopted.
William B. Snell, William H. Driscol, and George W. Carr were appointed a committee to obtain an Act of In- corporation for the Company which, it was decided, should be known as the " Narragansett Engine Company, No. 3." It was voted that the engine should be temporarily housed in a building located on Sisson Street.
On April 22, a second trial of the engine was made under the direction of the builder, Mr. Button. Again a pump was broken. Two days later the machine was once more worked and once more it broke down.
Better luck attended the Company's next attempt. For two hours the men labored strenuously and succeeded in
5!> Samuel Pearcc and John Drown were added at a later date.
of Wan-en^ Rhode Island 21
throwing a stream over the "vain" of the Methodist Church, a distance of over 140 feet.
Several other trials followed. Twice again a pump was broken. Mr. Button then made certain alterations in the machine and, on September 3, it was worked in a man- ner "perfectly satisfactory" to the company. On September I 2, the cry of fire caused it to be hastily taken out, but the alarm proving a false one it was as quickly housed again.
The first fire at which the engine did actual service occurred at 10 a.m., February 6, 1847, when a barn situated on the premises of Jonathan Luther on Miller Street was lound to be afire. Although the building and its contents, hay, were destroyed the old records state that "by the promptness of the fire Companies and citizens generally," the flames were "got under." The engine was absent from the house an hour and a half.
The first annual meeting of the Narragansett Company was held April 6, 1 847. Two Torch Bearers, William A. Remington and James L. Mason, were elected in addition to the other officers.
It was voted to impose a fine of twelve and a half cents on members found guilty of spitting on the floor of the Engine House.
The troublesome bucket question now again came to the fore. In town meeting, April 7, 1847, complaint was made that many houses in town were destitute of buckets. Earlier in the year, the Town Council had ordered that the law regarding them should be published three times in the "Northern Star", in order that the citizens might be "re- minded of their duty." Charles Randall and Suchet Mauran, the committee appointed to ascertain how many dwellings in the compact part of the town were equipped
22 A Histojy of the Fire Department
with the number required by the law, had found some houses with only one, while others had none at all. The neglect- ful householders were promptly fined two dollars each, but, in a few cases, the fines were remitted as the delinquents came before the Council and stated that they found it wholly impossible to procure any buckets. It seems a little strange that some enterprising person, in view of these periodical bucket flurries, did not undertake to keep the market sup- plied.
In town meeting April lo, 1847, ^^ was resolved "That the Town Treasurer be appointed to take charge of the lot on which the Engine house for Engine No. 3 stands and let this lot for a garden if thought Expedient."
At a meeting of the Narragansett Company, held Au- gust 9, 1847, ^^ w^^ decided to invite the Rhode Island Fire Company No. i of Pawtucket, to visit Warren for the pur- pose of a trial of the two Companies' engines, the trial to be followed by a clambake. On motion of Martin L. Sal- isbury it was voted that the Narragansetts should "come out dressed with as much uniformity as possible" on the occa- sion. Friday, August 13, v/as set as the date of the contest.
Accordingly, at ten o'clock in the morning ot that day the "Threes" assembled at their Engine House. The Hose Men were clad in red shirts and white duck pants, while the remaining men were arrayed in white shirts and dark pants. All wore glazed caps, and each man's shirt displayed a large figure "3" on the breast. The company formed and proceeded to one of the wharv^es where they welcomed the visiting company which had arrived by boat.
A large crowd, among whom were prominent citizens of Providence, Pawtucket, and Bristol had gathered eager to catch a glimpse of the Pawtucket engine. This machine,
of Warren^ Rhode Island 2 J
popularly known as the "Hay Cart" or "Rhode Island No. I," was a "double deck" engine, built in Philadelphia, but rebuilt by William JefFers of Pawtucket, the designer of the "Gaspee" of Providence and the "Nameague" now owned by the Watchemoket Company. The work-shop in which the "Hay Cart" was remodeled was located on the site now occupied by the Spencer Block at the corner of Main and North Main Streets, Pawtucket. Mr. Jeffers, later, removed his shop to a building at the foot of Timothy Street. A portion of this building is still standing, and is utilized as a store-house and stock room by the Pawtucket Electric Company.
As the Warren engine and the "Hay Cart" stood side by side, the spectators felt little doubt regarding the result of the contest. On every side was heard the prophecy, "The 'Hay Cart' will surely win! That little Button can't com- pete with her!"
After a street parade, the two machines were stationed on "the Widow Dorcas Child's Wharf" at the foot of State Street, the hose being laid along State Street to Main. The big "Hay Cart" threw a stream high above the sign posts of Cole's Hotel, and Warren faces grew sad. It seemed impossible that the Button could hope to even equal, much less surpass, the great Pawtucket beauty. But the men at the pumps of the Button looked into each other's eyes and set their teeth doggedly. High above the highest point attained by the "Hay Cart" sped the stream from the But- ton's hose nozzle. The people stared silently — then cheer after cheer rent the air.
The Pawtucket men bore their defeat good naturedly. The two Companies, and a number of invited guests, pres- ently adjourned to a tent where a genuine old-fashioned
24 A History of the Fire Department
clambake was served with true Warren hospitality. This tent, like the little Button machine, was a wonder. It was the property of the Warren Artillery, made for them by the veteran sail -maker Henry W. Gladding. It was a huge af- fair, the largest tent owned by any military company in the state, and the visitors surveyed it with rriuch interest.
At the close of the repast a short period was devoted to music, and then the Narragansetts escorted the Pawtuck- ets to the wharf where, at six p. m., the latter embarked in the steamboat "Perry", leaving their hosts with the feeling that the day had, indeed, been a red letter one for Warren.
A few days later the engine was again taken to the wharf and, as the records tell us, succeeded in supplying en- gines I and 2 with water at the same time.
In the spring of 1848 the town appointed Suchet Mauran, Thomas G. Turner, and William H. Driscol a committee to "sink two Wells or reservoirs of water" for use of the Fire Department. After considerable discussion as to the proper location of these, one reservoir was placed in front of the Baptist Church, and the other at the corner of Broad and Main Streets.
The death of Mr. Freeborn Sisson necessitated the removal of Engine House No. 2, and John T. Child was appointed, August 28, to look up a new location for the building at some point north of Miller Street. On Septem- ber 21, Mr. Child reported that a desirable lot of land, north of the residence of Allen C. Hoar, could be leased for a term of ten years at a rental of twelve dollars per an- num. He was given power to make "further inquiry" re- garding other sites.
From the summer of 1848 to the fall of 1849 Warren suffered from a series of incendiarv fires. Houses, barns,
of Warren^ Rhode Island 2^
stores and wood-sheds were fired by some unknown hand. Large quantities of hay were consumed. On April 23, 1 849, the barn of James Smith, on Jefferson Street, and the near- by barn of Job Smith were both burned to the ground. On September 26, two buildings on the premises of Hoar & Martin, lumber dealers, were destroyed with all their con- tents. On October 12, the barn belonging to Cole's Hotel was laid in ashes.
1 he Cole's Hotel barn deserves more than a passing allusion. It occupied a site near the present south-west corner of Main and Joyce Streets, and a little to the rear of the Odd Fellows Building. It was a large structure, con- taining stalls for forty horses. A long shed ran across what is now Joyce Street and connected with the hotel opposite the barn. In olden times three stage coaches were often seen standing side by side in this building.
When menageries visited Warren the animals were accomodated in the shed. Here elephants trumpeted and camels kneeled. Here lions roared and girafi^es stretched I heir necks. Here Polar bears panted, while their attendants showered them with buckets of cold water from the hotel well to keep them alive.
The town offered a reward of two hundred dollars for the apprehension of the incendiary and appointed a special night "watch" to look out for fires, but it does not appear that the mysterious fire fiend was ever discovered.
The question of a suitable uniform agitated the Narra- gansett Company during the years 1849 ^^'^ 1850. Votes relating to it were passed, and rescinded, and amended, and it seemed impossible to please everybody. In October, 1848, it was decided that the uniform should consist of "a Blue Hat, Red Jacket, Shirt of Blue Blk., and Duffell Pants."
26 A History of the Fire Department
A year later the blue hats were rejected and it was decided that red caps were the proper headgear for firemen. A few days later, some one suggested that hats like those worn by the Newport "Fives" were far more suitable, and the uni- form committe were directed to procure them. But noth- ing appears to have been done by these gentlemen, and May 17, 1850J the company instructed the committee to "have the New Hats painted according to their own taste." Whether, in the end, any hats at all were purchased the re- cords do not show.
In June, 1850, the "Threes" appointed a committee to solicit the citizens for subscriptions for the benefit of the company. The Hose Director was authorized to purchase tool boxes for the hose carraige, etc., and the Foreman was instructed to request the Fire Wards to supply four more brass torches.
On July 31, 1850, the Narragansetts entertained the Union Fire Company No. 3 of Providence. Preceded by a drummer and fifer they marched to the steamboat "Argo's" wharf where they received their guests. From the wharf they escorted them through the principal streets to Cole's Hotel, where a bountiful collation was served, thence to Armory Hall where the visitors remained over night. On the following morning the Narragansetts escorted the Prov- idence men to the wharf at which the Argo lay in waiting. After "having exchanged salutations," the Union Threes embarked and were carried to Rocky Point where they en- joyed one of Captain William Winslow's clambakes at the expense of the Warren Company, and, some hours later re- turned to Providence well pleased, let us hope, with their outing.
In town meeting, April 16, 1851, ninety dollars were
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appropriated for the purchase of a new hose carriage for engine No. 3, the Engine Company having made a state- ment before the meeting to the effect that the carriage then in use by them was "very inconvenient and altogether too heavy."
At this same meeting John R. Hoar, John C. Hoar, and WilHam ColHns were appointed a committee to consid- er the expediency of building houses tor engines No. i and No. 2. They reported, on May 17, that they recommend- ed the erection of a house for No. i, to be 28 feet long, 16 feet wide, and one story high. For No. 2 they recom- mended a structure 3 i feet long, 1 8 feet wide, and two sto- ries high.
William Collins, John R. Hoar, and Francis Marble were authorized to construct the house for engine No. i at a cost of two hundred and fifty dollars, with permission to locate it wherever they should "consider it expedient." The site they selected was a lot on the east side of South Water Street, a little to the South of Washington Street. Many years afterward, the building was removed to Baker Street where it now stands. It bears the inscription
He?'o
Fife Company. No. i.
1802.
At the above mentioned May town meeting it was voted that in the future, at the annual town meeting in April, the Presidents of Fire Wards should make written reports of the state of the engines, hooks and ladders, and other fire apparatus; should return lists of the men attached to the Engine and Fire Hook and Ladder Companies; and should offer suggestions in regard to "the better and more effect-
28 A History of the Fire T)epartnient
ive organization of the department." In this vote we may clearly trace the origin of the annual report of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department.
On September 8, 1851, the Narragansett Company voted to invite the Aquidneck Hose Company No. i of Newport to visit Warren. It was also voted to extend an invitation to Engine Companies i and 2, the Hook and Ladder Company, and the Fire Department, generally, to assist "in the reception of the Company and in paying the Bills." What response was made to the last mentioned vote the records do not show.
The Aquidnecks accepted the invitation and, on the afternoon of September 18, came up to Warren via Bristol Ferry. The Narragansetts met them at a quarter to five at the boundary line separating Warren and Bristol. After a short street parade the visitors were escorted to Cole's EIo- tel, where the Narragansetts were dismissed. At half past seven they reassembled, and both Companies took part in a grand torch-light procession, parading throvigh nearly all the principal streets of the town. Alter the parade, refresh- ments were served in Marble's Hall on Water Street, and, at ten o'clock, the guests were escorted to the Armory where they passed the night. They returned to Newport on the following morning.
"Marble's Hall" was located in the upper story of the stone building now occupied by Potter and Collamore as a machine shop. Francis Marble used the lower story for a blacksmith shop, and many people ..ow living doubtless re- call the large figure of Vulcan, its upraised hand grasping a hammer, which ornamented the front of the edifice. The figure was an object of awe and admiration to the boys and girls of Warren half a century ago.
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An unknown incendiary again began making havoc in Warren during the latter part of 1850, and he continued his dastardly work through a period of more than two years. On March i, 1852, the store of Aaron S. Tilly, on Miller Street, was destroyed with a good sized stock of hats, caps and shoes. Two nearby dwelling houses were also con- sumed. Mr. Tilly was the Treasurer of the Narragansett Company and his records were lost in the conflagration. But he reported to the Company that, to the best of his rec- ollection, they showed a balance of $37.62 in the treasury.
The necessity of procuring a larger and more modern engine for the No. 2 Company now became very apparent and, in town meeting, April 21, 1852, the sum of $2,500 was appropriated for the purchase of a machine, with hose and hose carriage, and the erection of an engine house. John O. Waterman, William H. Driscol, and John C. Hoar were appointed a committee to expend the money, and oversee the building of the new engine house.
Tradition says that the Pawtucket engine builder, Mr. Jeffers, mortified by the failure of the Pawtucket machine at Warren in 1847, had solemnly declared that he would design an engine that should surpass the saucy Button tub of the Narragansetts. It goes on to say that, in fulfillment of his vow, he built the fine machine eventually selected by Messrs. Waterman, Driscol, and Hoar. Whether tradition is correct or not history does not say, but it was a large and handsome Jefi^ers engine which these gentlemen procured for Company No. 2.
The machine, still in the possession of the company, is finished in natural color and mahogany with brass trim- mings. It has no springs, and is rigged with a tongue for hauling by hand. The body is 10 feet 2 inches long, and
JO A History of the Fire Department
1 feet 7^-^ inches wide. There are two cyhnders. The stroke is adjustable up to ii inches.
The wheel-base measures 6 feet Gyi inches, the front track 4 feet iy^ inches, the rear track 4 feet 3 inches. The di- ameter of the front wheels is 2 feet 4^^ inches, that of the rear wheels is 3 feet i inch. The height of the deck from the ground is 3 feet 2,li. inches. The walking-beam stroke is 4 feet 5^ inches* The bars are 16 feet 2 inches long.
The suction is 4 inches. Originally there was a twin discharge of 2^ inches, but this has been blocked and the delivery diverted through a single discharge of 2^ inches. The No. 2 Engine Company appears to have been reor- ganized immediately after the purchase of the new machine. The first entry in their records is under date of January 5, 1853, and is as follows: —
"Ingine met agreeable to notice and Adjourned not much done."
On January 8, a second meeting was held with all the members of the Company present. A committee previous- ly appointed to draw up By-Laws presented their report, and the By-Laws were accepted.
A motion was made that smoking be prohibited in the Engine House and was carried.
Messrs. Daniel Foster, Rodolphus B. Johnson, and John O. Waterman were made a committee to decide upon a name for the engine. "After some Deliberation the com- mittee made a motion that Engine N 2 be Named the Me- chanick. Vote laken and pased unanimous."
On February 10, 1853, the barn of Lewis Pearce, on Company Street, was destroyed by a fire supposed to have been started by an incendiary. A horse, two cows, a car- riage, and a large quantity of hay were burned. Probably
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the "Mechanick" did service at this fire, but no mention of it is made on the records of the Company.
At the annual meeting of the Narragansetts, April, 1 854, it was voted "that all the members be a vigilant committee to look up new members." The reason for such a vote is obvious. In a maritime town like Warren, a goodly portion of the members of the Fire Companies were sea-faring men. They would join an organization, remain in it a few months, then resign and sail away for the West Indies, China, India, Holland, or some other distant land. From 1849 ^^ ^^^ close of the 50s there was a constant exodus to the gold fields of California. It certainly needed a very "vigilant" committe to keep the Engine Companies supplied with their sufficient quotas of men.
In town meeting, April 19, 1854, Luther Cole, Clerk of the Fire Hook and Ladder Company, presented a re- quest for better accomodations for the fire hooks and lad- ders, and ladder carriage. The request was referred to the Town Council, who appointed Charles Smith and Charles Ranciall an investigating committee. Messrs. Smith and Randall reported that they deemed it "inexpedient to build a new house" for the use of the Company, but recommend- ed that the handles of the town pump on the Common should "be shifted so as to admit of the free ingress and egress of the Carriage of said company." Probably the pump handles v/ere shifted, for the Hook and Ladder offi- cers seem to have made no further requests.
At the April meeting it was also voted to remove the old "Rough and Ready" to some place between Kickemuet Bridge and Barnaby's Corner. This, however, was not done, as the residents of Kickemuet objected to having their wells and cisterns called upon to supply the needs of a greedy
J 2 A History of the Fire Depart/nent
"bucket machine". They were quite willing to run the risk of dealing with fires unaided.
On May 5, 1854, at ten o'clock p.m., an alarm of fire v/as sent out from the blacksmith's shop of Nathaniel Cole. The Fire Companies promptly responded to the call. The No. 2 Company "repaired to the Acqueduct" and "com- menced extinguishing the fire with despatch", but unfortu- nately, as the Company's records naively state, the building was "entirely consumed".
At a town meeting held November 7, 1854, the Pres- idents of the Fire Wards were advised to "alter on the most approved plan" the machinery and other appurtenances for drying the hose in Engine House No. 3. On April 24, the Narragansett Company authorized William P. Freeborn, Charles Collamore and Charles L. Wrightington to procure three trumpets for the use of the Foreman, Assistant Fore- man, and Hose Director of the Company. During this same month, Captain Henry P. Carr presented the Mechan- ics with a fine American flag.
On November 7, 1855, a fire broke out in the store of D. W. and G. H. Andrews at the corner of Main and Child Streets. The records state that it was "put out by the Threes in about half an hour", but add that great dam- age was done by water.
At a town meeting held April 16, 1856, the electors, on the motion of Benjamin M. Bosworth, voted an appro- priation of $300 for the benefit of John Drown who had received serious injuries while acting as a fireman in the ser- vice of the town at a fire in Hoar and Martin's lumber yard.
At the same time the Presidents of the Fire Vv^ards were authorized to have the lower room in Engine House No. 3 plastered, and to make arrangements for introducing
of Warreii^ Rhode Island jj
water into the building by means of pipes leading from the well of Henry Sanders, or by other means according to their discretion.
On September 13, 1856, the steamboat "New Clifton," lying at one of the wharves, was found to be in flames. The Fire Companies hurried to the river side and succeeded in getting the blaze under control, but the boat was damaged to the amount of about $3000.
At about five o'clock on the afternoon of November I, I 856, the Rivet Works of Henry H. Luther, near the foot of Sisson Street, were discovered to be on fire. An a- larm was quickly sounded and all the engines were hurried to the scene. It chanced that the Fire Companies were short of men, owing to the fact that many of their members had gone to Providence for the purpose of witnessing a grand political torch-light procession in honor of the presi- dential candidates Fremont and Dayton.
It soon became evident that the fire was a serious affair. The wind was blowing so strongly from the southwest that burning shingles were carried across Belcher's Cove and scattered in the vicinity of King's Rocks at the boundary line separating Warren from Swansea. Other buildings in the vicinity of the rivet plant soon became ignited. Among these were the soap and candle manufactory of Henry San- ders, the carpenter shop of Nathan Kent, the barn of Allen C. Hoar, the barn of William H. Driscol, and a foundry, all of which, together with the Rivet Works, were totally de- stroyed with the greater part of their contents. Several neighboring fences were also consumed and, at one time, the entire north section of the town seemed threatened with destruction.
Wild excitement prevailed. People came flocking into
J/f. A History of the Fire Department
town from all directions. Strangers entered houses and, taking advantage of the panic, spirited away various articles that attracted their fancy. All sorts of things, ranging from feather pillows to children's toys, were appropriated by these sneak thieves. One family found their pantry de- spoiled of several pies and a quantity of codfish balls that had been prepared for the next day's breakfast. It seemed as if some of the people who attempted to assist household- ers in saving their property fairly lost their wits. Looking- glasses were recklessly dashed about — and broken — while feather-beds were carefully deposited on the ground. Kitch- en utensils were tenderly carried through cross-streets and placed in the parlors of houses located at a distance from the flames and, at the same time, fine pieces of mahogany and rosewood furniture found resting-places in wood-sheds and coal-bins. Bedding and napery were tossed over fences and trunks of clothing deposited on curbstones. One citi- zen was compelled to threaten the life of an excited would- be helper in order to save a handsome "grandfather's clock" — a family heirloom — from destruction.
The Warren Fire Companies, finding themselves un- able to cope with the flames, summoned assistance from Bristol. The King Philip Fire Engine Company prompt- ly responded to the call, and did such excellent work that, upon November 4, the following resolution was passed in town meeting: —
"In Town Meeting, November 4, 1856, Resolved unanimously, by the Freemen of the Town of Warren in Town Meeting assembled, that the thanks of the town be presented to the members of King Philip Fire Engine Co. No. 4 of Bristol, who so promptly came to the aid of the citizens of this town on the evening of Saturday, November
of JViiTTeti, Rhode Island jj
1st. tor their friendly and efficient exertions in our behalf in staying the ravages of a fire, which on that evening, threat- ened the destruction of our town.
"Resolved further, that a copy of this vote of thanks be communicated to the Foreman of said Engine Company No. 4, and that the Town Clerk cause the same to be pub- lished in the Bristol Phenix and the Rhode Island Tele- graph."
The veteran fireman, Thomas M'"Caffrey, recalls the burning of the Rivet Works as his "first fire." Although only a child of four at the time of its occurence, he distinctly recollects that he was passed out of an attic "scuttle" to the roof of a house which was in danger of being ignited by flying bits of burning wood. Kept from slipping down the roof's incline by a rope tied about his waist and secured inside the house, he kept watch and, whenever a shingle caught, promptly extinguished it by dipping water from a bucket and dashing it on the flames. It is almost unneces- sary to add that the young fire fighter highly enjoyed his novel occupation.
On the Tuesday evening following the fire the Narra- gansetts and Mechanics were entertained in Armory Hall by Philip Chase, a prominent ship builder of Warren. A fine collation was served which was followed by toasts and speeches. The records of the Companies do not state that the banquet had any connection with the conflagration, but, as Mr. Chase's shipyard was located near the Rivet Works, one may hazard a guess that it was given in recognition of the services rendered by the firemen to the host.
An important change in the Fire Department occured in 1857. The following resolution was passed in town meeting on April 15 of that year: —
J 6 A History of the Fire Depiuiment
"Whereas the present system of appointing officers for the fire department, is deemed unwise & impolitic therefore Resolved that our Senator and Representatives be requested to use all honorable means to have the present law in regard to the appointment of fire Wards so amended as to give the town of Warren the power to elect a chief Engineer and four assistants,"
The desired amendment was passed by the Legislature and on April 21, 1858, a Board of Engineers was appointed, in town meeting, as follows: —
Thomas G. Turner, Fire Ward and Chief Engineer. George Barton, First Assistant. William Cole 2nd, Second Assistant. Nathan Hancock, Third Assistant.
On August 4, i860, the Town Council considered an application made by Nathaniel L. F. Potter, of Barrington, in regard to the purchase of the old Engine, formerly belong- ing to the No. 2 Company, which had been renumbered 4. The Council considered the application favorably and direct- ed the President to dispose of the "No. 4 old fire engine" to the best possible advantage.
Mr. Potter purchased the machine and, for several years the "Rough and Ready" did good service at the Nay- att Brick Company's yards, where it was used for pumping out clay-pits, etc. The records do not show the price paid for it.
On April 18, 1862, at about eleven o'clock a.m., a fire broke out in the Warren Ladies' Seminary, located on the east side of North Main Street between Wood and Hope Streets. When first discovered the flames were bursting through the roof The entire Fire Department promptly
of Warren, Rhode Island. ^j
responded to the alarm, and soon after twelve o'clcok suc- ceeded in checking the progress of the flames The dam- age to the building, by fire and water, amounted to about l4,ooo which, however, was fully covered by insurance. The blaze started in the woodwork about the furnace.
On the following day a town meeting was held and the sum of $300 appropriated for necessary repairs on the va- rious engines and hose. The Board of Engineers was authorized to oversee its expenditure.
A fire was discovered in the mill of the Cutler Manu- facturing Company on August 11, 1863, at noon. The flames were not extinguished until the middle of the after- noon. The damage was estimated at between I2000 and I3000.
The Cutler Cordage Mills were established in 1858 and, eleven years later, the Cutler Manufacturing Company was incorporated. Captain Charles R. Cutler, the founder of the plant, was, for many years, one of Warren's foremost citizens. He was Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Rhode Island from 1872 to 1873.
In town meeting April 15, 1863, it was voted that the engines should be used only in case of fire and when in need of repairs. On the very next day they were called upon in a case of fire. At about half past two in the morn- ing, when the town was wrapped in slumber, the Ladies' Semmary was again discovered in flames. A few moments after the alarm was sounded, the entire edifice was ablaze.
1 he fire companies made a brave fight but their ef- forts were in vain. The building was constructed of pitch pine and it burned like tinder. The entire edifice and its contents were destroyed, as was also the residence of Captain William Martin on the opposite side of Main Street. The
J 8 A History of the Fire Department
sparks and burning embers were carried long distances by the wind.
The Warren Ladies' Seminary was founded in May, 1834, by Robert A. Coffin, its first principal, and others. It enjoyed, throughout its existance, an excellent reputation. The curriculum included the various English branches, Lat- in, French, German, drawing and painting, and vocal and instrumental music. Particular attention was given to pu- pils desirous of becoming teachers. The students included young women from every state in the Union.
The Seminary building was originally erected for a res- idence by Captain Jonathan Wood of Warren, after whom Wood Street was named.
Captain Wood purchased the land on which he built his mansion of Cromwell Child in March, 1803. The timber of which the house was constructed was brought in a sailing-vessel from Georgia.
The main body of the building was three stories high and fronted on Main Street. A wide pillared piazza ran around the front and side. The parlors, dining-room, and school-rooms occupied the lower floor. The dormitories were located in the second story, and the servants' bedrooms and studio in the third. The kitchen was at the rear of the lower floor.
At the time of its destruction the Seminary was con- ducted by Asa M. Gammell assisted by an able corps of teachers. Among the trustees of the institution were Ex-Governor Charles Jackson, Reuben A. Guild, Reverend Josiah P. Tustin, and General Guy M. Fessenden. The Board of Examiners included Doctor Francis Wayland, Professor William Gammell, and Judge Alfred Bosworth.
The officers of the institution were:
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President Shubael P. Child.
Vice President .... Henry H. Luther.
Secretary Thomas. G. Turner.
Treasurer Charles Randall.
At a town meeting held April i8, 1866, the electors voted an appropriation of $400 for the purpose of erecting a house for the truck and ladders of the Fire Hook and Ladder Company No. i . This building still stands on Baker Street and is in good condition. It is used for hous- ing the "Hero".
In May, 1867, the members of the Narragansett Com- pany discussed the question ot introducing gas into their engine house, and Daniel K. Bowen was appointed a Com- mittee to ascertain the probable expense. No further steps, however, were taken until 1868, when the Town Council appropriated the sum of I40 for the use of the Company, which, on April 21 authorized William Baker and John H. Pearce to "lay the money out to the best of their ability."
The Fire Companies of Warren have always been fa- mous for their clam chowders. The first mention of chow- der which I find on the records of the No. 3 Company is under the date May 5, 1869, when a "proposition was made by Benjamin B. Martin that a clam chowder be agitated for the benefit of the Co." Frank E. Dana was appointed a committee to "canvas the probable expense attending the getting up of the chowder," and it appears that he must have brought in rather a discouraging report for, on May 11, the Company voted that the chowder plan "be abandoned."
Somewhere along in the fifties and sixties the boys used to repeat a rhyme about the firemen. After the fash- ion of boys, the world over, they neglected to prefix titles
^C? A History of the Fire Department
to the names occuring in their doggerel, which ran thus: —
" 'Fire! Fire!' says Charles Prior. 'Where? Where?' says Paul Ware. 'Up town,' says Joe Brown. 'The Baptist Meetin' ', says Sam Wheaton. 'Ring the bell!' says Bill Snell. 'All out!' says Jack Stout."
Jack Stout was a colored man and one of the charac- ters of the town. He was the father of the famous music- ian, Valorius George Washington Hathaway Peck Stout, who is vividly remembered by many of the natives of Warren.
The year 1870 witnessed a great change in the meth- ods of dealing with fires in Warren, At a town meeting, held March 12, the electors passed the following vote: — "Voted that Four Thousand Dollars be and is appro- priated for the purchase and procuring a Steam Fire En- gine, and that Charles R. Cutler, John O. Waterman, and Thomas G. Turner be a Committee,"
On March 17, the Narragansett Company held a spe- cial meeting for the purpose of discussing the steamer ques- tion. The Company voted unanimously to petition the committee appointed by the town to place the new steam engine in their charge. The petition was immediately drawn up and presented to Charles R. Cutler, the Chairman of the Town Committee.
On June 1 5, the Narragansetts voted to canvass for re- cruits. But the canvass was unsuccessful. The Chairman reported, on June 22, that he was unable to secure any new members. Perhaps would-be firemen were waiting to as- certain which company was to be the guardian of the new
of Warren^ Rhode Island. 41
steamer ere pledging themselves to either. In due time the steamer arrived and it created much enthusiasm. It was built in Pawtucket by Cole Brothers in 1870. It is a third class machine. Its weight is about 6,200 pounds. The diam- eter of the steam cylinder is 8 inches. The diameter of the double acting pump is 51^ inches. The stroke is 8 inches. The capacity is 600 gallons a minute. The diameter of the suction is 4 inches. The full length of the suction hose is 25 feet. The steamer throws one stream of i y^ inches diam- eter, or two streams of % inches diameter.
On the Fourth of July, 1870, the town was on tiptoe with interest for, upon that day, the steamer was to make her debut. A street parade in which the Engine and Hook and Ladder Companies participated occupied the morning hours and, at noon, the Threes entertained their friends with "lemonade refreshment" at the Engine House. At two o'clock the Company formed and, preceded by a band, repaired to the Common where, amid much enthusi- asm, the steamer was given a trial. At the quarterly meeting of the Narragansetts, on the following day, Joseph Kelly, James A. Cole, Asbury Thompson, Thomas W. McCaffrey, Charles S. Maxfield, and Eleazer Cady were appointed "bucket men" to keep the steamer supplied with water. On February 8, 1871, a fire broke out in the jewelry establishment of Bowen and Company situated on the west side of Water Street just south of State Street. The Fire Companies hastened to the scene and the steamer did "good execution on the devouring element." The Mechanics' en- gine refusing to work, the Threes' hand engine was called into service. The building was totally destroyed, but others in the vicinity were saved after a hard fight of two hours. If tradition tells the truth, this fire marked an epoch in
^2 A History of th^ Fire Dcpartnient
the history of Company No. 2. Its men worked the Threes' engine, cutting through the solid ice ot the river to place the suction pipe. On the following dav the newspapers pub- lished accounts of the fire and gave all the praise to tlie Narragansett Company, and the Mechanics, hurt and dis- couraged, began to feel that it v/as hardly worth while to try to keep their Company together.
On April i, 1871, Chief Engineer Charles R. Cutler formally tendered the steamer to Narragansett Company, No. 3, to have and to hold and to use for all necessary pur- poses without interference from town officials, with the under- standing, however, that the Company should honor all prop- er orders issued by the Chief or his Assistants.
At a later date Luther Cole, John A. Pearce, and John Livesey were appointed a committee to revise the By-Laws of the Company to meet the new conditions arising from the acquisition of the steamer. The By-Laws, as revised, were accepted by the Company on June 13. On June 22, it was voted to adopt a code of signals.
During 1871, the Fire Hook and Ladder Company found itself reduced to four members. These loyal support- ers were John G. Cole, William Cole, Henry W. Eddy, and Charles Munroe. As no recruits could be secured the Com- pany was broken up.
On December 22, 1872, a fire broke out in the Baptist Church. The woodwork near the furnace in the basement became ignited and a dense volume of smoke poured up the large register at the right of the altar. In order to battle with the flames the firemen were obliged to creep up the aisles on hands and knees After laboring for
I
of Warren, Rhode Island. ^j
about two hours the flames were subdued. Considerable injury was done to the interior of the edifice. Nine pews on the north side were destroyed, and the walls and wood- work were scorched and blackened. A good deal of dam- age was also done bv water.
The Warren Baptist Church was organized in 1764, and, in connection with it, Rhode Island College, now Brown University, was founded. The original Church edi- fice was a plain wooden structure, with a four-sided hip roof and a belfry in which was hung a ship bell. The door faced directly east and the pulpit was at the west end. In this building was held, on September 7, 1769, the first Com- mencemenL ot the College, when seven young men took their degrees. In May, 1770, the College removed to Prov- idence. The church was burned May 25, 1778, when five hundred British and Hessian troops raided Warren and de- stroyed by fire, not only the meeting-house, but the powder magazine opposite it, a privateer on the stocks in one of the shipyards, a mill and two dwelling houses at Kickemuit, aud seventy large flat-bottomed boats collected on that river ror use against the enemy, besides a quantity of tar, pitch, and other stores. This Revolutionary conflagration was prob- ably the largest ever kindled within the limits of this town. The second church edifice was erected in 1784 on the site of the former structure, It was 61 feet long and 44 feet wide, with a tower 44 feet high and 14 feet square. In 1800 a steeple 431^ feet high was added to the tower.
In 1844 this building was taken down and the present stone edifice erected on almost the same site. This beau- tiful specimen of gothic architecture is one of the most ar- tistic and striking landmarks of the town.
On March 8, 1873, ^he town appropriated the sum of
^^ A History of the Fire Depcwtinent
^500 for the use of the "Narragansett Fire Steam Engine Company," the money to be expended on "new uniforms, repairs on the Hall, &c." The Company promptly decided to employ I175 in fitting up and furnishing their hall, and to procure uniforms with the balance. The "uniform com- mittee" were instructed to purchase a certain number of uniforms and to use the remainder of the money "for skull caps." Unfortunately the committee's report, when ren- dered, showed a balance of only fifty cents to the Company's credit and, as the records are afterward silent regarding the skull caps, we probably shall never know whether they were ultimately purchased or not.
On August 13, 1873, ^^^ Mechanics' Machine Com- pany's plant, at the corner of Water and Washington Streets, was burned to the ground despite a strenuous effort to save it. The structure was of wood, and the flames rapidly licked it up. The Company had not long been located in Warren and was put out of business by the unexpected disaster. The site of the Mechanics' Machine Company's plant is now occupied by the large brick building of the Textile Finishing Machinery Company. On this same site ships were built in the old days of Warren's commercial importance.
In February, 1874, the chowder question was again discussed by the Narragansetts, and it was voted to have a chowder, to "borrow a kettle" to cook it in, and to "pay damages" in case the kettle should be injured while in use. The chowder must have proved a great success, for one year later a "chowder fund" was "started."
On April 3, 1874, the Number 3 Company voted to place bells upon their hose carriage.
On April 17, 1874, a special meeting of the Number 1 Company was called, and by a vote of eleven yeas to one
If
of Warren^ Rhode Island 4^
nay, it was resolved to disband the company, The Me- chanics had served the town faithfully for forty- nine years. Their record was an honorable one. But they had become discouraged, and disbanding seemed the easiest way out of their many difficulties,
At a town meeting held March 10, 1877, there was considerable discussion regarding ways and means of im- proving the Fire Department. But no action was taken. Previous to this date, however, the idea of utilizing the Kickemuet River for the purpose of supplying the town with water had been broached and had met with favor from thinking people.
On February 15, 1878, at half past four in the morn- ing, a barn on Market Street owned by Reverend Michael M*^Callion and occupied as a livery stable by F. Brown was burned, though the horses and carriages it contained were removed in safety. At this fire the steamer did good ser- vice for four hours and, by means of it, the buildings sur- rounding the barn were saved from destruction.
On March 3, 1878, flames destroyed one of the old land-marks of the town. This was the building located on the north side of Baker Street, between Lewin and Main Streets, and owned by the heirs of Judge Samuel Randall.
Away back in the early part of the last century Judge Randall carried on a private school in this structure, while a rival Hall of Learning was conducted in the Warren Academy which occupied the lower floor of the Masonic Building next door. Party spirit ran high in those old days, and as the Randall schoolboys were principally sons of Democrats, while the Academy boys were the children of Federalists, a great deal of "scrapping" took place during recess periods and before and after school hours. This
^6 A History of the Fi?'e 'Department
was especially true during the War of 1812, and is hardly to be wondered at, for so bitter was the feeling between the two great political parties that Warren once witnessed a doub- le Fourth of July celebration, the Federalists and Democrats finding it quite impossible to unite in a demonstration. There were rival processions and rival banquets at Cole's Hotel. No wonder the boys quarreled — they imbibed the spirit of hostility from their elders.
Samuel Randall was Town Clerk of Warren from 1 8 10 to 1 860 with the exception of twelve months (i8i4to 1815) when the office was held by Joseph Adams. He was elected an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in 1824, and remained upon the bench until 1833, sustain- ing the high position with great intelligence and dignity.
Early in the fall of 1878 the Mechanics reorganized and have, ever since that date, been an able and active com- pany. The first oflicers elected by the reorganizers were: —
Foreman . . . . Assistant Foreman Hose Director . First Pipeman . Second Pipeman Clerk .... Treasurer . . .
John Howe. T. K. Finn. David Barry. John Curtis. Owen Kelly. Wm. H. Smith. Daniel W. Pailthorpe.
The first fire at which the new company rendered assist- ance was in a house on Market Street. This fire occured on October 4, 1878. Both the steamer and the hand engine of the Mechanics did good work. The steamer was drawn to the burning house by horses.
On October 11, 1878, the Narragansett Company attended a muster at Park Garden, Providence, and the
of Warren^ Rhode Island ^J
steamer succeeded in making a record of one hundred and eighty feet and one inch, although the wind was blowing a strong gale against the stream.
On the evening of Apirl lo, 1879, Joseph Adams, Francis E. Dana, James M. Winslow, Charles Whitford, and Jeremiah GofF met at the residence of Mr. Dana for the purpose of reorganizing the Hook and Ladder Company. Francis E. Dana presided as Chairman of the meeting.
It was decided that the officers of the new Company should be a Foreman, two Axe Men, and a Secretary and Treasurer. Joseph Adams was unanimously elected Foreman.
James M. Winslow and Charles Whitford were ap- pointed a committee to draw up a set of By-Laws, and F. E. Dana was authorized to procure a book for the use of the Clerk.
The Foreman was requested to notify the Chief of the Fire Department that the Company had reorganized, and would work at all fires to the best of its ability. The meet- ing was adjourned sine die.
At a town meeting held in the month of April, 1880, the question of introducing Kickemuet water into the town was discussed at length and a committee, consisting of Hon- orable Sidney Dean, Doctor Preston Day, and Honorable George Lewis Cook, was appointed to confer with "respon- sible parties" who stood "ready to introduce a Supply of Fresh Water into this town." No definite action regarding a Water Works system, however, was taken.
On May 12, 1880, the Button machine belonging to the Narragansett Company scored a victory at a muster held at Cedar Grove. Its principal rival was a large and hand- some "JefFers" engine, the property of the Watchemoket Company No, i. When this engine appeared upon the
^^8 A History of the Fi?'e Depm-tmcnt
grounds, decorated with flags and drawn by plumed horses, the onlookers exclaimed that it would surely bear away the prize. The Watchemoket Company, certain of victory, smiled indulgently at the Warren "tub" which looked very small and unpretentious beside the big "JefFers."
At 1.30 o'clock the Warren Company prepared to ex- ploit their machine. Two hundred and fifty feet of hose were laid and, at one hundred and twenty five feet from the nozzle, paper was placed a distance of forty feet to assist the judges in their estimates.
The "Button," worked by determined men, threw a stream one hundred and sixty-one feet and three inches in length. Then the engine of the Watchemoket Ones took its place. The gazers craned their necks and held their breaths as the water gushed from the hose nozzle. Then, as the judges announced the result, one hundred and fifty- one feet and three inches, a buzz of astonishment ran through the crowd.
The trial of machines was followed by a shore dinner and, at a quarter past four o'clock, the prizes were awarded to the winners in the contest. The Narragansetts received a large broom as "an emblem ot the clean sweep" they had made. Soon after, three dozen brooms arrived by train from W^arren. The little "Button" was decorated with some of these and each member of the Company was supplied with one. Upon reaching Warren at half past six o'clock, a street parade was made, the procession being headed by the Warren Drum Corps.
During the spring and Summer of 1880, the Mechan- ics had their engine renovated. The Narragansetts loaned their hand machine to the "Twos" while these repairs were being made. The Mechanics adopted a uniform this year.
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making their first appearance in it at the funeral of a deceased member, M. F. Conley.
On August five the Narragansetts presented the Chief Engineer, William Cole, with a handsome gold badge as a token of regard. Badges were also presented to the Assist- ant Engineers.
On October 7, 1880, the Narragansett Company enter- tained the Narragansett Company, No. 2, of Cedar Grove, and the '*Ones" of Watchemoket. On this occasion War- ren witnessed the largest and finest Fireman's parade ever seen on its streets up to that date. The "Threes" wel- comed their guests with a display of fireworks at the Engine House on Baker Street, after which all participated in a "grand torchlight procession," headed by the Warren Drum Corps, eight drums, followed by
The Chief Engineer and Assistants. Foreman and Assistants of Hydraulion Engine
Company of Bristol.
First Assistant Dreadnaught Hook and Ladder
Company of Bristol.
Narragansett Company, No. 3, of Warren.
Narragansett Company, No. 2, of Cedar Grove.
Watchemoket Company, No 1, of East Providence.
Mechanic Company, No. 2, of Warren.
The streets were ablaze with illuminations and fireworks, and, after parading through the principal thoroughfares the hosts, with their guests, repaired to Armorv Hall where a bountiful oyster supper was served. Musical selections were rendered by Booth's Orchestra, and speeches were made by the Foremen of the various Companies, and also bv Lieu- tenant-Governor Charles R. Cutler, Honorable Henry H.
^O A History of the Fire Depurtnient
Luther, Honorable Charles B. Mason, and Honorable Benjamin M. Bosworth Jr. The festivities closed at the Engine House with music, speeches, and dancing.
Late in the autumn, the Mechanics gave their first ball. Unfortunately the records of that Company fail to give any particulars respecting it but, presumably, it proved to be a success.
On January _^o, 1881, at ten minutes to seven in the afternoon, the clanging of the church bells svmimoned the Fire Department to Saint Mark's Episcopal Church on Lyn- don Street. They found that the Christmas trimmings of evergreen had become ig;nited and that the flames were rap- idly spreading from the chancel towards the body of the edifice. It was an extremely cold evening, and when the Broad Street reservoir was reached the firemen experienced great difficulty in raising the cover so solidly was it frozen down. In the meantime the fire had crept under the ceiling of the church and, as the building was of peculiar construc- tion, the firemen were badly handicapped in their labors.
All the Companies worked with a will and, at last, it was announced that the flames were extinguished. The tired firemen returned to the Engine Houses, put up the ma- chines, and then retired to their homes. Scarcely were they comfortably settled in bed, however, ere a second alarm sounded. They responded to it with creditable alacrity and, for a considerable length of time, waged warfare with the devouring element. By this time the cold had perceptibly increased, and coffee and other refreshments served by la- dies ot the neighborhood proved very acceptable to the weary workers. After breaking away a large portion of plas- tering, the men succeeded in conquering the blaze.
At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrv of Saint
of WarreUy Rhode Island 5/
Mark's Church, held March 31, 1881, the following vote was passed : "Resolved, that the thanks of the Cor- poration of St. Mark's Church be, and hereby is, tendered to the Fire Department of the Town of Warren for their prompt and efficient efforts in arresting the progress of the flames at the fire on Sunday Eve, Jan. 30, 1881. And par- ticularly for their great care in preserving the beautiful me- morial windows from material damage.
"And the Clerk is hereby directed to convey to the Chief Engineer and to each Fire Company a copy of these resolutions."
(Signed) Daniel L.Turner,
Sec'y. St. Mark's Church Society. The damage done to the Church by this fire was con- siderable, but the repairs necessitated by it added greatly to its appearance. The edifice was erected in 1829, and con- secrated July 15, 1830. At various periods it has been enlarged and improved. Alterations made in its interior, a few years ago, have largely increased its beauty and impres- siveness. There is an interesting fact connected with the fire at Saint Mark's. The alarm was rung by Miss Mary Jolls Merchant, (now Mrs. Howard K. DeWolf) then a little girl not yet in her teens. As the key of the Baptist Church was kept at the residence of her father. Doctor Jo- seph M. Merchant, little Miss Mary decided that she would learn to ring the church bell in order to prevent delay in sounding fire alarms. Accordingly she requested the sex- ton to instruct her in the art of ringing and, while taking her first lesson, came very near meeting with a serious accident. The sexton, who was blind, neglected to tell her to let the rope slip through her fingers and when, after a vigorous pull, the bell suddenly turned over, the child, cling-
^2 A History of the Fire Departtnent
ing to the rope, was carried up to the ceiling where her head received a very severe bump. She was much frightened but, after descending, continued to practice and, in time, became as expert a bell ringer as the sexton himself. She sounded the alarm for many other fires beside that at the Episcopal Church.
During 1881 the Mechanics revised their By-laws, and purchased a flag and three trumpets for Company use. At a special town meeting, held April 13, the taxpayers voted an appropriation of $250 for their benefit. This very much needed sum proved highly acceptable to the Company.
On April 12, the Hook and Ladder Company held the first meeting called since its reorganization. At this meeting F. E. Dana announced that, at the March town meeting, the electors had voted the sum of $100 for the use of the Company.
A little before two o'clock, on the morning of Novem- ber 16, the ringing of the Baptist Church bell aroused the town from slumber. The entire Fire Department re- sponded to the alarm with remarkable promptness, and hastened to Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, at the corner of Main and Luther Streets, which they found envel- oped in flames.
The steamer was located at the reservoir at the head of Broad Street, while the Mechanics stationed their engine at a nearby wharf. So fierce was the heat of the fire that the greatest difficulty was experienced in working advanta- geously. The Parsonage connected with the Church, and a small cottage just west of the burning structure, were soon ignited. At the most critical moment the water in the res- ervoir became exhausted and the steamer was transferred to the cistern in the yard of the plant now occupied by the
of Warren, Rhode Island J j*
Howland and Wheaton Company at the corner ot Main and Broad Streets. The delay caused by this change proved fatal, and, at half past three o'clock, the Church was reduced to ashes. None of its furnishings were saved, but the great- er portion of furniture belonging to the parsonage and neigh- boring cottage was removed to a place of safety. Several other buildings in the immediate vicinity of the Church became ignited, but the firemen promptly checked the spread of the flames.
Chief Engineer Cole had, very early, summoned aid from Bristol, and his call was immediately responded to by the Hydraulion and King Philip Fire Companies. While en route for Warren, both Companies were notified that the fire was under control, whereupon they returned to Bristol. The Warren engines were housed between five and six o'clock. Considering the drawbacks against which the Fire Department were compelled to work, it is remarkable that thev succeeded in keeping the flames from spreading along Main Street.
Saint ■ Mary's Church was a plain wooden structure erected about half a century ago when the parish was first organized under the pastorate of Reverend Hilary Tucker. The present church edifice, which replaced the original building, was dedicated November 25, 1883. Its exterior is of an effective style of architecture, and the interior is handsomely finished and decorated.
This destructive fire again aroused interest in the question of a town water supply, and, at a town meeting held January 7, 1882, it was voted to accept the proposals made by George H. Norman for the erection of a plant to furnish Kickemuit River water for domestic and other pur- poses. A fire, which occured on October 3, succeeded in
J"^ A History of the Fire Departniefit
convincing even the opposers of the Water Works scheme of its advisabihty. I'his fire was at the carpet lining manu- factory of Wilham Warren on North Main Street. It broke out at a quarter to eleven in the morning, and, although the Fire Department promptly hastened to the spot and did heroic work, they were unable, owing to the scarcity of water, to subdue the flames. It had been a very dry season. Throughout the town wells and cisterns, generally, were empty. The Mechanics drew their supply from a well in the engine house yard, while the steamer utilized the reser- voir in front of the Baptist Church. The Warren Manu- facturing Company stretched three lines of hose from their plant and, by these means, the buildings adjacent to the burning structure were saved from destruction. The Hook and Ladder Company did excellent service, also, and many citizens assisted the firemen in their efforts.
In January, 1883, the Water Works plant was completed and, on February 5, it was formally accepted by the Town Council. The first trial of the hydrants was made on Jan- uary 8, by the Narragansett Company. The steamer was taken to the south side of the Common and two streams were forced up to the clock in the spire of the Methodist Church. A single stream was driven about ten feet higher, while four streams showed a general average of one hundred and twenty-five feet.
At Miller Street the water reached the clock in the tower of the Baptist Church, and, at the Warren Manufac- turing Company's plant, it was forced to the vane on Mill Number One, and to the towers on Mills Number Two and Three from the main pipe at the same time. The low- est record was made on Main Street, at the hydrant located near the residence of Nathan Sanders, where a stream
of Warren, Rhode Island 55"
only sixty feet high rewarded the Company's efforts.
On January 11, the Company appointed its first hy- drant men, Henry S. Burtch, Herbert V. Rounds, and Frank S. Chase.
On May 17, the Mechanics voted to give a ball to cele- brate the acquisition of a new hose cart.
During the month of June the Narragansetts purchased four drums and the "Narragansett Drum Corps" was or- ganized, with James Collamore as leader. The Drum Corps made its first appearance on July 4 ,when the Company took part in a parade at Bristol.
On this same day occurred a fire at which Kickemuit water was used for the first time. The alarm was sounded at twelve o'clock at noon, when a wooden building situated near the turntable of the Old Colony Railroad was found to be in flames. The "Threes" were the only company which threw water on the flames from the hydrant at the Cutler Manufacturing Company's plant. One thousand feet of hose were used.
On April 7, 1884, the Narragansetts celebrated the thirty- eighth anniversary of their organization. Twenty- five members, arrayed in "new oil cloth suits," reported at the Engine House at three o'clock in the afternoon and thence were conveyed in a party wagon to South Warren, accompanied by the steamer drawn by a pair of horses, and the hose-cart drawn by one horse. Several hydrants in that section were tried and then the Company returned to the compact part of the town giving trials on Main Street, Child Street, and at the Common. At the latter spot the steamer "beat all former records," throwing the water ten feet above the Methodist Church spire. The maximum record of the steamer was one hundred and sixty-five feet, that of the
^6 A History of the Fire Department
hydrants one hundred and forty-five feet. In the evening the Company paraded the streets, then repaired to Cole's Hotel where a hot turkey supper was enjoyed. The festiv- ities ended with music and dancing.
On March i8, 1885, ^^^ Mechanics appointed Thom- as Finn and David Barry a Committee to wait upon the Chiet Engineer tor the purpose of voicing the Company's protest against the sale of the Jeffers hand machine which the electors in town meeting had voted to dispose of. The machine was not sold and it is to be hoped that it never will be. It is a relic of Warren's past and, as such, should be carefully preserved. It has a good record having, in its day, performed its duties faithfully. It is now ( 1911 ) in excel- lent preservation.
In May, 1885, the Mechanics voted to hold drills every month, and in November they voted to conduct their meetings according to Parliamentary rules.
In June, 1886, the Narragansetts supplied themselves with regulation uniforms. These uniforms added greatly to the appearance of the Company as a body.
On October 29, 1887, the I'own of Warren sold the "Button" hand engine to the Town of Freetown, Massa- chusetts, for $175. Freetown has recently purchased a light chemical engine, but still retains the hand machine which is in excellent condition.
Prior to the sale of the "Button" engine there had been considerable discussion in regard to selling the "Hero." I'here were many who contended that the "little old-fash- ioned tub" was of "no earthly use" as compared with "good money." The discussion was carried on after the "Button" had been disposed of. Happily, owing to the exertions of H.O.Pardey — elected foreman of the "Threes" in 1888 —
of JVarren, Rhode Island ^J
the priceless relic was retained. In these days its worth, as a curiosity, is better appreciated and, probably, no money would induce the town to part with it.
On February i6, 1888, the Narragansetts paid a visit to their retiring Foreman, John H. Brown, and presented him with a handsome gold-headed cane as a testimonial of their esteem and respect. Mr. Brown had served as first officer of the Company for a period oi eight years, and had proved himself an active and zealous leader, having ever the welfare of his Company at heart.
An alarm was sounded at twenty minutes past one o'clock on the morning of March 6, 1888, which proved to be for a fire in a large block located at the corner of Miller and Water Streets, owned by Nathaniel Drown and occupied by several tenants. It was quite a serious fire and the build- ing was badly damaged, the inmates escaping through the stifling smoke with difficulty. It was a fire that tested the efficiency of the Department for, on two sides, the block was surrounded by other structures, and only the able work of the fire fighters prevented a very serious conflag- ration. That their effiDrts were appreciated the following resolution, passed on March 10, amply testifies: —
"Resolved that the town of Warren in town meeting assembled hereby acknowledges its indebtedness to the offi- cers and members of the Warren Fire Department for the courageous and efficient manner in which they performed their duty at the fire of March 6, 1888.
"Resolved that a copy of these resolutions, signed by the town clerk, be sent to each of the fire companies in said town."
On April 9, 1888, the box shop of Benjamin S. Buf- fington was partially burned, only the walls of the upper
^8 A History of the Fire Department
story being left after a hard fight by the firemen. At six o'clock in the evening on the same day, a fire which had a tragic ending broke out in the residence of the Stevens family on Bristol Neck. Mrs. Stevens, an aged lady, was the sole occupant of the house at the time, and she perished in the flames before assistance couid reach her.
On October 8, 1888, a barn on Railroad Avenue, owned and occupied by Charles S. Maxfield, was destroyed by fire. Its contents, consisting of three horses, carriages, harnesses, etc. and a quantity of hay were consumed. Mr. Maxfield had already lost another barn by fire in the pre- vious spring.
In April, 1889, the town appropriated $50 for the pur- chase of a new truck for the use of the Hook and Ladder Company. In May, that Company voted that, in the fu- ture, its name should be the "Massasoit Hook and Ladder Company."
On September 5, 1888, the Narragansett Company attended a muster at the Dexter Training Ground in Prov- idence, They carried the "Hero" with them and, upon their arrival in the city, met with the reverse of a cordial reception. As they passed along South Main Street a large crowd gathered, and the "Hero" was greeted with hoots, groans, hisses, and jeers. It was very evident that the pop- ulace regarded the "Threes" as a company of "Waybacks," which possessed no other machine than the antiquated and diminutive "tub." Encouraged by their Foreman, how- ever, the men although angry and mortified, pressed on, making no response to the insults heaped upon them.
At the training ground thev encountered more jeers and laughter. But they maintained their composure and, in due time, the "Hero" proved that it was worthy of its
of Warren, Rhode Isliuid ^g
name. When its pumps torced up a vertical stream of one hundred and nine feet, the hoots and hisses gave way to prolonged cheers. Photographers rushed forward to secure a shot at the tiny wonder, and the crowd pushed and jostled in a wild effort to get near it. An enthusiastic lady presented Foreman Pardey with a bouquet of flowers. The "Hero" was only excelled by the "Water Witch" of Providence, a considerably larger machine.
During 1889, the Mechanics gave a highly successful dramatic entertainment for the benefit of their Company, and the Narragansetts held a fair which netted them the sum of $453.09.
On December 31, 1891, the French Catholic Church of Saint Jean Baptiste, at the corner of Main and Hope Streets, was partially destroyed by fire, being only saved from destruction by the prompt action of the Fire Depart- ment. The dense smoke arising from the burning build- ing was almost suffocating, but the men remained at their posts until the flames were subdued.
The Parish of Saint Jean Baptiste was incorporated August II, 1 88 1, and, during the thirty years of its exist- ence, has been under the charge of but four pastors. The Church edifice was erected in 1882. The Parish supports a parochial school, with a roll of some two hundred pupils.
On July 28, 1892, a fire occured in Cole's Hotel in a room occupied by an aged woman, Mrs. Rosa Donnelly. The fire was quickly extinguished, but not before the aged woman was fatally burned.
On March 25, 1893, this hotel was nearly destroyed by fire. At about two o'clock in the morning flames broke out in the bar-room, and the cloud of smoke rising to the apartment directly overhead awakened its occupant, . who
6o A History of the Fire Department
quickly aroused the family of the landlord and the guests. Cries of fire and the ringing of the church bells gave the alarm, and the Fire Department hurried to the scene. Nine lines of hose were laid and, in an almost impenetrable fog by which they were greatly hampered, the firemen began their fight.
It was a long and tedious battle attended by many dan- gers. At a score of different points the flames burst out simultaneously. The older portion of the edifice was com- pletely gutted. The newer portion was a total loss. It was fully four hours ere the blaze was subdued.
There were thirty- five guests in the hotel and all escaped without bodily injury. Most of them were also fortunate in saving the greater portion of their personal effects. The landlady, Mrs. Jeremiah Goff, lost some rare articles of bric- a-brac and china, also several valuable old-time relics, but suc- ceeded in saving considerable furniture.
The lower story of the hotel contained several stores, all of which were occupied. The periodical store of Fred A. Bliss was a wreck, and the greater part of the stock was destroyed. The barber shop of John M^'Donough and the offices of the Earle and Prew Express Companv and the Warren Telegraph also suffered considerable damage.
Messages were sent to Bristol and Providence, and the Fire Departments of both places stood ready to lend assistance if needed, but their services were not required. The Warren firemen deserved and won great praise for their coolness, promptitude and braverv, and the excellence of their work.
Cole's Hotel was founded in 1762 by Ebenezer Cole Junior. His son Colonel Benjamin Cole succeeded him as landlord, and was, in turn, succeeded by his son George
of Warren^ Rhode Island 6l
Cole. It was a famous hostelry in olden times. Mention has already been made of the large barn which was once connected with it.
During the fall of 1778, Lafayette, then in command of the troops stationed on the eastern shore of Narragansett Bay, made Warren his headquarters for a prief period. Tra- dition says that he was extremely fond of the "Rhode Island johnny-cakes baked on a board" that were daily served at "Cole's Tavern." At one time he and a fellow officer en- gaged in an "eating match" in which he easily led his oppo- nent. When he bade farewell to Warren he rode away with his saddle-bags filled with johhny-cakes specially baked for him by the fair hands of Roby Cole, the landlords young daughter.
The large hall connected with the old hostlery was a central point in the town's life a Century and more ago.
All sorts of meetings were held within its walls. Show- men exhibited wild animals and monstrosities there, and there the "singin' skule" found a home. There banquets were served with tables that literally groaned beneath their weight of good cheer.
The present Goff's Hotel occupies the site of Cole's Hotel.
In May, 1893, ^^e Mechanics voted to flv a signal from their flagstaff when fires occurred in the daytime in or- der to notify the Warren Manufacturing Company's opera- tives, many of whom were members of the Company.
At about seven o'clock on the evening of October 3, 1895, ^h^ town was startled by the announcement that one of the large mills belonging to the Warren Manufacturing Company was in flames. In an incredibly short time an immense crowd gathered on North Water Street and adjacent
^
62 A History of the Fi?'e Department
side streets, and, from these points viewed the greatest con- flagration that ever occurred in Warren, with the exception of that kindled during the Revolution.
The fire originated in, or near, the boiler-room of the Number One, or "old Mill," where a quantity of cotton had been placed to dry over night. This cotton, it is supposed, was ignited by sparks from the engine. The flames were first discovered by Police Ofiicer James Connolly, while making his rounds, and he quickly notified William M^'Manus, the night watchman of the manufacturing plant, who, in turn, sounded the alarm.
The bells of the various churches immediately took up the cry, and the entire Fire Department hastened to the rescue. The hose of the Mechanics and Narragansett Com- panies were quickly coupled on the hydrants, but the pres- sure was so inadequate that the water was unable to compete with the flames. It very soon became evident that assist- ance from outside must be called for and John Waterman, Treasurer of the Warren Manufacturing Company, tele- phoned to Bristol, Providence, and Fall River asking for aid.
The Hydraulion Hose Company of Bristol immediate- ly responded to the summons. The Bristol mains, which are supplied from the Warren Water Works plant, were turned off and the engineer at the pumping station in this town was ordered to increase the pressure which, however, he was unable to do. By this time the fire was raging fiercely, and was visible tor miles beyond the limits of Bristol County. From every direction people came pouring into Warren in vehicles and on bicycles.
The Fall River Fire Department sent their fine new engine "Metacomet" dashing over the long stretch of road
of Warren^ Rhode Island 6 J
connecting that city with Warren, and it arrived here in one hour and a quarter after leaving the engine house. It was stationed on the wharf south of the mills, but, to the dismay of the firemen, refused to do its duty owing to some dis- arrangement of its mechanism. A special train from Prov- idence brought steamers 5 and 8, with hose carts, in charge of Fire Commissioners Stillman White and W. H. Luther. These immediately went to work, but it was impossible to save the mill.
The Warren Manufacturing Company's plant consisted of the old, or Number One, Mill and two other mills, all three buildings being joined together and covering an area of about six hundred and seventy-five feet in length and sixty- five feet in breadth. At the front of the main building, was the office, while at the rear, near the Warren River, was a large store-house for finished goods. From the old mill the flames rushed to the adjacent structures and the whole plant became a seething mass of fire.
It was a sight never to be forgotten. The flames roared and hissed like fiery dragons. The heat was intense. The sky and river were almost blood red. The river presented a weirdly picturesque appearance. Burning bales of cotton cloth floated southward with the tide, looking like miniature ships afire. Between these darted small craft of every de- scription whose owners, armed with boat-hooks, busied themselves in securing and extinguishing the blazing bales. Over everything rained showers of sparks. Fortunately the wind was blowing from the north-east, and the most of these were driven into the river.
The flying sparks and embers, however, ignited many surrounding buildings. A large boarding-house opposite the mill caught several times, but was not destroyed. A
^
64
A History of the Fire Department
tenement house on Sisson Street was ruined, but the occu- pants succeeded in saving the greater portion of their house- hold effects, though some of these were badly damaged.
The extensive lumber and coal yards of E. M. Martin and Son which adjoined the south end of the mill grounds were in extreme danger. A number of small fires started in these yards but were extinguished before much mischief was done.
When the flames had completed their work nothing remained of the mills but the cellars and a heap of ashes and smoking embers. % 1 25,000 worth of finished goods which the store-house contained were consumed. The value of the property was estimated at S 1,000,000, and the plant was insured in a score of companies for about $850,000. The finished stock was insured for $100,000. Additions to the mill were in process of construction when the fire came, and :^6^,ooo had, just previously, been expended for new machinery.
The weekly pay-roll of the Company amounted to $8,000. The number of operatives employed was about 1,500. The fire was a severe blow to Warren, but business rallied when a new plant, with modern improvements, was opened.
l^he Warren Manufacturing Company was the pioneer of the Cotton industry in Warren. Its first mill was erected in 1847, and contained 10,000 spindles. In i860 a second mill was built with 18,000 spindles, and in 1873, a third mill with 30,000 spindles. The old mill was constructed of stone, the later ones of brick. As has been stated they were joined together and, practically, constituted one edifice. There were three towers, in one of which hung a bell. An incident of the fire was the tolline of this bell as the tower
o
is
Z
U3
of Warren, Rhode Island 6^
succumbed to the ravages of the flames.
But for the assistance rendered by Providence, Bristol, and Fall River, the disastrous results of the fire would have been much greater than they were. The out-of-town fire- men were entertained with a lunch at Goff's Hotel before leaving for their homes.
On April 9, 1896, the Narragansetts celebrated their fiftieth anniversary. Thirty-six members of the Company, including Honorable Benjamin Drowne and James B. Bar- rus, both charter members, were present at the festivities. There were twenty-three invited guests, among these being members of the Board of Engineers, town officials, and members of the Mechanics Company of Warren and the Hydraulion Hose Company of Bristol. A fine banquet was served, which was followed by speeches and music.
On August 16, 1896, the "Threes" attended a muster at Riverside where they exhibited the Hero. So eager was the crowd to examine the curious little engine that its bars were broken in the crush. A piece of the wood was, later, presented to the Providence Veteran Firemen's Association. The year 1897 will be remembered for the number of incendiary fires that occurred during it. They may be listed
as follows:
June 20, 1897, 5 o'clock a.m., building on wharf be- longing to John Smith at the foot of Miller Street. The firemen were kept busy at this blaze for about two hours.
June 22, 4.30 A.M., fire in a barn belonging to H. Trombley. Another fire in the cotton waste house and cotton store-house of the Warren Manufacturing Company's plant. Fires lasted about two hours.
July 25, fire at the barn of the Warren Manufacturing Company, in which the building was badiv damacred, and
66 A E 7 story of the Fire Depurtf/ieut
two horses lost their Hves.
August 24, a fire discovered in the back entry o\ a house on North Main Street, but extinguished without an alarm having been given.
August 29, 2.30 A.M., a fire in a barn belonging to Reverend A. D. Bernard, located east of the railroad in the northerlv part of the town. In this fire two horses were burned to death and about seven tons of hay destroyed.
September 22, a fire in a barn on Kelly Street, the property of Thomas O'Brien. Alarm sounded at midnight.
October 8, i o'clock a.m., a fire in a barn on Union Street, owned by John H. Brown and occupied by Michael Hurley. The barn was badly burned and Mr. Hurley lost a horse.
October 31, i o'clock a.m., fire in a barn on North Water Street, occupied by John Maloy. The incendiary turned Mr. Maloy's horse out oi the building before start- ing the blaze, but some harnesses and a quantity of hay were burned.
November 2, 9.20 p.m., fire in the barn of C. H. Trombley at the North end of town. The hay contained in the building was slightly damaged.
November 13, fire discovered at midnight in the barn of William Collamore on Hope Street. The barn was only slightly damaged, but a horse stabled in it lost its life.
November 14, fire in the barn of John H. Carpenter on Jefferson Street. Discovered and extinguished without any alarm being given.
November 17, 4 p.m., fire in a hen-house on the prem- ises of James A. Seymour on Child Street. Discovered and fortunately extinguished, as there was a break in the water main near Mr. Seymour's residence.
/
of IVarren, Rhode Is/mui 6y
Such a number of incendiary fires kept the town in a state of panic. Nervous women found it impossible to sleep. Despite a vigilant watch kept by the police and citizens, no trace of the "fire bug" was discovered.
In September, 1897, the residents of South Warren petitioned the Town Council to place a hose carriage in that section of the town. The petition was granted, and a car- riage with six hundred feet of hose was stationed in the barn of William B. Nichols at Burr's Hill. A meeting of citi- zens was called on September 15, for the purpose of form- ing a Fire Company.
The meeting was called to order by Charles W. Greene, who briefly stated its object. George G. Cole was elected Chairman and Charles W. Greene Secretary of the meeting.
After a general discussion of the matter, it was voted to form a company to be known as the Burr's Hill Fire Company Number Four. The following officers were then elected:
Foreman, George G. Cole.
Assistant Foreman, . . . George T. Greene Jr.
Hose Director, Charles E. Gray.
Leading Hoseman, Richard Smith.
Pipemen. Charles M. Davis. Charles E. Child.
Hydrant Men. Henry M. Darling. Hiram O. Burtis.
Clerk, Charles W. Greene.
The incendiarism begun in 1897 continued until the mid- spring of 1898. On January 8, at two o'clock in the
68 A History of the Fire l^epartinent
mornina;, the fire bells called the Department once again to the barn of Reverend A. D. Bernard, the pastor of the French Catholic Church of Saint Jean Baptiste. All the companies worked with a will, but the structure was com- pletely destroyed, five cows and ten pigs perishing in the flames. A quantity of hay was also burned.
On February 5, at half past ten in the evening, fire was discovered in the attic of a four story tenement at the cor- ner of Main and Kelly Streets, the property of the Warren Manufacturing Company. The people living on the lower floor heard someone go up the stairway leading to the top story, but thought it one of the tenants. The incendiary, after starting a blaze among some rags on the attic floor, quietly passed down stairs and out of the building. Fortu- nately the fire was discovered and put out without the use of water. The Fire Department rallied to the scene through a deep fall of snow that hampered their movements greatly.
On February 8, at four o'clock in the morning, a build- ing on Joyce Street occupied as an eating saloon by W. F. Parkinson was found to be in flames and its contents were entirely destroyed. The origin of this fire was doubtful. Some considered it the work of the "fire bug." Others thought it due to the heating apparatus.
On February 12, the barn of William T. Honan on North Water Street was fired. The damage, however, was very slight.
The following Resolutions were passed on March 14, 1898:
"Resolved: That the electors of Warren in town meet- ing assembled hereby place on record this formal expression of their appreciation of the faithful and energetic services ot the members ot the fire department during the past year by
of JVarren, Rhode Is In /id 6q
which, notwithstanding the unprecedented number of fires which have occurred, the loss and damage therefrom has been comparatively light.
"And be it further resolved That as a more substantial token of our appreciation the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated (in addition to the former appropriation made at this annual meeting) for the use of said department, one hundred dollars to the Narragansett Fire Co. No 3 ; one hundred dollars to the Mechanic's Fire Co. No 2; and fifty dollars to the Massasoit Hook and Ladder Co."
On April 10, 1898, a shed in the rear of D. L.Tur- ner's block on Main Street was fired at about half past nine in the evening. The shed was destroyed and an adjacent house on State Street, owned by Cyrus Peabody was slightly damaged.
On September 7, at five o'clock in the afternoon, a blaze was discovered in a storehouse used by the Warren Manufacturing Company at the foot of Sisson Street. No great damage to the property was done.
During the month of September, 1898, the Mechanics attended a muster at Bristol where thev succeeded in win- ning a prize of fifty dollars in gold.
On January 17, 1899, at half past six o'clock in the evening an incendiary fire was lighted in a barn occupied by Doctor Thomas H. Connolly and located on the North side of Market Street. Axe-man Manton F. Brown of the "Threes," while examining the cellar, discovered a box partly filled with hay which had been soaked in kerosene. In it was a wax candle fitted into a shingle. This fire was put out before any serious damage was done.
On February 17, 1899, the barn of E. Tromblev was
JO A History of the Fire l^epartment
fired. The alarm was 2;iven at a quarter to nine in the evening. The snow was very deep, but the Number Two Company quickly laid a line of hose and extinguished the flames. This was the last of the long list of incendiary fires which kept Warren in a state of anxiety for more than two years. The incendiary was never captured.
On November 6, 1899, there was a fire at the plant oi the Gas Company caused by an explosion which occurred at half past ten o'clock in the morning. About one half the building was destroyed. Panes of glass in dwelling houses opposite the plant were shattered.
On June 21, 1900, the Mechanics attended a muster and Field Day at Bristol, Rhode Island. Thirtv-two men in uniform, and ten fine members of the Company, left Warren in the morning on the half past nine train, having with them, as guests, fourteen members of the Narragansett Company, Number Three, of Warren. Upon their arrival at Bristol they were met by a detail of the Hydraulion En- gine and Hose Company of that town by whom they were escorted to the Common. At half past eleven a short street parade was given, atter which the procession returned to the Common.
At twenty minutes past five in the afternoon, the Me- chanics went on the stand and succeeded in placing to their credit a stream of two hundred and thirteen feet. The blowing out of the hose coupling prevented them from en- gaging in a second trial, but they bore away the first prize ot one hundred and fifty dollars.
They returned to Warren in the evening on the seven o'clock train and were met at the station by the German Band. After a street parade they repaired to their hall where they kept open house during the evening. Refreshmetits
of Warren^ Rhode Island yi
were served, and music and speeches were in order. Dur- ing the day they received many compliments on their fine appearance and orderly behavior.
On June 27, 1900, John F. M'^Donough entertained the Company with a supper at GofF's Hotel in commemora- tion of their victory. The Board of Engineers were the guests of honor. Speech making and vocal and instrumen- tal music followed the banquet.
On Thursday, August 2, 1900, the Mechanics attended a second Muster given by the Narragansett Fire Company, Number One, of Riverside. They left Warren at two min- utes past ten in the morning, under charge of Hose Director J. J. Cronin, the Foreman being confined to his home by illness. The party included twenty-eight members of the company, with thirty-six honorary members and substitutes, and fourteen men from the Narragansett Company as guests making, in all, a body of sixty- four men.
As had happened in Bristol, the Mechanics bore away the first prize of one hundred and fifty dollars, after placing a stream of one hundred and ninety-seven feet to their credit. Upon their return home at eight in the evening, they made a short parade, and then entertained their friends at their Engine House with refreshments and cigars, sup- plemented by speeches and vocal and instrumental music. In December, 1900, the Mechanics acquired a new hose carriage, which had been, for some time, greatly needed. The Massasoit Hook and Ladder Company, on June 7, 1 90 1, passed stringent rules regarding absence from fires. They voted that each member, not responding to an alarm, should be fined one dollar unless able to give a satisfactory excuse to the Foreman within ten days. If absent three times, without an excuse, and with unpaid fines, members
y2 A History of the Fire Depart f}ie?it
should be discharged from the Company.
The Mechanics observed Memorial Sunday for the first time, during this month, by decorating the graves of deceased members of their Companv with flowers.
Michael Hurley, for many years an officer of the Me- chanics, died in 1 90 1. He had served as Assistant Foreman and Foreman of the Company, and had also held a position upon the Board of Engineers. The Company inserted in the Warren Gazette a set of Resolutions expressive of their appreciation of his able and faithful service. An engrossed copy of the Resolutions v/as presented to the family of the deceased.
On January 20, 1902, at a quarter to one a.m., an alarm of fire was sent from Barrington and, in> response to the request for aid, the Mechanics hastened over the bridge between Warren and that town, being soon followed by the Narragansetts with the steamer. The fire proved to be in a house located on the main road and occupied by Doctor Samuel Stephens. On arriving; at the scene of action the firemen found themselves seriously handicapped. The steam- er refused to pick up water and, as Barrington contained no hydrants, the Mechanics were ordered back to Warren to lav hose from the hydrant, at that town's northern limit, across the bridge to the burning house. Connection was made with the steamer at the bridge, but it was half past one o'clock before the first water was thrown on the blaze. It was impossible to save the house and a small cottage, just west of it, was also burned. A barn on the Stephens prem- ises was igniteci several times but the firemen succeeded in saving that and also some nearby dwelling-houses. It was ten minutes past four o'clock before the hose ceased playing. The citizens of Barrington, later, sent a letter of thanks to
of Warren, Rhode Island 75>
the Number Three Company, and presented the Mechanics with twenty-five dollars in January, 1903.
On December 12, 1902, the residence of Miss Mary E. Pearce, at the corner of Main and Broad Streets, suffered from a fire in which Miss Pearce was quite severely burned.
In the spring of 1903 another Fire Company, consisting of twenty- nine members, was organized in Warren with head- quarters in the Parker Mill District. This organization adopted the name of "The Rough and Ready Fire Com- pany No 5.," and it is its boast that "every member stands up to the name." The first entry upon the records of the Company bears date April 6, 1903. Application for a Charter was made, in October, by John H. Wardick, Ernest Greenwood, Daniel Cloutier, George Corner and Frank Dubeau. The first fire at which the Company appeared occurred on December 26, 1903, at the Metacomet House on Metacom Avenue.
On January 13, 1904, the Narragansett Company were elected to membership in the Rhode Island State Firemen's League which the Mechanics had joined some time before. This year the Narragansetts observed Memorial Sunday for the first time.
During this year the Rough and Ready Company took part in a Hose Reel Contest at Central Falls. They captured the championship banner, which they held for two years, also a prize of twenty-five dollars in gold.
On May 25, 1905, the old Butterworth homestead on Child Street, near Barnaby's Corner, was destroyed by fire caused by a defect in the chimney. The blaze broke out at an early hour in the afternoon, but as no alarm was sent in to the compact part of the town, the Fire Department did not render any assistance. The house was an ancient
J 4 ^ History of the Fhr Depa?'tment
one, located on land that had been in the Butterworth family for several generations. It was one of the town's oldest landmarks, and was famous as having been the birthplace of Hezekiah Butterworth, the poet and author, and one of the most popular writers in New England during his lifetime.
The house was occupied by Addison Butterworth, a brother of the poet, and he succeeded in saving the greater part of his furniture. He lost, however, nearly all of his clothing
The blaze, fanned by a brisk wind, rapidly consumed the house and an adjacent woodshed. A wagon and several farming tools were also destroyed. The dense volumes of smoke and showers of sparks that issued from the flaming building could be seen for miles around.
It is to be regretted that the Fire Companies were not called. Warren has now left but few of her old historic landmarks. The Butterworth homestead was an old-fash- ioned gambrel-roofed cottage and, with its surrounding stone- walled fields, was an excellent type of the New England home of the olden times.
On November 2, 1905, George Bowen, for twenty-five years a member of the Narragansett Company and for a lengthy period its Assistant Foreman, resigned his office, being upon the point of removing his residence from War- ren to Providence. Mr, Bowen was well acquainted with all the duties pertaining to a fireman's position, and had served as judge at many musters. His comrades presented him with a handsome morris chair as a testimonial of their esteem and respect.
Memorial Sunday, June to, 1906, was observed by the Number Two Company with more than ordinary solemni- ties. The Company, in full uniform, and accompanied by the Board of Engineers, and the Rough and Ready Fire
of IViwreu^ Rhode IsLuid Jf^
Company Number Five, of East Warren, marched to Saint Mary's Cemetery to the music of the Harmony Band. At the Cemetery they listened to an address given by John M^Pike, a former Foreman ot the Company. This Me- morial Sunday is recorded as the most successful one of anv observed by the Mechanics.
On July 17, 1906, the "Twos" presented Mr. Patrick W. O'Neil with a handsome picture, Mr. O'Neil having resigned the office of Treasurer of the Company, a position which he had ably and faithfully filled for six years. The presentation speech was made by Mr. M*^Pike, and Mr. O'Neil was quite overpowered by this unexpected expression of esteem from his comrades.
On the afternoon of November 11, 1906, the ice houses of John H. Brown, located on the West Bank of the Kickemuit River, were found to be on fire. The Rough and Ready Company were quickly on the spot and the other Companies were summoned, but despite all efforts the buil- dings were totallv consumed.
On December 3, 1906, another ancient landmark of the town was destroyed by fire. This was the old, two story and a half gambrel-roofed house situated on the north side of Baker Street at the corner of Water. The house was built by Jesse Baker Senior, in 1762, and when it was erected South Water Street had not been opened. The house fronted towards the south on "a way running down to the river," which is now a part of Baker Street,
Jesse Baker was a cooper and, in his shop near the river, carried on an extensive business employing, besides skilled workmen, some thirty apprentices. Warren was largely engaged in the whaling and West India trade in olden times, and the barrels and hogsheads made in the
J 6 A Historv of the Fire Depart fNent
Baker cooperage journeved to distant lands and returned filled with oil and molasses.
When Mr. Baker purchased the land on which he built his house, he acquired a right in Massasoit's spring on the opposite side of the way. Subsequently he and his neighbor Martin Bowen excavated about the spring and walled it up as a well.
In 1806 he sold a water lot to his four sons, Jfesse, David, William, and Luther Baker, who erected a wharf upon it at the foot of Baker Steet.
When the British raided Warren, a party of hurley Hessians visited the Baker house where they amused themselves by breaking and burning various household ar- ticles. The author of this book has, in her possession, the old iron firedogs on which Jesse Baker's kitchen chairs were burned. Fhe Hessians' sport was interrupted by a young and gallant British officer who drove them from the premises.
The fire which consumed the old house is supposed to have been caused bv the soot in one of the chimneys be- coming ignited. The blaze was discovered at about ten o'clock in the morning bv three Italians who hastily roused the occupants. But, before a rescue could be made, Napo- leon Carboneau, a French Canadian lad who slept in an attic room, perished in the flames.
All five of the Warren Fire Companies responded to the alarm and worked diligently to save the house, but in vain. They, however, succeeded in preventing the fire from igniting other buildings in the immediate vicinity.
For more than a century and a quarter the house was owned and occupied by members of the Baker family. At the time of its destruction it was the property of Miss Bessie Gifford Bowen, a niece of Mrs William Baker. William
of Warren, Rhode I si (Did jj
Baker was the last descendant of Jesse Baker to own the estate.
In 1908 the lot upon which the Baker house stood was purchased of Miss Bowen by the Massasoit Monument Association who have greatly improved and beautified it. It is hoped that, at some future day, a fitting memorial to the great Indian sachem will be erected on the spot so near the site where his royal wigwam stood in 1621 when it was visited by Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins, two of the Pilgrims of Plymouth.
During 1906 the Mechanics were the recipients of three much appreciated gifts, a handsome flag, donated by John Campbell, a fife, donated by John M'"Pike, and a new suc- tion hose, presented by Joseph B. Hoar, Chief of the Fire Department.
At a muster held in Bristol this year, the Rough and Ready Company won the second prize in a Hose Reel Contest, fifteen dollars in gold.
On February 23, 1907, the Mechanics attended a Fair at Riverside where they won ten dollars in gold for turning; out the largest number of uniformed men. Their Foreman, John M'^Pike, received the largest number of votes in a contest for a fine rubber suit.
At a town meeting held in March, 1907, the sum of three hundred dollars was appropriated for the purpose of establishing a fire alarm signal for the use of the Fire De- partment, and for placing telephones in the residences of the Engineers and Assistant Engineers and the Foremen of the various Companies.
Only one hundred and eighty dollars of this appropri- ation was actually expended. A siren was obtained and was installed at the large plant of the Warren Manufacturing
...
J 8 A History of the hi re J^epartnwnt
Company at the north end of the town. That Company furnished, gratuitously, all the labor required for setting up the siren and has always maintained it without expense to the town.
On labor day, September 2, 1907, the State Firemen's League of Rhode Island held its annual muster at Warren.
The muster was planned and its details carried out by the Mechanics, who began to make arrangements for it in the early summer. A generous fund, contributed by the citizens of Warren was placed at their disposal.
The Committee of Arrangements was composed of the following gentlemen:
John M^'Pike, Chairman. John M. Conrick, Secretary. Daniel L. Loughran, Treasurer.
John H. Brown. Andrew B. Cavanagh.
William Monahan. Charles Coristine.
Fred. V. Mann. Samuel Emmet.
William M'^Kenna. William Boyd.
The reception Committee consisted of John H. Brown, Daniel Loughran, and John M"^Pike.
I'he Judges of Engine Contests, appointed by the Tournament Committee of the League, were as follows:
Baxter H. Studley, Pawtucket.
Philip Brady, Bristol.
Thomas Stevens, Warren
William H. Mason, Riverside.
Thomas Rhodes, Pawtuxet.
Fred W. Cady, East Providence.
Charles Hunt, Knightsville.
of IViirren, Rhode Island jg
Samuel Carpenter, Providence.
P. M. Laughlin, Cranston.
Judges of Hose Reel Contests. William J. Faulkner, .... East Providence.
William H. Burke, Bristol.
George A. Shean, Crompton.
Everett E. Potter, • Pawtuxet.
Fred V. Mann, Warren.
Elaborate preparations were made for what promised to be a red letter day in the annals of the town. Bands of music were engaged, and a large tent for use on the Muster Grounds was purchased by the Mechanics. But, alas! Labor Day arrived, bringing with it a rain that poured in torrents throughout the day. It was as if the sky had determined to show the paltry machines that it had no rivals as far as water was concerned.
The opening event of the morning was a parade, the largest of the kind ever seen in the town. There were twenty engines, fifteen hose reels, five brass bands, and nu- merous fife and drum bands in the line which formed at half past ten o'clock on North Main Street. Despite the drenching downpour the various Companies presented a fine appearance. Among the engines was the famous " Hay Cart" entered by the Veteran Firemen's Association of Pawtucket.
The procession, headed by the Chief Marshal, John H. Brown, moved from North Main Street to Child, thence through Handy, Market, Federal, Wood, Liberty, Water, Miller, Main, Baker, Water, State, Main, Washington, Water, Broad, Main, Franklin, to the grounds on which the engine contests took place. The hose reel contests were given on Massasoit Avenue.
8o A History of the Fire J^epartment
The principa] prizes were awarded as tollows:
A prize ot twenty-five dollars for the best appearing Com- pany was divided between the Hydraulion Engine and Hose Company of Bristol and the East Providence Fire Company.
The First Prize of one hundred and fifty dollars went to the Volunteer Fire Company, No. i, of Pawtuxet, already hold- ers of the State Championship Banner. Their Engine, the " P'ire King," made a record of two hundred and eight feet, three and a half inches.
The Second Prize ot one hundred dollars was captured by the Cranston Fire Engine Company, No. i, their engine, the "Star No. i," a Jeffers machine, making a record ot two hundred teet, nine and a half inches.
The Third Prize, fifty dollars, went to the Natick Fire Engine Company. With the "Natick", built by Gleason and Bailey, they recorded one hundred and ninety-seven feet, two inches.
There were several other prizes of twenty - five . dollars each but I can find no record of their winners. Neither am 1 able to find the winners of prizes in the Hose Reel Contests. In May, 1908, the following notice was issued:
"All men living south of the South Main Street crossing, who are interested in the formation of a Fire Company in the South part of the town, are requested to meet at the Hose House on Bridge Street, Thursday evening, May 14, at 7.30 o'clock."
(Signed) Joseph B. Hoar,
Chief of Fire Dept.
As a result of this invitation, a large gathering of citizens
J.
h
U4
of JVarreriy Rhode Island 8 1
of South Warren assembled at the time and place appointed. Chief Hoar called the meeting to order and requested Charles W, Greene to act as Secretary.
The Chief addressed the meeting, calling attention to the desirability of forming a company to handle the fire apparatus efficiently at fires in that quarter of the town. His words were listened to with attention and interest and, at their close, it was unanimously voted to form a Fire Com- pany immediately.
A Committee of three were appointed to confer with the Chief and Secretary regarding the nomination of officers.
The following gentlemen were unanimously elected officers of the Company:
Foreman, George T. Greene.
Assistant Foreman, .... Henry M. Slocum. Hose Director, . . . William H. Dickerson. Cleric, William I. Seymour.
After a discussion relative to the needs of the new Com- pany, during which refreshments were served, the meeting adjourned.
On May 22, a special meeting was called at which it was announced that George T. Greene declined to serve as Foreman. Charles W. Greene was elected to fill the vacancy thus caused.
The Foreman, with Henry M. Slocum, H. Dewees Cady, Fred R. Simmons, and William I. Seymour were appointed a Committee to draw up By-Laws.
It was voted to close the Roll Book, all members thus far enrolled to constitute the Charter Members.
It was voted to call the Company "The Burr's Hill Fours"
82 A History of the Fire Department
On June 2, the following additional officers were elected :
H. P. Rowland, . . . Second Asst. Foreman.
H. S. Child, First Pipeman.
Wm. G. Faulkner, Second
B. A. Church, Third "
T. J. Kilroy, Fourth "
R. H. Greene, First Hydrant Man.
C. G. Johnson, Second
G. B. Arnold, First Axe Man.
H.A.Nichols, Second
Jesse Dickerson, First Lantern Man.
Howard Jones, Second
On June 24, the By-Laws, as prepared by the Committee appointed for the purpose, were adopted and ordered printed in book form.
During the spring of 1909 a Drum Corps was organ- ized in connection with the Number Two Company. A bass drum and two smaller drums were purchased for use by the Corps.
On June 14, 1909, at a quarter to one in the afternoon a barn at "Shore Acres," the farm of Dr. Thomas H. Con- nolly in Barrington, was destroyed by Fire. The Number Three Company, with the steam.er, responded to the call for aid, but no efforts could save the structure. So strong was the westerly breeze that sparks were borne across the War- ren River to this town where they ignited the carriage shop of T. J. Campbell, buildings on the premises of George H. Covo, and the handkerchief mianufactory at the corner of Water and Baker Streets. None of these buildings, how- ever, were seriously damaged.
of Warren, Rhode Island 8 J
On Labor Day, 1909, the Mechanics participated in the Muster of the State League, at Bristol, capturing the first prize of one hundred and fifty dollars and, as Cham- pions of the League, winning a beautiful American flag;, appropriately inscribed.
At a town meeting held March 10, 19 10, an appropri- ation of two thousand dollars was voted for the purpose of erecting a fire station at East Warren. The station was constructed under the supervision of the Board of Engineers.
On November 23, 19 10, the Burr's Hill Fours did service at a fire for the first time since their organization. The fire destroyed a cottage on Main Street in South War- ren occupied by a Portuguese family.
In the spring of 191 1, a Fife and Drum Band was organized in the Number Two Company.
On April 7, the Narragansett Company celebrated its sixty-fifth anniversary by giving an old-fashioned baked bean supper served at its hall on Baker Street. Music, readings, and an exhibition of club swinging followed the supper. The invited guests included the members of the Town Council, the Board of Engineers, and representatives of ten Fire Companies. The occasion was pronounced a most enjoy- able one.
On April 24, the Massasoit Hook and Ladder Com- pany, desirous of making their organization more efficient, empowered the Foreman to appoint such additional officers as, in his judgement, seemed needful for the Company's welfare.
On October 10, at about half past four in the morning, a continuous blast from the whistle of the Cutler Manufact- uring Company's plant roused Warren to the realization that a fire was in progress. The Fire Department hastened to
84 A History of the Fire Depin'tment
the large mill on Cutler Street, where they found a blaze under the flooring of the picker room. This blaze had been discovered the previous day by employees of the plant who had, as was supposed, extinguished it. Prompt action rendered by the Department prevented a serious conflagra- tion.
On October 11, at about the same hour in the morn- ing, the plant sent out a second alarm. Fire had been discovered in a shed adjoining the mill. The shed was partially destroyed ere the flames were subdued. Just how this second fire originated is not fully known, but it is not supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.
In closing this sketch of the Warren Fire Department let us glance at present conditions. All of the various Companies are active and efficient under an able and con- scientious Board of Engineers. Each Engine and Hose Company receives from the town an annual appropriation of one hundred dollars, while the Hook and Ladder Company receives fifty dollars. By means of tairs, lawn parties, and dramatic entertainments the Companies, from time to time, have been able to place substantial amounts in their several treasuries.
The Engine Houses have halls well furnished and pro- vided with pianos, books, magazines and papers. Those members who enjoy games find checkers, cards, etc. ready at hand. A great deal of interest in baseball is manifested among the men. Indeed the Engine Houses are, so to speak, social centres in which the firemen find both rest and recreation for mind and body.
Warren has always been proud of its Fire Department, and justly so. The Warren firemen have been ever prompt in response to the call of dutv, and have worked, unceasingly,
of H\irren, Rhode Island S5
to better the service in all possible ways. They have won golden opinions outside the town by their fine appearance and gentlemanly behavior at musters, fairs and other gath- erings. Their past history is an exceedingly honorable one, and, doubtless, the future has much that is good in store for them. There may be some persons who do not fully appreciate what the services of these men mean to our town but the majority of citizens thoroughly realize that the
Jfire department is one of the
most important branches of our local govern- ment.
of tfjt of ti)t
Jf ire department
of
OTarren Eijotie Ssflantr
c?(? Presidents of Kike Wards.
Elected
I 804-1882.
William Barton James Maxwell
Level Maxwell John Stockford
John T. Child Sylvester Child Jr. James Maxwell
JohnT. Child Sylvester Child John Stockford
JohnT. Child Sylvester Child Wm. Collins
John T. Child Wm. Collins Nathan M. WHieaton
Wm. Collins
John 1 rott
N. M. Wheaton
Samuel Barton Wm. Collins John IVott
Sam'l Barton John Haile John ^rrott
Sam'l Barton Wm. Carr Jr. John Haile
Wm. Carr jr. Shubael P. Child John Haile
Presidents of Fire Wards. ( Continued. )
8g
Wm. Carr jr. S. P. Child John R. Wheaton
S. P. Child Suchet Mauran J, R. Wheaton
John T. Child James Coffin Suchet Mauran
).T. Child S. P. Child James Coffin
J. T. Child James Coffin Samuel Cole
James Coffin Francis Marble John O. Waterman
S. P. Child Geo. T. Gardner Geo. Wheaton
Alfred Bosworth Geo. T. Gardner Geo. Wheaton
Wm. Cole 2d. Wm. R. Snell Thomas G. Turner
James Coffin Geo. T. Gardner Charles Randall
1 841-2
1848
T849
1850
1851
1852-3
1854
1855-6
1857
go Presidents of Fire wards.
( Concluded. )
James Coffin Geo. L. Cooke Geo. T. Gardner
Geo. L. Cooke James M. Peck Elisha P. Phinney
Geo. Barton James Coffin Samuel Wheaton
Geo. Barton James Coffin
Geo. Barton Thos. G. Turner
Geo. Barton J. O. Waterman
Geo. Barton Charles R. Cutler
^^
I
|
Fire |
Wards. |
QJ^ |
|
|
Fi.EcrEi) |
|||
|
1 l^n"> — |
1 ^! r-" |
||
|
Barton, George |
1 0 L/ "J — 1856 |
1 (-. 5 ; . Hoar, Lewis T. |
1841 |
|
Barton, Samuel |
1832 |
Hubbard, Wm. M. |
[803 |
|
Carr, William |
1803 |
Johnson, Rodolphus B. |
1856 |
|
Gary, Nathan |
1855 |
Kinnicut, Robert |
[854 |
|
Chase, Philip |
1852 |
Luther, Ebenezer Jr. |
[804 |
|
Ghild, John T. |
1809 |
Luther, Jonathan |
[804 |
|
Ghild, Nathan |
1810 |
Marble, Francis |
[848 |
|
Child, Shubael P. |
1844 |
Mason, Stephen |
[816 |
|
Child, Sylvester Jr. |
1814 |
Mauran, Suchet |
[H39 |
|
Coffin, James |
1844 |
Maxwell, James |
f8o9 |
|
Cole, Henry 2d. |
1855 |
Maxwell, Level |
[804 |
|
Cole, Luther |
1837 |
Munroe, Palmer |
[ 803 |
|
Cole, Samuel |
1850 |
Pearce, John |
[803 |
|
Collins, Charles |
1804 |
Peck, Seth |
r8o3 |
|
Collins, Haile |
^^S |
Phillips, Nathaniel |
.803 |
|
Collins, William |
1832 |
Randall, Charles i |
^835 |
|
Driscol, Wm. H. |
1851 |
Sanders, Nathaniel i |
[803 |
|
Drown, Henry F. |
1857 |
Sisson, Freeborn i |
815 |
|
Eddy, Caleb |
1 8 13 |
Smith, Nathaniel P. |
849 |
|
Gardner, Geo. T. |
1843 |
Snell, Wm. B. |
851 |
|
Gardner, Joseph |
1848 |
Stockford, John i |
812 |
|
Haile, Amos Jr. |
1803 |
Trott, John |
812 |
|
Haile, Coomer |
1803 |
Turner, Thomas G. 1 |
852 |
|
Haile, John |
1804 |
Waterman, John O. |
849 |
|
Hiscox, Pardon |
1851 |
Wheaton, Charles i |
810 |
|
Hoar, Allen |
1803 |
Wheaton, John R. i |
835 |
|
Wood, Haile N. i |
853 |
^^
g2
Barton, Thomas Barton, Wm. T. Buffington, Alvan Burt, Joseph Carr, Turner Chase, PhiHp Cole, Edmund Cole, Wm. 2d. Drown, Benjamin Easterbrooks, George Foster, Daniel Gardner, Charles W. GofF, James Jr.
|
Axe |
Men-. |
|
|
Elected |
||
|
8 1 r — |
r S c8 |
|
|
015 |
1 ( » *^ 0 |
|
|
1816 |
Hoar, Samuel |
1823 |
|
1854 |
Hunter, Rufus |
1815 |
|
1849 |
Luther, Charles |
1826 |
|
1823 |
Luther, Cromwell |
1825 |
|
1823 |
Luther, John |
1824 |
|
1850 |
Luther, Jonathan |
1815 |
|
1844 |
Maxwell, Samuel |
1835 |
|
1844 |
Munro, James W. |
1854 |
|
1857 |
Pearce, John |
1837 |
|
1839 |
Pearce, John Jr. |
1825 |
|
1851 |
Pearce, Samuel |
1838 |
|
1858 |
Rounds, Spencer |
1856 |
|
1815 |
Sawtelle, Hollis |
1855 |
|
Sawtelle, Joseph |
1856 |
t^^
i
u
Fire Engine Company Number One.
Hand Engine "Hero."
Elected
1802 1869.
9J
Adams, Joseph Alger, Preserved Allen, John J. Allen, Stephen G. Andrews, John Baker, Thomas Barton, David B. Barton, Samuel Barton, Thomas H. Barrus, Wm. L. Blake, Samuel Bowen, Henry Bowen, Isaac Bowen, Jabez Bowen, John G. Brown, David Brown, Geo. S. Buffington, Alvan Burgess, Frederick A. Burr, Henry Butterworth, Benj. Butts, George Cannon, John Carr, Caleb 2d. Carr, William Carr, Wm. Jr. Child, Edward A. Child, Ezra O. Child, Joseph B.
808 Child, Nathan
802 Child, Samuel T.
860 Child, Wm. B. 817 Davis, Jesse 816 Davol, John 804 Davol, Stephen
861 Davol, Stephen, Jr. 820 Driscol, James
863 Drown, Benjamin
83 I Drown, James
827 Eddy, Enos
820 Eddy, James M.
808 Eddy, Samuel M.
820 Folsom, John
827 French, Ephraim 826 French, Henry 856 Gardner, Israel
854 Gladding, Henry W.
859 GofF, Henry P.
842 GofF, James
814 Grant, Daniel
810 Gregory, John
852 Haile, Amos
808 Haile, Benjamin
802 Haile, Coomer
828 Haile, John 808 Haile, William 835 Hiscox, Pardon Jr. 840 Hoar, Allen
808 811 825 808 838 810 828
813 826
814
810
840
849 810 810 840
813
858 808 810 811 802 804 802 821 860 840 802
Q^ Fire Engine Company Number One.
( Concluded. )
Hoar, Allen Jr. Hoar, John R. Hoar, Lewis Hoar, Lewis T. Hoar, Samuel Hoar, William Hood, Noble Hubbard, Wm. A. Ingraham, William G. Johnson, Stephen Johonnot, Oliver Kelly, Samuel Luther, Asa Luther, Ebenezer Luther, Henry H. Luther, John Luther, Jonathan Luther, Joseph Luther, Wm. Jr. Marble, Francis Marble, Geo. R. Martin, Ezra M. Mason, Isaac Mason, John B.' Mason, Stephen Maxwell, James
|
1822 |
Maxwell, Level |
[808 |
|
1840 |
Munroe, Palmer |
1803 |
|
I8I6 |
Parker, Benjamin |
1816 |
|
1837 |
Pearce, John |
1802 |
|
1 804 |
Peck, George |
[832 |
|
1808 |
Peck, Seth |
[802 |
|
1820 |
Phillips, Nathaniel |
1802 |
|
1803 |
Salisbury, John |
1826 |
|
1858 |
Salisbury, Theophilus |
1821 |
|
1825 |
Sanders, Jeremiah |
1811 |
|
I8I8 |
Sanders, Nathaniel |
[802 |
|
I8I4 |
Short, Luther C. |
1836 |
|
1814 |
Smith, E. G, |
[826 |
|
1802 |
Smith, James |
[808 |
|
1832 |
Smith, Nathaniel P. |
[848 |
|
1808 |
Sparks, Edward |
[814 |
|
1802 |
Thornton, James |
^Hl |
|
1828 |
Turner, Daniel L. i |
867 |
|
1849 |
Turner, William |
813 |
|
1845 |
Turner. Wm. H. i |
840 |
|
1825 |
Ware, Paul 1 |
820 |
|
i«43 |
Whitmarsh, Seth i |
8t2 |
|
181 1 |
Willard, Gardner ] |
804 |
|
1840 |
Winslow, John L. i |
810 |
|
181T |
Woodmancy,Jeremiah i |
826 |
|
1811 |
Wright, Samuel i |
827 |
^i*>
Fire Engine Company Number Two. Hand Eng
95
Baker, William Barrus, Wm. L. Barton, David B. Bowen, Allen Bowen, George Bowen, Haile Bowen, James E. Bosworth, Benj. M. Bosworth, Peleg Brown, Wm. L. Buckner, John Burt, Alvan
Chace, Joseph
Child, Henry W.
Child, John T.
Cole, Robert M.
Collamore, John S.
Collins, Haile
Cooly, Robert G.
Crowe II, Hiram
Drown, Henry F.
Drown, Hezekiah
Drown, James
Drown, Nathaniel
Eddy John E.
Gardner, James
Graves, Elisha
Hoar, Allen
|
INE "] |
R.OUGH AND Ready. " |
|
|
Elected |
||
|
1825 - |
1853. |
|
|
1826 |
Hoar, Allen C. |
1826 |
|
1830 |
Hoar, Charles |
1848 |
|
1848 |
Hoar, John |
1827 |
|
1829 |
Hoar, John C. |
1836 |
|
1829 |
Hoar, John E. |
1840 |
|
1829 |
Horton, Josiah T, |
1838 |
|
1826 |
Hunter, Daniel |
1827 |
|
1833 |
Hunter, Wm. S. |
1840 |
|
1834 |
Johnson, Rodolphus B. |
1840 |
|
^H:s |
Johnson, Stephen |
1840 |
|
1827 |
Kelly, Lawton |
1840 |
|
1827 |
Luther, John |
1826 |
|
1828 |
Luther, Joseph |
1826 |
|
1826 |
Luther, Nathan |
1840 |
|
^'^^.T^ |
Morgan, Thomas |
1848 |
|
1827 |
Munroe, John H. |
1838 |
|
1826 |
Munroe, John S. |
1838 |
|
^Hz |
Pearce, Lewis B. |
1827 |
|
1848 |
Phinney, Elisha |
1846 |
|
1846 |
Rounds, Spencer |
1846 |
|
1840 |
Salisbury, John |
1830 |
|
1848 |
Sisson, Thomas |
1846 |
|
1826 |
Smith, James Jr. |
'835 |
|
1834 |
Stockford, John |
1826 |
|
1848 |
Tuell, John D. |
1834 |
|
^835 |
Warner, Lucius |
1840 |
|
1827 |
Wheaton, Daniel B. |
1847 |
|
1826 |
%%
q() Mechanics Fire Engine Company Number Two. Hand Engine. ( Jeffers. ) Elected
^"^SZ 1874.
Adams, John O. Albro, Benjamin Andrews, Hiram F. Arnold, Henry L. Babbit, Caleb H. Baker, William Baker, William L. Barrus, Horace G. Bosworth, Thos. T. Bowen, Abram Bowen, Benjamin Bowen, Caleb B. Bowen, Haile Bowen, James Bowen, John M. Bowen, Joseph L. Bowen, Otis P. Brown, Andrew Brown, Jabez Brown, Jabez Jr. Brown, Joseph L. Brown, Joseph M. Brown, John Carey, Caleb Carey, Henry Carey, Nathan Champlin, George T. Champlin, H. Frank Champlin, Jonathan
|
1853 |
Chase, Hiram |
[854 |
|
1855 |
Chase, Philip Jr. |
1854 |
|
1867 |
Chase, William |
1854 |
|
1869 |
Child, Charles |
[854 |
|
1854 |
Child, Cyril M. |
^^S3 |
|
^^sz |
Child, Henry W. |
^^53 |
|
1857 |
Child, James C. |
[857 |
|
^"^sz |
Child, John B. |
[854 |
|
^^^z |
Child, Moses T. |
'853 |
|
^'^sz |
Clark, Stephen i |
[869 |
|
^"^^7^ |
Cole, Charles T. |
[860 |
|
^"^SZ |
Cole, John J. |
[854 |
|
^^3 |
Cole Thomas |
^^3 |
|
1857 |
Collamore, Edwin I. |
[857 |
|
^^S3 |
Collamore, Jeremiah |
853 |
|
1854 |
Collamore, J. C. |
869 |
|
T853 |
Collamore, William i |
869 |
|
1869 |
Collins, Henry |
861 |
|
^^53 |
Connelly, Michael ] |
869 |
|
T853 |
Cooly, Robert G. i |
853 |
|
1853 |
Cooly, Rodert H. ] |
853 |
|
1857 |
Cornell, H. A. i |
853 |
|
1869 |
Coyle, Edward ] |
869 |
|
1855 |
Crowell, Hiram ] |
853 |
|
1857 |
Crowell, Luther J. ] |
866 |
|
1855 |
Crowell, Wm. B. ] |
873 |
|
^^3 |
Cummings, Joseph i |
855 |
|
1869 |
Davis, Walter ] |
869 |
|
1855 |
Drown, Benjamin ] |
853 |
/
:'i
I
i
i
Mechanics Fire Engine Company Number Two. q? ( Concluded. )
Loughran, John Luther, Daniel B. Jr. Manchester, James Manchester, William Martin, Charles H. Mason, Charles Maxwell, James H. McCusker, John McCusker, Terence McLeod, Murdock Mulvev, James Negus, Robert O'Brien, Thomas Olive, Amor Pearce, Lewis B. Pearce, Samuel Powell, William Rounds, Spencer Rounds, Spencer Jr. Sanders, Daniel Sanders, Wm. H. Sharpies, John Simister, John W. Sisson, Shubael B. Stanley, George Warner, Lucius Waterman, John O. Wheaton, Daniel B. White, Isaac B. Winters, William Wood, Albert Wrightington, Charles
|
Drown, Benjamin Jr. |
1853 |
|
Drown, Benjamin F. |
1866 |
|
Drown, James |
1853 |
|
Drown, Joshua C. |
1853 |
|
Drown, Joshua C. Jr. |
1866 |
|
Drown, Nathaniel |
1855 |
|
Drown, Philip |
'853 |
|
Drown, Wm. B. |
1869 |
|
Easterbrooks, Philip |
1855 |
|
Evans, Thomas |
1857 |
|
Fales, Samuel S. |
t853 |
|
Foster, Daniel |
1853 |
|
Gardner, Charles W. |
[858 |
|
HaIl,William |
[869 |
|
Hoar, Allen C. |
^853 |
|
Hoar, Charles |
'853 |
|
Hoar, John C. |
^853 |
|
Hoar, Lewis T. i |
853 |
|
Horton, Josiah T. i |
853 |
|
Hubbard, John W. i |
853 |
|
Hubbard, William |
t853 |
|
Hunter, Henrv R. i |
853 |
|
Hunter, Philip ] |
[869 |
|
Ingraham, Joseph L. i |
853 |
|
Johnson, Charles A. i |
861 |
|
Johnson, R. B. i |
853 |
|
Johnson, Stephen i |
857 |
|
Kent, Joseph i |
853 |
|
LafFey, Michael i |
869 |
|
Lanigan, John i |
869 |
|
Leonard, E. G. Jr. i |
853 |
|
Lewis, Charles i |
853 |
L
g8 MECHANICS Fire Engine Company No, Two. [ Reorganized.] Elected
Anderson, William Armstrong, Arthur Asland, Adam Barker, John H. Barrv, David Barrv, David L. Barry, Edward L. Barrv, James Barry, James P. Barry, John Beauchene, Arthur Beauchene, Arthur S. Beauchene, George Beauchene, Noe Bitneau, Frank Bliss, Frank W. Bolton, George Booth, Wm. M. Bowen, Walter A. Boylan, William Boyle, William E. Brown, Allen Brown, Fred Brown, Joseph Brown, Noel M. Brown, Redney Burke, James Burke, James V. Burke, Richard
1 878 191 I .
88 T Burke, Timothy 1882
878 Burns, John J. 1903
881 Bushee, Frank i^97
902 Butler, John 1878
878 Butler, John 1885
878 Butler, Joseph W. 1879
907 Butler, Patrick H. 1889 878 Butler, Robert 1879 878 Caffery, Philip 1896 878 Calland, John 1878 891 Campbell, John 1906
910 Cam.pbell, John J. 1890
908 Campeau, George 1901 907 Carlile, William 1882 881 Cavanagh, Andrew ^9^3
911 Chappell, Curtis 1902
878 Clayton, J 1901 '^'^2> Collins, John 1882
879 Collins, Michael 1903
901 Colton, Peter 1888
905 Conlev, James
902 Conlev, Martin J. 1892
909 Conlin, Fred M. 18^5 6to Connelly, James 1878 885 Connelly, James E. 1885 907 Connelly, Michael T. 1878 897 Conrick, Edward 1883
906 Conrick, Thomas 1880 878 Conroy, Frank 1891
Mechanics Fire Engine Company No. Two. gg [ Reorganized.] ( Continued.)
Conroy, Michael Conroy, Michael B. Corcoran, Dennis Corcoran, Peter Corcoran, Peter J. Corcoran, Stephen J. Corrello, Salvatore Corrigan, Andrew Corristine, Charles Cosgrove, Peter Coughlin, John H. Coughlin, Thomas Coyle, Edward Croke, Jeremiah Cronin, James Cronin, Michael J. Curtis, John Dalton, Peter Dillon, J. F. Donahue, John W. Donahue, Michael Donnelly, F. Donnelly, Thomas F. Drown, Charles W. Dubois, Charles Dubois, Joseph Dwyer, John F. Dwyer, Thomas Edmonson, John
878 892 888 895 894 911
902 878 896 884 878 897 896 890 878 888 901 890 890
878 905 901 901 882 888
903
Edmonson, William Emmet, Samuel Emmet, Smith Esker, Frank Fallon, James Fallon, John Fay, Edward Fay, William Fernside, James Fielding, John Finn, Thomas Fisher, William W. Flaherty, John Fleet, Samuel Flinn, John Franklin, John Gagnon, Henry Ganev, John Gartland, Lawrence Gillon, John Glancy, P. Glancy, Thomas Goggin, David Grady, Daniel Grady, John H. Grady, Richard Graham, Charles H. Grant, William Grogan, Michael U.
903 896
906
910 878 878 878 878 878 909 878
903 883
903 878 878 907 901 879 878 901 881 898 896 886 891 891 878 883
L
lOO Mechanics Fire Engine Company No. Two. [ Reorganized.] ( Continued.)
Hanley, Michael Hannigan, James Harchub, John Hardman, Thomas B. Healy, Howard M. Healy, John Healy, John C. Healy, John W. Healy, Joseph Healy, Michael Healy, William Hearn, Patrick Henneberry, John Henneberry, Nicholas Heon, Achille Heroas, Frank Higgins, Maurice Honan, Daniel Honan, Patrick Honan, T. J. Honan, William T. Howe, John Howland, Charles R. Howland, Richard R. Hurley, Michael JetFrev, Joseph
|
1878 |
Jones, E. J. ] |
[878 |
|
1890 |
Kelly, Charles G. |
[905 |
|
1879 |
Kelly, David |
[878 |
|
1889 |
Kelly, Edward |
[885 |
|
1903 |
Kelly, Owen |
[878 |
|
1878 |
Kendrick, Edward |
[879 |
|
1908 |
Kendrick, Thomas |
[879 |
|
191 1 |
Kendrick, William ] |
[878 |
|
1878 |
Kenny, John |
[894 |
|
1908 |
Kiernan, T. ] |
902 |
|
1878 |
Killion, Bernard i |
878 |
|
1878 |
Killion, John ] |
878 |
|
1906 |
Kilroy, Thomas ] |
[889 |
|
1905 |
King, Nelson B. ] |
902 |
|
1897 |
Laffey, John E. i |
878 |
|
1889 |
Laffey, Michael i |
878 |
|
1899 |
LafFey, Patrick i |
[878 |
|
189a |
Laflame, Alfred A. i |
907 |
|
1878 |
Laflame, Louis i |
907 |
|
1878 |
Laforest, Adam i |
878 |
|
1880 |
Lafrance, James i |
878 |
|
T878 |
Lafrance, Peter ] |
878 |
|
1902 |
La hey, Maurice i |
903 |
|
1896 |
Lailan, Horace i |
884 |
|
1878 |
Lajeunesse, Jeffrey ] |
905 |
|
191 1 |
Lamb, Philip ] |
879 |
Mechanics Fire Engine Company No. Two. roi [ Reorganized. ] ( Continued. )
Lannigan, John Lavender, Fred E. Laveugue, George Lavill, Charles Lee, Simon P. B. Lee, Wm. H. Lemoi, Edward Lemoi, WilHam Lenhart, Adolph Locke, WilHam Lonergan, John E. Long, Nathan Loughran, Arthur Loughran, Thomas J. Loughran, Daniel Lynch, Patrick Lynn, James McCann, Frank McCann, Patrick McCanna, Charles T. McCanna, Hugh McCanna, Patrick McCusker, John McDonough, James McDonough, John McDonough, William
|
1878 |
McElroy, Patrick |
1878 |
|
1905 |
McGeary, Peter |
1888 |
|
1 90 1 |
McGrath, John |
1890 |
|
1905 |
McGrath, John F. |
1 90 1 |
|
I89I |
McGrath, R. J. |
1878 |
|
1902 |
McGuire, Bernard |
1895 |
|
191 1 |
McKenna, James |
1878 |
|
1909 |
McKenna. John |
1878 |
|
1906 |
McKenna, William |
1905 |
|
1878 |
McLoughlin, Michael |
1884 |
|
1878 |
McMahon, Patrick J. |
1897 |
|
1878 |
McNiff, Charles |
1891 |
|
1878 |
McNulty, Daniel McNulty, James |
|
|
|
||
|
1892 |
McPike, John |
1899 |
|
1886 |
Malley, John |
1903 |
|
1881 |
Mallon, John |
1882 |
|
1885 |
Maloy, Charles T. |
1907 |
|
1885 |
Maloy, John M. |
1878 |
|
1907 |
Mann, Fred V. |
1905 |
|
1906 |
Marcou, Joseph |
1896 |
|
1885 |
Marks, Thomas |
1884 |
|
I87S |
Marshall, Joseph |
1902 |
|
1890 |
Martin, Howard I. |
1907 |
|
1 8 8^:5 |
Masterson, Patrick |
1886 |
|
1890 |
Maxey, John |
1879 |
102 Mechanics Fire Engine Company No. Two. [ Reorganized. ] ( Continued. )
Merritt, Joseph Mickle, George A. Monahan, John Monahan, Peter Monahan, Thomas L. Monahan, William Money, John Moore, Robert W. Morrissey, Daniel L. Morrissey, John H. Morrissey, Thos. L. Mumford, Edward Munnigle, James Munnigle, John W. Munnigle, William Murnane, Edward Murnane, Patrick Murphy, John Murphy, John Murphy, Peter Murphv, T homas Murphy, William G. Murray, Hugh Murray, Robert Murta, James F. Xoel, Peter Neary, John Nelder, Herbert G. Nelson, James Nelson, [.
|
1905 |
Nevin, Joseph i |
903 |
|
1903 |
Norton, John 1 |
887 |
|
1895 |
O'Brien, Daniel i |
878 |
|
1903 |
O'Brien, John i |
878 |
|
1902 |
O'Brien, T.J. i |
900 |
|
1 90 1 |
O'Brien, Thomas ] |
878 |
|
1878 |
O'Brien, Timothy V. ] |
891 |
|
1884? |
Oldfield, WiUiam i |
902 |
|
1878 |
O'Leary, John ] |
889 |
|
1892 |
O'Malley, JohnJ. i |
905 |
|
I89I |
O'Neil, James i |
878 |
|
1897 |
O'Neil, Patrick W. i |
897 |
|
1906 |
Pailthorpe, Albert ] |
[888 |
|
1898 |
Pailthorpe, William i |
[880 |
|
1878 |
Perron, Olivier |
[908 |
|
1897 |
Peters, Antonio ] |
[903 |
|
1880 |
Petrie, Charles W. |
[905 |
|
1882 |
Pfeniger, Albert |
906 |
|
I89I |
Qiiann, William |
[895 |
|
1897 |
Ravcraft, John |
[890 |
|
1891 |
Remington, G. A. |
[878 |
|
1902 |
Robinson, Joseph |
[879 |
|
1903 |
Rounds, Charles |
[879 |
|
1903 |
Rvan, John |
[883 |
|
1879 |
Ryan, John F. |
[894 |
|
1908 |
Ryan, William |
[884 |
|
1904 |
Ryan, William L. |
1907 |
|
1902 |
Scully, Michael |
1890 |
|
1878 |
Sharkey, Edward |
1890 |
|
1890 |
Shaunessy, James |
[880 |
Mechanics Fire Engine Company No. Two. lOJ [ Reorganized. ] ( Concluded. )
Shaw, William Shea, James S. Shea, William Sherrold, Theodore Simmons, Isaac S. Simmons, J. Simmons, Joseph E. Smith, Edward F. Smith, James Smith, James F. Smith, James F. id. Smith, James F. Smith, John Smith, Thomas J. Smith, W^illiam Smith, William Smith, William H. Southwick, Harry A. Splain, John Splain, Michael Stanton, James Sullivan, John Sullivan, John L. Thyng, Ralph Tierny, James Tierny, James M.
879 907 878 879 890
903 909
907 890 878 879 905 884 902 890 908 878 902 883 880 911 878 895 878 905 908
Toleper, Arthur Topham, Robert R. Travis, William Trombley, Henry Tully, William Vandell, Louis Vandell, Richard Victory, Patrick Von Banck, Louis Wallace, James Wallace, John Walsh, David Walsh, Frank Walsh, James Walsh, Robert Ward, Fred Wardick, John H. White, Joseph Winters, William Wood, Robert
Wyl Wyl Wyl Wyl Wyl
e, James e, Janies F. e, Joseph e, Joseph P. e, Robert
Wynne, Peter
903 899 911 900 879 878 878 878 905 888 878 887 879 884 879 906 886 878 883 884 878 895 908 880 878 902
V^^
I04
Fire Hook and Ladder Company.
Elected
1834 I 871.
Ingraham, Mason 1852
Johnson, Stephen 1840
Leonard, Elbridge G. 1866
Little, George W. 1852
Luther, David E. 1852
Luther, John 1834
Luther, Nathan 1834
Martin, Charles 1858
Martin, Ezra M. 1857
Martin, Stephen Jr. 1855
Mason, Charles 1858
Mason, Christopher 1861
Mason, John B. 1840
Munroe, Charles 1858
Munroe, George 2d. 1857
Munroe, James W. 1852
Pearce, John Jr. 1835
Pearce, Samuel 1834
Place, Charles 1861
Salisbury, Billings 1844
Salisbury, John 1848
Sanders, Henry 1834
Sanders, Jacob 1834
Sanford, Alexander G. 1868
Sawtelle, Hollis 1848
Sawtelle, Joseph 1848
Sherman, Joseph H. 1858
Smith, Charles 1852
Snell, Wm. B. 1834
Sparks, Charles 1852
|
Allen, Wheaton i |
854 |
|
Baily, Henry i |
834 |
|
Barrus, Horace G, i |
866 |
|
Barrus, James B. i |
852 |
|
Barrus, Nathan L. i |
t853 |
|
Barton, Charles |
[866 |
|
Bosworth, Benj. M. |
f834 |
|
Buffington, Alvan |
r84i |
|
Burroughs, James Jr. |
835 |
|
Carr, Caleb Jr. i |
834 |
|
Carr, Turner |
840 |
|
Chase, James A. |
853 |
|
Chase, John H. |
860 |
|
Clifford, William T. |
852 |
|
Cole, Allen |
[844 |
|
Cole, Edmund |
[844 |
|
Cole, Henry |
[849 |
|
Cole, John G. |
[854 |
|
Cole, Luther 2d. i |
852 |
|
Cole, William 2d. |
852 |
|
Coleman, Jesse B. |
[852 |
|
Davis, Alfred ] |
[868 |
|
Driscol, James |
[840 |
|
Driscol, John H. |
[844 |
|
Easterbrooks, George |
^835 |
|
Eddy, Henry W. |
[852 |
|
Eddy, William P. |
1852 |
|
Fisher, George |
[852 |
|
Frankland, Joseph |
[852 |
|
Gardner, Joseph |
1851 |
Fire Hook and Ladder Company. ( Concluded. )
Surgens, George H. 1855 Wheaton, Daniel B. Surgens, Wm. H. 1848 Williams, Edward Turner, Wm. H. 1840 Williams, George
^05
1834 1852 1852
m'm
Jo6 Fire Hook and Ladder Company.
[ Reorganized. ]
Elected 1879 191 ].
Adams, Joseph Aiken, William Barton, Alfred C. Barton, Edwin S. Barton, Percy R. Batchelor, John B. Bliss, Charles C. Brown, Edward V. Brown, Joseph E. Buckingham, E. M. Buffington, Hiram Cole, Luther Champlin, Henry F. Child, Daniel h'. Crawley, William H. Cutler, Charles W. Cutler, Edward R. Dana, Francis E. Dean, Charles DeWolf, Howard K. Drown, George L. Drown, John Gladding, Charles F. GotF, Jeremiah Hiscox, Edward
879 Hoar, Joseph B. 19 10
907 Hopkins, Henry W. 1907
909 Hunt, Robert 19 10
909 Kelly, William W. 1884 879 Livesey, John 1879 907 Lonergan, James 1909 911 Luther, Daniel B. 1910 895 Mallory, George 190? 891 Martin, Fred S. 1907
910 Martin, Henry R. 1907 879 Martin, Joseph W. 1910
883 McCanna, Charles H. 1909
884 Merchant, Marcius H. 1907 897 Miller, Charles R. ^9^7 891 Munroe, Harry H. 1909 907 Persons, Clair G. 1907 907 Rounds, Charles E. ^909 879 Seymour, Louis R. 1909 879 Sherman, George 1889 907 Sparks, Charles H. 1891
Turner, Daniel L. 1891
Wilmarth, Albert 1883
Wilmarth, William S. 1882
Winslow, James M. 1879
881 907 891
879 881
m.*^
I
Narragansett Fire Engine Comf>any
Number Three.
Elected
TOJ
Abbot, Charles W. Jr. Adams, Joseph Aldrich, Lucius E. Andrews, David W. Andrews, Dura D. Andrews, Frank Andrews, Samuel C. Austin, Herbert L, Baker, William Barney, Eugene C. Barney, William L. Barrett, Patrick Barrus, Arthur W. Barrus, Charles Barrus, Daniel A. Barrus, James B. Barrus, Wm. L. Barton, Alfred Barton, Benjamin H. Barton, Frank D. Batchelor, James B. Blanchard, E. H. Blanchard, John E. Bliss, Fred A. Bliss, Waiter G.
|
1876 |
Booth, Samuel N. |
i«73 |
|
1846 |
Borden, Charles G. |
1849 |
|
1884 |
Borden, Luther M. Jr. |
1846 |
|
1850 |
Bosworth, Peleg |
1846 |
|
1884 |
Bosworth, Peleg Jr. |
1862 |
|
1883 |
Bowen, Abraham |
1846 |
|
I87I? |
Bowen, Albert H. |
1862 |
|
1895 |
Bowen, Daniel K. |
1854? |
|
1862? |
Bowen, Edwin |
1846 |
|
I88I |
Bowen, George E. |
1880 |
|
1847 |
Bowen, Haile J. |
1854 |
|
1849 |
Bowen, Henry A. |
1846 |
|
1883 |
Bowen, James |
1871 |
|
|
Bowen, James E. |
1846 |
|
1885 |
Bowen, James E. |
1908 |
|
1846 |
Bowen, Jonathan |
1849 |
|
1846 |
Bowen, John H. |
1884 |
|
1875 |
Bowen, John M. |
1888 |
|
1877 |
Bowen, Martin |
1854 |
|
1^73 |
Bowen, Sylvanus H. |
1876 |
|
T889 |
Bowen, William Jr. |
1846 |
|
T849 |
Bowen, William B. |
1882 |
|
1871 |
Bowen, Cliftbrd A. |
1895 |
|
1888 |
Brayton, James H.? |
|
|
1888 |
Bravton, Jeremiah |
1849 |
Io8 Narragansett Fire Engine Company Number Three. ( Continued. )
Brightman, Thomas Brown, Allen Brown, C. A. Brown, Jabez Jr. Brown, John C. Brown, John H. Brown, Joseph Brown, Joseph E. Brown, Manton F. Brown, Nathaniel ? Brown, Noel M. Brown, Noel M. Jr. Brown, William. M. Brownell, John P. Buffington, Hiram B. BufEngton, James B. Burgess, William H. Burlingham, Thomas Burnham, Gridley Burr, Norman G. Burtch, Henry S. Cadv, Eleazer S. Cady, Winfield L. Campbell, David A. Carr, Alfred C. Carr, Caleb A. Carr, Clarence L. Carr, George W, Carr, Joseph S. Carr, Turner Jr.
869 Cary, Joseph 1859
905 Cary, William N. 1885
905 Caswell, James B. 1874
846 Champlin, Henry F. 1876
859 Champlin, Henry F. Jr. 1898 874 Champlin, John B. 1848
847 Chappell, Leon 1903 879 Chappell, S. W. 1897 897 Chase, Charles F. 1862 884 Chase, Edgar F. 1877 846 Chase, Frank S. 1871 878 Chase, Henry S. 1871
846 Chase, James A.
884 Chase, John H. 1846
876 Chase, Walter H. 1893
871 Chatburn, John C. 1911
846 Child, Charles 1846
854 Child, Charles E. 1876
853 Child, Charles T. 1846
856 Child, Cyril M. 1854
869 Child, James M. Jr. 1878
871 Child, Joseph B. 1846
878 Child, Joseph B. 1873
860 Child, Luther H. 1847 846 Child, Moses T. 1854 884 Child, Samuel S. 1846 862 Child, William B. 1885
846 Church, William M. C. 1879 856 Clark, G. E. 1890
847 Cleland, Albert H. 1874
Narragansett Fire Engine Company
Number Three.
( Continued. )
log
Clifford, Thomas Coes, George H. Cole, Charles I. Cole, Edmund Cole, Everett F. Cole, George G. Cole, George R. Cole, Henry 2d. Cole, James A. Cole, James V. Cole, Luther id. Cole, Luther Cole, Robert Cole, Samuel B. Cole, Thomas Cole, William 2d. Cole, William B. Cole, William R. Coleman, Jesse B Collamore, Charles H. Collamore, Fred F. Collamore, James S. Collamore, Jeremiah Collamore, John H. Collins, Charles Collins, Henry Coolv, Robert H. Copeland, Henry H. Cornell, Alfred R. Cornell, Charles H.
862 Cornell, J. B.
850 Cornell, William A. 878 Cornell, William F. 846 Coyle, Edward 911 Crowell, Charles A. 871 Crowell, Hiram D. 897 Crowell, William B, 849 Cummings, Joseph S. 871 Cunningham, William G.
846 Cutler, Charles R. 849 Dana, Francis E. 871 Davis, Benjamin F.
847 Davol, Sturgis
851 Davol, Charles S. 846 Day, Preston 846 Day, Walter A. 860 Dean, Charles F. 900 Dean, James H. 849 Dean, Samuel H. 846 Dean, Sidney 886 Dexter, Lewis B. 882 Driscol, Fred A. 854 Driscol, William H. 854 Drown, Allen
846 Drown, Benjamin Jr. 869 Drown, George L. 854 Drown, H. D. 894 Drown, James B. 846 Drown, John I^rown, Samuel N.
1854 1878 1871 1874 i860 1856 1856
1868 1862 1861 1849 1882 1875
1873 1871
1849
1850
1875
1890
1862
1846
1846
1846
1869
1875 1846 1846
IIO Narragansett Fire Engine Company Number Three. ( Continued. )
Goss, Sylvester T.
Graves, Joseph N. 1846
Greene, George T. Jr. 1878
Greene, Levi M. 1888
Greene, Robert H. 1892
Gushee, Nath'l W. 1862
Haile, Levi W. 1862
Haile, William R. 1859
Hainz, Fred G. 1862
Hall, Benjamin M. 1902
Hall, Joseph B. 1869
Hall, Preston L 1885
Harrison, J. L. 1852
Hart, Henry 1861
Hatch, David M. 1856
Hatch, George C. Jr. 1862
Hathaway, Bradford C. 1853 Hathawav, Sylvester B. 1882
Haulick, Christian 1850
Healy, Fernando 1868
Healy, James 1850
Heilman, Henry 1850
Heuser, Lewis 1849
Higgins, Rufus 1863
Hinckley, W. O. 1849
Hiscox, Edward M. 1878
Hiscox, Svlvester 1866
Hoar, Charles A. 1876
Hoar, Charles S. 1874
Hoar, Joseph 1880
|
Drown, Thomas S. |
[846 |
|
Drown, William B. i |
[869 |
|
Dunwell, William T. i |
[874 |
|
Duprey, Joseph ] |
[869 |
|
Eddy, Charles C. |
[849 |
|
Eddy, Henry W. i |
[847 |
|
Eddy, James M. Jr. |
[875 |
|
Fales, James |
[854 |
|
Fales, Samuel S. |
[868 |
|
Fish, Jonathan G. i |
^^2> |
|
Fish, Joshua S. i |
[856 |
|
Fisher, George E. |
1849 |
|
Fletcher, Fred J. 1 |
889 |
|
Follansbee, Frank i |
874 |
|
Ford, Alvan H. i |
868 |
|
Foster, Fred L |
909 |
|
Franklin, George E. |
t853 |
|
Freeborn, William P. |
[848 |
|
Frieze, John 1 |
846 |
|
Gamble, David A. i |
862 |
|
Gardner, Charles E. i |
889 |
|
Gardner, George C. i |
878 |
|
Gardner, Joseph 1 |
846 |
|
Gardner, Robert C. i |
^SZ |
|
Gibbs, Edmund D. |
[884 |
|
Goff, Hiram i |
846 |
|
Coff, Nathan Jr. |
846 |
|
Goff, Rufus B. ] |
847 |
|
Goff, Thomas L |
[849 |
|
Gorham, Isaac i |
861 |
i
Narragansktt Fire Engine Company Number Three.
( Continued. )
Lee, James M. Lent, Joseph H. Lent, Walter C. Livesev, John Luther, David E. Luther, George A Luther, Horace Luther, Jeremiah J. Luther, John Jr. Luther, John E. Luther, William H. Makepeace, James A. Maker, Arthur J. Manchester, Charles B. Manchester, Clarence R. Manchester, George R. Manchester, James Manchester, John Marks, William Martin, Albert F. Martin, Benjamin B. Martin, PMward J. Martin, George Martin, Henry R. Martin Jeremiah Martin, Joseph W. Martin, Josiah N. Martin, Stephen H. Mason, Arthur H. Mason, Edward A,
///
|
Hoar, Joseph B. i |
870 |
|
Hoar, Lewis V. |
875 |
|
Hoar, Will.ird B, i |
895 |
|
Hoar, William B. |
846 |
|
Howard, Franklin A. i |
86 J |
|
Howe, Linwood E. |
909 |
|
Llowland, Frank A. |
[879 |
|
Hughes, Peter H. i |
847 |
|
Ingraham, Alexander i |
854 |
|
1 ngruhum, John H. |
850 |
|
Jayne, George R. |
[866 |
|
Jeffers, Leland O. i |
908 |
|
Johnson, James H. |
862 |
|
Johonnot, George G. |
Hi |
|
Jones, James S. |
849 |
|
Jones, Santo rd |
852 |
|
Jordan, William |
849 |
|
Kean, John M. |
859 |
|
Kelley, Charles D. |
861 |
|
Kellev, Howard J. |
909 |
|
Kirllev, John J. |
[907 |
|
Kelley, Joseph A. |
871 |
|
King, William A. |
849 |
|
Kingsley, William C. i |
850 |
|
Laforest, E. A. i |
870 |
|
Langille, A. A. |
1900 |
|
Lawton, Frank B. |
874 |
|
Lawton, George F. i |
847 |
|
Lawton, Harry S. i |
873 |
|
Lawton, William B. |
875 |
i
112 Narragansett Fire Engine Company Number Three.
( Continued. )
Mason, Henry W. Mason, James L. Mason, Stephen H. Masterson, William Mauran, William A Maxfield, Charles S. Maxfield, Hiram D. Maxfield, John Maxfield, William Maxwell, William R. McAvoy, Martin McCaflVey, Thos. W. McCaw, William j. McCays, John McGrail, John McKenzie, William J. Miller, Horton N. Moulton, Amos Moulton, Thomas L. Mulcahev, Charles Mulcahev, George D. Mulcahev, John M u n roe, Edward Munroe, George Jr. Munroe, George id. Munroe, James W. Munroe, Sam'l F. Jr. Munroe, William Nichols, Galen Nichols, Thomas
849 846 860 870 846 870 847 846 847 882 856 871 879
852 868 882
849 849
849 880 847 846 849 866 862 861 891
Northup, Edwin 1888
Olive, John R. 1895
Ormsbee, Charles 1878 Ormsbee, Samuel A. 1879
Page, Fred L. 1909
Paine, Marcus 1878
Pardev, Harold O. 1877
Park, Jam^es 1897
Parker, George H. 1862
Parker, Joseph L. 1854
Parker, Leonard 1878
Flatten James 1878
Pearce, John H. 1862
Pearce, Samuel i 846
Pearce, William H.
Peck, George B. 1862
Perry, Albert N. 1884
Perrv, James B. 1861
Perry, Willard J. 1884
Phinney, Charles E. 1868
Place, Charles E. 188-
Place, Samuel Jr. 1846
Ploubert, David A. 1850
Prentice, D. A. 1859
Poole(?), Evan
Read, Joseph P. 1892 Remington, William A. 1846
Ross, Elmer W. 1878
Rounds, Andrew S. 1862
Rounds, Charles H. 1855
Narragansett Fire Engine Company
Number Three.
( Continued. )
113
1
Rounds, George F. Rounds, George H. Rounds, Herbert V. Rvan, Lewis Salisbury, John Jr. Salisbury, Martin L. Salisbury, William I. Sanders, William H. Sawtelle, James B. Sawtelle, Joel Sawtelle, Joseph Schofield, William Seymour, Charles F. Seymour, Leander F. Sharkey, James Sherman, Frank I. Sherman, Georg^e E. Shortliff, William H. Simmons, Isaac S. Simmons, Jonathan R. Simmons, Wm. H. Simonds, Joseph N. Sisson, Charles Slocum, J. Howard Smith, Charles S. Smith, Frank B. Smith, George Smith, Henry D. W. Smith, Peter C. Smith, Zerah B.
|
I86H |
Snell, WilHam B. |
1846 |
|
1846 |
Sparks, Charles H. |
1878 |
|
1882 |
Stanley, Charles H. |
1870 |
|
1862 |
Stebbins, Edward |
1847 |
|
1846 |
Stetson, William D. |
1877 |
|
1846 |
Stevens, Andrew M. |
1888 |
|
1895 |
Stevens, Richard |
1878 |
|
1854 |
Stevens, Thomas C. |
1885 |
|
1869 |
Stevens, Thomas C. Jr. |
1909 |
|
1870 |
Summers, George |
1852 |
|
1846 |
Surgens, Edward L: |
1855 |
|
1883 |
Surgens, George H. |
1849 |
|
1884 |
Surgens, William H. |
[846 |
|
Taylor, James E. |
[876 |
|
|
1852 |
Thayer, Francis S. |
[895 |
|
1874 |
Thompson, Asbury |
[870 |
|
1876 |
Thurber, William H. |
1846 |
|
1878 |
Thyng, Walter M. |
[881 |
|
I89I |
Tilley, Aaron S. |
[846 |
|
1862 |
Trask, Frank E. |
[911 |
|
T870 |
Trott, John i |
846 |
|
1856 |
Turner, John A. |
[879 |
|
1846 |
Turner, Maxwell W. |
89- |
|
191 1 |
Turner, Thomas G. 1 |
846 |
|
1847 |
Valpey, John W. |
889 |
|
1870 |
Warner, Elisha M. i |
849 |
|
1847 |
Warner, Lucius Jr. i |
«77 |
|
^'^'^z |
Weaver, Charles H. |
894 |
|
1846 |
West, George N. i |
870 |
|
1849 |
West, John R. Jr. 1 |
907 |
114
Narragansf.tt Fire Engin^e Company.
Number Three.
( Concluded. )
Wheaton, George L. C. 1862
White, William B. 1874
Whitford, Charles 1874
Whitford, Thomas 1872
Whitford, Wanton A. 1878
Whitney, Dennis 1878
Wilbur, George M. 1895
Willard, Henry G. 1895
Williams, Henry 1852
Williams, Henry H. 1867
Williams, William E. 1846
Wilmarth, Andrew 1874
Wilmarth, William S. 1875
Wing, John A. 1852
Winslow, Daniel Jr. 1848
Winslow, James M. 1874
Winslow, John F. 1862
Wood, Alfred 1854
Wood, George A. 1878
Wood, William H. 1854
Woodmancy, Joseph 1848
Wrightington, C. L. 1854
Wrightington, T. W. 1 8 54
mtm
Boards of Engineers.
Electei:)
1861 I 9 I I .
1^5
1861
Wm. T. Barton, Chief Seth Sanders John G. Joyce Charles R. Cutler
1862 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Seth Sanders John G. Joyce Charles Sparks
1863 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Henry F. Drown Charles Mason Horace G. Barrus
I 864 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Henry F. Drown Charles Mason John G. Jovce
1865 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Charles Mason Henry F. Drown
1866 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Charles Mason Hiram D. Maxfield
1867 — 68 — 69 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Charles Mason Hiram D. Maxfield Charles F, Sparks
1870 — 71 — 72 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Charles Mason Charles F, Sparks Alexander C. Sanford
Charles R. Cutler, Chief Charles F. Sparks A. G. Sanford David B. Barton
1874 Charles R. Cutler, Chief Benjamin B. Martin William Cole 2d. Benjamin Drown
1875 Charles R. Cutler. Chief William Cole 2d. Benjamin Drown William B. Nichols
ii6
Boar
1876 — 77 William Cole, Chief Benjamin Drown Charles H. CoUamore William B. Nichols
1878 — 79 — 80 — 82 — 83 William Cole, Chief Luther Cole Charles H. Collamore William B. Nichols
1884—85 — 86 — : William Cole, Chief Luther Cole William B. Nichols William H. Crawley
1888 — 89 — 90 William Cole, Chief Luther Cole William H. Crawley John H. Brown
1891 William Cole, Chief John H. Brown Harold O. Pardey Joseph W. Butler
1892 William Cole, Chief John H. Brown Joseph W. Butler William H. Crawley
ds of engineers. Continued.)
1893 — 94 — 95 William Cole, Chief John H. Brown William H. Crawley Michael O. Hurley
81 1896
William H. Crawley, Chief John H. Brown Michael O. Hurley William S. Wilmarth
1897 — 98 — 99 — 1900
g_ Joseph B. Hoar, Chief John H. Brown Michael O. Hurley William S. Wilmarth
1 90 1 — 02 Joseph B. Hoar, Chief John H. Brown William S. Wilmarth William H. Smith
1903—04 — 05 Joseph B. Hoar, Chief John H. Brown William S. Wilmarth James F. Wylie
1906 Joseph B. Hoar, Chief John H. Brown William S. Wilmarth James F. Wylie Thomas J. Loughran
1
Boards of Engineers. ( Concluded.)
117
1907 — 08 Joseph B. Hoar, Chief John H. Brown William S Wilmarth James F. Wylie Thomas J. Loughran Joseph H. Lent
1909 Joseph B. Hoar, Chief John H. Brown William S. Wilmarth Joseph H. Lent Thomas J. Loughran
1910 William S. Wilmarth, Chief John H. Brown Joseph H. Lent Thomas J. Loughran
191 1 William S. Wilmarth, Chief John H. Brown Joseph H. Lent Joshua Turner
V^^
f
it8
The Burr's Hill Fours.
Elected
1908 19 I I.
|
Anderson, John i |
909 |
Jones, Howard i |
908 |
|
Arnold, George B. i |
908 |
Jones, Roland T. ] |
908 |
|
Barry, James F. Jr. 1 |
908 |
Kiiroy, Arthur L. ] |
908 |
|
Bowers, Lewis H. i |
908 |
Kilroy, Thomas J. ] |
908 |
|
Cadv, Edwin A. i |
908 |
Leeson, James H. ] |
908 |
|
Cady, H. Dewees ] |
908 |
Mabey, Charles N. i |
[908 |
|
Child, Daniel H. i |
908 |
Maddox, William ] |
908 |
|
Child, Fred V. i |
908 |
Martin, William A. ] |
[908 |
|
Child, Harry S. |
[908 |
Maxfield, George i |
908 |
|
Church, Benjamin A. i |
908 |
Munroe, Walter H. ] |
908 |
|
Cole, George G. ] |
908 |
Nichols, Herbert A. i |
908 |
|
Dickerson, Jesse V. ] |
908 |
Peterson, Albert W. i |
908 |
|
Dickerson, John C ] |
908 |
Place, Lineas E. |
[908 |
|
Dickerson, Wm. H. i |
908 |
Potter, David H. |
[908 |
|
Faulkner, Clarence H. ] |
908 |
Rocket, Joseph M. |
908 |
|
Faulkner, William J. i |
908 |
Sarris, George Jr. |
[908 |
|
Gillon, James L. |
908 |
Sey mour, Clarence H. 2d. |
[908 |
|
Gillon, William |
[908 |
Seymour, Frank C. |
[910 |
|
Goff, Henrv |
908 |
Seymour, William L |
1908 |
|
Goff, Walter I. |
908 |
Simmons, Fred R. |
[908 |
|
Gorman, Thomas |
[908 |
Sipple, M. R. C. |
[908 |
|
Greene, Charles W. |
[908 |
Slocum, Henry M. |
[908 |
|
Greene, Robert |
[908 |
Slocum, Howard J. |
[908 |
|
Greene, George T. |
[908 |
Smith, Richard |
[908 |
|
Griffin, Michael P. |
191 T |
Smith, William |
[908 |
|
Harris, Joseph |
[908 |
Tanner, Albert K. Jr. |
[908 |
|
Horton, Edmund |
1908 |
Tanner, Walter |
[908 |
|
Horton, George B. |
[908 |
Titmas, Harry G |
[911 |
|
Howland, Henry P. |
[908 |
TuUy, William |
[908 |
|
Johnson, Charles G. |
[908 |
Wheaton, Charles N |
[908 |
'^^^
Rough and Ready Fire Company No. Five, iig Elected
1 903 1 9 1 1 ,
Albert, Thomas Allen, Herbert Ashworth, George Asselin, Napoleon Babcock, William Barton, Thomas Beauregard, William Benoit, Herbert Besse, Harry Boeniger, Samuel Bowers, Joshua Boylan, John Jr. Bn^.sseau, Peter Brasseau, Louis Brooks, Joseph Brownson, Peter Burke, James Burke, John Carter, Edwin Chandler, Charles W. Chase, Joseph Chretien, Elorace Clayton, John Cloutier, Aurius M. Cloutier, Daniel Cloutier, Jos. M. M. Corrier, George Corner, Harry Corristine, Hugh Corristine, Patrick
|
1907 |
Courville, Arthur F. i |
|
1903 |
Dubeau, Frank i |
|
1904 |
Dubeau, Zebb i |
|
1903 |
Duval, Clifford i |
|
1906 |
Emery, Philibert - |
|
1903 |
Fisher, Arthur i |
|
1906 |
Fisher, Fred i |
|
1903 |
Fagnant, Zepharin i |
|
1905 |
Gardner, Peter i |
|
1906 |
Gerard, Peter i |
|
1906 |
Gledhill, Simeon i |
|
1903 |
Greenwood, Benjamin i |
|
1906 |
Greenwood, Ernest i |
|
1907 |
Greenwood, William i |
|
I9I0 |
Harris, Joseph i |
|
I9I0 |
Harris, William J. i |
|
1903 |
Hebert, Felix i |
|
1903 |
Heidenrich, Otto i |
|
1906 |
Heuberger, Carl i |
|
I9IO |
Heuberger, Ernest i |
|
1906 |
Heuberger, Herman i |
|
I9IO |
Heuberger, Otto i |
|
1908 |
Hodson, Ernest i |
|
1903 |
Hodson, John i |
|
1903 |
Howard, Frederick i |
|
1903 |
Howard, William i |
|
1903 |
Huard, Evangeliste i |
|
1908 |
Johnson, Edward i |
|
1903 |
Johnson, James H. i |
|
1903 |
Kozic, Sebastien i |
I20 Rough axd Ready Fire Company No. Five.
( Concluded.)
Laney, Patrick Lapane, Edward Lapane, Peter Lapointe, Henry Lapointe, Thomas Lauzon, John B. Lee, Robert Lomas, Thomas Maddox, George O. Malone, Michael J. Marshall, Joseph Martin, Howard Ogden, Ernest Oulette, Napoleon Patterson, Samuel Pelletier, Charles Pelletier, Eugene Perrier, O. Perron, Olivier Perry, George Poisson, George Poisson, Napoleon Proulx, Joseph Redfern, Thomas Rubery, Albert E. Rubery, Joseph A. Rubery, Thomas Ryan, William
|
1903 |
Salford, George |
1903 |
|
1907 |
Sanderson, David |
1909 |
|
1907 |
St. Andre, Adolph |
1903 |
|
1904 |
St. Andre, William |
1904 |
|
1903 |
St. Onge, Adolphus |
1903 |
|
1904 |
St. Onge, Eugene |
1903 |
|
1905 |
St. Peter, Joseph |
1907 |
|
I9IO |
Simister, John W. Jr. |
1903 |
|
1904 |
Southwood, George |
1904 |
|
1903 |
Spragg, Herbert |
1907 |
|
1906 |
Stone, John Q. |
1904 |
|
1905 |
Sullivan, John L. |
1903 |
|
1906 |
Sybolts, Otto |
1911 |
|
1906 |
Tanner, Richard |
1906 |
|
1903 |
Tierny, James M. |
1906 |
|
1904 |
Tobin, John |
1909 |
|
1903 |
Trombley, Adelard D. |
1903 |
|
1907 |
Trombley, Edmond |
1905 |
|
1907 |
Trombley, Philip |
1905 |
|
Torier, Leon |
1903 |
|
|
1907 |
Turner, Charles E. |
1903 |
|
1903 |
Turner, Henry |
1903 |
|
1909 |
Turner, Joshua |
1903 |
|
1907 |
Wardick,John H. |
1903 |
|
1907 |
Watts, Arthur |
1907 |
|
1907 |
Wild, James |
1906 |
|
1907 |
Zombie, Walter. |
1909 |
|
1905 |
Ws^t €nb.
L
L
SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITY
SPECIAL COLL TH9505.W209 B3
A history of the Fire department of Warr
3 ^'^RE DDD73 flDl D
'l^J^
A history of the fire department of Warren, R.I
SP. COL