The Great Furniture Fight of 1896: Company of Pelhamville Firemen Resigned En Masse

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Very early in its history, Pelhamville's Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 experienced a great deal of turmoil among its members.  On one occasion in 1896, nearly all of the members of the company resigned en masse in what came to be know as the Great Furniture Fight of 1896.  I have written before about the events that embroiled the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 during the spring of 1896.  See, e.g., Fri., May 6, 2005:  The Great Furniture Battle at Pelhamville's Relief Hook and Ladder Company in 1896.  

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog provides additional background and context to the dispute which, of course, was about much, much more than furniture.  In early 1896 there were a variety of disputes among members of the organization as members tried to resolve early political squabbles.  Eventually, those disputes resulted in resignation of most members of the company, the removal of the furniture from the new firehouse, and litigation.


Political infighting seems to have intensified in March of 1896 when the Board of Fire Commissioners of Pelhamville summoned two brothers, Eugene and Frank Lyon, who were members of Liberty Hose Company No. 1 and the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, respectively.  The brothers were charged with insubordination for unspecified conduct that the local newspaper was very careful not to disclose, referring to their conduct only as "the questions at issue."

The Board considered the allegations sufficiently serious that it retained counsel to serve as "the prosecution" during the hearing.  (Arthur M. Johnson served as the prosecutor.)  The two brothers appeared before the Board represented by their own counsel, S. J. Stilwell.  A first hearing was held, but no decision was reached and the hearing was adjourned until March 24, 1896.  On that occasion, "the questions at issue were disposed of and the Messrs. Lyons exonerated."  Source:  CHARGES AGAINST LYON BROTHERS DISMISSED.  -- Commissioner Sparks Alleged Insubordination, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 27, 1896, Vol. XVL, No. 1218, p. 2, col. 4.

Although no record has been located to indicate what were the origins of the allegations of insubordination, it seems nearly certain that the charges were tied to a disputed election to determine who would serve as the Fire Chief held in 1896.  Frank M. Lyon, one of the brothers charged with insubordination, was the Foreman of Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and led the revolt.

Applicable law at the time gave the Board of Fire Commissioners the power to appoint a Fire Chief and an Assistant Fire Chief to lead the Department consisting of the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and the Liberty Engine and Hose Company No. 1.  It seems that in early 1896, each of the two companies nominated one of their own members to stand for election to the position of Fire Chief.  The Liberty Engine and Hose Company No. 1 was the larger of the two companies, so the result of the election seemed a forgone conclusion.

What happened next, however, became a matter of dispute for decades thereafter.  When the election ended, the two companies' candidates for Fire Chief were tied.  Rumors swirled that the smaller Relief Hook and Ladder Company had pulled some sort of unspecified "fast one . . . under the noses of the commissioners" in an attempt to swing the vote favor of its candidate.

The rumors that some sort of fix was in intensified when the Board of Fire Commissioners ordered a new election.  The Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 objected to any such new election.  Rumors swirled anew that the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 knew that it would not be able to repeat its election feat and, thus, refused to cooperate further.

Angry and fed up with the bickering, the Board of Fire Commissioners decided to exercise its statutory prerogative and appoint the Fire Chief.  They decided to appoint neither of the two candidates nominated by the two companies but, instead, appointed one of the most illustrious members of the community:  Jacob Heisser (who, months later, became the first President -- i.e., Mayor -- of the newly-established Village of North Pelham).  

Jacob Heisser in an Undated Photograph.

Source: The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY],

Jan. 19, 1927, Special Pelham Section, p. 9, col. 2.

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Pelhamville firemen were outraged.  They viewed the appointment of Jacob Heisser as an infringement of a right to choose their own Fire Chief that had evolved without regard to the statutory provisions authorizing the Board of Fire Commissioners to appoint a chief.  

Frank M. Lyon, the foreman of Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and one of the two Lyon Brothers previously charged with insubordination, led a revolt.  He called a special meeting of the company and proposed that the company be disbanded and that all the furniture (all of which had been purchased by the firemen) be removed from the firehouse.  Five company members, led by Phil Godfrey, refused to participate and warned the rebels that "they were making a serious mistake that would create more enemies than friends."  The rebels ignored the warning.  The vote to disband the company carried with only five members voting "no."  The fact that there were five "no" votes, however, eventually became very important.

Philip Godfrey, Leader of the Dissenters Who Voted

Against Disbanding the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.

"PHILIP GODFREY in the first uniform of Relief Hook

& Ladder Co. No. 1"  Source:  Allyn Van Winkle, G, Volunteer Fire

Companies In First Fire District Were Organized In 1893,

The Pelham Sun, Apr. 12, 1935, pg. 11, col. 1 (Pelham, NY).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The rebels proceeded to remove the furniture of the fire house including even the chairs on which the five dissenters had been seated.  They carted desks, chairs and furnishings away, locking it all in a nearby barn.  

The Board of Fire Commissioners responded quickly.  In a special meeting they ordered the firemen to return the furniture.  According to one account, in response to their order, the commissioners "only received the rebel cheer."  Next they filed suit seeking return of the furniture.  

At a hearing held in White Plains, counsel for the firemen "produced the books to show that a meeting was held and the motion duly carried; also he produced receipts to show that the firemen had bought the furniture and had a right to remove it."  Counsel for the Board of Fire Commissioners, however, had a novel theory.  He argued that although the rebels had resigned from the company, they had failed effectively to disband the organization because the by-laws provided that "five men shall constitute a quorum to proceed with the business of the meeting."  According to the argument, after the rebels resigned and carried off the furnishings, the remaining five dissenters continued the meeting as a quorum and remained members.  Thus, the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 continued to exist with the five dissenting members.  The court ordered return of the furniture.  The chagrined rebels were forced to submit to the will of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

Members of the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1

in a Photograph Taken At About the Time of the Events

Described in Today's Posting.  Original Image from an

eBay Auction Listing Identifying the Photograph

Only as "Pelham, NY" and "1895."

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Below are transcriptions of a several articles (and an excerpt of one article) that describe the events summarized in today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blow.  Each is followed by a citation to its source.

"CHARGES AGAINST LYON BROTHERS DISMISSED.
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Commissioner Sparks Alleged Insubordination.
-----

Some weeks since William H. Sparks, a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners of Pelhamville, summed [sic] before that body Eugene and Frank Lyon, borthers, and members of Liberty Hose and Relief Hook & Ladder Companies respectively, charging them with insubordination.

At the first hearing the accused appeared with counsel.  No decision was reached, however, and an adjournment was taken to Tuesday evening, March 24.

On that occasion the questions at issue were disposed of and the Messrs. Lyons exonerated.  S. J. Stilwell represented the Lyon brothers and Arthur M. Johnson, the prosecution."

Source:  CHARGES AGAINST LYON BROTHERS DISMISSED.  -- Commissioner Sparks Alleged Insubordination, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Mar. 27, 1896, Vol. XVL, No. 1218, p. 2, col. 4.

"Pelhamville Volunteer Fire Dept., 45 Years Old
-----
Old Timers Recall Days When Fire Department Was Organized As 'Bucket Company'; When Citizens First Volunteered To Render Community Service in Fighting Fires.
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*     *     * [Portions omitted]

Under the Town Laws the fire commissioners had the power to appoint a chief and assistant chief; each to hold office at the pleasure of the board.  At the earnest request of the firemen, this law was waived and the firemen permitted to elect their own candidates.  This resulted in one of the biggest upheavals in the department.  The hose company had a larger membership than the truck company, and each nominated its own candidates; the rule being that the two officers could not represent the same company.

In 1896 an election was held; the commissioners, as usual, acting as inspectors of eoection.  It resulted in a tie vote.  The commissioners ordered another election, but the truck company objected.  Many rumors were afloat as to why this should be, but the one that persisted was that the truck company had pulled a fast one on the hose company under the noses of the commissioners and knew it could not be repeated.

Angered by the refusal of the firemen to carry out their order, the commissioners thereupon exercised their prerogative and appointed -- not one of the candidates -- but Jacob Heisser, who was not a candidate.  It was not that the firemen objected to Mr. Heisser, but they saw their privileges being curtailed.  Judge Frank M. Lyon, the local butcher, and foreman of Relief Hook and Ladder Co., called a special meeting and laid the matter before the volunteers.  He suggested that the company be disbanded and, as the furniture had been purchased by them, they take it away with them.  Phil Godfrey warned the men that they were making a serious mistake that would create more enemies than friends, but the motion was made and carried, Godfrey and four others alone voting against the motion.  'Come on boys, follow me' called the foreman, seizing the swivel chair on which he had been seated and swinging it over his shoulder.  The others picked up chairs, desk and other articles of furniture and marched out, taking with them the chairs, desk and other articles of furniture and marched out, taking with them the chairs on which the dissenting members had been seated.

The commissioners held a special meeting and ordered the firemen to return the furniture, but only received the rebel cheer.  Then the commissioners carried the case to court at White Plains.  Counsel for the firemen produced the books to show that a meeting was held and the motion duly carried; also he produced receipts to show that the firemen had bought the furniture and had a right to remove it.  Counsel for the commissioners produced the by-laws of the company that stated that 'five men shall constitute a quorum to proceed with the business of the meeting,' and as five members still remained in the company, it still existed as a company.  The Court agreed with the commissioners and ordered the furniture returned.  The furniture, which had been stored in Merritt's barn at the foot of Fourth avenue and First street, was brought back. . . ."

Source:  Pelhamville Volunteer Fire Dept., 45 Years Old, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 1, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 52, p. 1, cols. 2-3. 

"PELHAMVILLE'S ANGRY FIREMEN.
-----
At Law with the Commissioners over Their House Furniture.

PELHAMVILLE, N. Y., April 21. -- It has been decided to settle the trouble in Relief Hook and Ladder Company in the courts.  Foreman Frank M. Lyon and a majority of the members of the company resigned last week, declared the company disbanded, and carried away the furniture of the firehouse.  J. Heisser, as Chief of the Fire Department and a member of the company, objected to this proceeding and secured a writ of replevin from Justice Swinburne at New-Rochelle Saturday, and the goods were carted back to the firehouse and placed under lock and key by a Deputy Sheriff.  The Deputy Sheriff still has possession of the goods.  The case will come before Justice Swinburne Tuesday.  Foreman Lyon says he and his friends will carry the matter to the higher courts and fight until they get possession of the furniture.

Foreman Lyon says the whole trouble has arisen because the Fire Commissioners have taken from the firemen the right to elect their Chief and have made the office an appointive one. The firemen who have resigned declare that the Fire Department of Pelhamville is going to pieces unless the Commissioners yield."

Source:  PELHAMVILLE'S ANGRY FIREMEN, N.Y. Times, Apr. 22, 1896, p. 3, col. 4 (paid subscription required).  

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Below is a list of prior Historic Pelham Blog postings that touch on firefighting and the history of fire fighting units within the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Feb. 12, 2015:  Rare 19th Century Image of Pelhamville Firemen Who Served in Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.

Fri., Dec. 12, 2014:  Parade and Housewarming Hosted by Pelhamville Fire Department in 1894.

Thu., Jul. 24, 2014:  Dedication of the New Fire Headquarters in the Village of Pelham on December 29, 1927.

Wed., Jul. 02, 2014:  Election Shenanigans Involving Fire Commissioner Election in 1898.

Thu., Apr. 24, 2014:  Information About the History of Fire Departments in the Town of Pelham Published in 1927.

Fri., Jan. 24, 2014:  Early Days of Organized Fire Fighting in Today's Village of Pelham.

Fri., Jan. 15, 2010:  Photograph of Augustine C. McGuire, President of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the First District Fire Department in 1913.

Thu., Jan. 14, 2010:  1913 Report of the Firemen's Benevolent Association in Pelham.

Thu., Dec. 10, 2009:  More 19th Century Baseball and Firefighting References.

Tue., Dec. 08, 2009:  The Darling Triplets: Three Brothers Among Pelham's Earliest Firefighters.

Thu., Oct. 08, 2009:  Firefighting Units on City Island in Pelham During the Early 1890's.

Mon., Aug. 31, 2009:  Contest in 1891 To Determine Which Steam Fire Engine Company Could Throw a Stream the Greater Distance.

Fri., Aug. 28, 2009:  Reorganization of the Minneford Engine Company on City Island in February, 1891.

Thu., Aug. 06, 2009:  Brief History of the Fire Department in the Village of North Pelham Published in 1913.

Wed., Aug. 05, 2009:  Pelham Manor Fire Chief Pleads for Taxpayers to Authorize Purchase of Village's First Fire Engine.

Wed., July 15, 2009:  Liberty Hose Company Election in 1898.

Thu., Jan. 19, 2006:  Pelham Manor's Earliest Fire Fighting Equipment.

Mon., Aug. 01, 2005:  An 1896 Inspection and Drill of the Fire Department in Pelham.

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