The Tumultuous Reign of Pelham Manor Fire Chief J. Louis Cunningham in the Early 1900s

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In 1910, the Pelham Manor Fire Department was in turmoil.  Its leader, Fire Chief J. Louis Cunningham, was struggling to modernize the department that still fought fires in the time-honored fashion of the previous century.  After a disastrous Pelham Manor fire known as the "Washberne Fire," Chief Cunningham lobbied the Village fiercely to acquire an "automobile fire engine" at a cost of $8,000.  The matter was presented to the Village taxpayers for a vote, but the purchase was voted down.  According to the local newspaper at the time, the vote was considered "a serious setback for Mr. Cunningham."

Chief Cunningham was a volunteer fire chief.  He was a New York City realtor.  He served as President of the Cleveland Cunningham Real Estate Company, New York.  

In addition to what he perceived as a lack of taxpayer support for the Pelham Manor Fire Department, Chief Cunningham looked covetously northward to the little Village of North which, unlike Pelham Manor, had both professional and volunteer firefighters and maintained modern, up-to-date fire equipment to fight local fires.  To make matters worse, during the early summer of 1910, the North Pelham Fire Department had invited Chief Cunningham and his firefighters to observe a night-time fire drill.  Chief Cunningham appeared, but none of his men showed up.  That night Pelham Manor Fire Chief Cunningham witnessed a cracker jack fire drill executed with near perfection by the Village of North Pelham firemen in the middle of the night.  

Chief Cunningham left the North Pelham fire drill stunned.  The contrast between the North Pelham Fire Department and the Pelham Manor Fire Department could not have been more stark.  He left the fire drill that night convinced that he had to do something about the professionalism of his Fire Department.

A large number of the Pelham Manor firefighter volunteers reportedly had joined the department only because, as volunteer firefighters in those days, they could avoid jury duty.  One of the first things Chief Cunningham decided to do was to "weed out" volunteers who had failed to attend drills.  According to one report, in discharging firefighters who had failed to attend drills, "Mr. Cunningham says he is treating all alike, whether their names be Secor, McGinty or John Doe."  

The reference to "Secor" was no coincidence.  Clearly there was bad blood between Fire Chief Cunningham and James F. Secor of Pelham Manor.  This feud later played a role in an embarrassing episode that caught the attention of the entire town.

For now, however, Fire Chief Cunningham concocted a plan to test the mettle and the competency of his men.  He decided to hold an unannounced evening drill.  

During the early evening of Tuesday, July 12, 1910, Chief Cunningham rang the Pelham Manor fire bell, calling the entire department to fight what they thought was a massive fire.  The ringing of the alarm bell, however, alarmed the entire Village of Pelham Manor including the President of the newly-established Pelham Manor Taxpayer's Association.  The President of the association was furious that the Fire Chief had frightened the entire Village with the unexpected alarm.  According to one account in the local newspaper, the most prominent citizens of the Village of Pelham Manor "threatened to have the Fire Chief arrested, indicted and convicted for malicious mischief or some such awful charge for having tolled that fire bell."  Chief Cunningham was so concerned that he sought legal advice regarding his rights.

It does not seem too far-fetched to speculate that one of these "prominent citizens" who were so critical of Chief Cunningham was James F. Secor.  Shortly after the squabble with the Pelham Manor Taxpayers' Association, a more serious "squabble" arose between Chief Cunningham and James F. Secor.  

Secor was running for reelection to the local School Board.  Clearly Cunningham did not like Secor and, consequently, opposed Secor's reelection and encouraged his friends and acquaintances not to vote for Secor.  Secor caught word of the initiative and rallied his friends and supporters to come out in force to vote for him.  On the day of the election, Secor's supporters overwhelmed the polls.  Interestingly, though, virtually all the firefighters in North Pelham appeared at the polls and voted for Secor -- not Chief Cunningham's candidate.  Chief Cunningham was puzzled until he began to make inquiries and learned why they refused to support the Chief.

It turned out that the day before the school board election, a gossipy, whisper campaign roared through North Pelham with firefighters telling each other that Pelham Manor Fire Chief Cunningham had said some very unflattering things about them and their fire department.  The whisper campaign, however, turned out to be entirely false.  Cunningham had never made any disparaging remarks about the North Pelham firefighters or their department.  

Chief Cunningham demanded a meeting with the North Pelham firefighters.  There he set the record straight.  At the close of the meeting, the North Pelham firefighters passed a resolution in support of the Pelham Manor fire chief.

The turmoil that surrounding Fire Chief Cunningham did not seem to abate, however.  By December, it seems that Chief Cunningham had had enough.  He and one of the Village Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor together submitted their resignations to the Village Board and Village President Willard P. Brown.  President Brown refused to accept the resignations and prevailed on the two men to remain in their positions until the end of his term a few months later.  The two men reluctantly agreed.

Chief Cunningham was still with the Pelham Manor Fire Department a few months later.  On February 28, 1911, he and his firefighters fought a devastating fire at a home on Pelhamdale Manor near the old Branch Line Depot.  The home was entirely destroyed.  Once again, Chief Cunningham emphasized the need for an "automobile engine" which, once again, set him at odds with the Pelham Manor Taxpayers' Association.

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Below are transcriptions of a number of news articles that addressed the events of the summer of 1910 and early 1911.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"CUNNINGHAM RINGS BELL
-----
THE RINGING OF THE PELHAM MANOR FIRE BELL HAD A DISCORDANT EFFECT UPON SOMEONE'S EARS -- FIRE CHIEF SAYS HE WAS TRYING TO TEST THE ALACRITY OF HIS MEN -- A FINE RUMPUS
-----

Physically J. Louis Cunningham of Pelham Manor is a big man.  He is also big otherwise, for he is Chief of the Fire Department.  Ever since that disastrous Washberne fire, Mr. Cunningham has labored faithfully days -- and sometimes nights -- to organize a real fire department.  He reported progress when that $8,000 automobile fire engine was to be purchased, but it never materialized, for the taxpayers vetoed the expense.

That, of course, was a serious setback for Mr. Cunningham, but his ardor to do something of value for his fellow Manorites kept up in good style.

The North Pelham Fire Department, which is made up of real firemen and which has real and up-to-date fire apparatus, thought it would show Chief Cunningham a thing or two, and therefor a few weeks ago invited him and his men to a fire drill at night.  Chief Cunningham came, but 'his men' evidently had misunderstood orders, for they werre conspicuous by their absence.  Suffice it to say that Chief Cunningham was greatly elated over the fire drill executed over in North Pelham.  He was shown how quickly these real firemen could respond when the fire bell gave the alarm.

Chief Cunningham went home thinking hard.  First he is said to have reprimanded 'his men' for their non-attendance and next he figured out a scheme to try them out sure enough.

In furtherance of this well-meant plan he personally rang the fire bell in Pelham Manor on Tuesday night last.  It was rather early in the evening and the Manorites had not yet given themselves over to Morpheus.

The result was astounding -- The Sun informant said, 'Why, the Chief's men came in record time,' and many others came.

Among the latter were some well known and substantial citizens of more or less prominence.  

When they found that Chief Cunningham had been testing the village, and that there were no fires, they told Chief Cunningham something.

They threatened to have the Fire Chief arrested, indicted and convicted for malicious mischief or some such awful charge for having tolled that fire bell.

Chief Cunningham wiped his perspiring brow and contemplated whether a cell would be a comfortable place to dwell in these humid days.

He betook himself to his legal adviser to find out if he really was in danger of going to jail.

What his counsel told him is of course a secret, but we confidentially suspect that the the Chief's mind was eased a bit.

It is reported that someone is thinking of calling an extraordinary Grand Jury to mete out justice swift and severe.

Meanwhile the smile that won't come off is seen upon the familiar faces of the Manor's commuting fremen."

Source:  CUNNINGHAM RINGS BELL -- THE RINGING OF THE PELHAM MANOR FIRE BELL HAD A DISCORDANT EFFECT UPON SOMEONE'S EARS -- FIRE CHIEF SAYS HE WAS TRYING TO TEST THE ALACRITY OF HIS MEN -- A FINE RUMPUS,The Pelham Sun, Jul. 16, 1910, Vol. 1, No. 15, p. 1, col. 4.   

"Fire Chief Cunningham Who riled the

Pelham Manor Taxpayers' Association"

Source:  THOSE MANOR FIRE FIGHTERS, The Pelham Sun,

Jul. 23, 1910, Vol. 1, No. 16, p. 1, col. 3.

NOTE:  Click Image To Enlarge.

"THOSE MANOR FIRE FIGHTERS
-----
THE CUNNINGHAM BELL RINGING EPISODE TALK OF THE TOWN -- RUMOR THAT MAJOR WALKER, PRESIDENT OF THE TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIATION, AND FIRE CHIEF HAD SERIOUS DISAGREEMENT
-----

When the Pelham Manor people espied the headline in last week's Pelham Sun, 'Cunningham Rings Bell,' they immediately set to work to peruse the article.  Having read the story, some of them didn't know whether to cry or to laugh, or whether its pleasing and praising remarks were intended to be sarcastic or otherwise. 

The publication of the fact that this memorable fire drill actually took place, however, tended to bring out certain things which before were rather obscure to the uninitiated.

It appears that Fire Chief Cunningham had consulted President Willard P. Brown of the village before he undertook to give that 'false alarm' and that Mr. Brown made no objection.

As announced in the Pelham Sun, a Taxpayers' Association was formed in Pelham Manor a short while ago, and Major Walker, who is the President of this association, is said to have upbraided Chief Cunningham vehemently for calling out the firemen on a false alarm on a hot and sweltering night.  The two men are reported to have had some rather heated discussion at that drill, and Major Walker is said to have threatened to take action through the Taxpayers' Association.

Chief Cunningham has been trying to put the fire department upon a good working basis, and several members, who say he is too exacting, have either got their 'exempt' papers or been dropped for non-attendance.  Some feeling has been caused thereby, but Mr. Cunningham says he is treating all alike, whether their names be Secor, McGinty or John Doe.

It is said that Daniel Tiemann, Jr. is standing by Chief Cunningham and is one of his best supporters.  He also believes in the weeding out process now going on.  When a member fails to attend three consecutive drills, he is now unceremoniously bounced from the department, dishonorably discharged, as it were.

It will be interesting to see what action, if any, the Taxpayers' Association will take in the matter.

It seems queer yet the fact is that there appears to be bickerings between 'Taxpayers' and 'Rent Payers' in exclusive Pelham Manor, the taxpayers thinking they are 'it,' and should be allowed to run things to suit themselves.

The next thing to be launched over in the Manor will no doubt be a 'Rent Payers' Association.'

So beware, you landlords!"

Source:  THOSE MANOR FIRE FIGHTERS, The Pelham Sun, Jul. 23, 1910, Vol. 1, No. 16, p. 1, col. 3.  

"HITS FIRE DEPARTMENT
-----

The Fire Department in Pelham Manor is at present undergoing a spasmodic reform wave.  The department, to speak plain truth, has never been in thoroughly good shape.  Not only does it lack apparatus, but it appears to be devoid of a proper esprit du corps.

The squabbles between Fire Chief Cunningham and some of the officers of the newly formed Taxpayers' Association are unseemly, and not by any means productive to progressive development of the Manor's fire-fighting force.  

There are quite a good many men in Pelham Manor who join the Fire Department simply so as to avoid jury duty.  Such men the department had better be without, for they seldom appear at drills and their interest is not very keen.

The taxpayers should supply the department with necessary apparatus, stop petty quarreling and 'get together.'  And civic pride should prompt the many strong young men to become firemen in fact as well as in name. -- Pelham Sun."

Source:  HITS FIRE DEPARTMENT, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 30, 1910, p. 2, col. 1.  

"THE SLANDERERS NOT UNEARTHED
-----
FIRE CHIEF J. LOUIS CUNNINGHAM, OF PELHAM MANOR, HUNTING PARTY WHO MADE FALSE STATEMENTS -- NORTH PELHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT EXONERATES CUNNINGHAM.
-----

Ever since the election of school trustees a few weeks ago there has been a lot of talk about a statement said to have been made by Fire Chief J. Louis Cunningham of the Manor department and which was offensive to the Fire Department of the First Department, which includes the villages of Pelham and North Pelham.  Mr. Cunningham was in favor of Mr. Walter Scott as trustee in place of Mr. James F. Secor.  This activities to defeat Mr. Secor caused the latter's friends to flock to his support.

At the night of the school meeting and election, quite some surprise was manifested over the appearance of a solid phalanx of North Pelham firemen.

When Mr. Secor had been re-elected with a large majority, these firemen gave him three cheers, and they, some of them at least, said rather unkind words about Mr. Cunningham.  

It transpired that a report had been brought to their attention that Mr. Cunningham had made some slurring remarks about the members of the Fire Department of the First District, and that the firemen especially went to vote at the school meeting as a rebuke to Mr. Cunningham.  

The latter was furious when he heard that he had been accused of making derogatory remarks, and he stoutly denied the reported statements.  He went farther, and called upon Chief K.S. Durham of North Pelham, asking the latter's co-operation in placing the blame and ferreting out the originator of the alleged slander.

After several interviews it was agreed to have Mr. Cunningham appear in person before the firemen at their meeting and set things right.  He did so on Tuesday night, appearing before both companies Mr. Cunningham explained that he was very anxious to find the man who started the report and denied that he had ever made any statement that in any way could reflect upon the department or upon individual members of the same.

The firemen were unable to tell Mr. Cunningham where the story had come from, it being common gossip the day before the school election.  Evidently Mr. Cunningham's denial was accepted as conclusive by the firemen of the First Department for both companies unanimously adopted the following resolution:  

It being the sense of the meeting that Fire Chief J. L. Cunningham of  the Pelham Manor Fire Department, having appeared in person at the regular monthly meeting of said companies, in their rooms, at the Fire House, Sept. 6, 1910, and made a statement that he never made any remarks to any one detrimental to the members or of the Department of the First District of the Town of Pelham, N. Y., extend to him our honest sympathy and fullest confidence in the matter.

Signed 

JACOB A. WIRTH,
Secretary

Liberty Engine & Hose Co. No. 1

CLARENCE E. McDONALD,
Secretary

Relief Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1.

It is expected that this will settle the matter to everybody's satisfaction and that the dove of peace will again flutter gracefully.

Both Mr. Cunningham and the firemen acted honorably in the matter, and all ill feeling caused by scandal mongers' tongues should be banished forever."

Source:  THE SLANDERERS NOT UNEARTHED -- FIRE CHIEF J. LOUIS CUNNINGHAM, OF PELHAM MANOR, HUNTING PARTY WHO MADE FALSE STATEMENTS -- NORTH PELHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT EXONERATES CUNNINGHAM, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 10, 1910, Vol. 1, No. 23, p. 1, col. 5.  

"MISCHIEVOUS SLANDER
-----

The action taken by the Fire Department of the First District in passing a resolution exonerating Fire Chief Cunningham of Pelham Manor, was right and proper, and the members of the said department deserve the thanks of the community for their gentlemanly conduct.  

That slanderers had been at work is undeniable.  But the old saying that it is easier to catch a thief than a liar, proved true also in this instance.  Of course, Mr. Cunningham never did say anything in the slightest manner reflecting upon the firemen; on the contrary, he has been unstinted in his praise of the [Fire] Department and he has labored faithfully to bring the Pelham Manor fire force up to the same standard of excellence.

Politics should never enter into fire companies, and we are indeed happy to record the fact that upon second and sober thought the firemen have come to the same conclusion.

No doubt Mr. Secor benefited to a large extent by the slanderous story circulated about alleged statements made by Mr. Cunningham, but there is no proof that Mr. Secor originated the story, -- in fact, those who know him best say that he would not lend himself to such petty and despicable tactics.

Mr. Cunningham has been vindicated; he should feel contented.  And this affair should tend to teach people a lesson to beware of malicious slanderers and senile gossips.  

Truth will always prevail in the end."

Source:  MISCHIEVOUS SLANDER, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 10, 1910, Vol. 1, No. 23, p. 2, cols. 1-2.  

"L.W. FRANCIS AND CUNNINGHAM
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RESIGNATIONS NOT BEING ACCEPTED BY THE VILLAGE BOARD, TRUSTEE FRANCIS AGREES TO SERVE OUT TERM -- FIRE CHIEF LIKEWISE.
-----

From Pelham Manor comes the news that the Village Board having declined to accept the proffered resignations of Trustee L. W. Francis and Fire Chief J. Louis Cunningham, has prevailed upon the two gentlemen to remain in office and serve out the term.

Mr. Francis is for the winter domiciled in Brooklyn, and has agreed to attend board meetings whenever matters of importance are to come up.

Fire Chief Cunningham after a talk with President Willard P. Brown, reluctantly agreed to remain in for the present at least.

Thus, there are no vacancies in President Brown's cabinet.

When The Pelham Sun, on Saturday last [an issue of the newspaper that no longer exists] gave the facts of the resignations of the two gentlemen mentioned above, it caused quite some surprise in the Manor, because it was known only to a few of the residents.  Of course, the village officials were overwhelmed with inquiries, and, as usual, The Sun information proved correct in every detail.  

President Brown's term ends in March, and it was quite natural that he disliked to see resignations come in this late.  It is said that Mr. Brown has no desire for a re-election, but that most likely his friends will insist upon giving him another term.

Trustee Francis has announced that under no circumstances will he run again."

Source:  L.W. FRANCIS AND CUNNINGHAM -- RESIGNATIONS NOT BEING ACCEPTED BY THE VILLAGE BOARD, TRUSTEE FRANCIS AGREES TO SERVE OUT TERM -- FIRE CHIEF LIKEWISE, The Pelham Sun, December 17, 1910, Vol. 1, No. 37, p. 1, col. 3. 

"PELHAM MANOR HAD SERIOUS FIRE NEAR THEIR DEPOT TODAY
-----
Department Worked For Six Hours -- Confined Flames to Roosevelt House.
-----

Pelham Manor, Feb. 28. -- Shortly after midnight today the residence belonging to the Roosevelt estate and unoccupied, located on Pelhamdale avenue, near the New Haven passenger station, was destoyed by fire.  A gale blowing from the northwest at the rate of 45 miles an hour fanned the flames to such an extend that the fire spread rapidly to the upper parts of the large house, and, bursting through the roof, threatened surrounding property.  If it had not been for the work of the fire department, which for the most part is composed of professional and business men of New York, some of the houses in the locality  might have been ignited.  In fact, property valued at several hundred thousand dollars was menaced at one time.  The loss is estimated at about $5,000.  The origin of the fire is unknown, and Chief Marks is now making an investigation.

The fire was discovered by Policeman Butler, who, while patrolling his beat on Pelhamdale avenue, saw flames coming from the rear of the house.  An alarm was turned in from police headquarters.  Five minutes after the first alarm was turned in, Chief Cunningham had firemen at work playing a stream of water on the flames which were spreading rapidly.

Embers through the air for a great distance threatened the residences of the Rev. Lewis G. Leary, J. Reynolds, assistant superintendent of the New Have road, and the mansion of Mrs. Robert Black.

Altho, when the fire was first discovered, only the rear of the house was in flames, by the time the firemen had three streams of water directed upon the fire, it had spread to all parts of the house.  The firemen did not leave the house until 6 o'clock this morning, when the fire was declared to be out.

The Roosevelt house is one of the oldest in the Manor, as it was built twenty years ago.  It is a three-story wooden structure, and when built was considered one of the finest residences in the locality.  It was last occupied by J. L. Crosthwaite, who moved out about seven months ago.

People this morning had nothing but praise for their firemen, who did such excellent work in confining the flames to the Roosevelt house itself.  J. Louis Cunningham directed the firemen, a la Chief Croker.  Mr. Cunningham is president of the Cleveland Cunningham Real Estate Company, New York."  

Source:  PELHAM MANOR HAD SERIOUS FIRE NEAR THEIR DEPOT TODAY -- Department Worked For Six Hours -- Confined Flames to Roosevelt House, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 28, 1911, p. 1, col. 6.  

"PELHAM MANOR SERIOUS FIRE
-----
MIDNIGHT BLAZE CAUSES FIRE DEPARTMENT SIX HOURS' HARD WORK -- AUTOMOBILE ENGINE AGAIN DISCUSSED
-----

Shortly after midnight on Monday the residence belonging to the Roosevelt estate and unoccupied, located on Pelhamdale avenue, near the New Haven passenger station at Pelham Manor, was destroyed by fire.  A gale blowing from the northwest at the rate of 45 miles an hour fanned the flames to such an extent that the fire spread rapidly to the upper parts of the large house, and, bursting through the roof, threatened surrounding property.  If it had not been for the work of the fire department, which for the most part is composed of professional and business men of New York, some of the houses in the locality might have been ignited.  In fact, property valued at several hundred thousand dollars was menaced at one time.  The loss is estimated at about $5,000.  The origin of the fire is unknown, and Chief Marks is now making an investigation.

The fire was discovered by Policeman Butler, who while patrolling his beat on Pelhamdale avenue, saw flames coming from the rear of the house.  An alarm was turned in from police headquarters.  Five minutes after the first alarm was turned in, Chief Cunningham had firemen at work plying a stream of water on the flames, which were spreading rapidly.  Embers through the air for a great distance threatened the residences of the Rev. Lewis G. Leary, J. Reynolds, assistant superintendent of the New Yave road and the mansion of Mrs. Robert Black.

Although when the fire was first discovered, only the rear of the house was in flames, by the time the firemen had three streams of water directed upon the fire, it had spread to all parts of the house.  The firemen did not leave the house until 6 o'clock this morning, when the fire was declared to be out.

Chief Cunningham [illegible] the work of his men [remainder illegible].

Source:  PELHAM MANOR SERIOUS FIRE -- MIDNIGHT BLAZE CAUSES FIRE DEPARTMENT SIX HOURS' HARD WORK -- AUTOMOBILE ENGINE AGAIN DISCUSSED, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 4, 1911, p. 2.


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