Pelham Voters Authorized the Purchase of a "Suitable Fire Engine and Apparatus" in Town in 1891

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On September 30, 1891, Pelham voters gathered for a "special election" held in the Town courthouse on City Island to consider whether to levy special taxes on residents of the Third Highway District of the Town of Pelham.  The Third Highway District covered City Island.  

The purpose of the taxes would be to fund "the purchase of a suitable fire engine and apparatus for said district."  Voters approved the proposal.

Interestingly, City Island already had a steam fire engine.  Indeed, that fire engine belonged to the Minneford Engine Company of City Island.  That steam fire engine had competed in, and won, a grand fire-fighting competition held at Belden Point on City Island on July 30, 1891, only two months before the special election authorizing purchase of an additional steam fire engine.  See Thu., Dec. 10, 2015:  Grand Fire-Fighting Competition and Parade Held in the Town of Pelham in 1891.  

Frankly, it is not yet clear what prompted the initiative to purchase another "suitable fire engine and apparatus" for the benefit of City Island.  Was it intended to replace the fire engine only recently acquired by the Minneford Engine Company or, perhaps, to serve as an additional engine for that company?  Was it intended for use by another group of firefighters on City Island?  Was the recently-acquired Minneford Engine Company's fire engine damaged or deemed inadequate in some fashion after it won the July 30, 1891 "grand fire-fighting competition" held at Belden Point?  Hopefully, future research will shed light on these issues.

In any event, during an adjourned meeting of the Westchester County Board of Supervisors held on February 5, 1892, Pelham Town Supervisor Sherman T. Pell introduced a resolution that was adopted by the Board of Supervisors.  It read:

"Resolved, That there be levied and assessed upon the taxable property of the third highway district, of the town of Pelham, comprising City Island only, and collected, the sum of two thousand, six hundred and seventy five dollars, ($2,675.00) for the purchase of a suitable fire engine and apparatus for said district; being in accordance with Chapter 254, of the laws of 1891, and as certified to by the following:

This is to certify that at a special election held in the court house, City Island, September 30th, 1891, in accordance with Chapter 254 of the laws of 1891, the sum of twenty-six hundred [and] seventy-five ($2,675,) was voted for the purchase of a suitable fire engine and apparatus . . . for the third highway district of the town of Pelham."

Example of 1891 Fire Engine.

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Below is the text of a brief news report that forms the basis of today's Historic Pelham article.  It is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors
-----
Session of 1891-92
-----

Feb. 5, 1892.

Board met pursuant to adjournment.  Mr. Adams in the chair and a quorum of members present. . . . 

Mr. Pell presented the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That there be levied and assessed upon the taxable property of the third highway district, of the town of Pelham, comprising City Island only, and collected, the sum of two thousand, six hundred and seventy five dollars, ($2,675.00) for the purchase of a suitable fire engine and apparatus for said district; being in accordance with Chapter 254, of the laws of 1891, and as certified to by the following:

This is to certify that at a special election held in the court house, City Island, September 30th, 1891, in accordance with Chapter 254 of the laws of 1891, the sum of twenty-six hundred [and] seventy-five ($2,675,) was voted for the purchase of a suitable fire engine and apparatus . . . for the third highway district of the town of Pelham.

SHERMAN T. PELL,
     Supervisor.
JOHN B. HAWKINS,
F. RICHARDS,
     Justices of the Peace.
STEPHEN COLLINS,
     Town Clerk,
Town Board Town of Pelham.

Dated City Island, Feb. 3d, 1892. . . ."

Source:  Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors -- Session of 1891-92, The Eastern State Journal, Feb. 13, 1892, Vol. XLVII, No. 46, p. 1, cols. 3-8.

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

Tue., Nov. 14, 2017:  The Town of Pelham Had to Save Pelham Firefighters From the Wrath of Taxpayers in the Early 20th Century.

Wed., Nov. 01, 2017:  Pelham Manor Firemen Helped Their San Francisco Brethren After the Great Earthquake in 1906.

Tue., Sep. 12, 2017:  Sale of Antiquated Fire Equipment in 1922 Reminded All of the History of North Pelham Fire Fighting.

Fri., Jul. 21, 2017:  Pelham Firemen Turned Their Hoses on Trolley Construction Crew in 1898.

Fri., Jun. 23, 2017:  A Little of the Early History of Hose Company No. 2, the Pelham Heights Volunteer Fire Fighting Unit.

Fri., Jan. 20, 2017:  A Proud Pelham Fire Department Took Possession of a New American La France Fire Engine in 1914.

Thu., Jan. 19, 2017:  Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold:  Don't Mess With a Pelham Fireman.

Thu., Jan. 12, 2017:  Six of Pelham's Earliest Firefighters Marched in the 36th Annual Fire Inspection Parade in 1930.

Tue., Dec. 06, 2016:  An Account of the Tragic Vaughan Livery Stable Fire in Pelhamville in 1907.

Wed., Nov. 16, 2016:  More on the 1889 Fire that Destroyed the Hunter House on Travers Island.

Tue., Oct. 04, 2016:  Harry R. King, Fire Chief of the First Fire District From 1911 to 1913.

Wed., Jun. 15, 2016:  Organized Volunteer Fire Fighting in Pelhamville Began as Early as 1885.

Tue., Jun. 14, 2016:  The First Annual Inspection of Pelhamville Fire Fighting Units in 1894.

Tue., Jun. 07, 2016:  When Did Pelham's Minneford Engine Company Acquire its First Fire-Fighting Steam Engine?

Mon., May 16, 2016:  Fatal Fire in 1902 at One Fifth Avenue Burned Down the Post Office and Pharmacy.

Fri., Apr. 29, 2016:  Famous Meyers Mansion in Pelham Manor Burned Down in 1897.

Thu., Apr. 28, 2016:  Pelham Manor Dutifully Extinguished a Fire That Nearly Burned Down its Hated Wooden Train Station in 1896.

Mon., Jan. 04, 2016:  Pelham Manor Voters Voted to Disband the Pelham Manor Fire Department in 1928.  

Mon., Dec. 14, 2015:  Early History of the Village of Pelham Manor Fire Department.

Fri., Dec. 11, 2015:  Evidence of An Early Independent Firefighting Unit in Pelham Named "Indians."

Thu., Dec. 10, 2015:  Grand Fire-Fighting Competition and Parade Held in the Town of Pelham in 1891.

Wed., Dec. 09, 2015:  Pelham's Minneford Engine Company Built a New Fire House on City Island in 1894.

Mon., Dec. 07, 2015:  The Code Used on the City Island Fire Bell in the Late 19th Century Used for Fire Alarms.

Mon., Nov. 30, 2015:  Another Detailed Account of the 1901 Fire that Destroyed the Clubhouse of the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island.

Fri., Nov. 20, 2015:  Account of 1894 Fire in One of Pelham's Earliest Newspapers.

Wed., Sep. 30, 2015:  Was it Arson that Destroyed the Prospect Hill School at Jackson and Plymouth Avenues in 1917?

Thu., Sep. 17, 2015:  An Account of the February 28, 1925 Fire at Pelhamdale, A Home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fri., Jun. 12, 2015:  The Tumultuous Reign of Pelham Manor Fire Chief J. Louis Cunningham in the Early 1900s.

Tue., Jun. 09, 2015:  Reminiscences of Firemen Who Served From 1893 Until 1923 in North Pelham.

Wed., Jun. 03, 2015:  The Bell in Firemen's Memorial Park at First Street and Wolfs Lane.

Tue., Jun. 02, 2015:  Important Early Images of the Pelham Fire Department.

Fri., May 22, 2015:  History of Pelham's Beloved "Nott Steamer" Known as "Jim Reilly's Boiler."

Thu., Mar. 26, 2015:  Fire Destroyed the Old Pelham Manor Post Office in 1945.

Fri., Mar. 20, 2015:  Fire in 1932 Devastated the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.

Tue., Feb. 17, 2015:  More on the Early History of Organized Firefighting in the Settlement of Pelhamville.

Mon., Feb. 16, 2015: The Great Furniture Fight of 1896: Company of Pelhamville Firemen Resigned En Masse.

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., Dec. 11, 2014:  Pelhamville's First Attempt to Create a Fire Department in 1893 Failed Due to a Legal Technicality.

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.

Thu., Jan. 30, 2014:  The Night Pelham's Town Hall Burned.

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

Thu., Jan. 23, 2014:  Another Account of the Devastating Fire that Destroyed the Travers Island Clubhouse of New York Athletic Club in 1901.

Wed., May 12, 2010:  Fire Partly Destroyed Pelham Town Hall in 1908.

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.

Fri., Sep. 04, 2009:  1901 Newspaper Article About Fire that Burned New York Athletic Club Clubhouse on Travers Island.

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., Feb. 19, 2009:  The Old Hunter House Burns to the Ground in an Arson Incident on Travers Island on April 4, 1889.

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

Wed., Jan. 18, 2006:  Newspaper Report of the Infamous Vaughan's Livery Stable Fire in North Pelham in 1907.

Mon., Oct. 17, 2005:  The Firemen's Memorial of the Pelham Fire Department.

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

Tue., May 31, 2005:  The June 6, 1940 Fire That Destroyed the George M. Reynolds Mansion (Part I of II).

Wed., Jun. 01, 2005:  The June 6, 1940 Fire That Destroyed the George M. Reynolds Mansion (Part II of II).

Fri., May 06, 2005:  The Great Furniture Battle at Pelhamville's Relief Hook and Ladder Company in 1896.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

When Did Pelham's Minneford Engine Company Acquire its First Fire-Fighting Steam Engine?

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

The history of the earliest years of organized fire fighting in the Town of Pelham is particularly fascinating.  One important development in this regard was the organization of Pelham's Minneford Engine Company, a volunteer fire company that served City Island for more than a decade.  I have written about the Minneford Engine Company before.  See:  

Wed., Dec. 09, 2015:  Pelham's Minneford Engine Company Built a New Fire House on City Island in 1894.  

Thu., Dec. 10, 2015:  Grand Fire-Fighting Competition and Parade Held in the Town of Pelham in 1891.  

Fri., Nov. 20, 2015:  Account of 1894 Fire in One of Pelham's Earliest Newspapers.

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

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

So far research has not revealed with certainty when the Minneford Engine Company was first organized or when it first acquired its steam engine.  As I wrote recently, "[r]esearch has not yet revealed the origins of the Minneford Engine Company, but it seems clear that it existed prior to February 20, 1891 since, according to one news report published on February 28, 1891, it was 're-organized as an independent company' as of that date."

Additional research now reveals that the steam engine was acquired in about November, 1890 suggesting that the Minneford Engine Company likely was organized earlier in that year rather than in 1891.  A very brief reference in The World published in New York City on November 28, 1890 detailing Thanksgiving Day celebrations in the New York region on November 27 stated:

"EVERYBODY HAD TURKEY. . .

There was a celebration at City Island by the firemen in honor of the introduction of the first steam fire engine on City Island, by the members of Minneford Engine Company.  A parade through the principal streets was followed by a friendly contest between the Huguenot Engine of New Rochelle and Minneford Engine, the latter being declared the winner.  In the evening the firemen held a ball in Leveugh's Hall [sic; likely Leviness Hall]."

Source:  EVERYBODY HAD TURKEY, The World [NY, NY], Nov. 28, 1890, p. 7, col. 7 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link.)

This brief reference makes clear that by November 27, 1890, the Minneford Steam Engine Company already existed and had taken delivery of its new steam engine.  

Members of the Minneford Engine Company with Their Steamer

Nicknamed "Minneford."  Photograph Taken in About 1900 After City

Island Was Annexed by New York City and Not Long Before the

Volunteer Fire Fighting Unit Was Disbanded.  Photograph Courtesy

of the Digital Collections of the Office of The Historian of The

Town of Pelham. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."  

Evidence of An Early Independent Firefighting Unit in Pelham Named "Indians"

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

No definitive history of the origins of firefighting units in the Town of Pelham has ever been written.  Slowly research has revealed more and more about early units and their histories, but much remains to be uncovered.

While researching firefighting units on City Island during the time it was part of the Town of Pelham before its annexation by New York City, I have run across fascinating evidence that in about 1891, City Island residents created an "independent" firefighting unit named the "Indians."  

It appears from a single, brief newspaper reference that in 1894, the "Indians" were led by William Baylis of City Island.  That year, William Baylis's brother, George Baylis, helped organize the "Island City Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1."  This appeared to cause some consternation.  The "Island City Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1," according to the newspaper account, was specifically equipped to assist the pre-existing Minneford Engine Company.  Consequently, the Town Board of the Town of Pelham reportedly was called upon to consider "the question as to whether the new Company shall be recognized by the Town in preference to the 'Indians'."

Extensive efforts so far have failed to uncover any additional information about the City Island firefighting unit known as the "Indians."  The entire sum of current knowledge of the unit is reflected in the brief newspaper reference quoted below:

"ALONG THE SOUND.
-----
CITY ISLAND. . . . 

-- A grand reception was tendered to the newly organized Hook and Ladder Company to be known under the title of the Island City Hook & Ladder Co., No. 1, by the Minneford Engine Company on Tuesday evening.  The attendance was exceedingly large and a most auspicious evening was spent.  This company we understand is organized as an independent one, and the Town Board is now considering the question as to whether the newe Company shall be recognized by the Town in preference to the 'Indians' a company organized three years ago, which is under the foremanship of William Baylis, whose brother George is the head of the Island City Company.  There is reason to believe that as the Island City is necessarily equipped to aid the engine Company that the Board will recognize them as the official company."

Source:  ALONG THE SOUND -- CITY ISLAND, New Rochelle Pioneer, Jul. 14, 1894, p. 4, col. 3.

Memorial in Firemen's Memorial Park

at Corner of First Street and Wolfs Lane.

Photograph by the Author, 2002.

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

Thu., Dec. 10, 2015:  Grand Fire-Fighting Competition and Parade Held in the Town of Pelham in 1891.

Wed., Dec. 09, 2015:  Pelham's Minneford Engine Company Built a New Fire House on City Island in 1894.

Mon., Dec. 07, 2015:  The Code Used on the City Island Fire Bell in the Late 19th Century Used for Fire Alarms.

Mon., Nov. 30, 2015:  Another Detailed Account of the 1901 Fire that Detroyed the Clubhouse of the New York Athletic Club on Travers Island.

Fri., Nov. 20, 2015:  Account of 1894 Fire in One of Pelham's Earliest Newspapers.
Wed., Sep. 30, 2015:  Was it Arson that Destroyed the Prospect Hill School at Jackson and Plymouth Avenues in 1917?

Thu., Sep. 17, 2015:  An Account of the February 28, 1925 Fire at Pelhamdale, A Home on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fri., Jun. 12, 2015:  The Tumultuous Reign of Pelham Manor Fire Chief J. Louis Cunningham in the Early 1900s.

Tue., Jun. 09, 2015:  Reminiscenses of Firemen Who Served From 1893 Until 1923 in North Pelham.

Wed., Jun. 03, 2015:  The Bell in Firemen's Memorial Park at First Street and Wolfs Lane.

Tue., Jun. 02, 2015:  Important Early Images of the Pelham Fire Department.

Fri., May 22, 2015:  History of Pelham's Beloved "Nott Steamer" Known as "Jim Reilly's Boiler."

Thu., Mar. 26, 2015:  Fire Destroyed the Old Pelham Manor Post Office in 1945.

Fri., Mar. 20, 2015:  Fire in 1932 Devastated the Bolton Priory in Pelham Manor.
Tue., Feb. 17, 2015:  More on the Early History of Organized Firefighting in the Settlement of Pelhamville.

Mon., Feb. 16, 2015: The Great Furniture Fight of 1896: Company of Pelhamville Firemen Resigned En Masse.

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., Dec. 11, 2014:  Pelhamville's First Attempt to Create a Fire Department in 1893 Failed Due to a Legal Technicality.

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.

Thu., Jan. 30, 2014:  The Night Pelham's Town Hall Burned.

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

Thu., Jan. 23, 2014:  Another Account of the Devastating Fire that Destroyed the Travers Island Clubhouse of New York Athletic Club in 1901.

Wed., May 12, 2010:  Fire Partly Destroyed Pelham Town Hall in 1908.

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.

Fri., Sep. 04, 2009:  1901 Newspaper Article About Fire that Burned New York Athletic Club Clubhouse on Travers Island.

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., Feb. 19, 2009:  The Old Hunter House Burns to the Ground in an Arson Incident on Travers Island on April 4, 1889.

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

Wed., Jan. 18, 2006:  Newspaper Report of the Infamous Vaughan's Livery Stable Fire in North Pelham in 1907.

Mon., Oct. 17, 2005:  The Firemen's Memorial of the Pelham Fire Department.
Mon., Aug. 01, 2005: An 1896 Inspection and Drill of the Fire Department in Pelham.

Tue., May 31, 2005:  The June 6, 1940 Fire That Destroyed the George M. Reynolds Mansion (Part I of II).

Wed., Jun. 01, 2005:  The June 6, 1940 Fire That Destroyed the George M. Reynolds Mansion (Part II of II).

Fri., May 06, 2005:  The Great Furniture Battle at Pelhamville's Relief Hook and Ladder Company in 1896.
Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Grand Fire-Fighting Competition and Parade Held in the Town of Pelham in 1891

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

During the early 1890s, firefighting units throughout our region were still in their infancy.  Several, including units in the Town of Pelham on City Island, in Mount Vernon, and in New Rochelle, had purchased steam boiler pumping engines to throw streams of water on fires.  These were some of the earliest fire engines in the region.

Settlements such as City Island in the Town of Pelham were growing.  To house their populations, there was a mini-building boom to erect mostly wooden structures (at least on City Island).  Thus, it was in the interest of the local citizenry to encourage the establishment and progress of local volunteer firefighting units such as the Minneford Engine Company of City Island.  One such effort was undertaken by William Belden of City Island during the summer of 1891.

At the time, Belden was the proprietor of Belden Point on the southern tip of City Island.  Belden Point was a summer resort marketed in the local Mount Vernon newspaper as "The Coolest and Most Delightful of Summer Resorts" that was only "Six miles from Mount Vernon" with "Ample provision for horses and carriages."  Music was provided from 11:00 a.m. until late into the evening each day by "Liebold's famous Military Band and Orchestra."  There was a giant organ played by Frank Taft, a carousel, amusements, and six bowling alleys.  Each day a "Genuine Rhode Island Clam Bake" was offered.  In addition there was a French restaurant as well as boating, swimming, and fishing facilities.  Admission to the grounds of the amusement resort was ten cents.  See, e.g., BELDEN POINT! [Advertisement], The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 24, 1891, Vol. XXII, No. 1,422, p. 4, col. 6.  

William Belden decided in 1891 to encourage a little competition among local fire engine companies by offering a prize to the engine company whose steam pump engine could throw a stream of water the greatest distance using a hose one thousand feet long.  The prize he offered was a pair of silver trumpets and a cup.  The competition was a master stroke by Belden.  Not only did it encourage the local engine companies that might have to collaborate to fight major fires in the region (including any at Belden Point) to optimize their steam engine technologies for fighting such fires, but it also offered a grand spectacle to attract even more visitors -- at ten cents a head -- to his amusement resort at Belden Point.

Belden originally scheduled the competition to take place on the dock of his resort on Monday, August 3, 1891.  For an as yet unknown reason, the competition subsequently was advanced to Thursday, July 30, 1891 at 3:00 p.m.  Belden invited Mount Vernon Steamer No. 1, the Minneford Engine Company of City Island, and the Relief Steamer of New Rochelle to compete.  

At noon on the day of the competition, Mount Vernon Steamer No. 1 was hitched to four grand horses and departed for Belden Point.  The volunteers of the company boarded stagecoaches and departed at 12:30 p.m.

In contrast, the Relief Steamer Company of New Rochelle was forced to withdraw from the competition.  Its engine broke down.  This meant that the competition would be a head-to-head competition between the Mount Vernon and City Island engine companies.

Upon the arrival of the Mount Vernon engine and the stagecoaches carrying the volunteers of the company, a grand parade began through the streets of City Island.  In addition to the City Islanders who turned out for the festivities, about 500 residents of Mount Vernon were present as well.  At the completion of the festive parade, the members of the Minneford Engine Company hosted a luncheon for their Mount Vernon counterparts.  

The competition was simple.  Each engine would be pulled onto the dock of the amusement resort, one at a time.  One thousand feet of hose would be attached to the engine and the steam boiler would be fired up to raise the pumping pressure.  Once ready, the firemen would have fifteen minutes to throw their stream of water from the one thousand foot hose.  Officials would measure the greatest distance that a "steady" stream of water was thrown from the hose with the company throwing a steady stream the greatest distance declared the winner.  

Detail from 1893 Map of City Island Showing Belden Point Where

Steam Fire Engine Competition Was Held on July 30, 1891.  

Source: Bien, Joseph Rudolph, "Towns of Westchester and

Pelham, [With] Villages of Westchester and Unionport, [With]

Village of Pelhamville" in Atlas of Westchester County,

New York, Prepared Under the Direction of Joseph R. Bien,

E.M., Civil and Topographical Engineer from Original Surveys and

Official Records, p. 3 (NY, NY: Julius Bien & Co., 1893).

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

The contest did not begin until nearly 4:30 p.m.  Mount Vernon Steamer No. 1 began.  As the stream began, it only stretched ten feet from the nozzle of the hose, causing "jubilation" among the City Islanders.  As the boiler engineer worked with the engine, however, the stream grew steadily longer.  Once it reached about one hundred feet, the stream stopped abruptly -- a coupling had burst, stopping the stream.  

The Mount Vernon firemen scrambled to correct the problem and got the stream started again.  Once again the stream grew steadily longer until the fifteen minutes expired.  The judges determined that the engine had achieved a steady stream of 134.6 feet.

It was next the turn of the Minneford Engine Company.  The Mount Vernon engine was backed off the dock and was replaced with the Minneford.  The engineer was able to get the steam pressure of the engine up to 125 pounds and the firemen threw a magnificent steady stream of water into the air.  When time expired, however, measurements established that the steady stream had achieved only a distance of 114.2 feet, some 20.4 feet shorter than the steady stream achieved by the Mount Vernon Steamer No. 1.  The Mount Vernon spectators cheered in jubilation as the news was announced.

Once the results were announced, the two fire companies assembled behind a band -- likely "Liebold's famous Military Band and Orchestra" that played daily at the amusement resort -- and marched around Belden Point.  The firemen then were treated to a "shore dinner" by William Belden.  After dinner, the firemen formed in line and each company marched to its own machine to leave for home.  

The Mount Vernon firemen, however, were not finished with the celebration of their victory.  Their steam engine was sent ahead of them to the Village of Mount Vernon and awaited their arrival on Third Street.  When they arrived "a grand reception awaited them."  Fourth avenue "was all ablaze with colored lights and numerous fireworks were set off" as the firemen and their engine paraded down Fourth avenue at the end of a grand day on City Island in the Town of Pelham.

Members of the Minneford Engine Company with Their

Steamer Nicknamed "Minneford." Photograph Taken in

About 1900 After City Island Was Annexed by New York

City and Not Long Before the Volunteer Fire Fighting Unit

Was Disbanded. Photograph Courtesy of the Digital

Collections of the Office of The Historian of The Town

of Pelham. NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"LOCAL MATTERS OF INTEREST
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WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR VILLAGE.
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COMPETITION. -- Steamer Company, No. 1, of this village, has been invited to participate in a contest for two silver trumpets and a cup.  The contest takes place on Monday, August 3rd.  Mr. William Belden is the donor of the prizes.

LATER. -- The Steamer Company have received full particulars in regard to the contest.  A meeting will be held on Monday evening next, when the invitation to compete with the Relief Fire Engine Company of New Rochelle, and the Minneford Engine Company of City Island, will no doubt be accepted."

Source:  LOCAL MATTERS OF INTEREST -- WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR VILLAGE, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 24, 1891, Vol. XXII, No. 1,422, p. 3, col. 1.  


"VICTORY!!
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THE TWO SILVER TRUMPETS AND THE CUP COME TO MOUNT VERNON!
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THE POWERS OF THE STEAMER ARTFULLY DISPLAYED.
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THE STEAMER COMPANY BEATS THE MINNEFORD BY OVER 20 FEET.
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134.6 FEET THROUGH 1,000 FEET OF HOSE.
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The great contest has taken place, and the trophies of victory have been brought to Mount Vernon.  

Yesterday at noon the Mount Vernon Steamer, drawn by four horses, was taken to City Island to participate in a contest for two silver trumpets and a cup, the donor beeing Mr. William Belden, the proprietor of Belden Point.  The members of the company left at 12:30 in stages.

The names of the competing companies were:  Mount Vernon Steamer, No. 1; Minneford Steamer, of City Island; and the Relief Steamer of New Rochelle.  The latter company, however, was unable to participate owing to the fact that their engine had broken down.

The companies all arrived in City Island in good time, and took part in a grand parade through the island.  Fully 500 Mount Vernonites were present, and after the victory rent the air with their shouts of triumph.  After the parade the companies sat down to a handsome dinner provided by the Minnefords.

Although three o'clock was the time set for the contest, it was nearly half-past four before the Mount Vernon Steamer sent the water.  The engine was stationed on the dock, and the thousand feet of hose were carried out along the shore round the bend.  The throw was fifteen minutes.

Messrs. W. J. Collins and Peter Magee were at the nozzle and put in their best work.  At the first throw, the stream only went a distance of fifteen feet.  The Minnefords at once began to feel jubilant, but it did not last long.  Further and farther the stream went until a hundred feet was reached.  Then the Vernon boys had their turn.  Shout after shout rent the air, when all at once there was a total stop.  One of the couplings had burst.  This was soon righted, and a good stream was shot.  The time was drawing to a close, and the Minneford boys were still exulting when the judges called a halt.  The distance was then measured, and it was learned that a steady stream, 134.6 feet in length, had been thrown.

It was now the Minneford's turn.  The Mount Vernon Steamer backed from the dock, and the Minneford took her place.  Steam was soon got up, and with 120 pounds she started the pump.  In ten seconds, she ran down ten pounds, but gradually picked up till 125 pounds were reached.  Then the engineer began to grow cautious, and blew off the steam.

But she wasn't in it.  She did her best, though, but did not come within twenty feet of the Mount Vernon steamer.

On time being called, the measure was taken, which showed a steady stream to have been thrown 114.2 feet, or 20.4 feet less than the opponent.

Cheers again rent the air, and headed by the band, the firemen marched round the Point.  

The firemen were then treated to a shore dinner by Mr. Belden, and forming in line, each company marched to its own machine and left for home.  The Mount Vernon steamer had gone on before, but it was waiting for the boys on Third street.  A grand reception awaited them as they paraded down Fourth avenue.  The avenue was all ablaze with colored lights and numerous fireworks were set off.

Our fire laddies will be justly proud of their victory.  They went in to win and did so.  Their trophies will probably be exhibited in the engine house."

Source:  VICTORY!! -- THE TWO SILVER TRUMPETS AND THE CUP COME TO MOUNT VERNON! -- THE POWERS OF THE STEAMER ARTFULLY DISPLAYED -- THE STEAMER COMPANY BEATS THE MINNEFORD BY OVER 20 FEET -- 134.6 FEET THROUGH 1,000 FEET OF HOSE, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 31, 1891, Vol. XXII, No. 1,424, p. 5, col. 3.  

"To Contest for Silver Trumpets.

The proprietor of Belden's Point, City Island, has offered as prizes two silver trumpets and a silver cup, to any local steam fire engine company throwing a stream the greater distance through 1,000 feet of hose.  The contest will take place next Monday afternoon, at 3 o'clock at this resort.  The following companies have decided to compete:  Minneford, City Island; Relief, New Rochelle; Steamer Company, No. 1, Mt. Vernon."

Source:  To Contest for Silver Trumpets, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 1, 1891, Vol. XXXII, No. 17, p. 2, col. 3 (this is an untimely report published two days after the event, which was moved up, actually occurred; the event originally was scheduled to take place on August 3, 1891, but was advanced to July 30, 1891).  

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