Pelham's First District Firefighters Repaired Christmas Toys for Children in 1938

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The Great Depression still was underway.  In those years, the Town of Pelham offered needy Pelham children a Christmas holiday party with a visit from Santa Clause and a bag full of toys and necessaries for each child.  See Wed., Dec. 06, 2017:  The Town of Pelham's First Annual Children's Holiday Season Party Held in 1932.  The firemen of the First Fire District of the Town of Pelham joined in such charitable efforts.  In 1938, they collected and repaired broken toys as Christmas gifts for Pelham youngsters.  Recently, members of Pelham Professional Firefighters Local 2213 posted to Facebook a very special photograph that commemorates that holiday season in 1938.

The photograph, seen below, shows Pelham firefighters repairing children's toys for Christmas, working on the apparatus floor of the current firehouse.  The caption suggests that the photograph was printed and then given to the firemen by the Pelham Lion's Club.  The caption reads:  "First Fire District Firemen repair toys for Children's Christmas PRESENTED BY PELHAM LION'S CLUB, 1938."

The photograph appeared on the front page of the December 22, 1938 issue of The Pelham Sun.  That Christmas season, the firemen cooperated with the Lions Club of Pelham to distribute gifts to needy Pelham children identified by the local Welfare Department.

The President of the Lions Club, Herman Glasser, led a major initiative that season to collect toys and playthings that needed light repair.  Glasser also donated a supply of paint to touch up articles as did Arthur D. Koppel, Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

The toys began pouring in by about the third week of November that year.  About 2,000 arrived from "all sections of the Town."  The firemen immediately began repairs and repainting.  

Village of North Pelham officials also were involved.  North Pelham Mayor Dominic Amato and North Pelham Village Clerk Walter H. McIlroy led a group that packed the toys and distributed them to parents of needy children who were to receive them that morning.  In addition to the toys, a generous anonymous "local resident" donated boxes of candy so that each child received not only toys, but also a box of candy.  

The Christmas Spirit was alive and well as it is today in Pelham, New York.  

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"Volunteer Firemen and Lions Club Help Santa Claus Repairing and Distributing More Than 2,000 Toys
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Santa Claus will come down the chimney according to tradition on Saturday night in many homes in Pelham where, but for the effort of the firemen of the First Fire District and the members of the Lions Club, he might have gone by without noticing.  His pack will be filled with toys which have been collected by the service club and repaired by the firemen.  It is estimated that 2,000 playthings received at the Fire Headquarters and the majority of these [illegible] were distributed among children of needy families.  The lists were prepared by the Welfare Department.

Herman Glasser, president of the Lions Club was in charge of the group that collected the articles, and he also donated a supply of paint.  Arthur D. Koppel, chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners also contributed paint.  During the last month members of the department have been having a joyous time returning to their more youthful days, by repairing and repainting the toys which were sent by residents of all sections of the town.

Mayor Dominic Amato and Village Clerk Walter H. McIlroy head the group which packed the presents and began distribution of them to the parents of the children who are to receive them on Christmas morning.  In addition to the toys, a box of candy, donated by generous local resident, was included in every gift box."

Source:  Volunteer Firemen and Lions Club Help Santa Claus Repairing and Distributing More Than 2,000 Toys, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 22, 1938, p. 1, cols. 3-6.  

"Spread Christmas Cheer With Lights On Outdoor Trees At Your Residence
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Pelham's Christmas display should extend throughout the town according to the members of the Pelham Lions Club who are urging that local merchants set a good example for the rest of the town by erecting outdoor Christmas displays of Christmas tree, greens and lights.  The service club has inaugurated a Christmas Display prize to be awarded the local merchant whose storefront is judged the most attractive during the holiday shopping season.  The displays must be erected by Dec. 15.

The Lions Club is offering a $15.00 cash prize to be awarded to the merchant whose outdoor display of Christmas greens and electric lights is judged the best by a committee of women to be selected  by Mrs. E. A. Jimenis, chairman of the Susan B. Holmes Garden Trophy Committee of the Manor Club.  The displays must be installed by Dec. 15.  

The Lions Club committee for the display competition is James T. Bollettieri, Freeman Yorks and John Quatroni.

In conjunction with the Christmas Display in the shopping district the members of the service club are urging local residents to spread the Christmas illumination throughout the town by decorating outdoor trees at their homes with Christmas lights.  A committee of members of the clubs has planned to make a survey through the various sections of the town and to make suitable recognition of the neighborhoods which present the most attractive appearance by Christmas tree illumination during the holiday season."

Source:  Spread Christmas Cheer With Lights On Outdoor Trees At Your Residence, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 2, 1938, Vol. 28, No. 35, p. 1, cols. 7-8.

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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."

The Town of Pelham Had to Save Pelham Firefighters From the Wrath of Taxpayers in the Early 20th Century

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 early history of today's Village of Pelham Fire Department is complex but fascinating.  Pelhamville residents banded together before incorporation of the Village of Pelham (today's Pelham Heights) and the Village of North Pelham to form the "First Fire District."  The First Fire District served residents and businesses of the Town of Pelham located north of today's Colonial Avenue.  After incorporation of the Villages of Pelham and North Pelham, the First Fire District continued to handle fire protection north of Colonial Avenue.  It raised money by taxing local residents.  It submitted its annual budgets to voters residing in the district for approval.

By the first decade of the Twentieth Century, however, the First Fire District was in trouble.  A massive fire in 1907 revealed the First Fire District's lack of resources.  Known as the Pelham Livery Stable Fire and the Vaughn Livery Stable Fire, the disaster took four lives (though some reports claim three died).  See:

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

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

Shortly after the Pelham Livery Stable Fire, the First Fire District proposed a massive increase to its annual budget.  The fire commissioners concluded it was time to install a modern fire alarm signal system and to "improve the equipment of the firemen who were rendering excellent service under discouraging conditions."  Thus, the fire commissioners sought an annual budget of $2,000 and submitted the proposal to voters.  The voters voted down the increased budget.  The First Fire District responded with a second proposal seeking approval of a $200 annual budget to cover its operating expenses.  To the surprise of all, voters rejected that proposed budget as well.

Things reportedly became difficult for the First Fire District.  According to one account, things became so bad that the volunteer firefighters paid the expenses necessary to run the operations:

"The two companies were paying for the coal and electric light bills to say nothing of locks, keys and badges which were supposed to be supplied by the commissioners.  Had it not been for the loyalty of the firemen, the department would have ceased to exist.  Liberty Hose company even loaned the fire board $50 to help meet expenses."

Residents of the Villages of Pelham and North Pelham simply ceased to support the local Fire District they had created through payment of taxes to supply the revenue the district so desperately needed.  Town government decided to step into the breach to get the job done.

A special law was framed and passed by the New York State Legislature thereafter to permit the five fire Commissioners of the First Fire District to prepare the district's annual budget and then submit it to the Town Board for approval rather than have the proposal voted on by residents of the district.  The law gave the Town Board the power to approve, increase, reduce, or even reject the budget entirely.

Eventually, the process was returned to the First Fire District.  For a time throughout the teens and early twenties, however, the First Fire District was able to avoid the wrath of local taxpayers who believed their taxes were too high to fund a more modern fire-fighting force by turning to the Town Board of the Town of Pelham to approve its annual budgets.



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"North Pelham
-----

A local taxpayer asks:  'Will you kindly explain the fire commissioner-town board combination.  I have been a resident of this fire district for nine years, and have always been puzzled when I read how the two boards meet to fix the budget for the coming year.  What has the town board  got to do with the first fire district?  Two of their members come from Pelham Manor, outside the district, yet the budget, it seems must have their approval.  Has the town board any jurisdiction over the expenditures of the fire board?  I am sure there are many like myself [who] would welcome a little light on the subject.'  Ans.  The town board meets the board of fire commissioners each year in January to approve or amend their estimate or budget for the ensuing year.  At the time the First Fire district was incorporated, the territory taken in was all that part of the Town of Pelham situated north of Boston Post road, (now Colonial avenue).  The village of Pelham was not incorporated at that time, and the territory north of the railroad track was known as Pelhamville.  The villages of North Pelham and Pelham were incorporated after the fire district had been established, thus two villages were created within its limits.  The apparatus in use was found to be [obsolete] after the disastrous Pelham building fire in 1900 [sic; the fire was in 1907] which caused the loss of three lives.  The commissioners, five, who had been elected for five years, decided it was time to install a fire alarm signal system and otherwise improve the equipment of the firemen who were rendering excellent service under discouraging conditions.  A budget of $2,000 was submitted to the taxpayers of the district and voted down.  The budget was reduced to $200 to meet the running expenses of the companies, and this too was defeated.  The two companies were paying for the coal and electric light bills to say nothing of locks, keys and badges which were supposed to be supplied by the commissioners.  Had it not been for the loyalty of the firemen, the department would have ceased to exist.  Liberty Hose company even loaned the fire board $50 to help meet expenses.  It was at this time some level headed taxpayers suggested the option be taken away from the taxpayers and the power vested in the town board.  While the town board has the power to approve, increase, diminish or even reject the budget, they have absolutely no jurisdiction over the expenditures after the budget had left their hands.  A special law was framed and passed the state legislature authorizing the present method.  While there seems to be no question that the law at the time it was created, was necessary for the proper fire protection of the residents of the districts, many now believe the district is able to pass upon its own budget without having to submit it to a board consisting of, in part members who have no real interest in the district.  It is a far cry from the estimate of $200 to run the department twenty years ago and the budget [of] $12,237.70 for the present year.  The taxpayers rejected the former but, to use the homely expression of an old resident, 'Now they shove it down our throats.'  Be that as it may, if the medicine will do the patient good, the method of administering it must be alright.  At the joint meeting, there was included in the estimate budget appropriation to purchase a Ford runabout for the chief and to be used as a 'chemical' for minor alarms.  This was disallowed.  Whether it is cheaper to take out the big engine for minor alarms than to purchase a Ford, may be subjected to dispute; Judge Crawford striking the keynote by saying, 'I am in favor of giving the firemen anything they ask for; in fact they should not ask for anything; they should demand it."

Source:  North Pelham, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 3, 1920, p. 8, cols. 5-6.

Hand-Drawn Hose Cart of the Type Still Used by One of the

Companies of the First Fire District as Late as 1912.  This is

the Sort of Equipment That the First Fire District Needed to

Modernize After the Vaughan Livery Stable Fire of 1907.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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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.

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."

Sale of Antiquated Fire Equipment in 1922 Reminded All of the History of North Pelham Fire Fighting

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."

Early in the history of Pelhamville (later the Village of North Pelham), local residents successfully petitioned to create a fire district and to organize volunteer firefighters to fight fires in the area.  One of the early pieces of major equipment purchased by the Fire District was a horse-drawn truck used to transport ladders, equipment, and firemen to and from local fires.  With the authorization of local citizens, the Fire District purchased a horse-drawn Seagrave Truck somewhat similar to the one depicted in the image immediately below.

Within a few short years, it became apparent that more modern motorized equipment was needed.  Initially, rather than acquire a motorized fire truck, the Fire District purchased a Pierce Arrow tractor to pull the Seagrave Truck (rather than using horses).  The Pierce Arrow tractor was surprisingly fast, although over time its engine became a bit stubborn and could take up to 45 minutes to get started reliably.  

Throughout the early years of the 20th century, the tractor-drawn truck was famous in Pelham -- almost comical.  North Pelham firemen clamored aboard for a rather wild and nauseating ride during which they had to hold on for dear life.  The truck was not meant to be drawn at speeds faster than a team of horses, so it weaved back and forth behind the Pierce Arrow as the truck and tractor hustled along Pelham streets in a "serpentine" fashion as one report noted.  The contraption was so unwieldy that, according to one report, it took fourteen firemen at a time simply to back it into the fire station after use.

By 1922, old fire-fighting equipment was strewn all over the old wooden firehouse on Fifth Avenue.  Such equipment included not only the old Seagrave Truck and the Pierce Arrow tractor, but also old, unreliable wooden ladders, hooks, and the beloved Nott Steamer, a steam engine pumper that, once lit and with a full head of steam, could throw water than most modern pumpers of that day.  A new group of Fire Commissioners decided that year to clean house and to sell to the highest bidders, or to dispose of, most such equipment (except the beloved Nott Steamer).

On April 28, 1922, the local newspaper announced that the old Seagrave Truck and the Pierce Arrow tractor would be sold to the highest bidder and noted that the equipment was "out of date and only in the way."  The report further noted that all "old style lamps, hooks and ladders are to be junked."  

Selling the contraption, however, turned out to be easier said than done.  On the first attempt, Pelham firemen tried to interest an unidentified "upstate fire department."  Representatives of that fire department, however, responded to the approach by saying "if we want to commit suicide we go out on the railroad track."

North Pelham firefighters next settled on the Tuckahoe Fire Department as a potential patsy.  Tuckahoe had some older equipment that needed to be removed from service for a short time to permit the equipment to be repainted.  North Pelham firefighters convinced the Tuckahoe Fire Department to let them ship the truck and tractor to Tuckahoe for use while their own equipment was being repainted.  Tuckahoe agreed.  As soon as the repainted apparaus was returned to the Tuckahoe Fire Department, they promptly shipped the truck and tractor back to North Pelham.  

By September, 1922, it was clear to the Fire Commissioners in North Pelham that no easy sale would be made.  That month, they were able to attract two bids for the Pearce Arrow tractor alone.  Both bids were for $100 to take just the tractor, then one of the two bidders had second thoughts and withdrew his bid.  No one wanted the old Seagrave Truck, nor any of the other obsolete lamps, ladders, or other equipment.

The winning bidder was Dominic Amato (who later became Mayor of the Village of North Pelham).  He owned a local garage and intended to "remodel" the tractor for use as a "wrecking truck" in support of his business.  The local newspaper reported that the "truck and ladders are apparently unsalable and may be ordered burned as the ladders are reported dried out and unsafe."

Pelham was moving into the modern era of firefighting. . . . 

A "Nott Steamer" Similar to North Pelham's Beloved Steamer

Known as "Jim Reilly's Boiler."  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"Antiquated Fire Equipment To Go; Highest Bidders Will Be Buyers
------
Seagrave Truck and Tractor Will Be Ousted -- Out of Date and Only In the Way -- Nott Steamer Will Still Stay On Guard For Emergencies.
-----

The new Board of Fire Commissioners have taken the 'Clean-up' for their slogan.  All the old discarded material which is stored up at the Fire Hall in North Pelham is to be sold at the best price obtainable.  Old style lamps, hooks and ladders are to be junked, and the old Seagrave truck with the Pierce Arrow tractor is to be sold to the highest bidder.  The old Seagrave truck is a memento of the past.  Originally it was horse-drawn, but as things progressed a tractor was purchased for it and additional speed was thus obtained -- that is the speed was obtained when the old machine got started up.

'Those were the days of real sport,' said Driver Gorham Head.  'Sometimes it would take forty-five minutes to get the engine started, but when she once got going there was nothing could keep pace with it.  The truck used to swing all over the street, and we used to have to hang on for dear life.'

'How about the old pumper?'

'She's just as good as ever she was.'

'Yes, but how good was that?'

There was a snort as though of escaping steam from over in the corner of the firehouse where stands the old Nott steamer, nicknamed 'Reilly's Wash Boiler.'  The old Nott is another relic of the days when they had to get up steam before an engine could throw a stream.  The old engine rocked on its blocks as though anxious to defend itself against the slur cast upon its wonderfully polished sides.

'She was a beaut in the old days,' said Driver Head, 'but she had to give way to the faster pumper.'

Just then President James Reilly came into the firehouse and overheard the last few words.  President Reilly was then just 'Jim' Reilly, who used to stoke the old engine, and with him the Nott steamer is next to his heart.

'That old steamer ain't done for by a long way yet, mark you,' he said emphatically.  'She may be slow getting up steam, but she can throw a stream as good as most any of your new pumpers right now.  You can take the new apparatus for the parade in Mount Vernon but you'll find that the old pumper will be right on the job if a fire breaks out when you're gone.  She was one of the best machines of her class ever made.'  And the president of the village cast a tender glance at the old pumper, with a reminiscent look in his eye, thinking, perhaps, of the old days when Jim Reilly used to stand on the back step and feed the fire while he watched the steam gauge mount until it signified that the old wash boiler was ready to throw a stream that would knock a bridge over.

It's a peculiar slant at human nature to see the respect which the firemen bear for the old equipment which has performed such efficient service.

That goes for the old Nott steamer; but the Seagrave truck and tractor, that used to leave a serpentine trail as it weaved its way down the street with the gang clinging to its sides, out she goes to the highest bidder.  It used to take fourteen men to back it into the firehouse.

'And I guess we can't give a guarantee with it,' said Commissioner McIlroy, in speaking of its sale."

Source:  Antiquated Fire Equipment To Go; Highest Bidders Will Be Buyers -- Seagrave Truck and Tractor Will Be Ousted -- Out of Date and Only In the Way -- Nott Steamer Will Still Stay On Guard For Emergencies, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 28, 1922, Vol. 13, No. 9, p. 9, cols. 2-3.  

"Seagrave Returned.

The old Seagrave tractor and hook and ladder of the First Fire District was returned to its old resting place in the fire house this week, after being used by the Tuckahoe fire department while their apparatus was being painted."

Source:  Seagrave Returned, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 1, 1922, p. 7, col. 6.  

"Fire Board Sells Old Pierce Arrow Tractor
-----
Dominick Amato Offers One Hundred Dollars For Old Equipment and Becomes Owner
-----

The old Seagrave truck of the First Fire District equipment which had the reputation of making more firemen seasick than any other piece of apparatus since the days of Noah, has finally found a buyer, in the person of Dominick Amato who is proprietor of Amato's Garage on Fifth avenue.  

For a long time the Fire Commissioners have been trying to get rid of the old equipment without success.  An attempt to sell it to an upstate fire department met with a reply that 'if we want to commit suicide we go out on the railroad track.'  The old truck was originally horse-drawn and then was motorized by being attached to a Pierce Arrow tractor.  The tractor was good but the truck swayed behind it in a manner that was dangerous to all aboard.  Now it has been supplanted by more efficient equipment.  Tuckahoe Fire Department flirted for a while over a proposition to purchase it at a low figure and the truck was shipped there while their other equipment was being repainted.  It was shipped back again as soon as the repainted apparatus returned to the Tuckahoe fire house.

There were two bids of a hundred dollars each, but one bidder withdrew his offer and Amato secured the tractor alone for that price.  He intends to remodel it into a wrecking truck for use in his business.  

The truck and ladders are apparently unsalable and may be ordered burned as the ladders are reported dried out and unsafe."

Source:  Fire Board Sells Old Pierce Arrow Tractor -- Dominick Amato Offers One Hundred Dollars For Old Equipment and Becomes Owner, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 8, 1922, p. 7, col. 1.  

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

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.

Thu., Jun. 22, 2017:  The Massive Fire in 1919 that Burned Down the Knickerbocker Ice Company Ice House and Damaged North Pelham Homes.

Mon., Jun. 12, 2017:  Pelham Schoolchildren Risked Their Lives Trying to Save Their Burning School in 1912.

Mon., May 22, 2017:  Early Radio in Pelham: Pelham Firefighters and Business at Pelham Picture House Installed "Radiophone" in 1922.

Tue., Jan. 31, 2017:  Fire Gutted the Old Pelhamville Train Station in 1895 Before Today's Pelham Train Station Was Completed.

Fri., Jan. 27, 2017:  Pelhamville Citizens Petitioned to Establish a Fire District In Early 1893.

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."