Historic Pelham

Presenting the rich history of Pelham, NY in Westchester County: current historical research, descriptions of how to research Pelham history online and genealogy discussions of Pelham families.

Friday, November 08, 2019

More About Pelham Hose Company No. 2 of the Village of Pelham (Today's Pelham Heights)


Little study seems to have been made of the history of firefighting in Pelham Heights.  I have collected some information about the early years of Pelham Heights' Bravest and have written once before about their earliest years.  See Fri., Jun. 23, 2017:  A Little of the Early History of Hose Company No. 2, the Pelham Heights Volunteer Fire Fighting Unit.  

Pelham Heights was incorporated as the "Village of Pelham" in 1896.  It had no organized firefighting unit of its own until about 1912.  Until then, the Village relied on firefighters of the First Fire District of Pelham, the headquarters of which stood in the adjacent Village of North Pelham.  

In 1912, or perhaps shortly before, Pelham Heights residents formed an auxiliary company of volunteer firefighters associated with the First Fire District of Pelham.  The company was named Hose Company No. 2 of Pelham.  (Although some accounts indicate the company was formed in 1913, the company existed at the time of, and its members participated in, the 1912 Firemen's Inspection held on September 25, 1912.)  Dr. Augustine C. McGuire, a Cliff Avenue resident, was an important organizer of Hose Company No. 2.

Today's Historic Pelham article collects some additional information about the early years of Hose Company No. 2 of Pelham.  

Originally, according to one account, the Pelham Hose Company No. 2 "was formed as an auxiliary company, answering to all alarms in Pelham Heights and second alarms in North Pelham."  Shortly after creation of the Company, however, the "interest of the members" grew to such an extent that the Company began answering "all alarms."

As an "auxiliary company" at the time of its founding, the membership of the Company was limited to twenty firefighters.  By about 1922, however, the Company established itself as a "regular company" with expanded numbers.  Indeed, that year it requested the Board of Fire Commissioners to allow it to expand membership of the company from twenty to thirty men.  Thus, it engaged in a membership drive to "interest . . . the younger men of Pelham Heights."

For a number of years -- at least a decade if not more -- Pelham Hose Company No. 2 held monthly meetings in the homes of members.  In addition to the day-to-day risky business of fighting fires, an important part of the focus of the Company was to prepare for its annual inspection, an opportunity to demonstrate competence, training, and readiness to the community the Company served.  

In those early days of local volunteer fire fighting there was a constant theme of the need to improve the professionalism of Pelham's Bravest.  At one meeting held in the home of Harry Dotts on September 11, 1922, a local Fire Captain spoke with the members of the Company and "emphasized the necessity of reporting to fires in uniform, because of the danger involved for the individual member and the need for identification and prevention of improper persons passing inside the fire lines."  In response, the Company moved to authorize "the appointment of several special policemen for duty at time of fires, such duty to apply only to Pelham Heights." 

In those years, one of the most important events of the year for local firefighters and townspeople was the annual inspection of the First Fire District of the Town of Pelham.  Hose Company No. 2, of course, took part proudly in such inspections that usually were followed by parades, with marching bands, that proceeded through North Pelham and Pelham Heights.  A vivid description of one such parade following an annual fire inspection held in 1917 during World War I appears immediately below, followed by a citation and link to its source:

"Annual Inspection.

The annual inspection of the fire department of the first fire district of the town of Pelham was held last evening at 8 o'clock at Firemen's hall, Fifth avenue.  The inspecting party consisted of the fire commissioners, fire chiefs and representatives of the town and village governments.  Following the inspection a parade with about 150 in line was held through Pelham and North Pelham.  The firemen were headed by the subway band of New York, and were escorted thru the streets of North Pelham by a squad from the North Pelham Home Defense league of that village.  The firemen in other years were escorted by the village police.  There were three companies in line, the Liberty Engine company, the Relief Hook and  Ladder company and Hose company No. 2 of Pelham Heights, with a total of five pieces of apparatus including the automobile combination hose and pump apparatus of the Liberty Engine company, the old steamer, the old hose wagon, the hook and ladder and the new automobile apparatus of Hose company No. 2.  Refreshments were served at headquarters where a social time followed the parade."

Source:  Annual Inspection, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 29, 1917, No. 8483, p. 5, col. 1.  



Hand-Drawn Hose Cart of the Type Acquired by
Hose Company No. 2 of Pelham in About 1912.
NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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The articles below, quoted in full, form part of the basis for today's Historic Pelham article.  The text of each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"To Increase Membership Of Hose Company No. 2
-----

Hose Company No. 2 will endeavor to interest the younger men of Pelham Heights in the Fire Department, and in that end requested the Board of Fire Commissioners to allow the membership of the company to be increased from twenty members to thirty.  Gardner Hazen, secretary of the Pelham Heights company, appeared before the Board of Fire Commissioners Tuesday night and made the request.  The commissioners granted it.

Originally the Pelham Heights Company was formed as an auxiliary company, answering to all alarms in Pelham Heights and second alarms in North Pelham.  The interest of the members of this company has become such that the company answers all alarms.  Being an auxiliary company the membership was limited to twenty, but since the company has established itself as a regular company it was thought advisable to enlist the interest of the younger men of Pelham Heights."

Source:  To Increase Membership Of Hose Company No. 2, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 9, 1922, Vol. 13, No. 15, p. 6, col. 2.  

"Heights Hose Company Favors Fire Police
-----

Pelham Hose Co. No. 2 held its September meeting Monday, Sept. 11th, at the residence of Mr. Harry Dotts.  After a discussion of the approaching annual inspection, two new members were elected, Messrs. Clifford B. Howell and Wm. L. Bradley.

Capt. Ingalls in addressing the meeting emphasized the necessity of reporting to fires in uniform, because of the danger involved for the individual member and the need for identification and prevention of improper persons passing inside the fire lines.

A motion was made authorizing the appointment of several special policemen for duty at time of fires, such duty to apply only to Pelham Heights.

The membership committee took under consideration five names which will be voted upon at the next meeting.

Eleven of the company were present, Capt. Ingalls, Lieutenants Howe, Davis, Eliot, Hazin, Rich, Snyder, Specht, R. P. Young, Dotts, Baker.

GARDNER HAZEN,

Sec. Hose Co. No. 2."

Source:  Heights Hose Company Favors Fire Police, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 5, 1922, p. 7, col. 2.  

"Fire Board Sets February 24th As Date Of Election
-----
Seven Candidates For Six Positions Open On Fire Board of First Fire District

Indications point to a lively contest at the election of the new Board of Fire Commissioners for the First Fire District which will take place at the Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 2 P. M. to 9 P. M.  Six candidates have been nominated for the five Commissionerships on the Board.

Pelham Heights Hose Co. nominate Commissioner Brundage for re-election and also placed in the field L. L. Willard.  Both nominations were indorsed [sic] by Relief Hook and Ladder Co. . . . "

Source:  Fire Board Sets February 24th As Date Of Election, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 9, 1923, p. 1, col. 1.

"FOSTER BEGINS 22ND YEAR AS FIRE CO. HEAD
-----
Nimphius, Powers and Van Cott Elected Captains of Three Companies in First Fire District.
-----

Charles W. Foster, Sr., of Fourth avenue, North Pelham, the only man to hold the office of president of Relief Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 of the First Fire District, was re-elected to that office on Monday night at the annual meeting of the company.  Mr. Foster began his 22nd year in this office.  Gordon Miller was re-elected president of Liberty Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, and all other officers of both companies were re-elected.

A. C. Nimphius was again elected captain of the Hook and Ladder Company, with Harry Pickard and Howard Berger, first and second lieutenants, respectively.  The other officers elected in this company were:  James W. Caffrey, vice-president; William L. Dollny, treasurer; Edward Broege, recording secretary; A. A. Tegetmeier, financial secretary [illegible] seargeant-at-arms.

Robert Powers is again captain of Liberty Engine Company, and Henry Zeller and John Keppel, first and second lieutenants.  Other officers are William Reilly, vice-president James Bollettieri, financial secretary; James Black, recording secretary; Frederick Head, treasurer, and Christopher Cullen, sergeant-at-arms.

At the annual departmental election held last week, Chief Robert O. Reilly, First Deputy Chief Irving J. Wallach and Second Deputy Edward Field were re-elected for the next year.

D. Merrill Van Cott was elected captain of Pelham Height Hose Co. No. 2 at the annual meeting which was held recently.  Arthur Koppel was chosen first lieutenant and Richard Smith, Jr., second lieutenant and secretary."

Source:  FOSTER BEGINS 22ND YEAR AS FIRE CO. HEAD, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 10, 1933, p. 6, col. 1.

"New Secretary for Hose Co.

Kenneth C. Downing of Clifford avenue has resigned as secretary of Pelham Heights Hose Co. No. 2 and the work has been taken up by John W. Roche of Corlies avenue."

Source:  New Secretary for Hose Co., The Pelham Sun, Dec. 11, 1942, p. 11, col. 3.


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Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Additional Information About Pelham Heights Architect, Engineer, and Map Maker John Fletcher


John Fletcher Fairchild lived in Pelham in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Trained as an architect and engineer, he worked as a civil engineer with offices in Mount Vernon.  He served as Town Engineer for the Town of Pelham for a portion of his career.  He also served as engineer of the Pelham Heights Company and was principally responsible for the layout and civil engineering aspects of that lovely neighborhood.  In addition, he prepared and published two local Atlases that are considered today rare examples of the art of such local atlases at the time.  He published the Atlas of the City of Mount Vernon and the Town of Pelham in 1899. He also updated and revised the Atlas in a second edition published in 1908.

John F. Fairchild designed and built the lovely home that still stands at 334 Pelhamdale Avenue.  An image of the home, including its famous carriage stone with a large "F" carved into it, appears immediately below.



The John F. Fairchild Home Located at 334 Pelhamdale
Avenue with its Carriage Stone in the Foreground.  Source:
Google Maps, 2016.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

I have written about John F. Fairchild, who was a brother of Pelham Heights founder and United States Congressman Benjamin L. Fairchild, on numerous occasions.  See, e.g.:

Thu., Dec. 6, 2007:  Biography of John F. Fairchild, Engineer of the Pelham Heights Company During the 1890s.

Thu., Feb. 26, 2009:  Photograph of John F. Fairchild Published in 1905.

Thu., Jun. 11, 2015:  Two Pelham Brothers Lost Their Only Sons in Eerily-Similar Early Aviation Incidents.

Mon., Dec. 19, 2016:  Biography of Famed Pelham Heights Resident John Fletcher Fairchild.



John Fletcher Fairchild of Pelham Heights in 1905.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog article transcribes the text of a brief article with biographical information about John F. Fairchild published in a local newspaper in 1892.  Though Fairchild was a young man about 25 years of age at the time, he already had a notable local reputation as a civil engineer.  The article is followed by a citation and link to its source.

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"JUNIOR OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. 
----- 
John Fletcher Fairchild of Mt. Vernon, N. Y. -- An Expert in the Profession. 

In 1867 Mr. Fairchild's birth took place in Washington, D. C. He received his education in the public schools of that city and at Columbia University. With Mr. Henry H. Law he studied architecture, and civil engineering with Mr. Herman K. Viele. Two years ago he came to Mt. Vernon principally to take charge of the improvements at Pelham Heights. His residence is at that place but he has his office at Mt. Vernon, in the Mt. Vernon Bank building. Since coming to the place he has built up a large outside business and keeps a force of assistants constantly at work in his offices. He is engineer of the drainage commission at Elmsford and of several parks at Kennico and also of the Mt. Vernon Suburban Land Company. Mr. Fairchild has an intelligent apprehension of all matters pertaining, not only to his profession but also to kindred topics and as he possess an extremely gentlemanly manner of doing business he is rapidly rising in social circles as well as in a professional way. Mr. Fairchild is a member of the Methodist church and is the editor of the Epworth League paper published at that place. 

He is a Junior of the American Society of Civil Engineers and keeps well posted on topics pertaining to the advancement of the profession." 

Source: JUNIOR OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS -- John Fletcher Fairchild of Mt. Vernon, N. Y. -- An Expert in the Profession, Elmira Daily Gazette and Free Press [Elmira, NY], May 10, 1892, p. 6, col. 4 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link). 


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Friday, February 09, 2018

Fascinating Real Estate Puff Piece on Pelham with Interesting Historical Facts Published in 1906


Today's Historic Pelham article transcribes a fascinating real estate "puff piece" published in 1906 touting the Town of Pelham.  The article is significant because it purports to tell a number of stories about the earliest days of the Pelhamville settlement in the early 1850s that do not seem to be available elsewhere and, in fact, are new to this author.

For example, the most fascinating assertion contained in the article is one this author has never seen before.  According to the article, about three years after the New York and New Haven Railroad line began running through Pelham in 1848 -- and likely about the time the settlement of Pelhamville was first being laid out in 1851 -- "a substantial two-story building was erected" on the lot known today as One Wolfs Lane where the Pelham National Bank Building stands.  According to the account, that two-story building was "presented to the railroad company on condition that they stop their trains there, which they did."

This brief assertion seems to be one of the few references indicating roughly when the first Pelham Train Station was built.  It is not known with certainty whether the image below depicts that first station or some subsequent replacement, but the image -- which is known to depict the Pelham Train Station that stood on the same spot in late 1885 -- may be considered a two-story structure and likely is, in fact, the original station that was replaced after a fire in the mid-1890s with today's Pelham Train Station.


Image From the January 16, 1886 Issue of Scientific American that
Featured a Cover Story About the Pelhamville Train Wreck
Entitled "A Remarkable Railroad Accident."  This is One of the
Only Known Images of What May Be the Original Pelhamville Train
Station Built in About 1851.  NOTE: Click on Images to Enlarge.

Another brief story told about the early days of Pelhamville that is new to this author includes an assertion that the entire settlement was a haven for moonshiners -- long before the area became a thorn in the side of Prohibition enforcement agents during the 1920s and early 1930s.  According to the article:

"It is said that at one time in the early history of Pelhamville nearly every house in the old village sold rum privately.  This will probably be denied by the descendants of those who lived here at that time, but the information came from a pretty good source.  There were two or three 'moonshiners,' so called, in the village, and a brewery which was operated by a good old Dutchman by the name of Bigerchinsky, or something like that.  This brewery was located in the basement of a barn which was situated near where the pumping station at the reservoir is now located.  The old house in which the Dutchman lived is now standing, but the barn is extinct.  Ale was manufactured there.

There are interesting stories told concerning the old 'moonshine' establishments of the early fifties. . . . There was one in the northeast part of the village, somewhere in the vicinity of what is now Ninth avenue, and another in a house not far from where the North Pelham postoffice now stands.  It is said that the proprietors of this place had a very narrow escape from arrest one night.  The detectives were on their way to execute the law upon the heads of the owners when the latter got wind of what was going to happen and made good their escape.  When the detectives arrived, 'it was all over but the shouting,' and that was done by some of the villagers and not the detectives.  No one, of course, knew anything about the establishment and the detectives went away without their offenders."

The article includes a surprising number of rare and unusual photographs of Pelhamites and Pelham locations, though the quality of the images is not the best.  Those are reproduced below.


"RESIDENCE OF GEO. B. BRIDGMAN, NORTH PELHAM."


"R. H. MARKS,
Chief of Police."


"JACOB HEISSER,
Village President, North Pelham, 1896."


"ST. CATHERINE'S CHURCH, NORTH PELHAM."


"UNION FREE SCHOOL OF DISTRICT NO. 1, TOWN OF PELHAM."
This is a Predecessor of Today's Hutchinson Elementary School.  It
Was the Third School on the Site and Stood from 1900 Until 1910.


"RESIDENCE OF JOHN H. YOUNG, NORTH PELHAM."


"JOHN CASE, Oldest Resident Member of Original
Association, Established Pelhamville."


"THE OLD WOLF HOMESTEAD, NORTH PELHAM."


"CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER, (Episcopal,) NORTH PELHAM."


"A VIEW IN PELHAM HEIGHTS."

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"TOWN OF PELHAM INTERESTING, IMPORTANT, VALUABLE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VILLAGES OF PELHAM, NORTH PELHAM, PELHAM HEIGHTS AND PELHAM MANOR

Lying snugly between the flourishing cities of New Rochelle and Mount Vernon, on the New York, New Haven and Hartford railroad, and covering an area of 2 1/2 square miles, is situated the hustling little town of Pelham divided into the villages of Pelham Manor, Pelham Heights [sic], Pelham and North Pelham.  Pelham Manor is strictly a residential village; Pelham Heights, which is a part of the village of Pelham, is also made up of residences; the original village of Pelham has within its midst a few stores, while the village of North Pelham has has a good business section.

The settlement of the town of Pelham, so history says, dates back to the times when the Huguenots were having their troubles in France and leaving that country in large numbers.  It is recorded that a number of these Huguenots came to that part of this country known now as New Rochelle and Pelham and settled here.

The town of Pelham was named after Lord Pell [sic], who was one of the earliest settlers in Westchester county [sic].  However, he was not the earliest by any means.  The following interesting facts are gleaned from 'The Drake Family Pedigree,' so called, by Jacob Bonnet, of New Rochelle, concerning the early settlers of Pelham.  The writer says:  'The settlement of New Rochelle dates back to 1689, when some 6,000 acres, previously included in the Manor of Pelham were made over to Jacob Leisler, of New York, in trust for the Huguenots, who then were arriving in large numbers from England.  These refugees were a portion of the 50,000 who left France for England in 1687.  Four years before the revocation traditions, unsupported, however, by evidencing, tell us that one of King Charles' ships brought out the founders of the town of New Rochelle.  And we find that during the year 1690 Leisler was parcelling out the Pelham purchase among the French families who preferred to sustain a new settlement which might possess all possible characteristics of their native land.

'Among the names of those to whom Leisler released portions of the Pelham tract are John Neuville, 200 acres; Alexander Allair, 100 acres; Louis Guion, 136 acres; and John Butiller.'

It will thus be seen that Pelham was settled by Huguenot refugees [sic].  As the years rolled by the settlement gradually grew until there were quite a number of people living here by the time the nineteenth century arrived.

In the section of Westchester county known as Pelham Manor the Huguenots settled.  To their memory there now stands the beautiful Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Pelhamdale avenue and the Boston Post road.  Pelham Manor boasts of a great many magnificent residences, which are inhabited by wealthy New Yorkers.  The streets are broad and lined by stately trees which in the summer are covered with beautiful foliage.  There are no public buildings in Pelham Manor [sic].  Everything there reminds one of home.  Outside of the residences there are also the fine Manor club house and the elegant school, with dormitories, of Mrs. John Cunningham Hazen, which is one of the most select private schools in the United States.

Pelham Manor was the first of the three villages to be incorporated, the incorporation taking place in the early nineties.  The present population in 679, according to the census just taken.  The village itself has for the most part grown up during the past twenty years and is now passing through stages of marked development.  The past year has seen the erection of several new residences and others are now in the course of construction.  The Witherbee Real Estate Improvement Company is building a house which is to be rented by Mr. Holland, of Highbrook avenue.  It will be completed in the spring.  John Farrington is building a house on Esplanade avenue, between Boston Road and Wolf's Lane.  Witherbee Black is completing a house on Esplanade avenue, near Pelham Manor station.  

The hilly and swampy land on the corner of Pelhamdale avenue and the Boston Road, opposite the Presbyterian Church is now being graded, and the probability is that it will not be many years before there will be located there handsome residences as well as on the two open places across the street.

Pelham was the second village to be incorporated.  At the time of its incorporation, Pelham Heights was a rocky woodland, one section of which every summer was used by the negroes as their camping ground.  However, no many years ago its value as a residential section began to be recognized with the result that many beautiful residences now stand where less than ten years ago, nothing but woodland could be seen.  Pelham Heights, to use the expression, seems to have 'sprung up in a night.'  Not only has its growth been rapid, but the future bids fair to exceed the past.  The past year has witnessed the erection of a number of elegant residences and others are now being constructed.

Mrs. E. E. Sinclair is building two houses on Corlies avenue, between First and Second street; Mr. Wormrath is finishing a house on Corlies avenue, between Second street and the Boulevard; Mr. Nesbitt is finishing a new house on the corner of Corlies avenue and Second street, and is about to move into it himself; Mr. White, of Brooklyn, is completing a house on Monterey avenue; Mr. Sneider, of Seigel, Cooper & Co., is erecting a new house on the corner of Second street and Monterey avenue; W. G. Fay, the optician, of New York, is building a house on Monterey avenue, between First and Second streets; William Dette has plans out for the erection of a handsome new house on Witherbee avenue, between Highbrook avenue and Monterey avenue.  Mr. Dette is with Crocker Brothers.

Mr. Murphy, the real estate dealer, stated not long ago to an Argus representative that there have been quite a number of purchasers looking around for houses and lots to buy in Pelham Heights and Pelham Manor.  That people are anxious to move into these two villages is attested by the fact that Mr. Murphy already has a list of twenty-five applicants for houses to rent.  The spring market looks very promising and healthy, and there will probably be considerable building going on before long.

The village of Pelham has one grocery store, which is owned by John Smith; a meat market, of which E. Paustian is the proprietor; a boarding and livery stable, of which R. L. Vaughan is the proprietor, all of which are located side by side on Fifth avenue, south of the railroad bridge.  In the same locality is situated Lyon hall, which is the rendezvouse for the people at social gatherings of any performance.

North Pelham was the last village in the town to be incorporated, the incorporation taking place in September, 1896.  North Pelham, previous to 1851, wsa made up of a farm, the northern half of which ws owned by John [sic] Wolfe, and the southern half by a Mr. Weeden.  Mr. Wolfe's old farmhouse is the building now occupied by H. H. Straehle and used as a barroom and a hotel.  Previous to the year 1851, an association was formed in New York city for the purpose of establishing homes for the members, of which there were quite a number.  The only living member of that association now living in North Pelham is John Case, the collector of taxes.  Mr. Case's father, Frederick Case, and his brother, John Case, were both members, but they are now dead.

The farm land was surveyed by William Bryson, of New Rochelle, and laid out into 406 lots, most of which were designated by number and some by letter.  The lots were laid out beginning at the north at Morgan's farm, where Chester Park is now locted, and extending down on the south as far as the railroad bank, there being only one track at that time, and the bank not being so high as it is now.  From east to west the boundary extended from Lather's hill on the east to the center of the channel of the Hutchinson river on the west.  As a rule, the lots were one hundred feet square.  Lot No. 1 was the most southern lot of them all and was located at the corner of Fifth avenue and First street, where Lyman's drug store now stands.  The map of the survey was filed in the register's office in White Plains, August 4, 1851.  Opposiite lot No. 1 was a vacant lot on what is now the corner of Fifth avenue and First street.  On this lot a substantial two-story building was erected and presented to the railroad company on condition that they stop their trains there, which they did.

At the time the lots were staked out the present streets of the village were marked out though not worked.  The street which is known now as Fifth avenue and is at present the principal street of the village, was at the time the land was bought from Messrs. Wolfe and Weeden the northern continuation of Wolfe's Lane, which led from the railroad across the fields to or near his farm house, the residence now of the Straehles.  This lane was worked up some.  There was no other public entrance to the village.  Fourth street, however, was usurped, though it was not worked as a public thoroughfare.

It is said that the first house to be built here was that of Michael O'Malley on Second avenue, which is now standing, and is occupied by F. L. Buckhaber.  If this is so, as it probably is, for the information came from a very reliable source, this is the oldest house in the village outside of the old farmhouse.  The second house was that of William Darby, a butcher, which stands on the corner of Second street and Second avenue, and is occupied now by Douglas Sprague.  Another old house, now standing, built in the early fifties, is that of a Mr. Barker, on Seventh avenue, where Mr. Church now lives.  Frederick Case, John Case's father, was one of the first to be located in the old village of Pelhamville, and build a house on the site of the present house owned by Mrs. Knox on Fifth avenue, between Second and Third streets.  Another old house stood on the southwest corner of Third street and Fourth avenue, where the house in which Mr. Stead lives is now located.

John Case, the present town tax collector, was the first one to occupy the old Wolf farmhouse after Mr. Wolfe moved out, when his property had been acquired by this association above mentioned.  

It is said that at one time in the early history of Pelhamville nearly every house in the old village sold rum privately.  This will probably be denied by the descendants of those who lived here at that time, but the information came from a pretty good source.  There were two or three 'moonshiners,' so called, in the village, and a brewery which was operated by a good old Dutchman by the name of Bigerchinsky, or something like that.  This brewery was located in the basement of a barn which was situated near where the pumping station at the reservoir is now located.  The old house in which the Dutchman lived is now standing, but the barn is extinct.  Ale was manufactured there.

There are interesting stories told concerning the old 'moonshine' establishments of the early fifties. . . . There was one in the northeast part of the village, somewhere in the vicinity of what is now Ninth avenue, and another in a house not far from where the North Pelham postoffice now stands.  It is said that the proprietors of this place had a very narrow escape from arrest one night.  The detectives were on their way to execute the law upon the heads of the owners when the latter got wind of what was going to happen and made good their escape.  When the detectives arrived, 'it was all over but the shouting,' and that was done by some of the villagers and not the detectives.  No one, of course, knew anything about the establishment and the detectives went away without their offenders.

North Pelham has developed more during the last twenty years than ever before.  Previous to 1886 there were not a great many houses in North Pelham, or what was known as Pelhamville.  Since that time the population has more than doubled.  In fact it has doubled since 1896.

It was in that year, in the month of September, that the village of North Pelham was incorporated with Jacob Heisser as the first village president.  The trustees were George A. McGalliard, L. C. Young, and Samuel E. Lyon.  B. S. Crewell was treasurer and John Case clerk.

The village of North Pelham is now in the midst of its prosperity.  Today there is a population of 872 persons.  Four years ago the population was given as 627, showing a gain of 245 in four years.  With new industries coming into the village, the village should make rapid strides in growth and the real estate business should boom there.

During the past year six houses have been erected in North Pelham and two more are in the course of erection.  Those built were by Mr. Murphy, on the corner of First avenue and Second street; Mrs. Pickhardt, on Second avenue; Mr. Ham on Eighth avenue; Mr. Brooks on Sixth avenue; Mr. Coe on Eighth avenue, and Mr. Miller on Seventh avenue.  The two houses being erected are those of Philip Godfrey, on Fourth avenue, and David Lyon, Second avenue.  Just as soon as the weather opens, Mr. Fritz of Third avenue, will build a house in back of the schoolhouse.

However, the most important building to be erected this coming spring and one which is looked forward to with a great deal of interest by the people is the handsome six thousand dollar convent, on which work will be commenced in the early spring.  As previously stated in these columns, this convent will be occupied by the Sisters from the Order of St. Francis.  The Sisters will have whole charge of the school, which is to be opened in the Lyceum building next fall.  They will also do much needed charitable work among the poor, irrespective of creed.  The convent wil face on First avenue, and will be located directly in back of the church.  A.G.C. Fletcher is the architect.

The most important buildings in North Pelham are the court house on Fifth avenue, the fire house on the same street, in which are housed the two fire companies of the village, the postoffice and the fine school building, located on an eminence on Fourth street.  This schoolhouse is known as the Union Free School of District No. 1 of the town of Pelham, and was erected in 1888.  It is without any exceptions the finest edifice in North Pelham.  When the school was erected, William Allen Smith was president of the board, and the trustees were E. H. Gurney, Frank Beattie, Robert C. Clark, William Barry, H. N. Babcock.  F. C. Merry was the architect, John New & Son the masons, and James Thompson had charge of the carpentering.  I. C. Hill is the popular principal of the school.  In fact, he is the only man to boast of being at the head of this institution.,

There are three churches in North Pelham, all of which are located on the same street -- Second avenue.  In view of this fact, the religious influence on the neighboring ressidents should be quite marked.  They are the Congregational church, the Church of the Redeemer, which is Episcopal, and St. Catherine's, which is Catholic.  The pastor of the Congregational church is the Rev. Wayland Spaulding.  Rev. Cornelius W. Bolton is the rector of the Episcopal church and the assistant rector is the Rev. E. B. Rice.  Dr. Rice officiates now, as the rector is very ill and unable to attend to the duties of the parish.  The parishioners worship in a magnficent little edifice, a picture of which is seen elsewhere in this paper.  The corner stone was laid in 1892.  The church is built of native stone and will seat about three hundred.

The members originally worshiped in the little building on Fourth avenue, now used as a Sunday school room and a gathering place for the parishioners at various sociables.  The church was organized under the trees in North Pelham, it is understood, and worshiped for the first time in a room upstairs in the present Sunday school building.  This used to be an old carpenter's shop and was later remodeled and renovated for a church edifice.  The future prosperity of the church was assisted materially by Mrs. Seaver, who lived at one time in Mount Vernon.  She gave four lots where the present elegant church now stands.  On her death she willed the church a large sum of money.  Mrs. I. C. Hill raised the first hundred dollars for the new edifice, and Mr. Rapelye, of New Rochelle, was the architect, he donated the plans.  The church was opened for worship February 7, 1893, a little over thirteen years ago.

The corner stone of St. Catharine's church was laid in 1896.  The only pastor the church has ever had is the present incumbent, Rev. Father McNichol.  When Father McNichol arrived in North Pelham, which was eight years ago, he found the condition of things very bad.  There was no rectory and the only land the parish owned was that on which the church stood.  Since then the church has been beautifully furnished and both a rectory and lyceum have been built.  Six pieces of land have been purchased since he has been here, giving the church property a frontage of two avenues.  It is surrounded by an iron fence of handsome pattern which cost, it is said, $1,400.  A fine new convent is to be erected this spring which will cost $6,000.  When this is completed the value of the property will be about $36,000.  The buildings and church property are factors in making that locality of North Pelham the prettiest in the town.

There is no doubt that before long the members of the Congregational church will be putting up a fine new edifice.  As it is they worship in a cosy wooden church, the interior of which is a credit to the members.  This organization is one of the active ones of the village and is a factor for development of the religious tone of the town that cannot be lost sight of.  It is to be regretted that the Argus has not a cut of this church.

Beside the important buildings, North Pelham has three grocery stores, owned, respectively, by Jacob Heisser, R. H. Marks, and A. Smith; one blacksmith shop, operated by Mr. James Riley [sic], the fire commissioner; one barber shop, owned by F. Utano; two notion stores; a sheet iron shop, owned by W. Edinger; a butcher shop, owned by B. W. Imhof; a wheelwright industry, owned by A. G. Harris; S. T. Lyman is postmaster; a pharmacy owned by Mr. Lyman, and several places where some men spend their evenings where various kinds of refreshments are served.  There are one or two minor industries.  The fine railroad station is for the whole town, of course, though in the village of North Pelham.

William Edinger is the president of the village now.  The clerk is James W. Caffrey and the treasurer K. S. Durham.  The other trustees are M. J. Woods and Dave Algie.

The social life of North Pelham is well worth passing notice.  The old 'house sociables,' so called, used to be 'the thing' in North Pelham not so long ago.  Young ladies, who even now are living in the village, can remember how they used to attend them when they were young girls.  These house sociables used to be held every month, and what rousing times the people of the village used to have.  Jack Horny, with his fiddle, used to constitute a complete orchestra for the various dances held at these gatherings. . . . There is a very interesting story told about a dance which ws indulged in by a thin young man and a very stout woman.

This particular dance occurred in a house on Prospect street.  On this particular night, when old Jack Horney started up a jig, this fat woman was urged by the people there to dance a jig for them.  She consented
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(Continued on Page 14.)

TOWN OF PELHAM
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(Continued From Page 12.)
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and had as her partner the aforesaid mentioned young man.  The two kept it up for so long that as a result the woman was confined to her bed for three days.  In fact, she had to be taken home in a hack.  This woman now lives in North Pelham and the man is a resident of Mount Vernon.  

Today the people of North Pelham are very sociable and many are the good times they have among themselves.  The various affairs held by the three churches are the principal attractions, not to mention the dances held in Lyon hall and the various home gatherings and dinners.  Lucky is he who owns a home in North Pelham.

North Pelham has not been visited by a great many fires in her history; however, there were several worthy of notice during the last fifteen years.  The large old residence of Frederick Case, one of the earliest settlers here, was burned to the ground, and made a spectacular fire.  It was known as the Case homestead and was located on Fifth avenue.  Another big fire was that which destroyed the Delcambre house, which was situated on Fourth avenue, opposite the Sunday school building of the Church of the Redeemer.  This was a very large building, and also made a spectacular fire.

Probably the worst fire in the history of the village was that which destroyed the Pelham building, where the postoffice is now located.  One life was lost in this fire.  Fire also destroyed Penfield's store on Fourth street and Fourth avenue, J. Heisser's store on Fifth avenue, and Fourth street, a house belonging to George Bowden on Ninth avenue, and a house on the corner of Third avenue and Third street, where the McDonald house is now standing.  These latter fires did not occur at the same time, but at various times.  One of the latest fires was that in the house of Mr. Bovie last Monday noon, which caused little damage.

The officers of the town of Pelham are:  Louis C. Young, supervisor; Harry A. Anderson, town clerk; justice of the peace, Durham, Karbach, Hill, Beecroft; and collector of taxes, John Case.  The chief of police is R. H. Marks."

Source:  TOWN OF PELHAM INTERESTING, IMPORTANT, VALUABLE AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VILLAGES OF PELHAM, NORTH PELHAM, PELHAM HEIGHTS AND PELHAM MANOR, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Feb. 17, 1906, p. 12, cols. 1-7 & p. 14, cols. 3-4.

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Thursday, February 01, 2018

More on the Early History of the Pelham Heights Police Force


Little has been written of the history of the Pelham Heights Police Force that once protected the little Village of Pelham before it and the Village of North Pelham merged in 1975 to form today's Village of Pelham.  Recently, I began research into the early history of that tiny little police force.  See, e.g.:   Tue., Jan. 23, 2018:  The Pelham Heights Police Force: A Little History.  

The recent Historic Pelham article cited above documented J. Gardiner Minard's assertion that "The first Village of Pelham Police Station was located in the storefront at 103 Wolfs Lane where it remained until 1923."  Further research has revealed that this assertion may be only partially correct.

It seems that the first permanent full-time Pelham Heights Police Headquarters was, indeed, located at 103 Wolfs Lane where it remained until 1923.  However, an earlier night-only police headquarters was established by the Pelham Heights Police Force in 1906 before opening the facility at 103 Wolfs Lane.

In 1905 and early 1906, when Pelham Heights residents needed to call their police, there was no way to do so.  Instead, according to news reports, they had to contact the Pelham Manor police headquarters in the Village of Pelham Manor.  As a local newspaper reported at the time, "this has been unsatisfactory."  

On July 5, 1906, The Daily Argus of Mount Vernon reported that Pelham Heights Police had mailed notices to all residents of the Village notifying them that a new Police Headquarters would be established in the real estate office of John H. Murphy located at the corner of First Street and Corlies Avenue.  That real estate office, of course, no longer exists though Pelhamites will know its location.  Today it is the small plot within the Wolfs Lane Park on which stands a flagpole with an American Flag lit at night directly across the street from the First Street entrance to the Pelham Train Station.

It appears that until the Pelham Heights Police Headquarters was relocated to 103 Wolfs Lane, the police shared the real estate office, using it only at night while John H. Murphy used it for his real estate business during the day.  The Daily Argus reported:  "This office will only be the headquarters of the police at night.  The telephone call will be 309-R."  The newspaper further reported:


"
By establishing the headquarters in the office of Mr. Murphy, the difficulty, heretofore experienced, of reaching the police promptly, will be obviated.  No better location could have been selected by the village authorities than the present one.  It is directly opposite the passenger station and easy of access for the majority of the residents of the village; especially for those who have no telephones in their houses.  It is considered a most important step."

The second year of the Pelham Heights Police Force, 1906, seems to have been a year of change and turmoil.  There seem to have been two shakeups of the tiny force that year by its chief -- Chief Raphael Marks who also served as Chief of the Pelham Manor Police Force.  In late June or early July of 1906, the force apparently had four members, plus Chief Marks.  One of the officers "left the force."  Another resigned.  A third was then appointed "Acting Sergeant" and apparently oversaw only a single patrolman until the force was able, in only a few weeks to find three new police officers to bring the force up to five members.

Within only a few months, Chief Marks apparently overhauled the tiny five-man Pelham Heights Police Force again.  In early October, 1906, a local newspaper reported:

"There has been a shakeup in the Pelham Heights police force recently as a result of which Officers Murphy and Cashman have been discharged.  The chief of police was asked the reasons for the changes in the department but he refused to talk.  It was not so long ago that there was a shakeup in the Pelham Heights department and a few changes made, one of the old officers being discharged.  Two new officers have been engaged to take the places of Murphy and Cashman and they are now on probation. . . ." 

During this same period, Pelham Heights residents and members of the Pelham Heights Police Force apparently began agitating for a so-called "hot telephone system" in Pelham Heights.  The proposal was to affix to trees throughout Pelham Heights a series of telephones wired to connect directly with Police Headquarters so that officers walking their beats through Pelham Heights could pick up any of the phones at various intervals and report back to a desk officer "at stated intervals" as was the custom in many cities at the time (including Mount Vernon).   

Pelham Heights, like the Town of Pelham, was growing up at the time.  Though its Police Force appears to have suffered some growing pains shortly after its birth in 1905, it too was growing up.

 

*          *          *          *          *

"MORE POLICE WANTED NOW FOR PELHAM
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Advisability of Establishing System for Entire Town Suggested
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APPROPRIATION IS NEEDED THOUGH FOR SUCH PROJECT
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North Pelham, June 11. -- The advisability of establishing a police department for the entire town of Pelham is being discussed in some quarters.  At present the police conditions are sufficient in Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights, but as far as North Pelham is concerned, there are only five constables.

It is a well known fact that the police department of Pelham Manor with Chief Marks at its head, is a credit to the village and consists of policemen who are considered efficient defenders of the law.  The police have recently obtained their new uniforms.

The main trouble seems to be with North Pelham.  While there is seldom any trouble in this village, there may arise an occasion when police protection will be needed.  Not long ago there was an exhibition of rowdyism which could have been quelled by a watchman or patrolman.  As there was none, the rowdies were allowed to continue their work until the glass was smashed in a front door window on Fifth avenue and considerable noise created.  Efforts at the time were made to obtain assistance from constables in the village, but they were futile.

President Reilley [sic] said that he did not see how a police department could be supported in the vilage if there was no appropriation for it.  He believes that there ought to be at least two watchmen on duty in the village all the time.

It has been suggested that there should be one department for the entire town with a superintendent or chief for the same.  Also that there should be telephone boxes where the police should notify the chief regularly on specified hours on their beat.  A headquarters for all the police of the three villages has also been suggested, where notification of commission of any crimes could be sent without delay."

Source:  MORE POLICE WANTED NOW FOR PELHAM -- Advisability of Establishing System for Entire Town Suggested -- APPROPRIATION IS NEEDED THOUGH FOR SUCH PROJECT, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 11, 1906, No. 4330, p. 1, col. 4.


"PELHAM
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POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
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Will Be Established at the Office of John H. Murphy.

Pelham Heights is to have a police headquarters.  Notices have been mailed to the residents of the village calling attention to the fact that the headquarters will be established in the real estate office of John H. Murphy, at the corner of First street and Corlies avenue.  This office will only be the headquarters of the police at night.  The telephone call will be 309-R.

It has been felt for some time that Pelham Heights should have the means whereby the proper protection should be given the village.  Heretofore if there was need of the police, the call would have to be sent to the police station in Pelham Manor.  It is understood that this has been unsatisfactory.

The probability is that the police station will remain the headquarters for the residents of Pelham Manor, as it is easy of access; in fact it is more accessible than the proposed headquarters in Pelham Heights.  Then again this small building may be the headquarters for both villages.

By establishing the headquarters in the office of Mr. Murphy, the difficulty, heretofore experienced, of reaching the police promptly, will be obviated.  No better location could have been selected by the village authorities than the present one.  It is directly opposite the passenger station and easy of access for the majority of the residents of the village; especially for those who have no telephones in their houses.  It is considered a most important step."

Source:  PELHAM -- POLICE HEADQUARTERS-- Will Be Established at the Office of John H. Murphy, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 5, 1906, No. 4359, p. 5, col. 2



"CHANGING POLICE FORCE.
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Additions Made in Pelham Heights -- Reorganization Effected.
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North Pelham, July 21. -- There has been a shake-up in the police force of the village of Pelham Heights during the past few weeks.  One of the officers has left the force, another has resigned and a third is now acting sergeant at the police headquarters in Pelham Heights.  These changes have made it necessary to put on three new men.  The force has also been increased from four to five men.

The chief is to give his entire time, night and day to matters in Pelham Manor and Pelham Heights.

The advisability of establishing a hot telephone system in Pelham Heights is now being discussed, and will probably become a reality before many days.  It has been suggested that telephones be attached to trees at certain points on the beats of the various officers in order that the headquarters may be communicated with at stated periods as is the custom in Mount Vernon and other cities."

Source:  CHANGING POLICE FORCE -- Additions Made in Pelham Heights -- Reorganization Effected, Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jul. 21, 1906, No. 4373, p. 1, col. 2.

"Here and There. . . . 

There has been a shakeup in the Pelham Heights police force recently as a result of which Officers Murphy and Cashman have been discharged.  The chief of police was asked the reasons for the changes in the department but he refused to talk.  It was not so long ago that there was a shakeup in the Pelham Heights department and a few changes made, one of the old officers being discharged.  Two new officers have been engaged to take the places of Murphy and Cashman and they are now on probation. . . ."


Source:  Here and ThereThe Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 2, 1906, No. 4434, p. 5, col. 2.

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