Sanborn Map Company Employees Began Working in Pelham Before the Company Map Factory Was Completed in 1906

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Research continues to reveal more about the early Pelham history of the internationally-renowned Sanborn Map Company that built a "map factory" in the Village of North Pelham in 1906.  The Sanborn Map Building stands adjacent to Chester Park in the northern portion of today's Village of Pelham.  The Sanborn Map Building was built in 1906. In it the Sanborn Map Company produced maps for insurance company customers for many decades.   

The company's predecessor, founded by D. A. Sanborn in 1866, gained national recognition in the 19th century for its incredibly detailed fire insurance maps. The "Sanborn Map and Publishing Company, Limited" was established at the office of the Continental Insurance Company in New York in 1876.  By the early 20th century the company had changed its name to the Sanborn Map Company and had decided to build a massive "map factory" in the Village of North Pelham.  Construction began in 1906.  

I have written on numerous occasions about the lovely Sanborn Map Building in Pelham.  See, e.g.:

Thu., Nov. 02, 2017:  Sanborn Map Company Opened a Map School in Pelham Before Opening its New Map Factory in 1906.

Tue., Mar. 14, 2017:   The Sanborn Map Company Water Tower in North Pelham.  

Mon., Nov. 28, 2005:   The Historic Sanborn Map Building In The Village of Pelham.  

Bell, Blake A., The Sanborn Map Company and its Pelham Headquarters, The Pelham Weekly, Vol. XV, Issue 14, Apr. 7, 2006, p. 10, col. 1.

A brief article appeared in the October 5, 1906 issue of The Daily Argus published in neighboring Mount Vernon.  The article referenced the fact that a group of women had been working for the Sanborn Map Company for "some weeks" in a building owned by Philip Godfrey on Fourth Avenue near Second Street.  This was the Sanborn Map Company School that existed at that location for a very brief time in 1906.  There, the company trained local workers to handle the work that would be required in the new Map Factory nearing completion at the time.  I have written about that school before.  See Thu., Nov. 02, 2017:  Sanborn Map Company Opened a Map School in Pelham Before Opening its New Map Factory in 1906.

The same Daily Argus reveals an interesting piece of new information, however.   According to the article, about twenty women who had worked at the Sanborn Map Company School in Philip Godfrey's building were moved after their training to a section of the Power House at the Sanborn Map Company Factory before the remainder of the complex was completed.

When first established, the Sanborn Map Factory complex in North Pelham had its own steam-based electrical generating equipment.  Such equipment was common during the late 19th and early 20th centuries at manufacturing plants at a time when the electrical grid was far less reliable and a patchwork of electricity generating companies served various regions rather than a handful of large electric utilities.  Even today the tall brick steam exhaust stack of the manufacturing plant in north Pelham towers over the complex and can be seen from quite a distance.

The twenty or so women began working in a portion of the power plant while work on the complex including the laying of piping and other necessary work was being performed.  Clearly the Sanborn Map Company was anxious to open its Map Factory as soon as possible and planned to hit the ground running with trained employees who were ready, willing, and able to work as soon as construction was finished.  

 Sanborn Map Building in 2003.  Photograph by the Author.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge. 

 
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"NORTH PELHAM. 
-----
The Argus will be found on sale each day at Lyman's drug store, or will be delivered by notifying Glover Brea.
-----
Here and There.

The following are the unclaimed letters at the North Pelham postoffice for the week of September 24:  Mrs. William C. Abbott, Mrs. Elizabeth Marany, Mrs. Q. Mauk, Miss Lizzie Pelham, Miss Ellen Regan and Miss Ellen Hickey.

It was stated yesterday afternoon by the superintendent, who has in charge the construction of the Sanborne [sic] map factory building, that the main buildings would probably be ready for occupancy by November 15.  The girls who have been doing work for the company some weeks in the building of Philip Godfrey on Fourth avenue, near Second street, have moved into a section of the power house where they will remain for the time being.  There are twenty of them at present working there.  These buildings are now rapidly nearing completion.  The piping is being laid and other necessary work being done.

A number of houses in North Pelham are now nearing completion.  Work on Jacob Heisser's house on Fourth street and Sixth avenue is in an advanced stage and will probably be ready for occupancy by November 1.  At least Mr. Heisser expects to move into it then.  The block at the corner of Fifth avenue and Fifth street is going up well and will no doubt be ready about the same time.  Several other houses will also be ready by that time.

The three days' bazaar, under the auspices of St. Catherine's [sic] church was brought to a close last night with by large attendance.  A goodly sum will be realized from the affair fo the benefit of the furnishings for the convent."

Source:    NORTH PELHAM -- Here and There, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Oct. 5, 1906, p. 5, col. 1.

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Reminiscenses of Firemen Who Served From 1893 Until 1923 in North Pelham

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Old newspapers continue to be a rich source of information regarding the early history of firefighting in the Town of Pelham.  For example, in 1923, the First Fire District of the Town of Pelham honored two local firefighters who had served for thirty years since the founding of the local fire department:  Philip Godfrey and William Edinger.  The local newspaper interviewed both men, asking them about their recollections of the early days of firefighting in Pelham.  The men discussed the initial organization of the department and its companies, the first officers of the units, the earliest firefighting apparatus purchased by the department, how alarms were sounded, recollections of the worst fires they had fought, and much more.

The Pelham Sun article provides a fascinating overview of the evolution of a local fire department as it moved from hand-pulled equipment to horse-drawn equipment and, finally, to motorized equipment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  The article is transcribed below in its entirety, followed by a citation and link to its source.

"Looking Backward Over Thirty Years of Fire Department Experience-----
William Edinger and Philip Godfrey Tell of Some Happenings of Long Period of Service
-----

Thirty years a fireman!

The Sun man scented an interesting story when news came that William Edinger and Philip Godfrey of Relief Hook and Ladder Co. were to be presented with gold badges for thirty years' meritorious service in the fire company.  So we sought out the jovial 'Bill' Edinger at his Fifth avenue residence and sat down for a talk. 

First we were permitted to look at the solid gold badge which is inscribed:  'Presented to William Edinger by Relief Hook and Ladder Co., Pelham Fire Department, 1893-1923,' a duplicate of which was presented to Philip Godfrey.

'How did Pelham fire department come to be organized?'

'Along about 1892 we had two very bad fires,' replied Edinger.  'One was at the Delcambre residence, which was located at Fourth Avenue and Third Street, and the other was the Case residence, which was situated about where they are now building the new hardware store for Subitsky on Fifth Avenue.  Both burned down as we had no means of fighting the flames.  The Case fire was so fierce that burning embers were carried over into West New Rochelle.  There were not many houses in North Pelham then, but we realized that something had to be done, so in the spring of 1893 we organized the Pelham fire department at a meeting held in the Town Hall.  Both companies, Relief Hook and Ladder and Liberty Engine and Hose Company, were organized at the same time.  The members lined up, and numbers were drawn from a hat.  The odd numbers went to Liberty Hose Company and the even numbers to Relief Hook and Ladder.'

'Who were the first officers?'

'So far as I remember, they were:  Vincent Barker, chief; Michael J. Lynch, assistant chief; Charles A. Barker, foreman; Gustave I. Karback, assistant foreman; Walter G. Barker, secretary; and John Henderson, treasurer.'

'What was your first equipment?'

'Soon after our organization, a hand-drawn hook and ladder was purchased and the next step was the erection of the firehouse.  The old hook and ladder is the one now standing outside the firehouse on the vacant lot there.  Phil Godfrey built the first firehouse, which was subsequently moved to the rear and now form the engine room and drivers' room of the present building.  The hand-drawn apparatus was replaced with horse-drawn equipment, and the old Nott steamer which is now unused and stands in the rear of the fire hall, and is affectionately termed 'Reilly's old boiler,' was then the pride of the town.  That was about fifteen years ago.  The horse-drawn apparatus was subsequently motorized and in 1921 was replaced by the present thoroughly-up-to-date equipment.'

'What was the method of sounding an alarm in the old days?'

'When we first started we had an old railroad engine wheel tire.  This was suspended in a frame and hit with a trip hammer worked with a chain.  The old alarm is still working up at Union Corners.' 

'Those were the days when you had to run all the way to a fire, eh?'

'Yes, sir.  We had some runners, then, too.  I weighed 125 pounds those days --'

We smiled, for 'Bill' today is a person to speak of in terms of circumference. 

'We had no lights on the streets, no sewers, no gas, and we were just having the pipes laid for the water supply.  We obtained our water pressure direct from the hydrant -- often as good as 100 pounds being obtained.  We wore blue shirts and belts as uniforms and often going to a fire and returning we would get wet through and covered with mud -- but,' Bill smiled reminiscently, 'oh how we enjoyed it.'

'What were the worst fires you remember?'

'There was the building which stood where Johnson's drug store now stands -- that was the post office and Seth Lyman's drug store.  It burned down one morning about 25 years ago and a young lad of 13, Rudolph Youchim, was burned to death.  Another fire where two persons lost their lives took place fifteen years ago, when Vaughan's livery stable, which occupied the site of Cammerano's Garage on Wolf's Lane, burned, and Mrs. Vaughan and her baby were burned to death.'

Just then the Pelham Manor siren sounded 134 and Edinger sidled over to the telephone in the fire house where Driver Ehrman was querying the location of the alarm. 

'Only a brush fire,' said Jack.  'Guess we can go back,' said 'Bill.'  So we left to hunt up Philip Godfrey, the other recipient of the thirty-year badge.

Godfrey came to Pelham almost sixty years ago, and at that time he says there was not a tree in Pelhamwood higher than a huckleberry bush.  This beautifully timbered section with its stately trees is one of the finest residential sections of the Pelhams.

'I've had a lot of fun during my thirty years service,' said Godfrey, 'but one incident will always remain in my memory outstanding among the others.  About eighteen years ago there was a fire at the residence of Ben Fairchild at Boulevard and Monterey Avenue.  Mr. Fairchild sent his man on horseback to the fire house.  There was only two of us there, but we started off.  The man on the horse took the fifty feet of rope where the runners used to pull the apparatus placed the rope over the horse's head and across his chest, mounted and held the rope across his feet as he sat astride.  Myself and the other man -- I won't tell you his name -- got a hand hold on the pole of the apparatus and away started the horse on a dead gallop for the Fairchild home.  My, how we did go!  Our feet hit the ground about every fifty yards, but we stuck until the fire was reached.  It was the most exciting trip I ever had in my life.  But we helped put the fire out and I'll say that we didn't come back as fast as we went.'

Harking back, Mr. Godfrey stated that he was born in New Rochelle and came to Pelham at an early age.  In his youth he tended cows which pastured along what is now Fifth Avenue.  It was the general occupation of the boys of that day, and Godfrey recalled a pleasant meeting thirty-seven years afterward when five men who as boys tended cows together in Pelham pastures, met and discussed old times.  Mr. Godfrey was fire commissioner for eight years.

William Edinger was the first village tax collector of Pelhamville, now North Pelham.  He has also served as town tax receiver for seven years and as village president of North Pelham for five year.

Both men are highly regarded by all members of the Fire Department and the presentation of the gold badges came as a spontaneous desire on the part of the firemen to honor those who had served so faithfully and well."

Source:  Looking Backward Over Thirty Years of Fire Department Experience -- William Edinger and Philip Godfrey Tell of Some Happenings of Long Period of Service, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 6, 1923, p. 7, col. 2. 

"PHILIP GODFREY in the first uniform of Relief Hook

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

Volunteer Fire Companies In First Fire District Were Organized

In 1893,The Pelham Sun, Apr. 12, 1935, pg. 11, col. 1

(Pelham, NY).NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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

Wed., Jun. 3, 2015:  The Bell in Firemen's Memorial Park at First Street and Wolfs Lane.

Tue., Jun. 2, 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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jacob Heisser in an Undated Photograph.

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

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

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

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

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

Philip Godfrey, Leader of the Dissenters Who Voted

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

"PHILIP GODFREY in the first uniform of Relief Hook

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

Companies In First Fire District Were Organized In 1893,

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

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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

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

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

Members of the Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1

in a Photograph Taken At About the Time of the Events

Described in Today's Posting.  Original Image from an

eBay Auction Listing Identifying the Photograph

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

NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*     *     * [Portions omitted]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

Rare 19th Century Image of Pelhamville Firemen Who Served in Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1

 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."

I long have tried to document the origins of organized fire fighting in the Town of Pelham.  (See links at the end of today's posting.)  In the settlement of Pelhamville, the area that became the Village of North Pelham in 1896, I have located very little information about organized fire fighting before February 7, 1893.  

As early as 1885, however, residents of Pelhamville commenced efforts to organize a volunteer "fire bucket company" to assist with fighting fires.  A very brief reference to this initiative published in a local newspaper at the time stated:

"PELHAMVILLE.

A movement has been inaugurated in Pelhamville looking to the organization of a fire bucket company, as a precaution in case of fire.  Very timely, indeed."

Source:  PELHAMVILLE, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 16, 1885, Vol. XVI, No. 800, p. 3, col. 2.  

Of course, a leather "fire bucket company" was not up to the task of fighting fires in Pelhamville.  On February 7, 1893, a group of Pelhamville citizens gathered and organized two volunteer fire companies.  Those companies became known as Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and Liberty Engine and Hose Company No. 1.

Recently there has surfaced an important image that seems to show the members of Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 in the original uniforms worn by members of the Company shortly after it was organized.  An enhanced detail from the image appears immediately below.  The story behind identification of this image is fascinating and is recounted below.

Members of Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of

Pelhamville in an Undated Photograph, Ca. 1895.  Original

Image from an eBay Auction Listing Identifying the Photograph

Only as "Pelham, NY" and "1895."  NOTE:  Click Image to Enlarge.

Recently an eBay auction listing appeared in which a faded and torn photograph of firemen was offered for sale.  The listing referenced the image as follows:  "Rare 1895 Mounted 7.5x9.5 Pelham NY New York Firemen photo photograph."  The men in the image are wearing dark uniforms with belts, caps, white gloves, white bow ties, and an emblem stitched on their chests that seems to be a combination of the the letter "R" with the number "1" presumably references to Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.   

I am familiar with the fire department uniforms worn by firefighters in Pelham Manor and in North Pelham in the late nineteenth century and did not recognize the uniform depicted in this image.  Additionally, the men are seated on, and stand around, what appear to be the steps leading to the entrance of a private residence rather than a firehouse.  Wondering whether the attribution of the image to "Pelham NY" was an error or not, I thought it might be possible that the photograph pre-dated the annexation of City Island by New York City and, thus, might depict City Island fire fighters.

I submitted the image to members of the East Bronx History Forum knowing that members of that organization are expert in a host of issues including, among many others, the history of City Island.  I promptly received a number of communications from members of the group indicating that the image does not depict nineteenth century City Island firefighters.  Jorge Santiago of the organization, however, recognized something about the uniforms that he had seen before.  Ironically, he had seen it before on the Historic Pelham Blog.  He directed my attention to the following posting:  Fri., Jan. 24, 2014:  Early Days of Organized Fire Fighting in Today's Village of Pelham.  That posting included the image immediately below depicting Philip Godfrey of the Pelhamville Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 in what is described as the "first uniform of Relief Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1."  The uniform appears to match those of the firefighters in the photograph above perfectly.  

"PHILIP GODFREY in the first uniform of Relief Hook

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

Companies In First Fire District Were Organized In 1893,

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

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

In short, the image from eBay appears to depict members of the Pelhamville Relief Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 between about 1893 and 1895.  The group appears to be gathered at an unidentified local residence.

*          *          *          *          *

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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