The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 Founded in 1922

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During the early 1920s, the little neighborhood of Pelhamwood had a one-man fire department.  His name was Jack Carroll.  

Truth be told, it was not a formal fire department.  In reality, Jack Carroll of Young Avenue was the only resident of Pelhamwood who served in the local fire department in Fire District No. 1.  He was a member of Liberty Engine & Hose Company No. 1.  His neighbors in Pelhamwood jokingly referred to him as the local one-man fire department.  The neighborhood "joke," however, seemed to mask a deep-seated concern that Pelhamwood had no formal fire-fighting organization.

Jack Carroll was proud of his fire service and his department.  In May or June of 1922, he suggested to Pelham Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy (who also lived in Pelhamwood) that a specialized fire company be recruited from among Pelhamwood citizens.  The company would be known as Fire Patrol Company No. 1 and would perform fire police work to control crowds and to guard fire scenes and would perform salvage work at fire scenes.  The intent was to reduce the burdens of such activities from the backs of Pelham firefighters.  

Commissioner McIlroy embraced the idea enthusiastically.  During a meeting of the Fire Commission on the evening of Tuesday, June 6, 1922, McIlroy presented the idea to his fellow Commissioners.  He noted that the First Fire District already had successfully raised a company of fire fighters from the tiny neighborhood of Pelham Heights and proposed that a company be raised from Pelhamwood to "act as fire police and as a salvage corps."  He further proposed that preparations should be made "in the future" for the purchase of a vehicle "to carry implements of salvage work such as tarpaulin, fire lines, etc."  Most significantly, he indicated that he could "have a company formed that would be a credit to the department" before "the end of the month."

On the evening of Thursday, June 15, Commissioner McIlroy appeared before members of the Pelhamwood Association to ask for volunteers to serve in a Pelhamwood fire company.  Members of the Pelhamwood Association volunteered enthusiastically.  McIlroy arranged for seventeen volunteers.  

The next day, The Pelham Sun reported:

"One of Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy's ambitions is realized.  The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 now has a membership of seventeen members, three more are needed to fill the company.  The new company will apply to the Board of Fire Commissioners for a charter.  Commissioner McIlroy addressed the meeting of the Pelhamwood Association at the Town Hall last night, and asked for recruits.  The following will be enrolled as members of the new company:  Harold Koevhling, Leslie Hart, Thomas Stewart, W. B. Haff, A. Koppell, James Thompson, C. B. Miller, William Uhler, J. Young, R. R. Mamlock, Dr. David Jones, P. E. Bacas, William Gehron, H. S. Clark, A. E. Andon, John O. Ball and Walter H. McIlroy.  The duties of the new company will be those of a salvage corps and fire police.  At the last meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners it was stated that a piece of apparatus would be purchased for the company in the near future."

The subsequent history of The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 is hazy.  More than two and one-half months later in early September, the company still had not been formally organized.  Thus, on the evening of Tuesday, September 5, 1922, Fire Commissioner McIlroy appeared before the Pelhamwood Association again and "reported that the Pelhamwood Fire Patrol would soon be organized and granted a charter by the Board of Fire Commissioners."

Yet, the proposed annual budget for the First Fire District in 1923 included a line item of $1,000 to purchase an "Apparatus for salvage corps."  The Pelham Sun reported that "The proposed budget carries a figure of $1,000.00 for the purchase and outfitting of a Dodge chassis for the newly formed Pelhamwood Fire Patrol, the salvage corps of the department." 

Though it would appear that the Pelhamwood Fire Patrol company was formed, research has not yet revealed its subsequent history.  

Page 2 of 1909 Pelhamwood Advertising Pamphlet.  Source:

Clifford B. Harmon & Co., Inc., PELHAMWOOD, p. 2 (NY: Clifford

B. Harmon & Co., Inc., 1909).  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"McIlroy To Organize Pelhamwood Fire Patrol
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Fire Commissioner Enthusiastic About Enlisting Residents of Pelhamwood As Firemen
-----

The Pelhamwood Fire Department is no longer to be a subject for the wit of the wags of Pelham.  At present the man-power of the department numbers one, but Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy, who lives in Pelhamwood, will place plans before the Pelhamwood Association for the forming of Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1, which will have a membership of twenty or more.

At present the only Pelhamwood member of the Fire Department of the First Fire District is Louis Sivitello [sic], the Pelhamwood street man.  For some time Sivitello [sic] has been known as the Pelhamwood Fire Department.

At the meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners Tuesday night the subject of a company for Pelhamwood along the lines of that of Pelham Heights was discussed, and it was decided that the Pelhamwood company could act as fire police and as a salvage corps.  Preparations will be made in the future for the purchase of a piece of apparatus on which to carry implements of salvage work such as tarpaulin, fire lines, etc.

Commissioner McIlroy was very enthusiastic about the Pelhamwood company and stated that he would push the matter through before the Pelhamwood Association, and by the end of the month would have a company formed that would be a credit to the department."

Source:  McIlroy To Organize Pelhamwood Fire Patrol -- Fire Commissioner Enthusiastic About Enlisting Residents of Pelhamwood As Firemen, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 9, 1922, p. 2, col. 4.

"To Have Fire Patrol

The Pelhamwood section is to have a fire company; that is, there will be a company known as Fire Patrol Company No. 1 which will do salvage work and guard places.  Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy brought the matter to the attention of the fire board at its last meeting and stated that Jack Carroll of Liberty Engine Company, who resides on Young Avenue, Pelhamwood, has been known as the 'Pelhamwood Fire Department' and as he is the only fireman in the section, he suggested the formation of a separate company to be known as the Fire Patrol.  Commissioner McIlroy stated that there were many men in Pelhamwood who would be more than pleased to serve in such a company."

Source:  To Have Fire Patrol, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 13, 1922, p. 7, col. 4.  

"Pelhamwood Fire Patrol Has Seventeen Members
-----
Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy Interests Members of Pelhamwood Association
-----

One of Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy's ambitions is realized.  The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol No. 1 now has a membership of seventeen members, three more are needed to fill the company.  The new company will apply to the Board of Fire Commissioners for a charter.

Commissioner McIlroy addressed the meeting of the Pelhamwood Association at the Town Hall last night, and asked for recruits.  The following will be enrolled as members of the new company:  Harold Koevhling, Leslie Hart, Thomas Stewart, W. B. Haff, A. Koppell, James Thompson, C. B. Miller, William Uhler, J. Young, R. R. Mamlock, Dr. David Jones, P. E. Bacas, William Gehron, H. S. Clark, A. E. Andon, John O. Ball and Walter H. McIlroy.  

The duties of the new company will be those of a salvage corps and fire police.  At the last meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners it was stated that a piece of apparatus would be purchased for the company in the near future."

Source:  Pelhamwood Fire Patrol Has Seventeen Members -- Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy Interests Members of Pelhamwood Association, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 16, 1922, p. 9, col. 5.  

"Routine Matters Before Pelhamwood Association
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Committee Appointed to Await On Village Board In Regards to Pelhamwood Sewer Question
-----

The Pelhamwood Association met for its first fall meeting, at the Town Hall, Tuesday night.  There were about forty members present.  President Brainerd opened the meeting at 8.30 o'clock.

A committee was appointed to await on the Village Board at its next meeting and request that some action be taken on the matter of sewers of the New Rochelle portion of Pelhamwood, draining into those of North Pelham.  The committee is composed of R. H. Shaw, Wm. M. Uhler, M. M. Schwartzschild, Walter H. McIlroy and Charles DeFreest.

Fire Commissioner, W. H. McIlroy, reported that the Pelhamwood Fire Patrol would soon be organized and granted a charter by the Board of Fire Commissioners.

President Brainerd reported that the New Haven railroad company will investigate the matter of deeding the portion of Highbrook avenue from the center of the arch to the Washington avenue pavement, to the Village of North Pelham, in order that the concrete pavement can be carried through the arch.

The association resolved to request the Village Board to replace the street sign at Washington avenue and Fraser street, and to place a street sign at Clifford and Harmon avenues.  The matter of painting the street names on the pillars along Washington was also discussed.

The following membership committee was appointed:  For Highbrook avenue, A. D. Koppel; Young avenue, E. J. Dillon; Harmon avenue south, H. G. Weltmer, Harmon avenue north, R. R. Mamlock; Clifford avenue, A. E. Andon; Washington avenue, Frederick Worrall; Fraser street, J. O. Ball; Benedict place, N. F. Vought.

A resolution of thanks was ordered sent to the Rev. Dr. W. M. Hess, of the Congregational Church, for deeding the land at the corner of Washington and Highbrook avenues to the village, in order that the corner could be rounded.  The association will request the Church of the Redeemer to deed a portion of the corner of Fifth avenue and Harmon avenue, in order that a better approach to that street can be obtained, by rounding the corner.

The meeting adjourned at 10 o'clock."

Source:  Routine Matters Before Pelhamwood Association -- Committee Appointed to Await On Village Board In Regards to Pelhamwood Sewer Question, The Pelham Sun, Sep. 8, 1922, p. 6, cols. 4-5.

"Pelhamwood Fire Patrol.

The Pelhamwood Fire Patrol is being organized and will be the latest addition to the fire department of the first district.  Fire Commissioner Walter H. McIlroy, who is a resident of Pelhamwood, announced that the company is formed and will receive a charter from the board of fire commissioners.  This is something the department has sadly lacked in the past and will relieve some of the men from fire police duty to handling the hose and other equipment at fires."

Source:  Pelhamwood Fire Patrol, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Sep. 20, 1922, p. 14, cols. 1-2.  

"Budget Of First Fire District Shows Decrease
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Board of Fire Commissioners Are Ready To Submit Budget To Town Board
-----
Little Difference in Major Portion of Items Of Expense For Ensuing Year
-----

It will cost $21,440.00 to run the affairs of the First Fire District through the ensuing year, according to the estimated budget of the Board of Fire Commissioners.  Of this amount the taxpayers will have to raise $18,200.59, as there is about $3,239.41 left over from the budget of last year.  The budget was to have been submitted to the Town Board for approval Monday night, but owing to the fact that a quorum could not be present the matter was laid over to a future meeting.

The budget is approximately $4,000 lower than that of last year.  The decrease is explained by the fact that last year's budget carried an appropriation of that amount for the installation of 17 new fire alarm boxes.  

The proposed budget carries a figure of $1,000.00 for the purchase and outfitting of a Dodge chassis for the newly formed Pelhamwood Fire Patrol, the salvage corps of the department.  The item of light, heat and power shows an increase of $50.  Each of the three drivers have received a salary increase of $5 per month, so the item of drivers' salaries is increased from $4,860.00 to $5,046.00.  Provision for equipment shows an increase from $300 to $800.  Repairs to building have increased from $500 to $1000.  Maintenance of autos shows a drop from $1,000 to $500.  The item of salary for the clerk to the board is double that of last year.  The budget follows.

Principal on bond due July 1, 1923...............$1,550.00
Interest on outstanding bonds for one year..........600.00
Interest on outstanding bond of $1,550.00 for one year..............46.50
Hydrant rental or water supply for North Pelham...................4,950.00
Hydrant rental or water supply for Pelham....................2,000.00
Light, heat and power.....................756.00
3 janitors and chauffeurs at $1680 each...............5,040.00
Equipment..............800.00
Hose..................550.00
Repairs to building............................1,000.00
Insurance (automobile).....................130.00
Insurance (compensation)................284.00
Maintenance of autos.................500.00
Inspection and parade...............150.00
Contingent Fund.......................1,000.00
Clerk to board............................240.00
Legal expense...........................700.00
Apparatus for salvage corps....................1,000.00
Tarpaulins......................150.00
______________________________________
                                            $21,440.00
Left from 1922 budget.........   3,239.41

Total 1923 budget...............$18,200.59"

Source:  Budget Of First Fire District Shows Decrease -- Board of Fire Commissioners Are Ready To Submit Budget To Town Board -- Little Difference in Major Portion of Items Of Expense For Ensuing Year, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 19, 1923, Vol. 13, No. 47, p. 1, col. 5.

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Santa Claus Visited Every Pelham Household on Christmas Eve in 1935 and 1936 -- Well, Almost. . . .

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"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus!"

--From an Editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church that appeared in the New York Sun, Sep. 21, 1897.  See Is There a Santa Claus?, New York Sun, Sep. 21, 1897, p. 6, col. 3 (written in response to a letter from Virginia O'Hanlon, 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street, New York City).  To read more about the famous editorial, see "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" in WIKIPEDIA - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Dec. 20, 2015).

Francis Pharcellus Church, Author of the Famous

Editorial "Is There a Santa Claus?"  Source:

"Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus" in WIKIPEDIA -

The Free Encyclopedia (visited Dec. 20, 2015).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Christmas Eve is a magical time in the Town of Pelham.  Many Pelham youngsters eagerly anticipate the arrival of dear old Santa Claus and his bundle of joy.

In this regard, times were no different on Christmas Eve in 1935 and 1936.  Though the nation's economy remained ravaged by, and in the grip of, the Great Depression, every single Pelham youngster throughout the entire Town sat at a window with his or her face pressed against cold panes of glass eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve both those years eighty and seventy-nine years ago, respectively.  Really!  Every . . . single . . .  child . . . in . . . town.  Santa, you see, actually visited every single home, apartment, and household in the Town of Pelham shortly after dark on December 24, 1935 and December 24, 1936.  

In the spirit of Christmas, over one hundred volunteer Pelhamites dressed as Santa on those two Christmas Eves and loaded children's gifts into their sacks.  The event was known as "Community Santa Claus."  Both years the event was led by three chairpeople -- one for each of the three Villages of the Pelhams.  The Pelham Santas traversed the streets of the town stopping in each home or apartment to deliver gifts to children and wishes of good cheer to adults.  In 1935, each Santa was dressed in suits made by Pelham women and carried a sack filled with candy and "Yo Yo tops" for the children.  (There is no known record of what was given in 1936, although you can be certain it included "candy.")  As one might expect during the depths of the Great Depression, one report stated that "[i]n some instances of dire circumstances it is reported that the Community Santa Claus was the only expression of Christmas."

The Community Santa Claus events were not without their difficulties.  One report noted that although all the children of the town were ready for the event and awaited Santa's appearance breathlessly, the dogs of Pelham were not ready.  Pelham's canines repeatedly had to be fended off in the fine tradition of the delivery persons associated with the United States Postal Service.  There were also some mishaps.  In 1935, one of the Santas stepped on a nail that pierced his foot.  He hobbled along happily until he completed his rounds and then treated his wound.  Another Santa that year wore a fedora over his Santa cap for warmth in between stops.  He lost that fedora on Linden Avenue.  Another Santa found it and turned it over to the local newspaper that encouraged the Santa with initials "E.D.O." to come forward and reclaim his hat.  

When volunteers faltered, others stepped into the breach.  For example, two of the volunteer Santas were unable to participate as scheduled on Christmas Eve in 1936.  Another volunteer, Dominic Amato (Mayor of the Village of North Pelham), took on not only his own gift delivery responsibilities, but also the gift delivery responsibilities of the other two volunteers.

It turns out, however, that Santa's map of the Town of Pelham may have been defective.  For two years in a row the poor little tykes of Ancon Avenue in the Village of Pelham Heights were left off Santa's list and did not receive their promised visits.  It seems as though it was not because the little urchins of Ancon Avenue had been naughty.  Rather, it seems as though there had been a genuine error.  The week after Christmas Eve, the local newspaper printed a letter to the editor from a distraught grandfather whose initials were "S.K.N." who painted a sad picture regarding Santa's failure to visit his little grandson on Ancon Avenue.  The letter read:  

"I read the notice in your paper about Santa Claus coming to every child.  I read the article to my little grandson.  He watched from 5 o'clock until 8:30 o'clock.  Santa Claus came down Eastland avenue, went down Second street, before 6 o'clock, and never came on Ancon avenue.  He did the same last year.  I feel our children are entitled to the same attention as other children.  You know what it means to a child to have and see Santa Claus come to see them.  I hope another year Santa will not forget Ancon avenue."

The newspaper replied saying that Santa had been alerted and if the grandfather would call and provide his address, Santa would visit the child on New Year's Eve!

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It is Christmas Eve 2015, dear Pelham.  As is apparent regarding the Santa visits on Christmas Eves in Pelham in 1935 and 1936, the Spirit of Christmas long has been part of Pelham life.  Here is hoping that Santa is good to each and every one of you tonight, young and old.  Happy Holidays!

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Below is the text of a number of articles that reference the events described in today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"EVERY HOME IN PELHAM VISITED BY SANTA CLAUS
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Community Goodwill Demonstration on Christmas Eve Meets With Popular Favor.
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Santa Claus was a busy man in Pelham on Tuesday night, Christmas Eve.  With the assistance of about 100 men the Community Santa Claus, garbed in the conventional attire for Santa Claus, visited every house and apartment, extended a cheery Christmas greeting to the adults and distributed candy and toys to the children.  In some instances of dire circumstances it is reported that the Community Santa Claus was the only expression of Christmas.

It is difficult to determine who got the greatest benefit out of the Community Santa Claus program, those who impersonated old Kris Kringle or those whom he visited.  At any rate it is certain that many children who may have been on the verge of disbelieving the old story about the Christmas Eve visitor were convinced again that there is a true Santa Claus, and many adults who welcomed hi on Tuesday night report that their Christmas was made happier by the townwide demonstration of good will stabed by the committee in charge of the program. 

Mrs. Roger B. Hull, president of the Parent-Teacher Association directed the program of Santa Claus in Pelham Manor.  Village Attorney George w. Hinckley was chairman for Pelham Heights and Village Clerk Walter H. McIlroy in North Pelham.  The costumes were prepared by a group of women."

Source:  EVERY HOME IN PELHAM VISITED BY SANTA CLAUS -- Community Goodwill Demonstration on Christmas Eve Meets With Popular Favor, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 27, 1935, Vol. 26, No. 38, p. 1, col. 5.  

"Santa Had To Make Friends.

When Santa Claus made his rounds on Christmas Eve, he found that although the children and grownups were expecting him, the dogs were not, and there were reports that many of the aides of Santa Claus had difficulty in convincing household pets that they were on friendly missions.

'Nice doggie,' was as much a part of Santa's story as 'Merry Christmas.'"

Source:  Santa Had To Make Friends, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 27, 1935, Vol. 26, No. 38, p. 2, col. 3.  

"SUNBEAMS
NOT ALL BRIGHT. . . 

Santa Claus did his work under severe difficulties in one section of Pelham.  Herman Clauson, who acted as an aide on Fifth avenue, ran a nail in his foot early on Christmas Eve, but he hobbled around his route and did his work with a smile."

Source:  SUNBEAMS NOT ALL BRIGHT, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 27, 1935, Vol. 26, No. 38, p. 2, col. 4.  

"Santa Claus Lost His Hat
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Santa Claus lost his hat.  He was one of the many aides to the real Santa Claus who trooped through Pelham on Christmas Eve distributing candy and a Yo Yo top to Pelham children and community members.

He apparently was mindful of his own health and wore a conventional brown fedora over his Santa hood in between house visits.  

But he need look for it no longer.  It was found by another Santa Claus on Linden avenue and is in safe keeping 'til its owner identifies the headgear.  So if you were a Santa Claus and your initials are 'E. D. O.' telephone the Pelham Sun Office Pelham 1112."

Source:  Santa Claus Lost His Hat, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 27, 1935, Vol. 26, No. 38, p. 5, col. 4.  

"WATCH FOR SANTA CLAUS ON CHRISTMAS EVE
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Santa Claus will visit every home in Pelham on Christmas Eve.  Watch for him.  He will have his pack filled with good things for the children and to the grown-ups he will extend the Community Christmas Greeting from the residents of the Pelhams.  The annual visit of Santa Clause is a picturesque function of Pelham's observance of Christmas that has received wide recognition.  It is presented through the generosity of a group of citizens with the real Christmas spirit.  About one hundred will play Santa Claus in the three Pelham villages.  In North Pelham, Walter H. McIlroy is chairman, George W. Hinckley in Pelham Heights and William J. Mackay in Pelham Manor.

Sant Claus is coming to your house on Christmas Eve.  So that all the children will be able to see him, Santa plans to begin his work shortly after dark.  Watch for him."

Source:  WATCH FOR SANTA CLAUS ON CHRISTMAS EVE, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 22, 1936, Vol. 27, No. 38, p. 1, cols. 4-5.  

"Batting For Three.

Mayor Amato of North Pelham donned his Christmas robes and went out to do the Santa Claus act on Christmas Eve.  Two of his helpers fell down on the job so the Mayor took over the duties of all three, and distributed more than two hundred presents."

Source:  Batting For Three, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 29, 1936, p. 2, col. 4.  

"Santa Slipped Up.

To the Editor, Pelham Sun.

Sir -- I read the notice in your paper about Santa Claus coming to every child.  I read the article to my little grandson.  He watched from 5 o'clock until 8:30 o'clock.  Santa Claus came down Eastland avenue, went down Second street, before 6 o'clock, and never came on Ancon avenue.  He did the same last year.

I feel our children are entitled to the same attention as other children.  You know what it means to a child to have and see Santa Claus come to see them.  I hope another year Santa will not forget Ancon avenue.

S.K.N.

(Ed. Note -- We called Santie-land on the phone today.  His number is Getin 1-4-U and he says that because of the lack of snow it was difficult to get his reindeers up the hill.  However, if you will send your address to him at Pelham 1112 he'll call around on New Year's Eve and personally deliver the package which he has for grandson.)"

Source:   Santa Slipped Up, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 29, 1936, p. 2, cols. 7-8. 

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