Big Parade in Pelham to Honor Those Who Registered for World War I Draft

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The North Pelham fire whistle sounded its piercing blast at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 5, 1917.  The whistle blew five blasts -- ordinarily the signal for summoning police throughout the Village.  The five blasts awakened the entire village, but no one was alarmed.  Rather, the whistle signified the beginning of a day-long patriotic celebration.  That day the whistle summoned all residents of North Pelham to gather at the firehouse.

All three Villages of Pelham that day honored all townsmen who registered for the draft.  World War I was raging and the nation sought men for military service.  

At 6:45 a.m., the volunteer police force constituting the Home Defense Forces of all three villages in The Pelhams assembled at Village Hall in the Village of Pelham Manor.  At 7:00 a.m. that day, church bells began ringing at churches throughout Pelham.  The bells rang continuously for thirty minutes.  Also at 7:00 a.m., a 21-gun salute was fired, awakening any residents who had not yet been jolted out of bed by the fire whistle and the church bells.  At the same moment, the flags on all public buildings in the Town were hoisted.  In addition, the Home Defense Forces began a parade that wound its way from Pelham Manor Village Hall through Pelham Manor, the Village of Pelham (Pelham Heights), and the Village of North Pelham.  

The United States joined the allied forces of Britain, France, and Russia and, on April 6, 1917, entered World War I. Under the command of Major General John J. Pershing, more than 2 million U.S. soldiers fought on battlefields in France during the war.

To gear up for the fight, on May 18, 1917, the President signed into law the Selective Service Act (Pub.L. 65-12, 40 Stat. 76) authorizing the Federal government to raise a national army through conscription for service in World War I.  The law required all males aged 21 to 30 to register for potential draft into the military service.

Pelham showed its appreciation for its young men who complied with the new law through a day set aside to honor them on June 5, 1917.  In addition to the festivities described above, all three Pelham village presidents issued proclamations that, among other things, provided:

"The people of the several villages are earnestly urged to display the national flag and to assist the demonstration in honor of our defenders in every way possible, and to devote their entire day if feasible, to 'the men of the hour.'"

The little Town of Pelham was preparing for war -- World War.

Iconic World War I U.S. Army Recruiting Poster

Designed by Pelham Manor Native James Montgomery

Flagg.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

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"PELHAMS GOING TO HONOR MEN WHO REGISTER THERE
-----
Parade Arranged Through All the Villages -- Church Bells to Ring.
-----

North Pelham, June 4. -- All three villages in the town will take official cognizance of registration tomorrow.  In honor of those who register, a parade has been arranged to pass through the three villages.  This will begin at 7 o'clock tomorrow and will include the Home Defense forces.  The church bells will ring for a half hour and a national salute of 21 guns will be fired.  In North Pelham, the people will be summoned to the fire house at 6 o'clock tomorrow morning when the fire whistle will sound the police call which is five blasts.

The following proclamation was issued today by the village presidents in the town:

To the Citizens of the Villages of North Pelham, Pelham Manor and Pelham:

Whereas, pursuant to the provisions of an act of congress, approved May 18, 1917, as the day upon which all citizens between the ages of 21 and 31  years shall register their names for military service, and 

Whereas, pursuant to the requirements of such act of congress, some ten million men will offer their names from which are to be chosen the future defenders of the country, and

Whereas the act of these men in so registering their names is of vital interest and importance to every citizen of the United States and marks a new era in the life of the nation.  

Now therefore, we the undersigned, presidents of the respective villages set opposite our names for the purpose of affording the people of our villages an opportunity of expressing in part, their grateful appreciation of the sacrifices our young men are making, have made the following arrangements for June 5, 1917:  At 7 a.m., the hour of opening the polls, all the church bells in the several villages will be rung for one-half hour.  The flags on all public buildings will be hoisted.  A national salute of 21 guns will be fired at the place of assembly.  The volunteer police force constituting the Home Defense forces of all three villages will assemble at 6:45 a.m. at the village hall in the village of Pelham Manor, and at 7 a.m. a parade will form and will march through the villages of Pelham Manor, Pelham and North Pelham.  The people of the several villages are earnestly urged to display the national flag and to assist the demonstration in honor of our defenders in every way possible, and to devote their entire day if feasible, to 'the men of the hour.'

This is signed, William Edinger, president of the village of North Pelham; Joseph C. Wilbering, president of the village of Pelham Manor; A. C. Field, president of the village of Pelham."

Source:  PELHAMS GOING TO HONOR MEN WHO REGISTER THERE -- Parade Arranged Through All the Villages -- Church Bells to Ring, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 4, 1917, No. 8384, p. 5, col. 5.

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Forget Luck of the Irish! We Should All Have the Luck of the North Pelham Democrats (At Least in 1901).

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The election for officers of the Village of North Pelham was hard fought in 1901.  Democrat Michael J. Lynch, the incumbent President of the Village (i.e., Mayor), faced a stiff challenge from Republican William Edinger, a well-known volunteer fire fighter and village activist.  Likewise, the battle for Village Tax Collector was hotly disputed between Democrat incumbent John T. Logan and his Republican challenger, David Lyon (erroneously referenced in some accounts as William Lyon).  

North Pelham voters gathered on Tuesday, March 19, 1901 to cast their ballots.  Upon close of the polls, officials gathered to count the ballots.  As the count proceeded, officials identified four ballots that were "not properly marked."  Republicans Edinger and Lyon believed each of the four rejected ballots plainly indicated an intent to cast ballots for them rather than for the Democrat incumbents.

Once the count was complete, the results were announced to a hushed room.  Village President candidates Michael J. Lynch and William Edinger each received 77 votes.  Village Tax Collector candidates John T. Logan and David Lyon each received 78 votes.  The four candidates were tied for the two positions they respectively sought!

The Republican candidates were furious, alleging that the rejected ballots supported them and should have been counted.  They immediately threatened suit, saying they would ask the courts to consider the matter.  One account suggests the Democrats countered with a claim that the rejected ballots actually supported them.  That account stated:  "Both sides claim that when defective ballots are counted the result will be declared in their favor."  (See below.)

Soon cooler heads prevailed.  All four candidates parleyed and agreed that the two contests should be decided by drawing lots rather than battling over the results in a court proceeding.  Thus, the following morning (Wednesday, March 20, 1901), the Board of Trustees of the Village of North Pelham convened a meeting attended by the four candidates.  

The trustees placed a ballot marked for Village President candidate Lynch and a ballot marked for his challenger, Edinger, in a ballot box.  One of the Village Trustees, a Republican, then reached blindly into the ballot box and chose the ballot reflecting Democrat Michael J. Lynch who immediately was declared the winner.  A similar process was followed for the two candidates for Village Tax Collector.  The Trustee blindly chose the ballot reflecting Democrat John T. Logan who, again, immediately was declared the winner.

The Village of North Pelham elections for 1901 were over.  As luck would have it, the Democrats won. . . . . . . . 

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Below is the text of various articles dealing with the subject of today's posting.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"County News.

The elections in the villages of this county were held Tuesday, and villages where partisan tickets were in the field the Republicans were over-whelmingly successful.  An unusual state of affairs has resulted from the election in North Pelham.  William Edinger, the Republican candidate for president of the village is tied with Michael J. Lynch, a Democrat, who has held the office for several years.  The candidates received 77 votes each.  David Lyon, the Republican candidate for collector of taxes, and John T. Logan, the Democratic incumbent, are also tied with 78 votes each.  The Republican candidates are claiming the election and will begin a contest in the courts at once.  They allege that four ballots not properly marked, but nevertheless intended for them, were thrown out. . . ."

Source:  County News, Dobbs Ferry Register [Dobbs Ferry, NY], Mar. 22, 1901, Vol. XVI, No. 12, p. 4, col. 3.  See also COUNTY ITEMS, Eastern State Journal, Mar. 23, 1901, LVII, No. 1, p. 3, col. 5 (essentially same text).  

"At the village election held in North Pelham Tuesday M. J. Lynch, Democrat, and William Edinger, Republican, received the same number of votes -- seventy-seven -- for the office of president; Mr. Lynch has held the office for several years.  What is equally strange, John T. Logan, Democrat, and David Lyon, Republican, each received the same number of votes -- seventy-eight -- for the office of Collector of Taxes.  Both sides claim that when defective ballots are counted the result will be declared in their favor."

Source:  [Untitled], New Rochelle Press, Mar. 23, 1901, p. 5, col. 2.

"Candidates Draw Lots for Office in North Pelham.

By Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press.

New York, March 20. -- The charter elections held in North Pelham, Westchester county, yesterday, resulted in the unusual occurrence of a tie vote on the office[s] of president and tax collector.  Michael J. Lynch, the present incumbent of the office of village president, who was the Democratic nominee for re-election, received 77 votes, as did William Edinger, his Republican opponent.  John T. Logan, the Democratic nominee for collector, and William Lyon, Republican, also tied with 77 votes each.  When the result of the election was learned the four candidates got together and agreed to settle the matter by lot.

Accordingly, today the village board convened and a ballot bearing the name of Edinger and another bearing the name of Lynch were placed in a ballot box and Trustee Barker, a Republican, drew out one of the ballots.  This ballot bore the name of Michael J. Lynch, the Democratic nominee, and his re-election as village president was at once declared.  The same procedure was followed in the tie on tax collector, and again luck favored the Democrat, John T. Logan beinug declared elected."

Source:  Candidates Draw Lots for Office in North Pelham, The Scranton Tribune [Scranton, PA], Mar. 21, 1901, p. 1, col. 6 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link.).

"VOTES WERE A TIE.
-----
UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE IN AN ELECTION AT NORTH PELHAM, N.Y.
-----

New York, March 20. -- The charter election held in North Pelham, West Chester, yesterday resulted in the unusual occurrence of a tie vote on the office of president and tax collector, Michael J. Lynch, the present incumbent of the office of village president, who was the Democratic nominee for re-election, received 77 votes, as did William Edinger, his Republican opponent.  John T. Logan, the Democratic nominee for collector, and William Lyon, Republicans, also tied with 77 votes each.  When the result of the election was learned the four candidates got together and agreed to settle the matter by lot.  Accordingly the village board convened and a ballot bearing the name of Lynch were placed in a ballot box and trustee Barker, a Republican, drew out one of the ballots.  This ballot bore the name of Michael J. Lynch, the Democratic nominee, and his re-election as village president ws at once declared.  The same procedure was followed in the tie for tax collector; again luck favored the Democrat.  John T. Logan being declared elected."

Source:  VOTES WERE A TIE -- UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE IN AN ELECTION AT NORTH PELHAM, N.Y., The Wilkes-Barre Recorder [Wilkes-Barre, PA], Mar. 21, 1901, p. 1, col. 6 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link.).  

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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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Early Days of Organized Fire Fighting in Today's Village of Pelham

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The earliest days of organized firefighting in today's Village of Pelham are fascinating to research.  Indeed, the earliest organized efforts at fire protection elsewhere in Pelham including City Island (when it was part of the Town of Pelham) and the area that became today's Village of Pelham Manor are just as interesting.  

I have written on such topics before.  At the end of this posting are linked examples of several such postings.

In 1942, as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the first publication of The Pelham Sun, the newspaper published a wonderful article by G. Allyn Van Winkle that detailed the early years of organized firefighting in the area that became today's Village of Pelham.  The article included wonderful photographs of firefighter Philip Godfrey in the first uniform of Relief Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 and William Edinger, an early Fire Commissioner.  Much of the article included an interview with Edinger.  A transcription of the article appears below, followed by the photographs and a citation to the source.

"Volunteer Fire Companies In First Fire District Were Organized in 1893

-----

William Edinger Recalls Days When Fire Engines Were Drawn by Volunteer Firemen.

-----

By G. ALLYN VAN WINKLE.

Forty-two years ago, on Feb. 7, 1893, to be exact, a group of men, desirous of protecting their homes from the menace of fire, organized two volunteer fire companies in Pelham.  These two companies, now known as Relief Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 and Liberty Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, have continued down through the years.  The third company of the First Fire District Hose Co. No. 2 of Pelham, was organized in more recent years.  

The chief motivating factor in the formation of the fire companies was the fact that in 1892, two large houses in North Pelham were destroyed by fire.  Aid was called from New Rochelle, but it was impossible to prevent destruction of the buildings.  Wells and cisterns were drained nearly dry of water in the fight against the flames, but to no avail.  

Accordingly the men met and drew straws to determine which should belong to each company.  Those drawing long straws became Hook and Ladder men and those getting short ones, joining the Hose Company.  

Equipment consisted of a hose jumper and a truck with three or four ladders, both vehicles being hand-drawn.  An appropriation was placed in the town budget for $2,400 to cover cost of equipment and construction of a fire headquarters building.  But here the organization struck a snag, according to Former Fire Commissioner William Edinger of Fourth avenue, the only active member of the department remaining on the roster of the original fire companies.

Early members of Relief Hook and Ladder Company included:  Charles A. Barker, foreman; Gustave A. Karback, assistant foreman; Walter G. Barker, secretary; John Henderson, treasurer; George W. Wright, Michael J. Lynch, Henry G. Brotherton, William Edinger, John Costello, Francis McDermott, Frank M. Lyon, Ezra Daggett, John H. Young, Philip Godfrey, Louis C. Young and Jacob Heisser.

Among the early members of Liberty Engine and Hose Company were Alexander Anderson, William B. Pearson, Charles T. Johnston,, former Mayor James Reilly, former Supervisor David Lyon, former Mayor Eugene Lyon, Edward A. Schwartz, William A. Broege, John B. Clegg, W. J. Everett, Vincent Parker, William E. Algie, Herbert Barker, Loftus Brotherton, Henry F. Sountain, W.S. Harrison, John Hengel, Village Trustee Daniel J. Kennedy, John W. Dillon and Patrick J. Marvel.

Interviewed this week, Mr. Edinger told an interesting story:

Sherman T. Pell of City Island, supervisor when the companies were organized, and the town clerk, one Waterhouse, were later revealed to have borrowed funds from banks on notes issued in anticipation of tax collections.  However, they had borrowed the limit, not only from one bank but from several.  Pell was defeated about this time in the election and he disappeared, never being heard from again, according to Mr. Edinger.

Then it was discovered that considerable of the town's funds had also vanished.  The banks sued the town, but a court decision ruled that the town was responsible for only one note, said Mr. Edinger.  Waterhouse's holdings were confiscated and he ended up driving a hack.  

This defalcation delayed construction of the fire house until early 1895, because another appropriation had to be made and levied in taxes.  The house was finally built on Fifth avenue on property next to the present headquarters.  

The volunteers continued to pull their hose cart and ladder truck to and from fires.  In the early 1900's horse-drawn vehicles were secured and prior to the time that the district bought a team of horses, anyone's team was liable to seizure and use if the alarm sounded.  Teamsters driving by the fire house oftentimes had their horses unhitched from their wagons and hitched to the fire apparatus.  However, they received $5.00 for the use of their animals.  

A few years later the district purchased its own team and rented it out when the horses were not drawing the fire trucks.  The team might be at one end of the village being used by some resident when the alarm sounded.  He would have to unhitch, take the team to the fire house at a run and hitch it up to the truck.  

In 1908, a new fire house was built, the old one being moved to the back of the lot, and used for storage purposes.  It was shortly after the erection of the new structure that horses were purchased for the department.  This building was in use until 1927 when the present structure was built.  

In 1914 the department received its first automotive apparatus and within a few years, the horses, part of a glamorous era in firemanic circles, were sold, and the department completely motorized.  

Many peculiar incidents happened in the history of the department, one of the oddest being 'mutiny' of one of the companies about 1913 or 1914.  At that time, when the fire department held an inspection and parade, they really paraded.  The men would form at headquarters and then march all over North Pelham and then through the streets of Pelham Heights.  The fact that few of the residents of the Heights turned out to witness the parade, irked many of the volunteers and when the call for inspection in this particular year was issued, many said they would not march into Pelham Heights, but would stop at the New Haven Railroad tracks.  

On the night of inspection, the parade passed through the streets of North Pelham, but when it reached the railroad tracks, one entire company halted and refused to go farther.  The men broke ranks and returned to headquarters.  The balance of the marchers continued through Pelham Heights and finished the line of march.  For this action, the board of commissioners, however.  As a result of the court decision, one of the fire commissioners resigned, leaving only two members of the board.  This necessitated calling a special election, for according to law the district could be governed by a board of either three or five commissioners.

Three new commissioners were elected and the first action they took after their election was to reorganize the disbanded company.

The two holdover commissioners promptly resigned and left their successors in possession of the field."

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).  

 

"PHILIP GODFREY
in the first uniform of Relief Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1"

 

"WILLIAM EDINGER"

Below are links to various other items I have authored regarding early firefighting within the Town of Pelham.

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

Wed., Aug. 5, 2009:  Pelham Manor Fire Chief Pleads for Taxpayers to Authorize Purchase of Village's First Fire Engine. 

Thu., Aug. 6, 2009:  Brief History of the Fire Department in the Village of North Pelham Published in 1913.

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

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

Thu., Oct. 8, 2009:  Firefighting Units on City Island in Pelham During the Early 1890s.  

Tue., Dec. 8, 2009:  The Darling Triplets:  Three Brothers Among Pelham's Earliest Firefighters. 

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

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

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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The Village Elections in Pelham in 1904 - Only Nine Votes Cast for President of Village of Pelham

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In 1904, the Town of Pelham included three villages: the Village of Pelham, the Village of North Pelham and the Village of Pelham Manor. The Village of Pelham, known today as the neighborhood of Pelham Heights, was then the smallest village in the State of New York. During Village elections that year, only nine votes were cast for the position of President (i.e., Mayor) of the Village of Pelham. A brief article on Westchester County election results that appeared in the March 16, 1904 issue of The Sun recounted results in the Pelhams.

"WESTCHESTER REPUBLICANS WIN.

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Larchmont Elects K. L. Hopkins Mayor Over W. C. Figner.

MOUNT VERNON, March 15. -- Eight of the villages in Westchester county held annual elections to-day. In Larchmont, North Tarrytown and North Pelham, where party lines were drawn, the Republicans won easy victories. Larchmont elected K. L. Hopkins, the Republican candidate for President, by 122 votes over W. C. Figner, a Southern Democrat.

In North Pelham, William Edinger, Republican, was reelected President over his Democratic opponent, Dr. Barker, by 29 votes, and in North Tarrytown, Samuel Horton, the Republican candidate won over his Democratic opponent, James Lann. The issue in North Tarrytown was on the purchase of waterworks.

Frederick W. Allen, a lawyer and clubman, was elected President of Pelham Manor on a fusion ticket, and H. D. Lent, another fusionist, carried Tuckahoe. Henceforth, it is announced, the lid will be on in Tuckahoe and there will be less gambling and cock fighting. In Pelham, which is the smallest village in the State, A. M. Searles was elected President. Only nine votes were cast and he got them all."

Source: Westchester Republicans Win, The Sun, Mar. 16, 1904, p. 3, col. 2.

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North Pelham Election That Ended in a Tie in 1901 Was Decided by Drawing Lots

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When the election for the Village of North Pelham President (i.e., Mayor) ended in March, 1901, the Republican and Democratic nominees were tied. Thus, the election was decided by drawing lots from a hat. The New-York Tribune reported on the development as follows.

"DREW LOTS FOR VILLAGE OFFICES.

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TIE IN NORTH PELHAM--DEMOCRATS WIN FINALLY, AND THERE MAY BE A CONTEST.

The tie between the Republican and Democratic nominees at the election in North Pelham on Tuesday was settled yesterday by the village trustees in an unexpected way. The outcome, while it may be entirely acceptable to the Democratic candidates, is not likely to be satisfactory to their opponents, as it deprives them of all the offices. After the polls were closed Michael J. Lynch, the Democratic candidate for village president and his Republican opponent, William Edinger, had received 77 votes each. They drew lots from a hat, and the choice fell to Lynch, who was immediately declared elected to a sixth term.

David Lyon, Republican, and John T. Logan, Democrat, candidates for collector of taxes, were also tied, having received 78 votes each. In their case the village trustees followed the same procedure, and again the Democrat was successful.

Mr. Edinger did not attend the drawing. It was reported that he had gone to see lawyers about instituting a contest. Edinger contends that the election officers had no right to declare the election a tie, as there was one vote at least thrown out as defective which should have been counted for him. This vote, he says, would also have elected Lyon."

Source: Drew Lots for Village Offices, New-York Tribune, Mar. 21, 1901, p. 4, col. 6.

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