NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
by Hank Przybylowicz
A Look Back… 100 Years Ago…
May, 1909
Here’s the NFD of the 21st century… the most modern of firefighting equipment… men of a strong caliber… and some of the same problems experienced by their forefathers a century ago.
Ever wonder what was going on in the NFD a century ago? Let’s step into the Newark Fire History time machine and take a look, shall we?
We shall set the month to May, and the year to 1909… and see what was going on 100 years ago…
May 1 - Saturday
Only three alarms were answered by Newark’s Bravest this day, all of which were answered in less than an hour. At 11:53 hours, an alarm was turned in from Box 437, at Washington Avenue (Broadway) and Verona Avenue, for a fire in the home of John Cullen, at 423 Washington Avenue, between Sylvan Avenue and the Erie Railroad Bridge.
A child had pulled a lace curtain too close to an oil stove and it ignited. The frame dwelling was owned by the Murphy-Hardy Lumber Company, and damages were placed at $100 ($2,441).
As firefighters were en route to that blaze, an alarm was received from Box 63, at West Kinney and Broome Streets, at 11:58 hours. Upon arrival, firefighters were directed to the Krueger Brewery, where they found that a kettle of pitch had boiled over. The fire was extinguished prior to their arrival, with no damage being done.
The final alarm came in from Box 78, at Central Avenue and Lock Street, at 12:46 hours. Firefighters were directed to a large, frame structure occupying the addresses of 172-74 Bleecker Street and 34 Hoyt Street, where they found a small fire, which they quickly extinguished. The building was owned by Nicholas Vacca, and occupied by Angelo Cerroca. Damages were placed at $26 ($635).
May 3 - Monday
During the afternoon, the new Training Stable and Repair Shop building, on Prospect Street, was accepted by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Later, they watched the official testing of a new, second-size Amoskeag steamer at the foot of Brill Street, where it took suction from the Morris Canal. The steamer was purchased the previous fall, and was reportedly an engine of the latest type, and one of the most powerful on the market. Chief Engineer Astley supervised the tests of the engine, which cost $5,950 ($145,244).
The new engine passed its tests satisfactorily and was accepted by everyone. The assignment of the new engine hadn’t been settled as yet, but it was thought it may be assigned to Engine 3 in place of the big self-propeller, “Mount Pelee.”
May 3 - Monday
The Fire Board met in the evening for the purpose of making appointments, transfers, and promotions. The following appointments were made to Truck Company 8, which was scheduled to go into service the next day: Captain, Denis Guidera; Lieutenant, Arthur M. Vanderstreet; Firefighters, Patrick J. Sweeney, John P. Scheib, Daniel P. McLoughlin, William Drucker, Henry Kaplan, John P. Barrett, Philip O’Neill, Charles R. Bartlett, and John D. Burrows.
The new truck company would be located on Ferry Street, opposite Christie Street, and promised to fill a long-felt want in the Ironbound section of the city. The formation of the new company prompted the transfers of a number of men from older companies, and also the assigning of the men appointed two weeks earlier.
The transfers were as follows: Lieutenant James C. Springstead, of Engine 19, to Engine 8; Lieutenant William J. Saupe, recently promoted from Truck 5, to Truck 3; Lieutenant Oscar Kaelberer, also recently promoted from Truck 5, to Engine 19. Other transfers included: Firefighters Joseph F. Mahaffey, of Engine 1, to Truck 4; Adrian Bried, of Engine 1, to Truck 4; Jacob Ash, of Engine 17, to Engine 1; John C. Looges, Jr., of Engine 7, to Truck 5; James F. Smith, of Engine 8, to Engine 17; Anthony C. Helfrich, of Truck 2, to Engine 6; Frederick Kerr, of Engine 6, to Engine 7; Gerald H. Stoffs, of Truck 6, to Truck 2; Henry C. Peterson, of Engine 19, to Truck 5; John J. Rowe, of Engine 1, to Truck 6; Hugh A. Ennis, of Engine 19, to Engine 1; George Ruppel, of Engine 1, to Engine 18; John Robrecht, of Engine 15, to Truck 2; Frank Garrett, Jr., of Truck 2, to Engine 15; John J. Farley, of Truck 2, to Engine 13; William J. Edwards, of Engine 13, to Truck 2; Joseph Haefeli, of Engine 12, to Engine 6; William Decker, of Engine 6, to Engine 12, and Edward Englert, of Engine 18, to Engine 5.
The board voted to request a new list of eligibles for the rank of lieutenant, as several vacancies were impending, including one in Engine 19, where Stephen H. McKain was to retire, effective June 1.
The new men appointed were assigned as follows: Henry Poole, to Engine 5; Roman J. Schmitt, to Engine 8; Charles Brogan, to Engine 8; Anthony F. Haggerty, to Engine 2; Hugo Brock, to Engine 19; Robert W. Hendricks, to Engine 15; Joseph Moehler, to Engine 3; George Schmiedle, to Engine 1; John F. Cahill, to Engine 19; Emil Buhrer, to Engine 19, and William Langwasser, to Engine 9.
May 3 - Monday
After a long fight, Lieutenant Edwin A. Crossman, of Truck 1, who was first on the civil service list for captains, failed to be promoted by the Fire Board. Lieutenant Denis Guidera, of Truck 3, who was second on the list, was promoted instead. Voting for Guider’s promotion were Commissioners Stratton, Lagay, and Weber, while President Thomas E. Burke fought for the promotion of Crossman.
Burke stated that he had no problem with Guidera as an officer or a firefighter, but it was only because Crossman was at the top of the list, and that he also was a veteran of the Civil War, which, according to his interpretation of civil service law, gave his promotion precedence over others on the list.
Burke consulted with several top lawyers who agreed that Crossman should’ve been promoted to fill the very first vacancy that existed. Commissioner Mathias Stratton, who seconded Commissioner William A. Weber’s nomination of Guidera, stated that the reason he opposed Crossman’s promotion was that he had been told that Crossman was in poor health, and he believed that for the good of the department, Guidera should be promoted instead.
He also referred to a written statement from Gardner Colby, Chief of the Civil Service Examining Board, in which Colby stated that because Crossman was first on the list and a Civil War veteran, it did not prevent the Fire Board from promoting other men on the list.
President Burke replied that Colby’s opinion would not sway him in the least, as the law on the subject was too explicit to be misinterpreted, and that he would not vote for anyone except Lieutenant Crossman. Burke stated that as far as he knew, Crossman was just as well and as able to perform fire duty as well as any other man on the department, from the chief engineer on down.
When the vote was taken for the nominations, Burke refused to make Guidera’s nomination unanimous, and was recorded as voting for Crossman. It was than stated that the matter would be taken up by the Grand Army men, who believed Crossman had been wronged.
May 3 - Monday
During the evening meeting of the Fire Board, after the promotions, transfers, and appointments were settled, attention was turned to the fire department budget, which amounted to $659,372 ($16.1 million).
This figure was arrived at only after a couple of major items were cut. One was a fireboat, and the other was the motorized life-saving apparatus, which would’ve been manned by a special corps of firefighters trained in rescue and life-saving techniques.
The final budget would be taken to the meeting of the Common Council finance committee the night of May 5.
The salaries of the new men appointed in order for Truck 8 to be placed in service, added $3,663 ($89,417) to the pay-roll budget. The previous year, the proposed fire department budget of $611,000 ($14.8 million) was cut to $575,000 ($13.9). It was expected that a sizeable cut would be made once again.
Everything that may have come under the heading of extras was stricken out by the board and Alderman Jerome T. Congleton, chairman of the finance committee, who continued to look for places where there could even be more reductions. It was reported that this plan would be pursued with all the budgets of the city departments.
May 4 - Tuesday
H. Sarkesian owned the Klondyke Cleaning & Dyeing Co., at 406 Washington Street, between Marshall and Baldwin Streets. He was pressing some clothes and had a pan of gasoline standing near for cleaning. He struck a match and an explosion ensued, burning him and setting the shop ablaze.
An alarm was turned in from Box 23, at Engine 3’s quarters, at Court and Nevada Streets, at 08:58 hours. Firefighters made short work of the blaze, keeping damages to $60 ($1,465).
Sarkesian was transported to Saint Barnabas Hospital in the First Precinct ambulance, suffering from burns to his hands, face, and neck. The building was owned by Louis Cohn.
May 5 - Wednesday
At 10:41 hours, an alarm from Box 61, at Springfield Avenue and William Street, brought firefighters to the home of Michael Yackowitz, and Adolph Lekar, of 213 Court Street, between Prince and West Streets, where they found a small fire in a third-floor closet. Short work was made of the blaze, which caused $96 ($2,343) damage. The cause of the fire was unknown. Lekar was also the owner of the property.
May 5 - Wednesday
At 18:20 hours, Truck Co. 8 was placed in service at 471 Ferry Street, between Brill and Richards Streets. This company helped relieve Truck 4 of responses in the lower part of the Ironbound District. The company’s quarters had all the modern improvements, including a corrugated brick apparatus floor -- the first of its kind in the NFD. It was also the last horse-drawn truck company to be placed in service, as all others after this date were motorized.
The original members were: Captain Dennis Guidera; Lieutenant Arthur M. Vanderstreet; Firefighters Patrick J. Sweeney, Badge #294; John P. Barrett, Badge #246; John P. Scheib, Badge #264; Henry Kappel, Badge #391; Frank D. Burrows, Badge #403; Daniel P. McLoughlin, Badge #392; Philip O’Neill, Badge #417; William Drucker, Badge #458, and Charles A. Lang, Badge #361.
May 6 - Thursday
“The Evening Star” reported the following regarding the big firefighting parade on June 14:
QUAINT APPARATUS TO BE IN PARADE OF EXEMPT FIREMEN
Old Engines to Be Drawn Through Street Beside Modern Inventions
BIGGEST PROCESSION OF KIND EVER HELD HERE
Committee Busy Completing Plans for Celebration on June 14
As June 14 draws nearer the committee in charge of the big double celebration of the Exempt Firemen’s Association of this city -- their fifty-first anniversary and the laying of the corner-stone of their new home at Thirteenth street and Springfield avenue -- has its hands full.
It will be the biggest parade of its kind ever held in the State. Nearly the whole East will be represented with fire fighting apparatus of all descriptions, from the latest automobile engine to the old hand engines of forty years ago. The old volunteers of Newark will be in line. There are only twelve left and they will have the place of honor at the head of the line, with their leather buckets.
Every class of engine will be shown, the steamers and water tower of the big cities, the one horse hook and ladders of the towns and the hand engines of the villages. The first steamer that Newark ever had, the Minnehaha, purchased for the city by the exempt firemen with money from their treasury and presented to the city, will be in line.
The exempts who form the parade will not be all old men, as most people think, but some of them are under 35 years of age. The association is not made up of veteran fire-fighters, but is an organization which has charge of the widows and orphans fund, made up of firemen who have served in the department for seven years, and over half of the members are still in active service.
Probably the largest delegation representing one city will be the Keystone Exempts, from Philadelphia, who will be 500 strong, with a band of fifty pieces. Every city will bring its own band and there will be at least 150 of them in line.
The members of the committee are: Louis Hauser, chairman; William R. Price, David E. Benedict, Charles Coughlin, John Vandine, Thomas Watt, William Schmitt, William W. Dougal, John W. Smith, Charles J. Hamberger and Charles E. McCraith.
May 6 - Thursday
At 23:40 hours, John Lever was nearing his home at 103 Elwood Avenue, between Lincoln Avenue and Washington Avenue (Broadway), when he spotted flames shooting out of the two-story frame barn on his property. He immediately ran to Washington and Elwood Avenues, where he turned in an alarm from Box 413.
When firefighters arrived, they found the barn fully involved in fire with flames shooting through the roof. The flames had also spread to a small adjoining stable at the rear of 190 Washington Avenue, which was owned by M. P. Sandford, and occupied by William Davis, and were threatening to spread to other properties as well.
Much excitement was caused by the blaze, which occurred in a neighborhood of private residences. After the fire was brought under control, it was found that a horse had burned to death in the stable.
Officers of the Second Precinct investigated the cause of the fire, as it was a mystery. The loss on both structures and their contents was placed at $8,638 ($210,860).
May 7 - Friday
“The Evening Star” carried the following story:
DISLODGE FIGURE OF OLD FIREMAN AFTER 40 YEARS
The “Old Fireman,” who stood guard on the top of the Firemen’s Insurance Company building at the Four Corners for nearly forty years, and defied all kinds of weather during that time, suffered an ignominious end this morning by being hanged; and after his executioners allowed him to dangle in the air for nearly ten minutes he was lowered to the street and then rolled into the gutter.
A big crowd gathered around the “fireman” and expressed their sympathy, and more so when they found that his right leg had been severed above the knee. Sergeant Michael Tully was appealed to by one of the spectators to call an ambulance in which to send the “old man” to a hospital.
“Sure, what would be the use of doing that,” replied the sergeant, “because can’t you see that he is a dead one?”
“That is what I am,” murmured the Old Fireman to the STAR reporter. “So would anyone be if he had to do the stunt that I have done for nearly two-score years without a wink of sleep or a smoke, and the only time I ever had a drink is when it rained and then I got soaked from head to foot, but it was a temperance jag.”
“That’s not a bad one for a dead one,” remarked Tully.
“Many a time I felt like coming down and getting a big high on in a nearby saloon,” continued the Old Chap, “but as I was braced up so tight I couldn’t break away from my job.”
The
"Old Fireman" can be seen standing at his post atop
the Firemen's
Insurance Co. building at
Broad and Mark-
et Streets, circa 1900.
“I held on as long as I could, and now that I am down I don’t intend to go up again, because while a whole lot of people thought I was made of metal, I knew that I was only wood, and between me and you and that Budweiser sign on top of the Kinney building across the street I could not have stood it much longer.”
This was true, for investigation showed that the wooden figure had rotted inside, leaving only a shell.
“I was brought down,” continued the victim, “so as to make room for some improvements in the building around the “corners.” Maybe the example set by my bosses will be followed by others in the near future. Didn’t I put up a good front all these years? But, say, honest, nothing affected me so much as those peach basket hats worn by the women for the last three months. I could not see their faces, and that caused me to get all broke up. Now that I am down you can do what you like with me.”
Then the Fireman broke into tears, and Tully looked gloomy and the STAR man faded away.
ADDENDUM: While perusing some old Newark newspapers, I came upon the article shown below, which I found to be of extreme interest regarding the above "Old Fireman" story:
There is mention in the above news story of Newark architect Jonathan Van Deveer Nichols once being the Chief of the Newark Fire Department. His name has not been found among the men who have served in that role since 1815, nor has it been found among the Assistant Chiefs, so whether or not he was, indeed, a chief, is unconfirmed at this time.
The tale goes that after John W. Williams, accompanied by John Spellman, picked up the statue from the Salvage Corps building, they were ambushed by firefighters from Bloomfield who wanted the statue for their own. The statue was reported to have lost a leg in the fray, but as was reported in the original news story, a leg had been broken off when the statue was placed in the gutter after being removed from the roof of the building in 1909. It's possible the leg got jostled around in the ambush and was believed to have been broken off then. Regardless, when the statue made it to Butler, a local woodcarver fashioned a new leg for it using the remaining leg as a pattern.
The statue was placed on the balcony of the old Butler Borough Hall and Main Firehouse, where it stood until June 27, 1980, when it was removed for restoration. With the moving of the Butler Police Department into the refurbished old borough hall and firehouse in October, 1982, the "Old Fireman" was placed on display in a specially designed window in the new Main Firehouse, where he stands 'til this day.
May 7 - Friday
Shortly before 13:00 hours, Henry Wolf, who was the head of the Meter Division of the Water Department, left his desk to go into another room in City Hall, at 902-34 Broad Street, between Green and Franklin Streets. Returning a few moments later, he found his desk ablaze.
At 12:58 hours, firefighters turned out to answer an alarm from Box 312, at Broad and Green Streets, for the fire. Upon arriving at the scene they quickly stretched a chemical line, and made short work of the blaze, but not before the rug, desk, and chair were consumed by the flames, resulting in a $152 ($3,710) loss.
The cause of the fire was attributed to a box of matches in his desk igniting when he closed the drawer.
May 8 - Saturday
A hitch that arose with the classy new white summer uniform hats with gold braid bands, for Newark fire officers, was adjusted, and it was expected they would be seen in service in a short time. Chief Engineer William C. Astley admitted to making a mistake about the price of the hats being $1.75 ($43) each. He had not taken into account the gold braid bands, which were an additional fifty cents ($12). Astley stated the department would pay the difference to any member of the department who objected to the extra expense. When questioned if the hats were union made, Astley confessed that he knew nothing about that and had not inquired if that was one of the features of the hats.
May 8 - Saturday
At 16:17 hours, an alarm was turned in from Box 715, at Warren and Summit Streets, for a fire involving a factory housing the Liberty Hat Co., the Commercial Hat Co., and the Thomas Carley Estate, at 155-57 Summit Street, at the Morris Canal.
The premise was comprised of two adjoining structures: a brick building measuring 25-by-120 feet, attached to a frame building, measuring 25-by-100 feet.
On arrival, firefighters found heavy fire involving both buildings, with flames threatening to spread throughout the heavily populated and densely-packed manufacturing area. This prompted the sounding of second and third alarms.
Firefighters were successful, for the most part in keeping the main fire confined to the building of origin, but there was some damage sustained by five nearby exposures: 151 Summit Street, occupied by Joseph Bruno; 153 Summit Street, occupied by John Regan; 100 Colden Street, occupied by John Scanlon; 106 Colden Street, occupied by Marie Fielding, and 108-10 Colden Street, also occupied by John Scanlon. The Colden Street properties existed at the rear of the main fire. All of the properties involved were a part of the large Thomas Carley Estate.
Losses on the main fire buildings amounted to $40,419 ($986,659), with damages to the exposures totaling $300 ($7,323), for a grand total of $40,719 ($993,982).
The cause of the fire was unknown.
(Additional research is being done into this fire, and after it becomes available, the story will be updated)
May 10 - Monday
During the early afternoon, Central Avenue trolley car #537, of the Public Service Corp., suddenly burst into flames at Broad and Market Streets. The front and rear doors were immediately thrown open and the dozen passengers, mostly women, exited safely from the burning car.
Motorman John Calahan and Conductor Neal Lenhardt, stuck to their posts and decided to drive the car to the head- quarters of the Salvage Corps, on Washington Street.
On Market Street, near Washington Street, the trolley pole slipped off the overhead wire and the car began to burn more furiously than before. The men braved the flames, restored the pole, and drove the car right to the front of the Salvage Corps building.
At 13:42 hours, Captain Martin placed the company on a still alarm and mustered his men, who, through the use of hose and axes, quickly brought the flames under control.
The cause of the fire, which caused $5 ($122), was attributed to faulty electrical wiring
May 11 - Tuesday
At 01:00 hours, an alarm was received from Box 612, at Court and West Streets. The men of the Salvage Corps raced to the scene in the “Red Devil,” which is what their motorized wagon was known as, as well as Engine 12, Truck 5, Fourth Battalion Chief McDermitt, and a Fourth Precinct patrol wagon, filled with Newark’s Finest.
When Engine 12 and Truck 5 arrived at the scene, they found the salvage wagon tearing around the streets looking for the fire. The two companies joined in the search.
As the firefighters searched in vain for the blaze, the police patrol wagon arrived and also began investigating. Near the box location they found a Chinaman standing motionless with blood flowing freely from several severe cuts on his head. Surrounding him was a number of his countrymen who, “chattered about him like so many magpies.”
As police began to round up the whole lot for transport to the precinct for questioning, a bystander came forward and explained what had happened. As the wounded Chinaman’s attacker was getting the better of him, he began to yell, “Fight! Fight” Mistaking his cries as “Fire!” a well-meaning citizen turned in an alarm.
Later in the night, at 21:05 hours, firefighters answered an alarm turned in from Box 7, at Engine 7’s quarters, for a fire involving the parlor in the third-floor apartment of William Tully, of 256 Warren Street, at Norfolk Street. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the second-floor apartment of John Downey suffered minor water damage.
The cause of the blaze was unknown, and losses were placed at $640 ($15,623). The building was owned by Mortimer Harrison.
May 12 - Wednesday
Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Makowski, of 16 Lillie Street, between West Kinney Street and 17th Avenue, went out for the afternoon, leaving their children, Perlie, 6, and Viola, 5, alone at home.
Becoming bored, the children somehow got hold of some matches, and in the course of playing with them, started a fire in their third-floor apartment.
Patrolman Weippert, of the nearby Fourth Precinct, was the first to arrive at the scene, and rushed to the third floor, where he found heavy volumes of smoke. Hearing the cries of the children, he kicked down the door to the room they had locked themselves in and carried them to safety, saving their lives. It was said that due to the heavy smoke the fire was giving off, the children surely would’ve died of smoke inhalation if not for the prompt actions of Weippert.
An alarm was promptly sent in at 16:05 hours, from Box 654, at West Kinney and Boyd Streets, and firefighters brought the blaze under control in a short time.
Fire losses were placed at $380 ($9,276) damage. The frame tenement was owned by Fred Koon.
May 14 - Friday
Shortly before noon, the employees of the Storms & Co. factory, at 126-28 South 14th Street, between Central and 9th Avenues, were finishing up their morning’s work and were preparing to go to lunch. Suddenly, the one-ton boiler exploded with tremendous force, shooting through the roof and landing in a lot three blocks away, on South 16th Street, in East Orange. The one-story power-house, located at the rear of the main plant, was demolished by the blast.
Three men were in the building at the time of the explosion, and suffered serious injuries. John McGovern, of 43 Hunterdon Street, Leo McSulla, of 32 Hunterdon Street, and Arthur Carlo, of 76 South 16th Street, were rushed to their homes in an automobile provided by the company, where their wounds were tended to. McGovern, who had suffered a deep gash on his forehead, and McSulla, who sustained burns to his back and legs, and a cut on the back of his head, were both tended to by Dr. Francis Kearns, of Fairmount Avenue.
The fact they weren’t killed, nor were ten other men working nearby injured, was attributed to the fact that most of the forceful blast went up through the roof, although most of the rear concrete wall was blown out, as well. One chunk of steel did penetrate a wall, but landed harmlessly next to the men.
While no definite cause of the explosion could be determined, as any evidence preceding the blast was destroyed, it was believed that the workmen in the boiler room did not notice that the water level in the boiler was low, and when the danger signals on the registers were finally noticed, it was too late to prevent the explosion.
May 14 - Friday
The evening edition of the “The Newark Star” carried the following story:
NEW FIRE LINE BADGES READY; TO COST $3 EACH
The new fire line badges have been received by Fire Chief Astley and are ready for distribution. The order placing them in use and revoking the old badges will be issued in the next few days. The badges are round and instead of being tied in the button hole, as last year, are provided with a pin. In the centre, in red letters, the near they words “Fire Line,” and around the edge, “No admittance within building.”
Each badgeholder will be obliged to pay $3 ($73) for the privilege of wearing one. The profit over the actual cost of making them will be turned over to the firemen’s pension fund.
The badges are perpetual and can only be recalled for cause.
On a side note, these badges were manufactured by the C.G. Braxmar Co., of Maiden Lane, New York City.
May 15 - Saturday
At 05:16 hours, an alarm was turned in from Box 626, at Spruce and Barclay Streets, when a fire was discovered in the cellar at 250 Broome Street, between Spruce Street and Waverly Avenue (Ali Avenue).
A passing policeman, from the Fourth Precinct, ran into the building and roused the sleeping residents, who fled from the building in a near-panic.
The initial attempt to attack the blaze by firefighters was hampered until they were able to achieve a better vantage point. They prevented the flames from spreading to the upper floors. Damages were placed at $250 ($6,103). Max Kemel and Emil Gross were occupants in the building, which was owned by Aaron Stein.
At about 10:30 hours, Mrs. Elizabeth Deeley, of 457 Clinton Avenue, between Peshine Avenue and Hunterdon Street, set about cleaning the woodwork using benzine. In the midst of her work, she was called away to another room. Upon returning to the original room, she struck a match, for some unknown reason, which fell to the floor, readily igniting the benzine and woodwork.
Quickly backing away from the flame, she made her way to the street and turned in an alarm from Box 236, at Clinton and Jelliff Avenues, at 10:34 hours. Firefighters made quick work of the blaze before any serious damage was done. Losses were placed at $28 ($684). The building was owned by Louisa Badenhop.
At 20:49 hours, a mysterious fire started in the front room of the second-floor apartment of Salvatore Geramo, 26 Monroe Street, between Market and Downing Streets. He was a block away visiting his mother-in-law when the blaze was discovered.
An alarm was turned in from Box 54, Market and Monroe Streets, and when firefighters arrived, they found the fire had gained a good headway and was burning fiercely. As they were battling the flames, Geramo returned to his home to find it ablaze.
Damages amounted to $1,065 ($25,997), which Geramo claimed was covered by insurance. His brother-in-law, Antonio Geramo, who occupied the first-floor apartment, claimed a loss of $35 ($854). The adjacent building at 28 Monroe Street, which was owned by the Central Railroad Co., and occupied by John Stryet, was scorched, suffering $15 ($366) damage. Total damages amounted to $1,115 ($27,217).
Police launched an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire.
May 17 - Monday
While heating some pitch in a pot, at the Electrical Maintenance & Repair Co., 200 Market Street, between Broad and beaver Streets, the liquid boiled over and started a fire. While endeavoring to extinguish the blaze, H.C. Heidrich sustained severe burns to his hand.
The fire was quickly put out by the use of a hand extinguisher. As the fire was contained to the metal casing surrounding the pitch pot, there was no damage done.
Heidrich’s injured hand was bandaged by Miss Ann McQuilkin, who was commended for her prompt attention. Heidrich’s hand was expected to be healed in a few weeks.
May 18 - Tuesday
During the afternoon, Helen Duerscheidt, the five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Duerscheidt, of 87 State Street, between High Street (King Boulevard) and Boyden Street, was critically burned when her dress ignited as she and some playmates were leaping through the flames of a bonfire near her home.
Screaming in pain and fear, the little girl started to run toward her home. A passerby witnessed the tragedy and ran to the girls’ aid, smothering the flames, but not before they had burned off most of her clothing. He then carried her home, where Dr. J.E. Morrison, of 97 Halsey Street, was called in to tend to the frightful burns about her face and body.
Upon his arrival, he found the child’s condition to be so serious that he made immediate arrangements for her to be transported to City Hospital, where doctors expressed little hope for her recovery.
At 04:00 hours, on May 22, Helen died in great agony at City Hospital.
May 19 - Wednesday
More than 200 members of the Exempt Firemen’s and the Firemen’s Mutual Benefit Associations boarded a train bound for Phillipsburg to attend the 23rd annual convention of the State organization of exempt firemen. The more notable among them were: Salvage Corps Superintendent Henry S. Martin; Captain James J. Dolan, of Engine 20, and Lieutenant Arthur M. Vanderstreet, of Truck 8.
The above photo caption reads as follows:
"Officers of the Exempt Firemen's Association, reading from
left to right: Charles E. McCraith, president; David E. Benedict, vice-president;
Charles J. Hamberger,
secretary, and Obadiah Price, treasurer."
About 50 of the attendees, ages 62 to 83, wore their uniforms, and planned to take part in the parade with their vintage 1809 hand engine, which they took aboard the train with them. The engine was gaily decorated for the occasion. Also to be held was the organization’s annual election of officers, for which there were no candidates from Newark.
May 19 - Wednesday
During the weekly meeting of the Fire Board, a report written by Captain Emil Lueddeke, of Engine 22, was read explaining why the company was not the first to attend the three-alarm fire that destroyed the hat factory, at Warren and Summit Streets, on May 8.
The report went on to say that Firefighter John J. Burnett called out “716” when the alarm came in, which was a private box at R.G. Solomon’s tannery complex, on Nesbitt Street, opposite James Street. They responded to that location, and upon their arrival, realized their mistake.
Commissioner Stratton stated that during his investigation into the matter, he found that the tape that records the alarms had been partially destroyed, but there was enough left to show that Box 715, at Warren and Summit Streets had been correctly received, and not Box 716, as claimed.
Stratton stated, “The tampering with fire alarm records is a very serious
matter, and a prison offense as well as a heavy fine imposed.” President Burke
replied, “That is so, and the case should be carefully investigated.” Stratton
was immediately empowered to begin an investigation into the matter without
delay.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Box 715, at Warren and Summit
Streets, sat one block east and two blocks south of Engine 22’s quarters. Box
716, on Nesbitt Street, opposite James Street, was located in the opposite
direction, being north and west of their quarters. So even though the company
would turn out east on New Street, toward Summit Street, they would’ve turned
north at Summit, rather than south, in response to the errant alarm.
Even if a loom-up was just starting from the hat factory fire, there was a good
chance they would not have seen it as their attention was focused in the
opposite direction.
In other business, the board took no
further action on Lieutenant Edwin A. Crossman’s appeal for a hearing to show
that he was entitled to the first vacant captain’s spot in the department.
President Burke voted in favor of granting the request, but Commissioners Weber,
Stratton and Lagay voted against it, and ordered the appeal to be placed on
file.
A request was received from the Exempt Firemen’s Association requesting that the ten men, who are members of the organization and the department, be granted special leave on May 31 and June 14 so as to take part in parades. The board moved to forward the matter to Chief Astley with the power to deal with it.
Police Officer Alexander R. Cleveland, of the First Precinct, was commended for his apprehension of a man who turned in a false alarm of fire.
Business was concluded with the announcement that the annual inspection of the
department would take place on Monday, June 7.
May 20 - Thursday
The following story appeared in the evening edition of “The Newark Star:”
PRICELESS RELICS OF OLD FIRE DAYS IN EXEMPTS’ HOME
All Sorts of Interesting Things in Centre Street Lodge Rooms Make Unique Exhibit
Perhaps few Newarkers know that in the lodge rooms of the Exempt Firemen’s Association, in Centre Street, is one of the most interesting and complete collections of firemen’s relics in this country.
The position of honor is taken up by a perfect working model of old Hand Engine No. 5 and was built in 1847 by David E. Campfield, of this city. It is complete in every detail, and so perfectly constructed that it will send a stream of water twenty-five feet.
Standing next to this is a huge fireman’s trumpet, nearly six feet high, which was presented to the Newark Exempts by the firemen of South Norwalk, Conn.
Around the room are fire helmets from every fire company that Newark has ever had. They are all styles and sizes, from the old high hat with the rolling brim of 1840, with the company number painted on the band, up to the present helmets.
On the walls are honorable discharges from the fire department of former mayors, sheriffs and public officials of all kinds.
Most of the relics are priceless and in case of loss could never be replaced. They are particularly interesting because they have been the property of men who have made Newark and New Jersey what it is today.
This museum, although it is not called one, surely deserves the title, and will soon have a new resting place, in the new firemen’s home, on Springfield avenue and Fourteenth street, the corner-stone of which will be laid on June 14.
Great preparations are being made for this event. Every fire company in the East has been invited to attend with bands and apparatus, and it is estimated that the population of Newark will be doubled on that day.
The committee in charge of the celebration is: Louis Hauser, chairman; Alexander J. Vallentine, William R. Price, David E. Benedict, Charles Coughlin, John Vandyne, Thomas Watt, William Schmitt, William Dougal, John Smith, Charles Hamberger and Charles E. McCraith.
The exempts have been in their present home for over thirteen years, and while the new one will be far larger and more commodious, the old “boys” who used to answer the “calls” before Newark had a paid department, and that is only since ’88, say that it will never seem like the old lodge rooms on Centre street.
May 21 - Friday
Laura Coates, 10, who was crippled, lived with her mother, invalid father, and her 15-year-old brother, William, at 53 Fairview Avenue, between 18th Avenue and Magnolia Street.
The previous day, the mother, who went to work every day to support the family, leaving her son home to look after his father and sister, was presented with a brass oil lamp by her employer. She took it home and lit it, much to the excitement of little Laura, who exclaimed that she had never seen anything quite so beautiful in all her life. Mrs. Coates thought the lamp would make a good night light, so she left it burning in the kitchen.
It was about 05:00 hours when Laura woke up and could see the brilliant reflection of the lamp from her room in the kitchen mirror. Mesmerized by its glimmering reflection, she thought of the lamp as magical, and that if she would rub it, her wish of being able to walk on her own would be granted.
With the greatest of difficulty, she crawled out of her bed and across the floor to the mantle where the lamp was sitting. She painfully pulled herself up and grasped the lamp tightly to lift it off the shelf. She lost her grasp on the lamp and it broke upon falling on her, covering her with oil.
In an instant, the oil ignited and her nightgown was a sheet of flames. Hearing the child’s screams, her mother rushed to the kitchen, grabbed a blanket, and was successful in smothering the flames. She then sent her son to get the neighbors.
A call was made to City Hospital to have them rush an ambulance to the scene. The little girl was in extreme pain, and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors expressed only a slim chance of recovery.
Two days later, on May 23, Laura died in City Hospital as a result of the burns she incurred.
May 22 - Saturday
At 19:31 hours, firefighters turned out to answer an alarm from Box 542, at McWhorter and Oliver Streets. On arrival, they found a working fire in a brick factory, measuring 20-by-60 feet, at 129-031 Oliver Street, between McWhorter and Pacific Streets. The building was owned by A. Beck, and occupied by the Gane Bros. Co., Schultz & Lapp, and A. Beck.
After an hour’s work, the last sparks were finally extinguished. Damages were placed at $1,353 ($33,028). The cause of the fire was unknown.
May 22 - Saturday
The following story appeared in “The Evening Star” newspaper:
GOOD OLD DAYS OF FIRE-FIGHTING ARE ONLY MEMORIES
Nothing Can Compare With the Way No. 11 and No. 3 Used to Dash Madly By
IN THOSE TIMES HENRY A. LYON WAS A LEADER
And the Other Day, at the Age of 89, He Went to the Exempts’ Convention
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, went the bell in the watch tower.
“Wonder where in tunket (euphemism for ‘hell’) th’ fire is,” exclaimed the bystander.
“Must be a humdinger or old Pete, the watchman, wouldn’t work so hard at the bell rope,” said the other.
“We’ll wait to see the engines go by and follow.”
This conversation took place at the corner of Market and Broad streets way back in the ‘50s. That corner occupied the same relative position it occupies today.
In a very short time hundreds of the townspeople were waiting at the same corner to see the No. 11 and the No. 3 Dash madly by. Next to fighting fires these companies excelled at dashing madly by. They could dash madly by a given point at phenomenal speed. When they were gone there was left in their wake a current of genuine, simple, pure, unadulterated excitement.
That was, of course, before a paid department for fighting fires had been dreamed of. It was also before the steamer was invented. Likewise, airships, automobiles and stock juggling were unknown, so the populace might be forgiven their flurry of pleased anticipation when the alarm bell rang out.
On this occasion they had not long to wait. The clatter of the bell had been heard by No. 11 in their fire house in Mulberry street and by No. 3 in Ferry street. That is, such a small percentage of them as stayed at the fire house. The others came from their work with such dispatch that the two companies with their ‘gooseneck” and “piano decker” hand propelled engines narrowly escaped collision at the corner. This fact was noted and appreciated by the waiting crowd.
Cries of the Populace
“Go to it, bo,” or something to that effect shouted a supporter of No. 3, and “Give ’em the water cure,” or an equally effective shaft was hurled back by a No. 11 enthusiast.
Meantime the fire which had been discovered in the Quimby Carriage Company’s plant on the site of the present Broad street station of the Central Railroad of New Jersey was burning merrily. No merest fraction of a second marked the difference in the time of the arrival of the two companies to the scene. In a few moments -- a twinkling in those days -- the lines of hose were connected with the three Broad street cisterns.
Once started, the members of the rival companies worked with furious energy. A trifle more furious energy being exhibited by the No. 3’s, the No. 11’s were “washed,” to the intense amusement of the crowd and everlasting glory of No. 3. Meantime the fire burned merrily and further on.
Chief among those performing wonders of work for No. 3 was Henry A. Lyon. He was about 30 years old and had been an enthusiastic volunteer for years. In spite of the miracles of labor performed by. Mr. Lyon and his companions and rivals, the carriage company plant burned down. It is on record, however, that the town was saved.
It was the custom of large fires in that day to burn themselves out. This fire was no exception. But the opportunity had been offered for another test of strength and skill between the rival companies. So it was regarded as a success.
Lyon at Convention
A few days ago the annual convention of the exempt firemen of the State was held in Phillipsburg. Conspicuous among the members was Henry A. Lyon. He is now 89 years old, and one of the oldest of the volunteer fire-fighting veterans.
The claim is made for him that he is the oldest. Mr. Lyon, however, modestly waives claim to such eminence, and is satisfied with such eminence as it comes from being “one of the oldest survivors.” He lives at 15 Cottage Street.
Mr. Lyon entertained fellow delegates at the convention with stories of the old fires. Prominent in his reminiscences was the Quimby conflagration. “I’ll never forget how we washed them that day,” he said with a reminiscent twinkle in his eye. “Oh, yes, the building burned down, but we had a grand time!”
Until the organization of the paid department, in the late eighties, Mr. Lyon was identified with the volunteers. He grew to the rank of captain of No. 1, the company known as Minnehaha, which first boasted a real steamer. “But the old days were the happy days,” declares Mr. Lyon when asked for an opinion on up-to-date fire-fighting methods.
May 24 - Monday
Firefighters answering an alarm turned in from Box 423, at Belleville Avenue (Broadway) and Broad Street, at 11:56 hours, were directed to the home of Giuseppe Galessa, at 28 7th Avenue, between Webster Street and High Street (King Boulevard), where they found a sofa ablaze.
The fire, which caused $10 ($244) damage, was quickly extinguished, resulting in only $10 ($244). The brick dwelling was owned by Francko Renderisi.
At 18:52 hours, Ironbound firefighters were faced with a much larger blaze when they were called out to the John Radel Leather Co., at Hamburg Place (Wilson Avenue) and Ball Lane.
On arrival, in response to an alarm from Box 557, at Avenue L and Magazine Street, they found flames shooting through the roof of a large frame structure housing the japanning department, and threatening other nearby buildings in the complex.
The heroic work of firefighters and the thick brick walls of neighboring buildings were credited with keeping the fire confined to the building of origin.
The construction of the building, and its stock of highly flammable liquids, made for a spectacular fire, shooting flames high into the air.
Because of the necessity of having to stretch hoses across the railroad tracks, traffic on the Central Railroad lines was tied up.
The fire was a hard blow for the company, which had a large number of orders on hand to be filled. Company officers stated plans for the construction of a new brick building would begin immediately.
The cause of the blaze, which caused $10,100 ($246,549) damage, was attributed to spontaneous combustion.
May 25 - Tuesday
At 04:12 hours, an alarm from Box 271, at 18th Avenue and Hunterdon Street, brought firefighters at full gallop to the frame home of Morris Sepineck, who lived on the first floor at 61 Fairview Avenue, between 18th Avenue and Magnolia Street.
Firefighters found a barrel of wood burning in the cellar from an unknown cause. The fire was quickly extinguished before any damage was done. The building was owned by Meyer Krasner.
At 12:35 hours, firefighters answered an alarm turned in from Box 516, at Van Buren and Malvern Streets, for a fire in the rear of Joseph Forder’s saloon, at 113 Delancey Street, at Adams Street.
The fire was caused by a kitchen range that had been placed too near the woodwork. The flames traveled to the chimney and worked their way up through the kitchen, up to the second floor, and to the roof. Damages were placed at $500 ($12,205).
Peter Weigand was also an occupant of the building, which was owned by the Krueger Brewing Company.
May 25 - Tuesday
The following story appeared in the evening edition of “The Newark Star:”
W.T. FREY AS GOOD A FIREMAN NOW AS 40 YEARS AGO
Was Once at Bridge and Broad Streets When He Discovered Fire a Mile Away
“Yes, I’ve been a fireman for forty years, and I’m just as anxious today to see a blaze nipped in the bud as I was two decades ago,” said William T. Frey, a gray-haired, genial exempt of 70, at his home, 75 North Fifteenth street, East Orange, today. “What was your first fire?” asked the STAR man.
“I was at Bridge and Broad streets when I discovered a fire at Broad street and Clinton avenue,” he began. “It may sound strange, but it’s true, for it was not today, or yesterday, but many years ago. I was then 12 years old. Broad street was then a country town road. Such a thing as the Prudential Building was undreamed of.
“I was walking with my brother, who had just passed his 10th birthday. Our father was then a member of Engine Company No. 7, better known as “Old Gooseneck.” It was located in Orange street, opposite where Essex street now cuts through. It had an annex in Bridge street just east of Broad street, and one of the volunteers shouted to us to get the hand hose cart and pull it to the fire.
“Neither of us needed a second invitation, as we were on our way to a private school in Orange street, and as it was a bright June day we wanted nothing better than a run to the fire. Why, I remember it as though it was just yesterday. The old bells in the Trinity Church tower were the first ones to ring, and by jimminies we were down to Market street before Engine Company No. 5, which was up Market near Halsey street, was pulling out.
Schoolhouse Burned Down
“‘Old Gooseneck,’ with my dad in command, was at our heels, and when we reached Lincoln Park we found the ‘Old White Schoolhouse,’ a little frame building, burning to the ground. All we could do was to stand by and look on, and I remember the boys and girls gave us the laugh and remarked, ‘Look at the kid firemen.’ They were overjoyed to think that their school was afire, and that it meant a holiday. I wonder if they ever regretted it.”
Mrs. Frey, in relating to other reminiscences of olden times, stated that he had been an exempt for the past forty years. He entered the department in 1856 and remained with “Old Gooseneck” for eight years and for the following three he was assistant chief.
He was in charge of the volunteers when they fought the fire which destroyed the United States Hospital at the foot of Centre street. It was used by the government after the war, and was a three-story brick structure, but Assistant Chief Frey tells us that it burnt like paper, that is the inside of it.
Another big fire, in fact the biggest he ever took a hand in, was the one which destroyed a row of buildings in Broad street opposite Trinity Church. One was owned by Jonas Agens, and it started there and was not put out until four others were burned to the ground. “That was the fire,” said Mr. Frey, “and we had to cut a path through the snow, which was four feet deep to get our hose through, and if it had not been for an alleyway ten feet wide between the buildings it would have taken the whole block.
“Remember, boys, there were no people in those days near us to give us a hot cup of coffee, and a bite to eat, and think of it -- the best we got was exemption from poll tax. But we liked the game, and that’s why the city of Newark had one of the best volunteer fire departments in the North and today I am glad to see that it still retains the name.
“It was still the same to us in those days as it is to the boys nowadays, and we fought just as hard to save the property.”
“Did you ever rescue anyone, chief?”
“Not exactly; you see the boys managed to get everyone out of danger, but I can’t recall ever doing anything heroic myself.”
Others recall when the chief rescued a child from a fire which destroyed a dwelling in Market street near the depot, but he is too modest to tell the story himself. Mr. Frey is still hale and hearty and delights in gazing at the fire fighters.
May 25 - Tuesday
Horse #106, which was attached to the Fire Alarm Telegraph Division, had to be destroyed at the quarters of Truck 2, by order of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
May 26 - Wednesday
Following a suggestion made by a grand jury, the freeholders appointed former Newark Fire Captain Charles J. Hamberger, and Firefighter Samuel Carr, both who served with Engine 1 several years earlier, to perform fire duty at the Overbrook County Hospital for the Insane.
May 27 - Thursday
Police Officer Schmidt, of the Fourth Precinct, was standing at the corner of Spruce and Barclay Streets when he heard the cries of, “Fire!” a short distance away. He immediately sent in an alarm at 09:54 hours, from Box 623, located on the corner, and ran toward the cries.
He found smoke coming from the third floor windows of 73 Barclay Street, between Spruce and Montgomery Streets, and entered the building, where he found Mrs. Isaac Magid in the hallway, clutching her two-year-old baby and crying that her son was missing.
Schmidt dropped to his hands and knees, stuffed a handkerchief in his mouth, and crawled into the smoke-filled apartment, where he found six-year-old Meyer suffering from smoke inhalation. He threw open a window and then carried the boy to the street.
The policeman’s timely arrival and rescue was credited with saving the boy’s life. The building was owned by David Krautblatt, and the cause was believed to be of incendiary nature. The fire resulted in $290 ($7,079).
May 27 - Thursday
Former Newark Fire Captain William Godber, 88, died at his home at 561 South Orange Avenue. He was the oldest Mason and one of the oldest exempt firemen in the State. He died as a result of natural causes due to old age.
He was survived by several daughters and sons, among them being Firefighter George W. Godber, of Truck 6. The elder Godber was a member of the NFD for 30 years, many of them spent as the captain of Engine 8.
He joined the department on August 4, 1854, and resigned August 2, 1861. He re-entered the NFD on August 1, 1873, and retired September 1, 1896. Godber had been a Mason for 66 years, having missed only one of their annual celebrations.
May 27 - Thursday
The fire commissioners praised Patrolman Alexander Cleveland for his apprehension of a man who had turned in a false alarm of fire. Police Chief Corbitt informed the Police Board that here was a reward for such cases and suggested that it be turned over to the police pension fund.
May 31 - Monday
At 06:20 hours, a fire was discovered in the grocery store of Luigi Gamaro, at 21 Drift Street, between Clifton Avenue and Factory Street. The store was located on the first floor of a five-story brick tenement, in which most of the occupants were sound asleep.
Originally, there was a report that two separate alarms were turned in for the fire, resulting in a delay of firefighters getting to the proper location. Fire department records do not confirm this report. One alarm had been turned in from Box 124, at Clifton and 7th Avenues. Perhaps firefighters were given two different locations upon their arrival.
Whatever the case, when they did arrive, an aggressive attack made short work of the blaze. While the fire was confined to the store, for the most part, there was some extension to a second-floor apartment, which was occupied by Gamaro. He was out of town at the time of the fire and his wife was confined to a hospital.
Early on in the blaze, a rumor that numerous people were trapped and were in danger of burning to death spread like wildfire throughout the area, bringing a throng of spectators to the scene. This prompted Patrolman John T. Early, of the Second Precinct, who was the first police officer to arrive at the scene, to send in calls to the Second and Fifth Precincts for their patrol wagons and reserve officers.
A thorough search of the building by firefighters revealed that most of the building’s occupants had escaped via the rear of the building, and there were no injuries. Damages were placed at $1,088 ($26,559). The building was owned by Frank Magaro.
