this occasion, and both men got a blessing in "Conk's" approved manner. The matter was finally explained to the old man, and after a rest on the roof, both Demilt and Lawrence started upward on their journey and sat on the head of Miss Liberty. When "Conk" was asked by a delegation from Harry Venn's if the men had performed the feat, the old "vamp" confessed they had, and added that Tom Lawrence actually stood upon the statue. Of course the boys had their milk punches. The Tom Lawrence referred to here is the same who formerly belonged to 29 engine, then joined Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3, subsequently joined 14 engine and then returned to his old love 29. In 1836, 29 and 34 engines and Hook and Ladder Co. No. 3, were located on the corner of Christopher and Hudson streets, all being under the same roof. There was great rivalry between 29 and 34; the latter company was in good condition in point of numbers, but 29 had but a slim roll. In fact, for nearly two years the company did no duty. Finally, the members obtained • an old engine, which had been in use for years by No. 7, and which 29's boys christened "Old Sal." They had very few members, but they commenced duty with an earnestness which was creditable to the few who did belong to "Old Sal." Tom Starr, Bill Demilt, James Westervelt, Hugh Lockhart, Jim Ramsey, Isaac Jollie, and Dave Bayard, were among the few who strove to raise 29 to a first-class company. In the winter of 1837 and '8 the "Butt-Enders,” a party of strong men — pilots and butchers, who hailed from the foot of Spring Street-joined 29 as volunteers. They made an entire change in the company, and it rapidly became one of the strongest in the city. Dick Brown, Mike Roberts, Reuben Ryder, Barney Rice, Bill Ballou, Dandy Williams, Walter Hyer, Charlie Allaire, and Dick Boardman were of the party. From that time on, 29 was prosperous. There had never been, since the Department was organized, such excitement between two fire companies as there existed between 29 and 34 at this time. It seemed as if everybody on the line of their route took an interest in the companies. The first fire the engines went to after the "Butt-Enders" joined happened about ten o'clock in the morning, and the whole street was lined with men. Spring Street or Clinton Market was deserted. Boys, butchers, hucksters, and oystermen were out to see the engines. Of course, these were hard times for both parties, and many were the hard fights had before the point of supremacy was settled. But I am digressing somewhat; I started out to speak of Harry Venn, and I will now return to him. Harry belonged, respectively, to Nos. 4, 21, and 14, but the latter was his pet. He served in this company under the foremanship of Wells Wilson, Ebenezer Sellick, and Peter Ottignon, and as assistant foreman under Owen Brennan. He was then elected foreman, and served in that capacity for seven years, and up to 1858 was a representative of the company. I have never in all my experience met with a man who had more real love for an engine company than Harry Venn. No matter when or where, nobody could speak of the Department disrespectfully and "get away with it." It seemed as if his home was with 14, and he would resent an unseemly remark about that engine as if it was an insult to his family. The nature and disposition of the man were different from the mass of mankind. He was warm in his friendships, and sincere in all he did. No matter what the detriment to himself, if he started to do a thing for another he would do it. I could relate a dozen instances where he befriended many and made himself poor. Even after the deception became apparent, he would reply to those who brought in the usual "I told you so," that the loss was his, and he would bravely resent a word spoken of one whom he once called a friend. In his enmities he was almost as fierce as in his friendships. The troubles of Chief Engineer Alfred Carson were an instance of this. Harry Venn was favorable to Carson, and voted for him at his first election. But an insulting remark made to his friend, C. V. Anderson, whom Carson succeeded, and than whom no better fireman ever existed, set Harry against Carson. When he ran for assistant engineer in 1851, Chief Engineer Carson published a card in which he said that Harry was his deadly enemy, and that if elected he would embarrass him in the discharge of his duties in every possible way. It was at his house that all the anti-Carson meetings were held, and many were the schemes laid and associations formed in that house. Here every night met the working-men of the Department, and it was in his front room that the attempt was made to compel Carson to resign for malfeasance in office. I recollect, as if it were yesterday, the trial of Carson before the aldermanic committee on fire depart ment for that offense. A lawyer named Willard was employed to prosecute; but it was evident that the case would fall through, as nearly the whole committee were in Carson's favor. I was present at the closing of the case. I saw the lawyer whisper to Harry that it was no use. "Then," said Harry, "tell him what we think of him.” And it was done with a vengeance! No man ever got a worse tongue-thrashing in public. The room was filled with firemen, nearly all friends of the chief, and when the lawyer compared Carson to a "bag of meal,” and wished for the day that the Department might be better represented, the groans of the Carsonites could have been heard in the City Hall Park. I can fancy I see little Fred. Ridabock, a warm admirer of the "old man," clap his hat on his head and his fingers in his ears, and rush from the room that he might not hear what was said of his friend. The result of the anti-Carson party was an alteration in the law. They made no objection to Carson holding the office for three years longer, but at the end of that time he went out, and Harry Howard was elected. Harry was a hard worker for the law organizing the Board of Fire Commissioners, and unfortunately the first case tried before that Board was that of 14 engine. How the "old gentleman" worked against the Commissioners to save two of the members of 14— Moses Tyler and Burke-is as fresh to me as if it were yesterday. Lawyers were employed, and the Commissioners were highly excited over the matter. This case created a great feeling in the Department. I recollect well the night that Jack Lynes, of Hose Company No. 9, acting as champion for one of the Commissioners, resented something that Harry had said. On this occasion Lynes was in a terrible passion; his face his jolly, fat, red face-grew redder than ever it had done before in the heat of excitement; and he doubled his "flippers" at Harry as if he wanted to demolish him. Jim Miller separated the pair, and thus two worthy members of the Department lived "to fight another day." Harry was at times of a literary turn of mind, and some of his productions had decided merit. On one occasion I was with him at Newport, enjoying a ramble on the rocks near the entrance to that beautiful harbor, when the old gentleman was wholly carried away with the beauty of the scene. The waves were dashing against the rocks, scattering the spray high in the air. Harry asked the loan of a pencil, and shortly returned me the following, written on a leaf of his note-book: Heave on, old Neptune! dash your waters high; Now, whether Harry believed that 14 could really take the waters of the ocean, or whether he alluded to old 6 engine whose name was Neptune, I cannot tell. I was too much surprised and pleased at my discovery, to break in upon his poetical dream by asking questions. In his latter days Harry took a decidedly religious turn, and in connection with Henry M. Graham, and John J. Gorman, the latter at present a Police Justice in this city, he gave a series of religious meetings for firemen in the Academy of Music. It was generally believed that those meetings originated in a lark, but they became a very serious matter, and so popular were they, that it was with difficulty that one could enter the Academy on the nights they were held. I remember attending one of them in March, 1858, and on this occasion I could not help noticing the fervent enthusiasm which the old “vamps " manifested during the entire service. One of the hymns sung on this occasion was "Oh, for that Flame of Living Fire!" the first stanza of which ran as follows: Oh, for that flame of living fire. Which shone so bright in saints of old; I thought the sentiment the prettiest and most appropriate I had heard for many a day, and the music of the hymn as sung by the old fire laddies had a charm about it which I cannot describe in fitter terms than grand and beautiful. Harry frequently wrote under the nom de plume of "Lemon Peel," and the following verses composed by him will be remembered by many as one of the popular songs of the olden days. It is entitled. "Hot Mutton Pies": I remember, yes distinctly, as tho' it were to-day, The pleasures of my early youth that all have passed away; How grateful was the perfume, when brown and smoking hot, Oh, tell me not of dishes made in French and German style, Alas! the one-legged baker was long ago played out, And never more we'll hear again his welcome cheering shout; |