man, C. H. Jewett; Secretary, J. H. Williams; Treasurer, E. Underhill; Steward, J. McCluskey.

On June 4, 1866, Chief Engineer Doyle preferred charges against Engine Company No. 1 and Hose No. 10. In his complaint he asked the fire commissioners to disband the two companies. The request was duly granted; the members of each company being allowed thirty days' grace,

Thos. Martin.

in order to remove their personal effects and to restore to the chief engineer the badges worn by them as firemen.

The closest vote for the election of a candidate for chief engineer occurred in 1866, when Chief Engineer Doyle by a vote of 333 defeated Dixon, who received but 257 votes.

Although I have departed somewhat from the chronological order of occurrences, I have nevertheless been actuated by a motive at once obvious to

the reader. In presenting the history of the Volunteer Department, my aim has been to include events of interest only to the reader while gradually leading up to the organization of the present paid Department.

The agitation of this question dates as far back as March, 1858, when a very determined movement was set on foot to abolish the Old Volunteer system, and substitute in its stead a paid corps. Notwithstanding the fact that the Common Council obstinately refused to countenance any additional expense in the maintenance of a Fire Department, the Board of Aldermen deliberately passed a resolution favoring the establishment of a paid force. This action on their part was earnestly opposed by not only the volunteer firemen themselves but was also discountenanced by leading citizens of both the Eastern

and Western districts. For years there had been no appropriation made for the erection of an engine-house in the Eastern District, and it was greatly regretted by many that more men of the caliber of Alderman Cashow of the Western District were not connected in an official capacity with the working of the Fire Department of the Eastern District. Every interested person seemed to be displeased with the course pursued by Messrs. Lowber and Kalbfleisch. The latter gentleman introduced an amendment to a passage in the city ordinances prohibiting any person but firemen, exempt firemen, and policemen from having any connection with an apparatus at a fire. The amendment, having been adopted by the

Common Council, interfered with, if not wholly destroyed, the power vested in the chief engineer to call upon citizens for aid in cases of emergency. The Board of Aldermen were clamoring for retrenchment, but the course they were at that time pursuing was that of the man who saved at the spigot, regardless of what he lost through the bunghole.

In 1858 Chief Engineer Talbot and Assistant Engineer Wallett resigned their positions, and, at a meeting to place in nomination candidates, three candidates, viz.: Garrett, of Hook and Ladder 1, Ruddy, of Hook and Ladder No. 2, and Brown, of Engine No. 3, were named. Upon motion, it was agreed that the candidate receiving the highest number of votes should be considered as nominated. A brisk ballot resulted in Mr. Garrett being declared a candidate. During the exciting contest for the position of chief engineer the candidates appeared in the following order: Hamp" Allen and G. W. Jennings, of the Board of Engineers; Thomas Doyle, of Engine No. 13, and Garrett B. Lane, of Engine No. 10. The latter was designedly chosen as a candidate in order to draw

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away votes from Mr. Jennings. It was evident from the start that Mr. Allen would secure a victory.

The eventful day for the election of a chief engineer at length arrived, and nearly as much interest was manifested regarding the result as was ordinarily displayed during national elections. As the figures on the black-board indicated from time to time the increase in the number of votes for the different candidates, betting upon the result was freely indulged in, while all concerned seemed to be laboring under an unusual stress of mental excitement. At length the

balloting ceased, when, to the surprise of some and the gratification of many, "Hamp" Allen was declared elected, having received three hundred and forty-two votes against two hundred and seventeen cast in favor of Mr. Jennings.

Then followed an exciting ballot for an assistant engineer, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Wallett, and resulted in the election of John Garrett, foreman of Hook and Ladder No. 1, who received a vote of 328, against that of Mr. Ruddy, who received but 175.

On April 13, 1858, a desperate fight took place between members of Engine 32 of New York and those of Engine No. 13 of the Eastern District. The entire blame of the disgraceful affair was subsequently traced to the members of Engine 32, who were declared, by residents of the locality where the fracas occurred, to have used language naturally tending to provoke the ire of the Williamsburgh fire laddies.

While the excitement consequent upon the election of a chief engineer was at its height, Neptune Engine No. 7 sustained a loss by the resignation of their foreman, Dan Donovan. The latter had been for a period of ten years connected with that company, seven of which he served in various capacities as an officer.

On the 6th day of May, 1858, the representatives held a special meeting, to thoroughly canvass the vote cast for "Hamp" Allen as chief engineer. No error having been found that could possibly alter the result, Mr. Allen was formally declared elected. On the 11th of the same month the oath of office was duly administered to him, and, with his able assistant, Mr. Garrett, he at once assumed command of the Fire Department.

The bill directing the formation of a paid Fire Department was promptly vetoed by Mayor Powell on the 10th of May, 1858. Upon the following evening, a meeting of delegates from the various companies was held at Firemen's Hall, to elect a commissioner to fill the position formerly held as such by Mr. Pooler. The nominees were ex-Assistant Engineer Wallett and Demas Strong. Mr. Wallett was elected. After the election, ex-Chief Talbot, together with Chief Allen, and their respective assistants, enjoyed a social hour in each other's company; when the former, after taking a friendly leave of his late associates, withdrew from official duties in the Department.

During June of that year, the funeral of James B. Elliott took place. The latter, at the time of his death, was an active member of Valley Forge Engine No. 11, and was highly respected. A large delegation of New York firemen attended the obsequies.

On the 10th of June, 1858, Garrett B. Lane, one of the fire commissioners, resigned. About the same time ex-Chief Talbot, in a pointed manner, referred to the pernicious effect following the system of permitting outsiders to run with the machine to fires. All but two of those of the officers then connected with the Department supported Mr. Talbot in his argument, which had by that time become a theme of public discussion. It was no uncommon thing in those days to have members of rival companies invite from New York City "gangs," for the purpose of precipitating a fight. The Volunteer Fire Department of Williamsburgh remained as a separate organization up to the time of the formation of the paid corps, when it became consolidated with that of Brooklyn.