The membership of the Association of Exempt Firemen of Paterson NJ represents that class of men who, for nearly three quarters of a century voluntarily gave their services to save the property of their fellow citizens. The firemen aside from their self-imposed duty, have in a large measure done their share to develop the growth of the city. Many of our leading citizens who have identified with the pleasure of the days when they served in the ranks of volunteers and refer with pride to the fact that they are exempt firemen.
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At the annual meeting held in December 1887, it was voted to establish permanent headquarters, and George W. Pollit, John W. Bensen and John L. Spittel were appointed a committee to procure suitable rooms. At a special meeting held at engine No. 3's house, in January 1888, the committee reported in favor of leasing the rooms on the second floor of # 169 Market street, in the Smith and Jackson block since swept away by the great fire. The report was adopted and the same committee was authorized to expend a sufficient amount to suitably decorate and furnish the room. The rooms were informally opened on February 22, 1888 and made use of until May 1, 1892, when the association purchased the property on the corner of Clark and Smith streets and made it their permanent home. The formal opening of the newly acquired home took place on the evening of June 13, 1892 and a general invitation was extended to the public to be present. It is estimated that one thousand people were the guests of the association on that evening and enjoyed their hospitality
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Officers Ladies Auxiliary 1903
President Dora Roswell Vice-president Annie Weber Secretary Elizabeth Greer Treasurer Bertha Collins Guard Lizzie Roswell |
Directors
Mary E. Fuchs, Frances Spreen, Annie Munson, Annie Weher, Lucy Veader, Caroline Martin |
On each side of the door leading to the parlor are two large battle axes presented by the exempt firemen of Long Island City. Suspended over the axes is a large turtle shell, presented by Archie Irwin, of Neptune Engine No. 2, which is agreeable reminder of the famous turtle soups and other "cook-ups" that were in vogue in the volunteer days. |
On entering the parlor nothing but a roll top desk indicates that it is used as a meeting room. Brussels carpet covers the floor, lace curtains hide the windows and portieres separate the parlor from the assembly room. Suspended from the ceiling are the signal lamps of Engines 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8 and Truck 2. |
During the civil war the firemen of Paterson were among the first to volunteer their services in defense of he country. At the call for men in 1862 members of Engine Company No. 2 in common with the men of other companies, volunteered to fill the number called for from this city. In a large oval frame on the wall of the room are the portraits, in firemen's uniform, of Captain Archibald Graham, First Lieutenant William
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The portraits of John Stagg, chief in 1887-1888, and now permanent head of the department; David E. Benedict, former chief of Newark, N.J.; Rudolph Hoelbe, a Paterson boy, chief of San Jose, Cal. department. Other pictures are Joseph Woods of the Brooklyn, N.Y., Exempts and Samuel Barlow of Engine 1 of the city, pictures of the New Jersey Exempt Association at their annual meeting at Hackensack in May 1886; New York city Exempts, Brooklyn Exempts, Engine company 15 of New York, interior views of the former quarters of the association on Market street, pictures of a fire
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The furnishings of this room is of a simple character. Numerous cane-seat armchairs of a comfortable pattern comprise the only furniture. A large fireproof safe stands at one side. Above the safe a large size statute of General Washington overlooks the room. The walls on three side are taken up with the portraits of the chiefs of the volunteer department. This notable array of old fire fighters consists of Timothy B. Crane, firre chief of the department and chief in 1821-'22-'21-'25 and 1826; Nathaniel Lane, 1838-'9, '42-'43-'44-'45 and 1847; John Bowering, 1857-'58; James McKiernan, 1861; Edward Swift, 1863; Andrew Moser, 1867; John McKiernand, 1868; Edward Core, 1870; William C. Martin, 1972; James I. King, 1873-'74; John E. Regner, 1875--'76; David I. Turnbull, 1877-'78; Bartholomew Reilly, 1879-'80; Leonard Garrison 1881-'82; John MacDonald, 1883-'84; James Kearney, 1885-'86 and John F. Murphy, 1890-9'91. A pen sketch of the first fire alarm card hangs at one side.
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Nearby is a picture of Steamer No. 7, Clapp and Jones make. A large leather shield of Greenpoint, N.Y., presented to Vigilant Steam Fire Engine Company No. 6 of Paterson. and a beautifully engrossed set of resolutions from Knickerbocker Steamer company No. 1 of Waterford, N.Y., to Passaic Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1 of Paterson are displayed. A number of Exempt certificates closes the list in the hall.
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Liberty Fire Company No. 5 of Reading, PA., visited Paterson on Sunday, September, 3, 1899, as the guests of the Exempts and the visitors, in return for the hospitality extended to them, presented the association with a silver loving cup. The cup is of a beautiful design and is about 20 inches high. On one side a line of hose is looped through a ladder, anfd suspended from the hose and ladder are the several emblems of the fire service - trumpets, fire hat, lantern, axes, etc. On a panel on one side is shown a steamer in action; on the reverse side of the cup is shown a hose company going to a fire. On the lower panel is the date of the presentation, March 17, 1900.
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An antiquated firearm in the same corner was captured from an Indian shortly after the massacre of General Custer and his command at the battle of Rosebud, June 27, 1876, and is supposed to have been used in that engagement. Suspended from the gun is a cartridge box that was carried through the civil war by a Jersey City fireman.
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Two brass torches from Engine Company No. 1 recalls some of the difficulties of the early days of the department, when the companies in route to the fires had boys running ahead of them with torches to guide them through the dark streets. It is a matter of pride with many of the old vets to refer back to the days when they served in the capacity of torch boys. One veteran in particular, who is a resident of Newark, makes it a duty when on a visit to Paterson to call at the Exempts' rooms and look at the torches, which he claims to have carried on many eventful occasions over sixty years ago. |
The pictures of the following named assistant chiefs are hung around the room: Thomas Farnon, 1853-'54-'57 and 1858; John Hinchliffe, 1962; Jacob Pfitzenmeyer, 1864; Joseph Buckley, 1873; William Bailey, 1873-'74; Gustave Specht, 1879-'80; Daniel W. Leonard, 1881-'82; Louis Brandt, 1882-'83; Samuel S. Pounds, 1884-85; Charles Carroll 1885-'86; Frank W. King, 1886-'87; John Struck, 1887-'88. Of the many articles in possession of the Exempts, none is cherished more than their collection of parade trumpets which is conceded by visiting firemen to be the finest collection in the country. They number 19 in all and include the donations of Engine Companies 1. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and Truck Companies 1 and 2. These trumpets are enclosed in glass globes, resting on brackets and are so arranged around the room as to form a charming contrast to other exhibits.
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In contrast to that pipe is one nearly seven feet long that was used by the members of No.2 in their playing contests with their old goose-neck engine. These playing contests were great affairs. Besides the companies that engaged in them, the whole department would at times take an active part: the winning company would decorate their machine with
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The other pictures in this room are one of Lieutenant Thomas Agnew and Corporal John E. Clark, of Company G, Seventh Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers who went to the front in 1861 and served during the war; William Lendrim, foreman of Truck No. 1, and Gustave Specht, foreman of Truck No. 2, of the volunteer department; a group picture of the San Francisco Cal., Exempt Association; old Truck No. 1 and pictures of miniature fire apparatus made by Patrick Mead of the New York department.
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As one passes along Clark Street, the first object brought to view, indicating the character of the Exempt quarters is the stalwart figure of the fireman standing over the front plaza of the building. While accounts have been written at various times how the figure was first brought to Paterson, the active participants of the affair, many of whom are yet in existence, have very little to say concerning it. The history of the figure as near as can be learned is thatr it originally stood on the house of Harry Howard Hose Company, No. 55 in Christopher street, New York and was brought to this city during the sixties, through a scheme engineered by Billy Dodds and others of No. 55 company, assisted by several of No. 2's men. When the figure reached Paterson it was hidden under a pile of hay in the brick barn on Ward street, at the head of clark street, for several weeks. In the meantime, paties from New York were scouring the town, seeking some trace of it. After th excitement incident to the removal from New York had subsided, it was placed in position on the roof of No. 2's house and remained there until the disbandment of that company in 1875, when it was secured by Protection No. 5's company and placed on their house. When the volunteer department went out of service in 1890, No. 5's company donated (on Memorial Day 1890) the figure to the Exempt association on whose building it has secured a final resting place. The Exempts regard the figure very highly, as one of the links that bonds them to the memories of the past. |