The New York herald., 1871-01-01
THE FIREMEN's HOLIDAY.
Opening or the LyccuD Library-Prescnta.
tion Of tho Bennett Medals.

1
tion Of the Bennett Medals.
one OF the features which have characterized the
Christmas holidays has been the opening OF the Fire.
mems Lyceun and Library and the distribution Of
the gold medals donated by J. G. Bennett ST., a. re-
wards for those who have most distinguished them
| selves for the last two years.
The Lyceum, which Is large room on the Sec
ond noor OF the Central Building In Mercer street,
has been fitted up with library Of about 200 vol
umes, furnished ana decorated win relics OF tho
! old department, portraits OF distinguished Ameri-
cans, views illustrating the progress of the city
ana other objects calculated to interest all who
visit II.
The proceedings on Wednesday evening, at which
the Commissioners and many friends OF the force
were present, consisted OF report from Colonel I.
Bailey Meyers, the trustee Of the library, who under
the authority OF the Board ana with the assistance
OF friends and members OF the insurance In
! terests, has, without any expense TO the city.
| formed the collection. President Hitchman de-
livered very effective opening address, and was
| followed by Chief Justice DAILY who delivered an
| able and exhaustive address on the "Origin and
| History OF the Fire Department. going into the
subject with tue labor and finish which characterizes
| oil his literary or judicial abors He gave the de-
tails OF the progress Of the science OF fighting the
element or fire from the days OF the Roman republic,
| following II down TO the settlement OF Manhattan,
and thence through the early Dutch and English sys
TENS and that of the Volunteer Department for the
lsO years OF its existence to that of the present sys
tenn, which he also graphically described.
The paper was as Mr. Frederick De Peyster stated
in moving vote OF thanks and a request OF a copy
for publication, most valuable contribution to the
history Of Old New York, and, understand, will
be printed by the Commissioners, and 1t will he read
extensively throughout the country. which has al
ready accepted the New YORK Fire Department as
the leading organization In the service.
Mr. HIrCHMAN then stated that another pleasant
duty was to be performed; that some two years since
MIR. James Gordon Bennett, whose name was known
and whose Journal was read In all quarters OF the
| globe where the english tongue was spoken, having
become impressed with the gallant services
| OF the New York firemen and the importance
| OF It's recognition, encouragement and re-
| ward, had generously sent TO Colonel Mayors.
then member OF the Board the sum OF 81 800 for
the purpose OF striking gold medal and presenting
annually such number OF medals as interest OF the
/ surplus would yearly provide; that that gentleman,
not desiring 10 assume this perpetual task alone had
desired that deed OF trust should be executed, and
/ that James NJ. Mclean and Robert s. Howe. well
known citizens anu presidents OF leading insurance
| companies, might be added, which having been
done, and the medal having been prepared, the tr,s
| The secretary was requested to read the roll OF
honor being the names oftncse officers and privates
VINO had distinguished themselves in saving life
! during the past Two years, whose names are as
ROLL or HONOR FOR SAVING LIFE.
BENNETT Meddt, 1869.
Tompkins, NJ. d.. Assistant Foreman Hook ana
Ladder COMPANY No !, Nov. a. lots hre winch
occurred in Ghc story brick hotel Nos. AIS and
/ 4sO Broadway, originating IN The rear part OF the
/ Kitchen, used as laundry, and extended 10 second
moor. The smoke completely filed the building
as 10 render escape by the stairway impossible. As
/ sistant Foreman Tempkins rescued woman on the
fourth door, and safely conveyed her to The street.
1 bennett MEDAL, 1870.
| GlGque Benjamin A., Foreman Engine Company
40. ., sept 20. lS7o.--At a fire whicn occurred at
forty-aye minutes past twelve a. NJ, at No 73 Mont
gumery street, rescued two women and two chill
| dren from the building.
Ladder Company No. 9, November IA 1868.
Flick, christopher O., fireman, Engine Company
No 20, November IA, 1868.
Kavanagh, John, fireman, Hook and Ladder Com
plny No. ), November Ia, 1865.
Heaney, James, fireman. LOOK ana Ladder Com
Brennan, Michael fireman. Engine Company No.
20 January IL, 1869
Hail. Richard d., fireman, Engine Company No.
| 80, March l6. 1863.
weldman, Joseph, fireman, Hook and Ladder
| Company No. 2, March 20, 1859.
Hicks, Matthew, fireman Engine Company No. 5,
March 80. 1862
Nash, William H.. foreman, Engine Company No.
2S, March 80, 1869.
Monroe, James H.. foreman, Hook and Ladder
| Company No. S. April Is. 1870
Hayes, William f.. foreman, Hook and Ladder
Company No. O. April h. 1870.
ynar. Andrew, fireman, Engine Company No. Is,
Bates, Eli, CHIEF OF Third Brigade. September &C.
! 1870.
Hayes William r., foreman, Hook and Ladder
| No. o September 26 1870.
Patten. justin A., foreman, Engine Company No.
Grady, John; Homework, ID. f.; Craft William
f.. McDermott, John, fremen, Hook ana Ladder
Company No. o. September 20, 1870.
At the request OF the trustees Colonel Meyers then
made the presentations TO Captain Gicqucl and Assist
ant Foreman Iompkins showing In his remarks how
difjcult 1t had been to select from many good
cords the two persons who were to receive the
splendid token OF Mr.. Benefits appreciation. lie
stated that several OF those named had been already
rewarded by promotions, and others would, If II
were in the power OF the trustees, be selected for
the silver medal which Is to be the second class OF
the Bennett endowment. that the fact tina. on this
occasion both medals were given to officers was
cldental, the action OF privates was to be equally
| considered. He enlarged upon the value that had
always been placed on medals and decorations by
the wsesu and bravest OF men for the services OF the
! soldier, the statesman and the savant how many
man had lost his lie in bad cause struggling Tor
piece OF ribbon while they had won these marks of
appreciation In the nober victory of peace-in saw
ing life and working in the cause OF humanity with
out expecting these rewards; that by being now
| the Commissioners 10 display greater energy, re-
gard for rules and devotion TO duty, lest by any
sh0rtcomng they should bring dlscreiit on their
| brilliant record and the founder Of its reward.
The medals are the work OF Messrs. Tiffany Co.,
| and are of a chaste and classic design oil great
beauty, and OF largesize and OF considerable
| value.
After an inspection or the department, and par
taking OF a collation., the audience adjourned.
The Lyceum which IS also used as a school OF
instruction for the officers in the use OF the splendid
system OF telegraph attached to the department, IN
the workings OF the steam engine and IN the duties
OF an otcer. win be hereafter open to the officers
and men when on leave under the regulations OF the
| commissioners OF the Library, which IS valued at
over ten thousand dollars. Four thousand two hun
dred books were, purchased at book sales, after
careful selection works .we adapted to the spe
cal purpose, Mr.. Gderseeve, the secretary or the
Board, having attended the sales in the evening
during three years for that purpose and about two
thousand volumes deposited by the atrustees as
works ofreference. The books given by the Eng
lish clergyman in 1880 were the nucleus OF the City
I Library, and form no part OF this collection. The
books Will be drawn and used by the men At their
quarters while waiting for alarms An offer has
| been made by prominent insurance officers present
at the meeting to insure the library free of expense
the parties concerned, ,andIto the department. and af
ford another proof that New York may be properly
| styled the Cily Of Charities.
The T,NSEL UFRGG.',
~
Daniel Drew ON the Witness Stand.-NO Con-