The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-01
.REWARDING MERIT.
Presenting the Bennett Medals to the Four
Members Of tho New York Fire Department
Who Have Most Distinguished Them
selves Within the Past Two Years

There was large and fashionable attendance al
the Medical College OF Bellevue Hospital last even
ing on the occasion Of the presentation OF the
medals endowed by James Gordon Bennett, to
the four members OF the New YORK
Fire Department who have distinguished them
selves most In the preservation OF life
during the past two years. There were
about one hundred and twenty members Of the
Fire Department present, about half the foremen
and assistant foremcn OF companies Chief
Engineer Perley and Assistant Chief En-
gineers Bates, Rhodes, Nash and BPsn-
don; Fire Commissioners Hennessey, Hitch
man ana Galway General Shaler, James Macgregor,
superintendent of Public Buildings, and Fire Mar.
shall McSpedon were also among those present.
In addition to the presentation Of the medals leo
ture by Professor D0remus, ON "Connagrations:
Their Causes and Means Of Prevention" greatly
enhanced the interest OF the occasion. The
hall was decorated with fremens' apparatus,
conspicuous among which was the flag OF the old
volunteer department. which was suspended over
the r0strum, Professor Standish, Of the Medical
College, kindly furnished dissecting table for tho
use OF the reporters.
The proceedings were commenced at eight
O'Clock, when Commissioner Hickman came for
ward and said that Colonel J. Myers. one OF the
trustees or the Bennett Medal, would preside on
the occasion.
On taking the chair Colonel Myers thanked the
audience for the honor conferred upon him, and,
in an interesting address, narrated for those who
were not connected with the department the duties
which remen had to perform and the tenor OF their
daily lives. He told the progress Of the means
which had been used for the purpose of extingusi-
ing fires since the days Of the deuge down to the
present time. He concluded by introducing Pro-
lessor Doremus to the audience.
Professor Dorcmus on coming forward was re.
ceived with great applause. The lecture was one
OF his happest efforts and was beautifully Illus
trated by experiments. The Professor made
number Of valuable suggestions for the extnguish-
Ing of fires and the erection of various buildings.
He severely condemned some large factories in the
city, whose names he did not MENTION for the in
sufficient means they possessed for the escape Of
ing glowing tribute to the members Of the Fire
Department and the services they have performed
The presentation of the medals was next in
order, and the Chairman, before comforting them,
briefly narrated the circumstances which led to the
years ago, was so struck with the conduct OF the
firemen during the prevalence OF fire at his
present the Fire Department with a memento Of
his regard He thereupon handed over 81 900 to
be used as fund for the annual presentation OF
partment who should distinguish themselves most
In the preservation OF life each year. The medals
presented last night were for the years 1871
The names of the recipients were then called
out. and as they came forward to the table they
were received with great applause. The following
the names CHARLES Kelly, assistant foreman
Engine Company No. O; Thomas Henry,
assistant foreman OF Hook and Ladder
man Hook and Ladder Company No. O;
and Ambrose L. Chisten, fireman Engine Com
pany No. 3. Colonel Myers, in . few graceful
words. narrated the Individual acts OF GAL
lantry performed by the men, and then pre-
sented the medals to them, which were
fastened on their breasts by Chief Engineer Perley.
District Engineer Nash and Mr.. Myers highly COM
plimented him for the gallantry displayed on' va
rious occasions stating that one Of the medals
could be his, but that he had declined In favor OF
the hremen. A bronze medal was presented to
Mr.. Nash.
The medal IL of gold, and on the diverse side
bears the inscription, surrounded with
laurel wreath, endowed Dy q fund con-
| tributed by James Gordon Bennett" On the re
verse is another inscription. presented to -. ~
appreciation OF meritOriOus performance Of duty
| The face Of the medal is adorned with figure Of
Neptune and the tripod, steam fire engine, fire
apparatus and the nre fend, with torch in his
hand.
The proceedings were terminated with an expert
ment by Professor DOremuS.