The New York herald., 1877-12-02
BRAVE FIREMEN.

PRESENTATION OF THE BENNETT MEDAL TO
JOSEPH M'oowAN-A REVIEW IN THE CITY
HALL PARK-sPEEcH OF MAYOR ELT-FIBE
DEPARTMENT ROLL OF HONOR.
Mayor Ely yesterday presented, on the steps OF the
City Hall, TO Fireman Joseph MCGOWAN OF Engine
Company No 8, the Bennett Medal in acknow.
cdgmcnt OF meritorous services during past year,
Az eleven O'Clock the First battalion the Fire De-
partment filed into the City Hall Park. headed by
Chief Shea. They marched behind their truck and
engines and presented a nne appearance. THIS bat
taiion consists OF Engine Companies Nos T. g. 10 and
90, and Hook and Ladder Company No TO- A largo
collected iu tho square fronting the City Hall
for tho purpose Of witnessing the proceedings
The Mayor accompanied by Fire Commissioners
King, Pericy and German, several Of the aldermen
Shepherd Knapp, Bailey Myers, and others. Mr..
Myers behalf Of the trustees of the Bennett
Fund, handed tho medal to Mayor Ely. Mr.
Joseph McGowan then requested to step forward
from the ranks Of his company. Mayor ELY. IN pre-.
senting the medal, spoke as iolows:-
MAYOR ELY's SPEECH.
deem II pleasure, Mr. McGowan, as we'll AZ high
privilege TO oe selected 70 present 70 YOU tne goIa
nett You, sir, have attained an envabe distinction
II is no easy achievement to secure the prize Of
merit when competing with so many gallant com.
rades. In order to do a noble deed man
not only have noble nature but he must
courage is always modest, know tnat you VIII
agree with me in saying that there are undoubtedly
lar crcums tances, would have risked their lives
freely you have done. Like a soldier who enlists
on the eve o battle fireman when he joins the orca
knows that he may be called upon the next hour
TO take his life IN his hand anc MAINTAIN position Of
deadly peril. Upon the muster roll of this worlds
true heroes there should be inscribed tho names Of
many members OF the New York Fire Depart
discharge OF their duty, with unaaun.ed courage
and uDshrinkng nerves, have lookoi steadily IN
mo lace o. death impend,ng IN its most awful I9rm
your department. From examinations winch
have made nero and in Europe assert, without the
oil contradiction that there nre department
existence wnicn equals ours i;cncy or in the in
tesence bravery aud stamina OF Its oflcers aud men,
The sorvices OF such bouy ure Invaluable, and take
this to say That have no part In any scheme
which would diminish their numbers or tncr CON.
pensation such an organization cannot be Too highly
Praised or too well rewarded, aud offer you my
gratuutons that you Of It's members ana have
been able distinguish yourself ny saving human
lives TO be tho recipient OF Mr.. Bennclts modal
In presenting II to you lei mo express The hope tha IL
VIII alw .ys be 10 you peasurablc reminder of the
past aud incentive tO continued well doing In the
future.
The Mayor at the conclusion of his remarks placed
the medal upon McGowan's breast, when the gallant
fireman retired with bow cheer oame from ID
crowd at the same moment and many ladies waved
their handke rchlefs.
THE RECIPIENT.
Tho Fro Commissioners decided in favor of Joseph
McCsowan the man eatitlcd TO the medal consc-
queLce Of his gallant conduct saving the lives Of
persons at a tire. He is young man, about twenty
eight years. robusty built, ana Of a modest, retiring
dcmeanoE His countenanco is slightly disigured by
scar over the loft eye. He has been connected with
the Fire Department tor several years
The medal is made OF gold and weighs about three
ouncea Upon the face is the iptlon:-.'Endowe
by the fund contributed by James Gordon Bennett
Presented 10 Fireman Joseph McGowan, IN apprscia-
I. Bailey Myers, James NJ. MCLEAN, Kooert 5. Home"
After the presentation the different companlea
they then returned on trot and concluded the review
BY urging their horses 70 full speed past the City Hall
and out into Broadway.
The medal was designed at Iifany's establishment
in 1862 II has since been awarded under the certh.
OF the Fire Commissioners approved by the
tees. Five hundred dollars were spent the pur-
chase Of adie Tho interest," ST. 900, remainder
Of the fund.- is annually applied toward the purchase
The Fire Department keeps roll Of honor at head.
quarters where all noteworthy actions Of the nen are
recorded. At the annual parade tue fireman who mas
especially distinguished himself Tor bravery chosen
rhe following is the record of former presenta.
tons-ren medals have already been awarded;
the first to 81 D. Tompkns, foreman OF engine
company, who NJ the FISK OF his lie, a woman
IRON the second story Of building and the second
B. A. Gcquel WHO rescued two women and two call
he displayed at fire on the northeast corner OF D-
VISION and Forsyth streets The flames burning
shutters the second floor and thence carelu y
cred three persoAs 10 the ground. He also saved
lives OF others VINO were parayzed by Terror Oy
rcciing them to stairway an In leading them down.
Ambrose L. Austin was at a dre and saw woman
STRIVING to climb the basement steps; the flames
steadily repulsed ber, but Austin dashed
through them aud carried her out Thomas
Henry, another medaiist, rescued eight persons
IRON the second story Of burning building. Tnomas
Hutchinson was told that sotnc persons ia
burning tenement house on Baxter street. he mado
his way up the exterior to the second story rear
the IRE escape de told the boy TO drop and that ha
would eaten him. rhe boy o1eyed and WAS snatcned
by Hutchinson ho icll through the William II.
Nash was awarded medal Tor saving lives OF two
children at No. 223 Division street, and William
from u pit OF fame at No. rs Pearl street james
Horn rescued SIX persons from No. 35l Rivngton
street. and Henry Schuck, great personal risk
fought his way through furnace TO an infant.
MG0wAN's BRAVE ACT.
MI. William Rowe, chief Of the battalion of which
McGowan is member, made report to the Fire
Comm sslonersin relation TO the brave act which
the prize this year Tor MCGOWAN. The fire took
place No Is Thames street, about three O'Clock on
The morning OF April a. 1875 In describing
McGowan's action Mr. Rowe says :-sWheu the cry OF
fire heard CIT to the quarters Of Engine
McGowan ran 10 the tire ahead OF his CON-
pany. On arriving at inc hre nc was informed
chidrcn In tue building who were unable to
reach the street McGowan entered the build.
followed by Fireman Thomas Ksonan, OF Engine
No. q McGowan found four children on the third
floor. whom assisted TO the He then returned
10 the tnird loor where he found Mary MuIroy aged
sxty.fve years. IN bed He carried 10 the roof in
an exhausted condition keenan, assisted Julia Roach,
ged seventy years. from the fourth floor the roof.
Both women were very feeble. Keenan, lowered him.
self down peaked roof OF the adjoining buding to
the OF he same, which Is about feet lower
than the building on fire. With tho assistance Nc.
Gowan the above named persons were passed in
through the attic window place Of safety, this be-
ing the only means OF escape rhe smoke ana flames
were at this time issuing from the front and back win.
dows ot the first floor.