The sun., 1888-12-07
ABOUT AS LIVELY AS A FIRE.
TEE BhLE OF THE HARLEM TETs
RECALLS PhLNY DAYS

Burns of mig slx Rites Hard st Collie
Punched the New Chiers Head on the
Dancing F1oer-Forepnn Hart In II, Toe.
The Association OF Veteran Flremen Of
Harlem had been violently agitnted for q
month over preparations for its third annual
ball, which was given on Wednesday night in
Terrace Gardep Tho festivities wound up in
scene Of bloodshed, and the members OF the
association are now agitated for fear there
won't bo any association after the next regular
meeting, which Is due on the first Tuesday
OF next month.
The festivities ran along harmoniously until
8 O'Clock yesterday morning when one veteran
was cavortins around with bloody face. and
another veteran was howiing for police. while
q third veteran chewed his thumb-not his own
thumb. put number twos.
There are three reasons given for this unex-
pected demonstration and two explanations.
Up to two months ago the President OF tho as
sociation was William II. Burns. formerly
OF Big Six" and now o deputy Collector OF In
ternal Revenue. Mr.. Burns ls over 80 years Of
age, and Is o small but oompaotly built man.
His moustache is 'of course heavy and black
and he Is the picture OF an old fireman. About
q month ago, Mr.. Burns saws. he resigned
from the Presidency In the interests Of har-
mony. He found 1t difficult TO please 40 vet
eran flremen. every ono OF whom had decided
opinion as to how things should be conducted
Mr.. Burns says that he understood, and that
1t was the general understanding. that William
G. Wood was to be elected in his place at tho
meeting held on Tuesday night. The man
who really was elected was Andrew J. Fisher. q
coffee merchant Mr.. Burns says that the cleo
tion was not conducted on straightforward
principles and that Mr.. Fisher gave Mr.. Wood o
razzle- dazzle" which made Mr.. Wood believe
that s9%d be had % Ss By the
Mr.. Burns denies that he, was particularly
yexed lat the elevation OF Mr.. Fisher to the
Prestdency and went on IT. to sKplain in this TaS %
There were nearly GOO gentlemen and ladies
sentatives Of the old fire squad They were
gallant set OF men. who bore more and more
as tn
lighting e for the lead. The decorations. the
SIC to say nothing of the impossbility Of
stopping to rest, unless you rested in the bar,
the boys the days when, fire and men were
fought simultaneously Nearly every man had
jet BLACK m9nstaehe and the self possession Pc
The first dance after intermission was
dent Fisher noticed that u number of the ladies
were dancing with their hats on, , This was was a
sn ana M o s Srdss o the 03 o 6e
lady he saw who. was. violating this rule. This
lady was the wife Of sx-Presldent Burns, and
Fisher tod Ms burns @ to eee her Sn Ea He
and and tried to take it on Mrs. Burns thought
Gr nnt KS bnx but she
norance Of how ladies dress. hurt her head in
trying to lift Off her hat, without first with
drawing the long pin which held it it last At
up to Mr.. Fisher, said to him:
maRs oasr no sfs Fs"Rf r re-
ported hays M BSins rse s sat
Then MIR. Burns punched Mr.. Fisher in the
face. and walking toward the barroom told
hat any woud
While he stood here John Hart. who was FORE
man of 35 Engine walked ur to Burns and
- What did you want to strike Fisher for'
caWed claw Ie the skin of his S nose. While % he was was
doing this hs thumb wandered somewhat and
This IS according to the story told by Burns.
M t Rss M sher is paey sfefy H
Burns to remove her hat and stood by for tho
purpose of holding il until she got through
named James !. Watkins" said Mr. Hart.
and when walked into the barroom heard
there had been a row; Burns was standing near
tho end Of the bar. He said to me that he con-
sidered 1t his duty to protect is wife and told
him, that didn't believe Fisher had insuted
anybody. This made Burns mad and he began
to throw his arms about and talk loud. put
ont INV hands to keep him AWAY. when he
grabbed my left thumb. and putting it in his
mouth above the Joint began chewing it"
swore as best he could at the same time. Mr..
Hart pulled his hardest. but he conldn't re-
in trying to force Burns's head back but
Burns still retained possession OF the thumb
B. ]. Gallagher. the Financial Secretary Of tho
association tried t. t. force Burns away. put he
Burns was arrested. He was taken to the
Fifty-third street police, station. where Hart
produced HIS thumb in evidence; Burns made
n chree Of assault. and submitted his scratched
face to prove 1t. Both men were bailed. and in
the Yorkyile C Court in M the e morning, burns was
President Fisher. declined to talk.
=, The least said the soonest mended" he said.
g The row was all caused by jealousy on the
part OF Burns"