Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-01-17
RIVAL no 1rBERrY BELL.
The old Clock ian sho city Hall
Tower and the Escii Thar Used 40
be There.

The old Clock i'm sho city Hail
Tower and the Eseli THAT Used 40
be There.
'No, IT hasn't been keeping very good
time iatterly. But perhaps You are NOT aware
that that old clock 10 over 100 years old,
and 1t is very likely one OF the most ancient
time-pieees In this part OF the world"
The speaker was standing on the city ball
piazza and lis rsmnsk was In reply to the
somewhat impatient observation Of a re-
porter upon the oft-recurring theological
vaRaries OF the town clock.
YES" continued the old gentleman, al
guess the old clock has about done Its work
and suppose we must get u new one soon.
II was brought here in 1893 from Dublin,
Ireland, by Joseph Tatnell. That gentle
man presented It to City Council, or the
burgesses as they were called then, at the
time that building was fintshed."
"fou see the date on the stone. there over
the doorway" and the reporters syes fol-
lowed the direction OF the brass ferule OF
the old residents cane as II indicated the
antique script figures, Founded 1885," cut
In q white marble block.
But Joseph Tatnall's donation comprised
something else also. He presented the
burgesses with fine bronze bell, which
was hung In the city hall clock tower.
There 1t remained until few years ago,
when It was replaced by new one. When
the old bell was taken down two or three Of
the different FIRE companies Immediately
became petitioners to Council for Its pos
session, or at least as caretakers of the old
relic. The Phoenix Fire Company, through
the exertions OF Councilman Henry Downey,
became the successful guardians Of the bell,
Bnt It was some months before they could
obtain it. It was ascertalned that the His
torieal Society also was anxious to become
the possessors OF IL. Tbs story goes that
rD0n 1ta bainp FABIAN fr0rn "a faxrJar ~
soon afterwards, the hell was carried of to
the premises of Bellah h Co., where II re-
manned until mandatory order was OBJ
tanned from City Council stating that the
Phoenix fire laddies were to DO considered
the legal custodians, and that they only
mad q right to take It away. This occurred
juno Sd, 1878, An agreement exists signed
by President William s. Walker of the
phmnix Fire Company, and Mayor W. G.
Whiteley, by which the Phoenix company
"will return the bell whenever demanded
by City Council
The bell Is now hanging IN the tower Of
the Phoenix company, Twelfth and King
streets. An EVERY EVENING reporter called
at the company's engine room the other
day and climbing to the fire alarm tower
made close Investigation Of the old bronze
bell. The relic is undoubtedly In 6ilapi-
dated condition. 1t is covered with thick
enerustatlons of decay. Upon the external
crown In thick relief letters are words
showing that 1t was presented TO the city
fathers In 1900 by Joseph Tatnall. The
words webster fecit," Indicating the
makers name, were also discovered, but
nothing TO show whom or where the bell
was made. Tradition, however, states that
Mr.. Tatnall obtained It from the municipal
authorities OF Dublin and that 1t had been
taken down from one of the public build.
ings OF the Irish capital as being too old for
any further use.
From all that was stated to the reporter It
Is quite possible that the old Phenlx Fire
Company bell Is much more ancient than
the honored and revered Liberty bell OF In
dependence Hall, Philadelphia.
But thu Phoenix flremen are very proud
OF their old bell, and very properly too, for
its bell tones are not exceeded In resonanos
by any bell In the city.