The sun., 1891-11-23
roSr BuRxrs FIRE RELICS.
A Notable Collection In an Old-fashicned
Henry street Tavern.


Among tho disappearing old landmarks TINT
Gotham still possesses few have such an nb.
sorbing interest for tho sturdy old New York
ers who are themselves picturesque reminders
OF the good old days as the famous tavern that
Fire Laddie Tony Burke left to his heirs. THE
Sun told the other day how his funeral brought
out oil the exempt hremen, tho volunteer ilre-
men. host OF Grand Army Veterans. and tho
surviving mombers Of the never-to- -be-for-
gotten Big Six, of which Tony Burko was tho
last foreman. Tho flre-lnddie funeral stopped
the Grand street horse cars the drivers being
unwilling to break in upon the procession.
Tho story Of this incident drew fresh atten-
tion to the tavern. and Mrs. Katie Gaity. Tony 3
sistcr-in-law has bcen kept busy since. show
ing the curios OF the place to all sorts of
callers.
The old Burke tavern is Mt 2t6 Henry street
on the corner Of Montgomery. in part OF the
Seventh ward that is still tony and whose
residents are proud Of its old-time social
glory and bound to preserve its caste.
souvenirs OF what he was fond of calling
the good old days. and he made the tavern a
q be reS finest aa
Of relies OF the old Fire Department. possessed
by any one; The treasures crowded his own
war and extraordinary odds and ends Of mis-
The iirs relies are, numbered by the hun.
dreds. From tho ceiling dangle fro hats that
arc the queerest looking things imaginable
Seh tie mo y s
Company. Fire trumpefs are @ hung along an th the
san q ap%s ea BE- tho
Gold and silver fire badges and the fronts OF
caps hang upon the OPPOSITE waii. in gfa,t great
sess sons is sesS Ssuea e az so6 About ho % frames arc
grouped the old;tlmo printed programmes
%aa S tho rs nesest TS Sek IL s es
and famous nre laidies. Harry Howard
those days. and his is the star name on these
is certificate, begrimed with age app1GjintinIgs
is believed to be one Of tho Oldest Of Gotham's
fire relies. Leather fire buckets dating l. back
from i he eoiing Over over the bar.
plentiful The most notieea9leh M Is the the, great great
possessions Of tho organization in Tweeds
day; By yanking at a concealed string Tony
way. and the tiger was accustomed to roar
with will when the sqrvyors @ OF Obj Big LII FIX , gath
them arc scattered pa prints q ire Paradess
partition opposite the bar: With Tweeas fore:
the noted machine. Over the rows OF spirit
casks against tho east wall hangs huge
golden frame containing the photographs OF
chine" in the last year OF its usefulness MS Il
fire fighter. Tony Burke's kindly face is there
in place Of honor.
Tony Burke in his last days was. fond Of
standing at tho door. OF tho tavern and looking
up the street to the site OF tho old engine
house. 1t was on the west side Of Henry
street between Mont gomery and Gouverneur
streets. 1t was torn down seven years ago to
Moss 8 Engine Is now stands. Two huge cats
used to sit at Tony's feet as he stood in tho
doorway. They survive him. Ono is Jet black.
The other has a coat AS white us snow.
Tho tavern has been closed ever since
Tony's death. but neighbor. Billy Greer Of
the interesting relies there intact. Harry
Howard is likely to be at the reopening.