New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23

made an heroic rescue in February, 1881 The
fire was at No 6S New Church-st., the factory
of the Western Electric Manufacturing Com
many. The fireman saw a man leaning out or
n fifth story window and knew that he couid
not be rescued through the house, which was
in flames. He went to No. 20 and lowered himself
over the cornice to a projection fifteen Inches
wide. A short ladder was passed to him, which
he held on the projection until the man, VINO
was aged and weighed two hundred
pounds descended to where he stood FROM
that point he helped him to reach the roof OF
No. 70 and the street
In his report on deeds OF brave men In the
Fire Department Augustus T. Docharty' sec
rotary of the Department, mentions numper
of heroic rescues. Among the conspicuous IN
stances are these:
CAUGHT ON LADDER-TOP.
Fireman First Grade Patrick II. Aspell. HOOK
and Ladder Company No. q. February Z, 1877
at the Hotel Royal fire specially distinguished
himself The official report says: ION the ar
rival of the first alarm companies the elevator
shaft was on fire from cellar to roof, cutting
off all escape Fireman Aspell rescued Mrs.
Bella Knapp who was in a window on the
fourth floor of the Fortieth-st. side of the build
ing. Two thirty fve-foot ladders were raised
which only reached the middle sash OF the thiro-
floor window Aspe twisted his leg around
the ton round of the ladder and. leaning as Lar
out as possible persuaded Mrs Knapp 10 drop
in his arms Aspell caught her and Drougn,
her down unasssted. The rescue was mace at
great personal peril, and had 1t not been that
he was a tall and powerful man they woulu
both have been thrown from the LADDER anu
probabIv killed. For his bravery Aspeii was
promoted to the rank of assistant foreman py
the present Fire Commissioner, who was then
president of the Board
benjamin A. Gcquel, then foreman OF En-
CINE Company No. o. at this fire was, with
other officers and fremen. driven to the street
by the flames Ladders were raised and after
many had passed down them there was rumor
that two widows and their two children had
persisted on of the upper floors. Gicquel
carried his life in his hand when he entered the
building by a ladder and found and rescued
four persons who were partially sufrocated.
For his gaantry he was promoted to be a
battalion chief and subsequently to the posi-.
ton of deputy chief. which position he now
occupies
Thomas j. Dougherty. fireman attached to
Hook and Ladder Company No. 1-who a few
years later with companion, while on the
roof OF n building. by the collapse Of the roof
was buried and his body entirely consumed
in the ruins-on March 81 1897, at No. 90
North Wiam-st. learned that two persons
were perishing n the endorsement. Dougherty
with an axe descended and cutting down two
doors, found them unconscious in dense smoke.
He carried them under the front stoop and
passed them no to members of his company,
having to raise each person about eight feet.
Only his great endurance and strength enabled
him to withstand the heat and smoke and raise
and pass out the sufferers
To commemorate deeds of bravery three
medals are given every year to members who
have especially distinguished themselves by
acts OF bravery and heroism ia saving human
life ut fires