The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-01-07
CHIEF CONWAY HONORED STATE REFORM SCH(
Fire Captains Present Him
With a Handsome Sill
yer Trumpet.

Inc member Of the Offlcers ASSOcla-
ton, better known as the White Shirts"
composed Of Fire Captains in this city,
made a presentation last evening to their
superior, Chief John f. Conway. The
Chief was not aware that he was to be
the recipient Of any gift and It was a
great surprise to him. The fourteen cap
tains. Commissioners Brennan. Clerk
Charles Esterbrook and Battalion Chief
Kern met at t.s Chiefs house, No. 6T3
Summit avenue at sight o'clock last night.
As soon as they arr.Eed they were ushered
into the front parlor Of the house by
Mrs. Conway. The Chief was across the
street II Ne. Z engine house playing
pinochie al me time with Captain Holmes
and "Ras' Lewis. When the Captains
had all formed in line. seven on each side
or the spacious room, and the room
darkened. word was sent across to the
engine house to tell the Chief that Mrs.
Conway wanted TO see him at once.
When he opened the door and started
for the far end of the building the light
was turned On full force. and the folding
doors that hid the Captains from his view
thrown open. He was so thunderstruck
that he could not speak for a few min
500 ttD21 QOWAl Tx III "
the Captains the first thing that struck
his eye was a handsome trumpet with
whites tassels in a red plush box. The
Chiefs first words were then uttered and
he remarked, what does this all mean?'
Commissioner Brennan then said
Chief, the Captains asked me to come
and present this token Of esteem to you
as a gift from them. 1t goes to show
how the members of the association hold
you in thir hearts. and what they think
of their superior officer. I will say that
1t could not be given to any other man
in the department. who is more deserving
OF it than to you, the Chief. Since my ac-
quaintance with you l nave always found
you an honest and upright man, always
attending to your duties and a great
favorite among the men of the depart
ment."
When Commissioner Brennan a fin
ished speaking, the Chief was so over
come that he could not speak, and broke
down completely. After a few minutes
he said+"Gentlemen, 1 don't know how
to thank you for this gift, as 1 am taken
so by surprise, but all thai can say is
that I thank you from the bottom of
my heart."
The-frumpet is made of white metal
with a triple covering of gold, and has
the following NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to
Chief Engineer Johni F. Conway by the
Officers Association of the Jersey City
Fire Department, January 6, 1897
The Captains and all present were the
told to make themselves at home, and
a good time was enjoyed until midnight,
when the firemen all returned to their
respective engine companies. After the
presentation they all adjourned to the
lower floor, where a bountiful supper was
served by Mrs. John +. Conway and her
daughters, the Misses Katie and Addie.
During the evening the Captains were en-
teftained with solos by Miss Addie Con-
way. COMMISSIONS Brennan sang 81
Stood On the Bridge at Midnight" Cap
tain Harms gave a number of cclored
songs and made a great hit with ST
Guess Til Have to Telegraph My Baby
Frank Amack sang the colored melody,
Far Away Down South,'' which was
well received. The "Big Four Firemen's
Quartette, consisting of Captains Muir
dock, Brennan, Harris and Bissell, also
| gave a number of selections.
Among those present were:-George
Murdoch, W. J. Newly, Frank Cleveland,
| w. H. Brennan, T. H. Holmes, II. O..
Bissell, r. j. Brehm, Frank Aumack,
Clair Birch, Robert Sloan, John H..
Harms, Robert H. Braun, George Flick
and William f. Muller, Battalion Chief
Kern, Commissioner Brennan, Clerk
| Charles Esterbrook, Superintendent Spei-
| cher, Commissioner John Erickson, "Ras''
Lewis, Ambrose Lynch, Henry Hanly and
Jaon Collins.