The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-09
COMMISSION
RET|RES 4
F|REMEN.

Siucu lIlS afternoon TO place thpt' VIZ
liam Johnson of Engine company No. Is
upon the retired list because OF trouble
with his heart. discovered by the physi-
| clans at a recent examination.
He 10 6s years OF age, and is the sixth
man on the pension rolls at this timo.
the others being Charles A. Cook, Fred
erick L. Capron. Philip w. Kelly. Jo-
sepfe IL. Penno and Nicholas Waterman
Other retirements announced late this
afternoon are Capt. Thomas w. ID. Rey-
nolds Hose 6; Hoseman Isaac l.. Black
man. Engine IA, and Ladderman William
r. Holbrook OF Hook and Ladder 9.
Capt William II. Johnson is one OF the
| best known OF the fire fighters in the
splendid department which has made
| Providence famous for many years. both
for it's promptness and efficiency as well
type that may be said to be born
| fremen."
He was. at least. fireman from his
| days, when the red-shirted. booted fire-
| fighters trundled their long-braked hand
truck over thy pavements In answer to
No T. and felt his cup OF Joy running
over when he became a torch boy for
that famous old company.
Though born in New York city. Capt.
Johnson came 10 Providence when he
was but nine years Of age -,
age with whom he associated. attached
himself to the nearest fire engine and
made a practice OF accompanying II 10
every fire, where the youngsters shared
| I'm tie intense rivalry that existed be-
tween the various companies and stoutly
defended the merits of their machines
and favorite crews against the slurs cast
| by the partisan youngsters from other
parts of the city.
1t was at the age of 12 that ne achieved
the proud distinction. for n boy Of those
| days OF bearing the torch TO light the
ways of the volunteers to the night fires,
| and IL must have been a great leadership
for him when he had to give up HIS as
sociations here. and return to his birth
! place, where he WIS set TO learning the
| trade OF making pottery.
| He still retained his instincts as fire
fighter and attached himself TO the Live
| Oak Engine company No. "a. TO the extent
| OF running to fires with it with the other
prentice boys OF the district.
WAS MADE SUBSTITUTE.
In 1855 he came back TO Providence and
as the paid department was then formed
| he became q substitute on the Ocean Z,
| for which he had carried torch when
a boy In July, 81. he became full
| member OF the company and with his
| mates did yeoman service at the con-
| hagrations OF those days
| At the Howard block fire. November
Is. 1858. he was first badly injured and
there falling bricks from the jet OF the
| burning structure caused him TO be laid
! m with n fractured shoulder blade and
| dislocated collar bone.
IL was I'm the troublous times Of the
| early days Of the rebellion that he with
| other loyal members OF the fire depart
ment answered the presidents call for
volunteers for three months In April 81.
/ When his time was up he returned to duty
with his engine. and August, 1868. again
| secured leave from the fire department
10 join the Fifth Rhode Island regiment
In the field and during this tour Of duty
| he was promoted to be n sergeant
WITH THE FIFTH REGIMENT
He continued at the front with the
regiment until July 4, 1865. when he
reached Providence again and assumed
his duties with 'Old Number Seven" the
same day.
Upon the introduction OF the steam
fire engines, which were installed despite
the dsfavor OF the old crowd that manned
tho brakes on the handtubs. he was
assigned TO the permanent force OF Engine
!, which company was organized on Nov
80 1865. and he became second engine
man.
When Steamer Company No. 10 was
organized. Mr.. Johnson was transferred
TO that organization in his capacity Of
second engineman. where he continued
until September /. 1875. when hewent
back to No. Z as hydrantman
In February, 1877. he was transferred 10
engine 10 as assistant engineman and oot
T. 1878. he was promoted 10 be hydrantman
and sent TO hose 6.
WAS MADE CAPTAIN
October l. 1852, he was made captain
and transferred TO Hose and April |, 1854
he was again transferred 10 Hose 49,
over IL years later when Hos, company
No. 1s, was organized he became captain
OF that company at Washington Park.
November 20, 1895 which was his 29th an
nIversary as a permanent fireman
He has remained In command OF Hose rs
up 10 the present hearing only recently
returned from sick leave. I'm consequence
or dislocated wrist caused by a fall on
the way TO an early morning fire near the
city line
During his long service no has not es-
caped the many dangers OF the life OF
fireman unscathed for I'm addition 10 the
accidents already mentioned he had his
hands and face badly burned trying 10
save two children at n Are on Bridge
street I'm December. 1861. The attempt
proved unsuccessful for the children were
dead when taken out
He has twice had his feet frozen and
during the strenuous times at fires he has
attended ne has suffered dislocated
shoulder on three occasions.
All the retired men will remain AT THAR
present stations until the end OF this
week before rOfrU pp fha pNpafcr roll.