New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-06

az AL the anon S. Io are now IN inc ser
,'ce OF the Cts %; sew York. there isn't
ono who has had a more checkered or
adventurous career than Fire Chief John
Eeulou. who now sits deep IN q pile OF
congratulatorv letters in a room filled with
Oresths and bouquets. which are fragrant
testimonials of the regard and esteem or
admirinG relatives. friends and men VINO
for some wears have been serving under
him and arc now glad to hail him as their
chief
chief Kcu.n's adventurous career began
inst thirteen wears after he was born in
ireland. near Dundalk on January 10. 1860.
TIe had made tho round Of the globe when
before he had reached his sixteenth year
hc discovered New York, fell in love with
tho city. and after that. no matter how
fsr Nc roamed or how long he was gone
he claimed New York as his hailing port
and home.
lie had lodged the pirates Of the China
Sea. toved with the gamblers OF Singapore
knocked about from Mindanao 70 Fam
hoango without running into really
scarv adventure until he boarded the Blue
Jacket 40 New York. She made the Horn
and was on her way TO an Indian port
when she ran into a typhoon in the Bay
Of Bengal The gale swept the decks az
smooth as an asphalt street, CARRYING
away lifoboats. masts and timbers. Young
KcrIon and the rest Of the crew thought
that their last hour had come. ana they
expected az any moment 10 90 10 the oot-
tom. But at last the storm aoated' ana
.bo0 without a stick left in her the Blue
Jacket iay helpless in the trough OF roll
ing sea With an energy born OF despera-
ton the tired and battered crew risseo
iurv masts and trimmed the ship so That
she was at last got under Roadway, ana
after many hot and hungry days young
Kenlon stepped ashore ON the pier at
PangoOn.
The terrors OF that wild voyage soon
Dassed and the lad again shipped, tHls
time for New York. Not long after iahu-
ing he took berth on the Abyssinia. ship
ming this time in the capacity Of quarter
master. one morning. when the ship was
an nidocean. a member Of the crew came
tearing art with the news that smoke was
coming IA through the forward hatch. III
,astiestioY proved it To he a thing most
dreaded by the sailor, a fire m the nold.
Tho crew was called 10 quarters. pumps
were manned. and then began long. haru
0rbt against one OF the most dangerous
enemies of the man who sails the sea
With steam and water keulon and MS
associates fought day and night 10 keep
The fro demon from eating its way OUT OF
the hold some DAYS later a nearly OK
hausted crew. with a burning ship sailed
into port. where they were relieved by IRE
fighters from the shore. after one OF the
most terrible experiences in their lives.
During \ large part Of this life at sea
voung KeulOn was connected with the
marine service. which in the old days re
ou,red man 20 have a nautical educa-
tion which was more thorough than the
education OF the average college man or
to-day The Young seaman had 10 master
thoroughly algebra. geometry, trigonometry
and calculus, as well as astronomy naVi-
cation. steam and a general knowledge
Of affairs aboard ship. He earned the
license Of master mariner. which admits
hin, IN the pilot house Of any vessel, and
he received his papers as marine engineer
as we'll. Then. instead Of ceasing ms
straies he pursued them with interest
kent tp IN machinery and steam. and mas
followed them 10 the present day.
When he was twenty-seven he came
ashore in New 10Th Win tti' '--''-
I'm his heart 10 become a landsman ant
with Is cents in his pocket After working
about for a while he at length passed the
Hreman's examination. and was appointed
as a member Of Engine Company - II
Morton street. The stories OF his bravery
At fires while he was connected with this
cor1panv are so numerous as 10 be duph
Gated in some instances. one OF these
however. stands out as indicative Of the
teuacifv which the man possesses Of stick
ing IN a thing until he has done everything
in his power 10 accomplish definite re
suits.
This incident occurred when Kenlon wa'
only an ordinary fire fighter with Engine
% With three floors burning above them
A. was tho duty OF Kenlon and severa
other fremen 70 take line Of hose up al
elevator shaft and drown out the flames
in that quarter. on the floor where they
were working spices had been stored anC
the pungent. sitting fumes choked and 81
nearly suffocated the fremen that ont
after another they descended the Ladder
and left Kenlon alone with the line. Chic
I.ally. who was IN charge OF the Fifth Bat
TALON. came along. and seeing kenlon alone
with the hose. took 1t back with him to tn
line where the fire had 10 be held back