The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-10-20
loft in the stiIly night Ere SaumEsr'S cLain has bound mes .e

The demolition of the bell tower in the rear of No. Is fire house on John street, now being contemp lated. sounds knel to an institution that long ago was the joy of innumerable boys who reJolced at the first sound of the bell al tbe top of this tower.
 This fire bell was a huge one, and the deep tones thrilled men as well as boys and inspired them to run hot foot to the fire in an effort to fight it, or al least to watch it.
 in 1863 there was but one steam fire engine No. l. The old system of dragging engines by hand to a fire hal not yet been eliminated. There was great rivalry between the various coml anies, and all tried to be first at the hydrant nearest the cOnflagrato-l. Naturally, there was much opposition shown to Steamer No. 1 by members of the old volunteer companies be- be long before f1remans parade, fire mans picnics, f1reman's balls, and dreman's excursions would become ob- solete.
 Steamer Was Hooted-
 Whenever No. 1 appeared. drawn by splendid pair of bay horses, | was greeted with yeHs, cat-calls, and hoots by friends of the old depart. . into politics, and. as usual. there was much bitter feeling.
 When the alarm sounded it often looked as if the blaze was the last member of the rival companies was working to the end that one or the other fire system should secure supre- macy.
 steamer No 1 was built by the Amosl1eag company and was con tracted for by Mayor D. H. Sterling in 1883. In January, 1864, the steamer arrived and was given trial on Broad street, near the old North church, recently torn down. George W Griswold was fireman and Jesse Duncomb was engineer.
 Fitted against the steamer WAS Ex, celsior No. 5, hand drawn and hand pumped: William Holcomb, fireman an1 John Partridge % engipeer- n
 An immense throng witnessed the trial No. 1 began by throwing fouf streams Up over the North churcn the streams mounting up over the belfry There was much rejoicing mong the admirers of No. l, but dismay followed when No. cracked on steam and sent a stream twenty fest higher than any one of the foui
 Duncomb shifted his quid and winked He whispered to Griswold. who at once disconnected three nose lines, leaving but one in commission Then Jesse opened the throttle wide and to the horror of No. and It's followers and to the joy of No. and Its followers the stream shot clear up | over the top of the tall steeple!
 The next trial was to determine l which steamer could throw a stream the farthest on the dead level. Both | en ngines were placed side by side and l one stream from each was sent rom l where the steamers were placed, near i the present Post Office building, with 1 suction pipes taking water from the well near Cannon street, on Broad l street No. 5's stream reached only as far as Gus Herthafs flower shop, but No Is crossed State street ana we the rear of the South church building.
 Howard On Wrong Track
 Howard Barnun. foreman of Amer 'ca0 Hose No. $, was seated in the -onpany's house just in the rear ot he South church. The spray dashed m tho window and caused the dough- " Howard to believe that there was a fire nearby, whereupon he ordered his men to run out No. $. When the gallant fire laddies realized that the -Iood came from the despised No. l: hev retired in chagrin and closed hair door in apparent silence. This rial of No. 1 satisfied the city fathers he aldermen, and the steamer was accepted.
 At the start No. 1 was housed in 1 , wooden building adjoining B. K Iilrs Coach Lace Factory on Cannon street. Duncomb was also engineer