A Day in the History of the Fishkill Fire Department

October 3rd, 1912 was day in the history of Protection Engine that saw the widest possible range of emotion. It was the day that the panoramic photograph was taken of all the marchers in field where Emery and Webb Insurance Co stands. As the account by Herman Dean from his 100th Anniversary of PECo book points out, it was a beautiful, more summer like day than a typical autumn day. The parade was a huge success and everyone enjoyed themselves during and after the parade. Then evening came. What turned out to be a false alarm was sounded and by the time all was said and done, a young man visiting from Newburgh lost his life. Here is Herman Dean’s account.

For the season, it was an unusually warm day, more appropriate to July or August. The town had been gaily decorated; in fact many of the decorations were elaborate. The streets had been swept and cleaned and the Village looked very pretty. Visitors began to arrive in the morning, but the bulk of out-of-town people who witnessed the festivities did not arrive until about the time the parade started.

The first company to reach the Village was Lady Washington of Poughkeepsie, which arrived from the Landing by electric cars at half past nine. The boys were accompanied by a few guests and a drum corps. An hour later came the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company of Hyde Park with band. A little later the S. W. Johnson Steamer Company of Wappingers Falls arrived in town by stages, accompanied by a drum corps, and their engine drawn by three heavy horses. These organizations were marched to the engine house and dismissed.

Then followed a ball game on the school house grounds, between teams of the Johnson and Lady Washington Companies, which was witnessed by a throng of people, Johnson won the contest 9 to 8.

A little before noon, eighteen of the mounted aqueduct police from the Garrison Station, who were to take part, arrived. Lunch was served at the engine house. The Ladies' Committee sent baskets of sandwiches which were eaten with relish.

The Beacon Engine Company arrived about two o'clock, and the parade moved a few minutes later. The order of the parade was as follows: Chief of Police Arthur D. Anderson; eighteen mounted aqueduct police; visiting police of Matteawan and Fishkill Landing; Brennan's Band; Protection Engine Company with the engine drawn by horses; Nineteenth Separate Company Drum Corps; S. W. Johnson Steamer Company of Wappingers Falls with steamer drawn by 3 horses; Rescue Drum Corps; Rescue Hook and Ladder Company of Hyde Park; Cataract Drum Corps; Lady Washington Hose Company of Poughkeepsie; Collins' Band of Newburgh; Beacon Engine Company of Matteawan with auto engine; Village officials of Wappingers Falls, Matteawan, and Fishkill Landing; representatives of the press; and Fishkill officials in automobiles.

The line of march went down Main Street to the corporation line, back to Weston Ave, to Colonial Meadow, where the Thompson Photo Co. of Poughkeepsie, took a picture of the paraders, occupying two thirds of a circle, to Jackson Street; to entrance of Wood Brothers' Nursery, back to Main Street, to Highland Avenue, turning in front of Dr. White's residence to Hopewell Avenue and thence to the corporation line returning to Main, to Bedford Avenue, to Broad, to Robinson, to Main, to North, to Academy, to Church Street, to School House grounds.

The whole company of paraders were seated at four tables. The Ladies' Committee set before all a bountiful feast which was expeditiously served and perfectly enjoyed.

After the banquet, there was an interesting exhibition of the work of Beacon and Protection engines. The test was made with the engines standing on the Highland Avenue Bridge [Route 9 South as it known today] taking water from the creek below, a lift of about 20 feet. The Beacon engine was of 90 horsepower with a six inch suction, the Protection engine was 30 horsepower with a four inch suction. Two hundred feet of hose was laid northward from each engine. Nozzles of 1 1/8 were used. Both engines were run at capacity, and the friends of Protection were highly gratified to see that the lighter engine threw a stream almost as high and as far as the heavier one. In fact, there was apparently very little, if any, difference between them.

A dance in the Van Wyck Hall, band concerts, and other festivities which had been planned for the entertainment of the people in the evening did not take place because of a tragedy which occurred just after twilight. Christopher J. Malloy, Jr., 18 years old, of Newburgh, met a horrible and sudden death while running with Protection Engine in answer to a fire alarm, caused by the starting of a blaze with boxes and rubbish by some smart Alec's as a joke. The facts connected with the sad occurrence were about as follows: About seven o'clock some children came running down Main Street crying "Fire"! Quite a glow appeared in the eastern sky. The fire bell was vigorously rung and visiting firemen as well as Protection members manned the engine at the house. No officer was present, but Second Assistant Charles E. Sherwood arrived in a moment and said he thought the alarm was a fake. When his attention was directed to the red sky to the eastward, he gave the order to go. The hose cart went out first followed by the engine drawn by about 16 men. When they swung into Main Street and the apparatus got on the smooth macadam, the men went forward on a run, their number being added to at different points, by volunteers from the crowds along the street. Young Malloy, who had reached town but a few minutes before, was one of the helpers. Just where he joined the firemen no one seemed to know exactly. He took hold of the drag rope on the left side just forward of Clarence D. Ham, who was at the end of the pole. When the boys passed the Dugan blacksmith shop, the leaders saw what the fire was, and realizing that the alarm was a false one, slowed down, slacking the rope. Malloy evidently caught his feet in the rope, fell, and released his hold. Ham stumbled over him and a second later the front wheel of the heavy engine struck the boy in the head and fractured his skull.

A few feet beyond, the crowd was stopped by Village President Dugan, who had been to the scene of the fire, and then the injury to Malloy was reported. He was picked up unconscious and carried into the office of the Mansion House [66 Main Street, today]. Doctors White and Hayt were called and arrived together in a moment, but the sufferer breathed his last just after their arrival.

The parents of the deceased were notified of their bereavement by telephone, and the boys mother and sister came here an hour or two later with an undertaker, and took the body home. Coroner Haight was also notified. He held an inquest two days later, finding a verdict in accordance with the facts.

The deceased was a graduate of the Newburgh High School and the Spencerian School, was of vigorous health, with promise of a useful life. He had worked until five o'clock on the day of our parade, leaving Newburgh about six to come here with some friends for an evening's enjoyment.

The funeral was held in Newburgh on October 7th. There was a large attendance of relatives, friends and neighbors. President Dugan, Foreman MacMaster, and John Holloway were present as representatives of Protection Engine Company and presented a beautiful floral tribute. Beacon Engine Company also sent s floral lamp. There were 46 similar tokens of respect and sympathy. The Reverend Michael J. Salley, pastor of Saint Patrick's Church, officiated and the interment was in St. Patrick's cemetery.