Reminiscences of the old fire laddies and volunteer fire departments of New York and Brooklyn. . r,of Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, with his command, was in front of the burningbuilding in less than two minutes from the time the alarm was sounded, and on hisarrival saw a female form partly hanging out of the fourth-story window. He ordereda forty-two-foot ladder placed against the building, which was done with almost thespeed of thought, but it proved to be about ten feet short. He ordered that it beplaced on the highest step of the front stoop. Fireman Flood (than whom no moregallant inan is
Reminiscences of the old fire laddies and volunteer fire departments of New York and Brooklyn. . r,of Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, with his command, was in front of the burningbuilding in less than two minutes from the time the alarm was sounded, and on hisarrival saw a female form partly hanging out of the fourth-story window. He ordereda forty-two-foot ladder placed against the building, which was done with almost thespeed of thought, but it proved to be about ten feet short. He ordered that it beplaced on the highest step of the front stoop. Fireman Flood (than whom no moregallant inan is in this Department) ascended the ladder, which was still too short toreach the person hanging out of the window. At this point Fireman Flood unfortunatelyseriously injured his foot, the severe pain of which for a moment paralyzed his efforts. Captain Meagher, taking in the situation at a glance, ordered that the ladder beheld erect and away from the building, so as to get all the length possible. He thenascended, standing on next to the top round of the ladder, fifty-two feet from the side-. 444 Reminiscences of the Old Fire Laddies. walk, and his head just up to the feet of the woman. He gave her some words ofencouragement, and in a calm but decided manner directed her to hold her limbs andbody as rigid as possible. All being ready, he told her to drop; she did so; hecaught her in one arm, steadying himself by the power of his limbs and one hand onthe top of the ladder, and thus passed Sarah Freeman to his comrade, Fireman Flood,who, notwithstanding the intense pain he was suffering by a badly bruised foot, carriedthe frightened woman to the sidewalk in safety. For this act of cool, well-planned,and determined bravery, the trustees have decided that the Bennett Medal for 1878should be awarded to Captain Daniel J. Meagher, of Hook and Ladder Company No. 3. I have been selected by the trustees to make the presentation. Captain Meagher,step forward. It affords me unusual pleasur
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidldpd63166850, bookyear1885
