Reminiscences of the old fire laddies and volunteer fire departments of New York and Brooklyn. . edat length. Few opposed the measure, as it was generally admittedthat a greater need for adequate protection to life and property fromfire existed. The meeting was a protracted one, and during its session Luther, a highly respectable resident of Williamsburgh, waschosen Chief Engineer. Hehowever, declined to serve,and another ballot beingtaken, the choice this timefell upon David Garrett. For many years, and invarious ways, Chief Garrettstrove to perfect the workingof the Department under
Reminiscences of the old fire laddies and volunteer fire departments of New York and Brooklyn. . edat length. Few opposed the measure, as it was generally admittedthat a greater need for adequate protection to life and property fromfire existed. The meeting was a protracted one, and during its session Luther, a highly respectable resident of Williamsburgh, waschosen Chief Engineer. Hehowever, declined to serve,and another ballot beingtaken, the choice this timefell upon David Garrett. For many years, and invarious ways, Chief Garrettstrove to perfect the workingof the Department under hiscommand. His efforts werein time attended with success,and he lived to see as a re-sult of his earnest labor thegradual improvement of therough work to which he hadmerely given shape. Following Chief Garrettcame Andrew B. Hodges,who formerly belonged toEngine No. 1. The latter company was known as the Roosterand the White Box. The selection of Mr. Hodges as Chiefwas regarded as a very wise one. Owing to his familiarity withfire duty, he soon detected certain defects in his Department, all. of which he promptly remedied. Every spare moment of ChiefHodges time was spent in devising proper means to prevent, if pos-sible, extensive conflagrations. He had his hobby,—who has not?—which he successfully rode for two terms, during which time a won-derful improvement was noticeable in the working of the VolunteerDepartment. As Williamsburgh grew in importance, Chief Hodges, being aperson of note, was induced to enter largely into politics. In time Mr. Hodges was succeeded by William Guischard, who, being of anenterprising turn of mind, sought to make all desirable improve-ments in his department. He also helped to raise the standard ofthe firemen under him. The inability to obtain a speedy alarm incase of a fire engaged Chief Guischards attention shortly after hisassumption of office. He at once sought to devise means to furnishthe city with an improved fire-alarm system. He succe
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