Reminiscences of the old fire laddies and volunteer fire departments of New York and Brooklyn. . arty that theycould climb to the roof of theCity Hall and sit on the God-dess of Liberty which at thattime surmounted the dome of the old hall-tower. The wagerwas immediately taken and the two left the saloon. Old Conk Titus, a member of old 14, was at the time one of thebell-ringers on the City Hall. He was a lively old chap, ever readyfor a joke, and equally ready to tell a good story in a style peculiarlyhis own. On the night in question, old Conk sat in the Hall look-out, with his weather-eye o
Reminiscences of the old fire laddies and volunteer fire departments of New York and Brooklyn. . arty that theycould climb to the roof of theCity Hall and sit on the God-dess of Liberty which at thattime surmounted the dome of the old hall-tower. The wagerwas immediately taken and the two left the saloon. Old Conk Titus, a member of old 14, was at the time one of thebell-ringers on the City Hall. He was a lively old chap, ever readyfor a joke, and equally ready to tell a good story in a style peculiarlyhis own. On the night in question, old Conk sat in the Hall look-out, with his weather-eye open to discover a smoke or light. Castinghis eye on the roof, he was startled at seeing coming over the copingof the rear of the Hall a mans head, shortly followed by was a mystery to Conk, and as he did not believe in appari-tions, he went down to see who it was that had the impudence, aswell as the agility, to scale the wall of his post, when who should hefind but Bill Demilt and Tom Lawrence; both had climbed up bythe lightning-rod. Conk was not very choice in his language on. Harry Venn, as Foreman of Old 14 Engine. 92 Reminiscences of the Old Fire Laddies. this occasion, and both men got a blessing in Conks approvedmanner. The matter was finally explained to the old man, and after a reston the roof, both Demilt and Lawrence started upward on their jour-ney and sat on the head of Miss Liberty. When Conk was askedby a delegation from Harry Venns if the men had performed thefeat, the old vamp confessed they had, and added that TomLawrence actually stood upon the statue. Of course the boys hadtheir milk punches. The Tom Lawrence referred to here is thesame who formerly belonged to 29 engine, then joined Hook andLadder Co. No. 3, subsequently joined 14 engine and then returnedto his old love 29. In 1836, 29 and 34 engines and Hook andLadder Co. No. 3, were located on the corner of Christopher andHudson streets, all being under the same roof. There was greatrivalry
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