'HERE the "Wood Building" now stands at 117 and 119
([ipNassau Street, there once stood a famous tavern, in
Which the old-time fire laddies were wont to congregate
)0n evenings, talk fire matters, drink old ale, and go home
betimes to their good wives, who in those days religiously awaited
their husbands' return at night, no matter how late the hour might
be. On one particular evening, in the winter of 1792, a number of
the laddies were enjoying one of their convivial feasts, when the
suggestion was made that a fund be started for the relief of
disabled firemen, or their families. A meeting composed of
members from the different companies was subsequently held,
and the nucleus of the present Widows' and Orphans' Fund
was thus formed. On the 20th of March, 1798, the organization
was incorporated, and for nearly fifty years afterward it had
an uninterrupted run of prosperity. In 1835, the fund was
almost wiped out of existence by the conflagration which visited this
city in that year, the entire principal of the Fund being invested in
insurance stocks. Through the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Adam
W. Spies, of 12 Engine, and Mr. James Russell, of 4 Hose, the
enterprise was again placed on a sound financial basis. In 1848, the
Fund again showed signs of weakening, owing to the increase of
the number of widows and orphans, and the corresponding decrease
of receipts. The Trustees immediately set about to devise some plan
whereby the Fund could again be placed on a sound footing. Mr.
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