XVIL
 

i OR many years during the early history of Williamsburgh
that city was left almost wholly at the mercy of the fire
? fiend. Away back in the twenties a bucket company
Lwas organized, which performed to the best of its abil¬
ity the duties of a fireman. The primitive condition of the Williams¬
burgh Fire Department was often commented upon by residents of
other cities of lesser magnitude. The immense territory to be
covered and the numerous calls to fires gave the bucket company
sufficient exercise, while the frequency of the fires entailed upon
the latter many a hard pufl, more particularly during the winter,
and through streets the condition of which rendered them almost im¬
passable. Still the fire laddies of the Burgh were willing to struggle
through snow and slush in their effort to save property or rescue a
human life.

In 1837 David Garrett was elected Chief of the Volunteer
Department of Williamsburgh. The .selection was everywhere re¬
garded as being a wise choice. To Chief Garrett's untiring efforts
and indomitable wifl was due the fact that in later years the De¬
partment became famous. The foundation having been firmly built,
it was but a comparatively easy matter for those who followed to
erect the other portion of the structure. In 1834 two goose-neck
engines were purchased for use in Wflflam.sburgh. Upon their arrival
a meeting was called, at which it was decided to name one Wash¬
ington  No. I   and the other Protection  No.  2.     Shortly afterward