Volunteer Fire Department The organization of Protection Engine Company in 1852, and of the Hope Hook and Ladder Company a year later, was the beginning of the Yonkers Volunteer Fire Department, which until the incoming of the paid Department, in 1896, was made up of the leading business men, also many men of the learned professions. Many high in social life have regarded it as an honor to have their names enrolled as members of the Department. Space in this work being limited, we can do little else but give names of the several companies, the date of organization, and a list of the men prominently identified with the volunteers: Protection Engine Company was organized in 1852; Hope Hook and Ladder Company, in 1853; Lady Washington Engine Company, in 1854; Hudson Hose Company No.1, in 1868; City Hose Company No.3, in 1874; Palisade Hose Company No.4, in 1876; Mountaineer Engine Company No.2, in 1876; Irving Hose Company No.5, in 1879; Houston Hose Company No.6 (named in honor of E. Alexander Houston, ex–Chief of the Department), in 1884; Columbia Hook and Ladder Company No.2, in 1887; Shannondale Hose Company No. 8, in 1894; Lowerre Hose Company No.9, in 1894; Sherwood Park Hose Company No.10, in 1894, and Nepera Park Hose Company No.11, in 1896. The chiefs of the Department have been: Daniel Blauvelt, 1860; E. L. Seger, 1863; A. B. Archer, 1865—67; 5. L. Smith, 1867—69; Lawrence Page, 1869—70; J. H. Matthews, 1870; L. Page, 1871; John Coons, 1872—74; Henry S. Myers, 1874—76; E. Alexander Houston, 1876—80; John Lang, 1880—84; John S. Brown, 1884—86; William Allison, 1886—90; James McVicar, 1890—94; James Mulcahey, 1894—96; Charles Stahl, 1896. James Mulcahey was appointed Chief by the Fire Commissioners in 1896, when the paid Department replaced the volunteers, and has since held that office. Water for fire purposes was introduced into the city in 1874. Previous to that time water was drawn from public cisterns, the Hudson and the Nepperhan Rivers. The alarms for fire up to the time Chief Houston took command of the Department had been given by the ringing of church bells; but he, by persistent efforts, secured the purchase and erection of a fire bell and tower in Manor Hall grounds. The Department was under control of the Board of Aldermen untfl the Board of Fire Commissioners was organized, October 27, 1896. The Presidents of the Board have been: John Pentreath, John 0. Campbell, E. Alexander Houston, James Shaughnessy, John Rowland, and M. J. IHays, who at present holds that office. Messrs. John Warneck, James Kearns, Jr., and Charles Stahl, Jr., are the other Commissioners. The Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association now numbers more than two hundred, and is composed of those who have been honorably discharged from the Volunteer Department after serving at least five years. The quarters on Buena Vista Avenue were erected specially for their accommodation, and are worth &6,000. The Presidents of the Association have been: Henry S. Myers, Edward L. Peene, E. Alexander Houston, Henry Wilsea, and John Stahl, Jr.