Antique 1912 Phoenixville PA Fire Department Horses Blue Ribbon Winner Badge

Description

01956g.00-154n
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Antique 1912 Phoenixville PA Fire Department Blue Ribbon Winner Badge
Very nice!! Depicts Duke and Harry. Super rare find!
Between 1908 and 1918 Phoenix Hose, Hook & Ladder
No. 1, Phoenixville’s first fire company had not only a first rate team of firefighters but also Duke and Harry, a handsome pair of dapple grey horses. For the price of daily oats and veterinary care, this pair charmed the citizenry while taking the job of racing to fires with single-minded purpose.
Horses were probably used in early times to help firemen with heavy tasks but it wasn’t until the mid-1800s, when firefighting equipment was enhanced to use steam, that horse drawn equipment became necessary. Before then when the call rang out, hand pumpers and hoses were pulled to the fire scene by men. Pressure in the pumpers was created manually taking a significant amount of time and energy. With the invention of the steam engine for pumping water the load became too much for firemen. Horses became important in hauling the three or four tons of weight.
When needed, horses used by Phoenix Hose, Hook & Ladder No. 1 were hired from local livery stables. Although fire companies in larger cities used steam powered equipment earlier, it wasn’t until 1903 that a combination chemical and hose wagon was purchased in Phoenixville, followed in 1906 by the purchase of a steam pumper. The heavier equipment demanded horse power. Following a disastrous fire at the Jefferson Hotel in February of 1903 Joseph McGlinshy, proprietor of the hotel, in gratitude donated two fine horses to PHHL No 1.
By 1906 the original two horses had been replaced by Harry and Doc. Doc was taken ill and died in 1908 and was replaced by Duke, forming the celebrated pair of Duke and Harry. Unlike fire departments in major cities which had central training facilities and which provided trained horses to the fire companies, Phoenixville’s horses were locally housed and trained.
“A good fire horse had to be quick, ready to rush to the harness at the sound of a bell--and to be calm, willing to stand and wait patiently while engines pumped, firefighters shouted, and flames roared. The animals needed to be strong, swift, agile, obedient and fearless. At the scene, they needed to stand patiently while embers and flames surrounded them. They needed to remain calm while the firefighters fought the blaze. This was the case in all weather conditions and in the midst of a multitude of distractions.”(1) A favorite breed was the Percheron, a carriage horse known for its strength and serene disposition. Many Percherons are dapple gray, fading to white as they age. Engines were often drawn by handsomely matched teams. The horses used in Phoenixville were probably not pure Percherons but a heavy breed mix. It was reported that Harry weighed 1,325 pounds. At that size they were well suited to pull steamers and chemical engines. An average sized thoroughbred racehorse by comparison weighs 1,100 pounds.
In 1905 Nathan P. White was hired as the paid driver and thus responsible for the horses. Once the team of Duke and Harry were formed Mr. White began training. They learned at the sound of the alarm to move from their stalls into position beneath the drop-harness which would be lowered from the ceiling onto their backs for a quick hitch, and at Nathan White’s command to rush to the scene. Once there they would stand quietly until returning to the fire house. When not responding to fires, the team was put to work pulling the sprinkler wagon which was used to lessen dust by wetting down the dirt streets in the borough. The sprinkler service was a subscription service that covered the costs of the driver, feed, and other livestock items as well as raising funds for the company.
Beyond Work Horses
Being well-trained fire horses wasn’t the only talent of this equine duo. To the delight of local school children, Nathan White taught Duke and Harry tricks similar to what might be seen in a circus. Although not a professional horse trainer, Mr. White loved horses and it seems Duke and Harry loved him back. He first taught Harry to step up on a pedestal and then Duke. The last step in the trick was having them simultaneously mount pedestals. This was followed by handkerchief stunts, and it was not easy for such large horses to grasp a handkerchief between their teeth. They learned to remove handkerchiefs from White’s hip pocket, untie a handkerchief which was tied to one of their rear legs, and blow their noses into a handkerchief. They learned to remove Mr. White’s cap and carry it to the other side of the room and place it on the hat rack. They could remove his jacket as well as his boots. He taught them to roll barrels and heavy boxes. Harry must have been the quick study. He learned the barrel trick in 10 hours while it took Duke three days. As with all animal training Nathan rewarded them with a snack after each successful trick.
Phoenixville in 1910 sponsored a ‘Homecoming’ event from July 2 to July 9. The firehouse was decorated with illuminated lights and bunting. It was especially dramatic at night. Activities and demonstrations were the order of the day. The firehouse and the two horses became an attraction for the many former Phoenixvillians who returned as visitors. Duke and Harry demonstrated not only their special tricks but also going to harness as when the alarm sounded. There were so many requests that the chief decided once a day was enough. For the rest of the week demonstrations were limited to daily at 9:00 PM.
Besting Mainline Horses
In May of 1911 Duke and Harry were entered at the Devon Horse Show. A team of borrowed horses were used as backups in the event of a fire call. Pulling the chemical and hose wagon and driven by Nathan P. White they competed against fire horse teams from Berwyn, Bryn Mawr and Paoli bringing first place honors back to Phoenixville. The pair in fact pulled the heavy chemical and hose wagon from Phoenixville to the site of the Devon Horse show and then back to Phoenixville. When news of the victory reached Phoenixville an impromptu celebration took place. The townspeople headed out to Valley Forge and accompanied the group back into town. “Last evening, about 8 o’clock, a telephone message was received that Duke and Harry had arrived at Valley Forge on their way home, and an impromptu reception was arranged. Several transparencies were hastily made and painted, and the drum corps was assembled. The borrowed team, which had been secured for yesterday during the absence of the regular team, was hitched to the fire engine, and with a large number of the members with horns and red fire, the impromptu parade proceeded beyond the borough limits to meet the victors.
When the return march into the borough commenced, and as the marchers, with red fire lighted and horns blowing came through the streets, the handsome greys, with heads erect and with prancing feet, seemed to know that the cheers which were sounded by the crowds which had gathered and were lined up along the streets were for them”(2)
The following year they competed again at Devon. The horses were first put through a walk then a trot and finally into a gallop for the judges. Once again first prize came home to Phoenixville. This time a hired team pulled the heavy chemical and hose wagon to Devon, putting less strain on the two competitors. At least 50 fans from Phoenixville attended the Devon show to cheer them on. Both winning silver cups remain in possession of Phoenix Hose, Hook & Ladder Company No. 1.
Changing Times
With development of the automobile, horse drawn equipment was replaced by motor driven apparatus. By 1918 Nathan White, Duke and Harry had been a team for over 10 years. In late 1917 the company purchased a Brockway combination chemical and hose car, the company’s first gasoline powered apparatus. The motorized vehicle replaced the 1903 chemical and hose wagon making horses obsolete. After much discussion about finding them good retirement homes, in early 1918 Duke and Harry were sold to Joshua A. Rhoades. During their years of service they responded to 375 fire alarms. Harry failed to respond to only one alarm while Duke was there for every one. Writing in the 1925 Old Home Week yearbook, Nathan White remarked that both horses had died.
Retiring from the fire company after 40 years Nathan White served as a volunteer guide at Valley Forge Park. On duty there he suffered a heart attack and died on March 30, 1946.
The May 31, 1911 edition of The Daily Republican following the first win at Devon probably described the horses best: “The handsome pair is the pride of the town, and they are as intelligent as they are handsome and capable. Yesterday they acted perfectly, in spite of the crowds, and the noise and cheering, and it is only to be regretted that they were not able to show all they have learned under the instruction of Driver White. Strong and robust as they are, they are playful as kittens, and aside from their regular business, when they are never found lagging or wanting, they can, as Phoenixville citizens well know, show as many ‘stunts’ as circus ponies.”
Looks Even Better In Person.
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