Columbian 1868 L.Button Hand Pumper "The Man Killer"

[RocklandFires 44]

Last Saturday, July 18th, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a special "Homecoming". The Columbian Engine Company of the Spring Valley, NY Fire Department welcomed home it's original 1868 L.Button Hand Pumper for a visit. The hand pumper known to the Columbian's as "The Man Killer" is privately owned by Vincent Jarosz of Newmarket, NH. Mr. Jarosz was kind enough to bring down the pumper for the Columbian's to see and operate.

A little history about the Columbian's and "The Man Killer":

the following was taken from an article in the Rockland Sentinel newspaper, dated Saturday March 23,1901.

Columbian Engine Co.

It's Honorable and Useful Career of Forty Years

Hand Engine To Steamer

First Members and Formen, New York Firemen Fraternize.

A "Toy" Engine. "Button" Engine a Prize Winner.

Columbian Engine Company, No.1, of Spring Valley, was organized June 24th, 1861, the first officers being Andrew Smith, Forema, John G. (familiarly known as "Jack") Cooper, Assistant Foreman, P.D. Johnson,Secretary: P.S. Van Orden, Treasurer.

The Company was Named in honor of Columbian Hook & Ladder Company, No.14, of New York City,of which "Jack" Cooper had been a member, and after the organization the New York Company sent up a strong delegation to Spring Valley,who presented the new Company with a handsome and elaborate shield, or "front" of leather,stitched, hand-painted and inscribed, sixteen by twenty four inches in size,which souvenir is still highly prized as a memento.

The small hand engine shown on the shield is similar in appearance to the first apparatus used here, which is still kept and treasured by the Company. It looks like a toy with its funny little wheels and body about the size of an ordinary piano. Yet it was a good little chap, and at a parade in Piermont in those early days when S.H. Burr was Foreman, Columbian won a fine trumpet with it, as a prize, but it was never received.

The second engine of the Company was purchased in October,1868, when , is shown by the records, a check for $1200.00 was sent to the Button Engine Company, Watertown, NY' the money having been raised by subscriptions,lectures,fairs,etc.

This was a powerful engine, the very best in the county, and it is said there has never been another as good. It threw a stream clean over the Reformed Church spire, 108 feet. But it was so heavy that horses were really needed to pull it, and 100 men were not too many to operate it, with relays every five minutes. It was a veritable " Man Killer", but won many honors and prizes for the company, though always heavily handicapped.

At a tournament at Sparkill,or Piermont, with a handicap of twenty-two and one-half feet, it won everything in sight, and since has become the property of a fire company at Winchendon, Mass. in February,1898, it has taken a number of prizes for its new owners who keep it altogether for exhibition, and have requested its past record as a prize winner from Columbians, which will be given.

But the time arrived when a steamer was demanded and this, the one in present use, came January 15th,1898, and was publicly tested on the 28th following, when there was a grand parade, followed by refreshments, a number of firemen having come from Hudson Steamer, No.3, of Bayonne, NJ., to participate. The steamer, which was purchased of this Company for $1500.00, in 1897.

These 2 Photos Courtesy Columbian Engine Company, Spring Valley, NY FD

[RocklandFires 44]

Additional photos - http://www.brianduddy.com/g/button

Additional photos - http://www.brianduddy.com/g/button

[RocklandFires 44]

Additional photos - http://www.brianduddy.com/g/button

Additional photos - http://www.brianduddy.com/g/button

[JimmyPFD 11]

I'm not big on the whole nostalgia kick in general but it's prety cool seeing the condition of it and really impressive seeing them use it!

Thanks for sharing that.

[xfirefighter484x 234]

Beautiful!!

I had the fortune, while taking my Fire Science classes at DCC to see, and use Rhinebeck's 'Pocahantas' Hand Pumper, and have a great appreciation what our earlier brothers had to go through.