The Buffalo History Gazette

Sunday, September 5, 2010

LABOR DAY - The Workers Holiday

Buffalo Evening News - September 4th 1900

LABORS MIGHTY HOST WAS OUT

Yesterday's Labor-Day Parade Largest

Ever Seen in Buffalo's Streets

20,000 WORKING MEN WERE IN THE LINE

Niagara Square with it's many diverging thoroughfares, is an ideal place for the formation of a big parade, and as the result of its selection as the starting point of today's big labor demonstration, the confusion usually a feature of such affairs, was reduced to a minimum... In addition to the organizations enumerated in the Sunday News yesterday, there was in the line, three sections of railroad employees, aggregating 1500 in number. With that addition, the total number of men in line was in the neighborhood of 20,000 and fine, stalwart, intelligent men most of them were--men who compose the bone and sinew of the city's great industrial army--men of whom Buffalo is deservedly proud.

MOST BRILLIANT PARADE

Many of the organizations in the big parade were uniformed, and each association had it's banner. In addition most of the organizations carried national flags of various sizes, giving the parade a most brilliant appearance as it moved along with the banners and starry folds of the national emblem waving in the breeze, which the weather bureau had so kindly provided to mitigate the intense heat. Bands without number furnished stirring music, utilizing in the marches they played all of the popular age airs of this and bygone years.

The liveliness of the procession was enhanced by numerous floats, ornamented and embellished in the most wonderful manner imaginable. Main Street and the other thoroughfares through which the procession moved, were gayly decked out in holiday attire. Immense flags floated from the lines stretched across form one building to the other, and countless flags waved from the windows of the buildings along the way.

Buffalo Daily Courier - Editorial - September 4th 1900

Labors Demonstrations

Yesterdays observances of Labor Day were probably the most widespread since the holiday was established. In Buffalo, a special effort was made, and the parade was the largest on record, conservatively estimated at 12,000 men. The rain fortunately did not come until afternoon, and therefore did not interfere with the great spectacle prepared by organized labor for the public eye. The increasing length of these annual parades, shows that Buffalo every year is employing more men, and that these men are joining the Labor Unions, of whose solidarity the procession is so impressive an illustration.
Many of the Unions appeared in uniform yesterday, presenting a neat and attractive appearance. Good discipline prevailed in the ranks, and the parade was in every way credible. When our eyes have become more accustomed than of old to the sight of marching soldiers, it is well that we should pay due honor to the armies of peace and industry. It will be an unhappy day for our country when the men who now only wear the badges of their honorable employment shall be forced into the ranks of an unproductive and burdensome army for the conquest of foreign territory.

THE HISTORY OF LABOR DAY

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Buffalo's Incredible, Frank Grant

"IN HITTING HE RANKED WITH THE BEST, AND
HIS FIELDING BORDERED ON THE IMPOSSIBLE."

Second Baseman Frank Grant, front row 2nd from right - He is widely considered

to have been the greatest African-American player of the 19th century.

Born in Pittsfield in 1865, Ulysses Franklin "Frank" Grant, pitched and caught in amateur games there and in Plattsburgh, New York, while still a teenager. He signed his first professional contract with Meriden, Connecticut, (Eastern League) in 1886, but the team folded and Frank moved to Buffalo. Grant was in fact one of five African-Americans playing in the otherwise all-white minor leagues that year, on teams from Kansas to Connecticut. The next day, a local newspaper announced Grant’s arrival by describing him as “a Spaniard.” In Buffalo, he took the International Association by storm. During his first season here, he led his team with a .340 batting average. The next year he batted .366, but more amazing were his power numbers.

Frank Grant

Despite standing less than 5'8" and weighing just 155 pounds, Grant led all league batsmen in slugging, with 27 doubles, ten triples, and 11 homers in 105 games. He stole 40 bases, too. He hit for the cycle in one game and stole home twice in another. He came back in 1888 with a .326 average -- again, best on his team. One-fourth of his hits in the International League were for extra bases. He led his team and/or league in various offensive categories, including batting average, stolen bases, total bases, and home runs. That season earned him the distinction of being the only black player before the 1940s to play three consecutive years (1886-1888) with the same team, Buffalo.

The 1887 season was the high-water mark for African-American players in the International League. Buffalo had its nonpareil second baseman, Frank Grant. There were several other African-American players in the league, but the two who stood out, in addition to Grant, were pitchers George Stovey of Newark (34-15) and Robert Higgins of Syracuse (19-8), both lefthanders. The season had been marked by frequent evidences of antagonism (by players) against the Negro players in the league. Anti-Black sentiment increased in 1888 and there was a strong movement to bar all Negro players. Buffalo took a counter stance by lobbying the IL not to put into place a color line. Because of their respect for Grant the individual and Grant the ballplayer, the Bisons were able to keep his services one extra year before the ban on black players took hold. Few teams would have gone to such lengths, but Grant was obviously special.

The Buffalo correspondent for Sporting Life said that Grant was the best player ever to play in that city, putting him above such luminaries as Jim Galvin, Dan Brouthers, Jim O'Rourke, and Old Hoss Radbourn. As a fielder, Grant was no less remarkable. His range was so exceptional -- and his arm so strong -- that some derided his defensive play as a "circus act." Grant would segue to the Negro League, where he would star for 15 years, one of a few who helped make the league credible and viable. He went on to play for such strong independent Negro teams as the Cuban X Giants, Big Gorhams, and Philadelphia Giants through 1903. He died at age 71 in New York City and was buried in Clifton, N.J. His grave, for some reason, remained unmarked all these years until this past June.(2011) In 2006, Grant was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a man of great class, resiliency, intelligence and a world of baseball talent.

Detailed Biography of Grant at Society for American Baseball Research

In Other News....
Buffalo Evening News - Wednesday

September 5th 1900

MINNIES LOST TWO TO BUFFALO,

Bisons Are Now Beyond the Possibility

of Finishing in Last Place

-------------------

It really would take a lot of nerve to assert the Pan-Ams really won the first game, though it goes to their credit as a victory. The Minnies really won it in the second inning when they hammered out five runs. The Charlie Hastings hoodoo was hanging over their heads however, for with the score 5-2 in their favor, the visitors took one of the most spectacular ascensions ever seen on the grounds, and aided by four singles, the Pan-Ams chased 8 large runs across the rubber. Nichols at short and Lolly in the left garden were the worst actors during this period. Nichols rolled up three astonishing mis-plays, and Lally muffed an easy fly so squarely, that the ball must have changed it's shape.

After that it was all over but the shouting, and the Bisons sailed safely to victory by a score of 10 - 5. The Minnies played better ball in the second game.... but the Bisons had their confidence with them and they bandied with Mr. Bandelion's curves quite remorselessly. The batting won the game easily 8-2, and then the Minnies caught the first train out of town. Milwaukee plays this afternoon at 4 o'clock. Tomorrow will see the last game of the season in Buffalo.

American League
STANDING OF THE CLUBS SCHEDULED FOR TODAY

Clubs

Chicago....................... 72 46 .610 Chicago at Indianapolis

Milwaukee.................. 69 54 .561 Milwaukee at Buffalo

Indianapolis................. 66 54 .550 Minneapolis at Cleveland

Detroit......................... 63 61 .508 Kansas City at Detroit

Kansas City................. 60 62 .492

Cleveland.................... 57 62 .479

Buffalo........................ 55 69 .444

Minneapolis................ 47 77 .379

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Buffalo's Oldest Firefighter, Edward M. Cotter

BUFFALO'S NEW FIRE TUG

Finest Craft of it's Kind Afloat

Launched at Elizabethport New Jersey

New York Times September 2, 1900

W.S. Grattan at it's dock on the Buffalo River near the Michigan St. Bridge

Elizabeth N. J., Sept. 1
A handsome new fire tug which has been built for the Fire Department of the City of Buffalo, was launched at Lewis Nixon's shipyard, at Elizabethport, shortly before 1 o'clock this afternoon. She will cost $91,000 and is the Finest craft of it's kind afloat.
Like a swan the fire boat W.S. Grattan, sped on it's initial trip from it's cradle at Nixons Ship yard, Elizabethport NJ. The fireboat was christened the W.S. Grattan, in honor of the Fire Commissioner. Little Miss Lucia Grattan stood at the bow and smashed a bottle of wine on the nose of the boat as it slid down the ways amid the cheering of 1,000 people, and the blowing of many whistles in the Harbor. The Fire Commissioners were all present on the stand, as was also Chief McConnel. The boat is 118 feet long and is built entirely of steel. She is able to make over fourteen knots, and will crush ice twenty inches thick.

It will probably take two weeks or more to make the vessel ready for the trip to Buffalo. When prepared for the voyage, the tug will be taken through the St. Lawrence River and the Welland Canal. It is expected that the trip will take about three weeks. As the Tug slid down the ways she was christened by Miss Lucia Virginia Malone, daughter of Fire Commissioner of Buffalo. The boat was named the W. S. Grattan, after Commissioner Grattan of Buffalo. The Buffalo Visitors came from New York on the fire tug Vigilant. The commissioners were all accompanied by their families.

The Edward M. Cotter at the Water Intake in Lake Erie

The new fire boat is 118 feet long and is built of steel. She has an inch and a half icebelt around her hull. She can throw 18 streams fore and aft, from 350 to 550 feet. The construction of the vessel was begun in March last. Among those present at the launching were: Mayor Diehl of Buffalo, John F. Malone, W.S. Grattan, and William Person, Fire Commissioners of Buffalo, and Chief B.S. McConnell and Master Mechanic David Owen of the same city. -NYTimes-

The Grattan left New Jersey on October 20, 1900 and arrived in Buffalo to great celebration on November 6th docking at Porters Wharf. Many tests and adjustments to equipment happened over the next couple of weeks. After a test run with commissioners on board it was accepted by the Buffalo Fire Dept. on November 15, 1900 and put into service. David Welch was Captain on board who brought the Grattan to Buffalo. He also oversaw her construction in NJ, and then went on to pilot the vessel until the early 1920s. He is buried at Forest Lawn.
This is the same Fire Boat, updated several times over the years, that is now docked on the Buffalo River at the Michigan St. Lift Bridge. Renamed the Edward M. Cotter in the 1950's, it is the oldest operating Fire Boat in the world, and a National Historic Landmark.

The maiden voyage of the Firetug Grattan from NJ to Buffalo in 1900 was not without it’s trials and tribulations. These are some excerpts from the ships Log on the Grattan during that trip. The log relates that the Grattan left Elizabeth NJ on October 20, 1900.

“Thursday Oct. 25— Found leak in exhaust pipe and lost half a day repairing it. 2:15 a.m. Left pier with pilot: 3 a.m.—pilot left us: 11:10—Beaver Island. Captain, mate and pilot all full when we left Halifax but they were able to handle the craft without mishap.”

The Voyage proceeded smoothly until Monday, October 29th, which the log reported ”comes in overcast.” 6 a.m.—Pilot came aboard. Wind SW very strong. Rain. Difficult to see far. Later lights very plain but pilot has lost confidence in himself. Nearly runs us ashore. Came to anchor of Grosse Isle.”

“Tuesday, October 30 — Daybreak, anchors up. High sea and strong wind. Clearing. Reached Quebec about 10 a.m. Tied to pier in lower basin. Attend to pilot. Three crewmen, including captain and mate leave us. Re-employ steward and deck hands. New captain assumes command. 2:30 p.m.—take on 25 tons of coal. Alter engines and exhaust to run high pressure. Lay at wharf till daylight. Found no time to visit places of interest.”

The next few days passed with only a minimum of difficulty except for the notation, “firemen having trouble with the Sydney coal that we took on at Quebec.”

The Tug reached Montreal at 10 a.m., Thursday November 1st and started to lock through the Lachine Canal two hours later. The log reads “engaged pilot at $30 and fare from Port Dalhousie to Montreal.” The rest of the voyage was uneventful until the Grattan’s arrival in Buffalo.

She tied up at Port Colborne at 8:55 a.m., Sunday, November 4th. On the following day all hands were assigned to cleaning up the fireboat as a prelude to her arrival in Buffalo. One entry noted, “firemen hired as painters at $2 a watch.”

This was the entry regarding her arrival in Buffalo.

“Tuesday, November 6—Six a.m. Commence cleaning again. Leave 9:30 for Buffalo. Arrive 1:30. Greatest reception ever given a boat at Buffalo. Whistling. tie up at Porter”s Wharf.” The day after it’s arrival the log reads “discharge two firemen and deckhands. Agreed to give $2 a day and 65 cents a day per man of crew, starting with this day, and $1 for Tuesday (presumably the previous day).”

Much work still remained before the Grattan was officially presented for preview. The following are the concluding entries before the crafts acceptance as a firetug:

“Thursday Nov. 8— Remove Skylight. Take out condenser tank.”

“Friday November 9—replace skylight. Reconnect exhaust pipes. Riveters from dry dock, 4 cents per rivet. Piece work because of hurry.”

“Saturday, November 10—At work on engines, etc. in morning. Test unofficial of pumps about 5 p.m.” The next day was an off day with the log reading “rest and see Falls. Overcast.” Monday, the Grattan was prepared for the trial.

“Tuesday, November 13— Snow and rain. Very disagreeable. Clean up ship. Report trial trip set for

Thursday. There is no sense in this delay as we are ready now. Preliminary trial successful.”

“Wednesday, Nov. 14—Four inch valve on forward boiler broken, probably by expansion pipe. No damage done.”

“Thursday, Nov. 15— New valve bored for initial trip at 2 p.m., as promised. Trial very successful. Boat accepted at special meeting of commissioners on board. All parts of boat satisfactory. No room for complaint in any particular.”

In most instances, the notations from day to day were climaxed with the phrase, “so ends this day”. So ended the initial voyage of the Grattan which lived up to all advanced notices.

The Grattan has since gone through two rebuilding projects and two name changes. In 1928 it was nearly destroyed in a Buffalo River oil fire but she was rebuilt two years later. Her steam boilers were changed from coal to oil burning and the boat was newly outfitted. New water towers installed near the stern and near the upper pilot house helped make the Grattan "the greatest fire fighting unit on the Great Lakes, "according to fire officials of that time.

In 1952, the Grattan needed repairs badly, and the city decided to rebuild her a second time, increasing her power and pumping capacity. She was taken to Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin for the rebuilding job. In that facelifting the firetug was rebuilt except for the hull. Seven new hull plates were installed, along with an armor ice belt. New pumps nearly doubled the pumping capacity from 9,000 GPM to 16,000 GPM. The oil burning steam boilers were replaced by Diesel engines and she was converted from single to twin screw operation.

A new rudder assembly, new steel deck cabins and pilot house, flying bridges and duel engine controls were added. Also installed were Fire Dept. and Coast Guard Radios, an after-tower with hydraulic lift, foam making equipment and other stream lined apparatus. It was then painted fire-engine red. It was then decided this upgraded boat should be renamed and it was re-christened the “Buffalo Firefighter.”

The Firefighter was soon to have another name however. She was renamed the Edward M. Cotter in honor of firefighter Edward M. Cotter who was assigned to the Firefighter for two years before his death in 1954. Cotter was elected to 12 consecutive terms as president of Local 282, Buffalo Firefighters Assn., AFL. A firefighter for 36 years, he also was a trustee and former secretary-treasurer of the NY State Assn. of Firefighters.

SEE: Fire Fighting in the Horse Drawn Era

and a separate Fire Fighting related Video Page

All photos property of Jerry M. Malloy - Re-use by permission only.