Senate Resolution No. 3739

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 175th Anniversary of The
Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 175th
Anniversary of The Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One and to
honor its past and present firefighting members for 175 years of fire
protection to the citizens of Goshen, New York, and its surrounding
communities; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated at a special
event on Saturday, March 3, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Fire departments are an integral part of community
protection services in every locality of our State; during the past 175
years, the courageous and devoted firefighters of The Cataract Engine &
Hose Company Number One have valiantly responded to all types of fire
emergencies and have won the praise and respect of the community which
they serve; and

WHEREAS, In 1843, The Cataract Engine & Hose Company was the first
fire company established in Goshen, New York, after two serious blazes
virtually destroyed several Main Street buildings in the area today
known as Lawyer's Row; and

WHEREAS, On August 29, 1843, Company Number One, originally named
Goshen Hook & Ladder Co., accepted its first 10 men, under the helm of
Foreman Joseph D. Pardee; and

WHEREAS, One month later, the Company purchased its first fire
truck, a hand-pulled and pumped black and gold beauty, resplendent with
hand-carved wooden Indians; and

WHEREAS, On January 2, 1844, the Company was renamed Orange Fire
Company Number One; after a period of dwindling membership and interest
due to few fires, the Company reorganized, and became The Goshen Fire
Company on June 8, 1849; and

WHEREAS, At this time, First Assistant Foreman L.I. Winans,
Secretary S.H. Strong, Treasurer Wm. Sayer and Steward A. Payne were
installed as new officers; and

WHEREAS, After the Company's pumper broke down in 1855, it was
replaced by a new hand-operated truck named Cataract; the firemen loved
the name so much they decide to call themselves The Cataract Engine Co.
in 1856; and

WHEREAS, In 1857, The Cataract Engine Co. finally moved into their
first firehouse, a wood frame structure near the site of the present
Main Street station; and

WHEREAS, In 1866, at the Village's request, the Cataracts absorbed
the Protection Hose Co. and the new company became known as The Cataract
Engine & Hose Company Number One - Goshen, NY; and


WHEREAS, With the creation of additional fire companies in 1871 and
1873, Goshen Fire District created an additional office, Chief Engineer;
on December 18, 1871, when Rescue Hook & Ladder Co. was formed, Charles
Elliott, a Cataract, was appointed the department's first Chief; and

WHEREAS, Through the next decade, the Company created the executive
positions of President, Wm. H. Wyker, and Chaplain, Robert Bruce Clark;
in addition, a Financial Secretary, M. Lundy, and Second Assistant
Foreman, John Dougherty were added to the line officer staff; in 1923,
the Foreman and his assistants officially changed their titles to
Captain, First Lieutenant, and Second Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, The Cataracts flourished under President Wyker's luminous
leadership, and by 1891, they purchased new dress uniforms; on October
6, 1892, the smartly dressed and thoroughly drilled Cataract Co.,
accompanied by the Goshen Cornet Band, marched in a parade in Newton,
New Jersey; to this day, all three Goshen Fire Companies
enthusiastically carry on this proud marching tradition; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, the Cataract Company purchased and donated a 7,000
gallon tanker powered by a Mack "Maxidyne" tractor to the Goshen Fire
District; the tanker significantly improved fire protection in outlying
areas not serviced by water mains; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Cataracts continue to serve the Goshen community
in their new firehouse on Green Street; and

WHEREAS, With a membership of dedicated firefighters, the record of
Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One in public service and fire
protection is one to be envied; for 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year,
for 175 years, whenever the alarm sounded, these noble volunteers left
their homes and went to the aid of their neighbors; and

WHEREAS, The brave firefighters of Cataract Engine & Hose Company
Number One are prepared to risk their lives every day to help save the
lives of others and to protect homes and property from the destruction
caused by fire; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the skill and devoted service demonstrated
by individual firefighters, Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One
reflects the history and development of firefighting over the past 175
years; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude
to those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility
their own by serving as firefighters; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that we should
give special recognition to those who work so assiduously for the
betterment of their communities, and acknowledge publicly the heroic
good works performed by the volunteer fire departments of this great
Empire State, their officers and auxiliaries; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
proudly commemorate the 175th Anniversary of Cataract Engine & Hose
Company Number One; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Cataract Engine & Hose Company Number One.