Battalion Chief John P. Howe - Fire Department of New York

Chief John P. Howe wore eleven stars on his sleeve, and each star tells a story of heroism and bravery. Newspapers wrote of the feats he performed and to the city of New York,Howe was their hero. Born June 24, 1869, in County Cork, to Patrick J. Howe and Elizabeth (Elias) Brandy, the family immigrated to America from Enniskillen, Ireland, county of Fermanagh. On April 4, 1872, the family left Londonderry to journey to the United States. Howe worked in the field of journalism than decided to join the Fire Department in 1889, rising in the ranks, and by 1903, at 37 years of age, was promoted to Battalion Chief of the Department. In 1904, at 1:04 a.m. he received a call from Chief Kruger to advance with nine (double) companies to Baltimore. A fire was out of control, and the city was burning to the ground. The men met at the tugboat believing there was a ferry fire. Unbeknown to the unprepared firefighters, orders were given to board the ferry and prepare for the trip. [This is my great-grandfather's story.]

Black and white photos of Chief Howe with fellow firefighters, rescues, steam engines, and fires. Photos are late 18th and early 19th century. Printed on white, gloss paper and enclosed in albaster mat with white core board. See catalog

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