Page:History of West Hoboken NJ.djvu/10



MY DEAR READER:—

At one time there existed in this town an organization which styled itself the "Firemen's Monument Association of West Hoboken." This association was composed of delegates from each one of our Town Fire Companies, and I was one who represented Protection H. and L. Co. No. 3.

The object of the aforesaid association was to raise funds with which to erect a monument in our Town Park to the memory of our deceased Firemen. Various ways and means were tried to collect enough funds for this object, but somehow or other our efforts were not always crowned with the success necessary to infuse enough life in the members to "push along" the scheme, and interest in the object began to lag.

One evening at a meeting, a motion was made to hold a Fair, and in connection therewith to issue a souvenir history of the Fire Department and the town in general; and also to publish various interesting views of our town in this souvenir.

I immediately volunteered to write up a sketch of the town's career, and the next day I began in earnest on the work. At first I meant only to write a short sketch, but gradually I kept on adding more and more, until I had quite a history, which I was certain would be the means of piling up large amounts of cash for the monument. When, as usual, the meetings of the Monument Association became smaller and smaller, until we could not muster together a quorum, it was seen that nothing could save the organization, and to settle it once for all we disbanded.

This left me with the history on my hands. I had spent so much time on it that it seemed like a pity to let it lie unprinted in my desk, and I resolved that I would publish it myself, and accordingly I made arrangements with my friend Lehne to furnish the illustrations. It is in this manner that I have come before you in the role of a writer, and aside from the interest I take in our old town, I submit the following pages to you. First, because West Hoboken was at one time part of one of the oldest settlements in America. Second, because no record of facts concerning the early settlement of this town has ever been printed, and I am of the opinion that such record and facts will make interesting reading for our old