“This is a tale of a cat. Of a cat with a tail fourteen inches long. It is a true tale. It is vouched for by a fireman, a policeman and the appearance of the cat. A woman, a basket, a hole in a ceiling, a doctor and some medicine also figure into the tale.”—The New York World, January 5, 1894
Archive for the ‘FDNY Horses/Mascots’ Category
1894: Dan, the Miraculous Shrinking Cat of FDNY Engine Company 40
Posted: 7th February 2021 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Mascots, Cat Men, FDNY Horses/MascotsTags: Cats of Old New York, Engine Company No. 40, FDNY history, FDNY mascots, Fort Washington Engine Company, Francis Casey, New York City History
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1895: Tootsy, the Feline Firefighter of Engine Company 27
Posted: 29th January 2021 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Mascots, Cat Men, FDNY Horses/MascotsTags: 173 Franklin Street, Cat Men of Gotham, Cats of Old New York, Engine Company No. 27, FDNY history, New York City History
Tootsy was the beloved feline firefighter of Engine Company 27 on Franklin Street in Lower Manhattan. Born on the Fourth of July in 1895, Tootsy reportedly loved the smell of smoke as much as she treasured a fresh-caught mouse.
1907: Frank, Shamrock, and the 1,000 Horses of the New York City Workhorse Parade
Posted: 27th January 2021 by The Hatching Cat in FDNY Horses/Mascots, Horse TalesOn May 30, 1907, nearly 1,000 work horses who carted produce and lumber and garbage and firefighting equipment and prisoners finally had their day in the sun—and a chance to shine for the people of New York City. For on this Memorial Day, they were all invited to participate in the first annual New York City Work Horse Parade.
1893: Robert Bruce MacMurray, the Horse-Saving Fire Dog of the FDNY
Posted: 12th October 2020 by The Hatching Cat in Dog Heroes, FDNY Horses/Mascots, Horse TalesTags: FDNY history, fire dog, fire horses, James MacMurray, Robert Bruce MacMurray
When James MacMurray left his position as herdsmen of a large New Jersey stock farm in 1893 to become a member of the New York Fire Department, he brought along his constant companion, Robert Bruce, a well-trained black and tan “sheep dog.” The two-year-old collie was trained to herd sheep, so he had a lot to learn about herding fire horses in city traffic. His training paid off in a big way…
1904: Mrs. Herman, the Monkey Mascot of Engine Company No. 31 on Lafayette Street
Posted: 7th September 2018 by The Hatching Cat in Cat Mascots, Dog Mascots, FDNY Horses/MascotsTags: 87 Lafayette Street, Engine Company No. 31, FDNY history, firehouse mascots, New York City History
Engine Company No. 31 and No. 1 Tower Company, which shared headquarters in the famous castle-like firehouse at 87 Lafayette Street, broke the FDNY rules by having not only one feline and one canine mascot, but also a mascot from the primate family.
