Fire Department Series - 3 by Pete Zizka 8-3-2024

In December, 1900, there was great interest as to whether or not Chief Engineer Leonard would be re-appointed by Mayor Grant. Then, an anonymous article was published that supported former Chief Flynn (who had served as Chief for two years). It was widely believed that the source was a Democratic councilman. But a newspaper editorial claimed that the editorial could lead, “the public to believe that in 1899 when Mayor Grant deposed Chief Flynn and appointed the present Chief he had appointed an inexperienced chief”. More newspaper articles now rushed to Leonard’s defense and said that “the facts are the reverse”. Flynn was not experienced and Leonard was both experienced and efficient”. One article said that, “in twenty-five years, no chief was ever deposed until democratic Mayor Tanner turned Chief Leonard out of the position. His act was purely a political one. The article went on to lambast the Democrats saying, “their motto seems always to be ‘no Republican in office’ “. Grant reappointed Leonard as Chief in 1901, 1902 and 1903. However, In December, 1903, Oscar O. Tanner was back in office.  Prior to Tanner making his appointments of department heads, the members of the Montgomery Hose Company had “taken action” and sent a committee to the Mayor-Elect asking him to name Donohue as Chief. Donohue had been very vocal about his desire to get the position. He was a long-time member of Montgomery Hose, had been Company Foreman and had served as one of the department’s Assistant Engineers. Chief Leonard was, by all accounts, was “performing the duties of his office in a thoroughly satisfactory manner”. However, Donohue and several other Democrats were seeking the position which, at the time, paid $400 per year. But, once again, Tanner removed Leonard as Chief and then appointed James S. Donohue as Chief. During his years a member of the department and as Chief, Leonard had built up a great deal of good will in the department and the community. Even amidst the inter-company rivalry to have a company member as Chief, no member of any company spoke negatively of him. Over the years though, several dubious stories regarding Leonard appeared. One of them, which a newspaper story said was “imaginative”, came about in 1902 and claimed that Chief Leonard and his friends were looking to get Police Captain Richmond’s job and were responsible for a complaint against Richmond. At that time, the head of a police department was called Captain rather than Chief. Richmond had already reached legendary status in Willimantic as Chronicle articles reported his every exploit. But in September, 1902, the city council received an anonymous complaint that Richmond had received part of the reward money given for the arrest and conviction of poultry thieves. In their October meeting, the Council passed a resolution that said it, “expresses unqualified disapproval of the act…and censures Captain Richmond”. Then, a newspaper story stated that, “Chief Leonard and his friends are above resorting to any such methods (to remove Richmond)…and no one has ever heard of Chief Leonard or any of his friends say that he wanted the Captain’s place or would take it if it were offered to him.” Leonard’s immense popularity in the department and the city had been demonstrated in 1896 when he attended a firefighters convention in Salt Lake City. The night he left by train, “was a glorious one for firemen and their guests”. They formed a procession in front of the Bank Street headquarters, attached a long rope to a wagon, “and the Willimantic fire laddies literally dragged Leonard to the depot”. Fireworks and “red fire galore” highlighted the occasion. The carriage was brought up onto the platform to the waiting room door, “and the popular Mister Leonard shook hands for half an hour until the train came in.  He then thanked everyone who attended and started for New York. The next day, the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company met in their rooms at the firehouse to make preparations for the reception of Chief Leonard when he returned to the City from the convention. click on photo for larger version

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