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David Colbreth Broderick
The Gravesite of David C. Broderick
Lone Mountain Cemetery

BOARD OF DELEGATES, OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

1854 August 9
In part

The Board of Delegates of the Fire Department met on Wednesday evening in their Chambers in the City Hall, it being their regular monthly meeting, Chief Engineer Duane presiding. A communication was received from the proprietors of the Lone Mountain Cemetery, tendering the Department, a certain quantity of land for funeral purposes, as follows :

Office of Lone Mountain Cemetery,

August 9, 1854.

To the Board of Delegates of The San Francisco Fire Department :

Gentlemen— It is with great pleasure that we comply with a request of the proprietor, of the Lone Mountain Cemetery, Messrs. Nathaniel Gray, William H. Ranlett, and Frank B. Austin, by informing you that they have selected a plot of ground m the same, containing 10 2-3 full sized Cemetery Lots, which they intend as a present to the Fire Department of San Francisco, as a token in appreciation of the valuable services of its members and to furnish a rural resting piece for those of your noble band who may be called away by the fell destroyer death. To consummate the above we request that a Committee be appointed to meet the proprietors at as early a day as convenient, to inspect the plot, after which a deed of the same will be presented to the Department.

With sentiments of the highest esteem, we remain gentlemen, yours very truly.
For the Board of Trustees,
David S. Turner, President.
P. B. Austin, Secretary
Source: Daily Alta California, Volume 5, Number 221, 11 August 1854 — Board of Directors, of The Fire Department [ARTICLE]

1862 September 24
Construction of  the Broderick Monument in the Lone Mountain Cemetery was begun.

1863 February 22  
The Monument cornerstone is laid by Governor Stanford.

DEDICATION OF THE FIREMEN’S PLOT.

1866 December 2

The members of Broderick Engine Company, No. 1, will assemble at the house of Monumental, No. 6, at one p. m. to-day, in citizen's dress, to proceed to Lone Mountain Cemetery and formally dedicate the plot assigned to their Company in the Firemen's Lot. The band of the Second United States Artillery will furnish music for the occasion, and the exercises preceding the unveiling of the monument recently erected by the Company, will be appropriate to the occasion. Should the weather be pleasant a large assembly will be present.
Source: Daily Alta California, Volume 18, Number 7008, 2 December 1866 — CITY ITEMS. [ARTICLE]

UNVEILING OF BRODERICK’S COMPANY MONUMENT

1866 December 2
Amongst the more imposing and interesting ceremonies attendant on the disbanding of the Volunteer Fire Department, of San Francisco, those served in the Lone Mountain Cemetery grounds, yesterday, are entitled to especial mention.

Besides the inauguration of the Statue of Lafayette, mentioned elsewhere, the unveiling the monument in the plot of Broderick Engine Company, No. 1, was an occasion of solemn interest.

According to previous arrangement, the members of this Company assembled at Monumental Engine Company’s house, on the Plaza, at 2 p. m., yesterday, and thence, in citizens' dress, marched to the Turk street cars. At the head of the procession marched Chief Engineer Scannell, Fire Marshal Durkee, Foreman of the Broderick. Marcus Harris, and the splendid Band of the Second Artillery, which furnished exquisite music for the occasion. The cortege arrived in the Cemetery at 3 o'clock, and moved directly to the Firemen’s Plot, situated in a central and elevated portion of the grounds. Here had assembled large concourse of persons, some pedestrians, and other seated in carriages. In the centre of the plot assigned to the Broderick Company stands the monument, an imposing and symmetrical structure of marble. The base, solid and square, is handsomely carved, and the words “Broderick," and "one," cut on either side. Above are the epitaphs of the deceased members of the Company. On the north face of the base are the words "Organized June 4th, 1850." and "Disbanded December 2d, 1866." On the south face appear these words, " Name changed from Empire, October 7. 1859.” The pedestal, or shaft is surmounted by a female figure in an altitude of grief—a " Niobe (sic) all tears. This bust is most elaborately and exquisitely carved. The effect at the unveiling of the monument was very fine.

The exercise commenced with a dirge by the band, after which Foreman Harris called upon Chief Engineer Scannell, himself the Foreman of the Company, and Mr. McLaughlin, another member, to unveil the statue. The resolutions passed by the Board of Supervisors complementary to the Volunteer Fire Department, were read, as also the report of the final proceedings the Company, by the Secretary, J. Carson. Edward B Cotter, late Foreman of the Company then advanced and delivered

THE ORATION.

We deeply regret our inability to give, as we intended this address in extensor. It was an exceedingly meritorious production, and was listened to with intense interest. He commenced is saying that we were assembled for laudable purpose -- the fulfillment of an acknowledged obligation. Today we have the consummating a scared trust, and exhibiting a glorious example. We are saying to the world the memory of noble men and deeds lives after the deeds are apparently forgotten in the exciting rush of daily struggle. We are presenting an inducement to all around us to live useful lives, that they may secure posthumous honors which should ever be accorded to all our kind worthy of them. We are here to pay a tribute of respect to our dead fellow-members. The speaker next eloquently descanted on the dauntless courage and eulogized the five lamented comrades whose memory was this day commemorated.

The speaker next gave a brief recapitulation of facts bearing on the history of the Broderick Company, and then he passed on to pay a beautiful to the dead Senator alter whom the Company was named, and by whom it was founded.

Mr. Cotter next alluded to the abolishing of the Volunteer Department and the immediate inauguration of the Paid Fire Department. In this connection he said:

“ When the midnight bells toll forth the close of this day, after an existence of nearly seventeen years, what was the empire, and is now the Broderick Engine Company No. 1, ceases to be a distinct organization. Proud of our past record, jealous of our future fame, no member of our Company has sought office at the hands of the Fire Commission. Ready at all times to peril our lives and health for the protection of the lives and property of our fellow-citizens, no mercenary motive has swayed us in bygone days, and no temptations of emolument will seduce us from our enviable independence now.

“ While we deem the experiment of a Paid Fire Department dangerous to the welfare, of community, we, as citizens. are disposed to lend encouragement to the reformation and contribute, as far as possible, to its success.

“ Not only so, but we would urge all our follow firemen belonging to other Companies to do likewise. We would conjure them to banish all jealousies and heart burnings, and on occasions to lend the advantage of their experiences of firemen’s duties.

“ Let them not smirch their present fair excutchtion by any sin of omission or commission. Wherever and whenever the inexperienced recruits who are to step into the shoes of the burned and scarred veterans require this advice be given freely, and that assistants of their predecessors, let that advice

Given freely, and that assistances be promptly rendered. By such conduct the respect and esteem of our fellow citizens which now accompanies us in our retiracy will be increased and perpetuated.

Such disinterested magnanimous as those just given admirably illustrated the mode elements, which compound the late Volunteer Fire Department of San Francisco.

In concluding his excellent oration, the speaker said:

“ Processed of an unsullied reputation in the past as firemen, let us each and every one strive to pursue such as course as will forever cause the citizens of San Francisco to point with well-founded pride to our Company, which has passed away. Let our future conduct be a fitting sequel to that which has gone before, and it will in years to come be deemed an honor to the best citizen in any community to be known as one who was once a member of Broderick Engine Company, No. 1."

The oration concluded, the band executed less lugubrious strains than before, after which the long procession defiled through the circuitous avenues of the cemetery, and departed from the City of the Dead, mingle again with things of the City of Living.
Source: Daily Alta California, Volume 18, Number 7009, 3 December 1866

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