For a time it was under the Metropolitan poHce ; but by an act of the Legislature, passed in 1S71, it was set off and formed a department of its own, consisting of four commissioners, appointed by the Mayor -- one each year for four years term ; one captain, two sergeants, two seniors, two roundsmen, and eighteen men. There are nine signal telegraph stations with head quarters, besides telephones. The first commissioners were Chas. R. Dusenberr)', R. W. Cobb, Joseph Reene, Dennis McGrath.

An act to provide water for the city of Yonkers was passed Feb. 28th, 73, and amended in ' 74 by the Legislature, and for the building of a reservoir. The first commissioners were Dand Hawley, Peter P. Getty, R. Eickemeyer, P. White, and S Barker. Hawley and Barker resigned, and J. H. Knox and Chas. H. Hamilton were appointed to fill the vacancy. Wm. AV. Wilson was appointed engineer.

The fire department consists of a chief engineer, two assistants, 259 members, of Engine, Hose, and Hook and Ladder companies. There are three principal hotels -- the Getty House, Yonkers Plotel, and Peab^dy House.

The city is lighted by gas. There are several very large factories. It has some handsome buildings, and seventeen churches -- three Protestant Episcopal, three Presb>-terian, one Reformed, two Baptist, two Methodist, two Roman Catholic, one Unitarian, one German, one African,

a Vauder Doack's >'. N., N. Y. Hist. Soc. p. Ser. i. 142.

630 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER

Zion church, and one Messiah, Colored Baptist, and fivo Union Freeschools.