. These old-fashioned
machines have given place to the modern fire fighter, the steam engine.
But of all of these banished organizations, No. 3 will be the longest
remembered. Upon her roll were the names of some of Wilmington's best
citizens. In the year 1873 this company, too serviceable to be
disbanded, was reorganized under the name of "Cape Fear Engine Company,"
and presented by the city with a handsome steam engine of that name. And
although the Germans had replaced their hand pump by costly steamer, and
a company had been organized among the aristocracy, this colored company
kept and maintained the reputation of being the best fire fighters in
the city, and second to none in the entire State. Upon the walls of
their engine house hung trophies for superior firemanship won in nearly
every city in the State. The insurance companies of the city recognized
their value as savers of property, and upon more than one occasion made
them valuable presents. Only men of good repute who could "stand the
gaze of an honest eye" were eligible to membership in the Cape Fear Fire
Company, and he who aspired to leadership must be efficient both in
character and experience as a fire fighter. I write the above that the
reader may know what manner of man this was who was compelled to leave
his home, his wife and little ones and flee for his life. Captain
Nicholas McDuffy was at one time foreman of the Cape Fear Engine
Company. McDuffy came to Wilmington a rough country lad, secured
employment, went to work, saved his money, bought property and became a
citizen of note and respectability. He joined the engine company and
rose like a meteor to its foremost rank. The relations between the races
in the South have always been such that it requires a Negro of Spartan
courage to face a white man and return blow for blow, it matters not how
righteous may be his cause. Captain Nicholas McDuffy was a man without
fear. Two or three years ago, while a member of the police force of
Wilmington, it became his duty to arrest some white roughs for
disorderly conduct. It was a hazardous undertaking, but McDuffy waded in
and landed his men, but it cost him dear. His body was so hacked by
knife thrusts that he was compelled to go to the hospital for repairs.
Generally policemen are commended and rewarded for such heroic deeds,
but this placed the name of Nicholas McDuffy upon the death list. A
Negro officer must not presume to arrest a white man. There were