Deposition June 24th, 1897 Albert S. Norton
67 yrs of age 355 4th St. Jersey City, NJ
Occupation: Paper hanger.
I was a member of co. D 21st NJ vols. – was never in any other service. Since my service I have worked for myself except when in the Fire Dept. I was appointed in the Fire Dept. of Jersey City, NJ, November 1875, as truckman, and was there until the Spring election – April 1877. It was a political appointment. The Republicans were in power in this city in 1875. I being a Republican was appointed for what I had done for the party, and I was discharged or dismissed in 1877 for being a Republican as the Democrats came into power in this city Spring election of 1877.
Q: Was a physical examination required?
A: No sir, nothing whatever. I was named and went on duty that night. Never had any medical or any kind of examination. Politics counted for everything in those days and I was then a seohob(?) one in politics.
Chief Henry E. Farrier is dead. George Moredock, captain No. 1 Warren St. Engine House.
Wm. Lautier – No. 5 Engine House – 5th St. between Cole and Jersey Ave.
These men were in the Fire Dept. with me. They knew me before I went into the Dept. and knew my condition.
In 1877 I was dismissed on account of my being a Republican and in about 1880 I again got in the Jersey City Fire Dept. as tillerman of No. 2 truck, the Republicans again getting into power. I was not examined physically. As far as medical examinations, such a thing was not known in those days. I was again dismissed in 1882, but this time it was because my rheumatism had become so bad that I became perfectly unable to fill my place and had to be dropped on account of being unfit for duty.
John L. Denmead (?) asst. chief engineer Jersey City Fire Dept. and the men I give you before can testify as to how I was in this my last Fire Dept. service. Since you were here I have been in bed over 2/3 of the time with rheumatism in both legs, left arm and all over the left side. I am fast going down. Waste all the time(?). I understand the questions and my answers are correctly recorded.
Albert S. Norton