John Chapman on an earlier, happier (?) occasion. Italics are in the original.
Foundry Yard can be seen in the map that I linked to in reply #15, across Walmgate from St Dennis Church at the top of St Dennis Street.
30 July 1836: Yorkshire Gazette
THE LATE FIRE IN WALMGATE.
To the Editor of the Yorkshire Gazette.
SIR, Observing in the York Courant, of yesterday, a letter signed by five persons, firemen to the York and North of England Assurance Office, stating that they were in the foundry yard as soon as they could get their clothes on after being called up, and before the Yorkshire engine came to the gate, being ready to give what help they could before their engine came, which others had gone to fetch; I think it right to state that I was on the spot from first to last, and that not a single fireman from any office was admitted into the yard until all the danger was at an end; Mr. Swales and his assistant, Turner, the firemen of the Yorkshire Office, having their engine at the gate, were then admitted to see that all was right; but not one of the firemen of the York and North of England Ofice was in the yard, either during the fire or for an hour after it was extinguished. After that space of time, I met two of the York and North of England men, whose names are to the letter, coming from Fossgate towards Walmgate, and actually taunted them, in joke, with being so tardy in their attendance. This was the first I saw of any of their establishment on the occasion–the fire having been then extinguished upwards of an hour—and it was impossible for them to have been in the yard or about the premises without my knowledge. This is a plain statement of fact; and how the five firemen could, under these circumstances, put their names to the letter in question, is more than I can conceive–the assertion it contains being totally contrary to the truth. I have no connex. ion with either Fire Office, and have no object whatever to answer, but that truth should prevail.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
JOHN CHAPMAN, Cork Cutter, Walmgate.
York, Friday, 29th July.
