A. The torches were first. By Senator Yutzy: Q. In what manner did the mob interfere with your men? A. They would not let them get to the fire. Q. They stopped your men? A. Yes; they just got ahead in front of the horses and caught the horses by the head, and swore they would shoot the drivers if they would go any further. Q. But they did not assault your men? A. They interfered in every way they could. One of our men caught a man going along with a sword-cane punching holes in the hose, and he knocked him down, and took it away from him. They have that cane now. Q. Did you not have one of your fire engines in position to play on the fire when the police offered to protect you from the mob, but your men did not then play on the fire? A. The chief engineer can tell you that. I was not present when that occurred. * * * * * Samuel M. Evans, _sworn with the uplifted hand_: By Mr. Lindsey: Q. Where do you reside? A. At 190 Fourth avenue. Q. What was your official connection with the fire department in July last? A. I was the chief engineer. Q. How long have you occupied that position? A. Since last May. I was the assistant chief for two years, and the engineer of a company before that, and the foreman of a company before that. I then resigned for sometime, and was then elected engineer afterwards, and was then elected assistant chief engineer, and then elected chief. Q. State when the first alarm of fire was given? A. On Saturday night, about eleven o'clock. Q. From whence did the fire proceed--what part of the city? A. The corner of Twenty-sixth and Penn streets--it was there the box struck. Q. What did you do?