<p>In the mid-1880s, Victor Winfield Scott Denny (left) and Luther Burns Youngs (right) belonged to Seattle's all-volunteer fire department. Denny, the son of one of Seattle's founding fathers, David Denny, was then a student. Youngs, a carpenter, had moved to Seattle from Kentucky. In June 1889, in spite of the best efforts of Seattle's volunteer fire fighters, the Great Seattle Fire destroyed much of Seattle's business district and waterfront. The city established its paid, professional Seattle Fire Department in October 1889.
Victor W.S. Denny (1869-1921) went on to work with his father in the mining business. Luther B. Youngs (1860-1923) served as the head of Seattle's Water Department from 1895 to 1923. </p>
<p>Date note: According to a Denny family note with the photograph, Youngs arrived in Seattle in 1883, and the men are volunteer firemen. The paid, professional department dates from 1889. It is likely that this photograph was taken between 1883 and late 1889, possibly on the occasion of the two men becoming volunteer firemen.</p>
<ul><li>Subjects (LCTGM): Fire fighters--Washington (State)--Seattle; Uniforms</li></ul>
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