David Humphreys, November 30th, 1872
On Saturday, November 30th, 1872, at 1:18 PM, an alarm was struck on Box 3, 2nd & Dock Streets, for a fire located in the C.M. Stratton and Co’s Oil Stores warehouse, a 5-story brick and mansard type building located at 132 Dock street. Assistant Engineer David Humphreys was killed when the ladder upon which he was working broke, causing him to fall to his death.
At the time of his death, Assistant Engineer Humphreys was 32 years old. From all available records, he was the first member of the “paid” Philadelphia Fire Department to be killed while fighting a fire.
The cause of the fire was listed as “unknown” and the fire loss was set at $5,568.86.
Further research on David Humphrey's (added 3-28-2023)
FIRST LINE OF DUTY DEATH IN THE “PAID” PHILADELPHIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
On Saturday, November 30, 1872, an alarm was transmitted from Box 3, 2nd and Dock Streets, at 1:18 PM for a fire at the warehouse of the C. M. Stratton and Co. Oil Store. The five-story brick and mansard building was located at 132 Dock Street.
While fighting the fire, Assistant Engineer David L. Humphreys was on a forty-foot ladder with a branch pipe in his hand with four other firefighters, when it broke and he fell. He died of his injuries the next day, December 1st. Also injured was Hoseman Alfred C. Gore, Engine 22.
The funeral, at his house on December 4th, was attended by local political leaders, the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Chief of Police, Kennard Jones and many old firemen. The carriage procession to North Cedar Hill Cemetery was marshalled by Chief Engineer William H. Johnson, 40 members of the Taylor Hose Company #35, of which Humphreys was a former member, and 65 members from various companies of the paid Department.
Known as an efficient and popular officer, at the time of his death, Assistant Chief Humphreys was 32 and married. According to the records, Assistant Engineer Humphreys was the first member of the “paid” PFD to be killed while in the line of duty.
John Humphreys, also a former member of the Taylor Hose Company, was considered to replace his deceased brother as Assistant Engineer. However, the position was fulfilled by James Baxter, who later became the Chief Engineer. John Humphreys replaced Baxter as foreman of Engine 21 on January 1, 1873 and was eventually promoted to Assistant Engineer on January 1, 1884.
As a postscript, his wife, Harriet, later received a $400 gratuity from the Department with the approval of the Select and Common Councils of the City. --Bob Shea
David Humphreys, November 30th, 1872
On Saturday, November 30th, 1872, at 1:18 PM, an alarm was struck on Box 3, 2nd & Dock Streets, for a fire located in the C.M. Stratton and Co’s Oil Stores warehouse, a 5-story brick and mansard type building located at 132 Dock street. Assistant Engineer David Humphreys was killed when the ladder upon which he was working broke, causing him to fall to his death.
At the time of his death, Assistant Engineer Humphreys was 32 years old. From all available records, he was the first member of the “paid” Philadelphia Fire Department to be killed while fighting a fire.
The cause of the fire was listed as “unknown” and the fire loss was set at $5,568.86.
Further research on David Humphrey's (added 3-28-2023)
FIRST LINE OF DUTY DEATH IN THE “PAID” PHILADELPHIA FIRE DEPARTMENT
On Saturday, November 30, 1872, an alarm was transmitted from Box 3, 2nd and Dock Streets, at 1:18 PM for a fire at the warehouse of the C. M. Stratton and Co. Oil Store. The five-story brick and mansard building was located at 132 Dock Street.
While fighting the fire, Assistant Engineer David L. Humphreys was on a forty-foot ladder with a branch pipe in his hand with four other firefighters, when it broke and he fell. He died of his injuries the next day, December 1st. Also injured was Hoseman Alfred C. Gore, Engine 22.
The funeral, at his house on December 4th, was attended by local political leaders, the Board of Fire Commissioners, the Chief of Police, Kennard Jones and many old firemen. The carriage procession to North Cedar Hill Cemetery was marshalled by Chief Engineer William H. Johnson, 40 members of the Taylor Hose Company #35, of which Humphreys was a former member, and 65 members from various companies of the paid Department.
Known as an efficient and popular officer, at the time of his death, Assistant Chief Humphreys was 32 and married. According to the records, Assistant Engineer Humphreys was the first member of the “paid” PFD to be killed while in the line of duty.
John Humphreys, also a former member of the Taylor Hose Company, was considered to replace his deceased brother as Assistant Engineer. However, the position was fulfilled by James Baxter, who later became the Chief Engineer. John Humphreys replaced Baxter as foreman of Engine 21 on January 1, 1873 and was eventually promoted to Assistant Engineer on January 1, 1884.
As a postscript, his wife, Harriet, later received a $400 gratuity from the Department with the approval of the Select and Common Councils of the City. --Bob Shea
Career History
Appointed Assistant Engineer - March 15, 1871