James Clayton, March 3rd, 1884

At 5:40 PM on Saturday, February 16th, 1884, an alarm was sounded on Box 67, Broad and Callowhill Streets for a fire in the E. Lathbury flour warehouse, a four-story building located on the south side of Vine Street, west of Broad Street. Fire spread to 1416 Vine Street, a 3-story brick building occupied by E. Leeds Grocery, 1418 Vine Street, a 3-story liquor store occupied by J. Reilly, SWC Broad and Vine Streets, a three-story flour and feed warehouse, and 250 to 256 North Broad Street, three story brick buildings.

A second alarm was sounded at 5:58 PM. The cause of the fire was listed as “boilers” and the fire loss set at $90,120.28.

At 8:02 AM on Wednesday, February 20th 1884, four days later, Box 67, Broad and Callowhill was again struck for a “rekindling of a former warehouse fire” located in the E. Lathbury flour warehouse. While working on the second fire, Foreman James Clayton, Engine 18, was seriously injured by a falling wall. Less than one month later, on March 3rd, 1884, he died of his injuries.

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James Clayton, March 3rd, 1884

At 5:40 PM on Saturday, February 16th, 1884, an alarm was sounded on Box 67, Broad and Callowhill Streets for a fire in the E. Lathbury flour warehouse, a four-story building located on the south side of Vine Street, west of Broad Street. Fire spread to 1416 Vine Street, a 3-story brick building occupied by E. Leeds Grocery, 1418 Vine Street, a 3-story liquor store occupied by J. Reilly, SWC Broad and Vine Streets, a three-story flour and feed warehouse, and 250 to 256 North Broad Street, three story brick buildings.

A second alarm was sounded at 5:58 PM. The cause of the fire was listed as “boilers” and the fire loss set at $90,120.28.

At 8:02 AM on Wednesday, February 20th 1884, four days later, Box 67, Broad and Callowhill was again struck for a “rekindling of a former warehouse fire” located in the E. Lathbury flour warehouse. While working on the second fire, Foreman James Clayton, Engine 18, was seriously injured by a falling wall. Less than one month later, on March 3rd, 1884, he died of his injuries.

Career History

Appointed Hoseman Engine 18 - April 2, 1875

Promoted to Foreman Engine 18 - April 1, 1877