Peter Johnson, August 22nd, 1854
Between 9 and 10 o’clock in the evening of Tuesday August 22, 1854, a large bonfire was set in the vicinity of the Fairmount Water Works. While the Good Will Hose Company was returning to their station from putting out this fire, they were attacked by a crowd outside the house of the Independence Engine Company on Spring Garden Street. The attack started with the crowd throwing stones and bricks. But soon gunshots rang out, coming from the alley and second floor of a nearby house. These shots struck two members of the Good Will Hose Company and many of the members of the Company were injured by stones and bricks.
Peter Johnson, who was on the rope, was shot in the head. He died almost instantly. The 19 or 20 year old young man lived in Lynn’s Court near Fairmount. Johnson was laid to rest in the American Mechanics Cemetery at 22nd and Diamond Streets.
When word of the incident reached the Spring Garden Police Station, a number of police officers were sent to the scene of the disorder. The police found out that after the fight all the rowdies went to the tavern of the Widow Fagan. It was said that the tavern was the headquarters of the gang. The police proceeded to the tavern and arrested all of the occupants, including the Widow Fagan.
Peter Johnson, August 22nd, 1854
Between 9 and 10 o’clock in the evening of Tuesday August 22, 1854, a large bonfire was set in the vicinity of the Fairmount Water Works. While the Good Will Hose Company was returning to their station from putting out this fire, they were attacked by a crowd outside the house of the Independence Engine Company on Spring Garden Street. The attack started with the crowd throwing stones and bricks. But soon gunshots rang out, coming from the alley and second floor of a nearby house. These shots struck two members of the Good Will Hose Company and many of the members of the Company were injured by stones and bricks.
Peter Johnson, who was on the rope, was shot in the head. He died almost instantly. The 19 or 20 year old young man lived in Lynn’s Court near Fairmount. Johnson was laid to rest in the American Mechanics Cemetery at 22nd and Diamond Streets.
When word of the incident reached the Spring Garden Police Station, a number of police officers were sent to the scene of the disorder. The police found out that after the fight all the rowdies went to the tavern of the Widow Fagan. It was said that the tavern was the headquarters of the gang. The police proceeded to the tavern and arrested all of the occupants, including the Widow Fagan.
Career History
Volunteer with the Good Will Hose Company