David Mathews, June 9th, 1857
On June 3, 1857, around midnight, fire was discovered in the Melodron Building, which was occupied as an opera house located on Chestnut Street above 6th Street. The fire was making great headway and was crossing the roofs of the adjoining buildings. A General Alarm was rung from the State House Bell.
The inferno was rapidly consuming the interior of the opera house. Firemen were on ladders in front of the building playing streams in the windows. The fire weakened the roof and it caved in, bringing the walls down with it. The firemen were able to jump clear of the collapse, except for David Matthews of the America Hose Co. He tripped on one of the rungs of the ladder and fell to the ground.
He was immediately taken to the Mayor’s Office for medical treatment. He was later transferred tothe Pennsylvania Hospital. On June 4, 1857, David Matthews was sent home to recover. He died of his injuries at 8 o’clock on June 9, 1857.
David Mathews was 35 years old, lived on Orleans Street, and left a wife and several children
David Mathews, June 9th, 1857
On June 3, 1857, around midnight, fire was discovered in the Melodron Building, which was occupied as an opera house located on Chestnut Street above 6th Street. The fire was making great headway and was crossing the roofs of the adjoining buildings. A General Alarm was rung from the State House Bell.
The inferno was rapidly consuming the interior of the opera house. Firemen were on ladders in front of the building playing streams in the windows. The fire weakened the roof and it caved in, bringing the walls down with it. The firemen were able to jump clear of the collapse, except for David Matthews of the America Hose Co. He tripped on one of the rungs of the ladder and fell to the ground.
He was immediately taken to the Mayor’s Office for medical treatment. He was later transferred tothe Pennsylvania Hospital. On June 4, 1857, David Matthews was sent home to recover. He died of his injuries at 8 o’clock on June 9, 1857.
David Mathews was 35 years old, lived on Orleans Street, and left a wife and several children
Career History
Volunteer with the America Hose Company