John P. Slavin, November 8th, 1870
On Sunday morning November 6, 1870, at about 6:00 a.m. the alarm was struck for a fire at Twenty Second and Spruce Streets. John Slavin of the Reliance Fire Company was at the back of their carriage holding the brake rope. The Reliance Hose carriage was racing up Christian Street, very close to Hope Hose carriage. In the area of Thirteenth and Christian Streets a man in black cloths ran up and struck John Slavin in the head with a club of some sort. He fell to the ground. He was helped up and taken to the Fame Hose House. After the fire he was taken to his home. He suffered in pain from his wound until the evening of Tuesday the eighth when he died of his injuries.
John Slavin’s funeral was held on the morning of Friday, November 11. It was attended by his family and friends, also the members of the Reliance Fire Co. and many other fire companies. The High Mass was held at St. Theresa’s Church and he was laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
John Slavin was 26 years old, married and a Collector by trade.
An investigation was held and several men were arrested but no one was ever charged with the death of John Slaven.
** John P. Slavin was the last Philadelphia Fire Department Volunteer Fireman to die in the line of duty. Four months after his death the Volunteer Fire Department was disbanded and on March 15, 1871, the paid Philadelphia Fire Department was established and continues to this day.
John P. Slavin, November 8th, 1870
On Sunday morning November 6, 1870, at about 6:00 a.m. the alarm was struck for a fire at Twenty Second and Spruce Streets. John Slavin of the Reliance Fire Company was at the back of their carriage holding the brake rope. The Reliance Hose carriage was racing up Christian Street, very close to Hope Hose carriage. In the area of Thirteenth and Christian Streets a man in black cloths ran up and struck John Slavin in the head with a club of some sort. He fell to the ground. He was helped up and taken to the Fame Hose House. After the fire he was taken to his home. He suffered in pain from his wound until the evening of Tuesday the eighth when he died of his injuries.
John Slavin’s funeral was held on the morning of Friday, November 11. It was attended by his family and friends, also the members of the Reliance Fire Co. and many other fire companies. The High Mass was held at St. Theresa’s Church and he was laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
John Slavin was 26 years old, married and a Collector by trade.
An investigation was held and several men were arrested but no one was ever charged with the death of John Slaven.
** John P. Slavin was the last Philadelphia Fire Department Volunteer Fireman to die in the line of duty. Four months after his death the Volunteer Fire Department was disbanded and on March 15, 1871, the paid Philadelphia Fire Department was established and continues to this day.
Career History
Volunteer with the Reliance Fire Company