Mecklenburg County NcArchives News.....POWDER EXPLOSION KILLS CHIEF WALLACE---CAPT. GLENN July 2, 1914 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Danielle Mozingo danisue1970@yahoo.com December 10, 2010, 11:58 pm Charlotte Observer July 2, 1914 POWDER EXPLOSION KILLS CHIEF WALLACE---CAPT. GLENN ----- Unaware of Deadly Explosive, Firemen Struck Down at Blaze. ----- THREE OTHERS HURT ----- First Fatalities in History of Charlotte Fire Department Occurred Yesterday. ----- Chief J. H. Wallace of the city fire department and Capt. W. B. Glenn of the No. 2 station were killed yesterday morning and three other firemen, Messrs. R. T. Barnes, J. R. Erwin and C. W. Todd were more or less seriously injured as the result of the explosion of a quantity of blasting powder that had been stored in a barn belonging to Mr. John B. Hawkins, a railroad contractor, in the rear of his home on South Cedar street. The barn had caught fire and the department had been summoned to extinguish the flames. Never having been apprised of the presence of the explosives and fearing no danger, Chief Wallace, Captain Glenn and firemen Barnes, Erwin, Todd and several others had just laid a line of hose and had rushed through a double fence for the purpose of reaching the seat of fire. The hose was not quite long enough and Chief Wallace had called for a little "slack." Several of the men turned to drag up the line and this accounts for their escape. The next moment the explosion occurred. Captain Glenn was killed instantaneously and Chief Wallace was felled in his tracks and so also Firemen Barnes, Erwin and Todd. FEARFUL EXPLOSION. The force of the explosion was such that planks and scantlings were hurled like shrapnel through the walls of adjoining houses, one of these cutting the line of hose held by the men in two near the nozzle. Captain Glenn was literally riddled with splinters, one of these passing through his left chest, another breaking his left hiip, and others inflicting fearful wounds all over hid body. Both arms were broken and his head was cruelly gashed by the flying missiles. Chief Wallace was a little to one side of Captain Glenn and his worst injury was that inflicted by a scantling that splintered his right shoulder, sections of wood being driven deep into his chest. His head was also gashed in a half dozen places, both eyes being injured. Fireman Barnes received a severe cut over the eye but escaped with only a few other slight bruises. He was able to leave the hospital within an hour. Fireman Erwin was fearfully gashed by splinters about the head, face, arm and body and Fireman Todd received a fierce scalp wound, his right wrist and hand being also lacerated. WOUNDED TO THE HOSPITAL. No sooner had the explosion occurred than Assistant Chief Wentz, Hendrix Palmer, Van Duncan and G. W. Spittle who were to one side of where the wounded men lay, rushed around to learn the trouble. They saw all five of the men lying on the ground, Barnes, Erwin and Todd struggling to get away from the nearby burning rafters. They immediately rushed up, grabbed the wounded and hurried them out of the danger zone. It was seen that Captain Glenn was dead and attention was given to the injured. chief Wallace was carried into Mr. Reece Little's waiting automobile and rushed to the Presbyterian Hospital. Firemen Barnes, Todd and Erwin were likewise dispatched to the same place and surgeons were summoned. Within a few moments, a dozen doctors were on hand and the injured were given every attention. From the first, it was seen that Chief Wallace had but a fighting chance, the only hope being that his wonderful constitution would pull him through. the surgeons probed into the wound and discovered three long pieces of wood that had been driven deep into the chest. He was bleeding internally and they announced that he had only one chance in a hundred. Mr. J. A. Jones, chairman of the fire committee of the Executive Board, in whose office Chief Wallace was sitting when the alarm came in, called at the hospital and was ushered in to see him. Chief Wallace recognized him immediately and smiled. Mr. Jones bent over and whispered his regret that he did not hold him in his office instead of letting him leave. The wounded man's response was only a smile. At noon, Chief Wallace had a sinking spell and a saline solution was used to buoy him up. It was all in vain and he died at 12:25 after making a brave and determined fight for life. Captain Glenn's body had already been sent to his home. The two firement more seriously injured, namely, Messrs. Erwin and Todd will be kept at the Presbyterian Hospital until their injuries will permit of their return home. Fireman Barnes will be out in a few days. OTHERS INJURED. In addition to those seriously injured, quite a number received slight flesh wounds. Mr. Sam Mcginn, who was assisting the firemen, was struck by a flying piece of wood and the side of his face lacerated. Mr. W. H. roberts of 313 south Cedar street was stunned and Mr. W. H. Earnhardt, a clerk in J. H. Pressly's store, 300 South Cedar street, was struck on the forehead by a splinter. Several of the firemen were so badly shocked that they were unable to do anything for a moment after the explosion. The explosion, according to those standing near at hand watching the fire, was one of the fiercest imaginable, considering the amount of powder involved. "It seemed to be as though a big barrel of oil had been touched off," declared Mr. J. A. Yarbrough who was about a block distant. "I thought the earth was shaking," declared Mr. J. Q. Caldwell, who was four blocks away. quite a number of the people who had gathered to watch the fire, were thrown to the ground. WHERE EXPLOSION OCCURRED. The barn in which the fire originated, was situated in the rear of Mr. Hawkins' residence and also behind the small grovery store belonging to Mr. J. H. Braswell at 300 South Cedar street. The shock was such that several of the shelves in Mr. Braswell's store were hurled to the floor and several of the windows of nearby houses were broken. For several seconds after the explosion the air was filled with debris. There was an old stove either inside or leaning up against the burning barn. It was hurled through the wall of an adjacent stable as though shot out of a gun. One of the legs of this stove struck one of the injured firemen, probably Chief Wallace. It was lying where he fell and one end was bloody. An effort was made yesterday to secure all of the particulars about the blasting powder that had been stored in the barn or immediately adjacent thereto but nothing definite could be learned pending Mr. Hawkins' arrival. He has been engaged ona contract 15 miles from Mocksville and when notified by Mrs. Hawkins of the distressing accident, stated that he would leave immediately in order to catch a train into Charlotte. Mrs. Hawkins, in discussing the occurrence yesterday afternoon, reiterated her belief that no explosives had been left in the barn by Mr. Hawkins. She stated that he was always very careful about such things and the fact that he usually had 21 head of stock nearby would have made hima ll the mroe careful. She expressed the belief that the barn was fired by a negro who was seen by several neighbors to leave the place earlier in the morning. She added that as soon as Mr. Hawkins arrived he would make a full statement. There was no stock in the barn yesterday when the fire occurred, only a lot of fodder and supplies. CHIEF WALLACE. Chief Wallace, who has been head of the fire department since Chief w. S. Orr resigned in 1911, was 37 years of age. He is a son of Mrs. Cornelia Wallace and is survived by his mother and one brother, Mr. M. M. Wallace. For years he has lived with his mother and brother at 208 North Brevard street. He was an Elk, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Colonial Club and the Greater Charlotte Club. He was formerly assistant chief and had been chief since 1911. In the estimation of his men he has been one of the best chiefs that the local department has ever had. Quiet in manner, cool in the presence of danger and possessing nerve and judgment of the highest order, he has rendered yeoman service to the city. He never sent his men where he himself would not go and hence his mortal injury yesterday. He was in the very forefront of danger and there he met his fate. His manner of handling his men was one of the secrets of his success. It was rather significant yesterday as indicating his interest in his work that he had gone to Mr. Jones' office to consult about the remodeling of the fire station when the alarm was sounded. Instead of delaying, he jumped into Mr. T. L. Alexander's automobile and hurried to the fire. He arrived just as his men were ready to turn on the stream and he took charge of the situation just a moment before the explosion. CAPTAIN GLENN. Captain Glenn of the No. 2 station was one of the oldest firement in point of service in the employ of the city. At one time he was chief of the department and was always looked upon as one of the guiding spirits of the department. Much of the family life of the department was due to his kindly efforts. There was no man on the force more universally beloved than he. He was 50 years of age, the son of the late John Glenn, and is survived by his wife and two daughters. He lived at 202 North Myers street. He was a Pythian and an Odd Fellow. A DOUBLE FUNERAL. The funeral of the two men will take place at the Second Presbyterian Church this afternoon at 4 o'clock. It will be a firemen's double funeral and Rev. Dr. A. A. McGeachy will have charge of the service. The body of the dead chief will be placed upon the new motor fire truck at his home, 208 North Brevard street and will borne to East Trade street where it will be joined by Motor truck No. 2 with the body of Captain Glenn on it. The procession will then move up Trade to Independence Square and on to the Second Church where the principal service will be held. Immediately behind the two caskets will follow the horse and buggy that Chief Wallace drove. It will be led by one of the men and will be draped in black. The motor trucks will also be draped. While the funeral is in progress the fire bell will toll. The interment will be at Elmwood. THE PALLBEARERS. The active pallbearers will be selected from the firemen in service while the honorary pallbearers will be mayor Charles A. Bland, Executive Committeemen J. A. Jones, J. E. Morris, Col. W. W. Phifer, E. R. Smith, and Dr. J. A. Austin, Former Executive Committeemen M. M. Murphy, C. A. Williams, T. J. Davis, J. K. Wolfe, W. I. Henderson, Joe Garibaldi, J. M. Barnes, E. L. Huneycutt, e. L. Mason, J. P. Carr, W. C. McGinn, C. M. Davidson, John Beatty, Thomas Griffith, George A. Page, Dr. F. O. Hawley and Dr. Adam Fisher. MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE. Messages of condolence were received yesterday from various sections of the country. Mr. James McFalls, chief of the fire department at Roanoke and secretary of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, wired a message of sympathy and also forwarded a floral design. Mr. E. L. Welant of the American LaFrance Company sent sympathy and also the chiefs in Rome, Ga., Rock Hill, S. C., Savannah, and other points. One of the most valued of these was that from President J. d. McNeill of Fayetteville, of the North Carolina State Firemen's Association. He wired as follows: "Will arrive in the morning over the Seaboard and have asked all representative chiefs to join me in attending the funeral. Please have florist to prepare suitable design to our comrades." This telegram was signed "North Carolina State Firemen's Association, by J. d. McNeill, president." The members of Charlotte Lodge, No. 392 B. P. O. E. will attend the funeral in a body. They are asked to gather at the hall at 3 o'clock. It is desired that all former call firement who served under the dead men also attend the funeral this afternoon. Mayor Bland has also asked all city officials to meet at the city hall at 3:30 to attend the funeral in a body. It is also desired that as many stores in the city close during the hour of the funeral in token of respect to the dead fire chiefs. Former Assistant Chief W. S. Charles yesterday kindly consented to remain in charge of the station while the men are attending the funeral. he will be assisted by squads from the police and health departments. Mayor Bland announced yesterday that the city hall would be closed the greater part of today as a mark of respect for the men who had given their lives in the service of the municipality. The three stations will also be draped in black and will remain so for a designated period. FIRST FATALITY. This is the first fatality in the history of the city fire department. Firemen had suffered minor injuries but never before hs there been a life lost. In this instance, not only has a life been lost but the chief and the captain of one of the stations have been killed and three of the men painfully hurt. The effect upon the men yesterday was manifest. They appeared stunned and while they went about their accustomed duties, they seemed to be bearing upon their shoulders a great burden. The department has always been a big family, the men being knit together by close ties of friendship and esteem and the knowledge of dangers jointly shared. As much so as any other organization in the city, the men have always stood shoulder to shoulder and the death of their leader in the pursuit of their common duty has been a sharp blow to them. Mayor Bland and other city officials yesterday paid high tribute to the efficiency and worth of Chief Wallace, Captain Glenn and the other members of the department. Mayor Bland declared that the city had no more loyal or worthy officials than Chief Wallace and Captain Glenn and that it was a sharp blow to him personally and officially to lose their services. Others in the city's services paid similar tributes. STORAGE OF EXPLOSIVES. Hardly had the wounded been cared for yesterday when an investigation was ordered with reference to the storage of explosives in the city. It was found that quite a number of concers and also individuals had explosives about their premises, either in their places of business or at their homes. Gasoline was discovered to be very prevalent and several concerns had dynamite and blasting powder stored on hand. A big iron box of dynamite with a canister of caps was observered just in the rear of the improvised fire station in the rear of the Charlotte Hotel. This was the property of the Smith-Wadsworth Company and was sitting just outside the door of the warehouse belonging to that concern. Several other concerns also had explosives on hand. In every case of powder or dynamite however there were iron containers but in the event of a big fire, it was stated that these containers would render little real service. There was much danger from gasoline, benzine and other explosive liquids. THE LAW. As to the storage of dynamite or other explosives in the city, Section 243 of the City Code reads as follows: "No person or persons shall keep or suffer to be kept in his or their store or in any house within the city limits more than one keg of gunpowder or blasting powder. Any person violating this section shall, on conviction, be subject to a penalty of $50." There was much feeling manifested yesterday as a result of the carelessness in having this blasting powder lying where it was. To this is directly due the death of the two firemen and the injury of the others. It is stated that the city officials will shortly issue a statement calling upon all citizens to inspect their premises with a view to preventing a repitition of such an occurrence. Asks Stores to Close. Mayor Charles A. Bland last night, in his official capacity, made request for all the stores in the city to close at 4 o'clock this afternoon and remain closed during the funeral at the Second Presbyterian Church. This will require about 30 minutes. It is desired that all merchants accede to this request. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/mecklenburg/newspapers/powderex646gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ncfiles/ File size: 16.7 Kb