Allegheny County PA Archives- Obituaries: Newman, George; Finch, Willie, 09 Feb 1898 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Martha Little, , Jul 2010 Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/allegheny/ ________________________________________________ In the late evening hours of Wednesday, February 9, 1898, a fire and explosion occurred at the Union Storage building on Pike and Thirteenth streets, claiming numerous lives. The following were two of the victims. from The Pittsburgh Press dated Thursday, February 10, 1898 (page 6): William FINCH, a well known character who for the past 21 years has made his headquarters at No. 12 engine company, was reported missing at noon. He attended the fire with the company, but was not seen after midnight. He had not been at home this morning and the firemen believe that he was caught beneath the ruins. from The Pittsburgh Press dated Friday, February 11, 1898 (page 6): MISSING George NEWMAN, age 33, red hair and mustache, Brushton avenue, Thirty-seventh ward. Was employed as inspector by Philadelphia Gas company. Last seen near entrance to ice company's stables. from The Pittsburgh Press dated Saturday, February 12, 1898 (page 1): Two more bodies, those of Willie FINCH, "the little chief," and George E NEWMAN, the Philadelphia Gas company inspector, were found close together in the ruins of the Pike street fire on Mulberry alley just before 10 o'clock this morning. This made a total of 12 recovered. Both bodies were frightfully mutilated. They were removed to the morgue in the patrol wagon. The body of Willie FINCH was found first. At 9:55 the "white wings" working in the alley came across FINCH's cap. Instantly the firemen gathered around and they tenderly assisted in uncovering the body of their comrade and carrying it out of the alley. One fireman wanted to wrap the dead man's head up in his own coat. He took it off for that purpose, but the police said it was not necessary. The body cover was placed over the dead boy's remains, and he was carried into Thirteenth street where the patrol wagon was already waiting to receive it. Three minutes later the white wings came across the body of George NEWMAN. He had not been burned but the skull had been crushed in. Both bodies presented a sickening sight. The attitude of each body recovered so far has been the same. The hands are bent above the head, as if for protection from the falling wall. The finding of these two bodies so early in the day was responsible for a great increase in the crowd of spectators around the scene of the fire. The police had great difficulty in keeping the crowds back. NEWMAN's body was found tightly wedged in between several iron beams. It was removed with great difficulty. The condition of the clothing indicated that the fire had not reached it as it was not even scorched. THE LITTLE CHIEF The death of William S FINCH, known as the "Little Chief" cast a gloom over the employees at the fire company No. 12, where the young man passed all of his time. When it became known at the engine house this morning that the body had been found the engine men sat around in groups discussing the merits of their favorite. The story of the "Little Chief" is an interesting one. He was not an employee of the fire department, but as the life had always had a great fascination for him he spent much of his time among the fire laddies. His parents, who live in the rear of 2109 Carson street, at first tried to get him to give up his hobby, but it was of no avail, so they ceased to remonstrate with him. Some years ago he was left a legacy by his grandmother and he was not compelled to work for a living. For the past 14 years, he has been constantly associated with engine company No. 12 on the South Side. He was about 16 years old when he became identified with the company. He bought himself a uniform and reported for duty as regularly as if he were a member of the company. Samuel EVANS, at the time chief of the fire department, dubbed young FINCH the "Little Chief," a title which stuck to him ever afterward. Although the "Little Chief" was 30 years of age at the time of his death, he was very small for his age and did not look to be more than 17 years old. On Wednesday young FINCH went to see his sister in the East End and was on his way home when the fire occurred. He jumped on engine No. 12 at Eleventh street and rode up to the fire. He stayed around the engine a short time at the fire when he told the engineer that he was going to look after the boys. He went away and was not seen alive again. The boys in the engine house were in a very despondent frame of mind this morning. The deceased will be greatly missed. from the City of Pittsburgh Death Records: William E FINCH, age 30 years, single, honorary member of Fire Engine Company No. 12, died February 9, 1898, falling walls at fire; son of Edward and Harriet FINCH, both of England; born in Pittsburgh; lived at 2109 Casey Alley; burial in Allegheny Cemetery on February 14, 1898. George Edward NEWMAN, age 35 years, single, gas inspector, died February 9, 1898, crushed by falling walls; son of Thomas and Jane NEWMAN, he of Ireland, she of England; born in PA; lived at 520 Brushton; burial in St Mary's Cemetery on February 14, 1898. The Allegheny Cemetery site notes a burial of William Ward FINCH in 1898 in Section 23, Lot 20.