George W. Hollins
GEORGE W. HOLLINS served as a member of the Camden Fire Department for 24 years, beginning in 1908. He spent most of his career as member of Ladder Company 1.
George Hollins was born in Chester, Pennsylvania in November of 1868 to Thomas and Annie T. Hollins. The family was living at 204 Market Street in Chester when the 1880 Census was enumerated. Thomas Hollins worked as a butcher. The family also included two younger brothers, Frank and Harry Hollins.
George W. Hollins married around 1895. He first appears in Camden’s City Directories in 1897. He was working as a laborer. He lived with his wife Grace at 8 Westminster Avenue in what was then known as the Wrightsville section of the Town of Stockton. In June of 1898 a daughter, Jennie T. Hollins was born.
The Hollins family stayed at the Westminster Avenue address for another year, before moving to 47 Marlton Avenue in time for the compilation of the 1899 City Directory. Stockton was annexed by Camden in 1899, adding what is now known as East Camden and Cramer Hill to the city. The 1900 Census states that his address was then 57 Marlton Avenue.
On January 1, 1908 George Hollins was appointed to the Camden Police Department. Later that year he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. He served at Ladder Company 3 for about six years. On March 11, 1914 George Hollins was transferred from Ladder Company 3 to Ladder Company 1, replacing Edward Finley, who had died on March 5.
George W. Hollins and family moved to 51 North 25th Street in East Camden at some point not long after the compilation of the 1914 Camden City Directory.
Sadly, daughter Jennie Hollins died during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.
George W. Hollins retired from the Camden Fire Department in 1932. He lived out his days at the North 25th Street address, passing away on March 24, 1939. Services were held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in East Camden. George W. Hollins was survived by his wife Grace, who remained in the North 25th Street home through at least 1947.
Camden Increases Its Police Force
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden’s police force was increased by the appointment of twenty-five additional officers by Mayor Ellis yesterday. There were also several promotions, two new captains, two sergeants and one detective being made as follows: Captains, Edward Hyde and A. Lincoln James, advanced from sergeants; sergeants, E. B. McClong and Edward Hartman, advanced from patrolmen; detective, John Brothers, advanced from patrolman; new patrolmen. Fred Schwetzer, William Briant, Charles Hume, Charles Wilbur, Wright Cox, Walter Stanton, John Barnett, Tabor Quinn, John Gilbert, Joseph Palese, William Haines, Frederick Watson, Charles Whaland, William Kiker, James Hutt, George Krown, Ule Andrews, Daniel Stanton, Albert Archer, Harry Bakley, John Shuman, Oscar Till, Albertson Matlack, John Devlin, George Hollins, Frank Koplain, Edward King and George Beasley, substitutes.
For the past several weeks there has been much pulling and hauling of the political wires and the various ward leaders have had their own troubles in making selections. Each appointee was subjected to a regulation army examination by Dr. A. H. Lippincott before he was pronounced fit for the service. When the horses are procured, which may be by next June, six of the men will compose a mounted squad.
Fireman Caught When Wall Falls, Saved
Philadelphia Inquirer —
His Chief Has Narrow Escape at Blaze Destroying Camden Plant
One fireman was hurt, and Chief Peter B. Carter and several other members of the Camden department narrowly escaped injury by the collapse of a portion of the building while fighting flames which destroyed the old Murphy oilcloth plant at Ferry avenue and Mechanic street, yesterday afternoon. Warned by the cries of onlookers when the roof started to tumble outward the firemen fled. All got safely away with the exception of George Hollins, of No. 1 Truck Company. He was caught under a section of the roof and smoldering timbers. Fellow-firemen quickly extricated him and sent him to the Homeopathic Hospital, where he was treated for shock and lacerations of the scalp. A piece of burning plank struck Chief Carter’s helmet, but he escaped injury.
The Murphy building was burned to the ground with a loss of $10,000. It was a two-story frame structure, 75 by 22 feet. It had not been used for the making of oilcloth for several years, and did not contain any machinery. A fertilizer concern last used the building, which had been vacant for several months. The structure was owned by the Peter J. Murphy estate. Chief Carter suspects that the fire was started by boys or vagrants.
A Philadelphia fireboat went over to the Camden side to help if its services were needed, as for a time it was feared that the flames might spread to Danehower’s grocery warehouse and the Waterall paint plant. However, the flames were confined to the Murphy plant, which is a smouldering mass of ruins.
Hollins, the injured fireman, was hurt in a like manner three years ago, his right arm being badly torn. During the influenza epidemic, in the fall of 1918, his daughter died from the malady.
Hook & Ladder Company No. 1
Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 with new 1914 American LaFrance 75’, 4 cylinder aerial ladder, in front of Fire Headquarters. From Left: tillerman Bill Tatem, firemen Edward Finley, Charles Gladney, and Harry Green, Lt. Harry Anderson, Firemen George Hollins and Steward Bakley, Captain Joseph Maxwell, and driver Harry Burroughs
Fireman Dies in Explosion of Chemicals
Camden Courier —
Companion Hurt As Extinguisher Explodes at Second Street Fire
Cause of Blast Mystery to Firemen
Injured Fireman Finds Self Lying on Comrade’s Dead Body
Was Fireman Eight Months
One fireman was instantly killed and another was slightly injured when a three-gallon chemical fire extinguisher exploded in their hands while they were fighting a small fire in the home of Max Koch, 924 North Second street, shortly after 9 o’clock last night.
The dead fireman was John J. Riley, aged 34, hoseman of Engine No. 4. The injured fireman is Albert Raeuber, of the same company. Raeuber was cut about the head and stunned by the blast.
Fire on Second Floor
No. 4 company had answered a still alarm to the Koch home where an oil stove had exploded on the second floor. As the truck upon which Riley and Raeuber were riding stopped in front of the place, the two men leaped from it with the extinguisher and ran into the house. Koch met them and cried out that the fire was upstairs.
At the top landing Raeuber took the nozzle of the hose connected with the tank and turned it toward the blazing stove. Riley manipulating the tank. Hardly had the stream of chemicals struck the fire than the tank exploded.
Raeuber told Chief Patterson that the next thing he knew he was lying on top of a body. He was stunned. Turning over he recognized Riley, his face covered with blood. The tank was lying nearby.
Rush Men to Hospital
Hearing the explosion, Fireman Samuel Herring, of Engine No. 4, ran into the room in time to see Raeuber attempting to move Riley. He assisted in taking the injured man downstairs. Raeuber was bleeding badly about the head.
Both men were placed in Chief Patterson’s car and Charles Gladney, the chief’s driver, made a hurried trip to Cooper Hospital. Upon arrival it was found that Riley had died. Raeuber was given medical aid and later removed to his home at 931 Pearl street.
Riley had been a member of the fire department about eight months, having served in the navy prior to his coming to Camden. He made his home with Raeuber. He was married, his wife living in Freehold, N. J. Late last night she was reached by telephone and told that her husband had been seriously injured and made preparations to come to Camden at once.
Can’t Explain Cause
Riley was planning to bring her to Camden in the spring and had practically completed arrangements for an apartment.
Firemen today were unable to explain the cause of the explosion. From Raeuber’s version of the accident firemen could arrive at but one conclusion—that the tank was of inferior make. They pointed out that such accidents are very unusual.
Chief Carter this morning said that he was not at the fire and could not be definite in any statement pertaining to Riley’s death until a complete investigation is made.
“The kind of a fire extinguisher that Riley was using is likely to explode if they are turned on or off too quickly. Probably that is what happened in this instance,” Chief Carter explained.
Firemen Back
Camden Post-Telegram —
Vacations are now over for Chris Moll and Joseph Daly, of No. 2 Engine Company, and George Hollins and Howard Harrington, of No. 1 Truck Company.
Moll, who has been up in Maine, where he spent his time hunting, has brought back a fine collection of deer skins.
Captain William Cassion, Howard Lorange, John Strauss and Harry Burrough leave today for their long looked for vacation, which they will spend at various points of interest.
Heavy Pay Cut Fear Cause of Rush to Retire
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Highest Officer on List; Three Captains Are Included
Protective Forces Lose Their Oldest Veterans
Sixteen Vacant Places Will Be Filled Without New Appointments
Four policemen and 12 city firemen yesterday applied for pensions effective at midnight tonight. In the interests of economy, no successors will be named by the city commission.
Sudden decision of the applicants was inspired by the fact that city employes may be given a 30 percent reduction in pay equal to that of county employes. Police and firemen accepted a 10 percent reduction this year. If given an additional 20 percent their salaries would be on a pre-war basis.
They also face a possibility of further reductions in pensions if existing mandatory legislation is repealed by the Legislature, which fixes salaries of police and firemen according to the class of cities and towns. By applying now they will receive pensions on basic 1931 salaries.
The big surprise was announcement that Inspector Charles T. Humes, in charge of personnel of the police department, had applied for a pension. Inspector Humes receives a salary of $3000 yearly. By applying at this time he is eligible to a pension of one-half that amount. The $1500 yearly would be within a few hundred dollars of what he would receive if he remained on the force and accepted a 30 percent reduction in salary.
Consider Requests Today
Other policemen to ask for pensions are Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn and Detective David Hunt.
Three fire captains applying for pensions are James R. White, Harry A. Haines and William H. Miller, Jr.
The applications were filed with Mrs. Louise F. Walsh, secretary of the Police and Firemen’s Pension Fund. The pension fund commission will act on the applications today.
Inspector Humes’ retirement comes at the conclusion of a quarter century of service in the police department. He was appointed as a patrolman on Jan. 1, 1908, and six years later, on Jan. 1, 1914, was elevated to a sergeancy. He was promoted to captaincy on July 1, 1918. Then, by act of the city commission, he was made an inspector on June 23, 1927.
Pensions Awarded 6 Cops, 17 Firemen
Camden Courier-Post —
Inspector Humes Refuses to Withdraw Application in Spite of Requests
Pensions for six policemen and 17 firemen took effect with the dawn of the New Year yesterday.
Proposed Salary reductions from five to 30 percent prompted the wholesale requests for pensions which were approved Saturday at noon by the Police and Firemen’s Pension Commission, of which Mayor Roy R. Stewart is chairman.
The proceedings were delayed one hour while efforts were being made by political leaders and friends to have Inspector Charles T. Humes reconsider his application. But he refused to withdraw his application and it was approved.
Two sergeants, a city detective and four captains of the fire department were included in the list of applicants.
Sergeants Albert York and Clarence Thorn, Detective David Hunt and Fire Captains Harry Haines, John Lutts, James R. White and William H. Miller, Jr., were included among the pensioners.
Major W. Greenwood and Adrian Bateman, two patrolmen, completed the list from the police department, while the others receiving pension awards who are member of the fire department were:
Elmer Burkett, 66; Robert M. Coffman, 57; Howard E. Currie, 52; James E. Navin, 67; George W. Hollins, 64; Richard S. Marter, 60; Arthur A. Wingate, 64; Joseph T. Earnest, 63; Samuel E. Harring, 64; Andrew Miller, 73; Stewart Bakley, William K. Buzine, 63, and Daniel Grimes.
The application of Marter’s was passed, but an improviso was made by the commission which gave him the opportunity of recalling his decision but he failed to take advantage of it.
Mayor Stewart and Commissioner Bennett, both members of the commission, said they regretted so many “young men” were asking to be pensioned at this time.
Captain Lutts, 62, lives at 456 Royden street, and will receive a pension of $100 monthly. He was appointed 33 years ago.
Burkett, 66, lives at 330 North Ninth street. He was appointed to the fire department in 1907 and spent a great portion of his service at the fire station at Front and Linden streets, recently being transferred to the Vine street house. He will be pensioned at $90.65 monthly.