John H. Lutts Sr.
John H. Lutts Sr. — circa 1900, circa 1914, and circa 1933
JOHN HUNTSMAN LUTTS was born on April 5, 1870 in New Jersey, to George W. Lutts and his wife Anna. The 1880 Census shows the family on Fillmore Street in Camden's Eighth Ward, and reveals George Lutts worked as a printer. The family then included two daughters, Mary and Sarah, and George Lutts' mother lived with them. The family remained in the Eighth Ward into the mid-1890s. The 1890–1891 City Directory shows both men at 566 Van Hook Street. They both had moved to the neighborhood of South 5th Street and Bridge Avenue by 1896.
John H. Lutts married Fannie E. Cavis around 1892. A daughter, Eva, was born in January of 1895. 1896's City Directory states John Lutts worked as a hosiery dyer and lived at 436 Bridge Avenue. The following year's directory gives an address of 523 Bridge Avenue. The 1899 Camden City Directory shows that he and Fannie lived at 422 Taylor Avenue, and that he was employed in Philadelphia as a dyer.
John H. Lutts was appointed to the Camden Fire Department later in 1899. The 1900 Census shows the Lutts family at 110 South 5th Street, a short walk from his job at Fire Headquarters, North 5th Street and Arch Street. Fellow Camden Fire Department member David Andrews lived at 104 South 5th Street, Camden police officer Julius Bosch around the corner at 511 Mickle Street, and city constable J. Fred Voigt at 527 Mickle Street. On August 25, 1900 a son, John H. Lutts Jr., was born. Another son, Raymond, came later.
The 1906 City Directory shows John H. Lutts at 456 Clinton Street. On December 17, 1909 John H. and Fannie Lutts were divorced. The 1910 Census, which was taken on April 18, 1910, shows John H. Lutts, his daughter Eva, and the two younger children, John H. Lutts Jr. and Raymond, living at 422 Taylor Avenue. Their next-door neighbor was brother firefighter Harry Hankins and his wife Sarah.
On March 17, 1910 he was serving at Fire Headquarters, when a call came concerning a fire at the Reeves Garage in the 100 block of North 7th Street. Shortly after arriving on scene, gasoline in the building exploded. John Lutts and future Chiefs of Department Peter B. Carter and John H. Lennox were slightly injured.
City Directories show that John Lutts was promoted and made Captain at Engine Company 6, Front and Linden Streets, by 1914. He was then living at 528 Royden Street. He served in this capacity through at least 1929.
By 1918 John H. Lutts had remarried. He lived with his wife Sarah and son Raymond at 306 South 5th Street, two doors away from Dr. Wilson Gill Bailey, who resided at 302 South 5th Street. They were still there in 1920. By 1924, John and Sarah Lutts had moved to 456 Royden Street. They were still there when the Census was taken in April of 1930.
John H. Lutts Sr. retired from the Camden Fire Department in 1933. He and his wife Sarah had moved to 2025 Bryn Mawr in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. Sarah Lutts apparently passed away in the early 1940s. John Lutts had remarried by the time the 1943 Camden City Directory was compiled. John H. Lutts Sr. died at his Haddon Heights home on April 28, 1953. He was survived by his children and a third wife, Mary W. Lutts.
Blue Jackets Fight Flames in Lumber Yard
Philadelphia Inquirer —
One hundred sailors from the Italian cruiser Etruria, now lying in the Delaware river, off Race street, materially assisted the Camden firemen yesterday afternoon in preventing a fire from destroying the plant of David Baird & Co., foot of Pearl street. While the flames did damage to the extent of $50,000, there would have been a much heavier loss but for the excellent work of the bluejackets.
It was shortly after 1 o'clock when the flames were discovered in the engine room by Howard Mulford. His efforts to extinguish the tiny blaze proved futile. In a few minutes the fire had eaten its way through the inflammable wooden structure and the long, red tongues had communicated with the spar shed. From this they leaped about twenty feet into the saw and planing mill. All these structures were blazing fiercely when the Camden firemen responded to a general alarm.
Italian Jackies Busy
It was at this juncture that a hundred white-capped sailors in command of Lieutenant Alyjgina Guardsumarsina made their landing at the Pearl street wharf in Camden. They were assembled by a bugler and with hand axes, hose and other apparatus they sallied forth to combat the flames which were fast eating their way through the extensive yard of the plant.
Many of the bluejackets were barefooted, but none of these stopped when burning timbers were encountered. They rushed through flame and smoke with all the vim and ardor that characterize the sailor when in action.
Attacked Blazing Planks
There was a huge lumber pile that stood near a shed that contained several hundred thousand feet of valuable timber. When the flames communicated with this the sailors, summoned by the bugler, made an attack on the great long blazing planks. Like veritable trojans they worked, running up to the flames with their axes and knocking the timbers in all directions.
The smoke was dense enough to make even the professional fire fighters seek cover, but the men from the Etruria stood their ground and managed to save much of the timber.
Hands and Feet Scorched
For over two hours they continued in service. Surgeon De Silvestor, with an assistant, had a busy time attending the burned feet and hands and scorched faces of his compatriots. They had a typical Red Cross outfit with them and when they had ended their work there was little left of the tape and liniments.
It was only after the fire was practically extinguished that Lieutenant Guardsumarsina gathered his men about him and returned to the Etruria. There were several thousand persons on the surrounding wharves and buildings and these gave three lusty cheers when the valiant sons of Italy left for the cruiser.
Fire a Scorcher
The fire was an extremely fierce one, fed as it was by thousands of feet of choice timber. Firemen Harry Green and Rollo Jones, of No. 1 Truck Company, were overcome by the intense heat, but they were quickly revived, the former by the Italian surgeon. Fireman John Lutz and Policeman George Kappel had severely burned hands treated by Surgeon De Silvestor also.
David Baird, Jr., a member of the firm, said he approximated the damage done at about $50,000. All the buildings and machinery were insured. The structures burned included a spar shed, 60 by 100 feet; planing mill, 40x100 feet, and a large lumber shed. About 4,000,000 feet of timber was in the yard, but much of this was saved through the good work of the sailors and the Camden firemen.
The Philadelphia tugboat Stokley also rendered excellent service when the fire was at its height.
It is not definitely known how the fire originated, but it is believed to have been caused by a spark generated by the engine.
Mayor Thanks Sailors
Mayor Charles H. Ellis and many city and county officials were interested witnesses of the fire and the manner in which the Italian sailors and the firemen fought the flames. Mayor Ellis said the bluejackets were deserving of much praise for their aid, which came unsolicited but nevertheless at an opportune moment.
Directly after the fire Mayor Ellis sent the following letter of appreciation to Captain Pericoli, of the Etruria:
Mayor's Office,
Camden, N. J., June 17, 1907.Captain Riccard Pericoli,
Commander Italian Cruiser Etruria,
Philadelphia, Pa.Dear Sir: On behalf of the people of Camden I express to you my hearty and sincere thanks for the efficient and heroic service rendered today by members of your crew at the disastrous fire on the river front of Camden.
I was on the scene within a few minutes after the alarm was sounded and personally observed the splendid work performed by your men. Although from a faraway country and total strangers to the city their show of bravery and zeal was equally as commendatory as that exhibited by those whose duty it is to protect life and property, and I was thrilled by their fearlessness and daring.
The thousands of people attracted to the scene of the fire was a unit in their praise for the assistance rendered by your crew, and I request that you convey to the brave boys of the Etruria my sincere appreciation and thanks for their magnificent work.
Very respectfully,
CHARLES H. ELLIS, Mayor.
“That's My Place”
While the fire was at its height a ferryboat was making its way to Philadelphia. Both the forward and stern rails were crowded with passengers watching the flames, which made a brilliant picture, mirrored as they were in the water.
“I wonder whose place is burning?” remarked a man in the crowd, addressing the man standing by his side.
“That's my place” was the quiet rejoinder of the person asked, as he walked away. That man was David Baird, the owner of the saw mill in which the fire started.
Wish Bone Club in Annual Banquet
Camden Post-Telegram —
The second annual dinner was given on New Year's eve by the members of the Fire Department at headquarters, known as the Wish Bone Club, after having been called out twice to fires. The evening was spent in music and song, prayer being offered by Engineer Dold. They all sat down to an elaborate dinner prepared by Chef Wingate, assisted by Lieutenant John H. Lutts.
MENU.
Relishes—Celery, olives, pickles, chilli sauce.
Roast—Roast Turkey, oyster filling (a la Wimley), giblet sauce; jellied cranberries, browned sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stewed corn, stewed tomatoes.
Mince pie, Coffee, Vienna rolls, butter, aqua de lair.
— The following were the guests of the evening: Chief Samuel S. Elfreth, Assistant Chief Samuel Buzine, Captains George B. Wade, Peter B. Carter, Lieutenants John H. Lutts, Peter S. Gray, Engineer John A. Dold, Stoker Newton G. Ash, Drivers Joseph Johnson, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Maxwell, Richard Marter, Harry Barroughs, Laddermen and Hosemen William Elberson, John H. Lennox, Harry Selby, Harry Green, William Tatem; Houseman John Gardner.
Invited guests—Charles Minckle, of Public Service Corporation; Harry Lee, Collingwood; Reserve Chas. Hose.
The old year out and the new year in, they retired to well—just retired to their respective bunks.
Flames Wrecked Autos in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Twenty-three Camden business and professional men mourn the loss of their automobiles as a result of a fire which yesterday morning destroyed the garage of J. G. Reeves, on North Seventh street just above Market. Evangelical Lutheran Church, immediately adjoining, was badly damaged, and altogether the monetary loss amounts to about $100,000. Most of the machines were insured.
Just what caused the fire is not known. It was discovered by Albert Hildreth, a watchman, who no sooner saw the flames than he went to the fire headquarters in an automobile at topmost speed. When the fireman arrived they had not been in service many minutes before there was a terrific explosion that sent the walls down. Three of them were hurled across the street and severely bruised. They included Peter Carter, John Lennox and John Lutz, all connected with headquarters.
The explosion came presumably from stored gasoline.
Such headway did the blaze gain that it was necessary to call out the entire city department. For a time a number of dwellings nearby were threatened and the occupants began moving their household effects. The good work of the fire fighters prevented a serious conflagration, however. The force of the explosion blew a twenty-foot hole in the wall of the Lutheran Church.
The automobiles were valued at about $75,000, the balance of the loss being on the building and church. Some of those who lost their autos include: Lawyer Ephraim Tomlinson, Charles K. Parry, Mrs. Mary Baird Fox, Mrs. B. C. Reeves, Dr. Wm. Knowlton, Dr. Oscar Grumbrecht, Dr. A. H. Lippincott, Dr. Paul Mecray, Dr. Marvin Street, C. H. Haddon, Dr. Frank Horning, John T. Bottomley, John Croft, Dr. Daniel Strock, Joseph Deacon and J. S. Reeves.
Injured Fireman in Restless Night
Camden Post-Telegram —
Arthur Wingate, the driver of the combination chemical and hose wagon at Fire Headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, who was injured by the team crashing into an iron column of the elevated railroad at Haddon avenue and Line street, yesterday afternoon, passed a restless night at Cooper Hospital, and this morning his condition was not satisfying to the doctors.
Besides suffering from a couple of fractured left ribs and severe lacerations of the scalp he also sustained an exhausting internal shock.
It is also feared that one of the broken ribs penetrated a lung, but an X-ray examination will have to be made to determine that. If such is proven to be the case the wounded fireman's chances of recovery would be dimmed.
The apparatus was on its way out Haddon avenue to a light fire at the farm house of William Butler, colored, at the head of Pine street, at the time it met with disaster.
There was a trolley car standing under the elevated railroad at Line street and it was while turning out of the tracks at full speed that the team of strapping gray horses crashed into one of the four iron columns of the structure at that point.
Driver Wingate was hurled from his seat a distance of about twenty feet, laiding on his head on the hard earth bleeding and unconscious. Firemen John Lutz, Harry Selby and John Lennox, who were on the back of the wagon, were thrown to the ground by the force of the collision, but escaped injury.
One of the gray horses drawing the apparatus and known as “Nig” was almost instantly killed when it dashed into the pillar; the other steed swerving to one side escaped meeting a similar fate. Outside of the pole of the wagon being snapped off and the dashboard twisted the apparatus was not badly damaged.
Wingate was rushed to Cooper Hospital in an auto canvassing for funds for the Homeopathic Hospital, and placed in a private ward for treatment.
Deno Is Captain of New Company
Camden Post-Telegram —
At last night's meeting of the Fire Committee of City Council the following appointments were made for the new fire house at Tenth street and Kaighn avenue, to take effect July 1: Captain, William Deno; lieutenant, John H. Lutz; engineer, William K. Buzine; stoker, James Navin; drivers, Richard Master, Joseph Sparks; hosemen, Boone, Simpson, Smith.
Thomas Nicholas, of the Eighth Ward, was made captain of Broadway fire company, and John H. McTaggart, of the Eighth Ward, one of the recent appointees, was sent to the fire house on Kaighn avenue near Sixth street.
Photos: 619 Kaighn Avenue Fire House, 1900s
1900s — 619 Kaighn Avenue Fire House. Left: From left: Unknown, John Lutts, Unknown. Right: John Lutts at far right.
Celebrations by 3 Fire Companies
Camden Post-Telegram —
No. 7, Headquarters and No. 1 Truck Make Merry at Respective Homes.
CHIEF ELFRETH MAKES ADDRESS
Engine Company No. 7 is the baby company of the fire department, that is, in years of service, but in up-to-date completeness in every respect, harmony and quick response to duty, the men in blue out Kaighn avenue, under Captain Charles Todd, are right there on the tap of the gong. Captain Todd is a stickler for good feeling among his men for the good of the service, and at a New Year’s Eve banquet this unanimity of good fellowship was strongly manifested.
It was the first New Year’s blowout given by Company 7 and the guests had as grand a time as if they were gathered about their own firesides at home. From door to roof, the firehouse was ablaze with a glow of the holiday and patriotic spirit. Flags, festoons of green, Christmas bells, and lights gladdened all hearts and a Christmas tree glistening with tinsel and topped with an electric bulb gave the banquet hall a homelike air. Over the tree was the gladsome greeting, “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
Fifteen guests sat down to the festive board. In the centre of the table glowed in a big fireman’s horn a big bunch of electric lit American Beauties and from one end of the board to the other it was one sweep of delicacies, turkey, raw and fried oysters, stuffing chicken salad, cake, pie and a lot of other luxuries that make life happier as far as the inner man is concerned.
Chief Kelly presided at the head of the table and made a genial toastmaster. Chief Kelly supplied the electrical effects with his usual aptness. “Brother” Lutz said a short and timely prayer and then the guests sat down and for two hours were regaled with all the palatable good things of the season of good cheer. Cigars of pungent aroma being passed around, “Jim” Nevins and George Boone entertained delightfully with grapophone selections, including “Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly?” He was there.
With the midnight hour came the blowing of factory whistles and the tolling of bells. And from below in the firehouse came a terrific clangor and clash and gongs and bells. The firemen instinctively made for the sliding pole, but soon came back a-laughing. It was only Chief Kelly and Chief Chef Lutz ringing in the first alarm of the New Year, No. 1-9-1-3.
Those who had the great pleasure to participate in this most happy affair are as follows:
City Electrician John W. Kelly, Jr., Captain Charles Todd, Lieutenant John Lutz, Engineer William Busine, Stoker James Nevins, Drivers Richard Marter and Joseph Sparks, Hoseman George Boone, Roy Smith and Edward Simpson, and as welcome guests, Richard Saeur, John Watson, Albert Glanders, William Robinson and Harry Knowles, the faithful houseman of No. 7.
Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chiefs Cox, Stockton, Wade and Browning, were to have been there, but business on a holiday kept them at Headquarters awaiting alarms.
AT HEADQUARTERS.
Under the auspices of the Wishbone Club, firemen at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets, held their annual dinner on Tuesday evening. Cheer and good-fellowship was the by word and the fire laddies and their friends made the evening one long to be remembered.
A short address was given by Chief Elfreth and Assistant Chief Stockton. John Dold offered prayer before the guests partook of the tasty dishes as prepared by Arthur Wingate and William Laud. The table presented an attractive appearance and the laddies and guests greatly enjoyed the fine spread. The menu follows:
Roast Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Cranberry Sauce, Mince Pie, Coffee, Cigars, Aqua De Lair, Olives, Beets, Celery, Roast Turkey, Oyster Filling, Giblet Sauce, Mashed White Potatoes.
Those participating were as follows: S. S. Elfreth, John S. Stockton, Captain George B. Wade, Lieutenant Jos. Ernest, John A. Dold, Josiah Sage, Daniel Smith, Arthur Wingate, Joseph Johnson, Harry Hankins, William Laird, William Elberson, John Lennox, Martin Carrigan, Charles Cook, Harry Belby, Harry Khrier, Charles Menke, Edward S. Gahan, D. P. McConnell.
With a fine feed, a grand graphophone concert, songs and speeches of a happy and humorous order, “the Jolly Nine” saw the old year out and the New Year in, at the house of Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, on Fifth street above Arch street. Accoutred in their uniforms of blue, ready at a second’s tap of the gong to jump on the truck, the brave laddies and friends formed a happy picture of congeniality. The menu was most appetizing. Beginning with oysters on the shell and winding up with a delicious dish designated “Creme-a-la-Truck,” the guests were kept busy munching their molars, as the sedate and genial waiters, togged out in linen of spotless white. William Howell Tatem and “Chief” Harry Anderson did the elegant. Stewart Bakely, a slick Cooper river boat house cook from away back, was the popular chef of the feast, and that grand old fire hero, Captain “Joe” Maxwell, the Commander-in-Chief of festivities, who saw to it that no one got left as the plates passed around.
The floral and holiday decorations of the banquet hall were munificent and in happy accord with the gracious and good-natured gathering.
Engine Company 6 — 1920–1922
Engine Company 6 — Photo taken between January of 1920 and July of 1922. Standing: Unknown, Thomas “Tim” Shanahan, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown. Seated: Unknown, James McDade, Thomas Nicholas, John Lutts, Unknown.
Snapper Debate at Engine Company 6
Camden Daily Courier —
A lengthy argument over the question of preparing stewed snapper occupied the attention of the members of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, today. Robert Brice and Abraham Kern insisted that the tail be cut off to bleed the snapper, while Captain Johnny Lutz was just as certain that the head be cut off. The controversy was settled by doing both, and the resultant snapper dinner was thoroughly enjoyed.
Photos: Captain Lutts at Engine Company 6, late 1920s–early 1930s
Captain Lutts and unidentified fireman at Engine Company 6. Captain Lutts retired in 1933.
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 members 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.
It was explained that the city commission's resolution passed at noon, providing that members of the police and fire departments could continue in their employment under the 1933 wage scale, but that their pensions would not be affected by the cut and they could retire under the 1931 basic pay, might cause Marter to want to rescind his action.
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.
Greenwood, 54, was appointed to the police department 21 years ago and during nearly all of this time has been attached to the First district. He lives in the First ward, at 220 York street, and will receive a pension of $83.30 monthly.
Buzine is a veteran of nearly 28 years' service. He is 63, lives at 856 Haddon avenue and will be pensioned at $90.65. He was classed as an engineer in the fire department.
The applications of Captain John Lutts, of Engine Company No. 6, Front and Linden streets, and Elmer Burkett, engineer of the No. 4 Company, were filed shortly before noon.
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.
John H. Lutts Dies; Retired Fireman 83
Camden Courier-Post —
John H. Lutts, 83, retired Camden fire captain, died Tuesday in his home, 2025 Bryn Mawr ave., Haddon Heights.
A native of Camden, he lived in Haddon Heights 21 years. A member of the Camden City Fire Department for 33 years and 8 months, he retired in 1933.
He was a member of the Retired Policemen and Firemen Association, the New Jersey Firemen's Benevolent Association, Camden Lodge of Moose, 111, and the Haddon Heights Republican Club.
Surviving are his widow, Mary W.; two sons, Raymond, Riverton, and John, Sicklerville; a daughter, Mrs. Eva Buchan, Ashland; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held Friday at 2 p. m. in a funeral home at 129 White Horse pike, Haddon Heights, where friends may call Thursday night. Burial will be in New Camden Cemetery.