Leonard J. Megee

Introduction

LEONARD JESS MEGEE was born in Marlton, New Jersey on November 24, 1886 to Mary and Robert Megee. The family had moved to 230 Benson Street in Camden by the summer of 1900. Leonard Megee married at the age of 19 and was living with his wife Emma at 550 South 3rd Street when the 1906 City Directory was compiled. He then worked as a railroad fireman, feeding coal to the steam engines that were then employed. The Megees were still at 550 South 3rd Street when the Census was taken in 1910. By then a son, Leonard H. Megee, had been born. At least three more children would be born to Emma and Leonard J. Megee. In January of 1920 the family, which then included sons Leonard H. and Harold J. Megee and daughters Beatrice and Evelyn Megee, lived at 407 Royden Street in South Camden. Leonard J. Megee was then working as a janitor in one of Camden's public schools. On January 1, 1921 he began his service with the Camden Fire Department, possibly through the influence of James Tatem, who served as Camden's Chief of Police for a time in the mid-1920s. When the Census was taken in April of 1930, the Megee family lived at 613 South 5th Street, the corner of South 5th and Royden Streets. James Tatem was their next door neighbor at 615 South 5th Street, and Albert Fogg, a clerk at Camden's City Hall, resided at 617. Just around the corner at 458 Royden Street was Camden policeman Nathan Pettit, at 456 was Camden fire fighter John Lutts. Fire Department records from 1931 show Leonard Megee living at 509 Benson Street.

Leonard Megee's son Harold J. Megee followed his father into the Camden Fire Department. He was appointed to the department on July 16, 1937 and was assigned to Engine Company 7 on Kaighn Avenue above Mount Ephraim Avenue, where he reported for duty on July 19, 1937.

Leonard J. Megee served as acting Battalion Chief in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He was slightly injured while in that capacity in January of 1938.

On March 18, 1941, firemen arrived at a working fire in a vacant dwelling at Chelton Avenue and Mulford Street, South Camden. As the blaze was being extinguished, Fireman William Comerford discovered a moonshine still on the second floor. The building had been a contraband whiskey factory. Acting Chief Megee summoned police who confiscated fifteen gallons of moonshine.

A story in the Courier Post of August 14, 1941, reported that the Department used a new piece of equipment for the first time while extinguishing a blaze near South 7th and Chestnut Streets, South Camden. This new appliance enabled firemen to connect two leads of inch and one-half hose to the larger two and one-half inch line, thereby providing two independent streams of water and allowing firemen to access areas they previously had difficulty reaching. Acting Chief Leonard Megee praised this new device called the wye, and predicted its widespread use in the future.

When he registered for the draft in the spring of 1942 Leonard Megee was living at 512 Stevens Street. By the time the 1947 Directory was compiled Leonard and Emma Megee had moved to 1251 Kenwood Avenue in Parkside. The Directory states that his rank in the Camden Fire Department at that time was Captain.

In November of 1949, with Chief of Department Walter A. Mertz looking to retire, Leonard J. Megee was one of two Battalion Chiefs being considered for the post. Sadly, Leonard J. Megee passed away on November 16, 1949. His widow was still residing at the Kenwood Avenue address, according to the New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory, in October of 1956.

Harold Megee was promoted to Captain and transferred to Engine Company 8, 619 Kaighn Avenue, on April 6, 1948. He was reassigned on December 22, 1949 to Engine Company 6, Front and Linden Streets, where he served until June 15, 1951, when he was again transferred, this time to Engine Company 9 at North 27th Street and Federal Street in East Camden, not far from his home at 3083 Carman Street. Captain Megee served at Engine 9 until he retired on a disability pension on March 6, 1963.

World War I Draft Card

Leonard J. Megee World War I Draft Registration Card, front — World War I Draft Registration Card — Leonard J. Megee

Leonard J. Megee World War I Draft Registration Card, Registrar's Report — World War I Draft Registration Card — Leonard J. Megee

New Firemen Assigned for Two Platoons

Camden Post-Telegram — December 30, 1920

Double Shift System Becomes Effective at 8 O’Clock Morning Saturday — One Ten Hours; Other 14 Hours

4 Firemen Hurt Fighting Blaze in Apartments

Camden Courier — May 22, 1925

Four Families Forced to Flee Down Fire Escape in Cooper St. Blaze

INVALID WOMAN CARRIED TO SAFETY BY RESCUERS

Flames Scorch Rubber-Coated ‘Smoke-Eaters’ on Narrow Stairs

RUSH-HOUR CROWD GAZES

4 Firemen Hurt Fighting Blaze in Apartments — Camden Courier, May 22, 1925, page 1 — Four firemen were burned, an aged invalid woman was carried to safety and four families were driven down a fire escape to the street when fire swept an apartment house at 620 Cooper street late yesterday.

The blaze started at 5.30 o'clock from unknown origin in a wardrobe in the hall on the third floor, burst through the roof, ate its way into the second floor, and spread to several apartments on the third floor. Hundreds of spectators gathered in the street to watch, and rush-hour traffic on Cooper street was blocked.

The firemen were scorched on the faces and hands by a blast of flame from the burning wardrobe, as they fought their way up the narrow, enclosed staircase to the third floor with chemical lines and hand-extinguishers, while a water line was being run up a ladder to third floor windows in the front of the building.

Driven Down Stairs

Despite the protection afforded by rubber coats and helmets, the men were driven down the well-like stairs time and again, their faces, hair and eyebrows scorched from the intense heat.

While they were fighting to get at the source of the blaze, five women, six children and two men, living in second and third floor apartments, made their way to a fire escape in the rear of the building and escaped safely to the ground.

In the meantime, smoke was pouring into open windows of the adjoining house at 622 Cooper street, used as a residence by Dr. Thomas B. Lee and as offices by four other physicians. Dr. Lee, a former member of the State Board of Health, sailed from New York this morning for a two months clinical course in Europe. He and Mrs. Lee had left their home before the fire.

Dr. Lee's aged aunt, Mrs. Thomas Wescott, convalescing from illness, was in a third-floor room as smoke filled the building. She had to be assisted to the street by other members of the household.

Deputy Fire Chief Hurt

The injured firemen are Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Nicholas, his chauffeur, David Ellis, and Hoseman William Chambers and Leonard Magee, of Engine 2, which company, with Truck No. 1, responded to the one alarm sent in by occupants of one of the third floor apartments. All were treated for burns by Dr. David F. Bentley, Jr., at the physician's offices next door at 622 Cooper street.

The occupants who fled down the fire escape are Mrs. Benjamin Kennedy and her two children, Mrs. Jenny Cramer and four children, Mr. and Mrs. A. Sutton, Miss Elva Lloyd, Miss Agnes Anderson and James Andrews. Many others had not returned from business, and firemen had to chop down the doors to their rooms to make certain the flames were all extinguished. That required three-quarters of an hour. Firemen estimated the damage at well over $1,000.

“If the fire had occurred in the middle of the night,” said Chief Nicholas, “there would surely have been loss of life. The narrow stairways make that type of house a very difficult one in which to fight a fire.”

4 Firemen Hurt Fighting Blaze in Apartments — Camden Courier, May 22, 1925, page 2 — Four firemen were burned, an aged invalid woman was carried to safety and four families were driven down a fire escape to the street when fire swept an apartment house at 620 Cooper street late yesterday.

The blaze started at 5.30 o'clock from unknown origin in a wardrobe in the hall on the third floor, burst through the roof, ate its way into the second floor, and spread to several apartments on the third floor. Hundreds of spectators gathered in the street to watch, and rush-hour traffic on Cooper street was blocked.

The firemen were scorched on the faces and hands by a blast of flame from the burning wardrobe, as they fought their way up the narrow, enclosed staircase to the third floor with chemical lines and hand-extinguishers, while a water line was being run up a ladder to third floor windows in the front of the building.

Driven Down Stairs

Despite the protection afforded by rubber coats and helmets, the men were driven down the well-like stairs time and again, their faces, hair and eyebrows scorched from the intense heat.

While they were fighting to get at the source of the blaze, five women, six children and two men, living in second and third floor apartments, made their way to a fire escape in the rear of the building and escaped safely to the ground.

In the meantime, smoke was pouring into open windows of the adjoining house at 622 Cooper street, used as a residence by Dr. Thomas B. Lee and as offices by four other physicians. Dr. Lee, a former member of the State Board of Health, sailed from New York this morning for a two months clinical course in Europe. He and Mrs. Lee had left their home before the fire.

Dr. Lee's aged aunt, Mrs. Thomas Wescott, convalescing from illness, was in a third-floor room as smoke filled the building. She had to be assisted to the street by other members of the household.

Deputy Fire Chief Hurt

The injured firemen are Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Nicholas, his chauffeur, David Ellis, and Hoseman William Chambers and Leonard Magee, of Engine 2, which company, with Truck No. 1, responded to the one alarm sent in by occupants of one of the third floor apartments. All were treated for burns by Dr. David F. Bentley, Jr., at the physician's offices next door at 622 Cooper street.

The occupants who fled down the fire escape are Mrs. Benjamin Kennedy and her two children, Mrs. Jenny Cramer and four children, Mr. and Mrs. A. Sutton, Miss Elva Lloyd, Miss Agnes Anderson and James Andrews. Many others had not returned from business, and firemen had to chop down the doors to their rooms to make certain the flames were all extinguished. That required three-quarters of an hour. Firemen estimated the damage at well over $1,000.

“If the fire had occurred in the middle of the night,” said Chief Nicholas, “there would surely have been loss of life. The narrow stairways make that type of house a very difficult one in which to fight a fire.”

Dismissed as Tipsy, Fireman Is Heard in Civil Service Plea

Camden Courier-Post — May 25, 1934

‘Drunk on Duty’, Former Associates Testify at Garner’s Hearing

DECISION IS RESERVED

Dismissed as Tipsy, Fireman Is Heard in Civil Service Plea — Camden Courier-Post, May 25, 1934 — Testimony by fellow firemen that he “was so drunk he had to be lifted off a fire truck” marked the hearing of George W. Garner, a city fireman of 1266 Kenwood avenue, before Civil Service Commissioner William S. Stiles yesterday.

The case was the first Civil Service hearing in Camden in two years. Commissioner Stiles reserved decision.

Garner was dismissed on May 4, 1934, by Mayor Stewart in his capacity of director of public safety. The charge was “continued disobedience of orders and intoxication while on duty.” The defendant is married and has two children, one four years and one only three days old.

Capt. James Young, Garner's superior officer at Engine Company No. 2, 619 Kaighn avenue, testified that he found Garner in a saloon with a woman on the evening of April 30 last.

Ignored Orders

“Garner had asked permission to go out about 7 o'clock and get coffee for the men,” said Captain Young. “Two hours later he went out without permission.

“Senior Captain Lawrence Newton and I went looking for him and found him in a saloon operated by Umberto DiClaudio at Sixth and Kaighn avenue. He was sitting at a table with a woman.

“I asked him what he was doing and he said the woman had a toothache.

“At 2.29 a.m. an alarm sounded, and when we went to take out the fire truck Garner was on the running board unconscious. We couldn't rouse him and I had to assign two men, Chester Price and Irving Bishop, to carry him off. He was too intoxicated to move.”

Price and Bishop corroborated the testimony of their captain, as also did James A. Creato and William Cummerford. Battalion Chief Leonard Magee, of Engine Company No. 3, testified he saw Garner after the fire and “the man was in a stupor.”

Looked Bad Next Day

Acting Fire Chief John H. Lennox said the next morning when he saw Garner, “He looked to me as if he had had a bad night.”

DiClaudio, the saloon proprietor, denied that Garner had bought anything to drink, saying he sold him 12 boiled eggs to eat.

Garner, on the stand, entered a general denial of the charges. He was represented by Morris Tartar.

Assistant City Solicitor Lewis Lieberman showed the court a resignation signed by Garner and dated March 10.

Acting Chief Hurt in 3-Alarm Blaze

Camden Courier-Post — January 11, 1938

Camden Junkyard Swept; Couple Forced to Flee as Fire Menaces Home

Acting Chief Hurt in 3-Alarm Blaze — Camden Courier-Post, January 11, 1938, page 2 — Two persons were forced to leave their home last night when a three-alarm fire damaged a junkyard owned by Rocco Fanelle and Sons at 263 Cherry street. Patrolman Marshall Thompson, one of the first on the scene, warned George W. Jackson and his wife, Flora, living at 265 Cherry street, of their danger and aided them in removing part of their furniture in the living room to the dining room.

Acting Battalion Chief Leonard Megee was injured slightly when he fell while inspecting the damage.

The first alarm to be turned in came from the fire box at Third and Spruce streets at 8.18 p.m. When Chief John Lennox arrived on the scene and discovered flames issuing from both floors of the storage building he ordered the second alarm pulled at 8.35 and at 8.46 p.m. another was ordered.

Firemen were hampered in fighting the blaze due to the great amount of smoke caused by the burning rags and paper bailed and stored on the two floors. Six hose lines were played on the building. Deputy Chief Walter Mertz said the flames were under control after a half hour's battle.

The damaged furniture in the Jackson home was covered partially by insurance, Jackson said.

Changes Announced in Fire Department

Camden Courier-Post — June 5, 1940

Truck Disbanded, Engine Company Created; 13 Men Transferred

Commissioner Mary W. Kobus yesterday announced a number of changes in the fire department, including the disbanding of Truck Company No. 4; creation of a new engine company, No. 10, and the transfer of 18 officers and men, 12 of them captains.

Most of the new captains have been serving as acting captains and promotion to full rank will involve no pay increases, inasmuch as the men signed waivers foregoing the raises.

Commissioner Kobus explained most of the changes were made to conform with regulations of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. The board, Mrs. Kobus explained, made a survey of the department and advised appointments of acting captains to full rank.

The commissioner also announced she had appointed Junior Captain Raymond Smith as director of the school for firemen at Engine Company No. 10, Ninth and Morgan streets. Smith, one of the youngest at the recently appointed junior captains, will succeed the late Battalion Chief Rollo Jones.

Senior Captain Leonard Megee was appointed acting battalion chief to succeed Jones. He will continue at the Fifth and Arch streets fire headquarters.

Junior Captain William Spencer, of headquarters company, was named relief captain.

Engine Company No. 10 will use the headquarters of the old truck company, at Ninth and Morgan streets.

To the new company Mrs. Kobus assigned Senior Captain Mortica Clark and Firemen Frank Burt, Frank Esperance and Clifford Lane.

Junior Captain Frank Oberman was transferred from Engine Company No. 10 to Engine Company No. 1, at fire headquarters.

Other assignments are as follows:

Junior Captain Robert Wonsetler, Engine Company No. 11, to Engine Company No. 2.

Fireman Harry Kleinfelder, Engine Company No. 6, to Engine Company No. 2.

Junior Captain Edgar Ellender, Engine Company No. 2, to Engine Company No. 6.

Junior Captain Ralph Bingemann, Truck Company No. 2, to Engine Company No. 7.

Fireman David Humphries, Truck Company No. 3, to Engine Company No. 11.

Junior Captain Nelson Andrews, Engine Company No. 2, to Truck Company No. 1.