Introduction
Lester R. Anderson, Camden Fire Department
Lester R. Anderson was born on March 13, 1901. He was the son of William and Mary Anderson. William Anderson worked as a boilermaker at one of the shipyards in Camden, the largest of which belonged to the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. Lester Anderson was a fraternal twin, his sister’s name was Katie. There were five older siblings in the family, Charles, Hazel, Adeline, William, and John S. Anderson. The Anderson family lived at 644 Ferry Avenue as early as 1906 and as late as 1910. By 1914 the family had moved to 1618 South 6th Street, and to 1644 South 6th Street by June of 1917, when older brother William Jr. registered for the draft. The Andersons were still at that address when the census was taken in 1920. 1644 South 6th Street was not far from the Rocco Venella family, of 1824 Van Buren Street. Katie Anderson soon married Rocco’s son, Edmund Anthony Venella. By 1924 Lester Anderson had married and became a Camden fire fighter. He and his wife Marie lived at 337 Point Street in 1924. By 1927 they had moved to 56 Penn Street. Older brother John S. Anderson joined the fire department in 1928. Lester and Marie Anderson lived at 3054 Kearsarge Road in the Fairview section of Camden when the 1929 City Directory was compiled. Fire Department records from 1931 show them living at 3124 Ironsides Road, and also indicate a subsequent move to 2771 Constitution Road.
Lester Anderson was initially assigned to Engine Company 10. He was later transferred to Engine Company 7. His last transfer came in 1934 when he was sent to Engine Company 2.
Lester Anderson died after fighting a fire at Fire Headquarters at North 5th and Arch streets. Upon return to the firehouse, he went to his cot and went to sleep, suffering a fatal heart attack at the age of 38, less than three hours after responding to the alarm that took him to his last fire. He had not been ill before.
Lester Anderson was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill), New Jersey on October 10, 1939. He was survived by his widow and two children, Marie Julia and Lester Ryan Anderson, and six brothers and sisters, including fellow firefighter John S. Anderson. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows them living at 1066 Ironsides Road in Fairview.
After World War II the standards for Line of Duty deaths for firefighters evolved to include those who died away from the firegrounds of injuries, those who died of injuries incurred on the way to fire and rescue assignments, and those who died of heart attacks suffered after responding to alarms. By these standards, which apply to five post-1950 recognized Line of Duty Deaths in the Camden Fire Department, the death of Lester Anderson must be considered as the sixth along with a seventh, Harry C. Anderson (no relation), who died as a result of injuries suffered while returning from a fire in 1916 when Ladder 1 was struck by a trolley car and he was thrown from the apparatus.
Photos
The Anderson Twins — Lester Anderson and Kathryn “Katie” Anderson outside the home in Fairview. Katie Anderson married Edmund Venella Sr. Their son, Edmund A. Venella Jr., served in the United States Army Air Force during World War II.
Four Firemen Are Trapped in Collapse of Brick Wall
Camden Evening Courier —
Flames Sweep Warehouse in South Camden
Fire Fighters are Rescued From Beneath Heaps of Hot Bricks
Bantivoglio Junk Yard Destroyed—Loss Runs Into Thousands
Four firemen were buried under a falling brick wall, two of them believed to have been seriously hurt, and thousands of dollars worth of property was destroyed in a spectacular fire at the two story brick warehouse of Bantivoglio & Son, junk dealers, 252 Division Street, at 9:00 o’clock this morning.
The injured firemen attached to Engine Company No. 7, all of whom were taken to West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital, were:
Captain Charles Watkin, 45 years old, 927 North Front street. Four fractured ribs and a punctured lung. He may die.
Nicholas Romaine, 43 years old, hoseman, 1271 Chase Street, lacerations of scalp and possible fracture of right ankle.
Louis Quinton, 25 years old, hoseman, 626 Viola Street, probable fracture of right shoulder.
Lester Anderson, 24 years old, hoseman, 1917 Niagara Road; lacerations of scalp and forehead and fractured left wrist.
None of the four were able to walk when they were lifted from where they had been struck down by the falling bricks. They were carried to the police ambulance and hurried at once to the hospital.
Residents of the neighborhood said that a flash and a roar, as of an explosion, was their first warning of a blaze. The burned building has a frontage of 75 feet on Division Street. In a yard behind it there was a shed piled high with baled paper and three piles of used automobile tires. These caught fire and sent up black smoke that was visible for miles.
Smoke Hampers Firemen
A huge crowd of spectators already had gathered to watch the fire in this thickly populated section when the firemen arrived. The flames were threatening surrounding buildings, and the smoke was so dense that the men had difficulty finding their way out in the vicinity of the burning structure.
Captain Watkins and the three other fire fighters started along a driveway beside the building with a length of hose which they intended to use on the blazing sheds in the rear. They were passing a window when there was a muffled roar and a blast of dense smoke blinded and confused them. By shouts to one another they heard that their number was still intact. The blast of black smoke had been caused by the collapse of a loft and the falling of several bales of paper.
100,000 Tires Burn
More than 100,000 used automobile tires were destroyed in the blaze. The flames jumped a hundred feet into the air at one stage. Commissioner Hitchner watched the firemen at work from the roof of a nearby garage.
When the blaze had been extinguished Mr. Hitchner left to visit the injured firemen in the hospital. He commended the four men on their bravery and wished them a speedy recovery. Quinton is driver for Battalion Chief Wade.
The flames threatened to spread to the large garage of Louis Vananeri, on Spruce Street, directly in the rear of the junk yard. Firemen mounted the roof of this building and drove the flames back.
Today’s blaze was the fourth that had visited the warehouse this year. The fire today is believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion.
Carter Directs Rescue
The quarter were stooping to take up their hose line again when there was a crack like the report of a pistol, followed by a terrific roar.
Fire Chief Carter, personally directing his men, was about 50 feet away, and saw the four men buried as the bricks thudded down from the crumbling wall.
“Come on boys, there are four men under here,” the chief yelled, and soon a score of hands were tearing frantically at the heaps of hot brick.
Bus Delays Ambulance
The police ambulance in which the injured men were placed was delayed for five minutes on its way to the hospital by the refusal of a Public Service bus driver to give it the right of way. According to Policeman Howard Fisher, the busman was arrested. The police say he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the ordinance in such cases. The ambulance was forced to remain behind the bus for a block and a half, according to the reports.
The pillar of smoke sent up by the blazing warehouse, sheds and 50-foot high piles of auto tires, drew thousands of spectators from all directions. Three alarms were turned in to the fire department in rapid succession. The police were called upon at once to establish lines for keeping back the crowd.
Bales of paper stored in the main building, as well as in the shed behind, absorbed tons of water poured into the place by the firemen’s hose, and the added weight snapped off fire-weakened floor beams like burning matches. The falling timbers and masses of packed paper added to the danger and difficulty of the firemen’s task.
Only by a long and stubborn fight were the firemen able to prevent a conflagration among surrounding buildings.
The big warehouse became a red hot furnace. The heat was so intense a half-hour after the fire was discovered that telephone and electric light poles on the other side of Division Street were ignited. “Trouble crews” from the telephone and electric companies were rushed to the place to guard their wires against falling and injuring persons below.
Loss placed at $50,000
It was roughly estimated that the damage to the junk sheds and warehouse would reach $50,000.
Mrs. Leona Brown, who had just moved today into the house at 264 Division Street, just east of the burned plant, was driven from her new home by the dense clouds of smoke from a blazing of automobile tires that towered above the west wall of her two-story dwelling.
She was unable to return for any of her belongings when the flames began to eat their way through the west wall of her house.
The fire was the second within a month in the junk yard, which is closely surrounded by frame residences, a frame negro church and other buildings on all sides.
Romaine Seriously Hurt
Hoseman Romaine was reported by surgeons at the West Jersey Homeopathic Hospital as the most seriously hurt of the firemen caught by the falling wall. He was cut above the head, badly bruised about the back, and one of his ankles is believed to have been fractured.
Captain Watkin suffered several fractured ribs.
Hoseman Anderson was cut and burned about the face and his right wrist.
Hoseman Quinton suffered burns, cuts and bruises, and it is believed that one of his shoulders was fractured.
Cops and Firemen in First Practice
Camden Post-Telegram —
Bluecoats and Ladder Climbers Get Ready for Field Day
Mr. Younger in Charge
Firefighters Have Large Team of Athletes
Charles Younger, physical director of the Camden Y.M.C.A. and in charge of the candidates for the police and firemen teams which will compete in the first annual police and fire field day on September 19 at Forest Hill Park, sends his proteges through their stiffest workout of the season yesterday morning with several of the committee in attendance.
Plans were arranged between Younger and Captain Stehr, of the First district, to build a temporary track around the local high school’s gridiron. Meanwhile, both the police and fire candidates will do their stuff under the watchful eye of Professor Younger on the Forest Hill track, outside of the enclosed athletic field.
In a confab over the arrangement of the cinder track, Stehr suggested that a 100 and 220-yard straightaway be constructed on the west side of the field.
Joe Connell, of the Highway Department, also gave the field a once-over, as did Captains Golden and Humes. After the members of the committee had inspected the grounds, they witnessed the candidates going through the paces.
Archie Riess, who is in full charge of the “cops,” declared that but nineteen men would be candidates for his team while Walter A. Mertz, of Engine Company No. 1, acting as manager for the firemen, declared he had twenty-nine candidates on his list. These men will compete next Tuesday, but first they will have an opportunity for field day. The events will be run off separately, that is, the “cops” in division and the firemen in another. The bluecoats who will compete this Tuesday are as follows: Everett Joslin, Joseph McDonald, Vernon Jones, Frank Nelson, William Rogers, Harold Dunnit, John Bright, Edwin Callahan, Walter Larson, August Pflederer, Clarence Phifer, Thomas Welch, Stanley Wirtz, Charles Naylor, George Rothwell, Richard Donnelly, Lester Gleason and Joseph Keefe.
The firemen who will also attempt qualification for field day include Fred Schucker, Harry Wagner, Chris Moll, Harry Layton, Edgar Ellender, August Haverkamp, Frank Kuda, Harry Kleinfelder, William Foehle, Thomas Shanahan, Harrison Pike, Lester Anderson, William Wood, George Townsend, Allen Palmer, Walter A. Mertz, Nelson Till, William Mountney, John A. Strauss, Frank Obermann, Edward Menzies, John Mulligan, Frank Kates, Clifford Lane, Nelson Andrews, Harry Leigh, John Lennox, William Merrigan, Howard Walker, Harry Greenan and Peter Laird. From the present outlook, “Cops” appear strongest, coming out second best. The firemen are confident of finishing once more in front of the bluecoats. The leader will be Stehr’s cohorts at the last Armory meet.
The tug-of-war team of eight men will also be selected by the firemen’s leader. Mertz will choose his varsity from Layton, Smith, Lennox, Walker, Pike, Palmer, Moll, Greenan, Laird, Mulligan, Haver, Merigan and Camp.
The Camden Athletic Club may stage a free exhibition of a motorcycle polo game during the meet. Stehr favors this arrangement, as no extra minutes of actual time is taken up. The local club is willing to donate their services without charge. Nelson Hubbs, local manager, has dates at the Trenton, Long Harbor, Allentown and Bridgeton fairs, while his riders have already performed in many eastern states. The “Camden Blue Devils,” as they are known, will furnish more thrills in the forty minutes than sport lovers have ever seen in the east, declares Nelson Hubbs. If they are on the bill at the games, they will also give an exhibition of trick and exhibition stunt.
Blue Devils No. 1 — Joseph Bernart, captain; Frank De Vivey, Carl Preisman and Edward Moll.
Blue Devils No. 2 — Charles Ellis, captain; George Gummel, Bennett Arnold, Clayton Albertson.
Taps Sound for Jack Airedale, Canine Mascot of Fire Laddies
Camden Courier-Post —
The American Fire Service has always held domesticated animals as esteemed mascots and the Camden Fire Department was certainly no exception. Through the years there have been many types of mascots in the Department including monkeys, cats, goats, and of course the most popular mascot, the dog. Dating back to the days of horse drawn fire apparatus and even earlier when carriage dogs formed an integral bond with horses, canines distinguished themselves as animals especially attuned to firehouse life.
Jack was the company mascot of Engine 2 and Ladder 1 at old Fire Headquarters for over five years and he was described as an intelligent Airedale of good humored nature. Jack never missed an opportunity to climb aboard the apparatus and answer alarms with his beloved masters. The sight of Engine Company 2 roaring out Federal Street with Jack perched high atop the apparatus, wind blowing in his face amid the shrill pitch of the buckeye whistle and clanging bells was an unforgettable scene. Occasionally and as with all active canines, Jack would be out of quarters and around the corner or down the street when an alarm was transmitted. At such times he would dash down Fifth Street until he caught up with the rolling apparatus and would skillfully leap upward to his accustomed place on the rig. It was under these circumstances that Jack lost his life.
The Department phone jingled and the Housewatchman turned out both companies for an alarm at 119 N. 9th Street. Jack got a late start on the hike and chased the apparatus out Federal Street where he tangled with an automobile at Broadway. While trying to avoid the car Jack darted into the path of the apparatus and was fatally injured. The men of the Engine and Truck were heart broken. Jack was buried the next day in the rear yard of Fire Headquarters in the place that had been his home since puppyhood. Flowers were planted to adorn the fresh grave while some of the toughest Firemen in the house were visibly grief stricken. One year later on the anniversary of Jack’s death a memorial service was held after Roll Call in the rear yard of Fire Headquarters. The members erected a tombstone and in a quiet service, Fireman John Yates blew taps over Jack’s grave. There were no words spoken. All that needed to be said was inscribed upon the little headstone; “Our Faithful Pal Jack” died in service, November 5, 1934.
Camden firemen and policemen paid their final respects to stout-hearted Jack Airedale yesterday.
The beloved mascot of Headquarters Fire Company, Fifth and Arch streets, whose life was crushed out under the wheels of truck No. 2, his own wagon, Monday, was accorded a hero’s funeral. His body was interred in the cemetery at the rear of St. Paul’s and the First Baptist churches, close by his fire station home, and taps were sounded at 5 p. m., just as the sun was setting in the west.
People from every station of life visited the fire station to pay homage to the doughty fire-fighter, who was killed answering his last call. Senator Albert S. Woodruff, City Commissioner Harold W. Bennett, Miss Florence Hughes, chairman of the Camden County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Fire Chief John S. Lennox and Deputy Chief William Hearn were among the estimated throng of 3500 who passed his bier.
Letters and telegrams of sympathy poured into the headquarters company throughout the day. There were more than 10 offers of dogs to serve as mascots and take Jack’s place. These were kindly but firmly rejected by members of the headquarters company. “There will only be one Jack,” they said. “We appreciate all these offers, but we don’t want another mascot right now.”
The funeral rites for the dog were impressive.
Active bearers included Raymond Stark, John K. Taylor and Everett Joslin, members of the Camden police department; William Spencer and John Strouss, of fire truck No. 1; John McKay, Lester Anderson and Chester Andrews, of truck No. 2.
The honorary members were Captain Van Pfefferts, Russell Anderson, Harry Haines and Charles Edwards, of truck No. 1; Nelson Andrews, Christopher Moll, Arthur Batten, George Boone and Rox Abbott, of truck No. 2.
At the appointed hour a dummy alarm was sounded. Jack Airedale was carried to his favorite place on fire truck No. 2. The vehicle moved slowly along Fifth street to Federal, then to Fourth and back to Arch street. When it passed the fire station the bells in the tower tolled.
At the cemetery Jack was placed alongside his predecessors, Alva and Gimp, dogs, and Skibby and Old Black Bill, cats, who were at one time mascots at the fire station.
City Fireman Dies of Heart Ailment
Camden Courier-Post —
Lester R. Anderson Found Unconscious on Cot at Headquarters
After fellow-firemen strove vainly for two hours to revive him, Lester R. Anderson, 38, a hoseman attached to Engine Company No. 2, was pronounced dead of a heart attack at Cooper Hospital last night.
Anderson, a member of the fire department since 1923, apparently died in his sleep a few hours after answering an alarm for a grass fire at 12.26 p. m. yesterday at Twenty-ninth and Mickle streets. With other members of his engine company, the headquarters detail located at Fifth and Arch streets, he returned to that fire station and went to bed on a cot on the second floor of the building.
At 4.20 p. m. another fireman sought to awaken him. When Anderson gave no response, the other fire-fighters hastily organized a rescue squad which worked in relays at artificial respiration, under supervision of Dr. Garnett Summerill, the city, police and fire surgeon, until 6.20, when the stricken man was removed to the hospital.
Coroner Charles T. Murray pronounced Anderson dead of the heart ailment.
Anderson, who lived at 2771 North Constitution road, is survived by his widow and two children; and two brothers, John, also a fireman, attached to Engine Company No. 3, and William, active in Thirteenth Ward political circles.
He became a member of the fire department April 13, 1923, and first saw service at Engine Company No. 10. Later he was transferred to Engine Company No. 7, and in January, 1934, to the headquarters company at Fifth and Arch streets.
Rites Friday
Camden Courier-Post —
The funeral of Lester R. Anderson, 38, city fireman, who was found dead on a cot at fire headquarters Monday, will be held at 8.30 a. m., Friday at the home, 2771 Constitution road. Requiem mass will be held at 9.30 a. m., at St. Joan of Arc Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Mr. Anderson was a member of Local No. 5, Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Society.
Firemen Pallbearers for Lester Anderson
Camden Courier-Post —
The funeral of Lester R. Anderson, 38, a member of Engine Company No. 2, Fifth and Arch streets, who died in his sleep at the fire house Monday night, will be held today at 8.30 a. m. from his home, 2771 Constitution road.
A High Mass will be celebrated at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Joan of Arc at 9.30 a. m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers, all members of the engine company, will be John Yates, Arthur Batten, William Hopkins, Leo Tompkins, Ralph Bingemann and Henry Baumgartle.
Mr. Anderson, a member of the fire department since 1923, had not been ill. A native of this city, he is survived by his widow, Marie; two children, Marie, 15, and Lester R. Jr., 12; his father, William, Camden; a stepmother, and three brothers and three sisters; John, also a fireman; William, a Republican county committeeman in the Fourteenth ward; Charles, of Pennsauken; Mrs. Louis Letzgus, of Camden; Mrs. Kathryn Venella, of Glendora, and Madeline, Camden.
Appreciation
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor: I am taking this opportunity to express my appreciation and that of my family to Commissioner Kobus and members of the fire department for their kindness and thoughtfulness on the death of my husband, Lester R. Anderson, hoseman of No. 2 Engine Company, on Nov. 6. Their sympathetic aid to us in our sudden bereavement will never be forgotten by his family.
MRS. MARIE ANDERSON.
2771 Constitution road.