University of South Carolina Libraries
66 m 66 'Deputy Chief Kruger of the New York City Fire Department Dies as He Lived, Leading His "Boys" In the Peril 1 . ous Path of Duty. ! Charles W. Kruger. deputy chief of the New York city fire department. i"\vas drowned ou Feb. 14 in a subcellar ifnto which Le had fallen through an 'open trap while leading a coiupany of hi* men to a poiut of vantage for tight ji::g a bad fire. i Xo surer death hole could have been (contrived tnan the pit in which the Iheroic old lire leader lost his life in jspite of the struggles of his men to isave him. There was six feet of wa- J jter in the subcellar, and above that jwas the main cellar filled with deadly 'fumes from many broken and melted jgas pipes. Xo doubt the deputy chief ?had been weakened by these fumes, .for his struggle in the water was short. I The last cry that came up from the ipitch dark hcrfe was "Save me. Andy!" ' Andy was Andrew Hergeurother. the (deputy's driver, who not only took his ichief to every blaze for many years, ibut followed him like a shadow in and out of danger. lie followed him naif 'way into the water hole and would have gone all the way had he not found that/he could render better serv Several drops of cold water spattered ajxaiust the driver's outstretched hands. and with a fireman's intuition he knew what had happened. But already one foot was over the pitfall, and he could not save himself altogether from go ins down. He spread out his arms, however, and checked himself as he hung up to his thighs in the water, managing to bold on in spite of the fact that the -first of the following men stumbled heavily against his shoulders. "For God's sake. Andy, this place is full of water!" came a smothered, gasping cry from the subcellar. "I'm coming, chief." replied the driv er as ho drew in one arm from the swaying floor preparatory to letting himself down. But he quickly threw it back and struggled to strengthen his bold, for at that instant he felt the anus of the chief clasped about hi:? leg. Two of the ladder men seized Her genrothcr under the armpits and braced for a hard pull together, but the driver could do nothing to help himself, and THEX THERE WAS A SPLASH. ice by holding to the edge, so that his j struggling superior officer could cllug to his leg. The fire which cost the city and the department a man who had served bravely for thirty-four years was at 217 Canal street It started at 1:30 o'clock and practically destroyed 217, spreading to two adjoining buildings before it was under control. After that came the hardest part.of the fight. The basement of 217 vas filled with closely packed bales of ex celslor, and among them the fire raged like that of a thousand furnaces un der forced draft long after the flames In the upper live stories had burned themselves out. Kruger, who had done his share in controlling the blaze above the side ;walk level, next gave his personal at tention to the cellar. It was always ?his way to lead his men rather than to 'take advantage of his rank and merely jsend them. He also had the old fash ioned paternal and friendly habit of icaillng the firemen "boys" when uuder ithe ex?kement of action. Half a dozen 'times he tried to get into close fight ing range with the blazing bales, but just as often he and his followers were driven back to the street before they could do effective work. Finally he reported to Chief Croker that the only thing possible was to flank the bla?e at 217 by going into the cellar at 215 and cutting through the partition wall. Croker approved the plan, so once more Kruger yelled "Come on, boys!" and plunged Into the cellar with an ax. Hergeurother was rieht at his heels, and following the driver were Donohue. Jacobs. Fischer, Krlesler and McGrath of hook and lad der Xo. S, dragging a line of hose and carrying a ram with which to attack the masonry between them and the blazing excelsior. But they never reached that partition rwall. Earlier in the night the fire had been in 215. so the cellar of that ?building was filled with smoking de fbrls and the fumes from broken gas pipes, and progress from the steps to jward the wall was slow aud danger ous. Lanterns made but little impres sion on the blackness. They only made confusing Skadows, and the glimpses rwhlch the men had of the deputy chiefs white helmet as It bobbed along at the head of the Indian file, a sort of ?guide and marker for the advance, .?were less frequent than the encourag ing "Come ou, boys." which they heard from the lips of the wearer. It was just after one of these shouts from the head of the line that the groplug. half asphyxiated laddermen heard a crunching of the mullled. sink ing sort that comes from the breaking of rotten boards. Then there was a splash, and? not even Andy could see the white helmet which an instant be fore was not more than two feet In front of his eyes. his companions could not lift him, with the added weight of the clinging chief, an inch. So they braced again, mere ly to hold on. Chief Kruger had stopped giving or ders. "Save me, Andy!" he cried faint ly. "Yes, chief!" gasped Hergeurother. Then the .e was dead silence, while four men waited in the blackness. The three who lived to tell the story said that this wait seemed like an hour. It might have been a minute, surely not more than two, before the others returned, dragging a ladder and led by Battalion Chief Gal van. "All right now, chief !"? yelled thej driver, bending his head as far as be j could to make himself heard below. But there was no response. On the contrary, the driver felt the grip upon his rubber booted leg relaxing. The encircling arms slipped from his thigh to his knee. "For God's sake, chief, hold another second!" shouted Hergeurother. but it was loo late. The arms let go alto gether, and the driver heard a splash in the water as wheu a body rolls over. At the same iustaut Galvan, impa tient of the unavoidable delay in up ending the ladder In a low ceiled eel lar, slipped by the driver down into the water. He also held to He^enrother's le; with oue hand while with the other he groped about in the water until he touched the deputy chief's fingers. He grasped the drowning man's wrist and shouted for the ladder. When that was finally put down Galvan stood upon the lower rungs and dragged his chief up to where the men above could take hold of him. Galvan had recovered the body, but there was nothing else to be done. It Is not at all probable that Kruger was alive when he was finally dragged up the ladder and taken out to the side walk. Long before that Chief Croker had summoned doctors from St. Vincent' hospital, aud they bad arrived wit!) one ambuh'.nce and a tank of oxygen. The surgeons knew that the case was hopeless, but, urged on by Croker and his men, they worked for hours, aud it was nearly da*, light bet?re the men ot the department would admit that their leader was dead. Firemeu who stood about with lifted helmets did not try to hide their grief when all hope was given up. Many of them sobbed, and the taciturn Croker hiuiself was not ashamed of his tears. "I knew it would happen this way," said one of those who bad followed Kruger Into the basement. "I have been to many fires with him. He was always in the lead. He never said. 'Boys, go into that place or this place.' He always led us himself. He said. 'Boys, follow me.' And that's Just what he said this time when be led us into that basement- 'Pm-?. follow me.'" The finest Coffee Substitute ever Dr. Shoop of Racine, Wis. You don't have to boil it twenty or thirty min utes. "Made in a minute" says the doctor. "Health Coffee" is really the closest Coffee Imitation ever yet pro duced. Not u grain of real Coffee -in it either. Health Coffee Imitation Is made from pure toasted cereals or grains, with malt, nuts, etc. Really it would fool an expert?were he to unl nowingly drink M for Coffee. A. L. Duke Orino Laxative- Fruit Syrup, the new Laxative, stimulates, but does not irritate. It is the best Laxative. Guaranteed or your money back. A. C. Dukes. Trial Catrrrh treatnieers are be ing mailed out, free, on request, by Dr. Shoop, Racine, Wis. These tests are proving to the people?without a penn? 's cost?the great valu^ of this scientific prescription known to dr-ggists everywhere as Dr. Shoop's C;' urh Remedy. Sold by Dr. J. G. Wannamaker Mfg. Co. Disapp....tcd Friendship. Id the matter of friendship I have observed that disappointment arise Chiefly not fi fim liking our friends tor. well or thinking of them too highly, but rather from an overestimate of their liUing for and opinion of us. and that if we guard ourselves with sulli cient scrupulousness - *' care from er ror in trat direction .ud can be con tent and even happy to give more af fection than we receive we may man age to go through life with consistency and constancy, iiui.iibittered by thai misanthropy which springs from revul sions of feciiilK t'U.irlnMo Bronte - When the Stomach. Heart or Kid ney nerves get weak, then these or gans always fail. Don't drug the Stomach, nor stimulate the Heart 01 Kidneys. That is simply a makeshift. Get a prescription known to drug gists everywhere as Dr. Shoop's Re storative is prepared expressly for these inside nerves, build them up with Dr. Shoop's Restorative?tab lets or liquid?and see how qiuckly help will come. Free sample test sent on request by Dr. Shoop, Racine, Wis. Your health is surely worth this simple test. .1. G. Wannamakei Mfg. Co. v Mrs. Renhara?Do you remember the day father gave me your hand? Benham - Yes: you were palmed off For Her Children?Litfcie Girls Suf fered with itching Eczema Which Simply Covered Back of Heads Baby Had a Tender Skin, Too. ALL PRGMPTLY CURED BY "WONDERFUL OINTMENT" "Some years ago my three little girls had a veiy bad form of er :ema. Itch ing eruptions formed on the backs of their heads which were simply covered. Before I heard of Cuti cura, I used to try almost everything, but they failed. Then my mother recommended the Cuticura Remedies. I washed my children's heads with Cuti cura Soap and then applied the wonder ful ointment Cuticura. I did this four or five times and I can say that they have been entirely cured. I have another baby who is so plump that the folds of skin on his neck were broken and even bled. I used Cuticura Soap and Cuti cura Ointment and the next morning the trouble had disappeared. I am using the Cuticura Remedies yet when ever any of my family have any sores. I can never recommend Cuticura suffi ciently;^ is indispensable in every home. I cannot find its equal. Mine. Napoleon Duceppe, 41 DuluthSt., Montreal, Que., May 21, 1907." PAINFUL ULCER On Foot for a Year. Healed by Two Sets of Cuticura "I had an ulcer on my foot for a year or more and it was very painful as it was a running sore. I had a doctor, but his treatment did not heal it. About eight months ago I commenced to use Cuticura Soap, Cuticura Ointment, and Cuticura Pills. I used two seta and it is now all healed up. Mrs. E. F. Ryder, West Brewster, Mass., April 20, 1907." Complete External und Internnl Treatment for Every Humnr of Iniants. Children, und Adult:, ronsi-t.s or Cuticura Soap (25c) to Cleanse the Skin. CuMctlRl Ointment (fine.) to Heal the Skin, nnd Cuticura Resolvent (50c.),(orintheformotChocolate Coated Pills -,r?c p.>r via! ot 00) to Purify the Mood. Bold throughout ihe world. Potter Drug & chem. Corp.. Sole Props.. Boston, Mam. asTMsUed Free, Cuticura liooU on Skin Discos?*. I T>P#s?sj m m w*m+ 999NSDWS 9 9 Not cheap insurance- but insurance that; insures you against all loss by tire or lightning-. I do not represent snudl mntuals with no cupiud. who lave to t?6sess the policy holders to cover each lots, but te:i of the oldest n d strongest companies doing bvi ness, worth morn than i?lOi),<'D0,000 and who have paid more thux;$L. 000,000,000 in losses. Country dwellings, barns and ?utbuildincs, together with their contests au uritien, and 1 huve satisfied customers in every soo tion of tho couuty. Improved pins insured and also oottou en plantations. O ewith Western Union Telegraph Co., next donr to Dr. J. G. Wannamaknr Mfg. Co., where you will lind me from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. Oillce Telephone 21 Residence 1812. t E e 1 GEO S. BACKER & SON. Ihe Largest and Most Complete. Establishment South. Doom, Sa*h, rfliuds. Mold, nits, bwtiaing Material, ?"?t^h, Weiches, Hardware aid GIadr MAPI \Rfc AND tSAD' MIXED VAIN" t arl on, *>. n Tlie Edisto Savings Bank, OTIAN'GEBURG, S. O. Capital.8100,000.00. Surplus. 830,000.00. . a. Mjs3, President. M. Oliver, Vies Pre ?> J ii.j. Vice President, m. L. Glover, Cj.ib.ie DIRECTORS M O. Dautzler J. M. Oliver . ft Oivqio Vv*. F rFi'e B. H. Moss T. C Doyle Sol Kobn J. W. Slmoak . Money saved is moray made, and the vvr "< > ^ w> 's ti', i >->?>ig ou money in the savings department and draw interest oc the Crst 'lav January, April. July ao^ Octooer at the rate of four per cent De> ?t This bank's absolut* aarety is best attested by its capital tock, it surplus and by r.hi .-.^aracter and standing of its officers anc board of directors. Money loaned on good security. BEWARE Young man don't get the habit of spending all you make each month, but save up a part of your salary or income for a rainy day 8.nd you will never regret it. One of the best ways and the way we would sug gest is to invest in one of our very many attractive Life Insurance Policies and have something to fall back on in case you get hard up while living or leave protection for your loved ones in case you die. in this you have a two-fold purpose. We are strictly a Southern Com pany, in fact, a South Carolina Co., a great deal of the stock being own ed right here in Orangeburg. Writing regular Old Line Insurance, put ting up the legal reserve for the protection of our Policy Holders, and working on regular banking principles. FURZE You would not think of having your house uninsured and it tr ay never burn, if it should you are left to provide for your loved ones, should you die they would lose your help. Which is the most important? Life insurance or Fire Insurance? 18 E. Russell St., Orangeburg, S. C. Agent for South Eastern Life In surance Co., Spartanburg, S. C. "The Buggy House/' Samuel G. Parier, Manager. BUGGTES: We sell the celebrated Hackuey buggies and the old established Columbus, besides we offrr the following well known makes: Corbet, Harbour, Parker, White Star, Oettinger and Taylor-Cannaday. OUR LE YDER: JUST LISTEN: We will sell you a Hackney bag cry for the sum of $65.00. Remember this is cheaper than a Hackney I as ever been sold on this market before. The Hackney is tho buggy that wears, it cost twenty dollars more to make it than the cheaper grades thai are offered in competition at this price, buy cue and you will not have to buy a ucw one or trade for a new one next year. BUT DON'T FORGET: The old reliable Columbus?Bo sure it is a Columbus. WAGONS: We sell only the Hackney wagon?The "Tough" Wagon that lasts on our rough roads. SUNDRIES: Harness, Saddles, Whips, Laprobes, Etc.. Etc. rail fill! [ Orangeburpr S. C. Wm. C. Wolfe. R. E. Wannamaker, Thos. F. Bran t ier, DIRECTORS Jl-7-3m. TUP The NEW YE \R finds us bfy '??* prepared than ever to h supplv vour wants in the lineoC FURNITURE and HOUSE & GOODS. ounce with pleasure that Mr. "Bob" Branson is now with us and will be glad to havt his friends como to see him. Wannamaker, Smoak & Co. ? 8 CONSIDER THE SALMON: The live ones swim up stream, The dead ones iloat with the curren. Never mind what you thought you knew yesterday. That might be enough if everybody else stopped learning. It's wh-dt you need lo know for the business battles of to morrow, next mon'h and next year that, should '-oncera you. Remember the hare that took a nap. Remamber also that just, twenty years ago the Rock Hill Buggy Co , was organized and to-day thousands of satisfied users are singing the praises of a buugy the reputation of which was made solely upon their merits and today with an annual capacity of 20,000 vehicles, the demand lor this famous buggy cannot be supplied. This all lias a meaning Stop and think and call at Sifley and Frith's and see the most com plete line of fine vehicle rv r displayed on this market. 81 FLY & FRITH. A few reasons why we want you to trade with us; We are in the business for an honest square deal and propose to give satisfaction to each and every one of our customers. We have exer cised the most careful judgment in buying our Spring Goods, and are well pleased with the very low prices to of fer you. 52 inch Mohair in all shades at 50 cents per yard. Yard wide Jap and China Silks, all shades at 50 cent* t r yard. 16 Button Silk Cloves, Black and White at 08 cents. 20 Button Silk Gloves, Black and White at $1.40 cents. 20 Button Silk Gloves, Tan, Blue, Black and White at $1.98 cents. A Beautiful Sheer White Persian Lawn at 10c, 12 1-2, 15, 20 and 25c. Galatea Cloth for Boys Wash Suits ri 15 cents per yard. Queen's Crewel Needles for Fancy and Embroidery Work 7c a paper. Boy's Knee Pants?50c, 70c and SJ.Oi) per pair. We know we can suit the most fastideous in White Goods, Linens and Lawns. See Our Line of Footwear. Ladies, Misses, Men's and Boy's shoes, Oxfords, and Pumps for Spring. The latest Styles. No finer line ever shown in Orangebursr. Zeiglcr Bro's of Philadelphia Shoes, Oxfords and Pumps for Ladies and Misses, all styles and Colors from $2.00 to $5.00. W. L. Douglass Shoes and Oxfords for Men and Boy's. All styles. Patent, Box Calf, Guii Metal, Vici-Kid, Tan, Kussctt, and White from $2.00 to $8.00. Men and Boy's Clothing. Hats, Caps and Neck Wear, In fact a full line of Spring Goods ready to be shown. OZR-AJ5rGr-EBTJIRGr3 S. G. Phone 1402. 19. W. Russell, St. Sewing Machines. NEW DROP-HEAD MACHINES sold ou asy payments. Good prices allowed for old Machines in exchm Second-hand Machines 'rom $5.00 to $15.00. Also parts ?. ,d attachments furnished ' ^11 standard makes. Prompt attention to mail orders. New Bicycles ^?!d < n Easy Payments. ALo Bicycle parts and sr. ri furnished for all standard maX.ee. General Repair Shop for b< .viug Machines, Bicycles, Guna, Clocka d Watches. anGive me your work. Satisfaction guaranteed. J. H. SMITH. Market Street ? ? Opposite New Postoffice. The Orangeburg Collegiate Institute Orangeburg, S. C. Our new building is now completed, and at the opening of the sec ond term January 2nd we will be able to accommodate about twenty five new boardiug students. Catalogue and terms on request. W. S. Peterson. President.