09/30/2026
Driver Engineer J.M. Partin, DFD LODD 9-29-1908
For the men of Engine Company No. 2 and the entire Dallas Fire Department, the loss of one of their own, plus injuries to numerous other Firemen at a stubborn General Alarm fire in the downtown district, would never be forgotten. The first alarm was transmitted at approximately 10:40 PM.
Engine Company 2's Driver Engineer, J.M. Partin, died when he and four others plunged from the second floor of the fire building down into the heat and flames on the first floor. His body was discovered under debris near another fireman, A.L. Davis, who was successfully rescued at approximately 02:45 AM.
The Dallas Firefighter's Museum humbly acknowledges his contributions and dedicated service to his Family, The Dallas Fire Department, and the Citizens of the City of Dallas. R.I.P. Mr. Partin. Additionally, we encourage our online friends to continue reading the following "very descriptive" story from The Dallas News. It is a little lengthy and sometimes repetitive, but an excellent read nonetheless, and very reflective of the style of reporting and language from the early 1900's:
FATAL DOWNTOWN FIRE PROPERTY DAMAGED HEAVILY
Flames Burn Fiercely and Damage Variously Estimated at from $150,000 to $200,000
FIVE MEN ARE BURIED UNDER DEBRIS
Falling Floor Catches Them Beneath It During Critical Stage of Fight. Four Are Rescued, Remains of Other Recovered at Early Hour
One fireman was killed, three more or less seriously injured and property valued at between $150,000 and $200,000 was destroyed during a fire which raged on Elm Street in the heart of the district last night from 10:40 o’clock until midnight. The dead fireman is believed by Fire Chief Magee to be J. M. Partin, driver for Engine Company No. 2. The injured are:
Wirt Wolf of the Central Truck Company.
Will Stampley of Engine Company No. 6.
Ray West, Captain of Fire Company No. 8.
A. L. Davis, Hoseman for Company No. 8.
The men were caught under the debris when the second floor of the landing occupied by L. Craddock & Co. gave way and crashed to the ground with all the heavy weight which it had sustained. Three of them, Wolf, Stampley, West, were rescued immediately afterward. Davis was not extricated until 2:45 o’clock this morning. Both his legs are broken.
The fight which was made to save Davis was at once the most thrilling as well as the most desperate in the history of the fire department. Davis, with four others, was on the second floor of the building occupied by L. Craddock & Co. It gave way and they were precipitated into the Smoke and flames below. Three others were rescued, but when Davis was reached, the flames were fighting to get at him, and the heat was so intense that it drove the workers back. To fight the flames with water meant drowning Davis, for the place was already filled with water and a few inches more would cover him. All his body was pinned down except his head and one shoulder. Chemicals were called into play and the fire driven back. Then a doctor rushed in and administered op**tes. The work of rescuing him progressed slowly for the reason that great caution had to be exercised, else heavy timbers would fall and crush him.
At 2:35 this morning when the rescuers finally removed the debris from around Fireman Davis and had conveyed him to the hospital, they found just a few feet away the lifeless body of another man. Fire Chief H. F. Magee looked at the remains and expressed the opinion that they were those of J. M. Partin because Partin was the only member of his department as yet unaccounted for and because the remains so far as he could see bore a resemblance to Partin.
Davis was accompanied to the hospital by Dr. Rosser, who gave him attention on the way and promised the fireman that he would work hard to save the life of their companion.
Reports from the hospital at 4 o’clock this morning are that Davis’ injuries are much less serious than was believed. It develops that neither of his legs were broken, but that one foot was badly crushed.
Fire which destroyed property variously estimated in value between $150,000 and $200,000 in the heart of the business district of Dallas last night and resulted in the serious injury of several firemen who were caught under falling floors of the liquor house of L. Craddock & Co., on Elm Street, raged from 10:40 o’clock last night until midnight before the entire fire department of the city could place it under control.
Shortly after the fire was discovered in the second floor of the building occupied by H. J. Blakeney to the west of the establishment of L. Craddock & Co. an explosion occurred in the liquor house which sent a shower of glass to the street below and shook the walls of the burning structure. After this the fire swept onward in its course spreading to buildings on each side.
The furniture establishment of William Kelly was soon a mass of flames and the blaze spread to the Egan-Farry Electrical Co.’s storerooms.
The fire department in the business district was prompt on responding, but it was quickly perceived that more apparatus would be necessary to fight the flames and a general alarm was turned in, bringing every available piece of apparatus in the city to the scene.
While the fire was at its hottest and the firemen had crowded into the Craddock building in order to reach the blaze in the heart of the block, with a crash the entire second floor fell upon them bearing with it its enormous weight of barrel goods and causing a scream of horror from those outside and a cry of warning from their fellow firemen.
Immediately ever fireman within reach plunged into the ruin of the flooring, tearing aside the timbers, heaving out the hot bricks and bringing to light in a few moments the smoked and blackened firemen on whom the floor had fallen with the exception of one who was pinned down by the timbered planking in such a manner that only the upper part of his head was visible.
MEDICAL AID FURNISHED FOR INJURED FIREMEN.
With the exception of Davis, the injured firemen, limp and helpless, were assisted by their companions to Apperson’s drug store, followed by a swarming and sympathetic crowd. Their waterproof jackets were torn and ragged, their faces were blue with smoke and covered with minor gashes and bruises. The extent of their injuries could not be ascertained with accuracy by the necessarily hurried examination of doctors.
At the same time, frantic efforts were made to release the imprisoned fireman. He spoke to the workers and assured them that he was all right. Dr. C. M. Rosser was hurriedly summoned, and removing his coat, dived beneath the shattered planking, and reached the spot where Davis was imprisoned. He relieved his pain with an injection of op**tes, and coming to the door, announced that Davis would be all right if he could only be released.
Immediately the efforts were redoubled. Brawny shoulders lifted the torn planking, which resembled nothing more wrecked lumber, and a channel was made through which Davis, alive or dead, might be removed to the white ambulance, which had been drawn up to the curb in readiness.
Firemen working at the rear of the buildings were unaware of the misfortune that had befallen the four men until recalled from their posts and told of the accident, which may or may not result fatally for one or more of them. Dr. Rosser, upon examining Wirt Wolf, announced that he was unable to say at the time just how badly he was hurt. He was badly shocked, the physician said, and was considerably burned about the head by hot bricks. Wolf was perfectly self-possessed and asked that his sister be notified by phone and told not to believe any rumors she might hear about serious injury to him.
About 12:20 o’clock the fire was under control and streams of muddy water were gushing out on Elm Street and on Pacific avenue, at the rear sweeping down the stairways and dripping in sheets from the overhanging awnings.
LOSSES AND INSURANCE
Following is a partial list of losses and the insurance:
L. Craddock Liquor Company loss $70,000, insurance not known.
J. W. Turner, building loss $12,000, fully insured.
Unknown owner Kelly building loss $12,000, insured.
Eagan-Farry Electric Company loss $18,000, insurance $11,000.
H. J. Blakeney, #3,500, insurance $2,300.
William Kelly, stock a partial loss, $10,000, insurance estimated at $7,000.
A. H. Peacock, loss $500, insurance none.
Adjoining this building on the west was the Peacock Building. It was completely gutted and the double building next to it was a total wreck in so far as interior was concerned. At the rear, both floors of the Eagan-Farry Electric Company quarters showed a similar devastation, the building being badly wrecked and interior blackened and charred.
Over the Eagan-Farry Company’s quarters, H. J. Blakeney carried a stock of chinaware and glassware which was completely ruined by fire and smoke, so far as appearance went. The building at the rear was also badly damaged, as was the rear part of William Kelly’s furniture place at 225 Elm Street, which however at the front showed practically no damage. It is not thought that the fore part of the store was badly damaged. If at all, for here the fire was got under control.
The fire was one of the most difficult to handle in the history of the department in Dallas. When discovered it was burning furiously in the very center of a brick block extremely hard of access surrounded by heavily charged cable wires and of the rear shut in by the Texas and Pacific passenger depot, against which the firemen were compelled to lean, fighting the blaze at close range.
During the progress of the fire, a large number of people took advantage of the location of the depot to use it for sight-seeing purposes and the glare of the flames showed hundreds of faces framed by the railroad company’s windows.
The rescue of Wolf, West, and Davis was accomplished with the utmost difficulty. Fire threatened to consume them and water to drown them. Their piteous moans nerved the rescuers to greater exertion. Saws were secured with the utmost dispatch, hales of matter were torn from the debris and through a hole in the debris the firemen wormed in their way.
Of those fell, all were rescued with dispatch save A. L. Davis. His condition was such that he, thinking possibly that his rescue would never be accomplished, called for Chief Magee, urging the Chief to send for his brother in Fort Worth. About this time the report came that the fire was blazing from the Pacific side of the debris.
It was a most serious dilemma. Unless the fire was extinguished, life would be threatened, and if more water were added to the flood fast rising about the man, he would be drowned. The blaze could be seen from the Elm Street side.
Chemicals were used and this blaze was partly smothered, the firemen working from the Pacific Avenue side. Meanwhile Dr. Rosser was busy in the debris injecting an op**te in the cheek of the pinned man. The face was the only part of the body that was available for such injection, debris covering the body.
J. B. Edwards was with the company of men caught under the debris. He said:
"As we stood on the second floor putting a line of water on the fire, the floor suddenly gave way. We were thrown downward, and those men who were in advance of me were caught in the debris. I was far enough back to be enabled to run backward to an upper window and escaped without injury. The fall was so sudden that the others were unable to help themselves.
At 10:40 o’clock last night, an alarm of fire was turned in from Box 14 at Elm and Lamar streets, where passers-by discovered flames shooting up from the rear of the building at 227 Elm Street, occupied by the Eagan-Farry Electric Company."
Ten minutes later, while hose was being unreeled and ladders placed, the fire broke through the heavy walls into the liquor house of L. Craddock & Co., gaining strength from the inflammable stock, tearing through the roof and eating away toward Lamar Street.
A general alarm brought every portion of the firefighting apparatus of the city. Engines were placed on Main, Elm, and Lamar streets, and while stream after stream was turned on the blazing crater from the Main Street side, three lines of hose were run back of the buildings and firemen backed against the Texas and Pacific passenger station fought the flames at a distance of twenty feet.
Had Narrow Escape.
Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Robinette, who occupied the lodging house at 322 Pacific Avenue, in the rear of the burning business houses, were awakened by the smoke and barely escaped, leaving all their furniture and possessions.
At 10:30 o’clock, a heavy explosion from some unknown cause shattered windows and scattered debris, the center of explosion being apparently the second floor of the Craddock building at 229 Elm Street.
Fire Forces Fighters Back.
Fifteen minutes later, while barrels of liquor were exploding, the fire tore its way through the front of Elm Street wall of the Craddock building, making it necessary for the firemen to retreat down their ladders, and slowly burned its way deeper into the heart of the block of valuable property, making its path of destruction toward Lamar Street on the west.
Destroys Valuable Stock.
At 11:30, two floors of the Craddock Building were gutted. The first floor was filled with valuable case goods, largely imported stock, and is considered almost a total loss. On the second floor was stored a large quantity of barrel goods, four or five carloads of bottles, valuable bottling apparatus, and a large quantity of excelsior packing, which of course served as fine fuel for the flames.
Hard Fight Against Flames.
For a time, it was thought the fire has reached the third floor and 231 Elm Street, also owned and occupied by the Craddock people. On the first floor there were large wh**ky tanks and on the second floor a large quantity of stock. However, the firemen closed the fire shutters, and at 11:30 o’clock, it was not believed that there were any damages on the upper floor of the building, although stock was somewhat damaged by water on the first floor.
The Kelley Furniture Company’s store was more or less damaged, but no estimate of the loss was made at 11:30 o’clock. It being impossible at that hour to gain even an approximate idea of the amount.
Damages Many Places.
Considerable damage was done to the stock of H. J. Blakeney on the second floor of 229 Elm Street, through which the flames swept, licking up much of the stock of wholesale lamps and glassware.
Similar damage was done to the establishment of the Egan-Farry Electric Company on the ground floor of 227 Elm Street and Peacock’s jewelry store at 227½ elm street adjoining.
Will B. Allen, a wholesale dealer in explosives, had an office on the ground floor of 227 Elm Street. It was stated that his loss as far as could be ascertained was to furniture only, as he had no stock at that location.
Buried Beneath Walls.
At 11:45 o’clock there was a crash of falling bricks, a crunching and groaning of timbers, and the roof and second floor of the L. Craddock Company’s place at 229 fell’ catching a number of firemen who had entered the first floor, and it was thought also one or two also from the second.
Will Stampley of Engine Company No. 2, who resides at the corner of Bell Avenue and Harwood Street, was the first fireman taken from the building. He was badly bruised about the head and the body but did not appear to have been seriously injured. He was removed to one of the hospitals.
Captain R. D. West of Engine Company No. 8 was taken out at 12:05 o’clock. He also was stunned but revived soon after and attention was given him at Apperson’s Drug Store. He also seemed to be suffering from bruises and contusions. Dr. Rosser attended him. After a few minutes he insisted on returning to the scene of the fire.
Wirt Wolf, who resides at the corner of Wolf Street and Cedar Springs Road, and who is a member of the Central Company, was brought out at 12:10 o’clock. The extent of his injuries could not be ascertained. He was entirely conscious but was limping badly and seemed to be suffering considerably. He was taken away in a carriage.
Will Stamply stated that Frank McClure , Mack McClure, and Jasper Harding were on a line of hose with him, and he was unable to state whether or not they were taken out. Capt. West and Wolf were both brought out in the meanwhile, but Holbrook had not shown up at 12:30 o’clock.
Bodies are Found.
When the rescuers had finally cleared away enough of the wreckage to remove Fireman Davis, who was one of those caught beneath falling debris, and had lifted him up to the hands of the ambulance corps in waiting, they saw immediately in the rear of where Davis had been the form of another man. The body had rested against that of Davis, but the latter was entirely unaware of it, saying that the man had uttered no sound whatever.
Under the direction of Chief Magee, the workers renewed their efforts and soon had enough of the debris removed to see the man’s face.
Chief Magee said he was almost positive that it was J. M. Partin, driver of No. 2 engine company, as all of the other men had been accounted for. From the further fact that Partin’s hat was found close to the body, he said it could hardly be anyone else. The hat was positively identified.
