Indianapolis Firefighters Museum and Fallen Firefighters Memorial

12/05/2023

From our good friend Jack Finney:
I'm pleased to announce that I have a book being published in 2024. "Historic Indianapolis Fires and Disasters" will be available in early February, 2024 from most retailers.
It's available to pre-order now, direct from the publisher: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781467155052/
You can also pre-order it at your local Barnes and Noble bookstore, or at barnesandnoble.com, Amazon.com, Ebay.com, and several other booksellers.
There are 14 chapters detailing events that occurred from 1852 through 1917. All of the incidents took place inside Marion County, with most of them occurring within the Indianapolis City Limits.
Included are stories of several fires, including the tragic Bowen-Merrill bookstore fire that killed or seriously injured one-third of the entire Indianapolis Fire Department. In addition, there are accounts of explosions, train wrecks, bridge and building collapses and a flood (but not the 1913 flood).
Please share this announcement and spread the word. I'm donating 10% of my royalties to the Indianapolis Firefighter's Museum, so you can learn about Indianapolis history while helping a good cause.
Remember, it's not available until early February, but you can order "Historic Indianapolis Fires and Disasters" now, just in time for Christmas!

11/28/2023

Friday November 28, 1941.
Charles F. Graul, age fifty-four, a fireman at Engine House 18, 3130 West Washington street, and a member of the fire, department, twenty years, died of a heart attack Friday at the fire station. Graul had spent the morning working on a pumper according to Captain Cale Racobs. and had not complained of feeling ill. He lay on cot and when Captain Racobs went to speak to him he was dead.
Graul who lived at 1922 West Washington street, Apartment 5. was the chauffeur on the pumper and had spent most of his time in the fire department with Company 18.
Services will be Monday at the Conkle funeral home. Wesley C. Ward, deputy coroner said Mr. Graul died of heart disease,
DOB: 04/26/1887
APPT: 02/15/1922
Badge #568
Buried at Crown Hill, Sec:96, Lot:496

11/26/2023

November 26, 1924
Pvt. Samuel A. Richardson, 26, Engine 11
From the Indianapolis News, "He fell dead when he arose to answer an alarm. He had been stationed at No. 11 engine house, 1030 East Washington street for two years."
DOB: 05/18/1899
APPT: 04/19/1921
Badge # 471

11/20/2023

Our good friend, Jack Finney tossed a few historic facts about IFD into "Copilot," an artificial intelligence assistant in Windows 11 and got the following false information:

"In 1890, the first fireboat was added to the fire department, which was used to fight fires along the White River and the canals. The fireboat was named the “Indianapolis” and had a capacity of 1,200 gallons per minute. The fireboat was replaced by a newer model in 1912 and was eventually decommissioned in 1954.

In 1904, the first fire station was built specifically for the fire department, at 301 E. New York Street. The station served as the headquarters of the fire department until 1975 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1953, the first aerial ladder truck was purchased, which had a 100-foot ladder that could reach the upper floors of high-rise buildings. The truck was named the “Sky King” and was assigned to Station 7. The truck was replaced by a newer model in 1973 and was donated to the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum in 1984.

In 1963, the first paramedic unit was formed, which was trained and equipped to provide advanced life support to victims of medical emergencies. The unit was called the “Emergency Medical Service” (EMS) and was staffed by firemen who had received special training in emergency medicine. The unit operated out of Station 10 and responded to about 1,000 calls per year.

In 1970, the first black fire chief was appointed, who was also the first black fire chief of a major city in the United States. His name was Robert L. Carter, and he joined the fire department in 1950 as a firefighter. He rose through the ranks and became the chief in 1970, after the retirement of Chief John J. O’Donohue. He served as the chief until 1976 when he resigned to become the director of public safety for the city.

So, it appears that I have a lot of studying ahead of me! I want to find out more about IFD's fireboat, and "Sky King" their first aerial, which was not purchased until 1953. And somehow I completely missed Robert L. Carter IFD's first Black chief! The first station built specifically for the fire department wasn't constructed until 1904? Amazing! Plus, I have to find out what IFD's second fireboat (in 1912) was named.
There was a footnote with each of these "facts" saying that they came from the IMCPL website on IFD history. It seems that artificial intelligence still has a way to go.
Seriously though, what happens when a youngster with a serious interest in IFD history uses artificial intelligence to learn about it? They're going to be disappointed to find out that a lot of "facts" that they learned are completely false."

11/18/2023

November 18, 1927 William H. Weishaar, Engine # 30 – Lieutenant,
collapsed and died from smoke inhalation while fighting an apartment fire at 239 North Illinois Street.
The fire also claimed the lives of eight civilians.
DOB: 08/26/1877
Appt: 1905
Badge # 242
Buried at Crown Hill Cemetery

November 18, 1948
Benjamin Howard, Truck # 18 – Captain,
While working in the stations workshop, the gasoline blow torch that Captain was using blew up in his hands on November 9, 1948 causing severe 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his hands.
Captain Howard died 9 days later.
DOB: 08/13/1890
Appt: 01/31/1930
Badge #43

November 18, 1961
Charles A. Pierson, Fire Prevention Bureau Inspector,
Died from his injuries sustained after falling and striking his head on a post at a hotel basement inspection at 123 South Illinois Street on November 13, 1961.
He died five days later.
DOB: 12/09/1896
Appt: 01/01/1932
Badge # 187
Buried at Crown Hill Cemetery

11/17/2023

Donald Mark Hochstetler, 53, of Stilesville, IN passed away November 17, 2013. He was born August 16, 1960 in Indianapolis to Paul Richard and Dorothy Hochstetler who survive.

He was a 1978 graduate of Plainfield High School and then attended Piedmont Bible College. Don was a member of Clayton Christian Church. He worked for Sears as a sales representative from 1980-1989. Then he became an independent agent for All State Insurance until 1999. From 1990 until 2013 he worked for serveral fire departments starting with Stilesville Fire Department, Plainfield Fire Department and Wayne Township Fire Department. He was also an auctioneer for Lawson & Sons Auction from 2001 until 2013.

11/16/2023

November 16, 1886 D. Fremont Taffe, about 37 y/o Engine # 1, a horse drawn steam engine, - Driver, died from his injuries sustained from a crash at the intersection of North Street and Illinois Street while responding to a fire at a broom factory at 373 North Alabama Street, the engine struck an object in the intersection throwing fire fighter Taffe into the street. Fire fighter Taffe held onto the reins and was dragged several feet behind the horses before being run over by the apparatus. Fire fighter Taffe was carried home where he died the following day from his injuries.
DOB: circa 1847

11/16/2023

Captain, August H. Schafer, November 16, 1919 Engine # 28, died from his injuries sustained after Engine # 28 was struck by a Streetcar at 34th Street and Kenwood while responding to a residence fire at 3332 North Kenwood Avenue.
DOB: 11/10/1857
Appt: 04/29/1897
Badge # 172
Buried Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis.

11/15/2023

November 14, 2020.
With a heavy heart, Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) Chief Ernest Malone sadly reports the unexpected, on duty passing, of IFD Engineer Matthew D. Bennett (49). Matt, an active duty firefighter, was assigned to IFD Engine 1, B Shift. Matt was appointed to Franklin Township fire department on December 1, 1997 and joined the IFD family when Franklin Twp. merged with IFD in July 2010.
Prior to his appointment in 1997 Matt was a Wayne Twp. reserve firefighter from 1982 until 2003, an IFD Dispatcher and a Wishard EMT. Matt is a veteran firefighter of 23 years but a dedicated public safety servant of 38 years.
At 9:54 AM on Friday November 13, IFD units were dispatched to a possible structural collapse at 5417 Brendan Park Way. The first unit on the scene was City of Lawrence Engine 39 at 10:02 AM, who reported that a car had driven into the home, through the garage area. It is believed the driver hit the gas instead of the brake. Thankfully there were no injuries to any of the occupants.
IFD Collapse Rescue Team 1 arrived on scene at 10:15 AM, with Engine 1 driven by Engineer Bennett, and prepared to assess the damage to the structure. The decision was made to shore up an area inside the home and the crew began to work. Shortly after arrival, IFD Command was notified that Engineer Bennett was in the City of Lawrence ambulance, already on scene, complaining of chest pain and being checked out by Medics. Command declared a code 700 - firefighter injury. At 10:47 AM City of Lawrence medic 38 transported Engineer Bennett to the Heart Hospital at Community Hospital North. They marked on scene at 10:55 AM. He was immediately taken into surgery.
Despite the quick actions of all personnel on scene, the transporting medics and the medical team at Community North, Engineer Bennett did not survive and passed away this afternoon, surrounded by his family. Our hearts are broken.
He is survived by his wife Carlita Bennett, daughter Samantha (16), stepdaughter Allie Brouwer (25), stepson Chandler Brouwer (22) and 3 grandchildren, Grace, Gwen and William Jr.
Pending the family's wishes, more information about services for Matt will be forthcoming.
Please keep Matt, his family and his IFD family in your thoughts as we all grieve his unexpected loss.
Buried at Crown Hill,
Badge # 951

11/15/2023

November 14, 1909,
William H. Russe, Hook & Ladder Truck Company # 3 – Private, Returned from a day filled with fire and smoke exposure that led to pneumonia, resulting in his death.
DOB: unknown
Appt: unknown
Hose-man, Hose Co. No. 8 1893. (Here at the Museum)
Buried Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

11/09/2023

Lt. Tracy Hayden, 38, of Decatur Township Fire Department passed away in the Line of Duty on November 9, 2019. He was born January 14, 1981.

Lieutenant Hayden died from complications of leukemia that is believed to have resulted from prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals. The exposure occurred as he served as an investigator of a fire. Initially, unbeknownst to Lieutenant Hayden and other firefighters, the location was a dumpsite for a large number of chemicals buried underground. The location was later declared a “Super Site” by the Environmental Protection Agency.

He faithfully served the department for 17 years.
Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery.

11/08/2023

November 8, 1911 Lieutenant, Thomas S. Smith, age 68,
"Old Tom".
Hose Wagon # 16 – died instantly from his injures sustained from the hose wagon being struck by a street car. The streetcar dragged him several feet. Lieutenant Smith, one of IFD's first four black fire fighters, was en route to an alarm at 21st Street and Northwestern Avenue when the hose wagon was struck in the intersection of 16th Street and College Avenue.
He had retired in 1899 but was reinstated at his request a few months later.
DOB: 05/10/1843
Appt: 1876
Badge # 158
Driver at Hose Co. No. 9 in 1889 – 1893

11/05/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bqSWyq1264

November 5, 1973.

11/05/2023

Fifty years ago today was the Grant fire.
The following was written by a good friend of the museum, Jack Finney.

The site of the Grant Fire played a role in the history of IFD, beyond being the location of a very large, well-remembered fire. Before the Grant Building occupied that space there was a building known as the Glenn Building in the same location. It had originally been built in 1836, as a hotel named the “Washington Hall.” On February 6, 1843, it was heavily damaged by fire. It suffered further damage from two separate fires that occurred in 1848. These fires were all fought by the volunteer fire companies that protected Indianapolis back then. The hotel was renamed in 1851 and became “The Wright House.”
The Glenn family bought the hotel in 1859, the same year that IFD was formed. The Glenns remodeled the entire building so that it had retail space on the ground floor and offices on the second, and third floors. In May 1862, the City of Indianapolis signed a ten-year lease for the office spaces. These offices would be used by various city officials, including the Chief Fire Engineer. There was also a meeting room for the City Council. At that time, Indianapolis had no City Hall Building.
Also in 1862, IFD decided to build a watchtower as a place to put someone to be on the lookout for fires and give the alarm if one was spotted. They built their first one (they had three, at different times) on the roof of the 3-story Glenn Building.
The flat roof of the Glenn Building was approximately forty feet above the ground. The watch room was built about one story above the roof, making it about fifty feet above the ground. Today, that doesn't sound very tall, but there were no buildings taller than that, in Indianapolis, at the time the tower was built.
From their watch room, the watchmen had a view of the entire city. Of course, in those days, the city limits barely stretched beyond the mile square, and there were only about 20,000 citizens to protect.
The tower began service in June of 1862 but only lasted about 12 years. In 1874, the fire department decided that the watchtower was no longer necessary. Many of the alarms were now coming in by the telegraphic alarm system that the city had installed in 1868. The watchtower was abandoned. The idea would be tried again in a few years, but that's a story for another time.
In 1890, long after the city’s offices moved out and the watchtower had been abandoned, the Glenn Building was torn down, along with three other buildings to its east. Constructed in their place was a five-story department store called the "New York Store." Eventually, that building became home to the local branch of the W. T. Grant Company, a large national chain of variety stores. By the early 1970s, the Grant store had closed, and the Grant Building, as it had become known, by then, was getting old and dilapidated. The building was undergoing demolition and we all know what happened on November 5, 1973! But there is another tie between IFD and the area around the Grant Fire.
In 1872 the department built Reel House #10 on the northeast corner of Scioto and Maryland Streets. Scioto is the alley/street that runs north and south between Washington and Maryland Streets. The firehouse on Maryland was just down the alley from the New York Store.
Reel House #10 was only in service for a couple of years before it was torn down to allow a larger station to be built on the same lot. Station #7, aka the "Central Station," opened on Maryland Street, in January 1875. Then, in 1896, the 7s moved to another station and the Maryland Street building became Station #13.
The 13s remained here until moving to a new station in 1912. The station was used for storage for a few years until 1915 when it became Station 31.
After the 31s were (temporarily) taken out of service in 1922, the building was sold. It eventually became the Berry Brothers Paint Company. On March 9, 1953, their building was heavily damaged in a two-alarm fire and torn down shortly after that. The station site and some additional property became a parking lot. About two dozen cars parked in this lot were destroyed during the Grant Fire.

11/05/2023

Captain James O. George,
November 5th, 1910, E-27, Overcome at the Veneer works fire January 1909 and never recovered.
DOB: 1861
Appt: 04/29/1891
Ret: 02/03/1909
Badge # 72

11/02/2023

NAME: Gerald A. Brooks
DOB: 08/24/1972
APPOINTED: 03/20/2000
END OF WATCH: 11/2/2021
BADGE NUMBER: 617
As we continue to mourn the sudden loss of our brother Gerald Brooks, the following information is available. It was determined that Gerald died of complications from COVID19. The IFD will be honoring Gerald with full honors and a presumptive line of duty death service.
Firefighter Brooks will be buried at Springs Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati on Saturday November 13th.

11/01/2023

November 1, 1931
Lewis Stanley, Age 43, Engine # 16 – Lieutenant, died instantly from his injuries sustained after Engine # 16 was struck by a car at 16th Street and Central Avenue while responding to a box alarm at 15th Street and Lafayette Street that turned out to be a false alarm,
DOB: February 26, 1888
Appt: 1/6/1922
Badge #66
Buried at Crown Hill, Sect: 74, Lot: 196.
Also killed was the engine house mascot, A Bull dog named "Spot".

November 1st, 1965
Alfred L. Shewman, Age 53, Engine 19.
After being severely over come by smoke inhalation earlier in the day, He was found dead of a massive heart attack in his sleep at station 19.
DOB: 3/20/1912
APPT: 1/1/42
Badge #153
Buried at Calvary Cemetery.

10/25/2023

Arthur P. Lee, 51 Private, Ladder 3.
FIREMAN DIES OF INJURIES SUFFERED FIVE YEARS AGO
After suffering for five years from injuries sustained in the city's service, Arthur P. Lee, retired city Fireman, died at his home in the Ballard apartments Saturday night. While assisting in fighting a fire at the All Saints Cathedral, Lee of Truck three was stationed on the roof lost his Balance and fell, alighting on a picket fence. A steel paling penetrated his shoulder. He was unable to work for some time and from then until Jan. 1, 1920, when he was retired. His name was kept on the roster. Lee joined the Indianapolis department May 1, 1898, coming to Indianapolis from Lawrence Mass. He served as a private during most of his twenty-one years' service but was a captain from March, 1917, until January, 1918 He was 51 years old.
DOB: June/1866
APPT: 05/01/1898
Badge # 77

10/24/2023

October 24, 1952 Arthur Maar, Age 61, Engine # 29 – Private,
Died from his injuries sustained after falling off the back of the engine while making a turn at Shelby Street and Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive while responding to a shed fire at 500 South Asbury Street. He died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
DOB: 10/05/1891
Appt: 06/04/1921
Badge # 504

10/15/2023

October 15th 2015,
Private Joel Johnston, Age 45
Ladder 29, A-shift
Pvt. Johnston passed away due to an aggressive form of cancer that was a result of his job as a firefighter. He had been diagnosed in February of 2015.
DOB: 10/11/1970
Appt:03/08/1999
Badge #641

10/12/2023

Lt. Norbert L. Champion. Ladder, 34.
DOB: 10/31/1930
Appt: 03/24/1955
Died: 10/12/1974
While on duty at station 34. Lt. Champion, officer of ladder 34, suffered a fatal heart attack walking through the bay behind the truck.
He was 43.
Badge # 907
Buried at Washington Park East.

10/08/2023

October 7, 1923
Louis C. Lauth, age 34, Squad # 1 – Private,
Died from his injuries sustained after Squad # 1 struck a traffic signal pole in the 900 Block of North Meridian Street while responding to a working residence at 2342 North Talbott Street.
He was thrown forward into the chemical tank on Squad # 1 causing his injuries.
DOB: 02/18/1889
Appt: 01/01/1920
Badge # 377
Burial at Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery

10/07/2023

This should have been posted much earlier today........

October 6, 1911.
Engineer, Patrick Murphy, Engine 11, Age 54.
DOB: March 15, 1853 (In Canada)
Apt: August 6, 1894
Died in his sleep of a heart attack while on Duty at station 11.
Prior to joining IFD Charles was an outfielder with the Washington Senators.
Badge # 122.
Buried at Crown Hill Cemetery. Section 35, Lot 132.

10/06/2023

https://www.wrtv.com/lifestyle/history/1981-pair-of-women-join-all-male-indianapolis-fire-department

Valarie High and Nancy Sweeney graduated into the ranks in IFD’s 54th recruit class in January 1981.

10/04/2023

09/18/2023

Today would have been George’s birthday. Hard to believe been a year since he passed in a few days.
He would have been 81
Happy birthday George!
Love you miss you baby!!

09/17/2023

September 17, 1979
Michael J. Kriech, Age 32, Squad # 29 – Lieutenant, On September 10, 1979. While responding to an automobile accident at Troy Avenue and Madison Avenue. Squad #29 was struck by a train in the 800 block of E. Troy Avenue.
He was hospitalized and died a week later.
DOB: 12/19/46
Appt:10/1/69
Badge # 1075
Father of Michael Kriech.
Buried at Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery.

09/13/2023

Lt. Carl Kloepper, E-13.

Carl Kloepper, 45 years old. 730 Orange street, a member of the Indianapolis fire department for 23 years, was found dead In his bed yesterday morning In Engine House No. 13, Capitol avenue and Maryland street. Lieut. Kloepper was born in In Indianapolis and attended local schools. He was a member of the Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church. Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Elsie Kloepper; one son, Lawrence Kloepper of Brownsburg, and a grandson. Ruddy Kloepper also of Brownsburg. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the home with the Rev. F. R. Paries, pastor of the Zion church, officiating. Burial will be In Crown Hill cemetery,

DOB: 03/30/1898
APPT: 10/21/1921
Died: 09/13/1944
Badge # 607

The Indianapolis Star
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
14 Sep 1944, Thu

09/11/2023

09/10/2023

September 10, 1967.
Lt. Donald B. Everton, 38 years old, was found dead at Fire Station 18, 3130 West Washington Street, where he was stationed, at 10:30 am.
Death was attributed to a heart attack, evidently suffered during sleep. Lt. Everton, 5025 South State Avenue, was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis and had been a member of the fire department 12 years. He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters and the Indiana Fireman's Association. Mr. Everton served in the United States Army in World War II.
DOB: 08/12/1929
Appt: 03/24/1956
Badge # 925
Buried at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, Greenwood In.