Wright Cox Dies in His 66th Year
View transcription
Many Escapes Marked 40 Years as City Fireman and Policeman
Wright Cox, veteran fireman and policeman for over two score years, died in Homeopathic Hospital, early yesterday morning. He was in his 66th year. An invalid who heroically stuck to his post despite the protests of his superior officers, Cox was taken to the hospital from his home at 564 Mt. Vernon street, about a month ago. He was suffering from stomach trouble, aggravated by an attack of sciatic rheumatism. The end came unexpectedly early yesterday morning.
Shortly before three o'clock he called the nurse and Policeman "Joe" Keefe, convalescing in the ward, to his bedside and in a faint voice said: "Well, goodbye all, I'm going to leave you." With those parting words he passed away.
The career of Wright Cox as a fireman and a policeman was a colorful one. He was appointed a fireman in the mid-1880's. An expert horseman, he was for years driver for former Chiefs Robert Bender and Samuel S. Elfreth. He had many thrills as a fire fighter. At the big fire at the cork and licorice plants downtown 20 years ago, he was among the valiant firemen who were nearly blinded by the stifling fumes. He nearly forfeited his life at the Sixth Regiment Armory fire on March 16, 1906, in an heroic effort to save the three firemen who perished in that awful blaze. Baffled in his search by the blinding, strangling smoke, he and the late Ed Hartman escaped from the burning building by following a line of hose leading out into Mickle street.
On January 1st, 1908, Cox was appointed to the Police Department by Mayor Charles H. Ellis. He was assigned to duty in the Third ward, where among his important arrests were a gang of desperate yeggmen and safeblowers and a notorious gang of burglars who were terrorizing Cooper street for an entire summer.
About seven years ago Cox was appointed sergeant of the Police Department, with headquarters at the Second District station house, Chestnut street near 6th. Last spring the mounted police unit was disbanded, and the horses sold at auction. His position as stable sergeant being thus ended he was appointed a special officer at City Hall park. He was filling that assignment when taken ill about a month ago.
A short time before he was stricken last month, the veteran of over 40 years' service as fireman and policeman made application for retirement on pension, and favorable action was about to be taken on it when death intervened.
Cox is survived by a daughter and a brother, George Cox, pensioned Battalion Chief of the Fire Department, now of Wildwood. He was a son of the late George Cox, who for years was a driver for Andrew Lyons, marble yard proprietor.
Funeral arrangements are being arranged by the brother and daughter of the deceased. The flags at the police station houses where Cox served as an officer will droop at half mast for 30 days in honor of the dead patrolman, and an escort of policemen and firemen will attend the funeral.
The funeral of Policeman Cox will be held in the Schroeder Funeral Chapel at 538 Broadway, on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Following services interment will be made in Bethel cemetery.