John H. Vickers

FIRE ENGINE HIT TROLLEY Foreman and Driver of Chemical Wagon Painfully Injured Foreman Edward Weston and Driver John H. Vickers, of the East Camden Fire Company, were near to death yesterday, when the chemical engine on which they were riding crashed into a trolley car at Twenty-sixth and Federal streets. The apparatus was on its way to the residence of Thomas Love, on East State street, in response to an alarm. An outbound Merchantville car had stopped to await the passing of the engine, but the rear wheels of the engine bound in the rails of the car track when Vickers endeavored to pull to one side, and he was unable to halt his team. The engine struck the front of the car with terrific force, upsetting the apparatus and hurling both men to the street, where they lay senseless and bleeding. As far as doctors at Homeopathic Hospital have been able to discover, no bones were broken, but each of the victims has many lacerations and appears to be hurt internally. None of the passengers on the car was hurt, and the motorman saved himself by jumping. Both engine and car were badly damaged. Weston is 50 years old and lives at 3510 Federal street. Vickers is 45 and resides at 15 North Twenty-fourth street.

3 ARE HURT AS CAR HIT FIRE TRUCK Members of East Side Hook and Ladder Company Narrowly Escape Death in Collision This A. M. TILLERMAN KELLY IS WORST INJURED Three firemen of the East Camden fire house, located at Twenty-seventh street and Westfield avenue, had a marvelous escape from fatal injury about 8.15 o'clock this morning, when a big eight-wheeled trolley car of the New York and Trenton line smashed into hook and ladder truck No. 3 directly in front of the fire house. Fortunately, however, no fatality resulted, the three victims of the crash escaping with cuts and bruises of the limbs, head and body. The firemen injured are as follows: EDWARD KELLY, tillerman of truck; badly bruised and lacerated about the head and particularly the hips and back, also sustained a severe internal shock. His back it is feared is sprained. FRANK MORSE, assistant driver of truck; bruised and cut on an elbow and side. SCOTT FRANKLIN, driver of truck; light injuries of an arm. Kelly and Morse had their injuries attended to by Dr. H. H. Sherk, whose office is in the immediate vicinity. Franklin's wounds did not require medical treatment. Tillerman Kelly was the most seriously injured of the three firemen and after having his wounds dressed at Dr. Sherk's office was taken to his home at 2823 Pleasant avenue in the ambulance. The hook and ladder truck was struck by the trolley car just as the team was being taken into the fire house at Twenty-seventh street and Westfield avenue after morning practice. It was one of the long, heavy and ponderous New York and Trenton trolleys that caused the damage. The car, according to witnesses, was coming into the city at a fast clip and smashed into the side of the truck near the rear, as the driver of the fire apparatus was making desperate efforts to clear the tracks and get safely in the fire house. The motorman of the car, however, was unable to stop the trolley in time to avert a collision and with a ripping crash the big eight-wheeler smashed into the rear of the fire truck, upsetting the apparatus and horses as if they were parts of a toy machine and sending the three members of the crew hurtling through the air with a violence that appeared to mean mortal injury to one of the unfortunate firemen at least. He was Tillerman Edward Kelly, who was hurled into the front vestibule of the trolley car with a force that knocked him senseless. Morse and Franklin landed in the street dazed and sore, luckily managing to escape being caught beneath the overturned truck or getting entangled with the flying hoofs of the frantic horses which were prevented from running away in their frenzy by firemen rushing at their heads and holding them fast until their fright had abated. The three firemen were also quickly cared for by their comrades, and the ambulance phoned for to take them to a hospital, but the injured men declined to go to any institution and were treated at the office of Dr. Sherk. The hook and ladder truck was considerably damaged by the collision. The side of the apparatus at the point of collision with the trolley car was torn to splinters and one of the two long ladders had a big slice snapped off and ruined. The wrecked truck was sent to the shops for repairs and will be out of commission for a day or two. The front vestibule of the trolley car was also badly smashed in the collision, the terrific and sudden jar, the roar of the crash and the jangling of broken glass causing an uproar of excitement among the many passengers, a number of whom leaped off the platforms almost before the trolley had recoiled from the shock of the terrific impact. This is the second accident of a like nature during the past year to East Side firemen. Several months ago Fireman Eddie Weston and J. H. Vickers were thrown from their apparatus when the carriage attempted to turn out of the path of a trolley car near the Public Library. Weston is still unable to do duty having been confined in the Homeopathic Hospital for several months after the accident.

VICKERS.—4th inst. HENRY W. VICKERS, husband Sophia H. Vickers, aged 80. Relatives and friends invited to services, Thurs. 2 P.M., residence son, John H. Vickers, 24 N. 30th st., Camden, N.J. Interment Arlington. Remains may be viewed Wed P.M.

3 FIREMEN HURT IN $75,000 FIRE AT LEATHER PLANT Flames of Unknown Origin Wreck Upper Story of Keystone Factory SMOKE BLOCKS BATTLE Firm Loses Stock of Hides Valued at $50,000, One Fireman in Hospital Three firemen were overcome with smoke when flames gutted the upper stories of the drying building of the Keystone Leather Company, Seventeenth and Carman streets, last night. The loss is estimated today at $75,000. The origin is unknown. Captain J. J. Vickers, of the East Camden Company, was overcome by smoke, and revived by City Physician Lippincott. Fireman George Addison, of the same company, was dragged from the building by other firemen, and revived by the physician. Nelson Andrews, fireman, of Engine Company No. 9, was in a serious condition when taken from the building. He was prostrated by smoke, and was rushed to Cooper Hospital, where he was reported as much improved today. Smoke Blocks Traffic Smoke was so dense that vehicular traffic on Federal street, two squares away, was blocked for nearly an hour. The flames had gained a great deal of headway when discovered by a watchman. When the firemen arrived on the scene, they faced a hard task because of great volumes of smoke pouring from the building, in which was stored a large stock of hides. It was one of the most stubborn fires the department has faced in years. The firemen were unable to locate the flames at first because of the smoke. Chief Carter sent in two more alarms after arriving on the scene. After thirty minutes of battle the flames suddenly shot skyward, illuminating the heavens for miles. They leaped to the fourth floor, and through the roof. In a short time the roof collapsed, sending a great shower of sparks in all directions. It was three hours before the first fire companies were able to leave the scene. It was estimated today that the damage to the building will reach $25,000. The company lost about $50,000 in stock. A large stock of hides on the first two floors were ruined by tons of water. The building is one of the first built by the company, and directly adjoins the main concrete plant at Seventeenth and Mickle streets. Lieutenant W. Scott Franklin, of Engine Company, No. 1, fell from a one-story roof of an adjoining building while pulling up hose but fortunately escaped injury.

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