The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-03
FIRE LOSS IS $75,OOO;
 WIRE SERVICE IMPAIRED
PRAISE FOR HEROES
POLICEMEN HAMMOND AND TAYLOR
 ARE COMMENDED.
Chief Taylor Writes Letter to His su- bordinates and Mayor Teague Tulks--Fire Captain Wat
 kfns Praised.

The heroism and bravery of Patrol man John F. Hammond and Special Po- tice ofiicer Lon Taylor in rescuing Mrs. |B. J. Tilberry from the burning Gay nized by Police Chief W. H. Taylor yes terday in an open letter. commenting the nized by Police W. II. Taylor yester- day in an open letter, commenting the gallant conduct of the two members of the police force. Not only were they congratulated by the Police De . partment, but the courage displayed by these men in saving human life was the subject of laudatory comment throughout the city.
 It nas developed that Captain Jesse
 Watkins of the West End fire station was also instrumental in rescuins the four occupants, who screamed for help from the third floor of the building. Captain Watkins took possession of the post after Patrolman Hammond brought Mrs. Tilberry down the ladder. He | scaled the ladder and assisted Dixon Lewis and his son to reach the ground. 1 The letter written by Chief Taylor
 was addressed to Patroimen Hammond | and Taylor, It was read hy Day Ser | geant Oscar McDade at police roll call ] yesterday afternoon. The letter was as ! follows:
 Montgomery. Ala. May 2, 1906. | FOllce oH1cGrS J. ItdnnIlCnu dIlu | l.. Taylor. City:
 | Dear Sirs--I take this means to ex- | press my most hearty congratulations | on your noble and heroic work dis played at the fire this morning. Your actions at that time. in the rescue of
 human life at the peril of your own, are most commendable, and are such that command attention and praise from every one.
 1 Tt gives me great pleasure and sat | isfaction to know that we have such l men as yourselves on the police force | of the city of Montgomery. and ! feel sure that voice the sentiment of every citizen of this, city when I say that l your actions this morning reflect great credit upon yourselves. and also the ! Department of which you are members "yours with congratulations, ''W. 1T. Taylor, "Cnief of Police" Hammond deserves most of the credit" said Lon Taylor yesterday af- ternoon, in describing the rescue. He and I battered a hole in the large 1 door, affording just enough space through which to pull a ladder. We
 barely managed to squeeze ourselves through the hole. On getting through it we placed the ladder upright. Ham, mond climbed to it's top and stood on the last bar, resting himself against the brick wall. while held tight to
 the ladder to keep 1t in position. The occupants kept screa ming to us that they were going to jump, and we kept urging them not to, for we knew 1t
 would mean instant death Hammond explained to them how 70 use the sheets. and MT. Tilberry was the first to swing out of the window. Hammond saw him safely down Then Mrs Tilberry swung out on the sheets. IT. hos pA srra far
 under his right arm proceeded carc~
 fully down the ladder.
 By this time the crowd had sue ceeded in completely battering down
 the door and they rushed 10 our as
 sistance. Fire Captain Watkins teok the place of Hammond. Mir. Lewis and his son were still in the building. The | oIder man came down on the sheets and was quickly on the ground. but l the son of Mir Lewis was left up there with no one to hold the sheets for him. He finally hung out of the win
 dow by the tips of his fingers. Captain Watkins gave the signal the young
 man locsened his grip, fell and was caught by the fire captain" Probably no man could have been found in Montgomery who was better adapted to the rescue work than Pa trolman Hammond. He is accustomed | to scaling ladders on account of hav- | ing served six years in the united lStates Navy. He enlisted in the navy l as an apprentice in 1895 and went out | of service as quartermaster in 1901. He was on the battleship Texas. a conn plement of Admiral Schley's flying
 squadron. during the Spanish-Ameri-
 can war.
 Oficer Hammond is a native of Att l lanta and is 26 years old. Owing to | his sea training he is a man of pow l erful physique. He has been a mem Der of the police force since AJanuary
 and is now a bicycle patrolrnan. He
 has resided in Montgomery two | years.
 Officer Taylor is native of Cren- shaw County He is 34 years old and | has resided in Montgomery eleven | years For seven years he mas been connected with the Police Department, and has served in almost every capac-
 ity on the force. He holds an excel lent record as one of the most daring members of the force.
 Fire Captain Jesse Watkins was re- gently placed in charge of the West
 End Station. lie is young. competent and fearless in the discharge of his duties as a fireman.
 Mayor Teague was gratified yester- day to learn of the heroism of the three
 men.
 'They deserve great credit" said the Mayor their acts were worthy of the greatest commendation, but such
 things are what we can expect of Montgomery men"
 
 m.