Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-11-17
A DAREDEVIL FIRE HERO.
Chief MCAfee, Who Won Fame In The Baltimore
COnflagratiOn, Dead HE Often RiSked His
Life To Save Others.

William Corbell McAfee, former
State Fire Marshal and former chief Of
the Baltimore Fire Department, and
famous as one of the greatest fire
fighters and life-savers in the country.
died Sunday evening. While member
of the department he saved number
of lives, notably that of Mrs. James x.
Armiger from the fire that destroyed
the Armiger home and in which Mr..
Armiger and other members of the
family perished.
McAfee never ordered his men to 90
where he would not enter himself and
frequently risked his life. He would
never accept reward His resigna.
tion was forced as chief by antagon,sm
in the department, but when the great
confagration occurred on February Z.
1904, he happened in the city from
Pittsburg. He offered his services and
after Chief Horton had collapsed,
McAfee took the leadership and his
daring spirit inspired the nearly ex-
hausted men to renewed efforts.
The Mayor. city officials and leading
business men had hurried consultation
with him. He told them that the only
way to check the flames sweeping
toward very important and valuable
section was to dynamite buildings.
They told him to go ahead. When the
owners Of some valuable properties
protested McAfee quietly told them to
get out of the way. he was going to
blast Thus he saved valuable section
He was the hero of the great Baltimore
fire.
DARE DEVIL FEAT ON LADDER.
A few years ago there was a big pier
fire-a class of coniiagration difficult to
handle and dangerous. The nearest
companies were on the scene fighting.
but Chief McAfee had not arrived.
Lieutenant Owens and two men were
up ladder. at the third story of a
burning house, when back draft drove
the flames with roar straight into
their faces. 1t all happened in the in
stant. The Lieutenant and his men
were scorched by the blast, their hands
frightfully burned their eyes blinded
They could not let go, but if they clung
much longer to their perilous position
the flames would take their lives. Down
below their fellow-fi -firemen stood liter
ally rooted to the spot, paralyzed with
the suddenness of the thing. That was
the picture when there was a violent
changing of well-known bell Chief
McAfee's wagon arrived, and before
the horse had stopped he had realized
the situation, had leaped over the dash
board and was half way up the ladder
to the rescue.
ITS the Chief" the shout went up
and every man there knew it was all
right.
Chief McAfee brought both the men
down and helped Lieutenant Owens to
the ground The men knew better than
to waste time congratulating him. He
was not that sort of man. The minute
the rescue had been effected he was
calmly giving orders. as though nothing
had happened.
HIS RESCUE OF MRS. ARMIGER.
1t will be long before anyone will for
get the Armiger fire of 1896 On the
morning of February % an overheated
furnace pipe started blaze in the resi-
dence Of James r. Armiger. No. 1906
North Charles street. Escape was cut
off before any members of the family
could be aroused. The then District
Engineer McAfee was among the first
to arrive, and found smoke rolling from
every window. Human forms could be
distinguished at the windows, and at
the second story, just over the door.
Mrs. Armiger stood in momentary dan
ger of death. McAfee ran up short
ladder, stood on the top rung and clung
TO the balcony railing. He caught Mrs
Armiger with one arm. still clinging to
the railing with the other hand: but
her night-dress became entangled in the
railing, and then. standing with bare
purchase on his toes, he let go the only
certain hold he had. released her gown
and swung her free.
But her weight came perilously near
causing a serious accident, as the ladder