The evening world., 1908-03-13
COMMISSIONER
HUGH BONNER
DIES SUDDENLY
New York's Most Famous Fire
man Expires After Three
b Days Illness. .4z.

Fire Comm ssioner Hugh Bonner VINO
in fcrty-ni1e years of active service in
the, city. established reputation for
btirg enc of the most brilliant fire
fighters in the world died at his home.
No. CSC West End avenue, OF pneumonia
early to-day.
Death found the battle-scarred old
veteran as he had often wished It
vould-!n the service of the Fire De-
partn ena OF Nsw York City.
Mr.. Bonner who was appointed TO
succeed Commissioner Francis j. Lam
trv. On Feb. Ii, contracted a cold last
Sunday which developed into pneu-
monia. Despite his sixty-nlne years.
and his already enfeebed health. he
Ii ststed upon remaining at his desk.
"I au all right" he told his friends,
when they told i'm he should be homo
and in he'd. II am not afraid of dying
IL, the harness
He was finally persuaded to go home
Mondsy afternoon, after ali but fa'nting
at his desk Yesterday afternoon he be-
came unconscious. His family. includ-
ing his wife and six children, were at
his bedside when he breathed his last.
Although the illness which actually
caused his death was OF short
duration, Mr., Bonner had not been
in good health since his return from
Manila.
His seebleness was so apparent that
he was the subject OF numerous anxious
inquiries when he took office four
weeks ago. The Fire Commissioner in
sisted he was all right. however. and
that there was no doubt about his abil-
,ty TO carry on the duties of the office.
ia rather die working here Than
anyw4ers else; ne eoTn sa'Ii In Ireland s,x,v-
nine years ago. lie began lighting fire
when but fourteen years oid. and. with
the exception ol SIX C1,at years after a MS ms re.
active service until the day OF his
Fought Fires Since 1853.
In Marcn, 1899. month before the
whlm OF politics decreed the retirement
Of augn Bonner as Chief OF the Fire
Department. one who knew the battle
scarred old fire fighter asked him:
Chief, when do you sleep?'
And the chiefs Laughing answer was:
"Between the acts"
The answer was indicative OF the
life of Hugh Bonner, TO whom the Fire
Department OF New York City, and
Incidentally. the vast property, interests
that depend upon rs protection owed
tnat quality which kept him always
on the job" and combined Willingness
wit. ability, which brought the ousted
he loved, and hoisted him above the
very man who took his place when he
retired from the department..
Hugh Bonner was fire fighter. both
htv a-tN
lie knew the science of 1t as we'll as its
actual, everyday hardships and risks.
He knew how TO think out purely
academic scheme for raising the science
of fire fighting. but he also knew how
10 risk his life II necessary at blaze
and wasn't afraid to do It.
Mayor Honors Dead Veteran.
Mayor Mcclellan, who ordered the
flags on CITY Hall TO be displayed at
half-mast out OF respect TO the late
Fire Commissioner said to-day:
More than any other man, Hugh
Bcrner was responsible for giving TO
the New York Fire Department the
irr force in the world He came Into
the Department with the volunteers
and he rose from the ranks on his
merits
Wien he was appointed Chief of the
Department. al; New York said that
tho privilege of my administration to
can him back from private life to the
service Of the Department. first as
Deputy Commissioner, and then as
Com missioner.
..Wlth all of his fellow citizens 7
lament the loss of the City of New
york, and I feel, moreover. a deep per.
sonal regret that my administration is
deprived OF his Invaluable corporation
handling of men and apparatus as the
head nf the uniformed force in tba
Contributions he made to fire fghtinp
and Are prevention, his record stands
.,nsh alIenred in this country
..Iis name and his works will be re-
rnembered as long as our Fire Depart
rnent exists"