The Irish standard., 1908-04-25
was finally forced to take to his bed

When the firennen and nurses at the
hospital were removing his clothes pre-
paratory to putting him to bed and
were putting on the nightrobe Kehoe
informed them that he had not had a
nightrobe on in 22 years since he en-
tered the fire department.
In September, 1883, he was promoted
to the position of lieutenant of his
company and served in that capacity
for seven years when promotion was
again his lot and he was appointed
captain at No. truck.
This truck company has become IA
nous in the annals of the local depart
ment. Members of the various crews
have distinguished themselves by deeds
of valor, and from this company have
come many OF the leaders of today.
In March. 1902, Captain Kehoe again
took step upward on the ladder of
advancement and became district
time. Even in that capacity he show
ed his fearlessness. and he never issued
an order to d man which he himself
was not ready and willing to carry out.
The most daring feat which is cred
tied to Kehoe was the rescue of five
persons from the West hotel fire. one
of the worst catastrophes which has
ever occurred in the history of Mime
apolis.
Another of the thrilling feats which
he performed was the rescue of Mrs.
Joseph Crowley and her two children
from the Bijou theater fire. which oc-
CURED Dec 2s. 1890. kehoe then occu-
pied the position, of captain at truck
No. 1, and his company was one of the
first to reach the scene. Mrs. Crowley
and her children We're hemmed in by
smoke and flames. and seemed to be
doomed to horrible deaths. but the big
captain rushed into the smoke filled
building and groped his way to the
apartments in which the three victims
were trapped.
He experienced considerable Difficult
ty in finding the place. hut stuck to
his task. knowing that to give up
meant the loss of three human lives. He
finally reached the room and quickly
wrapping the children in blanket, he
took the frightened mother in one arm
and dragged the blanket with it's hu
man contents with the other, finally
reaching the ground in safety, although
he was nearly overcome himself.
, More than one thousand persons to-
day attended the funeral services at st.
Charles church. Many more. unable
to obtain seats. remained on the church
steps to listen to the funeral sermon
by Rev. J. M. Cleary
The services were conducted by
! Father Cleary. assisted by Rev. Claude
. GEMS. who was with Chief Kehoe dur
). ing his illness at St Mary's hospital
$ and by Rev. Francis Iager. pastor OF
e ST. F,lizabeth's church. Long before
I the funeral pro, ession left the kehoe
= home at 24O5 sixth street S.. all the
, seats in the church We're taken, save
r those reserved for. the relatives and
. men who formed the escort of honor
; Father Cleary paid an eloquent trib-
' ute to Kehoe'S courage as a. fireman
T. and his Kindness as a husband and
father.
He was man chosen by his fell
lows for special duty because of his
bravery" the priest said. and he
I realized the great responsibility and
thought not of himself when others
were in peril.
: George Keho" realized the uncer-
tainties of this life and tho special
danger attending his vocation. yet he
never 1inched ana when the call came
his life and his strength were at the
j., service of those who most needed it
Yet in spite of his calling he found
time to do much good in other ways
He was an exemplary husband ant
father, kind, chnnrful and uncomplain
ing even in the shadow of death. His
suffering was long and tedious but he
met death bravcly in the quiet of the
sick room, as l1r would have done haC
he died in the service Of those who
placed so much dependence on him
The church services We're preceded
by short services at the residence anf
!. the funeral procession started at
!, o'clock. A platoon of police in charge
nf Sergeant Thovas Russell led anr
We're followed by seventy f1remen ant
= members of the salvage corps. Mos
Of the firemen were from Chief Ke.
. hoes own district Back Of the fire
men came mig" the dead chiefs ia
:, vorite horse, led by William Martin
Then followed the hearse and th'
carriages Of the relatives and friends
Easter Bali at Brainerd.