The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-26
BRAGG BUILDING FIRE YESTERDAY FULL OF THRILLS Fireman Massey Dead and Damage Remains at
 $2OO,OOO
MASSEY'S BODY IS :
 FOUND IN BASEMENT
Fire Department Receives Many Compliments-Cause of Fire Still Unknown-All Mourn for
 "OId Massey"

The Bragg building fire yesterday morning shows a series of thrilling situ- ations which have few rivals in the fire history of Birmingham. Fireman J. M Massey of hose company No. l is dead and Captain K. R. Johnson Of NO. and Fireman B. A. Slaughter of NO. are injured as result of the big printing press of Roberts & Son falling through the floors from the third story of the building. to. the basement.
 At o'clock yesterday morning, when the fire was fully under control, the press crashed through. Fearing that some or the men weret injured, Chief Bonnet made a check of the men in each com pany and Massey, Johnson and Slaughter were found to be missing. A few minutes later Johnson and Slaughter were heard from and the work of their rescue was begun. They were found and carried to places of safety, but Massey could not be found For eight hours his fellow firemen toiled in the rubbish and debris caused by the falling of the press, and at 9:30 o'clock yesterday morning, with his neck broken and chest caved in, the brave. fireman was discovered In six feet of water in the basement of the furni- ture house dead
 While the work of searching for the body was going on, relays of f1remen who had been searching for hours stood about in groups discussing the fate of their comrade. Tired, wet cold and dirty, they showed signs of unmistakable grief. and it was no uncommon sight to see a big tear coursing it's way down the grimy face of a big strong man, as he spoke of "old Massey" It was loving term they had for him, and there was not better liked man in the whole fire department. Be Sent to Canton
 Massey's body was taken in charge by Shaw, undertakers, and will be sent this morning to Clanton for interment. A fra ternal escort composed of Bremen G. c. Giles and w. L. Downs of No. l; Lee Cox of No. 6, John Oates of No. 19, East Lake; ]. S. Weldon, No. 9, and w. A. Downs of No. ', will accompany the body The escort will be In full dress uniform and will accompany 1t in the name of the Birmingham fire department. Chief Bennett and his captains said yes- | terday that they wish to express their thanks to those at he fire who exended courtesies to the firemen in the way oi
 coffee, sandwiches, drinks and the like
 It seemed that each restauranteur in the 1 fire district tried to outdo the other in l giving something to the firemen and every one of the members of the fire de- partment assure them that 1t is deeply appreciated.
 Many compliments have been passed upon the work done by the police at the fire. As soon as he saw the seri- ousness of the fire, Chick Bodeker, as- sisted by Captain Johnston, threw a cordon of police around the danger zone to keep the rapidly increasing crowds away. Many were saved from being hurt by the vigilance of the of ficers, many of whom had been off duty, but remained on duty at the fire voluntarily. Those remaining at the fire all night were Officers Crump, Moore, Raymond, Jones, Williams, Brent, and Captains Devine and John- ston. Others who formed and main tained the fire line were sent to their beats as soon as the crowd began dis persing.