The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-11-27

Enst chicago Chamber of Commerce
this morning appointed the following
committee 10 attend the funeral scrv-
ices of Fire Chief Clyde A. Spencer Of
zoos 18th street. who died last even
ins as result of being overcome by
smoke and gas fumes while directfpv
hremeu at blaze I'm OIcott avenue.
Elmer Jones, II. Il. Jackson. W. J. Hur
ray, j 4. AdIey, Richard Bates n. NJ
Joyce, b. c. Dicke., E. b. Gibbs, Il. L.
Reid, c. c. Sheldon
When East Chicago awoke from It's
slumbers this morning II was pro
foundly shocked TO learn that Clyde 4
Spencer, chief Of the fire department OF
East Chicago. for the past four years.
was dead and four other firemen, Ray
Mcbride, c. B. Schiller, Charles Boyke
and Thomas King. in a critical condi-
ton after being overcome with smoke
and gas IN fire which destroyed the
interior of house owned by \. Racini
at 4so7 Olcott avenue about ten O'clock
last evening.
FIRE STARTED IN BATHROOM.
The house which was a two story
frame affair was occupied bv two
families. Ida Nenendorf. occupying the
apartment on the hrst floor and the
family OF E. Quiniand on the second
floor.
The IRE is believed to have started
IN bathroom OF the apartment occu-
pied by the Nenendorf woman. who we.
found by the fireman in a drunk and
stupefed condition and was caused, It
is declared. by a lighted cigaret being
thrown carelessly on the floor igniting
some curtains. She was arrested By
the police and held in Jail OF a serious
charge.
The flames quickly gained headway
and when the fireman arrived the en-
tire building was a mass Of smoke and
flames.
OVERCOME By GAS.
Chief Spencer, despite the heavy
cloud of smoke and the odor of leak
ing gas, followed his men into the
burning building and managed to reach
the second fioor. While attempting to
find the source of the leaking gas he
was overcome by gas fumes and was
found several minutes later by Fire
man Thomas King, crawling on his
hands and knees. He was unable 20
talk.
The dreuen. however, managed to
carry him down stairs into the ope7
when he was partly revived.
After the fire had finally been sub
dued and the firemen had returned 70
their respective stations, Fire Chief
Spencer complained OF having pains IN
his chest.
Drs. Johns and Townsley were sent
for and upon their arrival resorted u
the use of the pulmotors and other
methods and after an hour of constant
labor the chief was reported as feel
ing much better.
TAKEN HOME By SONS.
He was then advised by the ply
sicians to go to his home and he was
later taken there by one of his sons
While seated in a chair Chief Spencer
was telling his wife about the fire
when the end came suddenly shortly
after midnight after the gallant nrs
fighter had fallen forward on the floor
Chief Spencer, who was one of the
best known fire chiefs in the state. had
been connected with the fire depart
ment for about years. years OF
which he was a chauffeur under the
Callahan administration.
AN ACTIVE CAREER
When Leo Mccormack became mayor
Spencer was made chief and he has
brought the local departcment up to a
high state of efficiency. The decedent
has also served about S years on the
police force previous to his entering
the fire department.
The funeral services will be Aret
held at the home zoos 144th street and
thence to Congregational church, Ma
goun avenue and i4oth street, Sunday
afternoon. Following the services his
body will be placed on a special train
and will be taken to the home of hts
birthplace at Corrinsville, Pa All or
ganizations and individuals expecting
to participate are requested to notify
j. .. Williams or II. E Jackson
Firemen from Hammond, under COM
mand Of Chief Mil and g detail from
Whiting and the East Chicago station
will act as special escort
PROMINENT IN MASONRY.
Chief Spencer. who was an active
member OF the Chamber Of Commerce
and other organizations, was also a
Mason of high standing. He is surviv-
ed by his wife, Mrs. C. 4. Spencer, two
sonsh Frank and J. K. Spencer and one
daughter, Francis, all living at home.