George Beyer ~ The History of the Dubuque Fire Department

Tuesday August 17, 1915

CITY FIREMAN IS BADLY INJURED

GEORGE BEYER, OF NO. 6 ENGINE CO., IS THROWN FROM AUTO TRUCK

SUFFERS A FRACTURED SKULL

Lost Balance When Big Machine Swung Up Elm Street at the Five Points.

George Beyer, lieutenant of No. 6 Engine company, on Rhomberg avenue, was fatally injured at 11:30 o'clock Tuesday morning at Elm street and Rhomberg avenue when thrown from his seat to the pavement while answering an alarm from Twenty-third and Jackson streets. The full extent of his injuries is not known, but a preliminary examination revealed that his skull was fractured and that he was hurt internally.

Response to Fire Call
At about 11:25 o'clock all engine companies received a call to Thirty-third and Jackson streets. The alarm was turned in by Mrs. Joseph Schneider, 3084 Couler avenue. All companies responded but no fire was to be seen.
It was in answering the call that Beyer was seriously injured. The auto truck came down Rhomberg avenue at a fast rate of speed and at the Five Points Driver Harry Kirk [Perry Kirch] turned up Elm street. Beyer was leaning over turning the crank of the siren and the machine turned up Elm street. He lost his balance and was hurled to the pavement. Driver Kirk [Perry Kirch] reached out with one hand in an effort to get hold of Beyer and in doing so lost control of the machine, which crashed into the curbing. The truck, however, was not put out of commission.

Beyer lay groaning but a few feet from the curbing and blood was flowing profusely from an ugly gash in his head. He was not unconscious, as he spoke to Driver Kirk [Perry Kirch] who immediately went to his aid. Beyer was carried in a nearby house and given medical attention. On making an examination the attending physician ordered the ambulance and had him taken to Mercy Hospital. At 1 o'clock he was placed on the operating table and at a late hour had not revived from an anesthetic.

Man With Family

Beyer is 50 years old, and lives at 179 West Locust street. He has several children. He has been connected with the fire department for many years, first being stationed at Eighteenth street engine house. When the new auto fire trucks were installed at the various engine houses Chief Reinfried promoted him from private to a lieutenant and assigned him to No. 6 station on Rhomberg avenue.

Those who witnessed the accident say that it was a wonder that Beyer was not killed out right. They said it seemed as though some one had picked him up and threw him to the pavement. When he hit the street he did not move a muscle and those who ran to his aid expected to pick him up dead.
It was also fortunate for those who were on the automobile that they were not injured as the machine, which was turning the corner at a fast rate of speed, crashed in the sidewalk and almost tore the firemen from their positions. A large piece of the cement curbing was broken away. The front axle of the automobile was sprained and the fender was slightly bent.

Chief Reinfried Talks
Chief Reinfried who responded to the false alarm said: "I was in the station when the alarm came in. I got into my automobile and hurried to the scene. When we reached the place where the fire was supposed to have been I learned of the accident to Beyer. I went to him immediately. I could plainly see that he was seriously injured and saw that he was taken to the hospital. I am sorry the accident occurred as George is a fine fellow and was an efficient firemen (fireman). He had been on the department many years. I only hope that the accident will not prove fatal.

Friday August 20, 1915

FIREMAN BEYER CLOSE TO DEATH

ALL CHANCES FOR RECOVERY ELIMINATED BY DEVELOPMENT OF PNEUMONIA

UNCONSCIOUS FOR 75 HOURS

Regained Senses Once Long Enough to Recognize Members of Family at His Bedside

With the brief exception of a brief period Thursday afternoon when he recognized and spoke to members of his family, George Beyer, the fireman injured Tuesday when he was hurled from the seat of a fire truck while responding to an alarm of fire, has been unconscious for seventy-five hours.

Late Friday afternoon it was reported from Mercy hospital that the injured man's death is only a question of hours. Pneumonia has developed and has removed what little chance there was for his recovery.

Beyer, who has been serving as lieutenant of Company No. 6 on Rhomberg avenue, is one of the most popular men on the fire department and the accident which befell him has occasioned heartfelt sorrow among scores of friends.

Saturday August 21, 1915

INJURIES PROVE FATAL OF FIREMAN

GEORGE BEYER PASSES AWAY AT EARLY HOUR SATURDAY MORNING.

Death released George Beyer from his sufferings Saturday morning at 5 o'clock, the final summons coming at Mercy hospital where he had been confined since the accident that resulted in his death.

Last Tuesday Mr. Beyer, a city fireman and a member of Company No. 6, was thrown from an auto truck while responding to an alarm and suffered concussion of the brain. He was removed to the hospital and never revived from the shock. For a brief period Thursday he seemed to know members of his family but shortly afterwards relapsed into unconsciousness. In addition to the serious injuries received in the accident, pneumonia developed and was the immediate cause of his death.

Native of Dubuque

George Edward Beyer was born in Dubuque May 8, 1861, and has made Dubuque his home ever since. He was a member of the fire department for twenty-one years, had been a lieutenant at Engine House No. 6.

Mr. Beyer was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Norton on Sept. 27. 1883, and she survives him with the following children: Fred J., Mrs. May Lonergan, Mrs. Lucile Thomas, Florence, one brother, William of Oskaloosa, and three sisters: Miss Tillie, of Davenport; Mrs. Frank Richards and Mrs. Philip Wildermuth, of Genoseo, Ill., all of whom were at his bedside when death came.

Funeral Monday

By reason of his long service with the fire department Mr. Beyer was known to a legion of friends who will sincerely mourn his passing. He was a faithful and devoted husband and father and his death is a loss to the community in which he had so long resided. Among his associates in the fire department his death is a personal loss for he was one of the oldest in point of service.

The funeral will take place Monday morning at 9 o'clock from the family residence, 179 West Locust street, to St. Patrick's church and interment will be made at Mount Calvary.