Salm, Robert

March 1855 – 14 March 1898

     Robert Salm worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad at the local shops for several years before he died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of forty-two. His worn iron cross stands in St. Joseph’s Society Catholic Cemetery.  

     Like so many of Mr. Salm’s compatriots his place of birth is confusing. His death certificate states he was German. When he registered to vote in 1895 he gave his birth place as France. On the 1900 federal census, after his death, his wife said France. Finally, checking Robert Salm’s naturalization record of 15 October 1892 in the Bexar County Probate Minutes the question is solved. Phil[ippe]. R. Salm, born in Rouffach, France, arrived in New York on 25 January 1891. Rouffach is a historic town in the Alsace region fought over and claimed by both France and Germany for decades.

     By 1895 Robert first appears in the San Antonio city directory, as well as the City’s voter registration list. The 1900 census lists Marie, Robert’s wife, a laundry woman, and their daughter, also Marie, both having been born in France. In 1903 the city directory shows daughter Mary Salm as a clerk at the San Antonio Paste Works, and in 1905 as a stenographer at the City National Bank.

Our knowledge of Robert’s life is limited. However, we know he was involved in local politics as the San Antonio Light reported on 17 February 1896 that he was chosen as a delegate to the Bexar County Republican convention.

      Mr. Salm and his wife resided at 117 Crosby. Mary remains there after Robert’s death and is (mistakenly) listed as Mary Salm in 1903 when the city directory gives her address as 214 Dakota.

Mistaken because Marie (Mary) Salm married Robert Doering on 2 February 1901 (Bexar County, number 18418).The house on Dakota was that of Robert Doering and his family. He had been married to Emelie, nee Dielmann (Thielemann).

      Marie Salm Doering passed on 15 January 1929 and, like Robert Salm, buried in Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.

Firemen's Rest in City Cemetery # 4

Firemen’s Rest for Members Who “Go On Before”

Is Their Tribute

Situated to the left of the entrance of City cemetery No. 4 there is a little plot of ground that has undergone a remarkable change during the last few weeks. This particular spot, measuring 30x30 feet, is what is known as the “Firemen’s Rest.”

            In this lonely, but none the less beautiful spot, the members of the present San Antonio fire department expect to be laid to rest when the grim reaper summons them to respond to their last alarm. The little plot already contains the remains of four comrades, who have hearkened to the last call of their Highest Chief.

Three months ago the members of the fire department decided that it would be appropriate to prepare a last resting place for those members who may be taken from this life and each unhesitatingly donated their might toward its accomplishment.

            A committee composed of Captain S. G. Merrit, First Assistant Chief W. P. Bishop, Captain W. J. Robbins and Fireman T. J. Dornstein and Daniel Coleman were selected to carry out the active work, looking towards the improvement of the little plot.

            Weeks of toil on the part of this committee followed and as a culmination of their efforts, there has risen one of the most beautiful spots to be found within the quiet precincts of the city of the tombs. Surrounding the little tract of land is a rock wall surmounted by a neat iron fence.

            The lot was donated to the fireman by the City five years ago. In building the rock fence about it the firemen were compelled to haul the rock from the rock quarry, a distance of almost three miles. This they did themselves whenever the opportunity was there. With the funds subscribed by the members, the committee purchased the cement and themselves formed the concrete which went into the rock wall. The iron fence was donated.

            While the work of erecting the fence itself was completed, the committee is still at work beautifying the plot, and it is the purpose to level the land and after sodding it and covering the grass, to station additional evergreen trees at points and to erect a simple slab over the remains of their departed comrades.

            Lying in this enclosure are the remains of John Grover, who met death by the falling of a ladder while fighting the flames; Fred Strauss, whose tragic end came while driving an engine along River avenue, when the engine fell and toppled over a steep embankment, just north of Grand avenue; William Lemmons, driver of company No. 6 whose demise resulted after a protracted illness and those of Nat Scruggs, former lieutenant of company No. 8, whose death occurred recently during a runaway accident.

            Captain S. G. Merrit has been chosen custodian of the plot with Assistant Fire Chief Bishop, Captain Robbins and Firemen Dorstein and Coleman as supervisors.

This article appeared in the San Antonio Light on Sunday, 13 September 1908.