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.