William H. Brown
Date of Birth: May 31, 1837
LODD Date of Death: March 6, 1910

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
FALLEN FIREFIGHTER

NAME: William Henry Brown                                                                       AGE: 72

RANK:  Firefighter                                                                                   BADGE #: N/A

STATION:  Water Witch Hook and Ladder Company NO. 1, Annapolis

DATE OF DEATH: March 6, 1910

CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH: Firefighter Brown fell from a ladder while fighting a fire at Market Space and Fleet Street in Annapolis. His injuries were thought to be minor. Firefighter Brown died later that night at his residence from massive swelling of the brain..

BURIAL LOCATION: St. Anne’s Cemetery – N.W. Street Annapolis, MD,  (Anne Arundel County adc map 20-j-9). From brick building, proceed across dirt road; follow 2 large bushes down hill, cross path, straight-ahead facing “Wilson” headstone.

Notes: Articles – Evening Capital, March 7, 1910
                            Evening Capital, March 8, 1910
                            Evening Capital, March 9, 1910
          

PLAQUES, MEMORIALS, DEDICATIONS, ETC.:

• Anne Arundel County Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Millersville
• Maryland Fire and Rescue Memorial Annapolis, MD

Maryland Gazette March 7, 1910

KILLED FIGHTING FIRE

W. H. Brown of Water Witch
Hook and Ladder Company
Dies From Injuries

SERIOUS BLAZE THREATENED

Flames Gutted Interior Of Dwelling of M.M. Kotzen Last Night – Livery Stable Threatened.

    Citizens of Annapolis were given another indication of their debt to the volunteer fire department last night when in addition to stopping a fire that threatened to be a serious conflagration in a thickly settled portion of the town, the fire ladies lost one of their number from injuries received in his line of self-imposed duty. 
    As a result the flags at all three of the fire houses are today at half-mast as a tribute in the memory of William H. Brown, a life-long and active member of the Water Witch Hook and Ladder Company. The blaze, in fighting which Mr. Brown received injuries that later in the night resulted in his death, broke out in the dwelling of M. M. Kutzen, over his shoe store at the corner of Market Space and Fleet Street.
    There had been no one in the house for some time according to the occupants, when flames were discovered shortly after 7 o’clock, The blaze had evidently started in the kitchen, on the second floor in the rear which over looks the alley-way leading into Weiss’ livery and boarding stables, and when discovered had gained such headway that the whole lower end of town was lighted by the flames. SO hot was the fire the water poured into the burning rooms soon created steam which, with the dense smoke, even snuffed out the lanterns of the firemen and forced them to fight in utter darkness inside the building.
    It was while assisting in handling a line of hose which the Hook and Ladder Company had manned of the roof of an outbuilding in the rear that Mr. Brown fell to the ground, striking his head. At the time he was not considered seriously injured, but after getting to his home it developed that he had suffered a serious concussion of the brain and he grew rapidly worse until the end came about midnight. The deceased was over 60 years of age and is survived by a widow and the following sons: William, Frederick, and John Brown. The funeral will take place Wednesday afternoon from the residence at 3 o’clock.
    The fire which Mr. Brown gave up his life in fighting, started from a defective flue and did damage estimated at about $1,200. The high flames and dense smoke were driven over the stables of Mr. Charles Weiss and efforts were at once made to clear the stables of the horses, which were in this building.
    Not realizing that there was another outlet in the rear from the stable yard to Carroll’s alley, those taking out the thoroughly frightened and excited horses had some difficulty in getting the animals past the blazing building through the narrow alley way. That the fire was stopped within the four walls of the building where it started and prevented from spreading over an area which is built up with flimsy constructed dwellings occupied mostly by colored people, is but one more triumph for the Annapolis firemen.

Evening Capital, March 8, 1910

Firemen Take Notice!

    The members of Independent Fire Company No.2, are requested to meet Tomorrow Afternoon, at 2”30 at their headquarters on Duke of Gloucester Street to attend the funeral of their deceased Comrade, W. H. Brown.
    By Order of the President

                ROY L. MORGAN
                Secretary

Firemen Take Notice!

    The members of the Water Witch Hook and Ladder Company, are requested to assemble at the Truck House, Tomorrow, Wednesday at 2:15 to attend the funeral of William H. Brown who lost his life in the line of duty.
    By Order of the President

               G. W. Munford
                Secretary

Evening Capital, March 9, 1910

FUNERAL OF FIREMAN

Victim of Sunday Night’s Fire Laid At Rest

    One of the largest funerals here was that this afternoon when the remains of Fireman William H. Brown, who lost his life in the fire on Market Space Sunday night, were laid at rest in the city cemetery.
    Members of the three volunteer companies turned out in large numbers those of Water Witch Hook and Ladder Company, to which the deceased belonged, being present at the obsequies in a body.
    The services were held at the late residence on Prince George Street, and were conducted by the Rev. F. H. Klemme, pastor of St. Marti’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. The pallbearers were selected from the volunteer fire department and the Army and Navy Union, to which the deceased belonged.
    There were many beautiful floral tributes, a number being sent by firemen.

Occupation: Boat Builder
Resided at 89 Prince George Street, Annapolis, MD
Married to Mary (Lacavsin) Norwood (Wad) (June 20, 1868)
Father of 6 Children