| Notes |
- 1900 Federal Census of West Town, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (4 Jun 1900)
Henry Bassett 31 Nov 1868 M IR IR IR Head Fire Dept. City
Edna 31 Feb 1869 F KY IN IN Wife
Allen 11 Sep 1888 M IL KY KY Son
Robert 9 Dec 1890 M IL KY KY Son
Leo 5 Nov 1894 M IL KY KY Son
(Living at 1430 South 40th Court)
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1905 - Chicago, Illinois
6-Alarms - Box 476 - 11-15 West Part Street
Lieutenant Henry Bassett - Engine 96 (detailed to Engine 40)
While operating at a spectacular fire, which destroyed the Wicker Block, he
was killed when he was caught under a collapsing wall.
Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, 20 Dec 1905 (Excerpt)
(Includes picture)
Platoon Backer Killed at Fire
Lieut. Henry Bassett Crushed Under Falling Walls Whi
Fighting a Spectacular Blaze
Narrow Escape of Girls
Four of Them Are Injured Badly, but the Police Believe On
One, if Any, Other Person Was Lost
Lieut. Henry Bassett, chief advocate of the double platoon system in
the Chicago fire department, was killed late yesterday afternoon while
fighting a spectacular fire in a big factory building at North Wood and
Division streets. He was crushed to death under a falling brick wal
The lieutenant was in charge of truck company No. 40, and his efforts
to demonstrate the advantages of the two platoon plan and the freshness of his
men were largely responsible for his death. He was directing the members of
his company with exceptional daring when the tumbling and crumbling bricks
crushed him. Another fireman at his side almost suffered the same fat
Girls Have Narrow Escape
In escaping from the doomed building, through clouds of smoke a
flame, almost two score factory girls who had been working on an upper floor,
narrowly escaped perishing. Four of them and several men employees were
injured. Persistent rumors prevailed in the early evening that some of the
factory operatives had lost their lives. But no bodies were discovered and the
firemen at 2 a.m. believed all had escaped. There is a vague report, however,
that one unknown factory employee had met his death.
The factory was that of the Charles W. Shonk company, which is engaged
in making and painting signs at 629-635 North Wood Street. The six story
building, which covered half a block of ground, was destroyed within two
hours. The property loss was estimated at $60,000.
The Killed
Bassett, Lieut. Henry, residence 1430 South Fortieth court, tru
company No. 40; survived by a widow and five children.
Supporter of Platoon System
Lieut. Bassett was one of the best known members of the fire
department, having been identified with numerous movements aiming toward the
amelioration of conditions for the men. He had gained his greatest prominence
through his fight for the double platoon system, and at the time of his tragic
death, was chairman of the firemen's association, which has been agitating the
scheme.
He joined the department on the day of the fatal cold storage building
fire at the World's Fair grounds in 1893. He then became a member of engine
company No. 1. Later he was transferred to truck 3, and in a malthouse fire on
the north side some years ago was so badly burned that his life for a time was
despaired of. His injuries disabled him for three years, when he joined engine
No. 67 as a pipeman. Later he was transferred to South Chicago, and last
August was again transferred.
Jan. 1, 1904 he was made a lieutenant, and when the double platoon
experiment was instituted he was sent temporarily to engine No. 61, from which
he went to his last and fatal fire.
Lieut. Bassett was 39 years old.
Chicago Tribune, date unknown
Try to Save a Fireman's Life
Skin-Grafting Operation on Henry Bassett of Truck N
Last November Fireman Henry Bassett of Truck No. 3 was badly burned
about the face and hands at a fire. He has since been under the care of Dr.
Sanger of the Emergency Hospital, but the burns refused to heal, and his life
was threatened. A skin-grafting operation was decided upon as a last resort.
Yesterday sixteen firemen and one other man bared their arms and enough skin
was taken from them to cover one of Bassett's hands. Today the operation will
repeated and the other hand covered. It is hoped good results will follow.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1868 - 1905 (~ 37 years)