Baker was initially interred at Saint John the Evangelist Cemetery but later removed to an unknown location.
During the evening of December 26, 1851, The Musical Fund Hall was in use for an elaborate subscription dinner to Louis Kossuth, at which the famous Hungarian made an elaborate address. A short time after the guests departed, the hall burst into flames and was destroyed.
William Baker, a member of the Mayor's Police, was working night watch and was at the scene. It was a bitterly cold night with driving rain and falling snow. The firemen's operations were hampered by the freezing of their pipes, hoses and fireplugs. At 1 a.m. the five-story building belonging to publisher and bookseller Abraham Hart, on the northeast corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets, was on fire. The building extended northward on Sixth Street.
At 3 a.m. the streets were crowded with mostly on-lookers. Officer Baker was inside the Hart Building with local attorney and author William Worthington Haly, Esq., a member of the Philadelphia Bar. They were saving property inside the building when suddenly the walls of the Hart Building collapsed on them and those in the street resulting in many casualties. There were at least three others killed besides Haly and Baker. Officer Lewis S. Briest was badly hurt by falling debris.
The fire went on to destroy other properties including the Shakespeare Building, on the northwest corner Sixth and Chestnut Streets. Citizens and City officials feared the flames would spread across Chestnut Street to the State House (Independence Hall) where sparks had gone to. The ruins of the fire were still smoking on December 30th, in the afternoon of which day Barnum's Museum, at the southeast corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets, a block away, was destroyed.
The co-mingled remains of Baker and Haly were recovered and they were identified by their personal effects. Haly's watch was found. A metal plate identifying Baker's police division was found in the ruins. It was all that was left of his police baton. After a funeral at the U.S. Hotel, they were interred together in Haly's coffin with the consent of Baker's widow Ana. They were buried at St. John's Church in Thirteenth Street.
On January 1, 1852, Philadelphia Common Council passed an ordinance providing $500 to Baker's widow. During remarks, Councilman Poulson described Baker as "one of the most worthy officers, true as steel, one who never deserted a friend, nor flinched in the hour of duty."
The Hart Building was rebuilt in 1852. In the twentieth century, the block was cleared and is the present site of Independence Mall.
The New York Times New York December 29, 1851:
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 27.
A destructive fire broke out at 1 o'clock this morning, in HART'S Building, corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets. The flames spread with great rapidity, destroying the entire building, together with several book and music stores, and PARKER'S Restaurant in the basement.
The flames spread to the Shakespere building on the opposite side of Sixth street, and adjoining Chestnut street Theatre, which was also entirely destroyed, as was also BROWN'S Hotel, and HART'S building adjoining on Chestnut street.
About three o'clock, the walls of HART'S Building fell into the street, instantly killing two colored men and severely injuring several firemen and police. There is also reason to fear that several other persons were killed, as the streets were crowded at the time the walls fell.
The entire block on the west side of Sixth street, from Chestnut to Carpenter sts., is a heap of ruins.
Besides the buildings above named, JOHNSON'S law book store, and several other valuable stores on each side of Sixth st. and the north side of Chesnut st., are entirely burnt out.
Several other buildings on both sides of Sixth street are much damaged.
The fire was got under at about 9 o'clock this forenoon.
It is reported that police officer JOHNSON was killed. W. W. HALEY, Esq., is missing, and it is feared was killed by the falling walls.
The loss is roughly estimated at $200,000.
The heaviest losses fall upon DR. SCHENCK, whose establishment was entirely destroyed; T. & T. W. JOHNSON, law Booksellers, H. BLAKESTON, GETZ & BUCK, Booksellers, J. W. MOORE, Booksellers, and the owners of several Music, Periodical, and other stores on Sixth st., all of which were entirely destroyed, with their contents.
Workmen are engaged in removing the rubbish from the streets, and in searching for the bodies of those who may have been buried under the fallen walls.
Sunday, Dec. 28.
Workmen have been engaged all day in removing the rubbish from Sixth and Chesnut streets. The body of W. W. HALEY has not yet been found.
WM. BAKER, of the Mayor's Police, and JESSE PYLE and JAMES COOK, members of the Morris Hose Company, are missing, and, it is greatly feared, were buried under the fallen walls.
Biography by Drew Techner
During the evening of December 26, 1851, The Musical Fund Hall was in use for an elaborate subscription dinner to Louis Kossuth, at which the famous Hungarian made an elaborate address. A short time after the guests departed, the hall burst into flames and was destroyed.
William Baker, a member of the Mayor's Police, was working night watch and was at the scene. It was a bitterly cold night with driving rain and falling snow. The firemen's operations were hampered by the freezing of their pipes, hoses and fireplugs. At 1 a.m. the five-story building belonging to publisher and bookseller Abraham Hart, on the northeast corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets, was on fire. The building extended northward on Sixth Street.
At 3 a.m. the streets were crowded with mostly on-lookers. Officer Baker was inside the Hart Building with local attorney and author William Worthington Haly, Esq., a member of the Philadelphia Bar. They were saving property inside the building when suddenly the walls of the Hart Building collapsed on them and those in the street resulting in many casualties. There were at least three others killed besides Haly and Baker. Officer Lewis S. Briest was badly hurt by falling debris.
The fire went on to destroy other properties including the Shakespeare Building, on the northwest corner Sixth and Chestnut Streets. Citizens and City officials feared the flames would spread across Chestnut Street to the State House (Independence Hall) where sparks had gone to. The ruins of the fire were still smoking on December 30th, in the afternoon of which day Barnum's Museum, at the southeast corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets, a block away, was destroyed.
The co-mingled remains of Baker and Haly were recovered and they were identified by their personal effects. Haly's watch was found. A metal plate identifying Baker's police division was found in the ruins. It was all that was left of his police baton. After a funeral at the U.S. Hotel, they were interred together in Haly's coffin with the consent of Baker's widow Ana. They were buried at St. John's Church in Thirteenth Street.
On January 1, 1852, Philadelphia Common Council passed an ordinance providing $500 to Baker's widow. During remarks, Councilman Poulson described Baker as "one of the most worthy officers, true as steel, one who never deserted a friend, nor flinched in the hour of duty."
The Hart Building was rebuilt in 1852. In the twentieth century, the block was cleared and is the present site of Independence Mall.
The New York Times New York December 29, 1851:
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 27.
A destructive fire broke out at 1 o'clock this morning, in HART'S Building, corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets. The flames spread with great rapidity, destroying the entire building, together with several book and music stores, and PARKER'S Restaurant in the basement.
The flames spread to the Shakespere building on the opposite side of Sixth street, and adjoining Chestnut street Theatre, which was also entirely destroyed, as was also BROWN'S Hotel, and HART'S building adjoining on Chestnut street.
About three o'clock, the walls of HART'S Building fell into the street, instantly killing two colored men and severely injuring several firemen and police. There is also reason to fear that several other persons were killed, as the streets were crowded at the time the walls fell.
The entire block on the west side of Sixth street, from Chestnut to Carpenter sts., is a heap of ruins.
Besides the buildings above named, JOHNSON'S law book store, and several other valuable stores on each side of Sixth st. and the north side of Chesnut st., are entirely burnt out.
Several other buildings on both sides of Sixth street are much damaged.
The fire was got under at about 9 o'clock this forenoon.
It is reported that police officer JOHNSON was killed. W. W. HALEY, Esq., is missing, and it is feared was killed by the falling walls.
The loss is roughly estimated at $200,000.
The heaviest losses fall upon DR. SCHENCK, whose establishment was entirely destroyed; T. & T. W. JOHNSON, law Booksellers, H. BLAKESTON, GETZ & BUCK, Booksellers, J. W. MOORE, Booksellers, and the owners of several Music, Periodical, and other stores on Sixth st., all of which were entirely destroyed, with their contents.
Workmen are engaged in removing the rubbish from the streets, and in searching for the bodies of those who may have been buried under the fallen walls.
Sunday, Dec. 28.
Workmen have been engaged all day in removing the rubbish from Sixth and Chesnut streets. The body of W. W. HALEY has not yet been found.
WM. BAKER, of the Mayor's Police, and JESSE PYLE and JAMES COOK, members of the Morris Hose Company, are missing, and, it is greatly feared, were buried under the fallen walls.
Biography by Drew Techner
Baker was initially interred at Saint John the Evangelist Cemetery but later removed to an unknown location.
During the evening of December 26, 1851, The Musical Fund Hall was in use for an elaborate subscription dinner to Louis Kossuth, at which the famous Hungarian made an elaborate address. A short time after the guests departed, the hall burst into flames and was destroyed.
William Baker, a member of the Mayor's Police, was working night watch and was at the scene. It was a bitterly cold night with driving rain and falling snow. The firemen's operations were hampered by the freezing of their pipes, hoses and fireplugs. At 1 a.m. the five-story building belonging to publisher and bookseller Abraham Hart, on the northeast corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets, was on fire. The building extended northward on Sixth Street.
At 3 a.m. the streets were crowded with mostly on-lookers. Officer Baker was inside the Hart Building with local attorney and author William Worthington Haly, Esq., a member of the Philadelphia Bar. They were saving property inside the building when suddenly the walls of the Hart Building collapsed on them and those in the street resulting in many casualties. There were at least three others killed besides Haly and Baker. Officer Lewis S. Briest was badly hurt by falling debris.
The fire went on to destroy other properties including the Shakespeare Building, on the northwest corner Sixth and Chestnut Streets. Citizens and City officials feared the flames would spread across Chestnut Street to the State House (Independence Hall) where sparks had gone to. The ruins of the fire were still smoking on December 30th, in the afternoon of which day Barnum's Museum, at the southeast corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets, a block away, was destroyed.
The co-mingled remains of Baker and Haly were recovered and they were identified by their personal effects. Haly's watch was found. A metal plate identifying Baker's police division was found in the ruins. It was all that was left of his police baton. After a funeral at the U.S. Hotel, they were interred together in Haly's coffin with the consent of Baker's widow Ana. They were buried at St. John's Church in Thirteenth Street.
On January 1, 1852, Philadelphia Common Council passed an ordinance providing $500 to Baker's widow. During remarks, Councilman Poulson described Baker as "one of the most worthy officers, true as steel, one who never deserted a friend, nor flinched in the hour of duty."
The Hart Building was rebuilt in 1852. In the twentieth century, the block was cleared and is the present site of Independence Mall.
The New York Times New York December 29, 1851:
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 27.
A destructive fire broke out at 1 o'clock this morning, in HART'S Building, corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets. The flames spread with great rapidity, destroying the entire building, together with several book and music stores, and PARKER'S Restaurant in the basement.
The flames spread to the Shakespere building on the opposite side of Sixth street, and adjoining Chestnut street Theatre, which was also entirely destroyed, as was also BROWN'S Hotel, and HART'S building adjoining on Chestnut street.
About three o'clock, the walls of HART'S Building fell into the street, instantly killing two colored men and severely injuring several firemen and police. There is also reason to fear that several other persons were killed, as the streets were crowded at the time the walls fell.
The entire block on the west side of Sixth street, from Chestnut to Carpenter sts., is a heap of ruins.
Besides the buildings above named, JOHNSON'S law book store, and several other valuable stores on each side of Sixth st. and the north side of Chesnut st., are entirely burnt out.
Several other buildings on both sides of Sixth street are much damaged.
The fire was got under at about 9 o'clock this forenoon.
It is reported that police officer JOHNSON was killed. W. W. HALEY, Esq., is missing, and it is feared was killed by the falling walls.
The loss is roughly estimated at $200,000.
The heaviest losses fall upon DR. SCHENCK, whose establishment was entirely destroyed; T. & T. W. JOHNSON, law Booksellers, H. BLAKESTON, GETZ & BUCK, Booksellers, J. W. MOORE, Booksellers, and the owners of several Music, Periodical, and other stores on Sixth st., all of which were entirely destroyed, with their contents.
Workmen are engaged in removing the rubbish from the streets, and in searching for the bodies of those who may have been buried under the fallen walls.
Sunday, Dec. 28.
Workmen have been engaged all day in removing the rubbish from Sixth and Chesnut streets. The body of W. W. HALEY has not yet been found.
WM. BAKER, of the Mayor's Police, and JESSE PYLE and JAMES COOK, members of the Morris Hose Company, are missing, and, it is greatly feared, were buried under the fallen walls.
Biography by Drew Techner
During the evening of December 26, 1851, The Musical Fund Hall was in use for an elaborate subscription dinner to Louis Kossuth, at which the famous Hungarian made an elaborate address. A short time after the guests departed, the hall burst into flames and was destroyed.
William Baker, a member of the Mayor's Police, was working night watch and was at the scene. It was a bitterly cold night with driving rain and falling snow. The firemen's operations were hampered by the freezing of their pipes, hoses and fireplugs. At 1 a.m. the five-story building belonging to publisher and bookseller Abraham Hart, on the northeast corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets, was on fire. The building extended northward on Sixth Street.
At 3 a.m. the streets were crowded with mostly on-lookers. Officer Baker was inside the Hart Building with local attorney and author William Worthington Haly, Esq., a member of the Philadelphia Bar. They were saving property inside the building when suddenly the walls of the Hart Building collapsed on them and those in the street resulting in many casualties. There were at least three others killed besides Haly and Baker. Officer Lewis S. Briest was badly hurt by falling debris.
The fire went on to destroy other properties including the Shakespeare Building, on the northwest corner Sixth and Chestnut Streets. Citizens and City officials feared the flames would spread across Chestnut Street to the State House (Independence Hall) where sparks had gone to. The ruins of the fire were still smoking on December 30th, in the afternoon of which day Barnum's Museum, at the southeast corner of Seventh and Chestnut Streets, a block away, was destroyed.
The co-mingled remains of Baker and Haly were recovered and they were identified by their personal effects. Haly's watch was found. A metal plate identifying Baker's police division was found in the ruins. It was all that was left of his police baton. After a funeral at the U.S. Hotel, they were interred together in Haly's coffin with the consent of Baker's widow Ana. They were buried at St. John's Church in Thirteenth Street.
On January 1, 1852, Philadelphia Common Council passed an ordinance providing $500 to Baker's widow. During remarks, Councilman Poulson described Baker as "one of the most worthy officers, true as steel, one who never deserted a friend, nor flinched in the hour of duty."
The Hart Building was rebuilt in 1852. In the twentieth century, the block was cleared and is the present site of Independence Mall.
The New York Times New York December 29, 1851:
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Saturday, Dec. 27.
A destructive fire broke out at 1 o'clock this morning, in HART'S Building, corner of Sixth and Chestnut streets. The flames spread with great rapidity, destroying the entire building, together with several book and music stores, and PARKER'S Restaurant in the basement.
The flames spread to the Shakespere building on the opposite side of Sixth street, and adjoining Chestnut street Theatre, which was also entirely destroyed, as was also BROWN'S Hotel, and HART'S building adjoining on Chestnut street.
About three o'clock, the walls of HART'S Building fell into the street, instantly killing two colored men and severely injuring several firemen and police. There is also reason to fear that several other persons were killed, as the streets were crowded at the time the walls fell.
The entire block on the west side of Sixth street, from Chestnut to Carpenter sts., is a heap of ruins.
Besides the buildings above named, JOHNSON'S law book store, and several other valuable stores on each side of Sixth st. and the north side of Chesnut st., are entirely burnt out.
Several other buildings on both sides of Sixth street are much damaged.
The fire was got under at about 9 o'clock this forenoon.
It is reported that police officer JOHNSON was killed. W. W. HALEY, Esq., is missing, and it is feared was killed by the falling walls.
The loss is roughly estimated at $200,000.
The heaviest losses fall upon DR. SCHENCK, whose establishment was entirely destroyed; T. & T. W. JOHNSON, law Booksellers, H. BLAKESTON, GETZ & BUCK, Booksellers, J. W. MOORE, Booksellers, and the owners of several Music, Periodical, and other stores on Sixth st., all of which were entirely destroyed, with their contents.
Workmen are engaged in removing the rubbish from the streets, and in searching for the bodies of those who may have been buried under the fallen walls.
Sunday, Dec. 28.
Workmen have been engaged all day in removing the rubbish from Sixth and Chesnut streets. The body of W. W. HALEY has not yet been found.
WM. BAKER, of the Mayor's Police, and JESSE PYLE and JAMES COOK, members of the Morris Hose Company, are missing, and, it is greatly feared, were buried under the fallen walls.
Biography by Drew Techner
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