<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>BILOXI FIRE DEPARTMENT</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>TIME LINE</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/u4/BFD-Volunteer Co. No 1-Felix Charles Borries (1860-1937).jpg" style="height:200px; width:138px" /></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Felix Charles Borries</strong> (1860-1937)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">[Courtesy of Janice Hughey Hogan-September 2013]</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-02-03%20at%208.06.06%20AM.png" style="height:300px; width:236px" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">Frederick H. McCaleb </span></span></strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">[1846-1909]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:12px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">[from Find A Grave.com]</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1883</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>City of Biloxi organized its first fire company </strong>[Biloxi Volunteer Fire Company No. 1] <strong>on September 3rd&nbsp;</strong>at the Montross Hotel. &nbsp;F.W. Elmer, pres.; Will C. Grant, v. pres.; P.J. Montross, treas.; Phil McCabe, foreman; Thomas P. Bachino, 1st assist.; and Frank Greveniing, 2nd assist. &nbsp;Others involved: Leon Bertoli; Joe Tucei; John B. Bachino; N. Petrie; Albert Deck; Thomas McCabe; Daniel Bachino; J.M. Ritch; M.J. Grady; George H. Schrieber and N. Sullivan.(The Daily Picayune, September 6, 1883, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1890</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The Mississippi Hook &amp; Ladder Fire Company No. 1 was chartered on February 21, 1890</strong> by the following: August Barthes, E. Beaucoudray, Joseph Bellande, Peter Bellande, Newt&nbsp;Bellande, E.B. Chambers, J. Clark, M. Clark, William Collins, Thomas Collins, P. Dalton, A.B. DeLamarre, Percy L. Elmer, A. Giron, W.P. Henley, Lee Kelty, J.C. Laage, J.B. Lemon, Phil Lestrade, William Master, Dan McCarthy, Y. Petrie, R. Price, Alex Redon Jr., T. Rachford, Phil Wagner.(The Biloxi Herald, April 12, 1890, p. 2)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>Biloxi fire companies </strong>[Biloxi Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Hook and Ladder Fire Company No. 1 and Mechanics Steam Fire Company No. 2]<strong> met in May and decided that September 19th</strong> would be the day of their annual parade since that was the day that the Biloxi Volunteer Fire Company was organized. <em>The Biloxi Herald </em>nominated Phil McCabe as Chief of the fire department.(The Biloxi Herald, May 24, 1890, p. 4)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1891</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>engine room of the Barataria Canning Company burned </strong>in early September 1891.&nbsp; Damage was estimated at $1000 and the plant was disabled for a few days.<em>(The Biloxi Herald, September 12, 1891, p. 4)</em></span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1892</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On March 18th,&nbsp;<strong>a fire of incendiary origin destroyed the sash, door and blind factory of M.L. Vazquez&nbsp;</strong>north of the railorad. &nbsp;Loss estimated at $2000 with $1000 insurance by Phoenix. A small house valued at $400 and owned by Collier also lost.(The Biloxi Herald, March 19, 1892, p. 4)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1894</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202018-08-09%20at%209.40.45%20AM.png" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, February 17, 1894, p. 8.</span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-02-21%20at%209.05.15%20AM.png" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">June 1909 Sanborn Map-Sheet 6</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202018-08-09%20at%208.30.20%20AM.png" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, June 9, 1894, p. 8.</span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On October 12th,&nbsp;<strong>Biloxi's Commercial District was inflicted &nbsp;losses of about $75,000</strong>&nbsp;when a large fire commenced in the two-story, J.W. Swetman Building on Pass Christian Street. &nbsp;Big losers were: S. Picard-$25,000; J.W. Swetman-$8000; G.E. Ohr Sr.-$5000; W.K.M. Dukate-$4500; and the pottery of G.E. Ohr Jr. (1857-1918)-$3000.(The Biloxi Herald, October 13, 1894, p. 8)</span></span></p>

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<div class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1895</span></span></strong></div>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Arsene O. Bourdon Sr</strong>. of the Mechanics Steam Fire Engine Company No. 2&nbsp;was elected Fire Chief to succeed <strong>Edward Glennan</strong>&nbsp;[1854-1933]. &nbsp;<strong>Emile&nbsp;Tremmel</strong>&nbsp;[1868-1898]&nbsp;of the Mississippi Hool and Ladder Fire Company was elected first assistant.[The Biloxi Herald, September 7, 1895, p. 8]</span></span></div>

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<div class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong><span style="font-size:14px">1896</span></strong></span></div>

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<div class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-01-03%20at%2010.41.45%20AM.png" /></div>

<div class="rtecenter"><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">[The Biloxi Herald, October 31, 1896, p. 8]</span></div>

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<div class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">1897</span></span></strong></div>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Arsene O. Bourdon Sr. [1845-1901] was retired as Biloxi's Fire Chief, as an election was held</span></span></div>

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<div class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1898</strong></span></span></div>

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<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On August 18th, <strong>F.W. Elmer was elected Fire Chief of Biloxi </strong>by delegates from the various fire companies of the city. <strong>Felix Borries was elected 1st assistant and Gus Barthes, 2nd assistan</strong>t. The annual <strong>Firemen's Day Parade, which had been neglected for a few years, was planned for September 19th with Isidore Heidenheim elected Grand Marshal of the parade</strong>.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, August 19, 1898, p. 8)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1900</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On November 9th, the&nbsp;<strong>Great Biloxi Fire started in the rear of Kennedy's Saloon</strong>&nbsp;near the L&amp;N Depot on Reynoir Street Hotel and devastated about ninety commercial and residential structures south to the beach.&nbsp;<strong>Damages estimated at about $600,000</strong>.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, November&nbsp;9, 1900, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1904</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>City of Biloxi passed an ordinance in May that subsidized</strong> the two local fire companies to provide fire protection for Biloxi. &nbsp;<strong>Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 received $250</strong> per year while&nbsp;<strong>Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was given $125</strong> annually for thier support. &nbsp;In addition, Biloxi was to furnish the following: ladders and buckets on hook and ladder trucks; three hose reels to be purchased with 250-feet of hose each and to be located outside markets; Mississippi Volunteer Company No. 1 firemen were to remunerated as follows: engineer-$5 per fire, fireman-$2.50 per fire, pipe men, not to exceed 2 per lead hose-$3.00 per fire, team that hauls an engine to fire to get $10.00 and team that hauls hook and ladder truck to be paid $5.00.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, may 4, 1904, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The East End Hose Company No. 1 was organized on October 5, 1904 at Sterne’s Store </strong>0n Point Cadet with 37 men present.&nbsp; Officers of the Company were: <strong>Peter C. Ott</strong>, pres.; John S. Wentzel, vice-pres.; W.T. Sterne, sec.; W.G. Manuel, treas.; John Ott Sr., foreman; Alexander Ewing, 1<sup>st</sup> assistant foreman; Charles Wentzel, 2<sup>nd</sup> assistant foreman; and Joseph Arguelles, assistant aid to the fire chief. &nbsp;Dues were set at 50 cents for three months.&nbsp; By October 8<sup>th</sup>, the company was fully equipped with a hose carriage and ancillary equipment.&nbsp; The fire company’s equipment was stored in the East End market house. &nbsp;&nbsp;The Company’s first Mask Ball was held on December 22, 1904.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 6, 1904, p. 5; October 8, 1905, p. 5; December 22, 1904, p. 1; and September 19, 1907, p. 4)</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>Back Bay Hose Company was organized on November 11, 1904</strong> in a small shed owned by Nick Voivedich on Fayard Street. &nbsp;There were 20 charter members with a hose drawn reel. &nbsp;William Gorenflo and Edward C. Joullian were generous supporters of this organization in tis primal years. &nbsp;The company named its two horses, Joullian and Reynoir. &nbsp;Original officers of Back bay Hose Company were: J.B. Reynoir, president; William Thompson, v-pres.; Nick Voivecich, foreman; George Duvic, 1st assistant; and Arthur Richard, 2nd assistant.(The Daily Herald, September 20, 1915, p. 2)&nbsp;</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Philip McCabe</strong>&nbsp;(1837-1904), native of New Orleans and&nbsp;<strong>first chief engineer of the Biloxi Volunteer Fire Company, expired in mid-December</strong>.&nbsp; In their youth, Ed Glennan and Charles Redding both worked for Mr. McCabe at NOLA when he had a stove business on Camp Street in NOLA. &nbsp;McCabe also was the&nbsp;<strong>first tin can manufacturer on the Coast making fruit, oyster, and vegetable cans.</strong>(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, October 28, 1881, p. 3 and The Biloxi Daily Herald, December 16, 1904, p. 5)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1905</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Alderman T.J. Rosell, chairman of the water works committee, tested the water-fire pressure at Fayard Street and Howard Avenue with a 1 1/8 inch </strong>nozzle and it threw a <strong>stream of water 67 feet high or as high as the clock in the Nativity BVM Catholic Church. </strong>&nbsp;The City has two water tanks.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 27, 1905, p. 2)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong><span style="font-size:14px">1906</span></strong></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1910</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In late April 1910, a <strong>fire on east Division Street destroyed three, wood-framed</strong> <strong>cottages.</strong>&nbsp; They were owned by Frank Cook-value $1000; Mrs. John Entrekin-value $1000 and insured for $500; Mrs. Martha Parker-value $400.(The Daily Herald, April 26, 1910,p. 4)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/C-10%20Sept%2019%201910.jpg" style="height:300px; width:506px" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Henry Eikel </strong>[1905-1976] and <strong>Vera Elmer </strong>[1902-1982] [m. Hugh A. Brown]&nbsp;ride on the Cornucopia float of the <strong>Hook and Ladder Fire Company</strong> on&nbsp;19 September 1910 at the&nbsp;Biloxi Firmen's Day Parade.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Percy Lee Elmer</strong> [1873-1949],&nbsp;her father,&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45)">was the last living charter member of the Mississippi Hook and Ladder Fire Co., and was one of its officers for years. Mr. Elmer was city alderman for six years and formerly was city treasurer and in former years was prominently identified with local civic affairs.</span></span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1913</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>Noblin House,</strong> owned by Mrs. Ace Noblin of Edwards, Mississippi, situated on West Beach and used as a boarding house, <strong>caught fire in early August</strong>. &nbsp;<strong>Mrs. L.D. Rodon and Mrs. W.P. Davis both escaped death by jumping from the upper story. &nbsp;</strong>They were injured and treated by Dr. H.M. Folkes and Dr. W.G. Carroll who were both called to the conflagration. &nbsp;It was occupied by Mrs. Rodon for the summer months. &nbsp;The structure was formerly utilized as a santarium by Dr. W.R. Card. &nbsp;The Volunteer Fire Company, The Hook and Ladder Company and the West End Fire Company fought the blaze. &nbsp;E.L. Castanera, water works superintendent, related<strong> that this fire was the first to test the new electrical fire pump at the local pumping station. &nbsp;The pump maintained a pressure of 125# throughout the battle to save the Noblin House.</strong>(The Daily Herald, August 7, 1913, p. 1 and August 8, 1913, p. 8)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1921</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The City had the following <strong>fire protection</strong> beginning the year: <strong>Central Station</strong>-B. Mattina and Joseph Emile; <strong>Mississippi Hook &amp; Ladder Company</strong>-Charles Sentell; <strong>West End Fire Company</strong>-Joseph Peppard; <strong>Back Bay Fire Company</strong>-Harvey Chinn; <strong>East End Fire Company</strong>-Fred Knox; and W.F. Clark, relief fireman.(The Daily Herald, January 15, 1921, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1922</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">An $800, <strong>house inhabited by employees of the Biloxi Fisherman's Packing Company on Point Cadet was destroyed by fire on February 23rd. </strong>&nbsp;The structure was located in an alley just back of Dave Ahern's grocery store. &nbsp;Other cottages in the area caught fire, but were saved by firemen from the East End, Mississippi Hook and Ladder and the Volunteer Fire Companies of Biloxi.(The Daily Herald, February 23, 1922, p. 3)</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>DeJean Packing Company</strong> on Biloxi’s East Beach situated between Dunbar-Dukate and the Seafood Packing Company, <strong>was entirely destroyed by fire on 21 August.</strong>&nbsp; The building owned by Mrs. J.T. Maybury was valued at $1000.&nbsp; The packing company lost fresh and canned shrimp and machinery valued at $5000. There was no insurance.&nbsp; In addition, three moored schooners were damaged by the flames.&nbsp; The place was known as the old Greiner Packing Company.[The Daily Herald, August 22, 1922, p. 1]</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On May 15<sup>th</sup>, a large fire destroyed <strong>one-half of the 3<sup>rd</sup> floor of the main building of the Riviera&nbsp; Hotel </strong>[formerly Montross] on Beach Boulevard and Lameuse Street.&nbsp; Damage estimated at $20,000.(The Daily Herald, May 15, 1922, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">After its gasoline engine back-fired, the <strong><em>Hilda S</em></strong>. , owned by Martin Fountain and sailed by George Smith, and moored at the Seafood Company pier on East Beach received slight damage.&nbsp; The <strong>blaze was controlled with only slight damage</strong> as the crew used its pyrine extinguisher.(The Daily Herald, August 21, 1922, p. 3)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">1924</span></span></strong></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On December 16th, <strong>a&nbsp;fire at Beauvoir destroyed Dormitory No. 3</strong> which was situated west of the old hospital. &nbsp;Two Confederate veterans perished in the conflagration, <strong>J.T. Hunter</strong> (1844-1924) and <strong>F.M. Sharp</strong> (1846-1924). &nbsp;They entered the Soldier's Home fro, Laurel and Columbus respectively.[The Daily Herald, December 17, 1924, p. 1]</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1925</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Hook and Ladder Fire Company No. 1 celebrated its 35th anniversary</strong> on February 23rd at its station on Fayard Street. &nbsp;Officers of the organization at this time were: <strong>Jake Lechner</strong> (1872-1930), president; <strong>Thomas E.</strong> <strong>Collins </strong>(1864-1937), v. pres.; <strong>Henry Eikel</strong> (1869-1952), secretary-treasurer; <strong>August Tremmel</strong> (1873-1942), foreman; <strong>Will Kornmann</strong>, 1st assist.; <strong>Anthony V. Ragusin</strong> (1902-1997), 2nd assist.; <strong>Charles Sentell</strong>, housekeeper; and <strong>Frank Bennett</strong>, flag bearer.(The Daily Herald, February 24, 1925, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1926</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On May 23rd,&nbsp;<strong>A large fire on West Howard Avenue destroyed the Yerger Building which housed the Variety Store, Electrik Maid Bakery, Newman Furniture Company,</strong>&nbsp;and Biloxi Mercantile Company.&nbsp; Losses were estimated between $75,000-$100,000.(The Biloxi News, May 23, 1926, p. 1 and The Daily Herald, May 24, 1926, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>bungalow of Mrs. K.C. Roswell 1130 West Beach</strong> between Gill Avenue amd Porter caught fire in the early morning of September 4th. &nbsp;Three policemen, Evon Swetman (1902-1976), Richard Grady and Jake Stanovich, of the night patrol discovered the blaze and awoke the tenant, Mrs. Albert Madding. <strong>Units from West End No. 1, Central No. 1 and Hook &amp; Ladder No. 1 arrived on the scene and quickly arrested the incipient conflagration limiting damage and the loss of the structure</strong>. &nbsp;The five City firemen were aided by volunteers.(The Daily Herald, September 4, 1926, p. 1)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1928</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The&nbsp;<strong>Elmer Packing Company on Back Bay was destroyed by fire</strong>&nbsp;on January 31st.&nbsp; It was leased to Louis A. Lundy of Ocean Springs at the time of the large conflagration.(The Daily Herald, January 31, 1928, p. 2)&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1930</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong><em>Jennie Johnson</em></strong>, an auxiliary schooner, owned by Louis O. Johnson received fire damage amounting to $150 on April 20, 1930.&nbsp; Captain Hub Terrell was burned on his arm and torso from the fire which emanated from the ignition of gasoline vapors in the vessel’s cabin when Terrell lit a match.&nbsp; The <strong><em>Jennie Johnson</em></strong> had just returned from the outside oyster reefs with a hold laden with mollusks and was moored at the Johnson Canning Company wharf.&nbsp; Biloxi firemen were called to the vessel and performed admirably saving the boat and its cargo.&nbsp; The cabin was burned as well as some of the decking and the mainsail was badly damaged by the conflagration. (The Daily Herald, April 21 1930, p. 2)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1931</span></span></strong></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Sunkist, the Popp home, was destroyed by fire </strong>on 31 May. &nbsp;The origin of the conflagration was unknown.(The Daily Herald, June 1, 1931, p. 2)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">1933</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">The <strong>warehouse of Frank P. Corso on Caillavet Street near the L&amp;N Railroad&nbsp;</strong>burned on October 11, 1933. &nbsp;He suffered a heavy loss of about $6000 from fire and water damage. &nbsp;Mr. Corso <strong>will move to the warehouse formerly occupied buy the Southern Grocery</strong>.(The Daily Herald, October 11, 1933, p. 1 and October 14, 1933, p. 2)</span></span></p>

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<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1934</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In April 1934, a bulkhead and pumping stand were erected near the [Ramsay Springs Road] highway and 500 feet from Five Points <strong>in North Biloxi</strong>. &nbsp;Chief Sentell, A.V. Ragusin and Walter Nixon visited the site.(The Daily Herald, April 27, 1934, p. 7)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1936</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>W.F. McDonnell home</strong>, a wood-framed structure of eight rooms and situated on McDonnell Avenue just off West Beach at Biloxi, <strong>was destroyed by fire on April 23, 1936. </strong>&nbsp;About <strong>$500 in musical instruments </strong>was lost and <strong>the house was valued at $7000.</strong> &nbsp;Mrs. McDonnell was ill at the time of the conflagration and was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wiltz, her neighbor.(The Daily Herald, April 23, 1936, p. 3)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On December 4th, <strong>ground was broken for the new Back Bay Fire Station</strong> on Elder Street. The 116 foot by 200 foot lot was acquired from the Elder Estate. &nbsp;John T. Collins was the architrect for the $5000 colonial-style structure.(The Daily Herald, December 4, 1936, p. 9)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1937</strong></span></span></p>

<div>
<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In February,<strong> several homes on Deer Island were spared damage </strong>from the recent fire.(The Daily Herald, February 4, 1937, p. 5)</span></span></p>
</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>On April 1st, work began on the new Central Fire Station near City Hall between Main and Elmer Streets. &nbsp;The new station was designed by John T. Collins and is 47 feet by 70 feet with a dormitory for 7 men and a kitchen. &nbsp;It is taking the place of the Fayard Street fire station and fire apparatus from Mississippi Hook &amp; Ladder Company No. 1 will be utilized. &nbsp;Christian A. Thompson was superintendent of the 20 man work force erecting the $10,000 structure. &nbsp;The new station was dedicated on July 1, the birthday of Mayor Louis Braun who is also fire commissioner for the City.(The Daily Herald, April 20, 1937, p. 1 and July 1, 1937, p. 1)</strong></span></span></div>

<p class="rtejustify">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The new <strong>West End Fire Station was dedicated on July 8th.</strong> John T. Collins was project architect and Robert Conway built the fire engine. &nbsp;Mayor Louis Braun reminded the audience that 15 months prior while a candidate for Mayor, he promised that he would make improvements to Biloxi's Fire Department if elected.(The Daily Herald, July 9, 1937, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The new <strong>Back Bay Fire Station was dedicated on July 20th</strong> during the annual Picnic and Bazaar of the Fourth Ward Regulars. &nbsp;<strong>John T. Collins was architect </strong>and Robert&nbsp;<strong>Conway had built the company's fire engine </strong>which had an 85 HP motor and 850 feet of regular hose. &nbsp;It was the 5th fire apparatus for the Back Bay Fire Company since its 1904 organization.(The Daily Herald, June 21, 1937, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1940</strong></span></span></p>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Chief Sentell and his assistant, Evon Swetman, announced that the new 14 helmets for Biloxi's firemen arrived in October. &nbsp; The bakelite helmets were black with the initials BFD and the fireman's number in white. &nbsp;In addition to this equipment there were three gas masks on order for the department. &nbsp;The purchaes were made through funds raised from a recent benefit dance. &nbsp;It was aspired that an inhalator soon be acquired for the BFD.(The Daily Herald, October 1940)</strong></span></span></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1942</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The&nbsp;<strong>S.H. Kress store</strong>&nbsp;on West Howard Avenue sustained&nbsp;<strong>$2000 in damages from a fire</strong>&nbsp;in mid-November. Three alarm event and O.W. Trawick was the store manager.(The Daily Herald, November 13, 1942, p. 2)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Earl F. Cook</strong> (1907-1999), now attached to the Central Fire Station, <strong>was appointed assistant Fire Chief</strong> in December 1942. &nbsp;Earl joined the BFD on May 1, 1935. &nbsp;He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cook.(The December 23, 1942, p. 15)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1944</span></span></strong></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On October 27, 1944, a&nbsp;<strong>fire in the old Peoples' Bank Building on the corner of Howard Avenue and Lameuse Street</strong> caused an estimated $13,000 damage exclusive of fixtures and merchandise. &nbsp;The <strong>Collins were&nbsp;hired to replace the roof and perform structural work</strong>.(The Daily Herald, October 28, 1944, p. 1 and October 31, 1944, p. 5.</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1949</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The&nbsp;<strong>Hick's Battery Manufacturing Company on Back Bay near Lee Street burned on April 6, 1949.&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;Damage was estimated at $50,000.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;All five Biloxi Fire Department trucks and two fire engines from Keesler Field answered</strong>the fire call.&nbsp; Fourteen firemen and several volunteers assisted in containing the conflagration.(The Daily Herald, April 7, 1949, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1951</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Sentell%2C%20Fire%20Chief%202.jpg" style="height:200px; width:110px" /></p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Charles Henry Sentell</strong> (1884-1951) former Biloxi Fire Chief [1933-1942] died on 25 January.[The Daily Herald, January 26, 1951, p. 12]</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>laundry at the Buena Vista Hotel</strong> caught fire on the afternoon of March 14, 1951 resulting in $50,000 in damages to the structure which was situated behind the hotel. &nbsp;The fire was fed by linens and cleaning fluid. &nbsp;Unfortunately, <strong>Anthony 'Tony' &nbsp;Bernard Rousseau</strong> (1908-1951), <strong>a Biloxi volunteer fireman, was killed while attempting to board the fire truck of the Central Fire Station. </strong>&nbsp;He slipped, fell and was run over by the rear wheels of the vehicle.(The Daily Herald, March 14, 1951, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1952</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Bruce Carsen Howe</strong> (1951-1952) died on 12 March from burns received in a fire on Carter Avenue in West Biloxi. &nbsp;The child was rolling a jar of gasoline on the floor which exploded when near a heater in the home. &nbsp;He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Howe, whose father was <strong>Donald&nbsp;Witter&nbsp;Howe </strong>(1891-1952), founder of Seafoam Company, which manufactured food and pralines at their establishment on Carter Avenue. &nbsp;Damage to the Howe home was estimated at $1500.[The Daily Herald, March 13, 1952, p. 1]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Biloxi ordered <strong>four, new fire trucks costing about $63,000 from the Four Wheel Drive Company</strong> of Clintonville, Wisconsin. &nbsp;Two were high pressure pumpers 750-gallon pumper and two were standard-750 gallon pumpers. &nbsp;The equipment was expected in the first week of September. &nbsp;(The Daily Herald, June 7, 1952, p.3)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify">&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202018-11-26%20at%2010.26.03%20AM.png" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">An old canning factory&nbsp;at Main Street and Back Bay, formerly the <strong>Braun Canning Company, was destroyed by fire</strong> on 24 September. &nbsp;The building [150 feet by 65 feet] was owned by Madames E.A. Braun and Lomax Burdine.[The Daily Herald, September&nbsp;25, 1952, p. 1 with photo]</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">A new,&nbsp;<strong>$30,000 fire station for Biloxi's West End</strong>&nbsp;on Jeff Davis Avenue and the L&amp;N RR&nbsp;<strong>was proposed</strong>&nbsp;from the $999,000 bond issue passed by Biloxi denizens in October.(The Daily Herald, December 24, 1952, p. 10) &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1953</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Walter Clark</strong>&nbsp;(1900-1961) and <strong>Frank Hecht</strong>&nbsp;(1901-1981) were appoined <strong>Fire Chief </strong>and Assistant Fire Chief, respectively, of the Biloxi Fire Department by <strong>incoming Mayor Laz Quave </strong>(1910-1985) .(The Daily Herald, July 6, 1953, p. 17)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1954</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Herman Creel</strong> (1908-1976) was named as assistant fire chief in February 1954. &nbsp;William Knox retired.(The Daily Herald, March 2, 1954, p. 6)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">In the early morning of November 2, 1954, a devastating <strong>conflagration which commenced in Poor Richard’s Lounge of the Sun ‘N Sand Restaurant and Lounge</strong>.&nbsp; Damage to the structure was estimated at $80,000 to $100,000.&nbsp; An apartment above the housed the A.H. Bailey family and their two young children.&nbsp; Units&nbsp; from the West End and Back Bay fire stations with assistance from KAFB first responders were called to the scene.[The Daily Herald, November 2, 1954, p. 1]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1955</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In April, the&nbsp;<strong>Grove Club on West Beach was destroyed by fire.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;Owners,&nbsp;<strong>Louis Uchello</strong>&nbsp;(1909-1996) and&nbsp;<strong>Guy Uchello</strong>&nbsp;(1895-1962)&nbsp;<strong>valued</strong>&nbsp;the 1940&nbsp;<strong>structure</strong>&nbsp;and a 1946&nbsp;<strong>addition at $75,000</strong>. &nbsp;They averred that $10,000 was left in the safe.&nbsp;(The Daily Herald, April 11, 1955, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1956</strong></span></span></p>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The<strong>&nbsp;Folkes Building on the SE/C of West Howard and Reynoir</strong>&nbsp;had its second floor destroyed by fire in early November. &nbsp;Damage to the structure was estiamted at $90,000.(The Daily Herald, November &nbsp; , 1956, p, 1)</span></span></div>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The Barthes-Sentell Fire Station No. 5,</strong>&nbsp;a $25,000 structure situated on Father Ryan Avenue,&nbsp;<strong>was dedicated on December 18th.</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;It was named in honor of&nbsp;<strong>Frederick Auguste Barthes</strong>&nbsp;(1864-1948) and&nbsp;<strong>Charles Henry Sentell</strong>&nbsp;(1884-1951), former Biloxi Fire Chiefs.(The Daily Herald, December 17, 1956, p. 21 and December 19, 1956, p. 1) &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1959</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In 1959, <strong>fire damage at Biloxi was estimated at $270,489. </strong>&nbsp;William Gilmer, age 60, was the only fire victim. &nbsp;Gilmer was a former patient at the Biloxi VA Center and burned to death in his Pass Road trailer on February 20, 1959. &nbsp;The fire at <strong>Ohr's Junk Yard which occurred on December 27, 1959</strong> was estimated to result in about $100,000 in damages. &nbsp;Antique automobiles were among the treasured items lost. &nbsp;The <strong>A&amp;P Super Market fire </strong>resulted in about $75,000 in damages. &nbsp;Other notable conflagrations in 1959 were the $25,000 <strong>Blue Note Cafe fire on Main Street</strong> which occurred in March and a $20,000 <strong>fire in an apartment building on West Water Street in June</strong>.(The Daily Herald, January 1, 1960, p. 5)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On August 25th, the <strong>A&amp;P Super Market on West Howard Avenue was severely harmed by fire</strong> with damage estimated at over $100,000. The building was erected in 1945 by Sam Mitchell and remodeled in 1950. All Biloxi fire units ledby <strong>Chief Walter Clark with assistance by the LeMoyne Volunteer Fire Company</strong> fought the blaze for 45 minutes.(The Daily Herald, August 26, 1959, p. 1 )</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1960</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On 21 May,<strong> Noel 'Little Jimmie' James Skrmetta Jr. </strong>&nbsp;(1957-1960) <strong>burned to death in a fire</strong> at the home of his parents, Noel 'Jimmie' James Skrmetta and Bobbie Jean Maumus Skrmetta, at 5135 Southern Avenue in&nbsp;Biloxi. &nbsp;<strong>Martin Skrmetta</strong>, an older brother, <strong>received mild burns</strong> from the gasoline fire. &nbsp;The Skrmetta home damage was estimated at $2000 and was valued at $12,000.(The Daily Herald, May 21, 1960, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Captain Patrick D. Quave</strong> (1935-1960), Biloxi fireman at the East End Fire Station, <strong>was killed on Dukate Curve in a traffic accident</strong> on December &nbsp;26, 1960. &nbsp;His spouse, <strong>Ramona Darrington Quave</strong>, was seriously injured.(The Daily Herald, December 27, 1960, p. 1.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1962</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/u4/BFD-Bayview Bowling Alley fire-Dec%2C 1962.jpg" style="height:93px; width:300px" /></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Bayview Lanes</strong>, formerly the&nbsp;<strong>Bayview Theatre building</strong>, was destroyed in a great conflagration on November 29th. Loss to structure and equipment was estimated at $450,000. &nbsp;<strong>Douglas I. Smith</strong>&nbsp;(1901-1979) opened a theatre, flower shop and drug store here in 1946. &nbsp;In 1959, the&nbsp;<strong>building was remodeled into a 20-lane bowling alley</strong>&nbsp;when owned by Ernest V. Landaiche (1895-1966).(The Daily Herald, November 30, 1962, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1963</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong><em>Bernard T.</em></strong>, a fishing vessel owned by <strong>Jane Taltavull Smith,</strong> sustained about <strong>$700 in damages when it caught fire at the Taltavull Company wharf on West Bay View Avenue</strong>. &nbsp;Batallion Chief Frank Hecht said that a shortage in the boat's electrical system was responsible for the fire damage to the cabin of the vessel.(The Daily Herald, January 28, 1963, p. 2)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1964</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The<strong> new $54,000 East End Fire Station was dedicated on September 12th </strong>completing the first phase of <strong>Mayor Guice's 4-point modernization program. </strong>The W.L. Easterling Company of Ocean Springs erected the 3984 square-ft. structure on the site of the old fire station. &nbsp;The building was designed by H.F. Fountain Jr. &amp; Associates.(The Daily Herald, September 3, 1964, p. 5, September 11, 1964, p. 9, and September 14, 1964, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The old Crystal Ice Company building, situated between Lameuse Street and Delauney Street, burned for 32 hours</strong> in mid-December. <strong>Damages estimated at $182,000</strong>.(The Daily Herald, December 10, 1964, p. 1 and December 11, 1964, p. 2)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/u4/Kent's Men Store Fire_1.jpg" style="height:191px; width:250px" /></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>Folkes Building</strong>, southeast corner of West Howard Avenue and Reynoir Street, <strong>burned in late December 1964.</strong> &nbsp;Losses estimated at $230,000 to Kent's Men Store, Royal Credit Jewelers, Acme Photo, &nbsp;et al. &nbsp;Frank Gabrich was BFD Chief.(The Daily Herald, December 26, 1964, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>Biloxi Fire Department fought two large fires in 1964</strong>. &nbsp;The $<strong>55,000 East End Fire Station was completed </strong>and <strong>two, new, diesel fire trucks each costing $27,000 were acquired</strong>.(The Daily Herald, January 1, 1965, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1965</strong></span></span></p>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">A <strong>vacant, 2-story home valued at $30,000 and located on West Beach was destroyed by fire on January 2nd.</strong> &nbsp;The structure just west of Oakmont Place was<strong> owned by Russell H. Huffstetter&nbsp;</strong>(1894-1969).The Daily Herald, January 2, 1965, p. 1)</span></span></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The Roxy Theatre on East Howard Avenue, which had been closed for nearly eight years, burned on January 3, 1965. &nbsp;A residence and trailer in the rear of the movie house were also destroyed resulting in total losses of about $26,000. &nbsp;Mrs. Francis Smolich was the owner.(The Daily Herald, January 4, 1965, p. 1)</strong></span></span></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1966</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Buck%20Theatre%20-%20Mardi%20Gras%20Day%20Fire%2C%20pg%202_0.jpg" style="height:303px; width:300px" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">The <strong>Buck Theatre</strong>, <strong>Laughran Building</strong> and <strong>Collins Building</strong>&nbsp;situated on the west side of Lameuse Street between Jackson and Howard Avenue <strong>burned on Mardi Gras eve, February 22, 1966</strong>, while the Mardi Gras parade was in progress.&nbsp; Firemen from four other cities and KAFB fought the conflagration and two Biloxi firemen, Guy Green and George Emile, suffered smoke inhalation while battling the burning buildings.&nbsp; Damages were estimated to be as much as $50,000.(The Daily Herald, February 23, 1961, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The&nbsp;<strong>fifth floor of the Buena Vista Hotel's East Wing caught fire at 5:45 p.m.on July 20th.&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;125 rooms were burned resulting in damages estimated at $150,000. &nbsp;All 360 rooms of the luxury hotel were in use as the Alabama Farm Bureau Federation was holding its annual meeting. &nbsp;Local fireman extinguished the blaze in about three hours. &nbsp;The Buena Vista reopened for business on July 21st.(The Times-Picayune, July 21, 1966, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Chinn%2C%20Richard%20Harvey%20%5B1890-1966%5D.png" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong>Richard Harvey Chinn</strong> [1890-1966]</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45)"><strong>Richard Harvey Chinn</strong>, retired chief of Keesler AFB fire department, died at 7 a. m. today at Howard Memorial Hospital, Biloxi.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45)">Mr. Chinn, who resided at 411 Copp St., was a native of Woolmarket and a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Coast.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45)">He began his career as a fireman in 1918 at the old Back Bay fire hall and became a fireman at Keesler in 1941. He was appointed chief at Keesler Field in 1944 and retired in 1959.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45)">In 1946 and 1947, Mr. Chinn assisted in reorganizing the Ocean Springs fire department and for his work he was made an honorary member......</span><br />
<span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">[The&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45)">Daily Herald, August 28, 1966)</span></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1968</strong></span></span></p>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The A &amp; P &nbsp;Super Market on West Beach Boulevard in Biloxi burned in an early morning fire on February 1st. &nbsp;Damage was estimated at $100,000.(The Daily Herald, February &nbsp; , 1968 and February 24, 1968, p. 1)</strong></span></span></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>2nd February A &amp; P Super Market conflagration in Biloxi occurred on February 23rd</strong>, when the A &amp; P on West Howard Avenue burned in a flash fire. &nbsp;Battalion Chief Frank Hecht noted that fire trucks had difficulties getting to the blaze due to heavy smoke which dimenished visibility. &nbsp;<strong>Sam Mitchell owned the building that had been erected in 1948 </strong>[sic].<strong> &nbsp;The structure had been heavily damaged by fire in 1958 </strong>[sic]<strong>.</strong> &nbsp;<strong>Merchiston-Hall Galleries, a furniture store east of the A &amp; P store and owned by Leo Crapo</strong>, received about $2000 in damages when large windows and doors shattered due to the extreme heat emanating from the fire.(The Daily Herald, February 24, 1968, p. 1 and&nbsp;The Daily Herald, August 26, 1959, p. 1)</span></span></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1969</strong></span></span></p>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Leo Nick</strong> (1895-1969) died <strong>from burns and smoke inhalation on January 14, 1969 in his small trailer at 127 East Bayview Avenue.</strong> &nbsp;Nick was a veteran of World War I and was born at sea enroute from Poland. &nbsp;He had no know survivors. &nbsp;Gladys Gorenflo, Harrison County Coroner, related that Nick's demise was "caused by first and second degree burns received when the mattress caught fire in his trailer."(The Daily Herald, January 14, 1969, p. 2)</span></span></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Three commercial business at 303A, 303B and 304 Porter Avenue sustained damages estimated at $60,000 from a conflagration that occurred on November 30th. &nbsp;Business damaged were: John's Package Liquors owend by John Treuting; Arthur Murray Dance Studio-Mrs. Dorothy Shuttlemore, proprietor; and Verna's Beauty Shop-Mrs. Verna Taranto, owner.&nbsp; &nbsp;The building was owned by John Demetrakopoulos.&nbsp;(The Daily Herald, December 1, 1969, p. 2)</strong></span></span></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Mary Juline Simmons</strong>, age about 33 years, <strong>died in a fire at 732 Magnolia Street</strong> on the afternoon of December 6th.(The Daily Herald, December 9, 1969, p. 2)</span></span></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/u4/Fire-Vapors Nite Club-May 1971_1.jpg" style="height:150px; width:200px" /></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1971</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The Vapors, a large night club on Biloxi's West Beach Strip east of the Broadwater Beach Hotel, was destroyed by fire </strong>on the morning of May 20th. 1971. &nbsp;Richard Head owner of the structure estimated damages at $120,000. &nbsp;It had been destroyed by Hurricane Camille in August 1969 and rebuilt.(The Daily Herald, May 20, 1971, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1972</span></span></strong></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>Accomo Hotel and Restauant</strong>, formerly&nbsp;the <strong>Paradise Gardens</strong> at 744 Main Street,&nbsp;<strong>was gutted by fire</strong> on November 22, 1972. &nbsp;A post-WW II, negro night club was once the venue for entertainers such as: <strong>Antoine "Fats" Domino</strong> [1928-2017];&nbsp;<strong>Guitar Slim</strong> [Eddie Jones (1926-1959)]; <strong>Chuck Willis</strong> [1928-1958]; and <strong>Johnny Otis </strong>[1921-2012]. &nbsp;Damage to the structure was estimated at $30,000. &nbsp;It was owned by Joseph T. Hathorn and William E. Jones. &nbsp;The fire was discovered while BFD firemen were fighting another blaze at the Auction City Furniture building 445 East Division. &nbsp;Fire Chief Gabrich estimated that W.M. Krohn and Ronnie Krohn, owners, loss&nbsp;at $5000 to their $10,000 structure.</span></span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">[The Daily Herald, November 22, 1972, p. 2]</span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1974</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The <strong>Gorenflo publc school on Lameuse Street caught fire </strong>on April ? &nbsp;The conflagration originated in the cafeteria and destroyed the cafeteria, library, auditorium, teachers' lounge, principal's office, and four class rooms in the main school building. &nbsp;<strong>Damages were estimated at $1 million dollars</strong>.(The Daily Herald, October 9, 1975, p. C-1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>1975</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Repairs to the fire-damaged Gorenflo school were 40 per cent completed</strong>. &nbsp;The 508 students in grades 1-6 were attending classes in 19 classrooms with 20 teachers.(The Daily Herald,&nbsp;October 9, 1975, p. C-1)</span></span></p>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div><strong>A.G. 'Cool Breeze' Hilton </strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">(1920-1974) </span><strong>died in a fire at 847 Elmer Street</strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px"> at Biloxi on December 17, 1974. &nbsp;Three adults and two children escaped from the conflagration which destoyed the one and one-half story, wood frame house.(The Daily Herald, Decmber 18, 1974, p. A-2)</span></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1976</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Evon Emery Swetman</strong>&nbsp;(1902-1976), former <strong>assistant Biloxi Fire Chief</strong>, expired at Long Beach on March 15th. &nbsp;He was the son of the late J.W. Swetman and Sofey P. Schumann. (The Daily Herald, March 16, 1976, p. A2)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In the late afternoon and evening of August 16th, <strong>Domicilliary No. 1, a three-story, 45-year old building, housing 142 elderly and disabled patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Biloxi, was heavily damaged by a large conflagration.</strong> More than 100 firemen from Biloxi, Gulfport, D'Iberville and Keesler AFB fought the blaze which appeared to have commenced in the attic of the dormitory and destroyed most of the building's third floor. &nbsp;No lives were lost, but <strong>William B. Sheppard</strong> (1916-1976), director of the VA facility, died of a heart attack in his office around 6:00 p.m. during the height of the fire.(The Daily Herald, August 17, 1976, p. A-1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1980</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Joan Marie Manning Johnston </strong>(1960-1980),<strong> Gerald Guy Ross Jr. </strong>(1960-1980) and <strong>George W. Johnson</strong> (1957-1980) died in a duplex fire at 917 Central Beach Boulevard on January 19, 1980. &nbsp;Damage to the structure was estimated at $15,000. &nbsp;The corporal remains of the deceased were interred at the Biloxi Cemetery.(The Daily Herald, January 20, 1980)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1982</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In the early morning of&nbsp;<strong>November 8th, 28 people died and more than 30 injured in a fire in the Harrison County jail</strong>&nbsp;on Delauney Street and McElroy Street in Biloxi.&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Robert Eugene Pates</strong>&nbsp;(b. 1951) was charged with 28 counts of capital murder when he was named the alleged conspirator of the conflagration.&nbsp; Pates was sent ot Parchman immediatley.(The Daily Herald, November 8, 1982, p. A1 and November 9, 1982, p. A2)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1981</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Melvin%20Building%20fire-1981.jpg" style="height:240px; width:320px" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">A <strong>warehouse adjacent to Melvin Supply Company</strong> at 613&nbsp;East Howard Avenue was damaged&nbsp;by fire on February 6th. &nbsp;Damage was estmated in the $350,000 to $400,000 range,&nbsp;in early May. &nbsp;The struture was owned by Ernest Melvin, Beat 1 Harrison County Supervisor and Biloxi Mayoral candidate.(The Daily Herald, February&nbsp;6, 1981)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1983</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>The Shalimar Lounge at </strong>806 Main Street was <strong>destroyed by fire on March 8th. </strong>&nbsp;The building was valued at $150,000.(The Daily Herald, March 9, 1983, p. B-6)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>1985</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">On 7 &nbsp;January, <strong>Harold Windom replaced Guy Bernard Roberts </strong>as Biloxi's fire chief. &nbsp;Chief Roberts' health was in decline but he agreed to&nbsp;replace&nbsp;Windom until his position could be filled.[The Daily Herald, Janaury 8, 1985, p. B-1]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1986</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On October 20th, <strong>Carl Ohr Jr</strong>. (1952-1986) and <strong>Edwin Kurt Jacquet</strong> (1956-1986), BFD employees, were killed battling a fire in Biloxi.(The Times-Picayune, October 21, 1986, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/u4/Buena Vista fire-June 1991.jpg" style="height:147px; width:250px" /></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1991</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On June 25th, the <strong>Buena Vista Hotel was severely damaged by fire</strong> and Steve Moore, Biloxi Fire Chief, estimated that the fire resulted resulted in damages of "hundreds of thousands of dollars <strong>and a total loss.</strong>"(The Sun Herald, June 26, 1991, p. A-1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>2009</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Retired Fire <strong>Chief Guy B. Roberts</strong> (1926-2009) expired at Biloxi on February 24th. &nbsp;He was with the Biloxi Fire Department for 32 years and <strong>retired as Fire Chief in 1988</strong>. &nbsp;Guy was a former Deputy for the Harrison County Sheriff's Office; a charter member of the Moose Lodge; member of the Back Bay Volunteer Fire Department; and served in the National Guard. &nbsp;Chief Roberts was married to the former <strong>Iris Dubaz</strong> (1929-2014).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><!--[endif]--></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>2013</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>David Roberts </strong>retired as Fire Chief on March 2013<strong>, after 14 years in this position.</strong></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Boney%2C%20Joseph_1.jpg" style="height:120px; width:88px" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Joseph Boney-</strong>confirmed as Fire Chief by City Council on July 9, 2013.&nbsp; <strong>Mark Dronet </strong>named assistant chief on July 11, 2013.(The Sun Herald, July 10, 2013, p. A2 and July 12, 2013, p. A2)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>2014</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Arbor View Fire </strong>[D'Iberville, Mississippi-image from The Sun Herald]</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Conflagration on March 4, 2014 at the Arbor View Apartments at D'Iberville destroyed all 20 apartments</strong> in Building 400 of the apartment complex. &nbsp;Biloxi units assisted in this large fire. &nbsp;Krystal Dannielle Gonzalez (b. 1989) of D'Iberville was arrested and charged with on a charge of 1st degree arson.(The Sun Herald, March 13, 2014, p. A1)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">_______________________________________</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>BILOXI FIRE CHIEFS</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1883-1896</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Philip McCabe</strong></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Philip McCabe</strong>&nbsp;(1837-1905), native of New Orleans and&nbsp;<strong>first chief engineer of the Biloxi Volunteer Fire Company, expired in mid-December</strong>.&nbsp; McCabe had married</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In their youth, Ed Glennan and Charles Redding both worked for Mr. McCabe at NOLA when he had a stove business on Camp Street in NOLA. &nbsp;McCabe also was the&nbsp;<strong>first tin can manufacturer on the Coast making fruit, oyster, and vegetable cans.</strong>(The Pascagoula Democrat-Star, October 28, 1881, p. 3 and The Biloxi Daily Herald, December 16, 1904, p. 5)</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>pre-August 1897</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/A.O.%20Bourdon%20Sr.jpg" style="height:250px; width:184px" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>A.O. Bourdon Sr.</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Arsene O. Bourdon Sr. </strong>[1845-1901]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1897</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Dan%20Markey-1897.png" style="height:250px; width:203px" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Dan Markey</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Daniel&nbsp;Joseph Markey</strong>&nbsp;[1855-1900] was elected Fire Chief on August 5, 1897 by two of Biloxi's fire companies. &nbsp;The </span></span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14.000000953674316px">Mechanics Steam Fire Company No. 2 did not send a representative of the election meeting. &nbsp;Chief Bourdon retired.(</span><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, August 7, 1897, p. 1)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1896-1933</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/u4/Barthes%2C August-Fire Chief.jpg" style="height:300px; width:174px" /></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Frederick Auguste Barthes</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>[from The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 19, 1907]</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Frederick A. Barthes </strong>(1864-1948) was the son of F.A. Barthes Sr. (18-1898) and Margaret Alexandrine Binet (d. 1877).&nbsp; Became Fire Chief in 1896 and retiring in 1933.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1933-</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Sentell%2C%20Charles%20Henry.jpg" style="height:441px; width:288px" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Charles H.&nbsp;Sentell</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Charles Henry&nbsp;Sentell Jr.&nbsp;</strong>(1885-1951) was born at New Orleans on 14 December 1885&nbsp;to Charles H. Sentell Sr. (1844-1910) and Johanna Aligrate (1860-1930), who married in Orleans Parish, Louisiana on 23 February 1884.&nbsp; &nbsp;Charles&nbsp;entered the municipal fire service at Biloxi on 7 December 1907 with Volunteer Fire&nbsp;Company, and&nbsp;transferred to the Hook and Ladder Company 15 August 1909. &nbsp;In May 1920, he was appointed assistant to Fire Chief Barthes and became Biloxi's Fire Chief on 1 October 1933.[The Daily Herald, January 26, 1951, p. 12]</span></span></p>

<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In September 1910, a young Charles while driving a wagon of the Mississippi Hook and Ladder Company became involved in a spectacular runaway. &nbsp;Gus and Jake,&nbsp;the dray horses, bolted from Reynoir Street onto the beach and sped eastward alll the way to the Dunbars, Lopez and Dukate factory on Point Cadet. &nbsp;Here they stopped when hitting a guide&nbsp;line from the plant's smokestack. &nbsp;One horse was bruised and the other lost a shoe. &nbsp;Sentell's mad dash certainly created some excitement&nbsp;to&nbsp;a quite Sunday morning at Biloxi.[The New Orleans Item, September 19, 1910. p. 4]</span></span></div>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Chief H. Sentell Jr. married Ursiline Milles, also a New orleans native, in Harrison County, Mississippi. &nbsp;Their children were: Russell Joseph Sentel (1927-1948); Charles Sentell; and Olivia Sentell.</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1942-1942</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Lee Chinn</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtejustify"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Lee Chinn</strong>&nbsp;(1888-1971), age 82 years, died at Howard Memorial Hospital on Thursday night, March 11, 1971, He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William David Chinn and was born at Vandalia, Missouri in March 1888 and came to Biloxi in 1890 with his family. &nbsp;As a youngster, Lee worked for a railroad company at Gulfport and at age 14 became a flagman for the L&amp;N Railroad at the railroad Street crossing in Biloxi. He became a fireman in 1907 and was stationed at the Back Bay fire station. Lee was one of the first drivers of horse-drawn, fire engines at Biloxi. He was also one of the first to drive motor-powered firetrucks when introduce in Biloxi in 1918.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Lee Chinn was named Biloxi's fire chief in January 1942. &nbsp;He was released following the summer elections of 1942 and William 'Willie' Knox appointed fire chief.(The Daily Herald, January 4, 1943, p. )</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In 1968 a new Biloxi fire station was named for him. Among the large Biloxi fires that Mr. Chinn assisted in fighting were:&nbsp; the Yerger Building on West Howard Avenue; the Avelez Hotel on West Howard Avenue; the Union Hotel; the Peoples Bank; and the Hicks Battery Company on Back Bay.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">R. Harvey Chinn (1890-1966), Lee's late brother, had been fire chief of the Keesler AFB fire department.&nbsp; Lee Chinn retired from the BFD in 1953 and was caretaker at BSA Camp Wilkes for about four years.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Lee Chinn married Lou Ethel Fortner (1898-1971) in Harrison County, Mississippi on July 3, 1915.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 27, p. 359)</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Mr. Chinn was survived by his spouse; three sisters: Mrs. W.J. Currie and Mrs. Harry Currie, Shreveport, Louisiana; and Mildred Chinn Olster of NOLA; and many nieces and nephews.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home of Biloxi directed the Chinn funeral. Lee was a member of the First Methodist Church and his corporal remains were interred in the Southern Memorial Park cemetery at Biloxi.</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1943-1953?</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Lee Chinn</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Lee Chinn</strong>&nbsp;(1888-1971) was appointed Biloxi's fire chief in January 1943 by Mayor Chester Delacruz. &nbsp;William Knox who had replaced Chinn, &nbsp;became his assistant.(The Daily Herald, January 4, 1943, p. )</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1953-</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Walter Clark</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Walter Clark</strong> (1900-1961) was appoined Fire Chief by Mayor Laz Quave (1910-1985) in July 1953. &nbsp;Chief Clark joined the BFD in 1919.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1961</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Frank L. Gabrich</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Gabrich%2C%20Frank-Biloxi%20fire%20chief.jpg" style="height:299px; width:200px" /></p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Frank Lawrence Gabrich </strong>(1913-1986), son of John Gabrich (1864-1928) and Aeoline Pavolini (1867-1946), was born 30 March 1913. &nbsp;He attended Sacred Heart Academy and during WWII, he served with the 79th Infantry Division in Europe and was awarded the Purple Heart, five campaign medals and the German occupation medal. &nbsp;Frank made Sergeant on 1 July 1944 and was hit by shrapnel in his right arm five days later near Cherbourg, France.[The Daily Herald, September 19, 1944, p. 3]</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">In March 1952, Frank L. Gabrich&nbsp;married Elmere Rita Barras (1923-1987) in Harrison County, Mississippi. Their only child, Rachel Louise Gabrich m. Chevis Roy Hatten. &nbsp;Mrs. Elmere R. Gabrich was the mother of Leah Rae Vuyovich m. Gray Slay.[Harrison County, Mississippi Circuit Court MRB 89, p. 95]</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">Frank tranferred from the Biloxi Police Department which he joined October 19, 1937&nbsp;to its&nbsp;Fire Department February 1, 1938. &nbsp;He retired as a Captain in 1958 and joined F&amp;F Distributing Company. &nbsp;With the retirement of Chief Walter Clark on 1 July 1961, Gabrich was appointed Fire Chief by Mayor Danny Guice. &nbsp;At this time there were 39 firemen in the Biloxi force.[The Daily Herald, July 3, 1961, p. 1 and p. 2]</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1972</span></strong></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">John T. Poulos</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202018-05-31%20at%202.33.49%20PM.png" /></p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>John Thomas&nbsp;Poulos Sr.</strong> [1914-2002]&nbsp;retired as acting Fire Chief effective May 1, 1974. &nbsp;He joined the BFD on September 16, 1945 and had a career that spanned over 28 years. &nbsp;John&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong><em><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(74, 74, 74); font-size:16.799999237060547px">John T. Poulos Sr., 87, retired Biloxi Fire Chief, died Wednesday, March 20, 2002, in Biloxi.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(74, 74, 74); font-size:16.799999237060547px">Chief Poulos was a native and lifelong resident of Biloxi. He retired from the Biloxi Fire Department after 29 years of service. He served as fire chief for two years, prior to his retirement. He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters. He served with the Mississippi Army National Guard Artillery from 1932-1940. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(74, 74, 74); font-size:16.799999237060547px">Survived by his wife of 61 years, Lucille Toncrey Poulos of Biloxi; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sheila Foster and husband, Larry, Lucille P. Strayham and husband Andrew, Crystal Ann DeLano and husband, Russell, all of Biloxi; four sons and daughters-in-law, John T. Poulos Jr. and wife, Joy of Slidell, James Poulos and wife, Darleen of Biloxi, David A. Poulos and wife, Donnet of Biloxi and Daniel P. Poulos and wife Cindy of D'Iberville; a sister, Helen Newman and husband, Paul of Biloxi; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(74, 74, 74); font-size:16.799999237060547px">Services will be at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi, where friends may call from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Burial will be in Biloxi City Cemetery.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(74, 74, 74); font-size:16.799999237060547px">The family prefers memorials be made to the Biloxi Firefighters Museum, 1052 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi.</span></em></strong><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(74, 74, 74); font-size:16.799999237060547px">[The Sun Herald, March 22, 2002]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1974</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202018-05-31%20at%201.44.08%20PM.png" /></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Fletcher Dumas&nbsp;Fest</strong> [1927-1991] was born January 22, 1927. &nbsp;He married Winifred Cecile Thornton (1927-2008). &nbsp;Children: &nbsp;Fletcher D. Fest Jr. [1952-2011] and M.&nbsp;Charles Fest. &nbsp;Fletcher joined the BFD in 1956 and made Captain in 1960. &nbsp;He was named acting assistant Fire Chief in 1973.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;With the announced retirement of John T. Poulos Sr. he became Fire Chief &nbsp;in late March&nbsp;1974. &nbsp;Chief Fest&nbsp;retired November 10, 1976 from his $13,300 a year position with a remuneration of $550 per month from the Biloxi Police and Fire and Disability Relief Fund.&nbsp; Fest related that conflict with the Biloxi Civil Service Commission was a factor in his early retirement. &nbsp;His age, health, and family were salient reasons as well.[The Daily Herald, March&nbsp;30, 1974, p. 2 and October 28, 1976, p. A-3]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1976</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Gabriel&nbsp;Lehman Jr.</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202018-05-30%20at%203.30.56%20PM.png" /></p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Gabriel 'Gabe' Lehman Jr. (1937-2010) was born at Biloxi, Mississippi on May 9, 1937 to Gabriel Lehman Sr. (1912-1984)&nbsp;and Cecile Albert (1917-1984). &nbsp;He quit school in the &nbsp; , but later acquired a degree from Mississippi GCCC. &nbsp;Gabe married Florence Aline McCaleb in Harrison County, Mississippi in May 1958.</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><em><span style="font-size:14px">Obituary</span></em></strong></p>

<p><strong><em><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-family:source sans pro,helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Gabriel Lehman, Jr., a retired fire chief with the Biloxi, Mississippi&nbsp;Fire Department and a resident of Baker, Louisiana,&nbsp;died Monday, Sept. 20, 2010, in Baton Rouge. He was 73, a native of Biloxi and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-family:source sans pro,helvetica,arial,sans-serif">He is survived by a daughter, Erin Lehman Smith and husband Charles, of Biloxi;son, Kevin M. Lehman and wife Gina, of Biloxi; sister, Myrna Williams and husband Terry, of Vancleave, Miss.; brother, Albert "Bucky" Lehman, of Biloxi; three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-family:source sans pro,helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Preceded in death by his wife, Janet Martin Lehman; parents, Gabriel Lehman Sr. and Cecile Albert Lehman; sisters, Lucille Allen, Evelyn Wilk, Lorraine Allen and Charlotte Franklin; and brother, John "Johnny Boy" Lehman.[</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-family:source sans pro,helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The [Baton Rouge] Advocate on September 21, 2010]</span></span></em></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">1978</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/IMG_0354.jpg" style="height:250px; width:102px" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Guy B.&nbsp;Roberts</strong><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:14px">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Guy Bernard Roberts</strong>, Biloxi native and the son of Anthony Roberts (1903-1982) and BerniceFergonis (1907-1999), was appointed Fire Chief on 30 October 1978 by Mayor Jerry O'Keefe. &nbsp;Major Conrad Kennedy was named assistant to Chief Roberts. &nbsp;Guy&nbsp;suceeded Gabe Lehman who retired after 20 years of service to the citizens of Biloxi. &nbsp;Chief Roberts joined the department in 1950.[The Daily Herald, October 31, 1978, p. A-8]</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Chief Roberts had open heart surgery in December 1982 and his health continued to decline. &nbsp;He retired in January 1985 and was replace by Harold A. Windom.[The Daily Herald, January 8,1985, p. B-1]</span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><em><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">OBITUARY</span></em></strong></p>

<p><strong><em><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-size:15px">Guy B. Roberts, Sr., 82, of Biloxi died Tuesday, February 24, 2009 in Biloxi.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-size:15px">Mr. Roberts was a member of Blessed Seelos Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, a member of Knights of Columbus Council # 1244, he was with the Biloxi Fire Department for 32 years and retired as Fire Chief in 1988, he was a former Deputy for the Harrison County Sheriff's Office, a charter member of the Moose Lodge, he was a member of the Back Bay Volunteer Fire Department and he served in the National Guard.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-size:15px">He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony "Tony" Bernice (Fegonis) Roberts, brothers, Paul Roberts and Riley "Cotton" Roberts. two granchildren, Jessica Rose and Stephen Iachino, son-in-law, Mark Landry.</span><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-size:15px">Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Iris Dubaz Roberts, of D'Iberville, his children, Guy B. Roberts, Jr. and his wife Barbara, of Biloxi, Charmaine Landry of D'Iberville, David Roberts and his wife, Linda of Latimer, Darnell Iachino and her husband, Ronnie of Ocean Springs, Robin Mullen and her husband, Phillip of Latimer, Laurie Pinette and her husband, Richard of Biloxi, grandchildren, Amanda, Rhett, Ashley, Micha, Mandy, Milton, Clement, Stacey, Charnell, Markie, Shane, David Jr., Billy, Jeff, Marisa, Glenn, Brandy, Mindy, Cory, Phillip, Brandon, Jonathan, 27 great-grandchildren and numerous other family and friends.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color:rgb(250, 250, 250); color:rgb(54, 50, 45); font-size:15px">Visitation is Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, February 27, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Seelos (St.John's) Catholic Church where friends may visit one hour prior to Mass. Interment is in Biloxi National Cemetery with full Biloxi Fire Department honors.</span></span></em></strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">[The Sun Herald,&nbsp;February 26, 2009]</span></span></p>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="font-size:14px">1985</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Harold A. Windom</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Windom%2C%20Harold-1959.jpg" style="height:250px; width:156px" /></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Harold August Windom</strong> was born circa 1941 at Biloxi, Mississippi to August Windom (1904-1974) and Marie Hebert (1909-1992). &nbsp;he graduated from Biloxi High School in May 1959. &nbsp;Harold married Deanna Fayard (1943-2008), the daughter of Fayard and Ibele.</span></span></p>

<p>Harold was named Biloxi Fire Chief with the retirement of Guy B.Roberts in January 1985.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1999</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Floyd J. Thibodeaux</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Floyd John Thibodeaux married Josephine Sophie Rosetti at NBVM at Biloxi in November 1959.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>1999-2013</strong></span></span></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>David Roberts</strong></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>David Roberts&nbsp;</strong>began his tenure as Biloxi fire chief in 1999 to March 2013.&nbsp; Mark Dronet named acting Fire Chief.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">2013</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/Boney%2C%20Joseph_0.jpg" style="height:250px; width:182px" /></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Joseph Boney-</strong>confirmed as <strong>Fire Chief by City Council </strong>on July 9, 2013.&nbsp; Mark Dronet named assistant chief on July 11, 2013.(The Sun Herald, July 10, 2013, p. A2 and July 12, 2013, p. A2)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">In mid-July 2021, <strong>Chief Joseph Boney considers retirement </strong>as he believes that the Biloxi Council is not 100% in favor of his reappointment by Mayor Gilich.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On July 20, 2021 the Biloxi City Council&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article252899078.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(13, 75, 126); text-decoration: none; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px; outline: none !important;">voted not to reconfirm Boney</a>&nbsp;[4-3 vote]<span style="font-family:georgia,serif">, which gave the Mayor 90 days to nominate a new fire chief. This came after a report that Boney and a supervisor at the fire department&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article252838723.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(13, 75, 126); text-decoration: none; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px; outline: none !important;">were investigated</a><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">&nbsp;by the state auditor.</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter">&nbsp;</p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">2021</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><strong><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Nicholaus Geiser</span></span></strong></p>

<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/inline/images/Screen%20Shot%202021-07-30%20at%201.19.56%20PM.png" style="height:250px; width:135px" /></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich had 90 days from July 20 to nominate a new fire chief, but he’ll submit a candidate to the Biloxi City Council on Tuesday..</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>Nicholaus Geiser</strong>, a 17-year veteran of the Biloxi Fire Department, is the mayor’s choice, according to the agenda for the Aug. 3 meeting. If he is approved by the council, his salary would be $85,000.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Geiser, age 41, was promoted to captain five years ago in 2016.&nbsp;&nbsp;A Biloxi native, he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and business management at University of Southern Mississippi and has been deputy chief of training and city emergency manager.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Gilich also announced that Jason Earl Davis will become the department’s assistant chief. That position was held by Mark Dronet before he retired earlier this year. Davis is deputy chief for training,</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">On July 6, Chief Joe Boney announced his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article252610843.html">plan to retire&nbsp;</a>at the end of the year after he learned that some of the council members were planning to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article252592298.html">remove him as chief.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;On July 20, the council&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article252899078.html">voted not to reconfirm Boney</a>, which gave the mayor 90 days to nominate a new fire chief. This came after a report that Boney and a supervisor at the fire department<a href="https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article252838723.html">were investigated</a>&nbsp;by the state auditor.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">Gilich has since notified the city that his last day on the job will be Aug. 5The council can either approve Geiser as chief, or vote against his appointment and ask the mayor to submit another candidate.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article253123683.html#storylink=cpy</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>REFERENCES:</strong></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“East End Hose Company”</strong>, October 6, 1904.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“East End”</strong>, October 8, 1904.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“Prominent citizen </strong>[Philip McCabe]&nbsp;<strong>dead”</strong>, December 16, 1904.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“Mask Ball”</strong>, December 22, 1904.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“Prominent citizen </strong>[Philip McCabe]<strong>dead”</strong>, December 16, 1905.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“East End Hose Company No. 1”</strong>, September 19, 1907.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Biloxi Daily Herald, <strong>“”</strong>,</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Three Biloxi Cottages destroyed by fire”</strong>, April 26, 1910.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Back Bay Company started in 1904 grow steadily”</strong>, September 20, 1915.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, <strong>“$98,000 Fire in Biloxi early Sunday morning”</strong>, May 24, 1926.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Biloxi Mayor talks on Fire”</strong>, May 29, 1926.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Sentell with City 30 years”</strong>, December 7, 1937.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, <strong>“$2000 fire damage to Kress Co. store”</strong>, November 13, 1942.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Biloxi Officials”</strong>, January 4, 1943.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald,&nbsp;<strong>“With Coast Men, Women in Armed Service”</strong>, September 19, 1944.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald,&nbsp;<strong>“Heavy water damage results from Biloxi fire”</strong>, October 28, 1944.</span></span></p>

<div>
<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald,&nbsp;<strong>“Start repairing Biloxi fire loss”</strong>, October 31, 1944.</span></span></p>
</div>

<div><span style="font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald, </span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>“Former Biloxi Fire Chief is taken by death”</strong></span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">, January 2, 1948.</span></div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: sans-serif, Arial, Verdana, 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><strong>“Ex-Fire Chief is taken by death at Biloxi residence”</strong></span><span style="font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">, January 26, 1951.</span></div>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald,&nbsp;<strong>“New Fire Chief”</strong>, July 6, 1953.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald,&nbsp;<strong>“Assistant Fire Chief”</strong>, July 6, 1953.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Lehman-McCaleb”</strong>, May 3, 1958.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif"><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Three Captain&nbsp;promotions for Biloxi firemen”</strong>, September 27, 1958.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald,<strong> “Fire breaks out at Biloxi A&amp;P; Damage is heavy”</strong>, August 26, 1959, p. 1.</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Gabrich Chief of Biloxi Fire Department”</strong>, July 3, 1961.</span></p>

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<div><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald, “”,</span></div>

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<div><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Sun&nbsp;Herald, <strong>“O 'Keefe announces new Fire Chief”</strong>, March 30, 1974.</span></div>

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<div><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Biloxi Fire Chief resigns”</strong>, October 28, 1976.</span></div>

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<div><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Herald, “”,</span></span></div>

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<div><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Fire Chief says degree has become part of job”</strong>, May 30, 1977, p. B-1.</span></div>

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<div><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald,<strong> “Native Biloxian suceeds Lehman as Fire Chief”</strong>, october 31, 1978.</span></div>

<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Daily Herald, <strong>“Biloxi names</strong> [Harold] <strong>Windom to head Fire Department"</strong>, January 8, 1985.</span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Picayune, “”,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Picayune, <strong>“Burnt Biloxi”</strong>, June 6, 1889.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Picayune, “”,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Picayune, “”,</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Daily Picayune, “”,</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The New Orleans Item, <strong>"Sunday Runaway"</strong>,&nbsp;September 19, 1910.</span></span></p>

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<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia,serif; font-size:14px">The Sun Herald, <strong>“John T. Poulos Sr.”</strong>, March 22, 2002.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Sun Herald, <strong>“Guy B. Roberts Sr.”</strong>, February 26, 2009.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Sun Herald, <strong>“Gabriel Lehman, Jr.”</strong>, September 22, 2010.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Sun Herald, <strong>“Fire chief’s</strong> [Joseph Boney] <strong>first emergency call at meeting confirming him”</strong>, July 10, 2013, p. A2.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Sun Herald, <strong>“Dronet named Biloxi’s assistant fire chief”</strong>, July 12, 2013, p. A2.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:14px"><span style="font-family:georgia,serif">The Sun Herald, “”,</span></span></p>
