Tom Pope – 1st Missoula Fireman Killed in Line of Duty
Tom Pope – First Fireman Killed in Line of Duty in Missoula
The first on-duty death of a Missoula fireman, Tom Pope, occurred in 1904 and it was a sad one. He was killed not while fighting a fire, but injured while driving a team of horses as they pulled a ‘city wagon.’ The horses bolted near the city dump and in attempting to stop them, Tom fell from the wagon and broke his leg. His injuries were much more serious than originally thought. A Missoulian article in 1904 captured the spirit of Tom Pope and his tragic death.
GAVE UP BRAVE STRUGGLE
“TOM” POPE SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES RECEIVED IN RUNAWAY TWO WEEKS AGO.
Thomas Michael Pope died last night at 10:30 at the Sisters’ hospital as the result of an accident which occurred in the afternoon of July 20. “Tom” Pope was a member of the city fire department and was driving one of the city wagons at the time of the accident. Near the dump the horses became frightened and ran away. Tom pluckily hung to the lines until he was thrown from the wagon with great violence. In an instant he was on his feet to follow the horses, not realizing that his leg was broken. He took three steps before realizing the extent of his injuries. Each time he stepped the point of the broken bone protruded through the flesh making a serious wound.
Internal injuries apparently were caused by the fall. Throughout the two weeks he was at the hospital he never complained about the injured leg, but frequently referred to internal pains. These latter injuries undoubtedly caused his death.
The deceased was born twenty-seven years ago in Hamilton, Ontario, coming to Missoula when he was nine years old, and has lived here ever since. He went to the public schools and after his school days were over he held different positions of trust, for a number of years being driver for the Hatheway-Burford company.
Four years ago he became a member of Missoula’s fire department and until the time he died has been one of its most valuable and efficient members.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Pope, are residents of this city, residing on Pine street. Henry Small, city treasurer of Missoula, is a half-brother, Mrs. William McGoldrich is a half-sister, and Samuel Small, until a few weeks ago Associated Press operator in The Missoulian office, and recently elected head of the Commercial Telegraphers union of America.
John Pope, also a member of the department, is also a half-brother.
“Tom” Pope had friends in every part of the city who will regret the news of his untimely death. He was an athlete of promise and was one of the fastest sprinters in a foot race in this part of Montana.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made and are held temporarily, awaiting word from his brother, Samuel Small, who will doubtless come to Missoula to attend the funeral.
The above article appeared in The Daily Missoulian on August 2, 1904.
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Missoula’s Fire Department horses were often considered as much more than ordinary animals. One of the horses that was involved in the accident that killed Tom Pope was the subject of another Missoulian article when he died. The wry reporter couldn’t resist investing his own brand of humor at the event. Tyle no doubt nickered heartily from his stall in heaven.
OLD HORSE PASSES TO THE BEYOND
TYLE WAS A GOOD WAGON IN HIS DAY, BUT HE DONE BROKE DOWN.
Tyle, a veteran horse in the employ of the fire department, passed away yesterday as he was pulling the snowplow along West Cedar street. It is thought that Tyle’s death can be laid at the door of the commission form of government, as his many years of service under the old form of administration had failed to inure him to the real hard work that he was expected to perform in reward for his daily rations. Tyle was purchased by the city 19 years ago, and has not been off the payroll for a day since that time. He was named in honor of Tyler Worden, who was president of the council at the time the horse was purchased. His teammate, Mac, was named in honor of Mayor H. W. McLaughlin. Tyle’s penchant was running away. He preferred this sport to any other form of amusement and he could be counted on to do his stunt just about every so often. In July, 1904, he had one of his periodicals and Tom Pope was killed in the runaway.
Tyle had the satisfaction of gaining recognition at the hands of the city council, but this honor came too late to do him any good on this earth. Maybe he is looking down from the horse heaven and his chest is inflated with the thought of his importance during life. Tyle’s demise was brought before the city council at its session yesterday morning and it was finally decided to hitch up the horse driven by Fire Chief Fox to officiate on the city wagon with Tyle’s mate.
The above article appeared in The Missoulian on January 3, 1912.