Death of Chief Cantlin.

Death of Chief Cantlin.

John R. Cantlin, chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department since 1879, died in that city on Sunday last. In onr issue of FIRE AND WATER of last week we announced his sickness, which was not at that time regarded as dangerous, but it subsequently took the form of typhoid fever, and he died on Sunday last. Chief Cantlin was born in Worcester, Mass., in 1836, but in the following year his parents removed to Philadelphia, and that city has been his home ever since. He joined the fire department under the old volunteer system when he was sixteen years of age, and had been identified with it in various capacities up to the time of his death. Previous to his becoming chief of the department he was secretary to the board of fire commissioners ol the paid department, and in that capacity became well known throughout the country. lie succeeded Chief Johnson as the executive head of the department in 1879, and has filled that position acceptably to the local authorities ever since. Chief Cantlin was not what is recognized as one of the progressive chiefs of the day; indeed, the policy of the city authorities of Philadelphia precludes the possibility of the head of the department being particularly progressive. The theory of Philadelphia is that it has little to learn from the outside, and as a consequence has not been generally represented in the various State and national associations of firemen organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of the fiie protective service. Personally Chief Cantlin was a very agreeable man who marie friends with readiness and preserved steadfastly the friendship of those who became intimate with him. As chief of the department he did some good work, but never succeeded in bringing it up to that standard of efficiency that should characterize a fire department of a city like Philadelphia. lie knew what was wanted, but was unable to secure it. Nevertheless, under Iris management the fire department was very greatly improved, much new apparatus having been added, and the personnel of the force greatly improved.

John R. Cantlin, chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department since 1879, died in that city on Sunday last. In onr issue of FIRE AND WATER of last week we announced his sickness, which was not at that time regarded as dangerous, but it subsequently took the form of typhoid fever, and he died on Sunday last. Chief Cantlin was born in Worcester, Mass., in 1836, but in the following year his parents removed to Philadelphia, and that city has been his home ever since. He joined the fire department under the old volunteer system when he was sixteen years of age, and had been identified with it in various capacities up to the time of his death. Previous to his becoming chief of the department he was secretary to the board of fire commissioners ol the paid department, and in that capacity became well known throughout the country. lie succeeded Chief Johnson as the executive head of the department in 1879, and has filled that position acceptably to the local authorities ever since. Chief Cantlin was not what is recognized as one of the progressive chiefs of the day; indeed, the policy of the city authorities of Philadelphia precludes the possibility of the head of the department being particularly progressive. The theory of Philadelphia is that it has little to learn from the outside, and as a consequence has not been generally represented in the various State and national associations of firemen organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of the fiie protective service. Personally Chief Cantlin was a very agreeable man who marie friends with readiness and preserved steadfastly the friendship of those who became intimate with him. As chief of the department he did some good work, but never succeeded in bringing it up to that standard of efficiency that should characterize a fire department of a city like Philadelphia. lie knew what was wanted, but was unable to secure it. Nevertheless, under Iris management the fire department was very greatly improved, much new apparatus having been added, and the personnel of the force greatly improved.