William H. Kerwin
Peabody Enterprise
January 14, 1916

The funeral of William H. Kerwin, who was killed at the O'Shea factory fire last Sunday, was held at St. John's Church on Wednesday morning, Rev. N.J. Murphy, the pastor, celebrated the requiem mass. The church was filled with relatives and friends. The members of the fire department escorted the remains from his house, 52 Clement Ave., to the church and then to the cemetery.

John Moreland, president of the Relief Association and Chief Jesse F. Barrett and Engineer's Thomas F. Carbary, Thomas F. Hutchinson, John Costello and Arthur P. Bodge, were in the front ranks of the firemen and each captain and lieutenant of the different companies led their men.

The Engineers paid a tribute to the late William F. Kerwin by sending Combination 2 to lead the funeral procession to carry the flowers. Combination 2 was loaded with flowers and they were magnificent. The members of Ladder 1, to which company the deceased belonged, sent a miniature hook and ladder on a base of red and white carnations.

Firefighter Kerwin was killed when a smokestack came crashing down. Captain Barrett of Hose 4 saw the stack toppling and yelled to the fireman below among whom was Kerwin. The men scattered but the falling stack, which broke in two pieces after it hit the roof of the building, caught Kerwin and pinned him down. Several other firefighters where also injured.

More Accounts:

William J. Kerwin

There is a universal sorrow in Peabody at the tragedy which smote down the young life of Fireman William J. Kerwin while in the act of fighting the flames that doomed the O'Shea leather plant and the greatest sympathy goes out to his family and relatives in their bereavement. A member of the department for nearly 15 years, Kerwin had established an enviable record as a fearless fighter and he could always be found in the thick of the encounter waged by the department against the demon fire. He loved to battle with flames and his record as a call fireman shows that he was among the first to reach the scene and begin the work of stemming the flames. Kerwin went to his death bravely in the discharge of his duty. It was fitting that all Peabody should have paid tribute to this splendid young fireman.

Fire Department

Peabody's fire department earned another great tribute last Sunday night when they fought the big fire which destroyed the Thomas H. O'Shea leather factories on Grove St. and by their intelligent efforts succeeded in preventing the flames from razing nearby plants. It was another splendid example of the heroism and ability to fight flames and Chief Barrett, engineers and fireman may well feel proud of their showing. The big plant appeared doomed and Chief Barrett acted wisely in calling out of town help which, although not pressed into much duty, were on hand to join in any needed movement that would have saved adjoining property and perhaps a conflagration which would have left a great trail of destruction.