Henry Brookin

Henry Brookin
Little Rock Fire Dept. - March 11, 1891

About 5:00pm on March 11, 1891, the horse drawn ladder wagon known as Defiance Hook and Ladder Co. 4 left its station at 124 North Louisiana for an alarm at 13th and Chester St. Riding on the side of the ladder was Henry Brookin, a member of the Pat Cleburne Steam Engine CO. 1.  Apparently, Firefighter Brookin was hanging around the station housing the ladder company when the alarm sounded.  As the Defiance Hook and Ladder turn west onto 10th Street from Main, Brookin fell off and was injured by the wagon wheel passing over his left arm, leg, and head.  He was taken to Knott's Hotel, 313 W. Markham, where his suffering received great attention before he died.  Henry Brokin was the first Little Rock Firefighter to die in the line of duty.  He is buried in Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.   

The grave marker has a fireman standing on a sloped roof.  He is wearing a firefighter's uniform, boots and helmet.  He is holding the nozzle of a hose which is pointed upward.

Inscription: Brookin  Erected by the Volunteer Firemen of Little Rock To the Memory of Henry C. Brookin.  Born Mar.23, 1852.  Died Mar.11,1891.  He was killed while responding to an alarm of fire. 

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