The final part of Jack Connors' series on the history of the Chicago Fire Department's turret wagon 6-7-3, known as "Big John." This article features a collection of photographs capturing Big John in different settings across the city—on display, during a parade, and at two fire scenes. Each image tells a piece of the story behind this iconic piece of firefighting history.
On display in October of 1974 in the Civic Centre Plaza for fire prevention week. Jack Connors photo
Big John at Engine 42’s house in April of 1974 with Engine 42 and Truck 3. Jack Connors photo
In this photo, taken at Engine 42’s station on Illinois Street, Big John is seen alongside Engine 42 and Truck 3, both manufactured by American LaFrance. This was one of only two stations in Chicago where an American LaFrance engine and ladder truck were stationed together. The other pair was Engine 112 and Truck 21.
Standing by at a fire scene. Jack Connors photo
In the fire prevention parade, October of 1970. Jack Connors photo
On July 7, 1970, a severe 5-11 alarm fire broke out at 1750 N. Ashland Avenue, resulting in the tragic death of CFD firefighter John Walsh when a wall collapsed onto a Snorkel unit. These images show Big John (6-7-3) responding to that incident.
The fire was at 1750 N. Ashland Avenue, a 5-11 which caused the LODD of CFD FF John Walsh. Larry Walsh photo
Big John deployed in July of 1970 at a 5-11 Alarm fire where CFD FF John Walsh was killed. Larry Walsh photo
From the Chicago Park District website:
Walsh Park occupies the former site of a vacant building destroyed in a spectacular and deadly fire on July 7, 1970. Firefighter John P. Walsh, Jr. (1923–1970), for whom this West Town park is named, died five weeks after being critically injured while fighting the stubborn blaze. Walsh had served as a United States Marine before joining the Chicago Fire Department in 1951. He had been assigned to Hook & Ladder Company 44. Several months after Walsh’s death, the Dana Civic Organization requested that the Chicago Park District develop the fire-scarred site as a neighborhood park. The park district had acquired the 2-acre property by the end of 1972, with the help of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Improvements began the following year. The 2-acre park includes playground equipment, an athletic field, basketball hoops, and a sand box.
From the Illinois Fire Service Institute:
NAME:Â John Walsh
AGENCY:Â Chicago Fire Department
RANK:Â Firefighter
TYPE OF FIREFIGHTER:Career
AGE RANGE:Â 46 to 50
GENDER:Â Male
DATE OF DEATH:Â 8/16/1970
DATE OF BIRTH:Unknown
CAUSE OF DEATH: Struck by object  Â
NATURE OF DEATH: Trauma  Â
ATTRIBUTE OF DEATH:Â [not applicable]
TYPE OF DUTY: Aerial apparatus operations  Firefighting operations   Hose operations Â
INCIDENT CITY:Chicago
INCIDENT STATE:Â IL
DATE OF INCIDENT:Â 7/6/1970
TIME OF INCIDENT:Â Unknown
INCIDENT LOCATION TYPE:Vacant property  Â
INCIDENT ATTRIBUTE:Structural collapses    Fires  Â
INCIDENT SUMMARY:On July 6, 1970, Chicago Fire Department Firefighter John “Jack†Walsh, Jr., was fatally injured when a seven-story wall collapsed during a fire at a vacant building on N. Ashland Avenue. Walsh and Firefighter Edward Werderitch were operating hose lines several stories above the street in a snorkel basket when the wall collapsed on them. Walsh was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital intensive care unit where he was treated for multiple skull and internal injuries. He died five weeks later on August 16, 1970, as a result of the injuries he sustained at the scene.Citations:“Wall Falls; Two Firemen Hurt,â€Â Chicago Tribune, July 8, 1970.
Philip Caputo, “Smoke Hides Fear of a Tough Fireman,â€Â Chicago Tribune, July 9, 1970.
Robert Unger, “Wall Cave-In Injury Kills City Fireman,â€Â Chicago Tribune, August 17, 1970.
“Mass Planned Tomorrow for City Fireman,â€Â Chicago Tribune, August 18, 1970.
On display at the Chicago Fire Academy. photographer and date unknown
This article is the final installment in a series documenting the legacy of Big John. If you're interested in learning more about its history, be sure to check out the first part of the series here. Previous articles on Big John can be found here and here.