Captain William A. Ellerbrock, Wilmington - Killed when a wall collapsed at an midnight commercial structure fire on the corner of Front and Dock streets. He was a volunteer member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 and about 24 years of age. His occupation was captain of a steam tug. Source: Daily Review, Apr 12, Apr 15, May 4, 1880.
In the late evening of April 10, 1880, a fire started at the corner of Front & Dock Streets. In those days of the volunteer fire companies, bystanders often joined with firefighters fighting the fire. Captain William Ellerbrock, a tugboat captain, hurried from his boat which was moored a block away and joined others in an effort to contain the fire. Wherever Captain Ellerbrock went, his faithful dog “Boss” was by his side. Before joining the firefighters, Ellerbrock asked a bystander to hold the dog. As the fire intensified, the firefighters pulled back a short distance. It was assumed everyone had left the building. Suddenly a shout and scream was heard coming from the building. Recognizing his master’s voice, Boss broke away and ran into the burning structure.
The next morning after the fire had cooled, Ellerbrock was found face down, trapped by a heavy timber. Boss had reached him and had attempted to drag Ellerbrock to safety. The dog had pulled so desperately that a portion of the coat was torn away and was found gripped in his jaws. Boss had died at the side of his master for whom he had sacrificed his life. His body was placed in a box and buried in the casket with Ellerbrock. They are interred in Oakdale Cemetery, where the back side of the headstone shows a dog lying as if asleep. The inscription reads “Faithful Unto Death”.
