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FIRE FORCE VETERAN VICTIM OF PARALYSIS

Michael Slavin, Among Oldest Members of Department in Point of Service, Dies Three Months After Retirement.

Michael Slavin, 68 years old, in point of service among the oldest firemen in the Indianapolis department, is dead at his home, 2608 Boulevard Place. Death came following the third stroke of paralysis he had suffered in three months, the first, which deprived him of the use of his right hand, having caused his retirement from the service in August.

Slavin entered the Indianapolis fire department when he was 16 years old, and, with the exception of seven years, had been in the service continuously until this year.

Served Long as Driver.

He entered the regular fire service, at station No. 1 and became a driver of one of the two-wheeled hose reel wagons that were in use many years ago. After serving as a driver for many years, he quit the department to engage in the patent medicine business. He re-entered the department in 1908 and was placed in charge of the coal supply wagon at station No. 10, his duty being to answer second alarms with coal for the engines.

Officers of the department assert that he was one of the most courageous, yet careful, men ever in the service.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Lilly V. Slavin, and two daughters, Mrs, M.L. Vogt and Mrs. Charles Lindstrom, both of Indianapolis; one sister, Mrs. Samuel Morgan of Denver, Col., who will attend the funeral, and a brother, Edward Slavin, with whom the family has not been able to communicate. There also are seven grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at the home at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

Indianapolis (Indiana) Star, November 8, 1915.