Proclamation

Recognizing and Honoring

Dorris Winn Fox

Whereas, Dorris Winn Fox was born April 15, 1888 to George D. and Ida Olevia Winn Fox, originally from Virginia; and

Whereas, Dorris had four brothers; Harry, James, Charles, and John; and one sister, Hattie; and

Whereas, Dorris married Cora Bell Leach in 1912 and lived in Waldron, Missouri where they raised 3 daughters; Ida, Georgia, and Louisa; and

Whereas, prior to joining the North Kansas City Fire Department, Dorris was employed by the Fire Insurance Patrol of Kansas City; and

Whereas, in January 1924, by Ordinance #204, the office of Fire Chief was created followed by the appointment of Dorris as the first Fire Chief in March 1924; and

Whereas, on April 20, 1925, the city purchased its first fire truck, a 1918 Model T, Childs Foamite Apparatus and by 1930 the fire department had 3 full time paid fire fighters; and

Whereas, Chief Fox was known to his friends and associates as “Doc,” and was probably the City’s outstanding citizen from the view point of the children. Small boys who viewed firefighting as a romantic vocation, spent much of their time around the fire station where “Doc” Fox always told stories about fighting fires; and

Whereas, Chief Fox was seriously injured in a house fire at 800 E. 23rd Avenue in North Kansas City; and

 Whereas, during the fire attack, Dorris entered the interior of the home and an explosion occurred, which left Chief Fox with severe burns to his throat and lungs; and

Whereas, after being sent home to recuperate, eating was difficult and being unable to swallow, his family served him oysters for nourishment; and

Whereas, during his recovery, Dorris requested in September and December 1934, and in March 1935, for leaves of absence with pay; his requests were granted, but unfortunately, unable to recover from his injuries, Chief Fox passed on April 5, 1935; and

Whereas, burial was held in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Parkville, Missouri, on April 7, 1935 next to his two daughters, Georgia and Louisa.

Now, Therefore, be it Proclaimed by the Mayor and City Council of the City of North Kansas City, Missouri, that officials and citizens wish to make formal acknowledgment of their appreciation to Dorris Winn Fox for making the ultimate sacrifice. Today we honor him and give him the respect and admiration he deserves. We also wish to thank his family for honorable memories during his time as Fire Chief; and be it further

Proclaimed that this proclamation be part of the official records of the City, and a copy thereof, signed by the Mayor, be presented to his family as an expression of appreciation and respect for Dorris Winn Fox.

Done in my office this 7th day of April in the year of Our Lord two thousand and thirteen.

                                                                        William Biggerstaff, Mayor

Good afternoon, I would like to welcome everyone to the dedication of a new headstone honoring our former Fire Chief Dorris Winn Fox. I like to tell you a little about Chief Fox. He was our first Fire Chief in North Kansas City from 1924 through 1935. Chief Fox was instrumental in developing and forming the first full time fire department for the City of North Kansas City. Over the years as Fire Chief, Chief Fox built a fire department trained to respond to all calls that they were summoned to. One of the first fire trucks purchased by the city was a 1918 Model T Childs Foamite Fire Truck with a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. Since it was somewhat slow, there were times when some of the paid fire fighters and volunteers would run to the scene and wait for the fire truck to arrive. Chief Fox through the years as fire chief brought the fire department to its highest level during that time period.

Chief Fox was a story teller and was known to his friends and associates as “Doc”, and was probably the city’s most outstanding citizen from the view point of the children. Small boys who viewed firefighting as a romantic vocation spending much of their time around the fire station where “Doc”  always told stories about fighting fires. In the North Kansas City News, page one, from June 28th, 1934 an article with the headline “North Kansas City Fire Chief Saves Boys Life. According to the story Chief Fox was on vacation in Minnesota when he entered a store to buy supplies and saw a boy bleeding and lying on the floor. The little boy named Ernest, had cut his leg severely while whittling. Chief Fox fashioned a tourniquet from his handkerchief and took the boy to the hospital in his car. Ernest did recover and the doctors agreed that if he had not received the tourniquet from Chief Fox he would have surely died.

Through much research we were able to find out about a fire on a September day in 1934. The bells rang and everyone responded to a house fire at 23rd and Iron. On arrival, smoke showing and Chief Fox and a couple of his men went inside the burning home to look for any victims. While in the house an explosion occurred and Chief Fox was injured along with his crew. His fellow fire fighters were slightly injured but Chief Fox had throat and lung burns with some smoke inhalation. He was taken to the doctor, and then sent home to recuperate. At home it was hard for him to eat and get nourishment due to his injuries. One of the only ways the family could feed him was to give him oysters to eat and water to drink. After his third request at the end of March 1935 for an extension for more leave of absence, Chief Fox succumbs to his injuries from the house fire. Chief Fox died April 5, 1935 and buried here on April 7, 1935 at 2pm. One interesting fact about the calendar year 2013. Both the 2013 calendar and the 1935 calendar, the year he died, are identical. We are honoring him and his family 78 years to the hour of his burial. If you read Chief Fox's obituary concerning who was at the funeral, attendees were past and present Mayors, Councilmen, fire fighters, family, neighbors and Town Marshal. At this dedication honoring Chief Fox in attendence are present day fire fighters and City Officials. We are here to honor and dedicate a new headstone so future generations know of his sacrifice for his community.

This is a small history of the life of Chief Fox.  You can read more about Chief Fox by going to his web site we have put together. The information for the web site is in the Dedication Program where you can add stories, leave comments or learn more about Chief Fox.

Good afternoon. It is an honor for me to be here to memorialize Fire Chief Dorris Fox. I want to thank you Mrs. Goodman and Mrs. Clampitt for allowing us to hold this ceremony and commemorate Chief Fox's sacrifice. Welcome to everyone that took the time to be here today.


We are honoring the life and career of Fire Chief Dorris Fox, North Kansas Cities first Fire Chief. Chief Fox was born April 15th, 1888, and although Chief Fox made the ultimate sacrifice many years ago, we are unsure that the recognition for his duty and sacrifice to the city and community was appropriate, so we honor his service today. It is rare in life we get the opportunity for a do-over but we hope today's memorial. with the grand headstone, the gathering of dignitaries and fire fighters, we honor Chief Fox in a proper way.


Chief Fox was Fire Chief for North Kansas City in the early 1900's. Even then, North Kansas City was and always has been a small, intimate city where everyone knows their neighbor. Chief Fox probabley knew the people on a first name basis that owned the house at 23rd and Iron. He probabley said Hi to them at the local store or church. He likely had other interations with the family in ways we will never know.


Chief Fox was recognized for his life saving efforts even when he was off duty and out of town. Chief Fox had five (5) brothers and one (1) sister. He had a family just like you and me. He was a story teller to all the children who stopped by the fire station.


There is a well known quote from New York Fire Chief, Ed Croker that I think is appropriate for this occasion. You may have heard it, its in your program, but if you bear with me I would like to quote part of it.


He said, "I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a fireman. The position may, in the eyes of some, appear to be a lowly one; but we who know the work, which firemaen has to do, believe that his is a noble calling. Our proudest moment is to save lives."


I believe this applies so well to Chief Fox. He was just a neighbor, the guy next door or down the street. He had likely never got over the excitment of a fire engine since he was small. He may have had a garden, or been a hunter. He was likely the guy that if a neighbor or friend needed help, he was there. He likely had the same wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams like most of the folks on his block, yet he was just a little different. He was a fireman. Firemen make  the day a little better when those arround them are having their worst day. He wanted better things for others. He put others before himself and that's what fire fighters do. When the fire occured at 23rd and Iron that fateful day, he put it all on the line.


Unfortunately, in the early 1900's we didn't have the protective equipment we have today. Chief Fox suffered burns to his lungs that no one could have recovered from. There is a saying, "When a man becomes a fire fighter, his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of work." Somehow, I believe Chief Fox would have agreed with that. I am confident he did not think he was being a hero or being brave, he had a job to do and he was going to do it to the best of his ability.


We see this everyday in the news stories around the country, fire fighters putting their lives on the line. We don't look for recognition, but relish in helping others. We are a proud profession, while at the same time humble about our skills and abilities. Our brotherood runs deep. Chief Fox was the same, like all fire fighters. He didn't preach the brotherhood of man, he lived it. He demonstrated it everyday in his duties and commitment to his community. He demonstrated it on that fateful day. From the Bible. there is a quote from John 15:13; "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."


Chief Fox, thank you for your service to the great community of North Kansas City, Missouri.