Veteran Member of Topeka Fire and Police Departments Died Sunday
Carl A. Goff, 69 years old, for more than 35 years a member of the Topeka fire and police departments, died suddenly at his home, 712 West Morse street, early Sunday morning from heart failure. He was one of the oldest and most popular members of the police force and was serving as clerk and docket man at the time of his death. He had served as chief of police and chief of detectives.
Goff appeared to be in perfect health when he retired Saturday night. He remained at his duties at police headquarters until 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon, when he visited Chief G.G. Hannan and a few friends, then went home. During the evening he read and played his violin until about 10 o'clock, when he retired. He was dead by morning.
"No one on the force will be missed so much as Carl Goff," said Chief Hannan today. "He was an all around good man, capable of performing any police duty for which he might be called upon. He was a detective, a patrolman, a bookkeeper, stenographer and docket man. It will take a long time to fill his place."
Goff first came to Kansas in 1879 and engaged in buffalo hunting for a considerable time, later settling on his father's homestead in the Solomon valley. He came to Topeka from Ottawa county in 1881 and in 1883 joined the fire department, on which he served for thirteen years. He was captain of No. 1 station for nine years.
In 1898 Goff and Charles Boltinghouse, another member of the fire department, made a trip to the Klondike with the hope of making their fortunes. They returned after an absence of seven months, richer in experience only. Goff again joined the fire department. In 1902-3 he served as chief of police and during the big flood of 1903 was one of the foremost in rescuing the refugees. He was himself marooned in a North Topeka elevator with his family. His mother and son, Verne, died from Exposure during the flood.
He served a year as special agent for the Sante Fe railroad, returning to the police department in 1905, where he remained until his death. He was chief of detectives under eight administrations.
He is survived by his widow and two daughters, Mrs. Henry McMains, of Dallas, Tex., and Mrs. Albert Fraser, of Kansas City, Kan., and a sister, Mrs. Betty Kistler of 223 North Jackson street. A stepson, Carl Sawin, lives in Topeka.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning from the home at 712 West Morse street. Interment will be in Rochester cemetery.
Veteran Member of Topeka Fire and Police Departments Died Sunday
Carl A. Goff, 69 years old, for more than 35 years a member of the Topeka fire and police departments, died suddenly at his home, 712 West Morse street, early Sunday morning from heart failure. He was one of the oldest and most popular members of the police force and was serving as clerk and docket man at the time of his death. He had served as chief of police and chief of detectives.
Goff appeared to be in perfect health when he retired Saturday night. He remained at his duties at police headquarters until 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon, when he visited Chief G.G. Hannan and a few friends, then went home. During the evening he read and played his violin until about 10 o'clock, when he retired. He was dead by morning.
"No one on the force will be missed so much as Carl Goff," said Chief Hannan today. "He was an all around good man, capable of performing any police duty for which he might be called upon. He was a detective, a patrolman, a bookkeeper, stenographer and docket man. It will take a long time to fill his place."
Goff first came to Kansas in 1879 and engaged in buffalo hunting for a considerable time, later settling on his father's homestead in the Solomon valley. He came to Topeka from Ottawa county in 1881 and in 1883 joined the fire department, on which he served for thirteen years. He was captain of No. 1 station for nine years.
In 1898 Goff and Charles Boltinghouse, another member of the fire department, made a trip to the Klondike with the hope of making their fortunes. They returned after an absence of seven months, richer in experience only. Goff again joined the fire department. In 1902-3 he served as chief of police and during the big flood of 1903 was one of the foremost in rescuing the refugees. He was himself marooned in a North Topeka elevator with his family. His mother and son, Verne, died from Exposure during the flood.
He served a year as special agent for the Sante Fe railroad, returning to the police department in 1905, where he remained until his death. He was chief of detectives under eight administrations.
He is survived by his widow and two daughters, Mrs. Henry McMains, of Dallas, Tex., and Mrs. Albert Fraser, of Kansas City, Kan., and a sister, Mrs. Betty Kistler of 223 North Jackson street. A stepson, Carl Sawin, lives in Topeka.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow morning from the home at 712 West Morse street. Interment will be in Rochester cemetery.
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