| Fire Company | Ladder 1 |
| Cause of Death | Burns and smoke inhalation |
| At Fire Box Number | Box 34 |
| Incident Type | Fire |
| Incident Location | Mercantile Library |
Schwab died while leading his men in an interior attack on a fire in the Merchants, Exchange and Mercantile Library on Walnut between 4th and 5th Streets. A smoke explosion blinded and burned him, and seriously burned two of his men, Richard Holcombe (who would die in the line of duty 6 years later) and Welman Placke, both of Engine 9. Schwab had been badly burned, but died from smoke inhalation while trying to find his way out. Schwab was 28 and was buried in the Catholic Cemetary on the Carthage Road (Vine Street near Mitchell Ave).