Captain James H. Victory and five members of the same fire company lost their lives during a fire at the George Bent Bedding Company, which occurred in the early morning hours of February 5, 1898, during a collapse of the interior floors.

Captain Victory was born August 1, 1853. He was employed in the grocery business before he was appointed to the Boston Fire Department on July 31, 1880, as a Call-Man in Ladder Co. 12 (Roxbury). He was made a permanent member of the department on April 3, 1884, assigned to Engine 22 (South End). He was promoted to Lieutenant on May 18, 1891, assigned to Engine 6 (West End). On February 10, 1893 he was transferred to Engine 26 (Downtown). On December 22, 1893 he was promoted to Captain and transferred to the double-engine company Engine 38/39 (South Boston).