Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-03-23
A Now Orleans Fire Engine Horse.

Many of our readers, doubtless, noticed tho
compact built, brond chcsted grey horse which
marched along 80 proudly at the head of No. Twos
fine boys, in tho procession on the 4th OF March,
with the word exempt in large black letters
upon his fancy leather surcingle. This was Pete.
the pet horse of Mississippi Fire Company No. 2.
nnd is m extraordinary rpecimen in his way,
aud If could relate one half tho storles told OF
him, wa would fiji up larger space on this occa.
SION Pete is one of the Morgan stock of horses,
anl is in his enty-fourth yoar, and has been
with No , for the last seventeen years, ana IL con-
scqucntly looked upon as n fixture and respected
accordingly by nll the members, most OF whom
verify believe he is tho greatest horse in cxis-
tencc.
1t is Ihvu,itc amusement with many Of them
10 loosen pete's halter, and allow him to run
about in the cngiuo-ynrd. Mt which tmo ho is ns
playful ms kitten, and enjoys game of romps
amazingly. In order to tense him, thcy whistle
and shout nj him, and he will throw back his cars
and dart after the various Offenders and mako
them seek refuge in some safe spot. lilo is per-
lettly we'll acquainted with tho members, and is
generally inclined to bc socnble with them; but
the moment n strange person comes into tho yard
he exhibits unmistakable signs Of displcasurc
and endcayors to get loose ut them.
Pete is IN ardent enthusiast in tho matter Of
fre-, ind ncighs 10 be hitehed up whom tho Gro
bells ring and darts off with u will for the sup
posed locality OF the fire.
lle usually goes along at good trot until he
can the flames smell the smoke. and then
he dnshcs of nt the top OF his speed and no driver
can hold him until ho has taken tho engine or
hose carriage up 10 the fire. On several occn-
sons in his anxiety TO reach tho irc. he has gone
at such rapid rate MS to throw the rider off, and
stopped only when The machine nenr enough
to the flames to go to work.
Pete though generally wcllbehnved horse,
has been guilty of several pcccadlos, one of
L., 4 I.,n .-It
ago, there was an alarm of fire on Cont street,
and the engine. with its horse Dan, had gone
from tho engine-house, which is situated at the
corner of Natchcz and Tchouptoulas streets, and
Pete brought out and htcbcd to tho hose car
ringe. Some delay occurring and the fire bells
ringing violently Pete grew inpatient and ran
off down toward Canal street in tho direction tho
engine had taken. Whom reaching Canul street,
aud losing sight Of the engine, Pete, with the har-
ness still on, ran down to Magazine street, and
then turned up that street, and hearing the boys
close nnun his heels, increased his pace, and tho
sound IT his shoes on the round stone pavemcnts
grew fainter and fainter to his pursuers, who fol-
lowing him up to Mepomeno street, finally gave
up the chase and came back to tAe engine house.
the alarm Of fire having ceased. While waiting
for about IN hour. thinking that Pete would como
bac, Of his own accord another alarm was given,
which proved 10 be quito fire Mt the corner Of
PhilUppn and lluyia streets. the reflection of
NllNH ''ui bt r'ei p"Ou uIstlIlce HWuy. Nb.
. with Dan tho other horse in the traces, was
soon NJ tpe fire. and had been Mt work short
time, wiNn the boys ut the breakes deserted Peto
coming down just aheal Of No. % at n rattling
ra,". /, dill not take hin long to find his crowd,
aud irotiDg mp to tho engine he stuck his nose
over AMI smelt the air-ycsscl to satisfy himself
tint hc was not mistaken. Tho boys, thinking
he had got over his irolic dill not grab him at
once, but when one of them went toward him n
few minutes nltcrward to mako sure Of him, no
gave n snort. kicked up his heels and ran away.
Tho boys being busy with the fire. did not follow
him, but soon hear.l Of hun again.
1t appears that he had run around the square
aud gone back to the vicinity of the fire, where he
came across the horse OF No. l3, who was tied to
a small picket fence. Thirteen's horse wns nm
acquaintance of Pcte--the latter having spent
some time at Thirtecn's house, while some repairs
were going ut home, and he at once saluted
him. Thinking that little company wouldn't be
bad in his romp. Pete deliberately united tho rope
by which the other horse fastened, and per.
saudcd him down into Circus street, where they
had nice timc until the fire was over. When
some of the boys from Thirteen discovering where
their horse was, went down to catch him. They
found it impossible to do so on account OF the ras-
cal Pete, who caused him to trot of and kick up
in grand style.
Finally, after bumbugging the boys for some
time, Pete leading the two horses dashed through
the crowd who had collected around to see the fun
of catching them, and made their escape to parts
unknown. The horses had been gone for several
days, and an advertisement Offering reward for
them inserted in the newspapers when iniorma-
tion received that they were down having
good time of it in Reeds pasture, at the Halfway
House. The toll-gate man said they went down
through the gate at n rapid pace on the night
thoy disappeared from the fire. Pete leading. A
lot Of the boys went down to get the horses, and
very captured the horse Of l3 but Peto was
not going to give up his liberty easily, and it
was not till hours afterward, with force of about
twenty men engaged, that Pete finally surrendered.
Covered with dirt, and with the harness still on
him, Pete entered the engine-house, with his head
hanging down, evidently being aware of the
capers he had been cutting, and the consequent
blame attached to him.
Dan, the horse mentioned by us was quito IL
fayorite with Pete, and they both lived barmon
ously together but Dan was displaced by another
horse, against whom Pete always entertained the
deadliest hostility, and could never be induced to
treat him civilly.
One night. when left in stalls next to each other,
Pete became 50 enraged that he broke his halter
and getting at the other horse, kicked and i-used
him so violently that he died in q short time
afterward
Cocktails are favorite beverage with Pete, and
it used to be the custom of the boys to take him
into the Woods House and give him q drink after
fire, after which Pete usually helped himself to
all the crackers and cheese on the lunch table.
On one occasion he got a sight Of himself in q
large mirror just behind the lunch table. and sup.
posing it to be another horse who wished 10 inter.
rupt him in his meal, he dashed his head up
arainst the fine ploss anil hroko IL al e. x:.~>.