The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-07
GERMAN FIREAIEN.
Proceedings that Have the characteristics
of a Regulation Funeral.

of Regulation Funeral.
Berlin Correspondence.
When a fire breaks out in Germany there
is no alarm-not the slightest-and no ex-
element don't think that one could dis
cover anything which in the most remote
degree, could be said to reese mble alarm or
excitement ! know of nothing more solemn
or sadder in this life than the calling out of
the German firewehr. 1t is painful sight to
see the brave men who compose it dragged
out OF their chairs, where they may have
been just about to take the first wink OF
sleep they have had for an hour. More pain
full still is the reckless haste with which they
are expected to dress for the terrible work
before them. | think the average Time al
lowed for putting on rubber coats, boots and
caps does not exceed twenty minutes. 1t is
no wonder that these men invariably die
young, as has been proved by Professor
Schmidt's recently published statistics
when the chief has called his men
around him, or rather when he has stood
them in row before him. he calls the roll.
An attendant then hands each man coil of
rope and sort of battle-ax made after the
Norman fashion, the blade being shaped like
that which Minerva wears on her skull cap.
While this is being done the other attaches
of the fierwehr are not idle Oh, mol A
horse and wagon appear in front of the fer
haus, and in .his wagon can be seen, if one
will look closely couple of ladders, either
of which is at least ten feet in length. There
is also some more rope, and there are also
some more axes, which. in cases of great
emergency, are distributed among the popu
lace. The house is burning all this time, but
that doesn't matter.
There are generally eight men and the
chief at each fire-Statiou. The chief STANDS
IN the middle of the street, a crowd of admir-
ing citizens surrounding him, and puts the
eight men through course of drill At the
conclusion of the maneuver two men take
their places on each side of the wagon, like
pall-bearers two in front and two behind,
the chief walking ahead with gold-plated
trumpet in his hand, the driver mounts to
his seat, and the funeral procession moves
on.
Slowly and sadly the mo1rnful cortege
wends its way, the firemen shoudering their
battle-axes and keeping the regulation mil
itary step. Now and then the horse shows
signs of mpatience, but he is Immediately
checked by the driver. The chief turns ever
and anon to see If any of his brave followers
have tainted from fatigue; but, finding that
they are still where ne left them, he sounds
ali order on his trumpet, the men change
their battle-axes from the right to the left
shoulder the driver steades the horses, who
is anxious to walk faster, and the pageant
moves on.
The fire is still raging. The flames have
spread until they now envelop an entire
block. The sky is blood-red and the reflec-
ton lights up the city, but the ferwehr can
not be moved by scenes like this. 1t is used
to them. The question now in the mind of
the chief Isl 'Can we reach the fire just
after the walls have fallen in and when there
is nothing more TO be done?" II he is an old
fireman and understands his business he will
know how to time himself.
As the procession nears the neighborhood
of the fire the speed of the horse is slackened
and the men walk slower. The chief con-
suits his watch and calculates as to the length
of time a block requires to burn and the
wind blowing as it is tonight. Having salts
fed himself that there is at least fifteen min
utes to spare the wagon stops in front of
beer half the men fall into line, and, led by
the chief, they select two OF the most COM
Portable tables and order the beer.
The men are so weighed down by the heavy
rubber clothing, the coils of rope, the battle
axes and the helmet caps that they are
scarcely able TO speak for a few moments.
When they regain consciousness one says to
the other:
do you think we will get there in time to
return before bed-timc?e
81 think So" is the answer 81 never
knew the chief to miss seeing fire go out of
its own accord yet"
well, l hope he is calculating all right
now. | told my wife I'd be home at 10
o'clock to-nigh; il is now half-past 9. l will
bean hour late. l cannot stand this life"
Neither can l." says the other, emptying
his beer mug 81 got wet at q fire the other
night and was so hoarse that couldn't
sing at the mennerchor yesterday"
Come" says the chief, ''if you are rested
sufficiently, we must be going"
The men form in line once more and are
put through another drill, after which they
take their places around the hearse and they
are ON the way to the fire again.
Before they have gone very far, however,
they meet the crowds returning, and a po-
licenian steps up and informs the chief that
the fire is out the block having burned to
the ground. The chief reprimands the po-
liceman for not notifying him before. The
policemen tells him that he could not have
done SO unless he had walked fast which
was forbidden by the regulations as it would
make him perspire, thereby soiling his col
lar The explanation is considered satisfac-
tory to the chief. He gives his orders for
the return, and the horse and men travel
much faster. The station is reached in half
an hour; the horse and wagon are put away;
the battle-axes and rubber suits are hung up
the kerosene lamp is extinguished, and the
fire department sinks into a heavy slumber,
A man must know how to rest before. he
can become fireman in this country.