Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1883-12-17
GEORGE KOHLEPP.

| ASaCA lTOW tne EaSt-INe wonderful
Nerve Of the Chicago Firemen-W What
Caused Mr.. kohlepp to Hurry Back
He Gould Not Breathe East Of the
Mountains.
George w. Kohlepp got back yes
terday morning from a seven-weeks
trip to the Eastern States. During his
trip ne visited, Chicago, and was pres
ent at the fire in Farwell block, in
which two girls lost their lives by fall
ing from an upper-story window, and
striking head first on hard pavement.
He says that the sight of the women
lying on the frozen ground, their
brains and life-blood spatte,ed all
about, was sickening and made the
stoutest hearts quail. As for himself,
he could not bear it, and fastened
from the spot-as did hundreds Of
others, who ran away, as if panic
stricken.
The same evening there was fire
IN the Tribune composing-room, and
he had a good opportunity of witness
ing the agility and nerve of the Chi
cago fremen. First, one man ran up
and hooked ladder on the head of
one of the ground floor windows. He
climbed this like flash of lightning,
followed by another fireman, with
shorter ladder. When he got TO the
top round of his ladder the fireman
behind him reached him his ladder,
which was hooked on the head of a
second-story window. This was again
assembled, another ladder reached,
hooked, climbed, another ladder hand
ed up-and SO on, until the roof was
reached and string of fremen
climbed up. A rope ladder was then
pulled up, then a hose, etc, and the
tiremen began attacking the fire from
above, as it had been attacked from be-
low and from all sides before AS
they moved about on the roof, the
fire men looked like bats or fireAies.
He speaks in the highest terms of the
courage displayed by the Chicago fire.
men, and thinks that no other class of
men could display as much courage.
Even he, old fireman though he is, he
couldn't even attempt to do anything
OF the kind. This should not be al
lowed to 60 without protest, for Mr..
kohlepp is too "nervy'' a man himself.
About four years ago, at fire in
Boise, Mr.. Kohlepp remained in Main
street, nozzle in hand, with fire on all
sides of him. He occasionally had to
turn the cold water on himself, to keep
himself from catching on fire. When
ne finally made his way out the Boise
ties present greeted him as one risen
from the dead. Mr.. kohlepp would
therefore undoubtedly be good fire.
man, even in Chicago.-ED. TIMES.
Mr.. kohlepp also visited his sister,
whom he had not seen for 26 wears.
who lives few miles from Marion,
Iowa. There he found himself in the
midst of prohibition territory, and
not drop of strong drink could he
get. AS he had to have some or die,
however, he telegraphed to the St.
10 house which supplied him. He
asked for fve-gallon key put in
sack, and nailed up in a box. This
came in due time, and thenccforward
he was happy. But he did not parade
his whisky much, as he feared arrest,
and besides, the good Christians there
look upon those who drink habituallv
as very great sinners. There are
few saloons, but they can only sell
beer, wine, and cigars. For anything
stronger, the drug stores must be
visited, but, armed with a physicians
prescription only.
The atmosphere was too heavy for
Mr.. kohlepp, however, so after stop
ping at his sisters for about two
weeks, he resumed his Eomeward jour
ney, glad that he lived in country
where the air was thin enough to
breathe.
p. S.-Mr. Kohlepp returns unmar.
RED.
OF for the Land of Sunshine and
Flowers.