Milford chronicle., 1885-10-16
NOVEL AND EXCITING RACE.
A Fast Roadster Beaten by a Team Of
Oxen Attached 60 a Fire Engine.

The Fire Department of Madison,
Wis, consists mainly of two steam fire
engines, which are hauled about as oc-
casion requires by teams of magnificent
horses. The corporation cannot well
afford to keep these animals in idleness
most of the time, so they are used by
/ the Street Commissioner very often for
the purpose Of hauling gravel etc., and
are housed with the engines at night.
The other day, says a local letter to
the New York SIN, the team belonging
to No. is Company was at the gravel
pit when an alarm Of fire was sounded.
The driver did not hear the bells, and
the firemen were In despair The loca-
ton OF the fire was over mile distant,
and 1t seemed as though they would be
compelled to haul the heavy machine
there themselves. Just then a young
farmer came in from the market place
near by, and, on being told of the trou-
bic that beset the iremen, said;
Well, I've got team around here
that will haul your old machine.
He was told to hurry the animals in to
the engine house, and within two MN
utes appeared with a yoke of oxen
Entering into the spirit of the thing,
tho tiremen helped hitch the animals to
the engine, and jumping upon the ma
chine, with the farmer in the drivers
seat, away they went. The oxed tray
eled well and were easily guided by
their owner, who urged them into a
trot, and they moved around the Capitol |
park to the southwest corner. Just one |
mile west of the Capitol is the Wiscon-
sin State University, and it was near the |
grounds of that institution that adwell- |
ing house was burning. Between the
two State buildings is State street, a
broad, level avenue.
Just as the fire engine reached the cor
ner above mentioned, Policeman John
Lewis came up from the opposite direc-
ton, driving the horse of John S.
Hawks, of the State journal, which he
had borrowed for the occasion. Hawks
and Lewis have always commended that
the horse was able to beat any roadster
owned in the city. Lewis shouted de-
hance to the driver of the oxen, and the
latter in loud tones accepted the chal-
lenge. The roadster and the team of
oxen swept into State street together,
and the novel race began. The drivers
we're cheered by the people attracted to
.he scene.
For block it was neck and neck, and
hen the horse began to draw ahead.
The farmer shouted to the firemen to
irop off and Tighten the load, which
hey did. He then stood up and be-
abored his beasts and set up a most I'M
'arthly series of yells. The oxen broke
nto run and began believing, and
Elevated their tails into the air.
AT the first quarter the horse was still
citing the pace in grand style, though
'ecoming little nervous because of the
which the scene occasIOned.
.ewis had him well in hand, and seemed
0 feel that he would maintain the lead.
On they went, until the intersection of 4
lenry street, which marked the half I
Tay goal, was reached. Here the bu- t
olic racers heads Tapped Lewis wheel, Y
nd were gradually creeping up. In the
ext quarter they were neck and neck
18th the horse, and his driver began to
pply the lash. This only caused the
Orse to break into a run, and as he Il
lught sight of the oddly caparisoned A
eeds with which he was racing he
1lted into side street.
The oxen kept steadily on, gradually L
ducing the speed until they reached "
e fire and were declared winners of o.
lie race. The firemen soon came up in
butchers cart and manned their ma h
line. ST