Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-30
NOVEL AND EXCITING RACE.
A Fast Roadster Beaten by Team OF
Oxen Attached to a Fire Engine.

Madison Wis., Cor. Of tho Neao York Sun.
The fire department OF this city consists
mainly of two steam fire engines, which
are hauled about as occasion requires by
teams Of magnificent horses. The corpo-
ration 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 en-
gines at night.
The other day 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 location 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 q young farmer came in from
the market place near by, and, on being
told OF the trouble that beset the fire.
men, said;
"Well, I've got team around here that
will haul your old machine"
He WAS told to hurry the animals into
the engine house, and within tive minutes
appeared with yoke OF oxenl Entering
into the spirit of the thing, the frenen
helped hitch the animals to the engine,
and jumping upon the machine, with the
farmer in the drivers seat, away they
went. The oxen Travelled well, and were
easily guided by their owner, who urged
them into trot, and they moved around
tue Capitol park to the southwest corner.
just one mile west Of the capitol is the
Wisconsin State University, and 1t was
near the grounds of that institution that
dwelling-house was burning. Between
the two State buildings is State street,
broad, level avenue.
just as the fire engine reached the oOr-
ner above mentioned, Policeman John
Lewis came up from the opposite direc-
tiOn driving the horse OF John 5. Hawks,
of the State Journal which be had Dor
rOwed for the occasion. Hawks and
Lewis have always cOntended that the
horse is able 70 beat any roadster owned
in the city. Lewis shouted defiance 10 the
driver of the oxen, and the latter in loud
tones accepted the challenge. The roadster
and the team OF oxen swept into State
street together, and the novel race began.
The drivers were cheered by the people
attracted 10 the scene.
For block it was neck and neck, and
then the horse began 20 draw ahead. The
farmer shouted TO the dremen TO drop OF
and tighten the load, which they did. He
then stood up and belabOred his beasts,
and set up a most unearthly series of
yells. The oxen broke into run and
began believing, and elevated their tails
into the air.
At the tirst quarter the horse was still
setting the pace in grand style, though
becoming little nervous because Of the
confusion which the scene accustomed.
Lewis had him well in hand, and seemed
TO feel that he would mai ntain the lead.
On they went, until the intersection Of
Henry street, which marked the halfway
goal, was reached. Here ths bucollc
racers heads Tapped Lewis wheel, and
were gradually creeping up. In the next
quarter they were neck and neck with the
horse, aud mis- driver began TO apply the
lash. This only caused the horse to break
into n run, and as he caught sight OF the
oddly oaparisoned steeds with which he
was racing he bolted into a side street.
The oxen kept steadily on, gradually re-
ducing their speed, until they reached the
IRE, and were declared winners OF the
race. The hremen soon came up ia
butchers cart and manned their ma
chine.