Connecticut western news., 1885-10-14
NOVEL AND EXCITING RACE.
A Fast Roadster Beaten by Team of
 Oxen Attached to n Fire Engine.

The Fire Department of Madison, Wis, consists mainly of two steam fire engines, which are hauled about as oe- casion requires by teams of magnificent horses, The corporation cannot we'll 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 local letter to the New York Sun, 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 tiremen were in despair. The loca- tion of the fire was over mile distant, and it 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- ble that beset the firemen, said
 "Wel, 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 mln- 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 trav- eled we'll and were easily guided by their owner, who urged them into & 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- tion, driving the horse of John S. had borrowed for the occasion. Hawks and Lewis have always contended that the horse was able to beat any roadster owned in the city. Lewis shouted de- fiance 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 were cheered by the people attracted to the scene.
 For block it was neck and neck, and then the horse began to draw ahead The farmer shouted to the firemen to drop off and tighten the load, which they did. He then stood up and be- labored his beasts and set up most un- earthly series of yells. The oxen broke into a run and began believing, and elevated their tails into the air.
 At the first quarter the horse was still setting the pace in grand style, though becoming little nervous because of the confusion which the scene occasioned. Lewis had him we'll in hand, and seemed to feel that he would maintain the lead.
 On they went, until the intersection of Henry street, which marked the half way goal, was reached. Here the bu. collie racers heads lapped Lewis wheel, and were gradually creeping up. In the next quarter they were neck and neck with the horse, and his driver began to apply the lash. This only caused the horse to break into a run, and as he caught sight of the oddly caparisoned steeds with which he was racing he bolted into a side street.
 The oxen kept steadily on, gradually reducing the speed until they reached the fire and were declared winners of the race. The fremen soon came up in a butchers cart and manned their ma. chine