The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-11-23
A PHANTOM ENGINE.
San Francisco Fire Department Men Wor-
ried by a Mystery.

A phantom fire engine which races
up and down the thoroughfares in the
vicinity of Folsom and Third streets
has been annoying the responsible
heads of the fire department., says the
San Francisco Chronicle.
A dozen citizens of good repute say
they have seen the mysterious ma
chine, have watched and admired the
prancing steeds which hauled it over
the stone pavements, and have seen
the men-or at least the supposed men
i'm the fire department uniform who
controlled the horses and rode upon
the mysterious engine. But there can
be found no official of the fire depart
ment or even a fireman of the lowest
rank who ever saw the engine or knew
of its appearance on the public streets.
Engineers, drivers, foremen, and
stokers have been interviewed and
seriously questioned by their superior
officers, but the mystery of the strange
machine can not be penetrated. Not
one of them ever saw it. But the cit
izens were men whose testimony could
not be doubted, and Chief Scannen
puzzled and worried over the ap-
partition until he was obliged to quit
his office and go into the country.
sick man. Acting Chief Sullivan, who
has taken Chief Scannell's response
bility upon himself. is losing sleep and
flesh in his efforts to solve the mystery.
He can get no light.
The board of fire commissioners
must soon take up the matter. and it
is not improbable that it will yet en-
gage the attention of the board of SUI
toma street lveryman, has sent COM
munication to the fire commissioners
demanding $109.75 damages.
He declares that on February 13 last.
at Third and Folsom streets, an engine
of the fire department dashed up be-
hind one of his teams very suddenly.
The driver sounded his gong in such
noisy and careless manner that Tom
kinson's team was frightened and ran
away. The team collided with a tele-
graph pole, threw the driver out and
smashed the buggy to splinters.
Mr.. Tomkinson reported the occur
renee at the fire department headquar-
ters, but was informed that there had
been no fire on the day on which he
alleged that the accident occurred.
But when Tomkinson so stoutly averred
that he did not drink and that there
was no doubt of the mans statement,
Chief Scannell promised to investigate
the matter. Chief Scannell and As
sistant Chief Sullivan went out. They
found dozen people who witnessed
the runaway and who saw the engine
dash up behind Tamkinson's team.
Nearly all of them lived in the vicinity
of Third oud Ealcopo etraots
Then it occurred to the chief that
some of the engine companies in that
district might have been out exercis.
ING their horses. He went to the house
of No. 10 engine, on Bryant street; tc
engine 4, on Second street; to engine
8, on Main street, and to engine II, or
Mint avenue. At every house the
drivers, stokers, and foremen declared
that they had not been in the vicinity
; of Third and Folsom streets on Feb
ruary IS. They were all positive to 1
man.
Chiefs Scannell and Sullivan have
about given up their efforts to ex
plain the phantom, and they do no
know what recommendation to maxi
as to Tomkinson's claim for damages
) If some fire engine company was ou
for practice and frightened the team
the department may possibly be liable
But if the damage was done by
; phantom Mr.. Tomkinson must look t.
some higher power for REIN bursement
Acting Chief Sullivan declared, how
. ever, that he was inclined to believ
! that the driver and stoker of some on
;, ;. of the four engine companies ha
= agreed to a lie aud were sticking to il
: If this is the case and they are foun
) out there may be some vacancies i
!, the department.