Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-19
ENGINE HOUSE TALES.
How the Niagara Boys Reform ed a
Lazy Dog by Cutting Off His Tail.
A CLARION LUMBERMAN ON A POLE.
Narrow Escapesand Daring Deeds Of Captain
George W. King, of No.3.
DEEP DIVING TO PREVENT A FIRE
WRITTEN FOR THE prspArcH.1

WRITTEN FOR THE prsPArcH.1
'The best story that know" said Cap
tain Brown, of the Ellsworth Company,
Allegheny, as he settled himself back in
the old wooden rocker that is so dear to the
hearts of the No. 8 boys, "the best story
that know is about dog. Dog Jack, we
used to call him. He was a remarkable
dog and bears a record unequaled by any
other fire dog in the United States
SIT was more than 80 years ago, in the
days of Pittsburg's volunteer fire service,
when Dog Jack lived. At that time was
a member of the old Niagara Company,
which was located on Penn avenue, near
Fifteenth street. OF course in those days
there were very few fires, and we had lots
of time to loaf One pastime consisted in
the capture OF stray dogs as they passed
along the street and attach tin cans to their
tails. Many a poor unsuspecting canine
had been lured back into the rear of the
building with kind words, only to find him.
self the victim of joke.
Country Dog Comes to Town.
zone fine spring morning, remember it
well, several of us were sitting about chat
ting, when a country hay wagon came rumb-
ling down the avenue. Following along be-
hind 1t was dog, a big, spotted bull dog,
the homliest, most forlorn looking animal I
ever saw. The Niagara boys pricked up
their ears and in few minutes the dog was
enticed into the engine house. A tomato
can was securely fastened to his tail and an
effort made to get him started down the
street. But the dog would not go. He was
In1vv TO
dog. The can was then exchanged for big
dish pan, but the dog moved not. do not
believe a whole tin shop would have
aroused that dog. He lazily crawled up on
the dish pan and went to sleep. Kicks
only made him change his position and
swearing availed nothing
"Unable to arouse him, we tossed him
back into a corn er and kept him as a curl
os1ty. For several days ne lay around
sleeping. when, one morning. one of the
boys, taking pity on him, carried him out
and put him on the cellar door in front of
the engine house. But he was too lazy to
door, fell down into the cellar and broke his
leg.
The Boys Couldn't Shoot Him.
"Owing to this mishap some one sug-
gested a shooting match. We hauled the
poor cripple back into the building and set
him up on the dish pan for q target; but no
one had the heart to shoot the wretched
looking object Yank Jones' heart was
touched, and he took the dog in charge,
decorating the broken limb with splints
and bandages. After rest of several
weeks he began to get over his tired feeling
and walk around little. We tried hard to
get rid of him bv administering some pretty
severe treatment but, like a good many
other country visitors when they come to
the city, he was bound to stay. We could
neither scare nor drive him away.
'One day the company received some new
fire axes. We were all standing around ex-
amining them when some one suggested
that we trim up the dog. The poor fellow
was brought out from his corner and his ears
and tail artistically trimmed with the new
axes. Barely had we finished the work
when an alarm Of fire came in from Ale
gheny. We did service on the Northside
also in those days. Well, we dropped
everything, of course, and, seizing the hose
cart, were off for Allegheny. The fire for
tunately did not amount to much. If it had
our boys would have been next to useless so
overcome with surprise were they upon
reaching the fire, for there among the spec
tators was our dog! Yes, with ears and tail
all bloody! We could hardly believe our
eyes
Little Swim In tho River.
"While returning home over the Six
teenth street bridge some Of the boys picked
up the dog and threw him over the railing
into the river. That was the end of him,
we thought. But no, for when we arrived
at the engine house there he was, seated on
a chair, awaiting our return. Not only
that, but he was animated, wide awake and
looking as wise as judge. A great change
had suddenly taken place in the dog. His
trimming and baptism had done him good.
A name, Dog Jack, was Immediately given
him, for up to this time he went without
name. except half a dozen or so that would
not look we'll in print.
'That same afternoon Dog Jack by
single act made himself beloved hero.
While all the fremen were out an excited
citizen came rushing into the engine house
yelling Fire!' Nobody was present but
Dog Jack. But he knew what was wanted.
1t did not take him two seconds to rush into
the cupalo, seize the bell rope in his teeth
and pull. When the fremen dashed curl
ously in few moments later they beheld q
man rushing franticallv about the room
while Dog Jack tugged away at the bell
rope. =.
"Too much could not be done for Dog
Jack after that. He was fed on the choicest
foods and a handsome silver collar worth
e50 was bought for him. In but single
day Dog Jack had arisen from despised,
lazy cur to the most important member of
The company. The boys all loved Dog
Jack.
His Re cord In the Army.
'Tt.was soon after this that the Civil War
broke out, and as almost all the niagara
members were recruited, we took Dog Jack
along with us to the army. He accompanied
The gallant One Hundred and Second Penn
'ylvania Volunteers. He marched in the
ranks by day and patroled with the picket
guards at night. Dog Jack loved music and
be followed the band with great pride. In
he thickest of the fight he kept with the
regiment. He was present at the siege of
Yorktown, the battle of Wllliamsburgh at
Fair Oaks and the battle of the Pines.
"At Malvern Hill he was wounded but
pluckily crossed the Rappahannock with
he regiment to Fredericksburg. At Salem
Church he was captured by the enemy, but
1 few days later was given in exchange for
! Confederate prisoner. During the regi-
nent's sojourn in Frederick, Maryland,
Dog Jack mysteriously disappeared. caus-
ing great sorrow among the soldiers.
Whether he was slain or stolen is not
known"
Captain Brown has small photograph of
Dog Jack which bears the dogs record as
member of the Union army.
Fireman Mcdonald spins n Yarn.
'The most ludicrous engine house incl
lent ever witnessed" began Fireman Nc
Donald, OF Allegheny, in reply to request