The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-08-13
THE gHRENS ENGINE
Arrives from Cincinnati, and a
Fine Team is Bought for it.
Ut is ADMIRED BY LARGE CROWDS
A. tho Atlantic Engine House---A
Test of its Capacity to be Made this
Afternoon...Mr. Ahrens, the Build
or, and his Brother in tho City to
superIntend the Test.


The new Ahrens engine bought FOL
the city FIRE department arrived yester
dav over the B. so. railroad. It was
shipped from the factory at Cincinnati
on wednesday. 1t is q very handsome
machine, and bears the name Wheeling
No. 4. It was taken to the Atlantic
engine house temporarily, whore large
numbers OF flremen, councilmen and
citizens inspected 1t, and all expressed
their hearty admiration. lisa pretty
machine, symmetrical and strong.
Mr.. Ahrens, the builder, mechanical
enoineer OF the American Fire Engine
company. whose name the engine
bears, accompanied 1t to Wheeling.
The company has an expert delivering
engineer, but he :was out with another
engine, and Mr.. Ahrens's brother, who
is an engineer in the Cincinnati fire de.
partment, came along to superintend
The test Of the machine and explain the
workings to the men in the Eigth ward
house, Who are to be in charge Of the
engine.
Il has good many points Of superb
ority. Councilman Bailey, Q member
OF the fire committee, was originally a
strong advocate ofpurchaslng silsby
engine, but yesterday after examining
the new machine he said: II am sure
We have not made a mistake"
Mr. Bailey is himself an expert ma
chinist, and he readily recognized the
strong points OF the engine, and in a
short time could exhibit its advantages
almost rs we'll as Mr.. Ahrens.
On plate on the engine arethe names
Of the member Of the fire committee,
Chief Healy and Clerk Fee. The boiler
iacketis OF russia iron, instead OF MCKEE
plate, 1t has an electric gong, which
rings dozen or more times with one
pressure OF the foot.
jim McCle ment, Of the Island hose
house, brought new team OF fine
horses for the new engine in from Ohio
yesterday.
The committee on fire department
met last night to decide where the test
OF the new engine should be made. 1t
was decided 10 test the water throwing
capacity on the Cathedral OF st.
Jamess church steeple, and at half
past four O'clock this afternoon the
test will be made. Invitations have
been extended to members of Council
and citizens generally. to be on hand
and witness the trial. Chief McNichol
was requested to be on hand with a
SQUAD OF police, to stretch tho fire ropes
and prevent confusion.
/ There was some discussion as to
whether there should be held COM
petitiye test .betweent the Ahrens engine
and the Niagara. TheAhrens brothers,
who we're present, were opposed to the
tournament, as they, called. As one
ofthem said al, by squirt, the other
engine should succeed in throwing water
for moment farther than our engine
does, people will say that ours is no ac-
count. five should beat the Niagara,
they would say, We'll, it's an old engine
anyhow and we would get no credit"
Finally it was decided to test the
Ahrens alone, the work the Niagara can
do being already known, and thus en-
abling the committee to devote all its
attention to the new engine while it is
being tested.
Mr.. Ahrens was asked about the prop
osition his company wanted to make re-
garding the furnishing OF a new engine,
the old Atlantic to be taken in part pay
ment. he said that the old engine had
been taken apart, and while It could be
rebuilt 50. as to greatly improve its
working power, vet 1t would still remain
the same old style engine. His COM
pany would allow the city $500 for the
engine, and for IS, $50 more would build
an Ahrens engine, aduplicate OF the
one Just received. Elm other words"
said he, "you were to pay s., $50 for re-.
pairing the old Atlantic, For 81 $50 you
will get the same old single engine, with
an entirely new boiler and other new
parts; for 5000 more you will get an
entirely new engine"
The committee decided to await the
result Of to-day's test It will meet
again Monday evening, apd will take
Mr.. Ahrens's offer under consideration.
The committee instructed the chief to
advise all the new appointees on the
fire department to report at their re-
spective houses. on Monday, August Is.
1t developed that fourteen new beds
would have to be purchased for the
new men, and Chairman Bailey and
Ohlet Healy were instructed to inquire
into the cost Of iron bedsteads and the
necessary bedclothing, and to report to
the committee Monday evening.
After the new engine has been tested
this afternoon at the church, 1t will be
hauled down to the West Wheeling
ferry landing, so as to give an exhlbi-
ton of its capacity to throw water
through about 1900 feet OF hose.