Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-19
THE PRIDE OF VERSAILLES.
1t Went Plump into the Fire and the
Boys Scattered at Daylight.

1t Went Plump into the Fire ana the
Boys Scattered at Daylight.
From the New York Sun
Versailles and l." said Col. Watkins Of
the south and west several rights ago. ARE
strangers now. 1t Is a beautiful town. right
In the heart Of the Kentucky blue grass
and It's whisky is as mellow as old sherry.
Business took me there three or four times
year until two years ago. That was a
night for you! Some Of the old gang had
the nerve to return to town after that
nights racket. I never did: heard there
was an indictment loafing around the court
house for me. and havea found It neces-
sary to go back. Never knew exactly what
started the gang that hight, except II was
In the air. There may have been as lively
crowd OF young men In many other towps
that have visited. but I have never found
them. Versailles was always q picnic for
me.
All the young men in town who amount
ed to anything were members Of the fire
company; there was only one s'lch organi-
cation, and 1t was the proud possessor OF
an old-fashioned side-bar pump engine. 1t
was dandy. and when the foreman stood
they made the old machine creak. But I'm
getting ahead OF my story. ON this night
the members OF this engine company-shy
were out for sport. / always Travelled with
the. boys when 1 struck town, and We went
TO the biggest saloon, which was q general
Lexington. and his bartender was in Charge
Say, II you've never frank good whisky in
the blue grass region half OF your life las
been wasted. 1t seems to get right hold Of
you. and after a few drinks you're on stills
Some one suggested that we should get
the bartender drunk and run the saloon
ourselves. 1t took patience. and when at
O'Clock we stretched the bartender out the
boys were having an elegant time. ] was
initiated as bartender. and mixed every
thing. Suddenly there was an alarm OF fire.
grist mills burning up- Well we didn't
stay to close the saloon. we Just bolted
The old engine was yanked tut. and we
went reeling and stumbling DOWN the road
with 1t. The mill was in ieep saIley, and
when we reached the top cf the steep bill
that overlooked 1t We stopped and prepared
to do business.
Il never knew what was the trouble
Probably the coupler botchcd his work At
any rate we began % pump. Clickety-
ciack! went the engine, and no water came
Still no water.
Whatsh up? asked the foreman.
Damfno! says !, getting weak in the
chine, but It was no use. BY This time the
walls OF the mill had fallen IN. ana We were
"'Cncouple those ordered III. for.r,n
We stopped pumping and broke the hose
Give her push was the next order. We
caught the idea. Twenty men placed their
shoulders against the machine and pushed
together. Down the hill she started. saith
ering speedway, and straight into The Ere
plunged the pride of Versailles 1 tell you.
II was a sight worth seeing. We sat down
ana cheered and swore like madunen. The
townspeople who were up didn't care to ar
TACK us; heard afterward that the irons
OF ne old machine We're found in the ruins.
Lexington. Some Of the other bows r"Je 20
nearby towns and caught trains. At any
rate. the grand jury met tne next day. and
not member or the engine company wus
IN town When some OF them Struggled
PACK later they placed the blame on me
Thats why don't 60 to Versailles.