The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-26
FIGHT ON FIREBOAT.
Fire Captain and Pilot After
One Another's Scalp.
4 CHAIR AND Ak The WEAPONS.
Or Cearss zach Riames the Other asa
Tells Df4ereas sssry-Beth
No. Are Suspended


hinges on coz ict OF power between the
captain of the fire company and the mas
ter az the fireboat and which has caused
the fire commissioners so much trouble In
the past, broke cur again yesterday IN
more violent firm than usual. and IS re-
saif Capt Clancy ard Marine Master
Richard c. connor ehsrgs each other with
assault and battery. incidentally an AZ
and char figure in the conflict. 10 say
nothing OF the strong language used By
the comhatants. Can't. Clancy will appear
in court this morning to answer the charge
of assault. and unless Clancy changes hi.
mind Master Common will he arrested for
threatening to kill. Chief Hunt suspended
both principals as soon IS Clancy made
his report
The stories Of the affair az given bv
Conner and Clancy are as different as
white and black What one affirms the
other denies. In their stories, a. told
TO q PosT-IsTEILIGEScE reporter. there
cropped out continually the remark. II
know my business and don't want any in
reference" IL was also evident that
Clancy does not entertain q high regard
for Connor's abilities, and the latter does
not think Clancy knows much about
marine affairs. Each thinks the other is
hard 10 get along with. and insists that he
has done all in his power TO avoid a con-
dict.
Wednesday evening Chief Hunt issued
an order for the fireboas to proceed yester-
day morning TO the salt water main
near Schwabacher's wharf and clean
out the pipes and then go the
bunkers for coal. This operation
IL necessary TO keep the pipes
free from rust and insure their being in
condition in case of a big fire. Capt.
Clancy and Master Conner had the first
tronbie when the boat was being tied up
Clancy said spring line ought to be put
out at the stern to keep her from going
ahead and Master Conner told him that
he could land the boat without any sug-
gestions. The boat was put along the
wharf, and after the coupling to the main
had been made Clancy went to the corner of
Pike and Third streets to see how the
water was coming. If the stream ran
clear he knew that the work had been
done and the mains were all right. After
he saw that everything was ell right he
returned to the fireboat and had the men
uncouple the hose. A slight dispute arose
at that point. but the real trouble came
after Clancy jumped on deck and yelled
out to lie. her CO."
The scene of the conflict was i'm the pilot
house. and FOR a brief period two men were
seen TO be going around in furious man.
ner. An Ak appeared and disappeared:
chair swung around and wa. broken: the
boat. having no one at the wheel. swung
around trife. Then ali was over and
Capt Clancy was on deck talking with
Master Common, who stuck his head out of
the pilot house to give vent to his feelings.
AS soon as the boat was back to her dock
Clancy reported TO Chief Hunt and both
were suspended. A call was imm ediatelv
issued for a meeting of the fire commits
sioners, but owing to the absence OF Dir.
Jones and the inability Of other members
TO bs present the meeting was givsn up.
1T quorum can be obtained this morning
the matter will be considered In special
session. Master Common after he was sus-
pended, went to Justice Humphreys Of
ice and sworc out warrant charging as
sanlt and battery. Capt Clancy heard of
it and went to the office and gave himself
up. He was released on his own recog-
pizance to appear this morning at 10
O'Clock.
When seen at his home on James street
last evening Capt. Clancy said:
II am sorry tins thing happened. but
have the satisfaction of knowing that
arm in the right. | did not strike Master
Common or assault him in any manner.
He on the other hand tried to strike me
with an ak handle and also a chair. lie
moreover threatened to kill me The
trouble, OF course, is the same old story
have tried to get along. but Common is
gruh and surly. This morning when We
went TO the salt water main | saw that the
boat vas tied up IN such q manner that
she would run forward and break the hose
leading from tie boat to the main [
asked Conner TO put out spring line from
the stern 10 keep her from going ahead.
but he gruIliy told me: 4 do not REQUIRE
any instructions from you how to tie q
boat up Nothing more was said a, the
time and after | returned from Pike aud
Third streets | saw that the boat had
dFltted and that one length of hose was
breaking apart at the coupling. While We
were undoing the couplings Common yelled
out 10 shut the hose gates. but said 20
walt until the pressure Was of. Ii the
gates had been shut with the pressure on.
II would have Knocked a man down.
When got on the boat did rs We have
been accustomed to do. | mean by that
that yelled 10 Common TO let her GO
lie stuck his head out OF the window
and cried out; Don't cas-, of those line,
vet
Il replied: I amt going to- mo-
Tuent later he blew the whistle the lines
were cast OFT aud away We went |
started forthe pilot house 10 tell him 70 go
10 the coal bunsers, and as opened the
door he said in al ugly tone OIL voice.
I'd q n you. get oQt; | DOM want
you TO come ia here
Il said; Il am going 20 tell you where
want you TO go, and then went into the
hohse. ! "ant you 10 go 10 the coal
bnnSers, said /. Common gave me a shows
toNasd the door, but vent against il and
smut u. leaving me on Ehs inside with
conner. Then be sw0re and said that II
ne had 4 gun he would fix me. The next
best thing vas an AK, when vas IN the
rack. lie grabbed IL, but fortunately for
NE The lead Was up so he had To take il
mat way, and then | jumped tor him.
MFenched the 81 out of his hands and
ihTew IL on the door. because he had
GRABBED - chair and came at me sealn
" zen he swung the chair over his head
ne htt himself and also broke the chair
on the roof Of the cabin. lie man
aged 10 hit nae on the SIDE OF the head
with the ehsir. but not seriously. Then /
%ea' cut OF the house. and he yelled out:
on - ----- --~-- Mould have killed Won
u had had gun As soon as possible I
reported the matter to Chief Hunt. and be
suspended as both pending an investira-
ton.
W hen vas PAT on the tirehost a. can
ssla Knew the amount of trouble that
had beng going on. and have always tried
- gei along without friction. Ii is i'm
possible, however. 20 do So with Conner.
shaii have sarFant sworn out in the
morning IN connection with MS threats
ana nave him put under bonds 10 keep the
peace