Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-16
FIRE IN Ell PASO.
How the Hot Element" is Attacked IN
the Town.

Mr.. ST Larkins, of FL Paso, Texas,
was standing at the door OF the AIRING
ton. talking with a Washington frlenu,
a few days ago, when fire engine ana
hook and ladder rushed past with
great changing Of bells, en- route TO a
fire.
Great spectacle, that" remarked the
Washington man.
yep. considerable show" responded
the Texan.
Never see anything of that sort
down in FL Paso, | s'pose?' SAID the
Washingtonian. with a questioning IN
Election on his sentiment.
The Texan turned and gave his friend
a searching look, in which pity anu
contempt seemed to struggle for the
mastery. and then proceeded to give
him a few pointers on fires and hre de-
partments as he knew them at home.
why" snorted Mr.. Larkins, III we
couldn't get I'D a better show and more
enthusiasm than that when a fire broke
ont in our town we'd let her burn down,
and move over into Paso del Norte ana
live in 'dobes with the Greasers, Taik
about a great spectaclen You'd think
il was a universal panorama II you
could see the fire department OF Ell Paso
turn out once.
"Why. man. it is counted the greatest
honor that man in our town can have
conferred on him to be elected men,
Der of the fire department. All the
best citizens belong. When the Dig
bell strikes you bet everything else
stops until that fire is put out. 1t is
the only occasion when the deal stops
at the faro banks, and when nre
comes on Sunday the preachers all DIS
miss their congregations with mighty
short benedietion and hoof IL 1or the
scene of the confiagation.
Then YOU ought TO see our engine.
She's a daisy, and don't you forget II.
Double handles on each side, and room
for four men at each handle. Every
thing painted red, and brass eagle on
the top of the pump barrel
I'VE keep four Spanish mules stand
ing in the stable all the time, harness
ed and ready to pull out at minute S
notice. Hank Tompkins, the driver, is
the slickest man in his business in the
whole Southwest. When he pulls out
for fire you can bet your last simoleon
everything else has got to stand from
under. He turns the corners so fast
that the boys on Red Betsey, as they
call the engine. have to hang on to the
outside curve, to keep from upsettin' !;
sometimes she goes clean over, but not
often. and it only takes a minute to
right her again. Sometimes the boys
do il before Hank gets the mules to
dead stop, and off they go agin.
"Oh. | tell you it is grand sight to
see Hank comm down the street with
his whip a-crackin and them two little
blue leaders just a-standin' on their
hind feet and clawin., out at the air like.
When he passes ii takes half an hour
for the dust to settle where he went
along.
An then you ought to see the
crowds. Why, you never see anything
like it. Men, women and children all
turn out TO see the boys lick the fire.
When they go through 'Dobetown
Hank mos always runs over two or
three Greaser kids; they're always so
slow bout gettin' out er the way And
dogs. Oh, Lord! I'll bet I've seen 400
if there was one, all runnin' an rip
pin an barkin benin Hank and the
engine Sometimes Hank runs over
eight or ten OF EN-, but he can't stop for
dogs, or nuthin else, for that matter.
Say. pard, deed you never have seen
a fire turnout in this town if that which
Just went by is a sample. Washing
ton Post.