The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-27
How FL Pa.o Put. ont a Flre.

Mr.. 81 Larkins OF FL PasO, Tex, was
standing al the door Of the Arlington. talk
ing with Washington friend. a few days
ago, when fire engine and hook and lad
der rushed past with a great changing Of
bells. en- route to FIRE, says the Washing
ton Post
Great spectacle that" remarked the
Washington man.
Texan.
Never see anything of that sort down
IN FL Paso. ] s'Dose2" said the Washing
tonlan, with questioning infection in
MS statement
The Texan turned and gave his friend
a searching look. in which pity and con-
tempt seemed to struggle for the mastery.
ana then proceeded 70 give him few
pointers on fires and fire departments as
ne knew them al home
why" snOrted Mr.. Larkins IF we
couldn't get up a better show and more
enthusiasm than that when a fire broke
out IN our town we'd let her burn down.
ana move over into PasO del Norte and
ABOUT a great spectacle! You'd think IL
was universal panorama, II you could
see the fire department Of FL 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 a member
OF the nre department. All the best citi-
zens belong. When the big bell strikes
you bet everything else stops until that
nre IS put out. 1t is the only occasion when
the deal stops at the faro banks and when
flre comes on Sunday the preachers ali
dismiss their congregations with mighty
short benediction and hoof it for the scene
of the confiagration.
Then you ought 10 see our engine
She's daisy. and don't you forget it,
Double handles on each side, and room for
TOUR men at each handle Everything
painted red, and brass eagle ON the top
of the pump barrel.
We keep four Spanish mules standin'
IN the stable all the time. harnessed and
ready to Duh out at a minutes notice
hank Tompkins, the driver is the slick
est man in mis- business in the whole SOUTH
west. When he pulls out for a fire YOU can
bet your last simoleon everything else mas
got TO stand from under. He turns the
corners so fast that the boys on Red Betsy.
as they call the engine, have to hang on
10 the outside curve to keep her from up-
Settln; sometimes she goes cleanover
, Dtt =, nOL qIten, and II only takes min
Ute 10 right her agin. Sometimes the bows
90 II before Hank gets the mules to
dead stop. and OFF they go agin
- On! tell you il is grand sight to see
Hank comm down the streets with his
whip a-crackin' and them two little blue
leaders just a-standin' on their hind feet
ana clawin' out at air like When ne
passes IL takes half an hour for the dust
10 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
me 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' ont
er the way. And dogsl Oh Lord! I'll bet
I've seen 400 if there was one. ali runnins
an rlppln an barkin' benin Hank and
tne engine. Sometimes Hank runs over
elght or ten Of EN-, but he can't stoD for
oogs, or nuthin' else. for that matter.
say, pard, deed you never have seen
a hre turnout i'm this town if that which
just went by is a sample 80