Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-27

" accounted for by this. The hremen
DR. rather a sufficient number TO cope WIN
an ordinary fire. are kept continually on
duty at the engine-houses, and whether
In the dead of night or during the hours
Of day everything is in readiness ior
haste and CELEBRITY in getting to fires.
EVER ON THE ALERT.
The horses. we'll groomed and inteli
gent animals, are ever on the alert loi
the tap of the gong; the fire-laddies are
equally so, and during the night sleep
with one eye open or their ears set for
the first clang of the huge gong located IN
each eneine-house. They sleep in their
shirts and keep their coats and over
coats on the engine so that all they have
10 do when an alarm is sounded Is TO get
into their boots and trousers ana get
downstairs And this is but the work OF
a moment. for the boots and pants are
made into one. and the flre-fghters.
springinu out of bed. literally jump into
their boots. and their pants are on before
the uninItiated could drag himself out OF
he'd. In less than second they descend
10 the lower floor by means of long steel
rod. &c m which they slide. and when
the ground floor Is reached they ma the
horses. noble animals. already under the
harness I'm their respective positions, ana
impatient 10 CO.
The Same electricity which strikes the
gong and alarms the men and horses,
opens tho gates TO the stalls In which the
almos. human equines are kept ana they'
knowing what Is required of them. rush
forth with one accord and get beneath the
harness, which is suspended ready 10
urop i'm position on their backs.
no Graf W lower
noor springs an automatic arrangement,
which is suspended on the wall near the
rod down which ne slides. and instantly
the harness falls on the horses. It is so
arranged that IT adjusts itself upon their
backs. atd the only thing remaining to
be done Il to snap the catch which closes
the collar and harness around their necks.
In the mean time the drivers have
sprung TO their seats. the front doors
have opened automatically. and nothing
remains to be done hut TO give a check
70 the important animals who are anxious
to draw the throbbing piece OF machinery
TO the fire.
HOW THE FIRE IS LIGHTED.
BY means Of a gas heating arrange
ment beneath the boiler of the engine,
five or ten pounds of steam are kept up
nil tho time. and as the engine moves
off, the fire box, which is filled with
wood and coal, and inhammatory cotton
saturated with oil. strikes "A projecting
rod, which simultaneously opens gas
cock. and a sheet Of flame shoots up into
the box, igni;es the wood. and ere the
engine gets a half block from the station
a bright, hot fire is burning under II. and
the steam-gauge has registered twenty OF
thirty pounds.
Tho engine U.s. therefore. ready, even II
the fire is only half block distant from
The station, TO begin pumping water when
u arrives on the scene.
The Board OF Fire Commissioners have
spared no pains 10 thoroughly. though
economically. equip the department. OF
this city. and Richmond is to-day about
rs well protected from fires as any city
In the word. The engines, hook and
ladders. hose carriages, and hose are al
Of the vels best The horses are the
nnest and most intelligent animals TO be
procured. and the men who constitute the
working forces are able-boded. faithful
and energetic. They practically carry
their lives in their hands whenever they
respond 20 an alarm of fire, but thi:
peems not TO worry them in the least
They are a happy. jolly set of fellows
md. though the greater portion--in fact
almost the whole--of their lives is spent
within the engine-house together, the,
i've happily and peacefully, and It Il
peldom. indeed, that Jars occur amons
.hem. They work together at the fires
TOO. That If every man assists TIT
bther In so far as in his power lies. ant
heir every energy seems 70 be bent upor
lighting successfully the fiery element o.
destruction.
WORK AT HEADQUARTERS.
A Dispatch reporter visited the head
quarters. Station No. 8. on Broad street
between Ninth and Tenth. day OF sc
ago. and was received by Captain War
wick Il. Epps, and shown through the
station. The horses were gotten out q
the tap OF a gong and hitched up and al
was made ready for a fire. This station
r. the most complete In the city and 4
indeed model one.
The building is handsome one, an
The Interior which Is shown by an ex.
ceiient illustration, perfect In detail. Tn
mems dormitorles are neat and com
Portable: their readIng-room adjoining
which Is stocked with choice books Is
bright. sunny apartment and the stall:
for the horses are perfect in every par
ticuiar. and are kept as neat as a parloI
THE HORSES IN ACTION.
At this station are located Steam En-
CINE No. 3. Chemical Engine No. !. Hoo
and Ladder Truck Company No. /. and q
hose carriage. II requires seven horses e
draw the apparatus located at this static
and large force OF men are always o
duty.
The interior cut shows this station jus
after the gong has sounded. when IN
horses are rushing 10 their positions
snc all Is hustle and preparation 10
rushing to a fire. II also shows sectio
Of the neat dormitories with the hole 8
\ tas noor. and the steel rod down whic