Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-01-28
DELAWARE FIRE CO.'S LOSS
One Of Its Horses Injured 50 Badly That
II Had to be Killed.
ANIMAL FELL AND WAS DRAGGED
Occurred While Coming From
a Fire.

The striking OF an alarm of fire Mon
day morning for slight blaze resulted in
two accidents to fire apparatus, Que of
which resulted seriously. The alarm
was entirely unnecessary. as the Friend-
ship company had the fire completely
under control and the blaze WAS ex-
tinguished before SOME of the COM
panies arrived.
The fire was caused by the explosion
Of a water heater at Pyle's Cycle
Academy, Tenth and Orange streets,
anu caused loss to the building and
contests of about $500.
The water in the heater had probably
frozen during the night ana when it
commenced to thaw on Monday the
explosion occurred, which wrecked the
stove nearby and set fire to the build
ing. An alarm was sent in from box
No. 3. at Tenth and Orange streets and
the fire companies responded. Drapery
about the ceiling was burned and
portion of the roof was damaged. A
bicycle which was standing near the
heater was wrecked and the railing
about the building damaged by flying
fragments Of the heater. Fortunately
no one was in tho building at the time.
as serious Injury might have resulted
from the fiying pieces of iron.
While going to the fro the tongue
of the Water Witch hose wagon pulled
out and the horses ran away,
from the wagon and bruising him about
the shoulders anu body. The animals
were caught at Delaware avenue and
West street.
The most serious accident occurred
to the Delaware truck while returning
home from the fire. While passing
down Ninth street between King and
Market, a link in the brake chain
broke and the full weight of the heavy
apparatus was thrown against the
horses.
William A. Ruth, who was driving.
Immediately realized the danger and
endeavored to null the horses up. The
weight OF the truck WAS too much Tor
the animals, however. and they were
forced down the steep hill at rapid
rate OF speed, which became greater
and greater. On the truck at the time
were about eight OF ten men in addi-
ton tn Driver Ruth and Tillerman
John Green. 1t was some time before
the men realized that the truck was
beyond control. When they became
aware OF the fact, s0me OF the men
| jumped from the rapidly moving ap-
paratus and were thrown headlong into
| the street, several receiving severe cuts
| and bruises. Others took chances and
| held on with determination to the
hand rails along the side, although 1t
was a matter of extreme difficulty to
retain foothuld on the side steps. AT
| Ninth and Walnut streets Robert Fer
rell, realizing for the first time that
| the truck was beyonu control, made a
jump and was rolled over and over in
the street. He received deep cash in
the leg, but was otherwise uniniured.
Following his example several Others
of the crow jumped off after the truck
had reached the comparatively level
stretch below Walnut street, bur the
apparatus was moving ut such IA lively
gait that nearly every one who at
tempted TO alight was thrown to tht
ground and received bruises.
David Cramer, member of another
company who was returning home with
the Delaware boys, had his hanG
broken and Howard Pierce received {
severe cash ovor tho right eye.
The momentum gained going dowr
the hills from Market to Walnut streets
was 80 great that the horses became
frightened and unmanageable. De
spite Ruth's exertions they kept W
their mad flight until between Pint
and Spruce streets when Frank, one o
the horses, foil. He quickly regainet
his feet, however, and continued to run
until he reached Church street, wher
he again fell.
The other two horses Charley am
Harry, continued down Ninth street
dragging the fallen horse for half
block until the truck collided with
tree in front Of the works of the Hiile
a. Jones Co. The force of the collision
stopped the animals and willing hand
grasped the brides and Embarrassed
them. Frank, tho horse which hat
fallen made an effort to rise, but fel
back TO the ground. An examination
was made and 1t vas found that hi
lsft foreleg was badly shattered. DIR
Jefferis was sent for and soon arrived
lie decided that the animal woult
! never recover, and ended its sutferin
with revolver.
The truck was damaged but littl
/ by the accident, as only the singh
trees we're torn out and tho brak
!, Cuhlu UTVhHD
The horse which was killed was on
of the oldest and best in the depart
ment tie was well liked by all th
members of the company, as bis aere
years. service has proved his grea
, worth. William A. Ruth, who was driy
ing, was only a substitute for Levi
Glasgow, who is laid up at home wit
spell of sickness He has ofte
3 driven the horses before He and Til
] lsrman Green stuck to their posts unit
the truck was brought TO a stop.
! Assistant Foreman Hendrickson wa
t in charge of the truck at the tim
Of the accident and as 500
, as the horse was killed. mad th
4 truck brought back to the engin
house, where arrangements were mad
= TO run with two horses.
! The value of the horse, according
the trustees, is $3.50.
., The company seems to be having
y run of hard luck, this being tho thir
horse killed while responding to or r,
y turning from alarmR OF fires.
.-. - ...
= Mexican Ala Association.