Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-08-05
Exhibition of the Fire De.
partment.
MARSHAL eREENE's WORK.
Splendid Work in All Ma.
neuverS.
Many People Witness the
Public Display.

The Rock Island FIRE department
gave . demonstration of the prac-
teal training that it has had under
the direction of Marshal j. H.
Greene, Of Chicago. last evening.
The maneuvers were conducted
about the Central engine house on
Flat Iron square by Marshal Greene,
and were witnessed by an immense
number Of people. The mayor and
council and other city officers, un-
der escort of squad Of police pro-
ceeded from the council chamber to
the engine house at 1880. and we're
received by Marshal Greene. Chief
Collier, and the department of the
central detail. the tiremen giving the
municipal delegation neat salute
when it arrived. Chief P. N. Gillo-
Icy, Of Davenport. and Chief H. c.
Reese and a couple of his men, from
Moline, were present to witness the
exhibition. The exercises opened
with an inspection drill, and then tho
teams were called out, hitched and
the men mounted. There were three
tests of the kind, the time being
respectively II seconds. IL seconds,
and 10 seconds. Then the men were
ordered to dismount, unhitch and
stand by, and make standing hitch
on the floor. the men mounting.
This was accomplished in 10 Sec
onds. The marshal ordered another
trial. and this time it was done in
six seconds. After this what is
known as a bunk room hitch was
given, the men being sent to the
second floor. The alarm was
sounded, tie men came from their
hunks down the slippery pole,
hitched and mounted, and were
ready for q dash in Is seconds. The
horses we're thereupon returned to
their stalls. The department was
called out again and the hook and
ladder truck sent on run across tn
Sixteenth, north to Fourth and back
to the engine house, three block
run-extension ladders hoisted to the
roof and the men ordered to ascend.
Chief Collier was the first man up,
reaching the roof in three minutes
from the time the alarm was sounded.
The men returned, replaced their
ladders and put the truck back in the
house.
The Hose Exhibition.
The hose wagon was then called
out. an alarm being sent simultane-
ously to the outlying companies.
The Central company hitched, ran to
Sixth avenue and attached to the
fire plug, turned and dashed back tc
Fifth avenue and had two streams OF
water playing in 8 minutes. In
the meantime No. 8 ran from Eight
street, attached and had q stream OF
in 5 minutes, and No. came dowr
from Twenty-sixth street and had {
stream at work in 81 minutes. Eacf
of the outside companies had rur
mine blocks, while the up town one
had come q short distance over I'M
lpaved streets and the showing wa!
Therefore considered remarkable
This ended the exhibit, which
passed off without hitch or accident
The time Immediately preceding anc
following the tests was devoted t
the inspection of the apartments OF
the second floor of the Central house
and all were pleased with the ar
Engagements and accommodations
while the evidence Of proficiency dis
played by the men was a source Of
delight to all. Many compliment
we're paid Chief Collier and the 9th
ers Of the department.. and Marsha
Greene, IS we'll as Mayor Medill fol
Engaging the services Of the exper.
fenced Chicago fire fighter to pus tn,
Rock Island department in shape t
cope with whatever NAV arise. an,
to discharge the duties in . sys
tematic, thorough manner. Tn,
money expended in the drills OF tn
past month has been to good advant
age. Rock Island is proud of he
paid department. May she continue
so to be.