The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-09-15
MADE THE LAST RUN.
NORTH SIDE FIRE TEAM KILLED
IN A SMASH UP.
PETER ok SERIOUSLY HURT
While Returning From Fire the Team
Break Through the Gates and One Is
Instantly Killed by a Passenger
Train.

several years nave Deon uSGQ lot draw
ing the North side hose wagon, have
made their last run, for Monday night
while returning from fire at the Ho-
siery works, both of them were instant
ly killed at the crossing of the North
western Railway, Prairie avenue. The
terrible accident which resulted in their
death resulted also in Peter Ok, a
member of the North side Volunteer
company, being seriously injured and
John Dosemagen receiving injuries from
which it will take some time for him to
recover.
About $50 o'clock a small fire broke
out in the brushing room of the Chi
cago Rockford Hosiery works, and as
soon as the alarm was turned in the
North side team started on it's journey
from which it was destined never to
return. The horses were in fine mettle
and chanking the bits they dashed
down Market street like a whirl wind
and persons remarked that Dose
magen's Browns never before made
such run.
The fire was insignificant, and when
the North side team reached the scene
the blaze had already been eXtin
| guished, and the return was started.
When the wagon had gone only short
| distance the team came abreast of
Kupfer's team, and the two started to
run a race. 1t was soon seen that the
teams were getting unmanageable and
they were stopped. But soon the
spirit Of the horses was transferred to
the men, and the race was started
anew. On they dashed in beautiful
burst of speed, little knowing that less
than half a mile interviewed between
them and instant death. When with
in short distance of the railroad
track Mr.. Kupfer saw the gates des-
cend and began to pull in his horses.
But John Dosemagen, who was driving
the Inflated team, failed to see the
barrier fall, and the horses thrilled
with the victory they had won from
their rivals, took on even greater
speed, and with heads erect, nostrils
dilated, they simply flew down the
road. The bicycle lights, darling too
and fro in the crowd, so blinded the
driver that he rushed on and did not
see that the gates were down until he
was almost on the tracks. The whistle
of the approaching train awakened
him. Every brake was reversed and
no attempt was made to leave the
wagon. The horses dashed on, and
although the driver, now fully realiz-
ing the danger, placed all his strength
on the lines, there was no stop for the
animals, as the excitement had driven
them almost to frenzy. AS they
neared the track men rushed out into
the road and thew up their hands in a
vain attempt to stop them, but they
dashed into the gates and breaking
them into kindling wood they leaped
into the engine of the approaching
train. A great crash followed, and
horses, driver and firemen were thrown
i into an indescernible mass at the side
of the road. A great crowd at once
gathered around the scene of the acct
dent, and it was thought that all the
men must have suffered instant death.
The remains of the two horses which
had been killed were found lying
along the track. The driver after the
shock came jumped from the wagon
and escaped with bad wrench of the
knee and several bad bruises Peter
ok was missing for some time, but he
was finally found buried under mass
Of hose and debris. He was bruised
and covered with blood and as soon as
possible was removed and taken to
vehicle and carried to the office of DR..
Kimball, where his wounds were
dressed by the doctor assisted by DR..
Andre. Almost every part of his body
was injured in some way. His face
showed several bad cuts, one shoulder
was badly bruised, one ankle bruised
and sprained and the blood which
rushed from his nose gave evidence of
an internal hemorrhage. While in the
office in a semi conscious condition he
suffered great bodily pain and it was
only after an hours work that he was
in any degree relieved of the pain
which came from dozens of bruises. It
is not possible to say how seriously his
injuries may prove. He remained at
the doctors Office over night and is
thought to be some easier today.
At the time of the accident half a
dozen men were on the hose wagon and
nearly all of them had hairbreadth
escapes. Ex- Chief of Police Stemm
was on the back step, but the team was
running at such terrific rate that he
feared to jump until after he saw the
horses strike the gate. Luckily he
escaped without scratch.
The loss which will result from the
accident will be very large and outside
OF the injuries received by the men