Arizona republican., 1898-04-02
"OLD JIM"
Amusing Stories Told About a Famous
 Fire Horse of Boston,

Stories of the intelligence displayed by horses in fire departments have been told over and over again, but there is horse in the Boston fire de partment that seems to be worthy of little attention at this time, as he has about completed the days when he can be used with safety, and probably will soon go where he will have noth- ing to do but kick up his heels and enjoy himself. This horse is known to the members of the department and, indeed, to many of the citizens of Boston, as "Old Jim,'' and is now at the Dartmouth street engine house, where he is an emergency" horse This means that he is used when one of the regular animals is sick CT away being shod or when the condition of the streets demands an extra horse.
 The men tell several amusing stories an alarm is sounded in the engine house. As soon as the "tapper" sounds and the stall doors fly open 'Old Jim'' makes rush for the floor. As soon as he leaves his stall and gets out on the main floor he hesitates a moment, and then rushes to the va cant place, as though he understood that he was as likely to have to fill one position as another. Another lit tie trick he has is that of helping him. self at the grain chest when he thinks no one is around to see him. He will turn nearly around in his stall, and with his lips will shake the hook of the rope back of him from the ring in which it is fastened. Then he will back out of the stall and, going over to the grain closet, will push back the wooden button with his lips, pull the door open, and then, raising the lid of the grain chest, will help himself. If he hears the step of one of the men he will rush back to his stall and crouch up in one corner as if he knew well enough he had been doing some thing wrong.
 When the blacksmith calls at the house to take him away to be shod all that is necessary is to open the door | of his stall, give him a push and tell him to go, and out he trots to the man waiting for him in the street, and as ] he trots along he strikes a pace cal culated to make some of the younger horses jealous. He Is said to be one of the best workers that the depart ment ever had, and, as the men say, has killed several of his mates by making them work harder than they were capable of, in keeping up with him.
 One of the most surprising stories told about him relates to his actions at a fire in the leather district several years ago. The story is vouched for by Captain Mulligan of engine No. P and several of his men. and, while it may seem hard to believe, those who know the horse say that it is thoroughly characteristic Of him. Pre- vious to this fire "O1d Jim" had been quartered at the Fort Hill Square en- zine house, but had been transferred to the Dartmouth street house to take the place of another horse The fire was one that required the services of the Dartmouth street company, and "Old Jim'' went to it as leader on the three horse team of the engine. When the scene of the fire was reached and the men settled to work the horses were detached from the engine and "Old Jim" was tied to lamp post, his two mates being connected with him by the harness. When the fire had been subdued and the men were ready to go back to their house the driver went over to get his horses. but nc horses were visible. No one had seer them go, and immediately everybody
 began search for the missing team And where does the reader suppose l those horses were found? "Old Jim, rmembering his former home in For Hill Square, and perhaps wishing tc introduce his companions to his ol( mates. had in some way unfastened hi: tie rein, and had lowed his two mate! to the house in Fort Hill Square : where he was found looking round con , tentedly and apparently enjoying him
 self immensely.
 One of his former drivers said re
 gently that when ''Old Jim' was a
 Fort Hill Square he had many timt gone to a fire with the bits hanging from his mouth, but he seemed tt know just where he was going, ant only needed the slightest pressure tt make him turn in any direction re
 quired. So well did he seem to know just where he was wanted to go tha the men almost believed he could coun
 the alarms. In fact. a boy did cal at the Fort Hill Square house one dav and asked to see the horse that could count the box when an alarm wa sounded.
 For all the horse is probably eigh
 teen years old, and has worked hart ever since he entered the department there is still plenty of life in him; bu he is not so sure footed as formerly , and it will not be long, probably, be fore he is retired" and it is to b. hoped that he may be sent to som, , hQ will hou r. do but take life in an easy Wav-Bo. ion