New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27
"OLD JIM"
AMUSING STORIES TOLD ABOUT A Fan
NOUS FIRE HORSE OF BOSTON.
From The Boston Transcript

''~~NN'A
Stories Of the intelligence displayed By horses
IN IRE departments have been told over and
over again. but there is n horse in the Boston
Fire Department that seems to be worthy Of a
Mite attention at this time. he has about
completed the days when he can be used with
safety, and probably will soon so where he will
have nothing 10 do but kick up his heels and
enjoy himself. This horse is known to the
members OF the department. ana, indeed to
many Of the citizens Of Boston rs "Old Jim"
and is now at the Dartmouth-st engine house.
whore ne IS an emergency horse. This means
that he is used when one Of the regular animals
Is SICK or away being shod or when tho con-
dltlon OF the streets demands extra horse
Inc men tell several amusing stories about
him and the way he acts when an alarm is
sounded in the enCine-house. As soon as the
Taper sounds and the stall doors fly open
"Old jim" makes a rush for the floor As soon
as he leaves his stall and gets out on the main
hoor ne hesitateS a moment, and then rusheS
to the vacant place as though he understood
that he was as likely to have to fill one position
as another Another little trick ne has is that
OF helping himself AT the grain chest when he
thinks no one is around 10 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 If the stall and. going over -
the grain closet. will push back the wooden
button with his lips. pull the door open. and
then. raising tho lid OF the grain chest will help
himself. If he hears the step Of ono Of the
mon he will rush back 10 his stall and crouch
=
had been doing something wrong.
When the blacksmith calls at the house 10
take him away to toe shoi all that Is necessary
is to open the door Of his stall. give him 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 n pace calculated e. make SOM
Of the younger horses jealous. lie f. said 10 be
one Of the best workers that the department
ever had. and. as the men say. has killed sever
al 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 10 his actions At a hre IN the
leather district several years ago. The story
IS Vouchcd for by Captain Mulligan OF Engine
No. - and several of his rcn. and. while II
may seem hard to believe. those " no know the
horse say that it is thoroughly charact eristc
of him Previous 10 this fire 'OiI Jim hdd
been quarterod at the Fort Hill square engine
house. but had been transferred to the Dart
mOUth-st. house to take IN" place OF anoth-r
horse Tho fire was one that required the ser,
vices Of tho Dartmouth-st. company and "O!i
Jim" went 10 u as leader on the three horse
team Of the engine When the seen" Of the
fire was reached and the men settled TO W"i4:
the horses were detached from the engine ana
"Old jim" was tied to a lamppost. his two
mates being connected with him by ine
harness When tn. Gro had been subdued and
the mon were ready to 90 back q their house
the driver went over 70 get his horses but no
horses were visible NJ one had seen them
60. and Immediately everybody began a search
for the missing team. And Wher' does ne reAd,
or suppose those horses Were found "Od jim
REMEMBERING his former home IN Fort HI
Square. and perhaps wishing TO introduce MS
companions to his old mates. had in some way
,!ufastcncd his therein. and had { We'd ms tW'
mates To- the house in Fort Nh Square. where
he was found looking round contentedly and
aprarently enjoying himself immfns ".
one of his former drivers SAID recently thl'
,,b.n .Old linn" wac AZ Fort Hi Square he
had many n time Con" 70 fire with the DIS
hanging from his mouth. but he seemed TO KnoW
ms, where ne was going and only needed the
.. . ma IN