The herald., 1898-02-08
FALSE ALARM FOOLS
HARRY MEATH AND A. H. BROWN
TO PAY FOR THEIR FUN
The Fire Department Determined to
Prosecute to the End the Trou-
blesome Rascals

Harry Meath, former member OF the
fire department, who was discharged for
drunkenness and insubordination. and
A. H. Brown, an alleged electrician, who
was also in the service Of the fire depart
ment. viii be arrested today providing
the police can find them. Warrants
for their arrest were issued yesterday on
complaints made by Chief Moore and
Assistant Chief Smith. and II possible
an example is to be made Of these men.
with view to putting stop to the prac-
tice of turning in false alarms Of FIRE.
Meath and Brown are thought to be
the persons who sounded the two alarms
from boxes Al and Al Thursday about
midnight, and the heads of the DEPART
ment are in possession of evidence upon
which they believe they will be able to
convict both men.
For several months false alarms have
been sent in from time to time at all
hours of night, and almost invariably
either Meath or Brown or both would be
found near the boxes from which the
alarms came, when the department had
responded.
Some time ago box Al was pulled about
midnight, but there was no fire. Assist
ant Chief Smith responded, and when
asked by some bystanders what the FIRE
was. he replied. evasively. "Oh, only
gasoline stove" Brown was in the crowd
and yelled out: "Gasoline stove, HI! 7
know what 1t was. That's the old story"
This directed suspicion toward him and
since then it has been noticed that he
was present at nearly every false alarm
at night and that Meath was with him.
Thursday night box Al was sounded.
and when the firemen responded Meath
and Brown were on the spot. To the
chief they shouted that there would be
another alarm before morning.
About 1915 o'clock Friday morning tho
members of chemical company No.
were aroused by cries Of Fire! Fire!"
In front of their quarters. They jumped
out of bed, released their horses and
hitched up. 1t was then discovered that
Meath and Brown had done the yelling,
and as soon as they saw the firemen they
cursed them, calling them Rubber
necks." and other suggestive names.
While they were so doing box AZ began
striking and the firemen began counting
It, Meath yelled: "Oh, you -, you
needn't count that; it's your go. We
know what box II is" Sure enough 1t
was that companys go. The two men
had buggy and starting in front of the
engine they drove from side to side along
the road. preventing the company from
passing them and retarding their pro-
gress Upon reaching the box they asked
Assistant Chief Smith where Chief
Moore was. and expressed disappoint-
ment that the box was not in his district.
Hes the man we are after" they cried.
well give him another one before
morning. We are going to push 72" (the
Arcade depot box) shouted Brown. as
Smith was leaving.
About an hour later there was one ta,s
on the fire bells. and ten minutes later
two more. Soon afterwards the two men
appeared at the No. 2 chemical engine
house and asked If they had got any,
thing else" When they were answered
In the negative. Brown said: You're
liar. You got one blow and then two.
know where 1t came from" He then de-
clared his intention Of pushing box 80 at
First and Main streets and then sound
ing a general alarm. Here's the key
I'll do it WITH" he declared. displaying
key. The pair did not make good their
threat. however.
The penalty for maliciously sounding
fire alarm is fine Of 500, and IL these
men are convicted the court will be
asked to give them the limit. Both
know the result Of such pranks. Brown
is supposed to possess release key, with
which he can open any box.
The danger from such lawlessness can
readily be realized. when 1t is remern-
bered that big fire is likely to break out
Just when the department is answering
false alarm. Two members OF the de-
partment have been killed while re-
spending to alarms. Stoker Sam Has
kins of engine company No. 3was caught
between the wheel and boiler of his en-
CINE and instantly killed about two years
ago. Driver Anderson of chemical No.
was caught between the machine ana
the side of the door about three years
ago and killed. In both instances the
companies were responding to false
alarms.