The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-06-22
RUNNING TO A FIRE.


kitchen In west Sixteenth street and
the pulling of an alarm from cor
ner box Mr.. Hill says: Tho alarm
has been sent. 1t may seem like an
age TO the owner as he stands wait
ing for the firemen to appear, but it
is a matter of only a few seconds,
for within 20 seconds this station
number is ringing in a score or more
of engine houses, and within ~
minutes six companies of apparatus
are on their way to this box
He looks up and down the avenue,
and hat does he seer
Turning into Seventh avenue at
the intersection of Greenwich ave
nue., five blocks to the south of
where he stands, fire engine ap-
pears, drawn by three plunging gray
horses. AS it straightens out in the
broad avenue they dash madly to-
ward where he stands. A hose wag-
on follows, filled with sturdy men
donning rubber coats and fire hats.
The bells of both engine and wagon
are ringing furiously, and the whis-
tie of the former keeps up a series
of short shrieks.
1t is truly an inspiring sight, and
he almost forgets the destruction
that threatens his home.
AS he looks up the avenue he sees
approaching from Twentieth street,
four blocks to the north, another
piece of apparatus-a heavy affair
that sways from side to side as it
swings from one car track to anoth-
er. This is truck" or hook and
ladder company, and it is preceded
by a light wagon containing two
men, one driving, while the other
looks eagerly ahead for the appear
ance of fire. This is the chief of the
Seventh battalion, who afterward
has charge of the fire. Whistles and
bells in the two adjoining streets to
the north of him tell of the approach
of more engines. One is coming
from the east, the other from the
west. The engine approaching from
the east turns the corner of Eight
eenth street, two blocks above just
as the one coming from the south is
over block away. 1t is now mad
race between the two to see which /
will first reach the box. The one /
approaching from the south has the
advantage of clear run up the ave- !
nue., however, and arrives at the cor
ner before the other. The man at the
box indicates by pointing to his
home the location of the fire, and
the driver of this engine, who knows
the hydrants in his district as well !
as he knows the stations, turns the 1
corner on q run and pulls his horses
up beside hydrant nearly opposite
the fire
Another truck company has fol
lowed this first appearing engine,
also coming from the south. An
other battalion chief has turned the
corner of Fourteenth street, coming
from the east, and following him a
looking apparatus-a four
wheeled wagon, carrying what one
might almost call an enormous can
non with an inverted muzzle. This
is water tower" Still another
detachment dashes toward the box
from the north. This is a big red
wagon, drawn by two noble ami
mails, that are covering the ground
with great leaps. 1t is filled with
men wearing white rubber coats and
red fire hats.
This is a section of the fire insur-
lnce patrol, and they come to pro-
ect property from damage by water
md to save what they can. The
hird engine, coming from the west,
'ollows and pulls up at hydrant ON
he corner and "awaits orders. +"
The first company to arrive have
'ushed into the basement with their
lose. The engine is at work in an
and a few dashes of water
the fire. The fire in
urance patrolmea go through the
building, opening windows TO let
he smoke escape and ascertain the
mount of damage done. Men,
,ers of the first truck company to
rrive assist the men from the en-
-ine cornnanv in nl1ttinp ont any re-