The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-03-31
CHAPLAINS FIRST FIRE.
TWO YMEN RACE TO HARLEM
IN THE SMALL HOURS.

Sped Up Eighth Avenue with tho Rev. Mr..
johnson Driving and the Rev. Father
Smith Sounding tho Gong. and Did Five
Miles on the Asphalt in 80 Minutes.
The Rev. William Smith OF the Fathers OF
| Mercy and the Rev. James Ie Baron johnson
OF Grace Church. the two clergymen who were
appointed Chaplains Of the Fire Department
last Tuesday. with the rank OF Battalion Chief.
a ttended officially early yesterday morning
their first 1re. 1t was the fire at 243 West
| 124th street. at which the Colonial Boarding
| Stables were destroyed and twenty-six horses
were burned.
The Rev. Mr.. Johnson. whose sleeping apart
| ments adjoin Grace Chapel. has q gong and
automatic fire alarm there. When the FIRST
alarm was sounded after l o'clock in the morn
ing. he was awakened. but turned over to go
to sleep again. A second alarm came in a few
minutes. followed by a third. When the gong
sounded the second alarm the new chaplain
was out OF bed In an instant.and elephoned
TO q livery stable in Twelfth street for his
horse and wagon to be sent around at once.
He donned his new uniform. which he had laid
out near the bed. and In a few minutes was
speeding up Broadway to arouse Father Smith
In West Twenty-fourth street. He had the
street pretty much to himself and made brisk
time. Father Smiths sleeping apartment has
not yet been fitted out with the gong neither
has he n uniform or a horse and wagon. He
was somewhat startled when aroused and
told to get into his clothes quick. He was
soon out. and when Mr.. johnson told him there
was a three-alarm fire in Harlem he replied:
We'll. this is action with a vengeance!"
Then began the race to the fire With the
Rev. Mr.. johnson driving. They went west
through Twenty fourth street to Eighth ave-
n~ue.and took the asphalt as fast as the horse
could 60. Father Smith kept his foot changing
the gong. which served to make his first ex-
perience going to an early morning fire all the
more exhilarating. At Fifty-ninth street they
swung into the Boulevard and they got to
124th street without any mishaps. 1t took
Just thirty-eight minutes to make the trip
from Twenty-third street.
When they arrived at the fire Mr.. johnson
had on q long rubber coat and the regulation
freman's cap. Father Smith was In his usual
dress. The clergyman had difficulty pushing
their way through the crowd and when through
the lines they were abruptly stopped by some
fremen. They explained and apologies fol-
lowed. They rank as Battalion Chiefs. They
remained at the FIRE for some time. and seemed
to enjoy being out late. Father smith In talk
ing to a sun reporter said he was sure he
would find his new duties exhilarating.
Il like it." he said. and I'M certain that
when | become more accustomed to the duties
l shall not regret having accepted the appoint
ment. 1t will mean loss Of sleep. and. mind
you. l have in connection with 1t my regular
church work"
Mr.. johnson said that it was no new expert
ence for him to attend a FIRE. but that their
first trip had been an exciting one.
The stable. which was burned. and the
frame houses adjoining at 249 West 124th
street. were to have been torn down to-day.
A beer garden. which. It is.said. will be built
on an elaborate scale by a Western brewing
firm. Ia to be erected on the site.