Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-09-22

could expect. Our performance arous-
ed great admiration among the foreign
ers, and we spent the afternoon In re-
ceivng handshakings and congratula-
tons upon our prompt work and won
derfully trained horses.
THE French papers say that the
Kansas City firemen work with dash
and promptness which much resemble
the action of the French military. The
Kansas City iiremen gave numerous
exhibitions -- hitching, climbing and
throwing water with the steamer
which added very much to the interest
and amusement of the foreigners, who
formed in great groups around the
Kansas City boys, shouting 'Vive
|Americaines! and then jabbered
about them like flock Of geese. We
could not understand what they were
saying, but read the expression of de-
| light in every ones face.
"On Saturday afternoon the interna-
tional contest took place. There was
protest against the Americans by
several nations claiming that we were
professional firemen, but the matter
/ was finally adjusted by allowing all
companies to compete outside of the
Americans. and the one showing the
best record should compete with the
Americans. So our competitor proved
to be company from Italy. We drew
lots to see who would 60 first. and 1t
| fell to the Americans. Our engine and
single hose were placed in a station
| near one-fourth of a mile from the
building from where the work was to
be performed, and from a signal they
made the run, our steamer being drawn
by Buck and Mack and our hose wagon
By faithful Charley. All horses seemed
to realize the struggle for supremacy.
They made grand run, covering the
distance much faster than any other
horses. The engine dropped suction
within 300 feet of the supposed burn
ing building, hose laid on the dead run
and a stream Of water playing in less
! than one minute. Our engine carried
1870 pounds of steam, and when the
throttle valves were opened it shot a
stream of water at least 100 feet high
!
the pompier men were now scaling
"The rules required them to rescue
three people from the top story, time
taken from the engine leaving quarters
until the men were rescued, the last
man on the ground and all life lines,
ladders, ETC., cleared from the building.
This feat was performed in the remark
| II, II, ,FO Mi nY,1y
was performed under one continuous
cheer from the immense grand stand
and thousands of people on the
grounds. Among the spectators were
hundreds Of Americans, among them
United States Commissioner General
Fernando Peck and his entire staff,
| Commissioner w. w. Foote of Califor-
MIA and many other state commission
ers.
"Now came the Italians. The official
time required by them to perform the
same work done by the Americans was
| 12m. los.
so ended the great international
contest Today at 4 o'clock we were
called before the minister Of war and
! were presented with the championship
-cup; also 800 francs in money, and we
were notified that we would receive a
prize for our engines and horses and
medals to be presented tomorrow or
next day.
"The United States fair commission
under Mr.. Peck has rendered us very
valuable assistance. Our party Is all
very well; our horses are like 2-year-
olds. We will stop here a few days,
then 60 to London and perhaps to Ire
land. We sail from Glasgow for home
Sept. Is. Hope you are all we'll and
having good success. In the meantime
during our soiourn in foreign lands we
shall do our best to uphold the dignity
of the greatest nation on earth-Amer-
lea"