The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-12-22
H U TO THE FIRE.

But IL was the most terrific work that
ever experienced. The model-room
Of the patent office was practically
eaten out by fire before we could get
there with our MOBILES. 1t was a tre-
mendous loss to the government. We
could do nothing to save the model
room, and it was all hat we could do
to save the building which is the
home of the interior department.
"The other government department
buildings have been free from fires,
excepting the old navy department
building on Seventeenth street. That
fire occurred so long ago that I have
forgotten the date. Besides, it didn't
amount to much, for we put it out in
a very short time.
"Did you ever hear of the burning OF
the Smithsonian institution? That oc-
| Cured about dinner time in February,
1866, or 1867. Talk about cold weather.
That was a hummerl We worked in
snow a foot deep and with a blizzard Of
wind sweeping around us. We poured
icicles on the fire. The water seemed
to almost freeze as it left the MOBILES.
We had an awful time with the hose,
I too, for it was almost frozen. And Il
the water hadn't been running through
it very fast it would have frozen in
the hose. We saved the walls, but that
was all. 1t was impossible to save any
thing else. The wind helped the flames
and completely bafned all of our efforts,
If it hadn't been for the bitter cold and
the terrible wind we might have done
better. We certainly worked hard
enough.
'There were three other notable fires
in which cold weather prevailed against
us and our work. Wallis opera house
burned down. 1t was on the corner
of Ninth and louisiana avenue, Gloss
to Pennsylvania avenue. The site hal
since been occupied by Ford's theater
and is now the common vaudeville play
house. That was an awful night O.
hard work in winter weather.
''Then there was the burning of Lin
coins hall, the home of the Y. M. @. A
That fire occurred in midwinter an
kept us hard at work all night, but
went up in smoke. Some of the firemel
succumbed to the cold and were obliget
to give up. There were many frozel
fingers and toes and ears, and some o
the men never recovered from the Ell
fects of the work of that night.
'In the winter of 1886 the Nationa
theater burned. We were all prayinl
that no fire would occur that night
for it was bIustery and cold-R sort o
damp cold that penetrates even to tn
bones. But just after midnight we wer
called out, and we worked all night t
save adjoining property. The theate
was doomed when we got there. Blu
lit was on Pennsylvania, in the hear
= of the city, near two prominent hotels
and surrounded by business house.
We saved all Of that property. But
was a night of exhaustion and terrC
to all of us on account of the weathe
"Well, I'm glad It is all over. Blu
to tell the truth, l really enjoyed I'll
work. the excitement Of it and the fec
9 ing that we were heroically endeaVo
ing to save life and property for OF
fellow men. There is a great deal
pride in the breast Of true fireman
I He feels that he is a public benefact'
/ all the time; and let me tell you Thu
/ 1 have seen many a fireman do dee'
h which would give him q nero's crow
if done in battle"
n Then, turning from the subject Of
freman's life in the early days, M
a Clark said: "Some evening I will tS
e YOU about my experience as a page be
g in the house of representatives. / WI
Al there when some Of the greatest m'
.e in the land were members. EXPIRE,
e dent John Quincy Adams vas n
4 them. / was there when Morrill,,
e. Vermont; Sumner, Of Massachusetts
t. Breckenridge of Kentucky, and Brood
70 of South Carolina, came to congrei
Brooks was the man who assault.
Sumner with a cane. All four Of L
men whom have named were physiC
f. giants. Summer was the handsome
d Of them all. he was a natural athle'
81 If he had taken a different u
r. life he could have whipped a regime
70 Of SulliYans, COrbetts and Sharke.
y IN tell you about those men some en-
~ ing soon" SMITH q. ERI