Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-05-16

In collision with the chemical
engine OF the Washington Fire Co., at
Seventh and Market streets. shortly
after o'clook last night week, one OF the
large white horses drawing the Della
ware 90. q truck had the ankle joint in
gits left hind leg broken and was other
wise injured, being cut under the
mouth and on the fleehy part OF the left
leg. The horse ia valued at $500. 1t
is now in the company's hospital stable
under the care of veterinarian. The
extent OF the injuries has not been fully
ascertained, but it is feared the horse
will not be able to do fire duty any
more, although it may recover, The
company has borrowed horse and will
mot be out OF service.
A fire having been discovered in the
basement of the building No. 1874
Market street, an alarm was turned in
from box No. z, on Market street be
tween Eighth and Ninth, about 7.15
o'clock. The district companies were
quick to respond. While the Delaware
truck was approaching Market street on
Seventh and the Washington chemical
engine was approaching Seventh on
Market several people began to beckon
for both pieces of apparatus TO come on
and as a result each driver fastened
the speed of his team, neither evidently
being aware of the nearness of the
other. Unfortunately, both reached
the corner at the same time, and col
ilision resulted. Driver Evans of the
truck turned his horses into Market
street, but was unable to get them
entirely between the car tracks and the
curb. on account Of the size OF the
truck and the chemical engine, being
on the northbound track, struck the
horse nearest to 1t, with the result ae
stated above. A lamp on the chemica
engine was broken in--the collision.
After the chemical engine had passed,
the truck also proceeded to the fire,
where another collision occurred. The
horses attached to the chemical engine
had slaclened their speed, being almost
at standstill, and one of the truci
horses, which were following, oaugh
its harness in one of the chemica
engine ladders, breaking it.
Both drivers we're spoken to Thursda,
morning about the trouble. Drive
Evans of the truck said he was hurry
ing to the fire, and when between Kins
and Market on Seventh street b,
noticed somebody beokonine to bin
and Increased bis speed. He did no
know the chemical engine was SO nea
the corner and did not see it until b.
reached the corner. He thought tn
chemical engine would switch off, +
the southbound car track, but it dir
not do so, and, although he pulled hi
horses in to the curb as near as possible
was unable to clear the track and tn
chemical engine str uok the horse. ii
says he did everything in his power t
avoid the collision and cannot under
stand why the chemical engine did no
make some effort to get out of the wa
by pulling over 10 the west side of tn
street. He says the collision was IN
avoidable, so far as he was concerned
Driver joseph Green of the Washing
tou chemical engine says when he ha
passed Sixth street on Market he sal
somebody at Seventh street becllonjn
for him and he urged his horses OF
He did not see the truck until b
reached Seventh and Market street
and then got past the corner as fast q
be could, hoping to avoid collision
He says If the truck horses had bee
turned down Market street instead {
up the street he could have passed an
they could have fallen in behind hin
He says he tried to avoid collisio
and did what he thought best. Auothe
member of the Washington Co.,
apeaking of the matter. said it WI
impossible for the chemical engine I
switch from the north to the soutl
bound car tracks, on account of i
rapid speed.
While Chief Welsh and loser
Dougherty were driving to the fire
the chiefs wagon one of the shat
became disconnected at Third and Wa
nut streets, and, although the hor
was moving at a lively pace, ms
jumped out from the curb and oaugl
: 1T, thus probably saving the lives
the men in the wagon.
The fire was soon extinguished al
did not amount to much. 1t was co
fined to some waste paper in the cell
of the Market street building, whic
it is believed, had been accidental
ignited. Smoke entered the tailorii
establishment of W. II. Lockyer,
the ground floor, but Mr.. Lockyer
damage was not extensive.
Several fireluen, in speaking of t
collision, said people on the sire
should not becKon to any piece
apparatus to increase its speed when
collision is impending, hut inste