The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-21
VETERAN FIREMBE TO RETIRE.
Walsh and boss Companions in the
Service for a Quarter Century

Walsh and Boss Companions in the
Service for a Quarter Century.
The local Fire Department will soon
fcse tEo Of its oldest and best men. who
viii be retired after long and efficient
service John 4 Walsh and Charles Boss
have served over a quarter OF century
On the Fire Department and have dcne
more active service than any other mem
hers OF the force
On account OF having received injury at
the famous Jefferson School fire. in 1852
Walsh viii he retired On the regular pen
sion OF $50 per month. Boss. who has
been the steadfast companion OF Walsh,
since the Two we're appointed in 1881 AID
who is now the foreman OF Engine Com
Pa1y No L viii also receive a pension
Walsh WAS appointed on the force in
1881, when about nineteen years OF age.
Shortly after his appointment. the Jcf-
ierson IRE occurred, on January J.. lSSs.
about o'clock OF that morning a general
alarm vas sounded. and all the enigma
companies, including No. I, Of which
Walsh was member. responded
Upon Investigation It was found that
the fire had been caused by al explosion
Of certain chemicals used III the Iabora
tory It vas also learned that several
other explosions were likely ID follow as
quantity of explosives was n the eel
lar Of the building.
This did not deter the freaen. VINO
rushed in and were en- the top floor of
The building when another terrific expIo-
sion occurred. 4 number of them were
hurled several feet away. and several
we're overcome BY the smoke
i call for assistance vas sounded md
Walsh responded He had only ed
The first step Of the stairs when another
explosion occurred. and he was hurled
10 the top of the flight and landed en- his
shoulder He was able TO scramble TO his
feet, and, Notwithstanding the fact that
bis shoulder had been disIOcated- helped
10 carry the Injured men 10 safety
On another occasion, when the Louisiana
Avenue fire occurred. in 1898. when sev-
GraI fremen were killed, Walsh distfn-
guished himself by rushing into the burn
ing buildings AID TescuiHg several men
who had become overcome by the smoke,
and also brought several Of the bodies
from the ruins.
Both Walsh and Boss were assigned 10
No l Engine Company, at the time of
their appointment, and both steadily rose
aud received the appointment of fore
man and assistant foreman. Walsh re-
CelNing the former appointment and Boss
the latter. After a service Of fifteen
years st that engine house. Walsh was
transferred 10 No. 3 Engine Company.
where he worked a remarkable change in
the entire company and received hearty
communication from prominent citizens
aud the officials Cor the good work which
he had Gone At the time OF his transfer
that engine company was referred TO as
the dub, but under Walshs manage
rBsnt it soon rose TO be one of the fore
most in the running and always the mark
Of excellent for department, efficiency
Ead nea tness.
At every one CT the large fires which
have occurred within the past twenty
four years Walsh and Boss have hecn seen
side by side and they had the fire fght-
iEg spirit which characterizes tAe true
fireman.
Walsh, who has been suffering from
rheumatism for the past ten years has
been incapacitated for further active
duty. and has been Doing night work St
No L Engine Company since last August
Whenever the alarm sounds for the men
10 rush to the scene Of the IRE. and the
bells are changing in his ear. the tears
are seen to flow down the mans checks
when he thinks that he viii never be able
10 respond TO the call again.