The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-09-26

Dellenbaugh says: When fire breaks
out in America, it is necessary to reach
1t at once The telegraph was brought
into service in sending the alarm. In
Munich some years ago the method III
vogue was to hang out red flag by day
and "a red lantern by night from the top
of one of the Frauenkirche towers, on
the side in the direction of the fire; but
in America such a system would have
resulted in the destruction of the whole
town. The telegraph is the Only thing
for us
But it is not enough to know immedi-
ately the exact location of fire; 1t Is
also necessary TO reach it Immediately.
The steam fire-engine was a splendid
machine, with steam always up and
everything in readiness for instant de-
parture, but how to secure this instant
departure was a question. Horses were
kept standing in their stalls with the
harness on, but this was not quick
enough Each seconds delay meant
loss of life or possible millions of prop
erty destroyed SO the first swinging
harness was Invented: a harness con
trived in such way that, while al
ways attached to he engine or other
apparatus, it could be made to drop in
stantly on the horses back and fasten
there. This seemed to solve the ques-
ton, but there remained one more step,
and this was the training of the quick
horse. Not only must the engine and
the harness and the men and the horses
be ready, but the horses must be in the
harness at once-the operation must be
as nearly instantaneous as human in
genuity and brute intelligence together
could contrive. In every tire-engine
house in the United States to-day,
therefore, we may see and admire the
quick" horse, sleek-limbed, clear-eyed,
with an alert, intelligent air, standing
not far from the machine of which he is
the moving power.
The casual visitor saunters in. He
thinks the life of a fireman is a quiet
and easy one, judging from the appear
ance of the quarters. All is serene The
machines are immaculate in polished
brass and red paint Some of the men
are reading, others are playing a game
of checkers
Suddenly there is a tinkling some
where, and the stroke of a gong. A
snap, n click-and through the wide
open doors the various machines fly,
one after another, until the visitor
views in establishment an empty house.
1t Is like magic-a wonderful transfer
mation-scene." He gazes up and down
the street, but the galloping procession
has vanished as if it were a dream.
The quick horse has done his duty.
and once more exhibited the power of
organization and training. Within the
time required by the firemen of the old
en- time to throw open the engine house
doors, the complicated machines of to-
day are throwing water on the flames.
and the brave firemen, having scaled
the building with the agility of aero
bats, are dealing well-considered blows
against the fire foe.
In almost every city there is a prac-
tice-drill at least once a day in the
engine-houses, and the visitor NAV
have an opportunity of inspecting the
admirable development of the Amer
lean fire system and the fine horses so
splendidly trained. And he may also
have an opportunity at the same time
Of lamenting that other branches of
our public service are not conducted
with equal efficiency.