The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-09
SALE OF OLD FIRE HORSES
FORMER CHEF BARRETT IN A REM
INIsCENT MOOD.
He Remembers the Good Service of
Terry-Spirited Bidding for
the Animals.

Dollars and sentiment were factors in
the dead boss" sale at fire headquarters
yesterday afternoon when Auctioneer Long
knocked off to the highest bidder three
equine veterans of the Indianapolis fire de-
partment. Horses worn out in the fire
service were sold to barterers in horse
flesh and the fremen saw old favorites led
away from them forever The voice of
the auctioneer was the requiem or old as
sociations.
The first horse offered to the buyers was
Terry, a gray horse that had been in the
service for twelve years Although Terry
was iii his seventeenth year he yesterday
displayed TO the buyers that he still pos
sessed Vigor and was not "A dead boss "
Terry rs horse with a history. He was
purchased i'm 1890 and Thomas Barrett
then a driver, but at present assistant
chief, was given him to break in. Bar
rett placed Terry i'm No. hose wagon and
he was quickly heralded as the fastest
horse in the department. For ten years he
answered gongs and then was taken out of
active service, being used as an extra
Terry, old boy, i want 10 see you get a
good home. said Assistant Chief Barrett
as he stroked the old horses neck before
the sale yesterday Then the old fireman
turned TO a friend and said: Terry has
been a good old horse. l broke him into
the business down to the 6's and he was
"A V.
L would almost as soon see one of my own
children sold as that old horse. The DAYS
and nights we have put in together, Terry
was always up and going when there was
The chiefs story was INTERRUPTED by
Long, the auctioneer who had taken Ter
ry from his hitching place and led him
into the center of a group of men Chief
Barrett stood at a distance and heard the
auctioneer's cry of Twenty dollarsl Do L
hear twenty-one?' When Long had reached
the s21 mark there was a lull In the bid
ding.
"Oh. that horse is worth more than s21,
said Chief Barrett
Long threw the halter to fireman and
Terry was given run before the spec
tators. Instantly there was a rush TO bid
and Long saw the horses valuation in
crease to $50 The old horse showed good
life, even though the auctioneer's block had
claimed him.
Give him another rum" shouted Long
The fireman again gave Terry a chase
Up and down New York street, and again
there was Zest in the bidding. Up, up the
price went until the auctioneer was cry
ing "FOrtyfOur dollars. Do | hear forty
five dollars?"
a Hebrew and a negro and in the battle OF
the dollars for Terry the negro won He
offered SIS and Terry became his property.
The buyer was Charles Num- a coIored
market gardener. living near Mt. Jackson.
Num- took Terry To the farm.
I'm glad Terry is going to the farm,
said Chief Barrett as he babe his old favor
lite goodbye. Hell be happy out there
But I'd warn the gentleman not to let him
get too close TO No. 6's house when there
an alarm in"
The next horse offered was none other
than Dom Paul Kruger, too light for the
business" Dom Paul was a small bay horse
that went into the service a few years
ago. He couldn't stand the wear and tear
OF fire department life and was soon rele-
gated To the has-beens. Dom Paul was
bought in by Harry Rosenthal for $40.
The third and last horse offered was
Brown Prince, an old favorite with the
men at Houses and II. Brown Prince is a
dark bay animal and went into the service
while eX-Chief Webster was at the head
of the department. The old horse has had
a sensational career. On his left side and
back are several large spots that are Brown
Princes medal of honor. During a big fire
in the wholesale district on South Meridian
street several years ago Brown Prince was
caught in an alley which one OF the burn
ing buildings adjoined. Before he could be
released by the hremen he was badly
burned Careful nursing by the firemen
restored him 10 the service. His medal of
honor" makes him far from comey but
he looked good 10 Samuel Miller. who took
him for $Sl. Brown Prince will be found In
a trading stable. The boys at Houses 4
and II want TO see the old horse get good
home.