Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-28
THE BOYS TURN OUT.
Always Glad to Assist Any Neighbors
in Fighting Fire Fiend.

Waterville, Me-, May 27.-(SpeciaD.-
Chief Dow of the fire department re-
ceived word that Readfield again need
ed assistance in fighting Il bad fire,
at about 1916 Wednesday afternoon.
The engine call was sounded and from
that time to the time when the APP
IaratuS was at the station ready to be
loaded was just II minutes. But there
was considerable delay on the part of
the railroad, the officials not having
been notified that help would be need
ed. When the train was secured short
work was made of loading and the fire
special pulled out a just about LIS and
arrived in Readtield about 1.45. which,
on the whole, was a pretty good rum
The train was in charge of Engineer
Smith and Conductor Donnelly.
But things had been happening be
fore this. Engineer G.. A. Learned of
Engine / was on the Hose l cart when
it made the corner at Clukey & Libbys
at a hair-raising clip. A bit of can
vas prevented him from getting a Sc
cure grip and he went like a shot from
a sling shot out onto the pavement,
knee was badly lacerated. Bue he was
on the cart again almost before they
could stop for him. Then the tire broke
on one of the rear wheels and the wheel
itself slid for the remainder of the
journey. A new set of wheels is build
ing. anyway, 50 this does not matter
so much. but altogether it made things
lively. Steamer !, Hose Cart No. 2
land members of Hose 2 Co. made the
load. there being something like 80
firemen in all with the apparatus.
There was delay and confusion at
the station, for which the department
was not responsible, but the parties at
Readfield who had not properly applied
for help. But finally the start was
made. officer Tom Fields was on the
train. busy keeping small boys and
those who did not have the right, but
wished to go, out of the way and the
first he noticed was when the train
was pulling out of the yard at speed
that prevented jumping, so he went
along with the boys.
The run down was n good one, with
out delay. the track being kept clear
for the special. The moment the train
stopped at Readfeld Station there was
| n rush for the fastenings of the APP
naratus. Horses were in readiness to
haul the engine and hose cart and it
looked like a quick trip to the fire,
even if it was two miles away but
before n nail could be drawn a tele-
phone message was received, ordering
a halt until they could determine
whether the fire was bad enough to
lnecessitate the hauling of the apparatus
out to the Corner.
The first call for aid from Readfield
was countermanded, Tuesday morning,
while the apparatus was being loa. Led
here and now the second one bid fair
to be before the apparatus could be
unloaded There was hot. hard ride
between and that was about all the diff
ference. The firemen We're of course
pleased that the fire was not bad
enough to require their services. but
really they would have liked to wet
a little hose after going so far to do
it. But there was still a chance. as
they could not tell whether they would
be needed or not.
1t looked as If everyone within 20
miles was using his telephone. They
wouldn't give 1t up for money and
those at the station, ignorant of the
condition of affairs at the Corner,
fumed and kicked. waiting for chance
to break in. But this took time and it
really looked as If the whole town at
the Corner might burn with good ap-
. Continued on page 3D.