Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1908-01-10
FIREMAN HERO.

The New York Fire Departments
brilliant record for bravery was en-
riched when John Nickolus, many
times hero. saved woman and her
four-months-old baby boy from death,
although he and his comrades knew
the man himself had only one chance
in hundred of saving his own life
in his gallant attempt.
Nickolus leaped from the running
board of the truck, which was going
at high speed, flung his arms around
the neck of a runaway horse, and,
after being dragged block, halted
the panic-strlcken animal, which was
dragging a light carriage containing
the mother and child.
Truck No. II rumbled out of its
station at One Hundred and Forty
third street and Alexander avenue in
response to an alarm, which proved
to be a false one. With Niekolus
hanging on to the stanchions on the
sides, the big apparatus lurched to
One Hundred and Forty-first street.
Until the truck had been rushed to
Brook avenue, the path had been
clear, and the driver had nothing to
worry about. excepting to keep a
tense grip on the reins. But in the
middle of the block he espied a car
riage. containing Mrs. Emma Leon
ard, of Bailey avenue, Kingsbridge,
standing by the curb Mr.. Leonard
had gone into store for a few min
utes.
As the great truck, with its wildly
changing bell. whizzed up to the spot,
the carriage horse took fright. and
with a burst of speed that jolted Mrs.
Leonard and the child against the
cushions, started in the same direc-
tion as that in which the firemen
were going
For two blocks the carriage horse
and the fire horse raced, almost neck
and neck. Had the fireman jumped
at that time. he probably would have
been killed. Nickolus' comrades
saw him cling to a stanchion with
his right hand, while he got the left
side of his coat OFF.
Then, changing his grip to the left.
he slipped the garment to the pave
ment. There was no trace of excite
ment in the mans demeanor. He
crouched coolly, much as cat
would. and waited few seconds.
Fate was with Nickolus While
Mrs. Leonard was hugging her child
to her breast with one hand and cling
ing to the carriage side with the
other the horse veered, and the fire.
man was within two feet of the ami
NAL.
In sight OF the score of persons
who had been attracted by the run
away. Nickolus, after bringing one
leg against the running board, made
flying leap. AS his sturdy arms
swung about the horses neck the
other firemen recovered from their
amazement, and, seeing that Nickolus
had firm grip, they burst into a
cheer. And cheer rang all the way
down the street.
But those who voiced their admi-
ration did not know that Nickolus
was suffering agony The horses
forefeet battered him, he was swung
and twisted against the shafts, his
uniform was tattered, and he received
scores OF bruises. But he chung
clung like grim death, with the voice
of the women ringing in his ears.
After the fireman had been whirled
an entire block, the horse. painting
and exhausted. stopped. Policeman
Heany sprang into the street and
caught the animal, while pedestrians
hurried to the aid of Nickolus, who
needed more attention than Mrs.
Leonard, who had merely tainted.
The fireman arose, kicked his legs,
stretched his arms, and said, smiling
ly. through his pain. It's all right
Nothing doing on the injury thing.
The truck stopped nearby, it being
learned there was no fire. and on the
way back picked up the heroic man.
who was carefully tended 70 by the
other men at the station.-New YORK
JournaI