The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-26
Former Is Oldest Fireman in
Country and the Latter
Holds the American Record
for Long Service.
BOTH FIRE FIGHTERS
HAVE GREAT RECORDS
Until Recently Newman Had
Never Been on the Sick List
There Is a Sentiment to
Pension Them.

Richmond probably bears the unique
distinction of having the oldest active
fireman in respect to age. and the
TWO oldest active firemen in point of
service in the entire United States.
The first honor is accorded to George
Wilson, the venerable driver at the
No. ? hose house, and he is likewise
an aspirant with Rufus Newman. also
Of No. house. both having been ac-
lively engaged in the service for sc
and 81 years. respectively.
No one seems to know just exactly
how old Mr.. Wilson is. He gives his
age on his application blank as 7G
years. but it is the opinion of all Of
the firemen that he is at least five
years older. If there are any older
firemen anywhere in the United
States still actively engaged in the
service, they are still to be heard
from, according to a statement made
this morning by several of the local
fire laddies" In the large majority
of cities the firemen are placed on a
pension list when they have attained
the advanced age of 20 or IS years.
and It is for this reason that Mr.. Will
son is believed to hold the record,
which is most unusual one.
Always On the Job.
During all the long time THAI he
has been a fireman. Mr.. Wilson has
responded to practically every alarm
of fire. Until within the past few
weeks he had never been off duty on
account of illness, a circumstance
which is perhaps without parallel any
where in the country. Mr.. Wilson is
now experiencing his second attack of
the grippe and is forced to abandon
his post for few days. Several ac-
cidents in his long career while fight
ing the flames have resulted in his
confinement at different intervals. He
has broken his leg twice within the
last few years and his many narrow
and hair breadth escapes from death
while battling with the fire demon
are recounted by him with intense
and thrilling interest.
With tine agility of a man twenty
years his Junior. Mr.. Wilson climbs
nimbly to the drivers seat on the big
hose wagon at the first clang of the
fire gong and handles his horses with
a rare skill and judgment. marvellous
for man of his years. The veteran
driver is regarded as one of the most
fearless men in the department. Be
fore becoming a fireman Mr. Wilson
drove a ferry boat on the old canal be-
tween Cambridge City and Cincinnati.
He has never been pierced by Cupid S
darts, being confirmed batchelor.
During his present sickness he is max
ing his home with Nimrod Johnson in
West Richmond.
AS to Rufus Newman.
In respect to number of years in
the service. however. Rufus Newman
has Mr.. Wilson's record beaten by
one year. having been a member of
the local department for 81 years.
Mr.. Newman, who is 67 years of age
| is also man Of courage and high eff.
| ficiency. 1t is said that he probably
holds the individual record in regard
to long service. Richmond should in.
deed be proud of these grand old men
and it has been suggested by someone
that pension be provided for them
both.