The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-09-23
THE NEW FIRE HORSES.
Fire Headquarters Being Enlarged and
Two Hose Wagons Will be in
Service.

berry's fire department was met in the
purchase Of the beautiful pair Of
heavy dapple grey horses for the hose
wagon. The horses have been gener-
ally admired. They are we'll matched
in gait, size and build, and while there
is some difference in the weight Of the
two, 1t is expected that the lighter
horse will soon weigh as much as the
other. The heavier horse is seven
years old and weighs 1,46O pounds.
The other is six years old and weighs
1926 pounds. In addition to being a
year younger the lighter horse is
little gaunt, and it Is thought that in
service when both horses are In prime
condition they will weigh between
1925 and 1850 pounds each.
As was stated in the last issue OF
The Herald and News, the horses
were purchased for the city in Knox
Vile by Alderman P. F. Baxter, who
was accompanied on his trip to Knox
Vile by his son, Marion, and Malcolm,
one of the hose wagon drivers. Alder
man Baxter Is being congratulated up
on his purchase not only by the men,
bers Of the department, but by the
people Of the city generally. The
price paid was $500 in Knoxville. With
the freight and other necessary ex-
penses the cost will, Of course, be a
little larger.
The horses have been tried to the
wagon for exercise, but they will not
be put into service until all danger of
shipping colds as result Of their trip
from Knoxville is over.
OF the pair of horses now in use,
one will be sold and the other, "Joe," 2"
will be kept for service with the light
one-horse hose wagon and for tourna-
ment purposes. "Joe" is the swift bay
which has been the admiration Of the
crowds at tournaments in this State,
and which recently won second money
at Anderson. Additions are being made
to fire headquarters to accommodate
both wagons so as to have both ready
for calls. The grays and the two
horse hose wagon will occupy the
space heretofore used for the hose
wagon, and the one-horse wagon and
racing Joe' will occupy quarters
which are being added to the south
side of the present building. One OF
the old market stalls will be utilized
to make room for the addition, which
will be part Of the present building,
extending south along Nance street.
The addition will practically double
the width OF the present brick struc-
ture: The work of enlarging the
building is in charge Of Alderman
Baxter, and the brick-1aying and all
other work is being done with convict
labor, thus giving it to the city at a
minimum OF expense. ,.
The purchase Of the new pair Of
horses and the enlargement Of the fire
headquarters, giving two hose wagons
to respond to alarms, greatly increases
the efficiency Of the department, and
this forward step is highly gratifying.
There are several other particulars in
which the efficiency of the depart
ment can be further greatly increased,
and these will come in time. For a
long time The Herald and News has
been urging the necessity and the fea-
sibility of a part-paid department,
keeping men on duty day and night.
It has been pointed out that the cost
to bring the department up to the nec-
essary standard would be considerably
more than overcome by the reduction
in insurance rates. In the meantime,
however, the purchase Of the heavier
horses and the enlargement Of the
building is long step in the right di-
rection, and city council is to be COM
mended for meeting this need.
Newberry's department, while pure
ly volunteer except for the paid driv-
ers, is one of. the most efficient in the
State. The members, without remun-
Grafton, risk their lives in defence of
the property of the citizens of the COM
munity, and they deserve every consid-
GRAFTON and the best equipment that
can be procured consistent with the
means Of the city.
IL n