The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-22
JUMPS 3 FLOORS
 IN PANIC AT FIRE
Continued From Page One

I Continued From Page One Erush through the passageway and fool l interstiees.
 Travelling at a moderate speed dowr the steep hill on Madison avenue in response to the alarm the auton obile steam engine of No. 4 skidded on the jsnow-covered hillside and crashed into 1 a sta1wart maple tree opposite Fla gles' hall and jeopardized the lives of three nremen.
 Driver Norman Wheeler stuck to his 1 post until the engine had turned com ip1ete1y around and landed broadsfde against the trunk of the tree. The l impact of the heavy engine against l the tree hurtled Driver Wheeler over the steering gear and he was cata- quilted through the air, making three somersaults before he struck the ground. Wheeler struck head foremost in a large snow drift and escaped in jury.
 Fireman George Meyers, who was working the siren horn on the engine, was thrown from his seat next the driver when the ponderous machine swerved towards the tree and he was thrown a distance of 20 feet. Meyers landed on his back in the roadway but beyond a shaking up he suffered no hurts.
 Engineer Harvey Jenkins was stand ing on the tender of the engine and as
 
 sideways from his position and landed with cehsiderab1e force on the side walk near the entrance to Eagles hall Jenkins did not appear to be injured to any extent.
 Driver Wheeler said he was driving at a moderate rate of speed when the machine suddenly took on lmonentuna caused by it's weight and the steep grade of hill. The brakes were ap- piled but failed. The steam engine slowed from the center of the roadway and headed for the tree, which loom ed up as big as a California oak when Driver Wheeler unsuccessfuIly applied the brakes.
 Sideways the heavy apparatus slid down Madison hill and when opposite Eagles hall it again took on power when the brake refused to hold and the engine crashed broadside into the tree. The front wheels were ripped from the chassis and the machine lay on it's side against the obstruction and heading towards the engine house of No. company.
 The machinery on the engine was not damaged to any great extent. Su-i perintendent of Machinery Arthur l.. Tracy and his assistant, John O'Con- nor, hurried to the scene. The wrecked engine will be lowed to the plant of the American & British Co.,, where the chassis was made, and repaired.
 Lieutenant William Daily telephoned No. 2 engine and reported No. engine off duty. The steamer from the East Side took the place of Engine at the fire While the engine is undergoing repairs an extra horse drawn engine from No. i house will Jdo duty at No. 4 house. Great inconVenience will be caused by this change as the horse stalls at No. house have been deno1- isled. The animals will be chained to the walls in the rear of the engine. | It is believed that it will be at least a month before the disab engine will be fit for duty.
 The engine proper has been in the local department for F years. Last July the motor tractor was added to the engine at the cost of $4,O0o. The work was done by the American & British Manufacturing Co.
 Driver Wheeler, Engineer Jenkins and Fireman Meyers remained on duty as they were not seriously in jured.