The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-05-20
INTELLIGENT
 FIRE HORSE
 SAVES LIVES

Of all the fire horses in Bostor probably none were admired more than the coal-black hitch of Engine 26. which was "at home" in Masor street, close to the Boston Heralc building. It has been determined by actual comparison that the fire horses are better adapted for fire runs ir the central part of the city than arc the motor pieces of apparatus. This is because of the narrowness of down town streets, the constant crowds a, crossings, and most of all because the intelligence of the fire horse plays no small part in solving the difficulties that beset the engine guiders in difficult situations.
 There is one name that is held almost in reverence at Engine 26's house, and that is the nmae of Baby" Baby was the off-horse on Engine 26's hitch less than a year ago. He was put into the hitch at I very early age. because of his
 trength, speed. endurance, and fine horse-sense. At it's best horse-sense !; said by engine drivers to be a quality that approaches human in telligence closer than the sense of
 my other animal.
 On day last winter when the
 treets were slippery with slush, En zine 26 was called for fire on Col umbus avenue just above Park Square. It was necessary to pass through Park Square to reach the alarm box from which the fire sig nal had been suonded.
 There are two entrances to Park Square from Boylston street with a small portion of land between, which is called the Island" This island was crowded with women shoppers and children. when the first of the fire apparatus swung into Boylston street.
 Patrolman Hoppe of the Lagrange street police station cleared both en. frances to Park Square. This left room for Engine 10, an automobile, to enter on the right, and Engine 26, with it's coal-black hitch, on the left.
 As a result of the speedy clearing of the square the women and chil- dren were left on the island as both pieces of fire apparatus swung into the square from Boylston street. En- zine 10 went through smoothly, but the wheel of Engine 26 skidded a little and started to swing in to- wards the island. This changed the of the whole piece of ap- paratus, and the next instant the en- zine swung sidewise and came crash ing down towards the island where the women and children were hud- dled, little realizing their peril.
 The momentum of the engine swung the horses with it. But as the driver realized just what was about to happen he gave quick jerk on the line that ran to the off horse. Baby caught the signal. He knew only obedience to orders, which is the discipline of the department. A tug at the line meant ''hold." and Baby held.
 He stood firm momentarily. braced. and in that moment the people on he island had a chance to jump out of dangers way. The next instant, almost. Baby gave way under the
 train. and w mt down with a broker leg as the engine crashed into the island. The other horses who simply followed the momentum of the en zine were not injured-Baby had stood firm for the one crucial mo ment. He had obeyed orders as only a fine intelligent horse could do.
 Baby, of course, had to be hu destroyed as are all horses that break their legs, but there are at least a dozen persons in Boston today who owe their lives and health to his intelligence.