Evening star., 1925-06-14
FIRE TEAM MAKES
LAST RUN MONDAY
Millions to See Farewell Per-
formance of City's Veteran
Horses in Movies.

Barney, Gene and Tom, Washing
tons last team of fire horses, are
spending their last day in the service
to which they dedicated the best years
of their lives. At 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning, with ceremonies fitting their
faithful records for loyalty, they will
be retired to the safe pastures of Blue
Plains
Few horses, in or out Of the fire
service, have ever received more
honors than have already been be-
slowed upon the three big grays over
at No. Eight Engine Company.
Already hundreds of yards of films
have perpetuated their ability in
harness and when the District au-
thorities send them to their deserved
reward tomorrow the picture story of
their retirement will be sent over the
entire country.
Police to Guard Route.
the engine house, on North Carolina
avenue between Sixth and Seventh
streets southeast, when Barney, Gene
and Tom make their last run-the
last run that will ever be made by
fire horse in the District of Column
bia-and preparations are being made
accordingly. Special policemen have
been detailed to guard the route of
the run
The big gong will strike promptly
at 10 clock, the doors of the engine
house will fly open and the three stall
wart veterans will be off TO the SYM
phony of changing bells and excited
cries from the sidelines. At the
same time the gong of every engine
company In Washington will strike
three times--one for each of the re-
lring horses-and the men of the de-
partment VIII be called to attend for
one minute as mark of respect to
the passing veterans.
Hard Work Forbidden.
The run will end at Lincoln Park.
mere the horses will be drawn UP TO
a plug for few seconds and then
SLOWLY trot back 10 their old home
Tor the last time. AS of old, they will
talthfully back the engine into the
house, and after being unhitched will
be led outside and turned over to
george 5. Watson, chief engineer of
the Fire Department. who will in turn
present them to Superintendent Fay
of Blue Plains.
Before Mr.. Fay leads them off TO
their future home. Commissioner Fen.
nlns Will tell him that Barney. Gene
ana rom are the pets of the people of
washington, to be treated with the
utmost kindness at all times and
never be called upon to perform
menlal work or a task that might en-
danger their health. 1t Is Mr., Fay's
intention to use them only for the
purpose of taking the old folks of the
home for the Feeble and Inflrn o,it
Tor drives or strawrides.
Stage Run for Movies. .
One Of the large motion picture
companies was so anxious TO make
the story OF the retirement of Bar
ney, Gene and Tom complete In everv
detail that 1t arranged to take them
out today over the same course thew
are to travel tomorrow For fear
OF interfering with the spectacular
feaures of the run tomorrow the de-
partment had refused the camera men
permission TO ride on the engine.
so the harness was put on the
veterans today. one camera man was
placed Just behind the drivers seat
with his organ grinder" another
shot the scene from truck in
front, and a third made it from the
side AS a result, if Barney, Gene and
Iom could occupy seats in the coun.
trys movie palaces few weeks
hence they would have the pleasure
or observing themselves from all
angles, In the one role they have
loved to play.