THE CHICAGO FIRE BRIGADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1296, 30 September 1876, Page 21

THE CHICAGO FIRE BRIGADE.

One of the most extraordinary sights I witnessed at Chicago was the working of the fir© brigade, fire patrol, and salvage corps. General Ducat brought me to one of the principal stations, and ordered all the men to turn in as they did at night. The telegraph announcing a supposed fire was act in motion. A gong, or clock, sounded, the horses of their own accord dashed from their stalls — woe betide anyone that was in their way ! — and took their positions in front of engines, &c. The coverings of the twelve beds on which the men were lying were drawn up to the ceiling by some apparatus in connection with the telegraph. A trap-door opened in the floor, through which the driver was shot down into his seat. The men were all dressed and in their places in eight seconds, and in ten seconds exactly from the time the click Sounded they wore in full gallop down the street. This operation was repeated three times for my j benefit, and was the most marvellous sight I ever saw. The horses — magnificent anirials — got mad with excitement on hearing the click, but when they dashed into their places, they were like bronze figures, remaining perfectly motionless until all was ready to start. — Correspon-' dent of Daily Express. ' ' '■ - '