KinSource - Tale of the Week - Fireman Makes a Daring Rescue

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The St. Paul Globe, May 26, 1904, p. 1

FIREMAN MAKES A DARING RESCUE

Prevents at His Peril Runaway Fire Horse From Dashing Into Crowd.

While the fire department was fighting a blaze in R. N. Cardozo's furniture store, 140-144 East Seventh, last evening, Assistant Chief Jerry Strapp's horse became frightened by a blast of exhaust steam from an engine beside which he was standing at Seventh and Robert streets, and dashing madly down Seventh street, would have crushed through a crowd of several hundred spectators had not the animal been checked by the daring act of Axel Peterson, substitute driver of hose cart No. 8, residing at 580 York street.

The horse started suddenly when a cloud of steam shot from the engine, and before the bystanders could stop him was in full career down Seventh street. The buggy was upset before the horse had gone more than a few feet, but the animal continued his course, leaping over lines of hose and headed directly for a mass of men and boys who clogged the street below the burning building.

Hundreds of spectators stood aghast expecting to see a fearful accident. Cries of "Somebody stop the horse!" came from all directions. The firemen stopped their work and a few attempted to reach the wild horse.

Peterson's Brave Act.

When the animal was a few feet from the crowd which stood immovable, Peterson leapt in front of the horse and seized the bridle near the bit. The buggy, which was badly smashed, broke from the shafts at that moment, and the horse swung around nearly drawing Peterson from his feet. Peterson might have been thrown to the ground had not Detective Fraser seized the horse's bridle at that instant, bringing the animal to a standstill.

As the horse swung around several boys were kicked and thrown to the pavement. The following boys were bruised, but were able to walk to their homes: Willgard Moberg, 533 Broadway; David Zeff, 366 East Ninth; Bennett Lindgren, 10 Phalen Creek; Olof Hanson, 196 Glencoe street; Philip Claus, 479 North Franklin street; Neill Cookman, 640 Hall avenue; Henry Lanoux, 235 Fourteenth street; Fred Coates, 147 East Seventh street.

Explosion Discloses Fire.

The fire was discovered at 7:30 o'clock, when the front plate glass window burst with a crash that was heard for blocks, and a roll of carpet flew from within and landed in the middle of the street. Patrolman Axel Smith, who witnessed the eruption, thought that an explosion had occurred and immediately turned in an alarm. A heavy cloud of smoke burst from the front window after the glass had been broken and soon flames were seen in the rear.

The breaking of the glass is thought to have been caused by the intense heat in the interior of the store. The fire department soon had the fire under control, but not before the stock in the store was ruined by flames, heat and water. The loss of the stock, which is valued at $18,000 by Mr. Cardozo, is claimed to be total. The stock was only half covered by insurance. The firm carried $12,000 insurance, but it was distributed over the stock in the store and in several warehouses. The damage to the building is estimated at $1,000.

The cause of the fire, which is thought to have originated in the upholstering department, was not learned last night. C. S. Sutter, jeweler, 138 East Seventh street, had a loss of $100 from smoke.