| Station
Mourns--Engine
company No.19 yesterday paid silent tribute to Red, dog mascot of
past seven years, killed under wheels of pumper. Left to
right, holding stretcher: Peter Higgins and L. V. Barber;
back row: Thomas Williams, Arthur Spittler, Capt. Charles
McCrea, Capt. C. F. Blanchard and A. C. Wright. Faithful
'Red' Passes On to
Haven of All Brave Dogs
-------------------------
By EUGENE COUGHLIN
There was a
painful silence yesterday as Capt. Charles McCrea ended his roll
call at Engine company No. 19, at 1436 North Main street.
"Red" he called finally, and sad-faced firemen
answered in chorus as moist eyes strayed to a still figure on an
improved stretched.
"Killed in action."
ALWAYS AT POST
For seven years the shaggy police dog had been official
mascot of the company. Not once in that time did the pumper
or hose truck dash out on call without red at his station in the
seat.
The irony of fate yesterday sent him to death under the
wheels of the truck he knew so well. red had heard the alarm
come in, nut was confused by the maneuvering of the two pieces of apparatus
and dashed into the path of the huge truck as it rushed from the
station.
With the flag at half-mast and scores of children filling
past the bier, No. 19 firemen reminisced of Red and his
intelligence.
"He could tell from the gong whether No. 19 was to go
out," said Capt. C. F. Blackwell. "And he'd make
up to any strange fireman the minute he'd drop in.
"But policemen were taboo so far s Red was concerned.
ALL SAFE WITH RED
"A load of diamonds was safe in the house if Red was
on duty.
"Even the kids had to observe a deadline around the station."
Red was adopted by the company when he was a pup and
carried and honorary badge in the department.
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