Michael Curran shows up in
history in about 1886 as an engineer at Engine Company No2, also know by its
volunteer moniker, Confidence Engine, the fire house was located at Main St
near First Street. Curran was considered the best mechanic on the department
and it was said he knew how to fix anything.
"Engine 2 also had a station mascot, Chief, which the sober-faced
firefighters said "is the handsomest man in the department--only he's a
dog." Chief ran to every fire immediately ahead of the horses, while
managing to keep out of the way of their hooves. He barked and
encouraged the horses to greater speed with affectionate leaps at their
noses as he bounded down the street in the lead.
Chief belonged to Engineer Mike Curran, who apparently lived next door to
the station. Curran said he often sent the dog to the market with
money in his mouth for what "Mrs. Curran wants to buy." Recalling an
alarm the previous week, Curran said the dog was at the time leaving a
store with a tenderloin steak in his mouth. Chief dropped the steak in
a mud puddle and streaked back to the firehouse. He arrived just in
time as the horses turned out of the station with the engine and hose reel."
Source: "Los Angeles Fire Department Century of Service" by Paul Ditzel,
Page 35
Confidence
Engine Company No.2
Circa 1886
Organized May
27, 1875
On Main St. --near 1st St./ Spring St. --near Franklin
Confidence
Engine Company No.2
Circa 1883
Driver Thomas F. Conway (in seat), Engineer Michael E. Curran (standing in
middle).
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