A tragic day at the Plaza fire station
Sept. 17, 1892: Tragedy struck firefighters at the Plaza Chemical Engine House.
“The boys had been out exercising the horses ... and F.E. Anderson, the driver, began to unharness the animals,” The Times said. “He was taking the harness from ‘Old Bill,’ one of the department pets, when the horse did a thing he was never known to do before.”
Usually, after having his harness removed, Bill would “walk with the greatest possible dignity to his stall.” But this time, “he cocked his tail and playfully dashed out of the engine house,” the newspaper said. The other horse, still harnessed, took off too, pulling the engine.
While trying to stop them, Anderson, 30, fell under the engine’s wheels. He died soon after.
A reporter found the men “all broke up,” some in tears.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
