Claudia Friddell - Goliath. Hero of the Great Balitmore Fire

GOLIATH

In 1904 the city of Baltimore was almost destroyed by a fire that raged out of control. Hundreds of firemen, policemen, soldiers, and citizens battled the blaze for almost three days. By the time the fire ended, over 100 acres of land had been burned and more than two thousand businesses were destroyed.

The disaster brings out the best in man and the bravest of deeds but one hero stands head and shoulders above allliterally. Goliath is a fire horse assigned to Engine Company 15. Goliath is massive in size (weighing one ton) and mighty in heart and steadfastness. To the men of Engine Company 15, he is known as the ultimate fire horse. He is the lead horse for the team assigned to pulling the mammoth Hale Water Tower No.1.

When the fire alarm sounds, calling them to action, Goliath leads his team into the blaze. Soon his lifesaving actions will lead him into the pages of history.

Accompanied by masterful artwork from acclaimed illustrator Troy Howell, author Claudia Friddell brings this true story from Baltimores past to vivid, pulse-pounding life.

To Baltimore firefighters, past and present,
and my herosRip and Ann.

With special thanks to Gilman School, the Riepe family, Gary Frederick,
the staff at the Fire Museum of Maryland (especially Melissa Marsh Heaver),
and Esther, Cindy, Donna, Kathy, and Winn.

Claudia

To the children of heroic firefighters everywhere.

Troy

HERO of the GREAT BALTIMORE FIRE

CLAUDIA FRIDDELL

Illustrated by
TROY HOWELL

Sleeping Bear Press

Sleeping Bear Press gratefully acknowledges and thanks Melissa
Marsh Heaver and Stephen G. Heaver from the Fire Museum of
Maryland for reading and reviewing the manuscript and artwork.

Troy Howell wishes to acknowledge the following source materials as
part of his research for his artwork: The Great Baltimore Fire
(Peter B. Petersen) and No Reason to Burn! (George Welden). (George Welden).

Eugene Short with Goliath

(Postcard from collection of Gary Frederick)

On a cold February morning in 1904, a restless fire horse stomped and snorted in his Baltimore, Maryland stall.

While the other horses calmly munched hay along the firehouse walls, Goliath twitched from ear to tail.

Whats got a beast like you riled this mornin? the hostler, Mark Hill, asked the dapple gray giant.

WHOOSH!!

The wind pushed Captain Kahl through the door of Engine Company 15. Its a nasty mornin out there, Hill. Dont expect to see many kids stoppin by after church to feed the horses.

Hill lifted Goliaths legs, one at a time, checking his feet for a stray nail or piece of glass. His hands looked like a childs next to Goliaths oversized horseshoes.

Somethings botherin Goliath, Captain.

He cant seem to stand still this mornin.

Standing stillthat was something every fire horse was trained to do. They stood still in their narrow stalls day and night, ready and waiting for the sound of the fire alarm. They stood still while buildings collapsed around them, while intense heat blistered their skin, and while flames sent others running for safety. They stood still, unhitched from their rigs at the scene of a fire, waiting patiently to be returned to the firehouse.

Goliath had never had trouble standing still before. Just like his Percheron ancestors who carried knights into battle, Goliath was massive in size, mighty in strength, and steadfast in the face of danger. His company men called Goliath the ultimate fire horse.

Captain Kahl passed Goliaths stall on his way upstairs. Last night was slowhe just needs to get out and stretch his legs. Take him for an exercise run this afternoon if things stay quiet, he called to Hill.

It appeared to be a quiet Sunday inside Engine Co. 15. The horses were groomed, the brass was polished, the oiled harnesses hung from the ceiling, and the company firefighters were upstairs getting into full dress uniforms. Everything was set for weekly inspection, except Goliath.

The one-ton stallion strained his massive chest against the chain in front of his stall and slammed his twitching nostrils into Hills shoulder.

You smell somethin outside, dont ya? Hill said as he looked out the window.

Two boys ran down Lombard Street chasing after a runaway cap. A womans feathered hat flew off while her skirt wrapped around her high-buttoned boots.

Lets hope its not a fire, big fella. That wind has a mind of its own today.

Captain Kahl stopped at the top of the spiral stairway and called down to Hill. Only a few minutes until inspection. Do what you can to calm Goliathwe dont want him spookin the other horses.

Hill had almost made it to Goliath when

BAM!!

Goliath slammed his foot into the back of his stall.

Before Hill could reach him, the house alarm sounded throughout the station. It rang out the numbers of the 854 Alarm Box on the John E. Hurst & Co. building on German Street.

Turn out, men! the captain shouted.

In a split second the entire company was running. Firemen slid down brass poles. The chains dropped in front of the stalls, and No. 15s fire horses rushed to their rigs and backed into position.

Goliath bolted to his lead position on the Hale Water Tower. The Spider dropped hanging harnesses from the ceiling onto the horses backs. Buckle, snap! The horses were ready to go!

The captain hollered to his men, Its only a thermostat alarm. Somethings just overheated. Ill run ahead.

Hill shouted, Its a fire, all right. Goliath smelled it.

In less than twenty seconds, the first teams raced the steam engine and hose wagon out the double doors and up Liberty Street.