RARE 1904 DES MOINES/IOWA FIRE DEPT~WORLD CHAMPIONS HORSE PAIR RACE~COMM PINBACK for Sale

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RARE 1904 DES MOINES/IOWA FIRE DEPT~WORLD CHAMPIONS HORSE PAIR RACE~COMM PINBACK For Sale

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RARE 1904 DES MOINES/IOWA FIRE DEPT~WORLD CHAMPIONS HORSE PAIR RACE~COMM PINBACK:
$60.00

RARE 1904 DES MOINES/IOWA FIRE DEPT~WORLDS CHAMPION HORSE PAIR RACE~COMMEMORATIVE CELLULOID PINBACK
The Tale of Jack and Jack Famous East Des Moines Fire Team - Once Champions of the WorldThe days of real glamour and competition in the Des MoinesFire Department went out with the famous old horse teamsof the past, as they were supplanted with motorizedequipment.Day in and day out for many years, the most famous team ofall, Jack and Jack, world\'s champions, darted in and out thedoors of the East Des Moines station, answering the call ofduty. The famous pair led an exciting and adventurous life,participating in tournaments for many years against the bestthroughout all the Midwest.After long years of service, Jack and Jack were finallypensioned by the City Council.\"Old\" Jack was 23 years old at the time of pensioning. He was known as a man killer when purchased 17years previously. The animal was being driven by a farmer named Terhune, when through an accident,Terhune fell over the dashboard, and the horse, becoming frightened, kicked the farmer in the head,killing him. Everyone then was afraid of the horse and the owners were glad when the Fire Departmenttook it. But old Jack eventually turned out to be as gentle as a kitten.Young Jack was raised near Council Bluffs and was given to Saint Joseph Home in Des Moines as acarriage horse. The academy sold the horse to F.M. Hubbell, who tried for a year to get a mate for Jack,but failed. He sold him to the Fire Department for $175.00. The horse proved a perfect mate for \"Old\"Jack.Both horses were of good bloodstock and developed great speed. In 1903 they won their first race atthe state firemen\'s tournament. For years, the team won the best prizes at tournaments.In 1904 atCouncil Bluffs, Jack and Jack won first place, which entitled them to be known as \"World\'s Champions\".The record was maintained for a number of years until a Sioux City team lowered it. The team was finallyretired from competition, having been outclassed by Fred and Mack, also of the Des Moines FireDepartment.Jack and Jack had many narrow escapes in spectacular fire runs in Des Moines in their day. In a collisionwith a street car at Sixth and Walnut Streets, Jack and Jack escaped without a scratch, but two fireman,C.A. Carlson and J.L. Clark were killed and N.S. Edwards and J.E. Riggs, the driver, were injured. CaptainHarvey Brown, also on the wagon, was uninjured.Jack and Jack were in great demand for a long period as attractions at various fairs throughout the state.A movement was on foot at one time to have the famous team exhibited at a show in Madison SquareGarden in New York City.Councilman F.T. Van Liew said: \"Jack and Jack are entitled to a pension if any Fire Department horseswere even entitled to one. They were quick and cool headed and a pet of the entire Department.Usually worn out horses are turned over to the Street Department, but if I were to attempt to do thatwith Jack and Jack, the Fire Department would mob me. They say they don\'t want to see them pulling ajunk wagon or ash cart\".The pensioned horses were finally pastured on the farm of Wesley Riggs, brother of veteran Joe Riggs,who held the reins when most of the prizes were captured in tournaments.
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