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April 10, 1922. Wreck of truck and fire engine, location not specified. Are there any clues here? View full size. National Photo Company Collection.
https://www.shorpy.com/node/5519.
See above for another (3 1/2 years later) mention of fireman J.A. Mayhew, operator of Eng 9's wrecked fire engine. In 1949, he became DCFD's Fire Chief.
This is a 1917 Ahrens-Fox Model K-1 fire engine (made in Cincinnati), manufacturer's serial number 645, originally of Engine Company 28 in Washington, transferred to Engine 9 in 1921, not long before this accident. This fire engine went to the junkyard in 1940.
An accompanying photo in the Post shows that this news article concerns the above accident. The location is near Embassy Row, a few blocks from Dupont Circle.
Two persons were injured when engine No. 9, of the district fire department, while responding to a fire, and an automobile truck, collided at Twenty-first and Q streets northwest yesterday.
Clarence Hewitt, 45 years old, residing at 729 North Capitol Street, who was operating the truck, was hurled several feet into the roadway, and at the Emergency hospital was treated for lacerations to the head and face.
Private Alexander Elliott, on the engine, was injured about the left shoulder. Private J.A. Mayhew, who was operating the fire apparatus, escaped injury.
Hewett, who was later arrested and charged by the police with colliding and failing to give right of way, was released on $40 collateral for a hearing today. Both the fire apparatus and the automobile truck were badly damaged.
I count two hats without a head! Look on top of the bell on the fire engine and also on top of the cylinder in front of the spherical accumulator and you will see two fireman hats. A similar hat is worn by the gentleman in the white shirt at the far right of the photo next to the fire engine.
I counted only six heads without benefit of hats, and TWO lucky dogs cradled in the arms of ladies.
Sure wish we'd all go back to wearing hats. Looks sharp!
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