Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 253, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 October 1920 — A WEISENHEIMER’S IDEA OF A PRACTICAL JOKE [ARTICLE]

A WEISENHEIMER’S IDEA OF A PRACTICAL JOKE

Some wise goy with a degraded sense of humor turned in a false alarm of fire about ten o’clock Thursday evening, thereby imperiling the lives of those who were attending the stock show celebration. The streets were in a very congested condition at the time the fire department was compelled to make the run, but fortunately no one was injured. However, Chief Montgomery and his men were put to considerable time and trouble in making the run and the city to unnecessary expense. The call to the central office came from' number 574, a fourparty line, and the fire plug number given was number 15. The company made the run to plug 15, which is located near the J. J. Eigelsbach residence. However 1 , upon their arrival there no trace of fire was discovered. Chief Montgomery then called central and Was told to try plug 82. Plug 82 is located near the William Green resdience, but no fire was found in tnat neighborhood. ’ The central giri who received the call stated that a man had turned in the alaxm, who stated that there was a bad fire near plug 15. Chief Montgomery visited the homes on party line 574, there being four telephones on that line, but failed to find anyone at home at any of those residences. Such a misdemeanor as turning in a false fire alarm is wtnishable by a iheavy fine and if the responsible party can be found he will be punished to the full extent of the law.