ST. VITAL POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Sixteen-year old Jeff was the first horse purchased by the department and after 11 years of hauling the fire wagon, was the last of his breed still at the fire hall. “In his first few years of service, the clang of the fire bell would send up his ears, and his nerves would tingle to get into harness and away to the fire,” stated a Winnipeg newspaper dated Aug. 25, 1925. The clipping is one of several kept by H. E. Rose, who served as chief of the fire and police departments. “Mr. William Tod, himself a veteran of the municipality, was fond of Jeff and wanted to have him pensioned off, but he wasn’t successful,” continued the article which noted that his driver Victor Dawson was out of a job. Fortunately for Jeff, he didn’t meet the same fate as his partner. He was sold to a St. Vital dairy farmer. |