Gazette and Bulletin
February 23, 1911
Fire Apparatus in Speedy Dash to Park Hotel

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.

Fire at the Park Hotel!

That was the startling message that went over the fire alarm telephone circuit about 9:30 o’clock last night.
A hotel fire always puts the fire department on edge and even the horses seemed to feel that this was a time for their best efforts. A mad race for the Park Hotel was underway before the alarm was fairly off the wire and all the apparatus east of Lycoming Creek was hurrying to the scene.

Landlord Mish was crossing Fourth Street when No. 2 team came racing up Campbell Street. “Your hotel is on fire,” shouted a bystander, who had been informed of the location of the fire.

Mr. Mish needed no second warning and dashed up just as No. 3 began laying line of hose.

“Don’t take off your hose until we see where the fire is,” shouted Mr. Mish.

In the meantime the hotel was surrounded by the rapidly arriving engines and hosed wagons, while the Hayes truck stood at Fourth and Campbell streets.

The alarm was the result of a misunderstanding between the young lady in the telephone exchange and a guest in the hotel named Farrell.

Mr. Farrell had occasion to call the young lady at the exchange and she could not catch his name. To emphasize what he had said. He repeated.

“Farrell, Farrell! Farrell! Farrell! at the Park Hotel!

When this exclamation reached the telephone exchange it sounded like Fire! Fire! Fire!