ASHEVILLE’S FORMER FIRE CREW: In 1892 Asheville’s Hook & Ladder Co. posed in front of City Hall. Identified members include: William A. Frady (driver), Alfred S. Barnard (mayor, in street clothes), George E. Brown (right of the mayor), Theodore H. Brown (next to George) and Silas G. Barnard (white hat).
As a long time horse owner, I am aware that the condition and shape of the hooves tell much about the use and care of the horse. The horse in the first picture on the viewer’s side has not had very good hoof care, as his front right is misshapen and over grown, and the back also looks misshapen. Surprisingly, only two horses were being used to pull this large and probably heavy apparatus through hilly Asheville. The horse held by the man was probably there for sale. This is a fine looking animal, probably 17 hands tall or more, unless this man is very short. This horse has the build and hooves of a Tennessee Walking Horse. There is obvious pride for this horse by the man. Some horses were treated as machines of labor, whereas others were treated as well cared for partners in shared labor. Goes to the old saying, “for lose of a nail, the kingdom was lost.”