Kansas City, Missouri: Its History and Its People, 1800-1908

Biographical sketch of John Egner, "the efficient chief of the fire department of Kansas City." He was born in Chicago in 1860 and came to Kansas City about 1872, "learning the business of butchering and sausagemaking" before joining "the old John Robinson circus as a gymnast and acrobat. He traveled with that show from 1879 until 1883." In 1884 he became "appointed by Chief George C. Hale to a position in the fire department," and replaced the old chief in 1906. Description of the department's awards and exhibitions, including Paris and London and Omaha, with a gymnasium "established at the old headquarters at Eighth and Walnut streets" in 1891.