The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-10-21
STATE FIREMEN'S TOURNAMENT.
A Grand Success,

\ Grand Success.
The people of Illinois have reason to be proud
OF the organization known as the State Fire.
mems Association" which was formed Nov, 17th
1873, in TIE city of Bloomington. The officers
for the past year were, Matthias Benner, Chicago,
President; o. Ii. Norton, Peoria, Vice President
j. A. Boynton, Monmouth, I'd Vice President;
Harl P. Christie, Decatur, Sec'y, and NJ y.
Chuse, Bloomington, Treasurer,
The objects of this association as set forth at
their convention in 1915, is are follows:
| THE protection and promotion Of the best in
terests OF the iiremen of Illinois; the collection
OF information concerning the practical working
| OF different systems of organization, the eXaml-
| nation OF and inquiry concerning the merits OF
| the different kinds Of fire apparatus in use, and
the cultivation OF Il fraterna fellowship between
the different departments in the State"
| Dccatu. having been chosen for holding this
years tournament, the officers of the association
and representatives from fire companies through.
out the state met on Tuesday morning in the
Court House, with Matthias Benner, Fire Marshal
ofChicago in the chair. The day was taken up by
reading the proceedings of the last session, re-
ports of committees, officers reports, auditing
bills and receiving credentials. The evening
tuition and laws, receiving credentials and
appointment of committees.
On the opening of Tuesday mornings session
it was evident from the number represented in
the convention, that the tournament would be a
grand success, there being some So enrolled as
members. At II o'clock the mayor Of Decatur
invited the members of he convention to visit
the Holly Water Works, which invitation they
accepted.
The convention was again called to order at ,
O'Clock p. NJ. and the president invited the mem.
bers to examine the samples of fire apparatus
placed on exhibition. To attempt to enumerate
the many articles would require too much space,
and it must suffice to say, that the how of hose
leather, cotton and rubber-and the other at
tachmcnts which are necessary for all well reg
ulated fire companies, exceeded anything we
ever saw.
The evening session was taken up by arrang-
ing the programme for the exercises on Thurs
day, and the appointment of the judges for the
day; also the election of the officers for the
coming year. All the old officers were re-elect
ed with exception Of the secretary, Mr. Harl
Christie who was elected Recording Secy, and
Mr. Hayne, of Decatur, Secretary.
Thursday morning at nine o'clock, the time
set for the grand parade, the streets were
thronged with people, there being about 10000
collected in one mass to see the procession
formed. To say the sight was grand fails to do
the subject half justice. The different compan-
les were assigned their place in the line, and
with their bright uniforms and cheerful cOunte-
nances won the admiration not only of those who
were well acquainted with them but merited
the cheers and admiration of the many strang-
ers who had come from all over the country to
witness the contests for the prizes offered
The procession marched through the princi.
pal streets, and included brass bands, II hose
| companies, 4 steamers, 5 hook and ladder trucks,
4 hand engines, headed by the mayor and men,
bers Of the association, reaching fully one mile
in lenghth. At ten o'clock the trial for the prizes
commenced with the following result:
ON HOSE COMPANIES.
| First prize, $500; I'd, 1925; Sd, s75. RULES
Distance run was 800 yards then attach to en-
CINE or hydrant and lay one line of hose of 800
feet from engine or hydrant, and attach pipe,
The 300 feet Of hose were all connected before
starting
TINE.