The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-18
THE LEAGUE.
Formation Of the Association Which
Is Visiting Portland.
EXCITING TOURNAMENTS WHICH
IT HAS HELD.

Its Membership Includes Many OF the
| Veteran Firemen of Now England-The
Records of tho Contestants in Previous
| Musters-Prizes for Which They Have
Competed.
The New England States Veteran Fire
mems League was organized in the hall
of the Boston Veteran Firemen's Associ-
alton, 1919 Washington street, Boston. on
November 20, 1890. Previous to this date
| there had been four so-called veteran fire.
mems musters held, not counting the one
at the Cotton Centennial at Pawtucket,
| r. l., in October, 1890. and from the ex-
periences at these musters it was thought
advisable to organize League for the
purpose of perpetuating the friendly feel
| ing which existed among the members of
the old hand engine companies and of
adopting rules to govern all future tour
naments, prohibit any but bona fide
veterans from participating, and estab-
lish death benefit for the aid of deceased
members widows and orphans
| At the original meeting there were sew
enteen associations represented, all of
which are now members of the league,
the membership having inorea sed to if
ty-three associations, represan ting nearly
/, 10, 900 members. At the organization of
the League, Second Assistant Chief Will
liam T. Cheswen of Boston, was chosen
president; John a. Kinyon, of Provi-
dence r. l., 1st vice-president; W. B.
Thomas, of New London, Conn.,, I'd vice.
president; James r. Carr, Of Manchester,
N. H., Sd president; Joseph I'll.
Gleason, Of Worcester, 18th vice president;
Bernard McNellis, of Charlestown, score
tary, and Joseph R. Grose, of the Barni-
coat Association of Boston, treasurer.
The president still holds ibis office, hav-
Ing been reelected each year. and one
official, the treasurer, died in office.
The Benefit Branch was organized early
in 1891 and provides that any member of
a veteran association affiliated with the
league can become member. In case of
d cath it pays ten cents for each surviving
member, the sum being regulated by the
mem bership on the date of the death of
a member. The first payment was made
on July 81, 1891, of S2S. 70 and since that
time the amounts paid have steadily in
creased, the largest single payment hav-
ing teen S12l. 90, and up to August 1896.
one hundred and eighty death claims,
amounting to $500, have been paid. The
present membership nearly twelve hun.
dred
In 1898 the League set apart the second
| Sunday in June as Firemen's Memorial
Day, and year by year the observance of
the day has increased, that of the present
year having been general throughout New
England, the active companies joining the
veterans in paying tribute to their de-
ceased comrades.
In 1894 the League adopted League
Championship Trophy, beautiful silver
torch, to be presented at the close of each
annual tournament, by the president of
the League, to the comany winning the
first prize, and any company winning 1t
for three successive years 1t then be-
comes their property. 1t was won for the
first time in Ha1 tford, Conn, in 1895, by
this Watch City of Waltham, Mass. at
New Bedford, in 1896. it was won by the
Nonantum OF Newton.
The 6rst distinctive League Tourna-
ment was held at Lowell. Mass, on Sep
TENDER 20. 1891 when there were seventeen
entries, the first prize being won by the
Volunteers of Central Falls, R. l.. by
play of 209 feet, inch. The second was
on Boston Common, September IA, 1892.
in a drenchirg rain storm, there being
| tive nty-two entries the Volunteers again
capturing Grst prize with 1856 feet.
Worcester had the honor of the third
tournament. on August II, 1s93,at which
there were twenty-five entries, and the
Hay Carts of Pawtuoket, R. l., captured
first place with play OF 2o4 feet, 1-2
inches. The fourth tournament was held
at Pawtucket, r. T., September ID, 1894,
when there were twenty-five entries, and
the Red Jackets of Cambridge won first
honors by playing 1876 feet. 10 inches. the
fifth tournament Of the League was at
Hartford. Conn, September IL, le'
there being eighteen entries, and the
Watch City of Waltham secured the first
prize and the League Trophy for the hrst
time by making play OF 2l2 feet, IL
inches. The sixth tournament oI the
League was held at New Bedford, Mass,
August 10. 1856, there being twenty
three entries. First prize and League
trophy, the silver torch, was won by the
Momentum of Newton for the first time
by playing 204 feet, SIS inches; the
Hancock. Of Brockton, Cd, 1914 feet Ia
inches; Hay Cart, of Pawtucket. Sd,
lo9 feet, inches The seventh and last
tournament of the League was held at
Springfield. Mass, September 1, 1897.