The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-01-14
LATCHSGRING ORIGINALS.
GOLDEN ANNITERSARY WAS
CELEBRATED YESTERDAY.

Pleasant Gathering and Reunion In
Warner Hail MISUNDERSTANDING
Jepson Presented with Fine Badge
some of the Prominent Members
Present.
The celebration of the golden ami
versary of the Croton Engine Volun-
teer Fire company by the members and
families of the famous Latch String
Originals at Stewards cafe yesterday,
brought together a large assemblage.
The celebrations of this famous organ
ization are always extremely pleasant.
The members and their families and
friends assembled at noon, dinner was
served at l o'clock. The order of eX-
ercises was very interesting and orig
inal.
1t was great gathering. Old times
and historical fires before the installa-
ton of modern fire department, were
talked up and enjoyed by children and
grandchildren.
Members were present from all over
the country. George Osborn came from
Kansas City to attend the exercises.
The trumpet call, which meant AT
tention, L. S. A." was the first thing
on the programme. While the trumpet
sounded the members and guests were
all attention while President Baldwin
extended congratulations. Then fol-
lowed a Song of Welcome, sung to the
air of Auld Lang Syne.
Following this came the blessing by
Chaplain Pickett and then the fiftieth
annual banquet was served.
Precisely at o'clock the hall was
darkened and pictures of the deceased
members were flashed on a screen by
a stereopticon, the venerable Sergeant
Benjamin Jepson read a brief sketch
of the life of each one and a toast
was drunk as the names were men
toned,
Resolutions were presented by George
r. Osborn of Kansas City to the effect
that the next anniversary supper would
be held on January 49, 1904, at o'clock
in the afternoon in the Y. M. G. A.
building. These resolutions were adopt
ed. Then followed a presentation
speech made by Captain Chaffee OF
Derby of a beautiful badge with en-
blems and insignia Of the order. The
badge was presented to Benjamin Jep-
son, secretary. 1t was a token of the
appreciation of his services for the last
fifty wears
The colorings of the badge was green
gold, red gold and silver. This was a
complete surprise to the secretary. He
was phased at it's suddenness. After
recovering from his surprise he accept
ed the gift and responded with nice
and appreciative address.
Following this there were toasts to
the memory of decease members. This
is an old custom of the L. S. o. and Is
participated in by all members of the
order throughout the country, the
members not present drinking this
unique toast at precisely o'clock east
ern time.
The election of officers resulted in the
reelection of the old officers of the So
ciety
Following the election of officers there
was the reading of the roll Of survivors
and as each member answered the roll
call he responded with a short speech.
Some of the principal responses were
by Hon. A. c. Hendrick Of New Haven,
Captain J. NJ D. Hendrick. George r.
Osborn of Kansas City, Mo, Judge Ru-
fus S. Pickett. Edison Sanford of Meri-
den, Hon. w. w. Lee of Meriden, John
Parkinson of New York city, John
Stannis of Boston, Hon. Joseph Tees Of
Manitoba.