Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-09-02
Lexington Won Second Prize at
Firemen,s Contest

1
Firemen's Contest
The volunteer fremen of Vir
sinia had possession of Harrison
burg for three days last week, the
occasion being the annual gather.
ing of thes.State Association. Tn
Lexington team won the second
frec- for. all race, getting the prize
of $50. Notwithstanding the
downpour of rain at the opening
sessions, the enthusiasm of the
visitors and local teams was great.
Harrlsonburgers welcomed the
visiting firemen in a fitting way.
The decorations were elaborate
and beautiful.
The convention was called to
order Wednesday afternoon by
Mayor o. B. Roller of Harrison
burg, president of the Association.
After addresses of welcome and
responses the various committees
were appointed, and Mr.. W. <.
Quisenberry OF Lexington was as
signed to the committee on officers
reports.
The races were pulled off Friday
and thousands of spectators lined
the streets and cheered tie contes-
tants. All records we're lowered in
the contest, the Strasburg running
squad clipping off one sixth OF a
second from the previously unbeat'
en- time of 274 seconds made at
Danville five years ago. Nor was
the smashing of the record confined
to one performance. 1t was twice
beaten during the day-once when
Strasburg carried of first honors in
the State contest, and again when
the same team swept everything
before it IN the free-for~all. The
sprinters won the latter event in u
lilo seconds.
First prize in each of the two
events was 800, with custody of
the Association trumpet in the
State contest. Eagle Engine Co.
No. 3 of Newport News, won the
$50 second prize in the State race
time 81 Hip seconds. In the
free-for-alI the second prize of SOC
went to Lexington; time, ~ 80
seconds.
The State contest was the first
run off in which Lexington drew
first place. The Lexington boys
did the trick in 80 seconds, flat.
Then came the Strasburg team,
every man of which did his work
to perfection. They tore down the
course-which is regarded as al
most perfect-at terrific rate OF
speed, nude no tumble at any
point, and shot stream of water
into the air in u 1-12 seconds, es-
tabIishing a record well calculated
to dismay any but their stoutest-
hearted competitors. Their per
| Torrance was cheered to the echo
In the free .for-all Lexington cut
off more than two seconds from its
first performance, throwing water
| in 20 3-5 seconds, which was ex-
ceIled only by Strasburg.
The following paragraph from a
Harrisonburg paper will give some
idea how the firemen enjoyed them
selves at the convention:
Hundreds of visiting firemen
decked out in the most fantastic
and grotesque garbs parade the
streets day and night smiling at
the admiring girls and in turn get
smiled at by these same fair dam
sells. Noise and a plenty of it all
the time is tie chief characteris'
tic. Great grown men with tiny
Merry Widow hats on their heads
90 up and down the streets yelling
and hooting at the top of their
voices Cow bells and tin horns are
the principal instruments of hula
baloo. The festive visitors drag
the noisy cow bells along the
streets, while they keep horns OF
ear-splitting whistles in their
mouths. :"