York, Nebraska Fire Department

1886-1921

York’s pride in her fire department’s team, which had won the championship at Fremont in 1886, when this was repeated in 1887, and the world’s record lowered at the same time is most adequately reflected in the following press accounts of this and the 1889 victory.

The annual tournament of the Nebraska State Firemen’s Association took place at Kearney in July, 1887. The weather was unusually pleasant, the whole week being all that could have been asked for. The exercises of the week begun on Tuesday with a firemen’s parade at nine o’clock on Tuesday morning participated in by all the firemen on the ground. The York running team appeared in the procession with running pants and stockings, white shirt and white tie with the regulation cap and made by far the finest appearance of any company on the ground. The boys were widely complimented on their novel uniform, and created a decided impression. The races of the day opened at two o’clock the 45 hook and ladder race being first. Three teams were entered, York, Kearney and Holdrege. The Holdrege company had been organized but a short time and were a very green team. They made an excellent run and scored in 52 seconds. The Kearneys then came on the track and covered the 300 yards in 39 1/4 seconds and called time in 46 1/2 seconds. The never beaten York team covered the ground in even 39 seconds and called time in 45 3/4 seconds winning first money, $200. The 41 hose race was won by the G. Kramer hose team, of Kearney, in even 40 seconds, beating all records, and taking first money, $200. The ladder climbing contest took place on Wednesday and was won by Torn Kinney, the Kearney ladderman, in 7 2-5 seconds, Geo. Chilcote of this city, making an average of 7 3-5 and Mr. Schmidt, the Holdrege climber, in 7 14-15. York has perhaps the most graceful and easy climber in the world. He never makes a slip or a balk in a race and can always be depended upon. In the ladder contest his opponent was a much taller man and saved three steps on each climb of the ladder which more than accounted for the average of 1-5 of a second faster time. The green races took place on Wednesday and were opened by the Holdrege Hooks who called for time in 50 3-5 seconds, a marked improvement over the day before. The H. Randalls, of Kearney, another green hook and ladder team, scored in 52 seconds, winning second money. The chief’s race was won by J. E. Deirks, of Fremont, who crossed the sawdust in 11 seconds, leaving a large and numerously mixed field of chiefs to fight for second and third place. The coupling contest was won by the Neville hose team, of Plattsmouth, in 5 7-15 seconds, all the other contestants failing to get time. The green hose race was won by the Nevilles of Plattsmouth. Thursday morning, the waterworks company gave an exhibition of their city waterworks. Eight streams were thrown at one time, with eighty-five pounds of steam, with sufficient force to drown any fire. Water was thrown from ninety to one hundred and fifty feet high. The works are the direct pressure, Holly system. The Walker pump is used and is one of the best pumps in existence for fire service. Kearney may well feel proud of her waterworks. The great interest in the tournament appeared to be in the races to take place on Thursday afternoon. The championship hook and ladder race for $300 and the championship belt came first. The Kearney running team first took their position on the trap. The boys were in the best possible condition for the race, being in active training since last November, the greater part of the time under a professional trainer. The Kearney team and the citizens of Kearney have exerted every effort to win the championship belt. Neither time, pains nor money has been spared to make the team perfection. All Kearney appeared to be sanguine that the belt would fall an easy victim to their superior training. The team made a brilliant start and ran the race to a finish in even 45 seconds. The air was rent with Kearney cheers, and in fact every one on the grounds cheered the great run. The green team of Holdrege then started and made their best run, calling time in 493/4 seconds. The York team then walked up the track to the starting point, with a firm step and firmer resolution to beat the record or die in the attempt. Fire was in every eye, determination in every look. Every member recognized the fact that 45 seconds to the top of a thirty foot ladder was a hard record to beat; but the record of the York hook and ladder company was in peril, the credit of the city of York was at stake, and thirty of the flower of the young manhood of York were there to vindicate themselves, their company and their city. The word go, was given, and the greatest hook and ladder run ever made in the world begun. The truck went off the trap as if it had been shot from a cannon, and in the words of a Kearney writer, “the team flew over the track as fleet footed as deer.” The first 200 yards was perhaps the prettiest run ever made by thirty men. The start was unfortunately too quick, as a number of good runners were thrown off their feet, and a number were forced to drop out. The speed was kept up until 250 yards were passed over when the team slackened. Those remaining on the truck made one last effort to save the day and crossed the score with six men on the rope. The ladder worked perfectly, Chilcote shot up the rounds like a squirrel up a tree and called time in 44 4-5 seconds, beating all records and winning for York the belt and the championship of the world. The time keepers failed to agree for over 20 minutes, a Kearney man who was acting as time keeper claiming the time to be 45 seconds. Three disinterested men were then called in and the watches handed them who promptly decided the time to be 44 4-5. An element in the Kearney team at once commenced to kick and finally appealed to the board of control at eight o’clock that evening. The board sustained the report of the timers by a vote of six to one, the off man being the Kearney member. The York team invariably win their races on the track and do it honorably. No member of the York team has ever appealed from the decision of the judges, neither has this company ever made a kick on any decision either of the timers, judges or board of control. The championship hose races then followed and were won by the G. Kramer hose team of Kearney in the unheard of time of 39 1/4 seconds, winning the prize of $300 and the championship cart. Tony Cornelius, the Kramer coupler, is a prodigy. He breaks the coupling and applies the nozzle with two motions of the hands and does the work with rapidity and ease that is astonishing. The Pacific hose team of Grand Island took second money in 42 1-5, the Dorseys of Fremont third, in 56 1/2. The Nevilles of Plattsmouth missed coupling and got no time. At a meeting of the board of control on Thursday evening it was decided not to run the free for all races on Friday, the necessary five teams in each class not having entered. Immediately after this decision, a portion of the teams left for home, and the York team was turned loose and took no further care of themselves. On Friday morning the committee of arrangements wishing to continue the tournament another day offered a first prize of $100 for hose and hook races. When the York team was notified of the new purse, a portion of the men had gone on a visit to Shelton and other points, making it utterly impossible to enter a race’ that day. A collection of sprinters was then got together under the name of Kearney, and a last effort made to beat the record. This signally failed with all the professional runners that could be secured and running a light weight truck they only succeeded in tying the time made by York an the day previous. The Daily Journal of Kearney, a paper which never did the York team justice, intimated in its issue of Saturday morning, that the Yorks were afraid to run the Kearneys after the close shave of the day before. The Democrat is surprised that any respectable paper should claim anything for the mixed run made with the Kearney truck on Friday. The Kearney running team claims nothing for it themselves. If it is necessary to give the snap away, the Democrat is in a position to do it. In the team which made the run on Friday, there were no less than eight professional runners, none of whom can claim a legal membership in the Kearney fire department ; add to this the fact that the truck was unloaded and every possible pound taken off that could be removed, until nothing but a skeleton of the regulation truck remained. These are hard cold stubborn facts, which the Democrat knows from being actually present on the ground, and we defy any paper in Kearney or elsewhere to successfully contradict them. There are not legitimate firemen nor money enough in Kearney to beat the York champions on any neutral track in the United States. The claim of the Kearney sheet that the Kearney team “are justly entitled to the honors as the champions of the state,” is rot, and is on a par with the characteristic and chronic kickers of a certain element which infest that city. If the Kearney team wished to bear the honors of the champions of the state, they should have won the honor on the track, and not after the race was over, through the mouth of an irresponsible newspaper. This claim is nothing more nor less that hog wash, and the Democrat does not believe that any respectable fireman in Kearney or out of it claims anything of the kind. The hose races closed the exercises of the day, and the tournament. First money was won by the Kramer’s in 40 1-5. The Alerts of Cheyenne used service hose and a cart which weighed 1,160 pounds. With these two great disadvantages, the boys called time in 46 3-5 seconds. The Alerts also gave an exhibition run on the streets of about 400 feet, connected with a hydrant, and threw water in 36 seconds. The Stein hose team of Kearney made a run in 44 seconds. The Dorsey hose team of Fremont made the closing run of the tournament, but unfortunately their hose broke and no time was given. A pleasant incident took place on Friday morning at the York headquarters. A committee was sent out, and a $14 silk hat purchased, which was presented by Capt. Knapp, on behalf of the company to J. V. Hyder, the leader of the team. Hyder was paralyzed; and could say nothing in reply, but wears the tile in honor of the great run and of the fifth anniversary of his marriage, which occurred on the same day. The York team left for home on Saturday morning, and had their car gaily decorated with brooms, flags, etc. On either side of the car was the inscription, “York running team, champions of the world, time 44 4-5 sec.” The Kearney band and a portion of the fire department marched to the train and gave the boys a serenade and grand send off. The best of feeling prevailed between the teams, and if it had not been for a few chronic kickers which curse the Kearney department, the same good feeling might have prevailed all the week. York usually does itself proud, but on this occasion our city excelled itself. When the boys arrived at the B. & M. depot, on the 1 :10 train from the west, a grand ovation awaited them. Apparently every man, woman and child in York, and for miles around were assembled to greet the victors. Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, a new organization which was formed while the boys were gone, were there in all their beauty and glory under Geo. E. Marston as captain. Their new truck and their $50,000 horse, which was secured to lead the company, was there and assisted to give the boys a welcome home. The procession formed under J. H. Hamilton, marshal of the day, headed by the band and escorted to the city. A number of young ladies on horseback wearing a scarf with the word “Welcome” made a fine appearance. The business houses of the city were profusely decorated with flags, brooms, bunting and mottoes of welcome. A grand triumphal arch was erected across Lincoln Avenue, near the northwest corner of the square. The procession was dismissed with cheers and counter cheers and the victorious running team invited to partake of an elegant banquet prepared at the Blodgett House. Mr. Blodgett had provided perhaps the finest spread ever sat down to in York.

At 8:30 a grand reception was tendered the company at the opera house, Lee Love was master of ceremonies. Mayor Scott in an appropriate speech, delivered an address of welcome which was responded to by H. H. Bowker, chief of York fire department. Mr. H. L. Spauldling, chief of the Norfolk fire department, in a few pointed remarks complimented York on her fire department and told the audience how the race was won, he being a member of the board of control was in a position to know. Appropriate toasts were responded to By E. A. Gilbert, F. C. Power, Hon. N. V. Harlan, Geo. B. France and Edward Bates all of which were full of wit, humor and welcome for the boys and were hugely enjoyed by all present. The day and evening was one long to be remembered by the team and our citizens. The following is the personnel of the team who made the run and who now are the champion hook and ladders runners of the world:
W. R. Knapp, captain; Geo. F. Corcoran, assistant captain; J. V. Hyder, leader; W. C. Bishop, Frank Osborn, Frank Clapp, W. A. Beck, J. B. Maylard, L. H. Dale, Chas. Elliott, O. J. Burns, S. A. Harper, Chas. Rosenlof, Fred Fahrbach, Frank Collier, Thos. Buchanan, J. D. Epley, E. Gould, J. C. Bishop, W. D. Fisher, C. D. Barnes, Alvin Stafford, D. R. Gould, August Peterson, W. R. Furman, Geo. E. Schoettler, T. E. Hamilton, John Bishop, H. J. Porter, C. H. Collier, Geo. E. Chilcote, ladderman.

CHAMPIONSHIP BELT

It comes back to York for the third and last time, and will remain the property of the York Fire Department forever.

As previously announced the running team of the hook and ladder company left for Red Cloud last week on Tuesday to participate in the seventh annual tournament. They were accompanied by a good crowd of friends and admirers, and altogether made as jolly a crowd as ever took a trip of the kind in the world. The boys appeared in the parade on Wednesday morning and gave the Kilpatricks of Beatrice a very close shave for the silk banner for the finest appearing company. The fine clothes of the Beatrice aggregation and the opinion of the judges gave them the banner. The York boys were generally satisfied, all agreeing that they did not wish to travel on their shape but preferred to win their laurels by fair and honorable contests. The tournament opened on Wednesday afternoon with green races, the first being the green hose race, which was won by the Hollands of Red Cloud in 53½ seconds; Aurora taking second money in 54. The next was the race for chiefs and assistant chiefs. York was represented by W. Cardwell, who represented Chief Corcoran. Bert is a nice easy runner and covered the 300-yard dash in 35 4-5 seconds with his competitors far in the rear, thus winning the chief’s hat valued at $15. This was the first blood for York and the York contingent yelled themselves hoarse. The next was the race for foremen and assistant foremen. Will C. Bishop entered for the York hooks and won a decided and easy victory in 35 2-5 seconds, winning the foreman’s belt. This was the first knock down for York and the crowd yelled again— that is the York crowd, and they were capable of yelling to the queen’s taste. As there was no race in which the York team could enter on that day and the crowd kept calling for the appearance of the York team on the track, the boys decided to give an exhibition run for a special purse of $25. The run was made in 51 4-5 seconds and it was then the turn of the delighted audience to cheer the fine work of the York boys to the echo.

THURSDAY’S RACES

Thursday afternoon the 39 hose class was called and was for all hose companies that had never beaten 39 seconds. The Kramer hose team of Kearney came up the hill against the wind and crossed the score in 40 seconds, Tony Cornelius, the greatest coupler on the face of the earth, getting time in 43 seconds; the Hollands of Red Cloud taking second money in 51 seconds ; the Auroras made the run and coupling in 58.

The 44 hook and ladder class was then called and the York team appeared upon the track. A terrific storm had come up that blew directly from the north and right in the face of the runners. The track was up hill about 15 inches to the 100 yards, or nearly 4 feet in the distance and was soft and spongy. All good judges pronounced it a1 least 5 seconds slow. When the York team took their place at the starting score the wind had risen to a terrific gale and was demolishing fences, stands and frightened the occupants of the amphitheatre so badly they left their seats and sought safety on the ground. Against this wind the York team came up the track and made the climb in 52 2-5 seconds. The time was considered marvelous. No one believed that it was possible to raise a 30-foot ladder in such a storm. The always ready hooks of Grand Island then started with twelve men and made a good run for 175 yards, when one of the leaders fell and was dragged until some one pulled him out of the way and a number of the York team helped push the truck home, their man climbing to the top in 75 seconds. The run created more genuine fun than any contest of the tournament.

The coupling contest was entered by Cornelius and Mott of Kearney and Dinsmore and Hart of Aurora. The trial was a walk-away for the Kearney couplers, the best time being 6 2-5 seconds. The best time made by Aurora was 9 seconds.

Cornelius and Mott then gave an exhibition of their skill, making three 50 foot heats in 4, 4 and 3 4-5 seconds. Four heats of 3 feet each were made in 1 2-5, 1 1-5, 1 and 1 1-5. Cornelius made the 50 foot run and coupling alone in 4 seconds and 3 feet in 1 second. Blindfolded he made the coupling in 1 4-5 seconds.

The ladder climbing contest was won. by Geo. E. Chilcote of York in three heats, the best time 7 3-5. Chas. Mott of Kearney won the second prize, the silver cup, best heat 8 seconds. The champion ladder, first prize, was awarded to Chilcote and the second prize, the silver cup, to Mott.

In the hub and hub race between the two hose teams making the slowest time the entries were the Hollands and the Auroras; no coupling was made by either and the race was postponed until Friday.

FRIDAY’S RACES

The last day of the tournament opened bright and pleasant. The Grand Island Pompier corps gave an excellent exhibition on the front of the Farmers and Merchants Bank Building and were awarded first prize.

The hub and hub race postponed from Thursday was first run off. The Holland hose company made the run of 100 yards and got a. coupling in 26 seconds. The Aurora team failed to get a coupling. The silver trumpet given by C. H. Smith, representing the Gutta Percha and Rubber Mf’g Company was accordingly awarded to the Hollands.
The state championship hose race was next. The Kramers made the run and coupling in even 42 seconds, covering the distance in 38 1/2. This is considered a better run considering the track than the great run at Kearney in 1887, when they made their record of 39 1/4 seconds. The Aurora Hose started next and got time in 58 4-5. The Hollands then made an elegant run to the plug, but the hose caught, smashing the reel beyond recognition, and thus failed to get it off. The board of control after examining the broken cart granted them another run, which they made in 49 4-5, winning second money. First money and the championship cart was taken for the second time by the Kramers.

The championship Hook and Ladder race was next on the programme and was filled with York, Red Cloud and Grand Island. The Red Cloud team drew first place and started making the run and climb in 57 1/2. The York team then came upon the track and were loudly cheered. They presented the appearance of runners every man. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs and parasols and shouted “here comes the champions, don’t they look splendid.” The team modestly took their places at the start and at the word “go” came up the soft and spongy track like a field of thoroughbred racers on the home stretch for a neck and neck finish. Every man stayed in his place, not a runner dropping out until the score was crossed.
The ladder worked perfectly as usual, and Chilcote the surest climber that ever stepped on a track shot up the thirty feet and called time in 48 2-5. When the time was announced everybody went wild and the York contingent yelled with a peculiar York yell that was terrible to hear. The boys received the congratulations of the crowd gracefully. They realized that they had made the run of their lives. The time was fully a second better, everything considered than the great race at Kearney in 1887 when they lowered the world’s record to 44 4-5. On the Kearney track with such a run their record would be below 44. The Always Ready Hook & Ladder of Grand Island made the run and got time in 71 1-5, York winning the championship belt for the third and last time and Red Cloud taking second money. In the tug of war contest the Holland hose company captured the trophy and first prize, the York hooks taking second money.

Gov. Thayer made a speech and conferred all the prizes upon the winners. As he handed the championship belt to Captain Knapp of the York team he told them to “keep it forever” and pronounced them the “Champions of the whole world.”
The summary of the winnings of the team at the tournament shows the champion belt, the champion ladder, the chief’s hat, the foreman’s belt and $280 in cash, which is doing very well for a team picked up and put in harness on a week’s notice.
Among the many pleasant incidents of the tournament was the presentation of a handsomely engraved gold watch to A. J. Tomlinson, chairman of the executive committee. John was the man who got up the whole tournament and in fact was the whole tournament himself. The watch was purchased by a number of his admiring friends and was presented by Gov. Thayer at the close of the presentation of the prizes. Mr. Tomlinson was taken by storm and completely knocked out. He thanked his friends for the interest taken in his work, but thought that he had no more than done his duty.

The visiting firemen left the city on Saturday morning more than pleased with the treatment accorded them by the firemen and citizens of Red Cloud.

York County, Nebraska and Its People : together with a condensed history of the state, Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1921, pages 427-436

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York, NE Fire Nov 1887

York, NE Fire Feb 1913

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