Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Memorabilia, 1867-1968
Collection Number: 5141 MB
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Memorabilia, 1867-1968
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
5141 MB
Abstract:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Memorabilia including badges, name
plates, push pins, pens, license plates, posters, plaques, buttons and other miscellaneous
items
Creator:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen (BLF&E)
Quanitities:
16 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen was founded on December 1, 1873, at Port Jervis,
New York, to provide mutual support for railroad firemen. The Brotherhood initially
emphasized insurance, but by the late nineteenth century had branched out into labor-management
relations.
At the turn of the century, the organization changed its name to the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen (BLFE) after permitting engineers to join its
ranks. In 1969, the union merged with the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen,
the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and the Switchmen's Union of North America to
form the United Transportation Union.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Memorabilia #5141 MB. Kheel Center
for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 5141: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Records 5141 G: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Graphics 5141 P: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Photographs 5147: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Records 5467: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Local 807 (Auburn, NY) Records 5475: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen General Chairman, Boston and
Maine Railroad Records 5611: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Honorary Register of Disabled 5646: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Additional Records 5869: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Local 807 (Auburn, NY) Additional
Records 6146 P: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen Photographs 6176: Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Additional Records
Names:
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen.
Boardman, F. B.
Columbus, Frank S.
Leach, Joshua
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (U.S.)
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen --Collectibles
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen
CONTAINER LIST
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Container
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Description
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Date
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| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - badges
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1937-1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Four "Visitor" badges from "Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen" conventions
(33rd, 36th, 37th, 38th)
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| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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1908-1968 |
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Scope and Contents
Badges - "B. of L.F. & E, St. Louis Convention" ; "B. of L.F. and E., Houston, Texas
Convention" ; "B. of L.F. & E., St. Paul, Minn" ; "Souvenir, 11th Biennial Convention,
B of L.F. & E, Columbus, O" ; "Asst. to E. & M., BrotherhoodGreat Seal of the
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| Box 1 | Folder 3 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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1912-1931 |
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Scope and Contents
Badges - "BrotherhoodDenver, Co., 28th Convention" ; "B of LF & E, State Joint, 5th
Sunday Meeting Pottsville, Pa., March 31, 1912" ; "Asst. to Ed. & Mgr., Twenty-Sixth
Convention B. of L.F. & E., Washington, D.C." ; "Columbus, Brotherhood32nd Conventi
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| Box 1 | Folder 4 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: push-pins, buttons, pin
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Scope and Contents
Push-pins - "B.L.F & E" ; "B of LF & E" ; "-- Years Continuous Membership, B of LF
& E" [for 5, 10, 25, 30 years] ; buttons - "Member, B of LF & E, Organized 1873" ;
"Meeting of Train Service Men of United States, Canada & Mexico, Worcester, Mass.,
April
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| Box 1 | Folder 5 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen name plate
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| Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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1947-1968 |
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Scope and Contents
Badges - bronze - "B of LF and E, Houston, Texas, 1968 Convention" ; "B. of L.F. &
E., St. Louis Convention, 1963" ; "BrotherhoodSan Francisco, 1947, 35th Convention"
; "36th Convention, Boston, Mass., 1953, B of LF & E"
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| Box 2 | Folder 2 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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Scope and Contents
Badges - All three are two sided one side is green/red/white, and one is black "In
Memoriam". All have lettering "Erie Lodge No.543, B. of L.F. & E., Jersey City, N.J."
One is for "President".
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| Box 2 | Folder 3 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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Scope and Contents
Badges - All three are two sided one side is green/red/white, and one is black "In
Memoriam". All have lettering "Erie Lodge No.543, B. of L.F. & E., Jersey City, N.J.".
One for "Conductor", "Outside Guard", & "Warden".
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| Box 2 | Folder 4 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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Scope and Contents
Badges - All three are two sided one side is green/red/white, and one is black "In
Memoriam". All have lettering "Erie Lodge No.543, B. of L.F. & E., Jersey City, N.J."
One for "Past President", "Chaplin", & "Fin. Secretary"
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| Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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1904-1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Badges - 1)-"Denver" with flower on pin, pendant is shaped like an eagle on top of
a round medal - "June 1916, Twenty-Seventh Convention, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
& Enginemen, Grand Lodge Ladies Society of B. of L.F.E." ; 2)- "AFL-CIO, 5th Bienni
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| Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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1904-1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Badges - 4)-"Houston" with star shaped pendant with a raised picture of a bull - "Brotherhood,
922" ; 5)-"Brotherhood" with star pendant "Houston, Texas, 29th Convention, 1922"
; 6)-"Detroit" with pendant "Brotherhood, 1925" with picture of a city coas
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| Box 2 | Folder 5 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: badges
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1904-1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Badges - 7)-"Brotherhood, 31st convention, 1928" with pendant- raised pictures of
state of California, train, ship and skyscrapers. ; 8)-"Denver, Colorado, 1916, Twenty-Seventh
Convention" with pendant "Brotherhood" ; 9)-This badge is very deteriorated
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| Box 3 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: stamps
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Scope and Contents
One stamp is of the signature of "Frank S. Columbus" the other is "From F.B. Boardman,
Chairman, New York State Legislative Board, B. of L.F. and E."
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| Box 3 |
Stamp with man's profile depicted on it
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Scope and Contents
Metal stamp on a wooden block, the stamp depicts a man's profile. [Frank S. Columbus?]
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| Box 3 |
Gavel - Frank S. Columbus, F. B. Boardman
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Scope and Contents
Wooden gavel used by both Frank S. Columbus and F.B. Boardman. See information sheet
included with gavel. Gavel head is missing 1/4 of it, looks to be split off.
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| Box 3 |
Gavel - from Tenth Biennial convention
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1906 | |
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Scope and Contents
Gavel used to open the Tenth Biennial Convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen. Meeting was called to order by Brother John J. Hannahan, Grand Master at
Nine O'Clock A.M., September 10, 1906 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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| Box 3 | Folder 1 |
License plates
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Scope and Contents
License plate - White w/red lettering "Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and Enginemen"
w/red locomotive engine in upper right corner.
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| Box 3 | Folder 2 |
Letter and picture about the "W.T. Doty, Memorial"
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Scope and Contents
Letter about constructing the W.T. Doty Memorial, and a photo of the memorial when
complete
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| Box 3 | Folder 3 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: pens, money clip, cuff links, tie
tack, pendant
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Scope and Contents
Gold pens - "95th Anniversary, Brotherhood1873-1968" ; "Brotherhood15401 Detroit Ave.,
Cleveland, Ohio 44107" ; silver money clip with Brotherhood emblem ; gold pendant
- shaped like locomotive with "537" lettering ; cuff links and tie tack - gold with
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| Box 4 | Folder 1 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: funeral cards
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1919 |
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Scope and Contents
Funeral card - "Funeral of past Grand Master and founder of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Firemen and Enginemen, Joshua A. Leach" ; card with information and picture of the
funeral.
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| Box 4 | Folder 2 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: ritual booklet
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1920 |
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Scope and Contents
"Ritual of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen"
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| Box 4 | Folder 3 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: misc. convention and meeting information
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1885-1964 |
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Scope and Contents
Invitations - "Excursion, Boston Lodge, No. 57, B. of L.F., Dinner at Plymouth Beach
Pavilion" ; "Fourth Annual Ball of Frisco Lodge, No. 51" ; convention booklets - "Brotherhoodand
Ladies Society, Twenty-Fifth Southern Union Meeting" ; "Southern Unio
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| Box 4 | Folder 4 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: menus
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1947-1966 |
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Scope and Contents
Menus - "Southern Railway System, Buffet Service" ; "Capital City Dinner, Honoring
Democratic Candidates" ; "Annual Columbus Day Banquet" ; "Capital District Dinner,
New York State Democratic Committee" ; "Capital Hill Club Capers of 1947"
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| Box 4 | Folder 5 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: misc. souvenir invitations, cards,
etc.
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1887-1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Railway passes - "Erie Railway, May, 1877" ; invitations - "First Annual Ball" ; "Second
Annual Concert and Ball" ; Tenth Annual Ball" "Brotherhood, Locomotive, Firemen, No.
216, W.A. Foster Lodge, Fitchburg, Mass" ; membership cards - "This is to ce
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| Box 4 | Folder 6 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: schedule book for Firemen
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1911 |
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Scope and Contents
"Northern Pacific Railway Company, Schedule for Firemen, Effective July 1st, 1911"
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| Box 4 | Folder 7 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: union due notice, death announcement
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1884-1934 |
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Scope and Contents
Death announcement for Thomas E. Ryan, "Grand Lodge, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen.,
Grand Dues Notice, 1884-1885"
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| Box 4 | Folder 8 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: model booklet describing the working
of a locomotive engine
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1902 |
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Scope and Contents
Instruction book - "Mitchell's Models and Easy Lessons in Locomotive Running"
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| Box 4 | Folder 9 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: souvenir booklets
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1899-1925 |
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Scope and Contents
Souvenir booklets - "Twenty-Second Anniversary, 1899, Van Bergen Lodge, No. 62" ;
"35th Anniversary and the 11th Biennial Convention" ; "Souvenir, B. of L.F. & E.,
Detroit, Mich. " & "Houston, Texas" ; "Program Fiftieth Anniversary, B. of L.F. &
E."
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| Box 4 | Folder 10 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (U.S.): Time book
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1867 |
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Scope and Contents
"Time Book, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Founded May 8, 1863, Locomotive Engineers
Mutual Life and Accident Insurance Association, Organized December 3, 1867"
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| Box 4 | Folder 11 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen: poster and chart descriptions
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Scope and Contents
Two sheets of paper with descriptive information about two pieces of memorabilia that
were discarded due to bad disintegration. One is a poster from B of LF & E World's
War Honor Roll and the other is a description of a chart that is part of the B of
LF &
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| Box 5 |
Sound Scriber discs [contents to be determined]
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| Box 6 |
Holy Bible
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1886 | |
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Scope and Contents
"Holy Bible, Presented to Bartholdi Lodge #309, from Atlantic Lodge #291" - title
page - "The Self-Interpreting Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments"
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| Box 6 | Folder 2 |
Wooden horse - this was found in box 11 of 6021/008 and moved here
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Scope and Contents
small wooden horse, red, with accent stenciling
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| Box 7 |
D.B. Robertson Safety Award
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Scope and Contents
Wooden award/trophy with lettered metal plates and topped with a replica of two train
engines. Top plate - "The Brotherhood, Protection-Charity-Sobriety-Industry" ; bottom
plate - "Locomotive Fireman of the Year" ; "1958-John T. Matthews" ; "1959-Russel
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| Box 8 | Folder 1 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - Placque - [James M. Duffy]
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1965 |
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Scope and Contents
Wooden Placque with copper picture of 3 men and a woman, and a copper plate lettered
"James M. Duffy, Locomotive Fireman of 1965, Mrs. James M. Duffy, U.S. Rep. Harley
O. Staggers, James M. Duffy, Pres. H.E. Gilbert, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
and
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| Box 8 | Folder 2 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - Placque - [Richard J. Hansel]
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1961 |
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Scope and Contents
Wooden Placque with copper picture of 3 men and a child, and a copper plate lettered
"Richard J. Hansel, Locomotive Fireman of 1961, H.E. Gilbert, Pres. BLF &E, George
Meany, Pres. AFL-CIO, Richard J. Hansel, John Keane, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
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| Box 8 | Folder 3 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - Placque - [William R. Bennett]
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1962 |
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Scope and Contents
Wooden Placque with copper picture of 4 men and a child, and a copper plate lettered
"William R. Bennett, Locomotive Fireman of 1962, Frank Clement, Gov. Tennessee, William
R. Bennett, H.E. Gilbert, Pres. BLF&E, Mark Erickson, U.S. Rep. Arnold Olsen, Brot
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| Box 8 | Folder 4 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - Placque - [Ralph M. La Rue]
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1963 |
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Scope and Contents
Wooden Placque with copper picture of 3 men and a woman, and a copper plate lettered
"Ralph M. La Rue, Locomotive Fireman of 1963, U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy, Ralph
M. La Rue, Mrs. R. La Rue, Pres. H.E. Gilbert, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and
Eng
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| Box 8 | Folder 5 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - Placque - [Safety Award]
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Scope and Contents
Wooden Placque with gold plate and lettering - "Safety Award" ; "Locomotive Fireman
of the Month"
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| Box 9 | Folder 1 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - buttons/pins
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - gold and blue with gold lettering "B of L.E. & E., L-S" with "FC" in the
center
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| Box 9 | Folder 2 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - buttons/pins
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - gold, red, white, blue with gold lettering - "L.S., B of L F & E" ; "25
Years Continuous Membership"
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| Box 9 | Folder 3 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - buttons/pins
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Scope and Contents
Buttons (2 kinds) - 9 are silver with black lettering "40 Years" ; "Ladies Society
to the B. of L.F. & E." - 9 are gold with red and black lettering "40 years" ; "Ladies
Society to the B. of L.F. & E."
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| Box 9 | Folder 4 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - buttons/pins
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - silver, red, white, blue with gold lettering - "L.S., B of L F & E" ; "25
Years Accumulated Membership"
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| Box 9 | Folder 5 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - buttons/pins
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - gold and blue with gold lettering "B of L.E. & E., L-S" with "FC" in the
center, with a 'banner' of gold attached to the top of button that says "Past President"
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| Box 9 | Folder 6 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - buttons/pins
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Scope and Contents
Buttons - gold and blue with gold lettering - "50 Years" ; Ladies Society to the B.
of L.E. & E."
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| Box 9 | Folder 7 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - buttons/pins
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Scope and Contents
Buttons-triangular in shape, red, white, blue with gold lettering - "10 Years Continuous
Membership" ; L.S. B. of L. F&E"
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| Box 9 | Folder 8 |
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen - medal
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1925 |
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Scope and Contents
Silver medal with "Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, 1925" in raised
lettering
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| Box 10 |
Sound Scriber (record and playback)
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| Box 10 | Folder 1 |
Sound Scriber (record and playback)
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| Box 11 |
Sound Scriber (playback only)
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| Box 11 | Folder 1 |
Sound Scriber (playback only)
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| Box 12 |
Large bronze plaque honoring Joshua Leach
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| Box 12 | Folder 1 |
Large bronze plaque honoring Joshua Leach
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Scope and Contents
snapshot available
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| Box 12 |
snapshot available
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| Box 13 |
Large wood plaque Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen (emblem)
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| Box 13 | Folder 1 |
Large wood plaque - Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen
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Scope and Contents
snapshot available
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| Box 13 |
snapshot available
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| Box 14 |
snapshot available
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| Box 14 |
Large bronze plaque - Brotherhood of Locomotive Friemen..Building Fund Donors
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| Box 14 | Folder 1 |
Large bronze plaque - Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, Grand Lodge
HeadquartersBuilding Fund Donors, Groups & Organizations
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1963 |
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Scope and Contents
snapshot available
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| Box 14 | Folder 1 |
Large metal plaque
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| Box 15 |
Wood and bronze plaque -- honoring Frank S. Columbus
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| Box 15 | Folder 1 |
Large wood and bronze plaque: honoring Frank S. Columbus - 1885-1972
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Scope and Contents
snapshot available
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| Box 16 |
Images digitized from the collection.
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