established a Northern Express under the style of Johnson & Co. The route of the new company was from Albany to Rutland, and it was the intention of the new company to extend its service into Canada. The enterprise came into competition with Pullen & Co., and, after the success of the new company had been assured, it was deemed politic to consolidate the two companies. In the spring of 1855 a joint stock express company was formed, under the style of the "National Express Company," with a capital stock of $250,000.00. Mr. D. N. Barney a noted financier, was elected president of the new company. Major Pullen was made manager of the New York terminus, E. H. Virgil being superintendent of the routes. In Canada the operations of the National Express Company were very important, great attention being given to the details of the custom house business. The push and energy which characterized the early operations of this company have ever been manifest during its career, and the National Express Company to-day maintains the high standard of service which was instituted by its projectors. E. B. & S. B. ASSOCIATION. The steps leading to the organization of the Expressmen's Beneficial & Sick Benefit Association of Providence, R. I., may properly be recorded as dating from the early fall of 1894. At this time one of the employees of the Adams Express Company in Providence died very suddenly, leaving behind him a widow and several small children. The case being particularly distressing, one of his fellow workmen, F. M. Vallette, interested himself in the matter, and by his efforts succeeded in raising quite a substantial sum for the bereaved widow and children. This situation was freely discussed among the "boys," as it brought forcibly to their attention, the uncertainty of life. Several of the boys, after talking the matter over informally, decided to arrange to hold a dance, and any money which might be made from the affair would be used in forming sort of a social club. The birth of the E. B. & S. B. Association properly dates from October 7th, 1894. On this date, at three o'clock P. M., twelve of the employees of the Adams, Earle & Prew, and United States Express companies met in Earle & Prew's Express office at Providence, to talk over the matter of arranging for a dance to be held in Providence on December 5th. At this meeting, also, was discussed the advisability of forming an association among the employees of the express companies. During the week following the matter was further talked over, and another meeting was held, in the Baker Block, Washington street, Providence, on Sunday, October 14th, 1894, with twenty-two employees present. At this meeting it was decided to organize in order that plans could be put in operation. Accordingly the following officers were elected, to serve pro tem. President-William B. Finlay. Vice President-Fred M. Vallette. Treasurer-Thomas F. Coyle. It was voted at this meeting that a committee of five be appointed to arrange for the first annual ball of the Expressmen's Association. It was also voted that all expressmen who wished to become charter members of the association could do so by paying the treasurer twenty-five cents, also that the charter list be held open until November 6th. Matters pertaining to the organization of a permanent association for expressmen were discussed, and the meeting adjourned to the call of the president. The invitation to become charter members of the association was accepted by many of the employees, and led to the decision to effect a permanent organization. To this end a meeting was called for November 11th, 1894, to be held in the U. T. A. Hall, Canal street, Providence, at 2 P. M. Twentyseven interested expressmen were present at this meeting. Fortunately for the "boys," there was present at this meeting Mr. Henry M. Ormiston, a man thoroughly versed in the organization of fraternal bodies. He accepted the invitation of the acting president to take charge of the meeting. At this meeting it was voted to organize the Expressmen's Beneficial & Sick Benefit Association. The following officers were elected: President-Henry M. Ormiston. First Vice President-John H. Gouldsboro. Treasurer-Samuel G. Bartie. A committee was appointed to draft a set of by-laws for the association, and report at the following meeting, said meetings to be held monthly. As the name implies, the organization is both a beneficial and also a sick benefit association, paying to the beneficiary of a deceased member a certain sum at death of the member, also a weekly sum for sickness or disability. The organization was very successful from the beginning, it grew rapidly, and at the end of the first year its membership numbered nearly two hundred. Since organization, nearly a thousand expressmen have been enrolled as members, and at present, 1907, over four hundred are members in good standing. The apparent great number of lapses may be explained as follows: In order to be eligible to membership it is necessary to be an employee of one of the regular express companies. If, however, a member leaves the employ of the express company from whom he derived his membership, to enter a reputable business, he is still allowed to retain his membership. It has occurred in some instances that members leaving the the employ of the express companies have gone to places more or less remote, and have allowed their membership to lapse. This in a great measure explains the number of lapses. During the past thirteen years twenty-five members have passed beyond the "Great Divide." The association points with pride to its record of prompt payment of death benefits to beneficiaries of its deceased members. In only a few instances has the time exceeded forty-eight hours from the time of the member's decease. It is interesting to note at this time the disbursements of the association for sick and death benefits, the amounts given being from organization to the close of the year 1906: Sick benefits. Total.. $11,623 28 ..$19,098 28 |