In the 1850s firemen's musters were popular pastimes in America.

There was a great spirit of competitiveness among the many volunteer fire companies that served large cities and small towns alike.

In 1855, a Manchester company, with its hand-pumped engine “Torrent No. 5,” won a muster in Worcester, Massachusetts, by shooting a stream of water 150 feet in the air.

In 1859, Manchester's seven fire companies got together and organized a muster to take place on Merrimack Common (now Veterans Park). The park had a large fire pond that would provide ample water for the competing engines. The fire department raised $900 for prize money then set the date of the event for September 15, 1859.

Companies from across New England were invited.

(“Torrent No. 5,” made in Boston in 1844, is on display in the Millyard Museum in Manchester.) This was the end of an era. The man-powered “handtubs” would eventually be replaced by the powerful steam-fire engines that were making their debut.

The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company's first steamer, the “Amoskeag No. 1,” designed by Nehemiah Bean, was put on trial on July 4, 1859.

Within seven minutes it easily shot two streams of water to a vertical height of 203 feet. No handtub could compete. The city bought the engine, and established Steam Fire Engine Company No. 1 on July 6, 1859.

On September 15, “Amoskeag No. 1” was demonstrated at the firemen's muster on Merrimack Common. Many in the assembled crowd were impressed with its spectacular efficiency, but it is unlikely that many of the volunteer firemen were pleased.

They took great pride in beating down fires through the sheer force of their physical prowess combined with spirited teamwork. The looming prospect that a machine would change the nature of their thrilling avocation must have rattled the nerves.

But none of this was on the minds of the 2,500 firemen who had arrived in Manchester the day before the muster. Over 50 volunteer companies were in town, excited about the prospect of cash prizes and glory.

Hundreds of other people had also arrived for the event, including members of more than 20 marching bands.

Manchester, with its population of 20,000, was overwhelmed. Innkeepers, restaurant owners and saloon proprietors were eager to cash in, but many citizens worried about the influx of gamblers, prostitutes and other trouble makers.

The firemen set up tents on Merrimack Common, and then ventured out looking for entertainment. They were easy to spot with their typical red shirts. Manchester, like any other city during this time period, had a strong gambling element that thrived in the downtown taverns.

A large number of professional gamblers had come up from Boston to take advantage of the spirit of competition that was sure to surround a firemen's muster. The drinking was heavy, the gambling was brisk, and the crowd was rowdy.

At Underhill's saloon on Elm Street a fireman from Charlestown, Massachusetts, named Hepburn decided to cash in his chips. He counted his money and discovered a counterfeit $5 bill. He exchanged heated words with the proprietor, and soon the two men were engaged in a fistfight. Some of his compatriots joined in the fight, and the situation quickly escalated into a free-for-all. After wrecking the saloon, the mob moved down the street, gathering more red shirts along the way.

Manchester's small police force tried to stop the mob, but without success. The crowd went on to cause serious damage to Jacob Whittier's tavern, to the American House, and to another establishment.

The men took kegs and bottles from the saloons and poured 300 gallons of alcohol in the streets. However, they were dissuaded from entering the Washington House tavern when the owner, Nathaniel Perkins, pointed two loaded pistols at them. Finally Mayor Edward Harrington arrived on the scene, and with the help of the more sober of the firemen, was able to disperse the rioters.

In all, 80 people had been involved in the disturbance, but there were no arrests. Some of the locals saw at least one advantage to what had occurred — the professional gamblers left town in a hurry and didn't come back, at least not right away.

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Next week: The firemen's muster takes place.

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Aurore Eaton is executive director of Manchester Historic Association. Contact her at aeaton@manchesterhistoric.org