Author Topic: Joe Mills & the CFWLC (Read 6949 times)

michael murphy · « **Reply #16 on:** Mar 25, 2006, 07:20 AM »

In April of 1938 this letter arrived from Bob Hoffman. This was within weeks of Joe's double bodyweight clean & jerk.

Joe never went to York to train before the International Team Contest with the Germans held June 19th in Baltimore.

In the last paragraph Bob Hoffman mentions the contest that was to take place between Holyrod and Liebsch. Norman Holyrod was either the first or second Englishmen to clean and jerk double bodyweight (Charlie Biggs may have been first). George Liebsch was the featherweight world champion (132). For more on George Liebsch see Health & Strength Vol. LXII No. 4 (1/22/38-pg 115).

It might be best to print the letter to read.

michael murphy · « **Reply #17 on:** Apr 01, 2006, 09:40 AM »

On the last weekend of May in 1938 the Senior Nationals were held in Woonsocket, R.I. sponsored by Romeo Bergeron's Canadian AC. Joe competing in the featherweight class finished second to John Terry (York Barbell).

The May 1938 issue of S&H featured a story on page 34 titled "Joe Mills" by Dick Zimmerman. In the June 1938 issue of S&H a photo of Joe appeared on page 6 with a missed attempt of 205 in the snatch.

September of 1938 delivered the worst hurricane on record to hit the R.I. coastline destroying much of the beach communities without warning. On Labor Day weekend Joe compteted in the North American Championships finishing in first place above Dick Bachtell (York Barbell).

Joe told me this was the medal he cherished most because of the competition he defeated-meaning Bachtell.

Attached is a scan of the Program from the North American Championships.

michael murphy · « **Reply #18 on:** Apr 01, 2006, 09:41 AM »

Joe's medal from the 1938 North American Championships.

michael murphy · « **Reply #19 on:** Apr 14, 2006, 01:55 PM »

Joe continued to set personal records in the featherweight class (132 lbs.) in the early part of 1939. At the New England Open W/L Tournament held at Chateau Hall on Sampson Street in Woonsocket, R.I. on Sunday February 12th, 1939 Joe cleaned & jerked 265 on a third attempt. This was the second time he performed a double bodyweight c&j in competition.

In the spring of 1939 the New England States W/L Championships were held at the Bristol Boys Club in Bristol, Connecticut. Joe established a New England (and a personal best) snatch of 201 lbs as a featherweight. He cleaned 270 at this meet but his back foot slipped and he couldn't hold the lift.

Attached is a scan of page 1 from the score sheet of the February 12th, 1939 meet at Chateau Hall.

michael murphy · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 14, 2006, 02:17 PM »

On June 10th, 1939 Joe competed at the Eastern Outdoor Invitational W/L Tournament held at the Bigelow-Sanford field in Amsterdam, N.Y. Joe won the featherweight class.

America's Finest Physique Contest was held that day in conjunction with the W/L Tournament. Joe competed in Class "A" which was designated for 5'-8" and under. Joe was awarded a certificate of merit. He was not one of the four place winners in Class "A". Elmer Farnham (killed in action in WWII) was the winner in Class "A". The overall winner was the Class "C" winner, Bert Goodrich.

This contest along with the Bronx YMHA Greater New York Best Built Man Contest held April 23rd (Bert Goodrich winner), the Best Built Man Contest held at the 1939 Seniors (sanctioned by the AAU) that was won by Roland Essmaker & the Best Devolped Man Contest held at the York Strength & Health Show on November 18, 1939 that was won by John Grimek are considered the cornerstones for the future MR. AMERICA Contest that began in 1940.

Attached is a scan of Joe's certificate of merit awarded at the Johnnie Hordines show on June 10th , 1939.

michael murphy · « **Reply #21 on:** Apr 21, 2006, 07:40 AM »

The 1939 Senior Nationals were held on July 2nd thru 4th at the Humboldt Park Bicycle Bowl in Chicago. Joe didn't compete in these Seniors-most likely because of the distance from Rhode Island. The only New England competitor was Vincent Fee.

Later in the month of Juy a letter dated July 5th, 1939 arrived from England with the appilcation for membership into the British Amateur Weight Lifters Association.

In 1939 Joe was not an American citizen. He had intentions of making the British Olympic team for the year of 1940 (soon to be cancelled due to the mounting tensions in Europe). Attached is a scan of the letter from the British Weight Lifters Association.

michael murphy · « **Reply #22 on:** Apr 26, 2006, 07:35 AM »

This is an announcement for a STRENGTH SHOW to be held in Connecticut on Sunday, October 29th, 1939.

Joe competed against Mike Mungioli in the 132 pound class. Joe and Mike corresponded during the 1930's regarding their training and thoughts on improvement of lifting style.

michael murphy · « **Reply #23 on:** Apr 26, 2006, 10:20 AM »

A letter written to me by Mike Mungioli in April of 1991.