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LEEDS – With the passing of Constance Buckley on Oct. 13, at the age of 97, the Leeds Historical Society, in conjunction with the town, is trying to determine to whom the Boston Post Cane should be presented.
The Boston Post Cane is presented to the town’s oldest resident. To be eligible, you must have resided in Leeds, or been eligible to vote in Leeds, for the last 20 years. Buckley was presented the cane in July.
If you think you are, or know of someone who the oldest resident might be, contact the Town Office, at 207-524-5171.
The Boston Post Cane tradition began in 1909, when the Boston Post newspaper distributed the canes to towns throughout New England with instructions that each should be presented to the oldest man in the town, to be used by him as long as he lives, or until he moves away. The newspaper said that the cane would belong to the town and not the man who received it. Women were included in 1930. The cane is made from Gabon ebony and its head is finished with a 14-carat gold top and is elaborately sculpted. As many as 700 canes were originally conferred by the newspaper, which folded in 1956, and hundreds of towns in New England still bestow it.
