Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-07-31
History OF the Alpena Guards.

At the reception given by the
Guards, on their second anniver-
sary. Lieutenant r. NJ. Donnelly
related the history Of the company.
The Guards were so well pleased
with the Grafton, that, at subse-
duent meeting of the company, a
resolution, offered Ivy j. c. Com
fort, was passed unanimously, ask
ing Lieut.. Dounelly to write copy
of his speech for the company so
that they could have it published.
The history, which is an inter
esting one, and which was en-
Enthusiastically greeted by the large
assemblage of citizens who heard
it, is as follows:
In the month of August, 1875,
Capt l.. b. Howard was captain OF
Hose Co. No. !, Of this city, and in
the company with him were sever
al persons who are now members
of our military organization. The
bows were anxious to Introduce
something Of military drill and dis
cipline, thinking better interest
might be awakened therefrom, and
their company be made more efii-
cient. Their first idea was to use
the old muslIets belonging to the
county. which were sent here many
years ago by the government TO
enable the few citizens of our in
FAINT city to resist an attack from
the native red men; but in con-
ference with Mr.. ]. X. Lockwood
on the subject, it was suggested
that military company be organ
lied, and that application be made
for admission into the service OF
the State. In accordance with
these suggestions of Mr.. Lockwood,
meeting of the hose company was
called, temporary officers elected,
and +. II. Barlow and one or two
others appointed recruiting officers,
with orders to report in one week.
At the expiration Of the week, they
reported only 80 recruits. The
time was extended another week
at which time 70 persons were
ready and willing for business. Al
this meeting A. II. Mcdonald was
elected President and l.. b. Howard
Vice-President. 1t was then sug-
gested that n drill master he APP.
pointed 10 drill the company Mt the
next weekly meeting--L. B. How
ard receiving the appointment
During the interval between this
evening and the one fixed for the
first drill, the Adjutant-General OF
our State passed through our city
on his way to investigate the
troubles In Rodgers city and Posen,
and in q conversation with Mr.
Maltz, he learned of the efforts be-
ing made here, and advised the
perfecting of the organization and
the election of company officers nj
once. He promised TO do all in his
power TO secure our admission in
TO the State service, but admitted
that our chance was poor indeed,
ms there were already ID applica-
tions in ahead Of MS. At the next
meeting, an election was held which
resulted in the choice OF l.. b.
Howard for captain, j. II. Stevens
for lst Lieutenant, and ii. 5. Seage
for 2nd lieutenant, but in a few
weeks. both the licutenaDts resign
ed. and A. Harshaw and r. Camp
bell we're elected to I'll these va
cancies. Application was then
formally made for admission into
the State service, but weeks and
months passed by and no word
from Lansing. might as well give
il up, boys" "You will never be
admitted" are samples Of the en-
enlargement we received from some
of our people. Some Of our mem
bers became discouraged and left
the company, and for q long time
IL seemed as though we must die.
Bot n little life remained, and when