Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-10-20
BAY STATES CADETS
Lay the Corner Stone Of Their
New ArmOry.
ORGANIZED 100 YEARS AGO.
They Are Reviewed by Governor
Russell.

BOSTON. Oct. 20-The First Corps of
Cadets, which has been the honored
guardian Of the comm onwealth for a
century and a half, observed the l50th an
niversary OF its organization yesterday, by
laying the corner stone of its new armory,
now In process of erection at the corner OF
Columbus avenue and Ferdinand street.
Everything conspired to render the
occasion notable and successful one The
weather was cool, and men distinguished
In civic and ecclesiastical life voiced the
sentiments of state and church at the
formal act of putting the corner stone In
place.
Harmonizing with the gay uniforms of
the soldiers were the bright costumes OF
the ladies who contributed their presence
to the occasion. Age and innrmity. ap-
parently, offered no obstacles to the sue
cessful oonsummation Of the ceremonies
for conspicuous among those present was
Matthew Bolles, who was member Of the
cadets in 1928, aud has the honor of being
its oldest surviving member.
Promptly at 2 o'clock there assembled
at the armory on Columbus avenue, in
full uniform, the members Of the corps,
the veteran association Of the corps, and
the past members Of the active corps, who
rayed In the uniforms Of their rank, and
present as guests of the active corps. They
had attained to
Nearly All tho Positions
that belong to military life in this COM
onwealth, and proves the efficiency of
the cadets in training officers for state
service. There were also present the trus-
tees of the armory fund. There were no
ceremonies at the armory other than form
ing in line with the veteran association on
the right, commanded by General Weld,
its president. Accompanying him were
the vice presidents, treasurer and secre-
tary. Then came the trustees Of the ar
mory fund, the guests Of the active corps
and the First Corps of Cadets commanded
by Lieutenant Colonel Elmands.
Headed by the Sa,cm Cadet band they
| marched through the principal streets to
the common. At the city hall marching
salute was given to Mayor Matthews and
at the state house Commander-iu-C Chief
Governor Russell, with Generals Dalton,
Taylor and Donahoe and Colonels Pea
body, Chase, Keeler, Wheelwright and
Russell Of his staff were received and
escorted to the common. Here the gov
ernor reviewed the troops aud the cere-
moDy OF dress parade WAS gone through
with In this the veterans did not partici-
pate, the fatigues of the day being too
much for them. They, however, joined the
corps on its way to the arnory, to which
II marched after the ceremonies on the
common were concluded.
The Laying Of the Corner Stone
took place after the march to the armory,
and was witnessed by large number of
people. Deposited in the box under the
stone were silver plate inscribed with a
stcry OF the principal features of the
event; lists of members Of the corps, etc.
pans Of armory, lists Of subscribers, mill
tary laws and orders, reports Of officers,
photographs, Autographs and historical
matters, sets OF coins Of 1891 and copies Of
daily papers.
With silver trowel Governor Russell,
as commanders n-chief of the military
forces Of the commonwealth, applied the
mortar that cemented the stones. and
Lieutenant Colonel Edmands gave his
tory OF the enterprise which is to result in
! n new armory. Then came a prayer by
Bishop Phillips Brooks, after which the
governor was escorted back to the state
house
Last evening the annual dinner was
served at the Parker House, at which
there was present, besides the active
corps and guests, the veterans corps, hon
orary members and guests. The latter in
cluded the governor and staff, all the ex-
governors, the mayor, officers OF the Sec
ond Corps Of Cadets. and others.
The New Armory
will be castellated structure on the cor
ner of Ferdinand street aud Columbus
avenue, on the lot which has been occu-
pied by a one. story drill she'd At one end
Of the new building there will be drill
| hall 2l1 feet long by 100 feet wide. The
The basement will be given up to lockers,
toilet rooms, boiler room and bowling
| alley. The headhouse will be four stories
! in height, and the irst floor will be occu.
pied by corps room and officers lockers.
On the second floor there will be the drill
hall, which will be open up to the roof,
trussed with heavy rafters.
On the third floor the headhouse will
contain tie historical room, in which the
military collection will be exhibited.
Gymnasiums and janitor's quarters oc-
cupy the fourth and fifth floors. On the
Columbus-avenue side Of the drill she'd
there will be two bays, and on the corner
there will be small oriel windows, with
loophoies to flank the side walls.
Perhaps the most striking architectural
feature Of tho building is the large tower on
the corner, which will be a commanding OBJ
ject on Columbus avenne Entrances on the
side will admit to the drill hall, over draw.
bridges. The materials used are to be
brick and stone. w. q. Preston Is the ar
chitpct