The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-17
THE CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
Capt. r. A. Boutelle Makes His Re-
port on the Montana
Militia
Condition OF the Infantry at Hell
emu. Great Falls, and
Butte,
An Army OAicer'a strong Plea for Moro
Aid and Encouragement for the
National Guard.

IL NAtlOnAl duNrOs
Capt. r. A. Boutelle. Of the First cavalry,
, has furnished Adjutant General H. s.
Howell with his report on the inspection OF
, the Montana National guard. As the con-
dition of the companies we're very different
Cant. Boutelle was obliged to report on
them separately. and did 30 in the order in
which they were inspected. The report
says of Company A., First infantry, sta
toned at Great Falls, that it is commanded
by the second lieutenant. The captain and
tho first lieutenant had both rendered their
designations several months ago, aud had
ceased to take any active interest in COM
pany affairs. '"This company" Capt. Bou-
telle says, has been considered one of the
best in the state. but for reasons explained.
and there being for some months practically
no head, it seems to have fallen below some
others. II has nc arnory and stores its
property in two small rooms in the city
court house. It has no other place for
drill than tho public streets, and has had
about forty drills during the past year,
with IN average attendance of sixteen"
Speaking of Company G, First infantry,
Helena, the report says: CAS- far as could
be judged from the men present, this is a
fine organization. The arms of the COM
pany were in perfect order and the drill rs
far as it went very good indeed. 1t has adj
vantages over every other company i'll the
regiment in having a permanent armory
with facilities for keeping its arms and ac-
coutrements in. order"
Company B, First infantry, stationed at
Butte, the report says, sis composed prin-
oipally of miners, ma of whom we're too
far, away from town to be notified OF the
inspection. For physical strength I have
never seen the equal of the men of this
company. 1t, like all other organizations
outside of Helena, is dependent for an ar
and is at the mercy of the owner from year
to year in moving it out or raising the. rent
until 1t is obliged to move. The captain
has no place of security for its public prop
e.ty." Speaking of Company q. First in
f arna = Ct Ba it ao sho ea9tg 9aqos says II s sn,aaa
men, clerks, etc, and is very fine" Com
pany F., First infantry, is also stationed at
Butte. This company" the report says,
'is composed of miners, smelters and me-
chanics. It is a very fine body of men.
From the strong number who responded to
SAS SAAA ~ AA~ Sp4S AAANo-
tlons, l believe it to be in admirable disci-
pline.'
OF Company E, First infantry, of Dillon,
the report has little to say, rs nearly all tho
officers and men were out of tow when the
captain called to inspect them. "Dillon is
members of the company are widely scat
tered, many being farmers living several
miles in the country. It has had a much
greater numerical strength until quito re-
Gently. The members of the company
present at inspection were of the best men
of the town, merchants, bank clerks. edit
ors, etc."
Company D, First infantry, is stationed
at Virginia City. The report says of it:
Virginia City is a small town. Many of
the enlisted men of this company are farm
ers who live several miles in the country,
and are out of reach of any notification
for inspection. The men present were a
good body"
In conclusion, speaking generally, Capt.
Boutelle says: Montana is the greatest
mining state in precious metals in America,
and has a strong element which in other
states has at times become turbulent
and required military force to con-
troll it. While the rich mines
now being worked are able to pay the COM
mon laborer three dollars a day there may
be no dangef Of trouble, but the time will
probably come when the rich ores will not
be SO plentiful I'M the lower grades worked.
When this occurs wages will be reduced
and the country will have the experience
of other mining regions and have its strikes,
mobs, etc. l have seen as good material in
my inspection as any in existence, and the
state certainly ought to give the organiza-
tions greater recognition and assistance.
"lf 1t can be done constitutionally it
would seem proper that a law be enacted
requiring all cities of a considerable popu-
lation to provide suitable armories for its
troops. Some of the companies are to-day
fine organizations-an able to labor sue
cessfully against the disadvantages referred
to. Some have gone down. Possibly if
they had had their armories, where they
could have assembled pleasantly and kept
their arms and equipments properly, it
would have been otherwise. I greatly adj
mire, while, as a professional and paid SOL
der, | annot understand the enthusiasm
which %sustains the captains of companies
who, without salary, care for the stores
thrown upon their hands, or spend the
hours usually devoted to rest in trying to
educate soldiers.
IF there was any provision under law or
appropriation from which the actual living
expenses of an officer could be paid l should
that q young, active regular
army officer be detailed each year for one
weeks duty with each company in the
per day at hotels is a little too great to in
tiict on a%not1icer of small salary.
I'm closing this reportI take great pleas
ure in stating that in all of my work lex
cepting Missoula) I met with every possible
courtesy from the officers of the guard.
While some of the company commanders
seemed a little nervous before the inspeo-
ton l think all were plensed that it had
been ordered and had a hope that some
good might come of my report upon their
necessities"
zee band or horses Saturday and Sunday at Mo
Lean corral, to be sold Monday, Oct. 10.
Bulk oysters 90 cents a quart. broadway Fish
Market.
SEQ The Bee Hive ad this week on special
prices OF German linen napkins, of their own
importation.
Great Bargains at Jackson's Music Store.
In consequence Of the fire in the Bailey