The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-06

The Governors Guards 10 . military or
ganization of this city whose short term OF
existence necessarily cuts its history short
er than that of any other military body OF
the State. It's career, though short, will
lengthen as years go by until the roster
molds and honors settle with the snow Of
age upon its members.
This company was organized three years
ago, to be an esco.. to the Governor on pub
lilo occasions, and assigned to the Sec
ond Regiment as Company E. They
were mustered in by Maj. Ben &.
Wright at the courthouse on the evening
of April 9. 1885, Private Secretary w. c.
Roberts was elected president of the CON-
pany. which Office he retains to- day. and at
tho same time en- lated as private. After
the muster. Charles S. Tarleton was elect
ed captain. Will G. Beach first lieutenant
and John X. Dean second lieutenant
There were sixty-eight men enlisted and
Immediately after the election OF officers
banquet was held, and toasts responded to
by Ex-Governor A.G. Porter. Mayor Denny.
Col. Samuel Merrill and Rev. K. V. Hunter.
bsrs Ct the "ss For
time headquarters was in the base
ment of the cou rt-ho use. but
soon after three elegant rooms in the Cy-
clorama Building were secured and ella D.
itary rend ezvous in the State. At their
opening there wac banquet and dan cling.
In September. 1889. the company was the
escort of Governor Hovey to Elkhart,
unwilling of soldiers monument: Sixty
two members accompanied him by spe.
cial train, and after the ceremonies were
finished the Governor took The entire party.
together with about thirty ladies and gen.
tlemen of this city. to st. Joe, Mich., and
stopped ct the famous Plank's Tavern. on
thellske shore. They remained there all
day as the guests of the Governor. In May.
1890. they accompanied tho Governor to
commencement exercises at Purdue Uni.
bition drill of an interesting. nature.
Last year Captain Tarlet0n resigned his
office to become secretary OF the American
Tin plate-works at Elwood. and SERGEANT
NJ. V. Scott succeeded to tho command as
captain. The company has made an envia-
bic record in all the State encampments,
aud now has within it's ranks some of the
best men of the Indiana militia. In the
encampment held in this city In 1889. Gov.
ernor Hovey and Private Secretary Colonel
Roberts visited the camp and dinsd with
the COMPANY. The Governor returned TO the
city early in the evening. leaving his
private secretary behind. That night q de-
tail of the Governors Guards was doing
allow no one to pass the line without the
proper pass " ord. AT q late hour Private
Secretary Roberts started to return to the
city in q drilling rain, and when crossing
the outskirts of the camp was stcrnly COM
handed to halt, to advance and
givee the countersign. The picket was
private George Jones' of the Guards
and q special friend of the private secre-
tary, who endeavored TO induce the picket
to pass him, but in vain. and as it Was i'm
possible to give the password, the guard
did his duty by marching the midnight
traveller back to headquarters It SCENE
that General Ruokle, the commander of
the camp anticipated the arrest of Col.
Roberts and was conveniently ab-
sent when the guard brought
his prisoner back TO get the
password. The parties then went to
Colonel McKee's headquarters to get tho
mystic word. but he too, had been given
the tip" and was not tn be found. The
next place visited was Major Franks head.
quarters who was so indignant at being
interrupted in his repose that he
summarily ordered the prisoner TO
be taken to the guard house. About
this time things assumed q serious aspect
to the private secretary. but the command
ing Off GERS. who wsre near by IN the dark
ness. were enjoy ing tho proceedings as the
best joke of the encampmcnt. They finally
came to the rescue and relieved the unfort-
innate miscreant.
Private Jones was complimented by Col.
Roberts for dischsrging his duty. and was
subsequently,. on Colonel Roberts's recon-
mendation, appointed sergeant of the
; company. One OF the most popular