The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-12
! NEW CAMP GROUND:
Iho Commission Decides In Favor Of
the Reynolds Farm.
LOCATED At QUoNSEY POINT.
There Are 2eB Acres of Excellent Land
Admirably adapted to the Needs Of
the BIilitia-It IL Three Miles from the
Railroad-of s~trategicai Importance.

0m0 ~ ~ " VIC
Rafroad-Of strategicai Importance.
This morning Colonel II. ID. Heydon,
represei { .tive from Warwick, was to
have presented the report of the com-
mission appointed two wears ago to Sc
cure . new camp ground for the use
Of tho state militia, pnt AS no quorum
was present he will bring it in next Tues
day.
The members Of the commission were
Lieutenant Governor Bull, Representa-
tives Heydon and Gates, and thew have
given much time and a great deal OF
patient inquiry to the subject and their
recommendations will meet with general
approval.
They propose the purchase Of the Rev
nolds farm on the west shore of the bay,
near what is known as Quonset Point.
which contains 225 acres of land and
which Is admirably adapted to the needs
of the militia. besides possessing strate-
Rical points Of much value. Following
10 the full text OF the report;
The Report.
The Joint special committeee appointed at
the January session. 1892, for the purposing
Of securing Q suitable location for a perma-
psnt camp. ground for the Rhode Island
Militia. with the probable cost of same. ETC.,
herewith report as follows:
The committee by public advertisement In
papers located In each county of the state in
vftcd land owners having land suitable for
camp purposes to communicate TO the com
mittee the location and price OF such lands,
but before inspecting any OF the numerous sites
passed upon what qualities q state camp
ground should possess. and also upon ques-
tons of vital Importance, such as distance
from the city where are located the head
quarters and the bulk of the brigade, acoessi-
bility. by railroad. highway or water, nature
of soil, drainage, availability for mortar prac-
tice and rife shooting, area, length for line
formations, breadth. general sanitary condi-
ton OF. site and surroundings. vicinity to the
bay. teiegraphic and telephonic communica.
level. quality Of water, availability of grounds
for artillery and cavalry intruction as wei, as
70 and rom the military centre. cost Of rail.
road transportation, opportunities afforded
by the surrounding. country for military
operations beyond the limits of the camp
eround, situation OF ground with regard to
sun and prevailing winds, etc. etc.. and IL
was agreed that the committee would best
ing that ground which should combine all or
most of the desired qualities. having due re-
gard 20 economy.
A Site ON the bay.
II advantage OF securing a site on Nara
gansett bay or its adjacent waters was made
apparent by the offer of the national govern
ment to construct, free of cost to the state. bat
terics for siege gun and mortar practice, at
an expense OF several thousand dollars, pro-
vided that the camp be suitably located with
water front, etc, and with a view TO securing
this greet advantage for the state the COM
mittec paid particular attention to sites Of
The prices asked for available and unavail-
able sites ranged from $12,5D TO S30.O00, but
the committee declined to consider ,hst ,h any prop,
price Of the property offered had been ad-
vanced merely because the state was looking
The time Tor the annual encampment of the
militia drew nigh before the committee had
inspected more than a third Of the lands Of
i isr in " sesRo Mith 70 a paSSor tHVl 10 Tsoo ana; Ssi
the leasing of ground for camp purposes, the
committee as q temporary measure, selected
s sncun Mi az BAHAMA tfs%i Beach, aSssn Il Il w sns LEASED eas SA% foP
one week at u rental of si25. The cost of
srecting temporary. storehouses. stables and
n nIsi, the t hiring rsgS Of sdd 1anSthl g maSa t fCs e sotal
Sutlay' ) ,iss.Ss' equatins the interest on
about ga: 900, and clearly demonstrating that
economy lies IN the direction Of purchasing
and not In leasing.
The wilcox Farm.
The committee selected the Wilcox farm
because It was the best of any land inspected
mp to that time. and because its owner with a
most accommodating spirit was willing to ac-
cord many privileges sratuitously, which
other owners would have required payment
foEs
dssirsSRitv Of this site for a s permanent &c camp
ground were diversified, the general officers
being as divided in opinion as the comman-
ders OF regiments, batteries and companies,
nuf the maiOrity ADpeared to favor the lOra-
ton.
since that time the members of the CON-
general Officers of the militia and comman-
ders of regiments being invariably invited to
accompany them TO all places regarded as
possessing suf1cient advantages TO warrant
Some of these lands were admirably situated
but the cost OF clearing them, grading. filling,
etc, added to the original cost OF the ground.
would have made them TOO expensive for the
committee %
On. Quidnesset Neck.
The attention OF the committee was called
10 . piece of land in North Kingstown, lying
adjacent to Quidnesset Neck, consisting of
about rs acres. with ample length and width,
and owned by Nathaniel Reynolds. 1t was
visited and found to be in many respects an
sides to the breezes OF the bay. and consisting
largely OF level land of good drainage quail
ity. well sodded, free from wood and requir-
~ oApth-C ~ indkluk ~ nv u OCcu-
pancy Of troops than any other property in
spected. In addition 10 these recommends
tions the price asked was but $500 more than
half. OF the sum required for the cheapest OF
all the other sites considered available.
The fact that the Reynolds farm Is stu
oted three miles from the nearest railroad
station was regarded as a serious objection,
but IN order 10 ascertain the views of the
military authorities on this point, the adju-
tant general, Qu~artermaster general, general
commanding brigade and officers command |
ing infantry, cavalry and artillery branches
Of the brigade were invited TO inspect the
ground with the committee.
This Inspection took place In ! pril, and at
. meeting OF the committee held on the
grounds that day IL was stated by the in
vited officers that the distance from the rail-
road was more. ad advantageous than disad van |
tageous. that ~ieolation would be beneficial,
In that the men could drill TO greater advan- |
tege With the camp ground unobstructed by
thousands Of visitors; that the object of an |
nual cncampments being Institutional and
not spectacular, the training of the militia
could be better effected in the absence OF
crvwds.
The march OF three miles for the troops 10
end from the camp grounds was referred to,
but this point was dismissed b, the officers |
- being IA rrIcpfiop IN tho rbWofo.l 49,