The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-23
The Neic 4ArnOry.

comrades in arms uncovered their gray
heads in company with the younger men in
uniform as the Rev. John Gray invoked
divine blessing on the ceremony.
Captain Charles lie Breton, one OF the
veterans, officiated as master OF ceremonies.
he delivered speeches which were models
of brevty as he introduced the actors In the
scene.
The first man introduced after the clergy
man was the venerable Colonel j. B. Moore,
who had come all the way from Ruby Val
ley. Nevada, TO contribute his fund of REM
iniscences. He was the first commander Of
the Nationals. ve+-PfeSeIYed man for
his seventy years, sharp featured, fiOrld
face, clean upper lip. TUT OF snowy chin
wEiskeTs and Yankee in all his outlines, he
seemed like an outpost Of the past behind
which everything seemed TO melt into dim
VApOT. He told the story OF the organlZa-
tiOn Of the Nationals and the young men in
brass-trimmed helmets leaned on theiI rifles
and listened intenuy TO the annals from
his lips.
The story he told was laid In the days
before the uprising If the second Vigilance
Committee. He related how on July II,
1853, the members OF the Pennsylvania
Fire Company, composed mainly OF young
men from Philadelphia, arrived al the
conclusion that it would be good thing 10
encourage the formation Of a military com
pany. The idea was 10 build q three-stOry
engine-house on Jackson street and give
the military company the top floor. The
history of the Nationals dated from that
time, and the company was the first to
adopt on this coast the title National
Guard" which had since become the
common designation for the whole State
militia. The organizers subscribed $500
aud the county donated 500 toward their
first building fund. Thus was laid the
plant OF the great work now IN their hands.
On August 81, 1885, the organization was
completed. The uniform Of the United
States army was adopted.
Colone! Moore told about the critical period
of the Vigilance Committee when the conf
pany were ordered out but failed TO respond,
a circumstance which made reorganization
necessary eight years later. He told about
the early excursions Of the company, about
their prim tive methods of target practice.
how they stood together soidly In the war
days and offered their services to General
Sumner to garrison Fort Point, and how
General Joseph Hooker once awarded them
a trophy at the first State encampment at
Sacramento in the shape Of silk flag for
being the best drilled and disciplined mil
itary company in the State of California.
He closed with an admonltion to them to
be jealous for their honor, dignity aud
social standing and to live up 70 the motto.
The Ola Guard dies but never surrenders."
There was loud cheering when the veteran
commander finished. He was followed by
of theNationals, who delivered brief address
in behalf OF the active members. Here
ferred to the fortunate selection of the
anniversary of WashingtoD's birthday for
the ceremony. He said that an the men,
beers we're actuated by the same patriotic
spirit which had carried the organization
forward from its inception. After paying a
high compliment 10 Captain lie Breton, the
chairman Of the Committee OF arrangements,
and invoking the cooperation Of all the
veteran members in the work Of building
their new home, he stated that the honor Of
laying the cornerstone had been assigned
to Captain lie Breton.
That gentleman drew from his breast
pocket silver trowel presented to him by
ex-Lieutenant Shook, and after placing the
box containing relics and mementOs and
copies Of THE CALL and other daily papers
within its receptacle spread the mortar
scien tfcally over the surface. Then the
big stone was slowly lowered by the derrick
into its place. The. big American flag waved
gracefully from the derrick, the band played
patriotic airs, the people cheered loudly,
mother standing In an upper window OF the
house 804 Ellis street danced her baby girl
up and down on the sill to the tune of
Yankee Doodle" and the troops under
arms emitted their toOtsy wo0tsy yell and
the deed was done. The parting words
were spoken by Captain lie Breton. II de-
clare" he said. 1.-THE cornerstone Of the new
DunOlnR properly iald,
Colonel William p. Sullivan Jr., conf
handing the First Regiment. and his staff,
in full uniform, were present as guests Of
the Nationals" and occupied seats on the
platform. His refusal to consent to the two
companies Of his regiment parading in uni
form had been reconsidered and the per-
mission was the evening before gracefully
extended. A principle was involved In the
matter, which made Colonel Sullivan feel
very reluctant to yield. He concluded,
however, on reflection. that a concession
made at this time would work no prejudice
to his ultimate purpose of bringing all the
companies of his regiment under one roof.
After the return of the companies to their
armory on Post street refreshments were
served to all the invited guests and some
felicitous. c0ngratulatory speeches were
made by Captain TiIden and others.
The armoTy OF which the cornerstone
was yesterday laid under such suspicious
circumstances will cost, with the lot uron
which ii stands. about $4,000. II is TO be
completed by the next Fourth OF July. 1t
has frontage OF 60 and depth of 10 feet
There will be a basement. three stories aud
tower. The first story will be built with
stone and the others with brick. The top
of the tower will be so feet from the ground
The architects are Messrs. Stone d Munson
of this city.
The plans provide for an armory rifle
range and bowling alley in the basement,
together with kitchen, dining-ro0m, lava
tory, toilet and storage rooms.
The main entrance on Ellis street is abou
twenty feet wide with solid oak sliding
door. After passing through the vestibule
the entrance TO the main hall Is through
n "a.