The record-union., 1894-03-26
NEVADA COUNTY CITIZEN SOLDIERS.
Two Companies That are Credit to
the National Guard.
Annual Inspection and Muster of Com
panies and II of Nevada City
and Grass Valley.

and II, located at Nevada City and Grass
Valley, respectively. Company G was
organized in 1863 and Company II is one
of the newest, having been organized less
than year.
AS all of the organizations in the Ma
tional Guard are required to assemble for
inspection and muster in the month OF
March each year, Major Frank D. Ryan,
Inspector of the Fourth Brigade, conf
menced on his tour of inspection on the
18th inst. and the last two companies in
spected and mustered are the subject OF
this article.
Major Ryan, accompanied by the
writer, who is also on the brigade staff,
left for Grass Valley and Nevada City
last Friday morning, and on arriving at
the former place they were met at the
depot by Captain 2. Z. Riley of Company
III and escorted to the armory, where the
preliminary work of the inspection was
performed.
In the evening the company assembled
In obedience to orders, and were given
thorough drilling before being inspected.
Notwithstanding the fact that Company
III has been but short time IN the States
service, its officers and men should be
congratulated for the efficient manner In
which the required movements were per-
formed, and also for the fine military ap-
pearance of the men and the large per-
centage in attendance attained. out OF
mem bership of tifty-two men hfty-one
responded to roll-call at muster, the at
tendance being IS per cent.
After the ceremonies were concluded
the company was put through the guard
mount, very important and interesting
feature at camp. TO only say it was done
i'm
pany, is not giving the officers and mem
bers of Company II enough praise. The
ceremony was performed as we'll as could
be done by any company in the State,
more particularly the companies located
in this city.
Company II is favorite with the citi-
zens OF Grass Valley, and so eager was
the desire of the people to witness the in
spectlOn and muster, it was found neces-
sary to limit the number of spectators,
and consequently large number were
unable to get into the drill hall.
Captain Riley is graduate of the Uni
versjty of California, and was formerly
an officer in the Third Regiment of In
fantry, located in San Francisco. To his
efforts. coupled with those of Lieutenants
George H. Fletcher and John r. Tyrrell,
are attributed the present and probably
will be the futnre. efficiency OF the COM
pany.
by Major Ryan an extensive orchestra
rendered appropriate music.
A ball will be given under the auspices
of the company on the Both instant. and
good time is assured to those who may
attend.
The ladies of Grass Valley intend, on
day not yet decided upon, in the month
of June next, to present the company
with new flag appropriately lettered
and designed.
On Saturday afternoon Major Ryan left
Grass Valley for Nevada City, where he
inspected Company c. The inspecting
officer was met at the depot by Captain
George II. Nihell and Lieutenant P. f.
Simonds, formerly First Lieutenant of
Company c, but now on the retired list,
and escorted 10 the company's armory,
where the rifles were examined and other
preliminary work performed. The COM
pany's books were found to be in first
class condition and finances properly
cared for.
Company owns its armory, which is
in almost every way adapted for drill
purposes. Ranged along the west wall
are the mems lockers, in which are kept
the rifles, uniforms. leggings and other
equipments. A commOdiOuS gallery has
been built and on important occasions.
when the company has inspection or
competitive drills, it is crowded with
spectators.
The company can claim credit for hav-
ing the largest number of old-time SOL
diers in its ranks than any company in
the State. Quite number of ten, fifteen
and twenty years service medals were
noticed fastened on some of the fatigue
blouses, which goes to show that the
Nevada City boys are persistent in their
efforts to have the company retain its
original efficiency and standard.
Its present Captain, Geo. Nihell, has
been member for seventeen years, and
is so popular with members of his COM
pany that he has been repeatedly elected
to the position he now occupies.
During the ceremony of inspection the
members gave evidence of having re-
ceived thorough military training and
of having been instructed to promptly
and rigidly obey all commands and Or
ders.
The men paid strict attention to details
and hardly an eye was turned or mus
Gle moved while they were being in
spected.
AS to their appearance and military
bearing, it can be said to their credit that
they could not have done better.
Although clothed in old uniforms, so
old that they have almost become
threadbare, 1t was an easy matter to OBJ
serve that the men realized the import
ance of the occasion and made themselves
look as we'll as they could. When the
new uniforms arrive Company 4 Will be
model organization, and with its old
time stability will be prepared to hold its
own with any other company of the
guard.
At muster forty-eight men out of total
membership of sixty answered as their
names were called.
In justice to the members of the COM
pany it is eminently proper that the true
reason for there not being better attend
ance Saturday night be stated. A large
number of the mem bers work on the
night shifts in the mines, and it is almost
impossible for them to leave their work
or be excused for the time being. They
are heart and soul military enthusiasts,
and to be restrained from assent bling for
military duty is an unpleasant thing for
them to contemplate. The percentage in
attendance was exactly so per cent.
The citizens of Nevada City take a great
pride in the company aud are at all times
ready TO lend hand for its betterment
and welfare.
On the evening of April 18th Company
will give an anniversary ball, and
the event one of unusual social import
ance. Captain Nihell has given the as
surance that all who attend will be righ
royalty entertained and properly cared
for.
A movement is now on foot to er ect a
new armory in the near future, when the
various movements as prescribed in the
tactics can be performed to better ad-
vantage than at present.
In addition to Captain Nihell the other