The weekly tribune., 1894-02-16
COMPANY A, M. n G.
A Little History Concerning Great
Falls Splendid Militia Com
pany.
One of the Most Perfect Organiza
ti0ns in the State of
Montana.

In April, 1889, several citizens Of Great
Falls agitated the subject Of forming a
cavalry company, the number of young
men in the city being enough to promise
success. Meesrs. Hanks, Atkinson,
and Stanton called public meeting to
discuss the subject. Addresses were
made by Judge Race, Mr.. Stanton and
others, who advocated the formation of
company Mr.. Stanton, as secretary,
was instructed to write to the adjutant
general for instructions as TO procedure
regarding the formation Of a company
of cavalry and battery of artillery.
The meeting then adjourned to April II,
reply which stated there was no va
cancy for new squadron of cavalry or
battery and advised the organization of
company of infantry. The news spread
that it was stated NO company could be
organized, so on April II the meeting
was failure. But Messrs. Knapp,
French, and Stanton discussed the stu
alton and called another meeting for
May "A at the court room of Judge Race.
At this meeting eleven gentlemen at
tended and adjourned till May 81 to en-
able enough names to be gathered to
make up thIr'y-three men.
At the next meeting there was large
attendance and names we're taken and
officers elected as follows: Captain, c.
Green; first lieutenant. II. Crosby; sec
ond lieutenant, Ed Cronkheit Messrs.
| Green, Crosby, and Jensen were ap-
pointed to secure an armory, and they
secured the storeroom in the Roberts
| block on Central avenue, between Fourth
and Fifth streets. The result of the
election was sent to headquarters and
the company proceeded to drill without
arms or uniform. Word was received
however, that the election was illegal.
not having been ordered by the proper
authorities, and also Ordering a new cleo
tion. This meeting was held Jure 9
ard the following officers elected: Cap
tain, Andrew Jensen; first lieutenant,
G. Green, second lieutenant, H. Crosby
The company was mustered into serv
ice July ,, 1889. At the muster the first
lieutenant was absent, and at a subse-
quenL meeting and election Howard Cros-
by was made first lieutenant and Claude
Boardman second lieutenant.
No attention being paid to requisitions
for arms, Capt. Jensen went to Helena
and secured uniforms and sixty stand
of obsolete pattern of guns. with which
the company drilled several nights a
week. There was a large attendance
each night, and much interest mani
tested not only by the members of the
company. but in fact by all the citizens
of Great Falls.
The company went TO their first and
so far only encampment on Sunday, Oct.
6, 1889, which took place at Fort Ellis
and lasted seven days. The company
took rank among the best of the regi.
inent, Notwithstanding its youth, the
duties being performed in soldierly
manner, not single man even being in
the guardhouse.
After short time the armory was
moved to the Hotter block. Arion hall,
City hall, and then to the Eaton block.
On April 3, 1891, the officers resigned,
hoping new election might awaken
renewed interest April TO- the officers
were elected and the meeting adjourned
to Sept 30. The company continued its
drills under Second Lieut.. Whitten.
Sept. % B. ID. Whitten was elected cap
tain, and ). French second lieutenant.
Oct, ,, 1891, the present bylaws were
adopted. In that month the company
rifle team won second prize money at
the rifle tournament at Butte. Jan. |,
1891, w. =. DodsOn was elected second
lieutenant June 10. 1893, First Lieut..
French resigned and Sergt. Howe sue
ceeded him Oct. H. 1893, Capt. Whit
ten resigned and Lieut.. Howe took com
mand.
This WAS the critical time in the ex-
istence of the company. The first en-
istments having expired and no ei lamp,
ments having been held since the first
and only one in 1890, the veterans re-
fused to return for second term and
the abandonment of their encampment
caused such dlsatfecton among the re-
naming members as to reduce the at
tendance at drills to a minimum.
But a few of the more enthusiastic
members succeeded in carrying the com
pany through the crlsls, and now are
well on the way to place the organiza-
ton on tirmer footing than ever. APP
plications for membership are coming in
from very desirable class of young
men, ard the present members will see
that good men are admitted.
Friday there being a vacancy for
captain, Col Kessler and Adjt. Marsh Of
the regiment came down to superintend
the election At the same time an in
spection was made, and THE TRIBUNE is
pleased to state that the report Of the
officers was very favorable.
The election resulted in the choice Of
Lieut.. Howe as captain and }. +. Moran
as first lieutenant, with w. P. Dodson as
second lieutenant.
1t is pleasing to note that the COM
pany at all of its inspections, both by
state and regular army inspectors has al
ways stood highest, and by earnest en-
deavors will maintain Its supremacy, and
remaia credit to Great Falls, which all
of our citizens should appreciate.
To obtain necessary financial support
the company has decided to give an en-
| 4 -, ,tt ~