The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-11-19
Tn [. s. O,S.
some Facts in Regard to old Croton, No. l
 and l.. x, O.

hhti Afs iNs O
 My attention was called to an article issued in the Sunday Register of No vember in reference to the origin of the Latch String Originals. As an orig inaI member I will give some facts that l have not seen published, in justice to Captain J. M. D. Hendrick, our old com mander.
 As has been stated, the company was reorganized after being disbanded by the city on account of it's demoralizing character. Soon after the feasibility of reviving the company on the basis of temperance principles was discussed and with the result that the company was started in the coach factory of Wis we'll & Killam, located on Wooster street.
 About fifteen or twenty of the work men responded, signing the roll. Many were added later and then it was deem- ed expedient to call a meeting to organ ize and elect officers. Henry c. Earn ham, workman in the factory, was elected foreman. It is unnecessary for me to repeat what has already been said as to the material that composed the company at that time.
 l will say, however, that they were young men of intelligence and charac- ter. Our uniform consisted of a red flannel jacket trimmed with light blue, and with a fatigue cap to match, black pants, white body belt and gloves.
 It was in the days when large parades were formulated and such bands as DodsWorth's and Robertson's of New York were engaged. When we planned for large demonstrations invitations were sent all over the state and some times New York and Philadelphia would represent some of their crack compa- nies here, always bringing a fine band. The companies present on those occa- sions numbered from fifty to seventy five. Most of them would number more than hundred men each. They were monster parades and attracted crowds from all over the state.
 About that time our good and vener- able city missionary, Deacon Smith, of- ten dropped into our meetings with a smile on his face. We always extended him a warm and hearty welcome, as he was ever ready to give us a good word of advice and encouragement. We look ed up to him as our firm friend and counsellor. When the question arose in regard to the formation of a military company, providing muskets and equip ments to insure its success, Deacon Smith, having a knowledge of our situ- atfon, quietly did a little missionary work in our behalf, directing his efforts to citizens who were friends of the com pany and obtaining money sufficient to purchase fifty muskets. That, with what raised in the company was suffi- cient to procure all necessary equip ments. Captain J. NJ D. Hendrick, a young man well posted In military tac- tics having served as captain of the Second company, Governors Foot Guard, in the year 1845 and who is still quite active for a man of his years, and one of our much esteemed citizens, was appointed a committee to purchase muskets and equipments, with instruc- tions to go to New York for the same. In due time the goods were shipped and received. MT. Hendrick was the organ izer and was elected captain. Edward HoSmer, a former member of the Blues was chosen first lieutenant. He was al so an ex-member of the Blues. George Judd was elected orderly sergeant.
 We often met for drill and under our captain, who was a. good disciplinarian, we soon became proficient as to drill and marching and made several par ades, such as parade for target practice and other excursions. One of these oc- cured on inauguration day in Hart ford, at which time Colonel Ledyard Colburn acted as first lieutenant. We were assigned a place with other military companies After the parade we were pleased to hear some of the Hartford military say that we had done ourselves great credit and that our drill and marching were not excelled by the best companies that paraded on that day. Colonel Colburn was identified with the company only as an honorary member. The company also went on a target shoot to Cheshire, when on our return Colonel Benjamin $. Pardee, who won the first prize, a fine sword, pre- sented it to Captain Hendrick before leaving the cars. Captain Hendrick has it now in his possession and prizes it highly as memento of the old compa- ny. After rendering his resignation his services were sought by Franklin No. 4 and he was elected captain and or ganized the Franklin Guards when such men as General Dickinson, now of Hart ford; our present mayor, A. c. Hen drick, Major l.. G. Hemingway, ex-Con- gressman John Woodruff and ex-Chief Engineer Hiram Camp, the famous clock man, were active members.
 At that time an excursion was made to Hartford also a. target shoot to Gull ford. Its life, like that of Croton, was short It proved a good company, do- ing credit to itself when on parade. Gro ton as No. always had the right of the line at the time of large firemen's parades, and with Robertson's band which was considered the best street band of New York, we prided ourselves, as to formation and marching, as not excelled by our best military compa-