Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-26
A VERY OLD COMPANY
The First Company Of the Hartford
Foot Guards in Richmond Yesterday.
EsconrlsG GOVERNOR COFFIN.
A Splendid military Organization
Received by the Biucs-Entcrtnincd
at Ford's Hotel-Connecticut's Ex-
ccuttye Is Pleased with the South.


That splendid military organization, the
First Company Of the Foot Guard, OF
Hartford. Conn. escorting Governor q.
Vincent Coffin and his staff. arrived In
the city yesterday morning at o'cloci
over the Atlantic-Coast Line, from Char
lesion. s. {. They were met at the depo;
at o'clock by the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues Battalion, under command
of Captain Clarence Wyatt, and after a
rousing welcome rendered them by the
Blues. a line was formed. and headed by
the magnificent Colts Band. of HARTFORD
the visitors were marched through the
principal streets to Ford's Hotel, wher@
breakfast was served them in the reading
room.
The visiting organization was command
ed by Major T.. Henry Hyde. and wear
ing the handsome Colonial uniform OF the
British Grenadiers, they presented most
striking appearance Governor Coffin ana
his staff followed the procession in car
riages.
WELCOMED TO RICHMOND.
panies, both local and visiting, were llned
IN on Broad street in front of the hos
telry and Colonel Il. w. Richardson,
Colonel John Bell Bigger. and Captain
Frank W. Cunningham made addresses or
welcome. Major Hyde responded on De
half OF the visitors. md Governor comm
in few brief remarks. thanked the Blues
heartily for the reception they had gwen
his soldiers.
The ranks were broken as soon as the
speech-making was concluded and gem
oral handshaking was INDUCED IN AROUND
a generous punch bowl, after which the
Blues retired and the New Enslanders
did full justice 20 the breakfast which
had been provided for them.
There was no formal programme for
the rest Of the day, but parties were soon
made up. many of the Blues being among
them. and carriages were taken and the
majority Of the visitors drove TO the
points Of interest in and about the city.
Ere the drives were taken. however.
the visitors marched back down 10 their
magnificent special train Of Stepping cars
at the depot. and describing their red
dress uniforms. donned fatigue costumes.
When they reappeared the visitors were
hardly distinguishable from the Blues, the
fatigue uniforms of bG.h organizations be
ing almost Identical.
LIKE GOVERNOR O'FERRALL.
Connecticurs Governor is very much
like Nirginia's executive. both in looks
and In manner He is a most courteous
and affable gentleman, and If appearances
are any criterion by which TO judge, he
holds "A warm spot in the hearts of his
miltiamen Among the members OF his
staff with him are Adjutant-General era
ham. General Jarman. Colonel Muller
Colonel Camp. Colonel Wessless. General
Peck General Brsbroe. Captain Thomp-
son. L. s. A., and Colonel Cheney.
Governor Coffin was seen in his room
at Ford's and asked for an expression
as 10 his ideas of the So'.th. lie said
ii had been a long time since he had
passed through this section Of the Union,
and he was much gratified to note the
increased activity that seemed to prevail
in this Southland of ours. After OK
patiating at some length on the magni
ficence of the Atlanta Exposition his
Eycelency talked interestingly ,of his
observations in the States through which
he had passed.
LACK OF DIVERSITY.
THE one disadvantage under which
the South appears to labor" said he. is
the lack of a diversity of industries.
OF course, that does not apply to Virginia.
The general impressions he received of
the South were very favorable. the Gov
ernor continued and he had Observed
with much satisfaction The atmosphere
of prosperity that .nCompaSsed the sunny
land of Dixie.
Governor Coffin expressed much regret
that his visit To Richmond should have
been at time when Virgnia's Governor
was absent He met Governor OFcrrall
in Atlanta however, and was loud in
his praises Of our Executive.
Governor Coffin is accompanied by his
wife. and in his party are many other
ladies. wives Of the various officers who
accompany him.
The Governor and his military escort
left the city last evening on their special
train. and will 50 direct from here TO
Hartford.
HISTORY OF THE GUARD.
The Foot Guards is the Oldest active
military company in the United States.
Ii was organized as the Governors guard
in October, III. when Jonathan Trumbull
(Brother jonathan. as Washington dubbed
him) was the Colonial Governor of Con-
necticut After another foot company
and two horse companies were organized.
some years later. the original company
was called by it's present name-the First
been IN continuous existence since It's
organization. during the Colonial period.
and has adhered. without material
change TO the uniform originally adopted.
OF course, that includes the British red
coat with black facings. and this uni
form has helped to give the company its
distinction.
Every Governor Of Connecticut has been
attended at his Inauguration by this
company as escort. and in the evening Of
the inauguration the Governor Is always
entertained at a reception and bail, given
by the company in its handsome armory.
The armory was built at cost OF $4,000
without any assistance from the State
Treasury Tickets TO the inauguration
ban and reception are eagerly sought for.
but they are distributed with great care.
for these events are among the most i'm
portant social functions that occur in the
State.
The company takes part in all cere-
monial occasions in which the Governor
particIpates whether i'm or out of the
state. II has done escort duty TO Wash
ing,on. and TO every President of the
country who has visited Connecticut du-
ring his term OF office: TO Lafayette,
Count de Rochambeau. and other distin-
guished visitors TO the State. 1t is the
most prominent military organization in
the state In social way.
Highland Springs Notes.
Work upon Mr.. T. s. Reads new house
IL now progressing rapidly. and some OF