The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-22
IT'S COLONEL JOHN BERRY
He Was Elected to Command the
Ninth Regiment
The Election Held Last Night at the Armory
Brigadier General Last and His
Staff Were Present

The election for the colonelcy of the
newly formed Ninth regiment, First
brigade, N. G. G., was held last night at
the Armory. Officers were present from
all the companies of the late Seventh and
Ninth regiments thrty-four in all being in
attendance.
Major Cyrus Willard, the engineer officer
of the brigade staff, was the presiding
officer and called the meeting to order.
Captain Alphonso, regimental adjutant,
read the order of General Last on CONSOLE.
dalton, unifying the Seventh and Ninth
regiments. The business of the evening
was then attended to without further de-
lay.
On motion of Major McKelvey, caucus
was held behind closed doors for the pur-
pose of taking secret ballot. The caucus
ballot Went to Lieut-Colcnel John r. Berry
by vote of % to II, Colonel Schneider
receiving the smaller number.
When the doors were opened, Captain
John Diss rose and proposed the name of
Lieutenant-Colonel John r.. Berry for the
office. He paid the candidate q glowing
eulogium. Colonel Berry was seconded by
Lieutenant Fred. Teale and Lieutenant
Colonel Rowland. Previously, the name
of Colonel Schneider had been proposed,
his right to candidacy being ex-ofiicio. A
ballot was then takon and resulted as fol-
lows: Berry 80; Schneider 2.
Major Willard then declared Colonel
Berry elected, and he rose to deliver his
speech of thanks. He expressed his deep
gratitude for the trust reposed in him. He
then referred to the uses of the National
guard, and touched upon the present
strained relations between this country
and England. regarding it as useful to the
National guard, as it called attention to its
napdS and He rouUoatad ba oC. -
alton of all members of the guard in his
efforts in every direction, and again de-
claring his thanks, sat down amid great APP
plause.
Gen. c. F. A. Last, who was present
then, spoke few words declaring his
pleasure at meeting for the first time all
the officers of the brigade. He expressed
sorrow at the loss of Col. Schneider, whom
he characterized as a fine soldier and con-
scientious officer. He congratulated the
regiment upon he selec ion of John Il.
Berry as their officer, and declared his in
tentioa of visiting the various companies
as often as possible.
Col. Schneider made manly speech of
retirement, prefacing his remarks by walk.
ing up and shaking hands with his sue
cessor. He feelingly referred to his loss of
the terl-year service medal, and expressed
thanks to abe officers present for their
help in the past.
Speeches were also made by Major W.
A. Kelsey, Lieutenant Colonel Rowland
and others. Many of the old officers of
the late Seventh regiment were present and
took lively though not active part in the
proceedings.
John r. Berry, the newly elected colonel,
first served in the national guard in New
Monmouth, ILL.,, where he served as a pri-
vate. He moved to San Diego and enlisted
: as private in Company A, Ninth regi-
! ment.
The following year he was elected Sec
ond lieutenant and was then appointed
adjutant of the Ninth regiment by Co onel
bpileman. He was afterwards elected
lieutenan colonel of the same regiment,
which Office he has held for the past three
years, up to his election last night.