The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-02-29
THE MILITARY BALL
IT WAS A BRILLIANT sue
CESS.
CAPTAIN Ref Presented with a Sword
Other Local acknowledgements at
Meadow Cre~ek--Silver Starlight---Some
County News.

The military boys made a mark in
social affairs last Friday evening. at
their ball given in honor of him who
will always be remembered as the first
American. Their dance was we'll at
tended, and thoroughly enjoyed. They
made a hit with their palatable bacon
and bean supper, but the feature OF the
evening was the sword presentation,
by which their indefatigatle captain,
George w. Ref. became the possessor
of one of the handsomest side arms in
Montana.
The presentation completely floored
the captain. At about 10 o'clock there
was a cessation Of hostilities on the
floor. Something was on the tapis but
nobody knew just what. The company
was formed in company front by Sergt.
Rooney and turned over to Lieut.. Mead.
whats up, George?:" asked somebody
of Captain Ref. ASK me something
easy" replied the doughty captain,
cts a 10 block puzzle with me-"
About this time Robert A. Vickers be-
gan the presentation speech, which
was brief and to the point. After a
few preliminary remarks leading up to
the subject. he told Of the Captains
service with the company, stating that
his career began with the company as
a private, was promoted to first SER
geant; on Feb. p, 1891, he was elected
following year he was elected first lieu
tenant. and on Jan. 7. 1893, on the pro-
motion OF Captain Filing to the regi
mental majority, he was made captain,
being unanimously reelected a short
time ago. , nd on behalf of your
brother officers and MEMBERS" contin-
ued the speaker, ''of Company D. Ma
tional Guards of Montana, I hereby
present to you, Captain George w.
Ref, this handsome sword. which we
hope you will accept and ever cherish
as a mementO of the love. regard and
esteem in which you are held by your
brother officers and members of Com
pany D."
The sword is a beauty. The handle
is of pearl, beautifully jnlaid with gold,
and the hand shield and scabbard are
handsomely embellished with gold fill
gree work. The blade is of the best
Damascus steel, while on the blade and
aoI1,on l., n loronl ~o,,,4;ar 4l,o
presentation, the donors, the recipient
and date.
The boys certainly did the handsome
thing by their deserving captain, who
has devoted much time, without re-
enumeration. to the welfare OF the com.
pany. The idea to make the p~resenta.
ton was first preached at the state ell.
campmeut last fall. and once started
the boys did not lose sight of it. AS
the sword passed into the hands OF the
captain the company presented arms
the ceremonial being very impressive
Captain Ref thanked the donors brief
ly, but feelingly. And then the dance
went On.
At l. O'Clock sharp words of com
mand produced tables and edibles. The
exceedingly short space OF time il
which tho smoking edibles we're on tn,
table gave away the fact that the boy,
had drilled up a little, in this mattog
And the quantity vas such hat TIL,
food withstOod the awful attack which
was subsequently, made en- it by tn,
guests. At the first charge it looked
as though the %succuient bean was 20
ing to get the worst OF it but reinforce
ments arrived SO quickly. and in sucl
quantity that the guests were forced t.
leave any amount Of beans on the table
which practically meant leaving then