Evening star., 1897-01-12
o HIo's ooP A
The Organization That Will Escort Major
Mckinley Prom Canton.
Interesting Description of q Cavalry
Body That Has Performed Sim.
liar Duty Many Times.

Upon the invitation of Major Mckinley,
when he leaves Ohio in March to take the
oath of Office and become President Of the
United States, he will be escorted from
Canton by Troop A, Ohio National Guard.
This organization belongs in Cleveland,
and barring Troop A Of New York, Captain
Rowa's command. is the crack troop of the
United States. Heretofore 1t has ranked
second, but now its officers are making the
effort of their lives to bring it up to a
standard nnequaled by any other troop.
Troop A is making great preparations for
the inaugural parade. Black horses have
! been ordered, SO that the mounts may be
uniform, and all will be brought here by
special train. The position Of the troop will
probably be at the head of the column, and
the sight of eighty muscular men on eighty
handsome black chargers will be pleasing
to look upon.
This splendid troop has performed escort
duty many times before, and upon one
other memorable occasion visited Wash
ington. II was organized October TO- 1877,
by Col. William Henry Harris, now de-
ceased, and has an interesting history. Col
Harris was Union officer in the ate war;
and served gallantly. Previous to that he
was captain in the regulars. During that
period Of great disorder In Ohio, the latter
part of 1875. which was occasioned by the
railroad riots Col Harris organized the
Cleveland troop to protect the lives and
property of law-abiding citizens During
the first year of its existence it was fully
armed ana equipped with the Lee maga-
zine carbine.
When Charles Foster was inaugurated
governor at Columbus, in 1850 Troon A
part1cipated in the parade. The following
March 1t came to Washington as the per-
sonai escort of President-electa James A.
inaugural parade, and made a brilliant dis
play, after which 1t rendered its services
70 the retiring executive, Rutherford B.
hayes, and escorted him back to Ohio.
OuIins tnat trip the train was wrecked in
co!iislon. but only one trooper Sergt % IT
"llams, was hurt, and he got oft with a
broken leg. The next escort duty perform
ca py the troop was sad one at the
September %, 1851
Col. Harris retired from command of
Troop A in 1884 and was succeeded hv
Lieut.: George A. Garretson, formerly of
tne United states army. Three years later
the organization became a factor of the
regul lr military establishment of the stat.
the Ohio National Guard. The troop next
participated at the international military
encanpment at Chicago October to Ii
1897, and with Troop L, 1st United States
cavalry, and the Light Horse SQUADRON of
Milwaukee acted as escort to President
Cleveland on the occasion of his visit to
that city. When Joseph B. Foraker was
inaugurated governor at Columbus The
second time, in 1888, the Cleveland troon
acted as his escort.
This troop also acted as escort for Priest,
dent Harrison on his arrival from Eliza
bethport April %. 1859, at the Centennial
celebration Of the Inauguration of Wash
ington. in New York. The following day If
marched at the head Of the Ohio troops in
the centennial parade, of which Gen. John
NJ Schofield was grand marshal
returning from the centennial celebrat tion
troop escorted the famous Indian fight
er MAJ. Gen. George Crook from New
York to Cleveland. On Decoration day,
1880, 1t was escort to President Harrison
and Gov. James E. Campbell on the occa-
sion OF the dedication of the Garfield me-
mortal at Lakeview cemetery. Since then
this noted military organiza ton has figured
prominently in other parades upon numer-
Gus occasions. The troop will appear in
Washington next March with the following
official roster:
Past captains, George "A. Garretson.
Jacob B. Perkins and Charles C. Bolton: /:
omcers-Captain, r. E. Burdick: first lieu
tenant, Henry W. Corning; second lieu
tenant, Wflli"m M. Schofield; surgeon.
Frank E. Buntz: non-commissioned staff
Howard s. Stebbins, quartermaster SER
geant; William L. Blair hospital steward;
sergeants, c. L. Burridge, Ed. H Will
liams. A. c. Rodgers, J. M. Shellenbarger
and G. A. Thomas; corporals. C. H. Pen
nington, H. E. Doty, ]. A. Robinson, F. b.
White, c. c. Esterbrook. c. w. Comstock.
T. s. Grasselli and R. A. Dinsmore: trum-
peters, c. c. Chapp and F. D. Connor and
saddler, F. r. Baldwin.