Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-05-04
Fergus County Sends Forth a
Company to Battle.
FAREWELL RECEPTION BY THE LADIES.
The Boys Left Today for Helena, Where They
Viii be nustered Into the Regular Ser.
vice and Await With Anxiety the
Order to 90 to the Front.

marched away this noon, 40 strong
and by the time they leave the county
it is expected the ranks will be full
and that they will reach Helena with
q complete quota of "a officers and
men-Fergus county boys who have
answered the call OF their country.
Last week it appeared. as we went
to press, that if any OF them went
they would have to volunteer, not as
members OF Company 1 but as indi-
viduals, and it appeared very doubt
full il more than a dozen OF hen
would go in this manner.
Sunday, orders were received from
the governor, accepting b company
organization, agreeing to the APP
pointment of Captain Preston and
Lieutenants Foster and Croft, and
notifying the company to be ready
to leave Lewistown Wednesday
morning. Immediately upon receiv-
ing the news the boys decided to go
almost without exception. Men
from the country began to pour in
and the captain had all the'applica-
lions he could handle. Monday af-
ternoon Drs. Tillotson and Lindsey,
Lieut.. Foster and Sgt. Wright, per
appointment. sat as an examining
board. By this process some few
whose physical ailments were such
that they could not hope to pass the
examining board at Helena, were
dropped from the roll and new men
took their places. At the last mo-
ment. also, some few who had in
tended to go, found it impossible be-
cause of family affairs, and much to
their disappointment remained be-
hind. There, too, were afew, troubl-
ed with weakness OF the knees, though
but a few.
Last evening the ladies Of Lewis
town rendered the boys a farewell
reception at the hall, which was beau
tifully~ decorated with the American
and Cuban flags, portraits, ETC.,
prominent among which was a
draped Autograph of the Maine.
Early in the evening the company
marched on Main street headed by
the band, and for a short time, were
put through evolutions by their cap
tain. AS the boys stood in line, four
little girls presented each with a
bouquet.
On behalf of James A. Shields
Post, No. 10, G.. A. r., X. Won Tobel
presented the company with the
Grand Army standard, r. w. Noble,
one of the veterans, holding the flag
during the speech. Mr.. Won Tobel
~eloqrently referred to the struggle
through which these had passed who
now must stand aside and see their
sons go forth to battle, and also to
the present conflict, which he de-
scribed as not one of Americans
against Spaniards but of liberty
replied i'm a few words, ON behalf OF
the company, pledging them to as
nobly defend the banner as had the
brave boys of 81.
f. T.. Smith then took charge of
the exercises. The band opened
with a selection, followed by the
singing Of America" by the as
semblage, led by a chorus. Mr..
Smith made a short address, MIR.
Gilmore sang a solo, E. G.. Worden
read the poem, Remember b
Maine" Mrs. w. w. Badger sweetly
rendered the solo which is likely to
be a favorite song for many months,
Boys, Remember the Maine," and
patriotic songs We're interspersed.
Before closing this portion OF the
program, Rev. Pfaus, who had been
mustered in that evening, thanked
the ladies, on behalf of the company
for the reception.
During the evening 20 volunteers
were mustered in.
Refreshments were then served the
members of the company and their
ladies and the throng gradually dis
persed.
Among those who have joined the
company there are several who have
served in the regular army and one
veteran of the civil war. The latter,
L. G.. Smith, served first in the Sth
Missouri and later in the 5Sth and
61st Illinois. He says he has not
yet reached the age limit of 10 and is
anxious to once more do a battle for
his flag.
The boys left this morning at IL a.
m. by private conveyance for Great
Falls, intending to go from Belt to
Great Falls, by Saturdays train
and reach Helena that night, where
they will join the other state troops
In camp at Fort Harrison. While
they are entirely ignorant OF how
soon they will be ordered into service
or which way they will go, a feeling