The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-22
THOUSANDS AT THE ARMORY
NO SUCH CROWD EVER SEEN
THERE BEFORE
Company ID Gives a Drill Which
Enthused Those Who Got Into the
BuiIding-COl. Reeve Receives
Notice of the Number Minnesota
Will he Expected to Furnish
Men Are Ready for the Call.

The intense interest taken at this
time in military matters was mani
tested last night when 5000 men and
women tried to crowd into the armory
to witness the drill of Company D.
Fully 5000 succeeded in getting into the
building. 1t was the largest crowd
ever gathered in the arrnory, and those
who were unable to gain admtttance
remained in front and blocked the
street for two hours.
The fact that it would likely be the
last drill Of the company before the
regiment is called upon to take the
field served to lend more than usual
interest to it. There were great many
ladies and they were particularly en-
thusiastic in applauding the men.
Every maneuver was watched keenly
and rounds of applause rewarded them
when they executed particularly diff
cult or complicated movement, as only
Company D can.
When the men marched out upon the
floor they wore shirts without blouses.
AT signal from Capt. Bean, must
clan began to play the regimental piano
and the men began to practice the
Butts calisthenic drill. To most of the
spectators the drill was new. 1t is a
very pretty exercise when executed by
a number of men in unison, and last
evening it was performed with remark
able smoothness.
At the conclusion of the calisthenic
drill the men began their regular mill
tary drill, and for two hours they
marched and countermarched up and
down and across the floor, executing
every kind Of movement they may be
called upon to perform before the
enemy. The company acted like one
machine, and it's splendid discipline was
apparent in every motion.
When the men had finished drilling,
Col. Reeves was introduced to the COM
pany by Capt. Bean. Col. Reeves pres
ence was not known to the men, and
his appearance was a surprise to the
audience.
Col. Reeve expressed qualification at
the excellent showing made by the COM
pany, and said the day was near when
the regiment would be called upon to
put its mettle to the supreme test. He
said he knew that the entire regiment
would respond to the call and would
give a good account of itself in the
field. He complimented the company
upon it's high state of efficiency, and
Capt. Bean for the perfect discipline of
his men.
While Col. Reeves was speaking he
received dispatch saying that Mime
sofa would be asked to furnish 1929
men at the first call for volunteers.
pany. He said that it was the last
time they would meet under such cir
cumstances. Their next drill, he said
would be in the field, perhaps in the
presence of the enemy. He knew every
man In the company would do his duty
when the hour came to serve his coun-
try. He believed every man would
volunteer to go to Cuba, but that those
who had domestic responsibilities and
who felt that their place was at home
should not hesitate to say So It was
no disgrace under such circumstances
to remain behind. He wanted every
man who could go to the front to be
ready to respond Immediately when
notified that he was wanted He
warned them that the call might be
issued tomorrow and he advised them
to be prepared to start at a moments
notice.
When the company had been dis