Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-03-23
MUSTERED IN.
company L. Montana National Guard, Organ
lied Prom the Citizens Of Fergus
County.

ana that i Will obey all lawful orders
OF my superior officer for the period
of my enlistment"
Such was the oath taken by forty
seven able bodied citizens above the
age OF Is years at the court house
Saturday last. and having subscrib-
ed to this oath they were mustered
into the service for three years, un-
less sooner discharged.
Lieut.. H. B. Wallace, lst lieutenant
End Cavalry, U. S. A, and detailed
mastering officer for the State of
Montana, did not reach Lewistown
on the delayed Benton coach until
III p. m, but Immediately called the
meeting, which had convened at p.
NJ. to order and fulfilled his duty.
A considerable number, including a
dozen ladies, had attended the meet
ing of the proposed company in the
evening at which time the committee
on bylaws reported and their report
was adopted with some amend
ments. These bylaws include the
usual rules pertaining to such organ
izations, possibly the only features
of especial interest being the name of
the company and the dates set for
public drill. Three names were sug-
gested, that adopted being the
Mountain Rangers. The dates
chosen for public drill were the 3Oth
day of May Decoration Day), the
4th o. July and the 22nd If Seq tenn
Der. The latter being the anniversa-
ry OF President Lincoln's prelimin-
ary emancipation proclamation was
preferred to Labor day, which was
also suggested, not, as NJ. j. Garret
remarked, because there was any
antipathy between Labor day and
the National Guard, but that Presi-
dent Lincoln's proclamation was
more in the nature of q war an
niversary than was Labor day and
a day in September was preferred.
The meeting had given up the
mastering officer and adjourned, but
few had reached their homes when
the officer arrived and the meeting
was reconvened at 11:3O. The gentle
men whose names follow this article
were called on to subscribe to the
muster roll and given the oath in
unison. Then followed the election
of officers.
For captain, Guy H. Preston,
pharmacist at c. F. Little's, received
all but one vote, that being cast for
Alex. b. Lehman, whose distinction
it was of being the only man other
than Mr.. Preston who was spoken
of for captain. For 1st lieutenant
almost as much unanimity was dis
played, E. A. Foster received 81
votes. The Others voted for were T. ID.
Barton, J. NJ. Croft-3, F. c.
Stiles, w. A. Shaules-2, Ed.
the contest was between j. NJ. Croft
and F. c. Stiles and three votes were
necessary. The first resulted Croft
81. Stiles-15, Barton-7, scattering
g. There being no choice another
ballot was ordered which resulted:
Croft-25, Stiles-17, Barton-5, Ed.
Weaver-1. Forty-eight votes hav-
ing been cast while only AZ had sign
ed the roll, the ballot was rejected
and a third taken. Mr.. Croft re-
ceived % votes, Mr.. Stiles Is and
three were distributed among as
many candidates. Lieut.. Wallace
then announced Messrs. Preston,
Foster, and Croft elected as captain
first and second lieutenant respect
lively and after congratulating the
officers adjourned the meeting.
Meanwhile w. A. Shaules and other
members of the company had busted
themselves and extended an invita-
tion to all present to repair to Mr..
Shaules resort and accept ais hospi-
tality, together with a light lunch,
beer and cigars. Messre. Shaules
and Foster dispensed the victuals in
regal manner and an informal, jolly
time was enjoyed for two hours.
Sunday afternoon Lieut.. Wallace
drilled eighteen of the members who
gathered at Culver's hall. This even
ing Capt. Preston will announce his
appointments of non-cOmmissioned
officers and energetic work to pre-
pare the company for the annual
encampment to be held at Helena in
July, will be commenced. The uni
forms will be ordered by Noble NJ
Walker, agent of Wanamaker 8
Brown of Philadelphia, this weeL
and the arms are expected shortly
the order for them having been sem
last week. AS the boys will need &
large drill hall, negotiations will
Camille Hogue are pending and it il
quite probable that he will build 4
, hall above his store building now il
: course of erection on the east side
/ OF the officers chosen each are wei
known. Mr.. Preston was formerl.
D lcaptain of a company In Helena, ha
a taken much interest in the organiza
:. tion which has now been perfected
: and Is an accomplished drill master
n besides a popular gentleman. as tn
3 vote cast for him shows. Mr.. Foste
I lis one of our prominent business men
# one who will give his best energies
i and they are considerable, to tn
s Organization, has been a member c
: the Ohio National Guard and we
? -Iqualified to fill the responsible pos
r tion assigned. Mr.. Croft, secon
:. lieutenant, is our county assessor.
lformer member of the Connecticu
National Guard. a leader among tn
= -lyoung men of Lewistown, and it
e safe to say he will fill the same quail
.e fications as an officer of Company
~ Montana National Guard, as he hs
z In his official, fraternal, business an
h social duties. The officers will n