The Anaconda standard., 1899-10-24

pose the regiment and joy again reign
ed supreme. April 26th was busy day
at the armory. All fears that the reg
iment would not get to so were dis
PEELED and the captains of the compa-
nies went to work in real earnest to
put their companies into shape to be
received into the army at any moment.
Captains Wynne, Hill and Gardner
We're the busiest men in Butte that day
and during the days that Immediately
succeeded 1t. They We're obliged to an
trust the drilling to their lieutenants
and devote themselves to listening to
applications for enlistment. SO many
men wanted to join the companies that
had all been accepted full regiment
could have been recruited right here.
On April 27 committee of prominent
citizens canvassed the city with an
agreement which every business man
in the city signed, agreeing to told
the places open to any of their en-
ployes who volunteered. That same
day came message from Colonel Kes-
sler, who was still at Helena, announc-
ing that the Butte companies would
leave for Helena on the following Sat
urday, 1t having been decided to COM
mence rendezvousing the regiment
there at once.
the people of what war really meant.
The company commanders had by this
time practically decided upon the men
who would compose their commands,
and people who had friends or rela-
tives among the number ffocked to the
Armory by day and night, where the
war-like preparations were going on,
to watch the proceedings. Those were
anxious days for many, mothers pal
ticularly, for most of the men were
single, and 1t was common ching 10
see some sorrowing mother silently
shedding tears, but sure to hide them
from her boy, lest he be deferred N his
patriotic intentions.
On April 2S preparations for giving
the boys a grand farewell demonstra-
tion were started. Mayor Harrington
appointed a committee of citizens 10
take charge of the arrangements.
The same day a telegram came from
Colonel Kessler at Helena, stating the
start had been postponed This, how
ever, had no discouraging effect, for
all knew 1t merely meant that the war
department was not yet ready to mus
ter them in.
The next day, April 80, was q stir
ring one. Colonel Kessler telegcaphed
from Helena that the pay of the men
started at l O'Clock that day, which
meant that the companies were under
orders. That was great news 70 the
boys and excitement ran high a. the
day there were special exercises a the
high school in honor of two Of the
students who were going with their
regiment. On that day also Professor
Soper of the West Centerville school
resigned his position and there was
an affecting farewell ceremony ard a
presentation in honor of the popu ar
educator, who was laying aside his
profession to go to war as a private
soldier. On that same day CaDta.n
D. Gay Stivers commenced the negotia-
tions which eliminated in the organlza-
tion of his troop of rough riders.
May came the announcement that
the regiment would certainly leave on
the following Thursday, May s, for
Helena. Meantime the preparatio
for giving the boys grand send off
had been going on, and as the announce
ment carried with it the information
that the troops would leave by the
regular Great Northern train, which