The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-10-01
MILITARY BAZAAR.
Sumter Light infantry Plans for Big En-
tertainment in October.

The Sumter Light Infantry contem-
plates holding bazaar the last week
in October. The purpose is to raise
funds to supplement the income of the
company which at present is entirely
inadequate to the expenses; and to aid
the military boys in more comfortably
fitting up their armory. It is proposed
to fit up the armory in such reason
ably attractive condition as to be re-
sort for the members of the company
where they can meet and spend por-
tion Of their spare time in social in
tercourse and to arrange for different
innocent amusements, which is COM
mendable and will stimulate interest
in this raost important organization,
of which the citizens of Sumter have
for years been Justly proud. For some
time it has been noticed that there is
a tendency among the young men to
assemble at the armory during the
evenings in order to while away the
time and amuse themselves, but the
armory is not fitted up in an attractive
and comfortable style, nor are there
many things to amuse and interest the
members as there are in the armories
in Charleston, Columbia and other
places. No better place could be
selected by the young men outside of
their homes to spend the evening In
harmless amusement than at the arm
ory, and it will be an inducement to
them to keep away from other sources
of amusement which lead them into
bad habits. It is also intended to
place in the armory gymnasium,
shower baths, and other physical cul-
ture pharaphernalia, Altogether the
move is certainly along the right
line and should be encouraged by the
good people of Sumter. The appro-
pr1ation by the State of South Caro-
linaNto the Sumter Light Infantry is
beggarly pittance and the members
keep up the only military company in
the county out OF their own pockets.
When it is considered what an import
ant organization well equipped and
splendidly drilled military company
like the S. Z. I.s is to community,
and what a feeling Of safety
it gives, it should be the means Of in
ducing our people to turn out and help
the military boys to get anything they
want. They work for nothing and they
offer their lives and their services to
the State in preserving peace and up
holding the dignity of the community.
The Sumter Light Infantry is one OF
the Oldest military organizations in the
State. The company has been tried
in times of war and peace and it mas.
reflected credit upon the Gamecock
City time and again.
It has never failed in times of
trouble: and it is but right that it.
should receive the support and en-
conragement of the entire county. The
citizens should see, to it that COM
mittee is appointed to cooperate with
the military committee in making the
bazaar decidedly pleasant as well as
big financial success. There is nothing
too good for our military boys. It
should be borne in mind that indivldu-
al help goes a long way to make the
bazaar success and every individual
can donate something and also see
that some one else helps out. And
there is where the ladies come in for
THERE always indispensable services.
In fact it does seem that there could
be no pleasure, nor success in any IN.
dertaking of the military or other
organization without the assistance OF
the ladies'. The welfare of military
company and the female portion OF
this community seem SO much and
pleasantly blended together that it is
extremely doubtful if there would bea
military company in this or any other
portion of the State if there were no
ladies. If the boys had no girls to
fight for, no girls to admire them when
they don their "regimentals" what
would be the use? where the glory
Of being soldier in peace or war? In
fact if it had not been for recollec-
tions of a sweet girlish face. "The
Girl I Left Behind Me- would never
have been written. Soft is-incumbent
upon the ladies to do their part, and
to make, as they alone can, the mill
tary bazaar full and complete sue
cess.