The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-10
will greatly facilitate the work Of the

VIII greatly facilitate the Work OF stne
hospital.
81 The Milwaukee road, which passes
through camp, has torn down its old
platform opposite the guardhouse and
will pro bably put in small station build
Ing, as there is much need for one during
the summer, when all trains stop at
camp
The New Range.
The grounds now have two rife ranges,
the old one being used for known dis
lance and sklrmish firing, while the new
one has a range of 1000 yards and cross
cuts the old range at the 300-yard mark.
The new pit is nearly at right angles with
the old pit, and is solidly built. The en-
bankment in front is 10 feet high and
$50 feet long, containing over 60 cords
of rock. 1t is 10 feet wide at the base
and narroWs to nine feet at the top. 1t
Is packed hard with clay and dirt, and is
perfectly bullet-proof. There is room for
six targets on the new range and it is
intended to devote more attention to
volley firing than last year, when, sowing
to the short range, the results were most
unsatisfactory.
The new Texas" target now in use in
the regular army, will hereafter be used
on the state , range. The e. target IS great
Improvement over the old one, and is
easily operated. 1t works like double,
windows the exposed target slides
down the new one goes up.
The 1 000-yard range is just opposite
the railroad bridge towards the city, and
will have platform erected for the con-
venience Of those firing and to give the
proper elevation. The shots will carry
across the parade grounds and towards
the bluff. All the trees have been
grubbed out, leaving the range perfectly
clear.
The old range will be used for all quail
flying scores, and only those making high
scores will be allowed to fire on long
range.
"Krags' for Rifle Practice.
Adjutant General Libbey has received
an issue Of $50 Krag- Jorgenson rifles from
the war department, and has been as
sured that this fall there will be plenty to
allow full issue to each company. AS it
is now, five have been issued each COM
pany, and proper instruction will be CIV
en- the men on the home ranges, and in
the armories, and only those making 105
out Of a possible $50 on known distance
firing with the Springfield will be allowed
to practice with the Krag. The move
ment has been very active towards secur-
ing the Krags for rife practice, but 1t is
generally conceded they will be great
hindrance to work on the home range, as
| the velocity of the bullet is an unknown
quantity and great risk Is taken in firing
| them. The regulars we're compelled to
cease firing their Krags onsthe Camp Lake
View range in 1S97-the last year there,
and were ordered to Camp Douglas to
! finish their strings. Later on govern
| ment range was built at Frontenac, about
six miles north of Lake City. 1t may be
! decided, however, to use diminished am
! munition If proper results can be at
tanned by its. use. Il.
Pumps have been placed on the range
and in the pits, thus furnishing plentiful
supply Of fresh water.
/ The grounds are in excellent condition
and every precauticn has been taken to
| improve the sanitation. w. E: Whyte OF
Lake City has had charge of the altera-
tions and building of the new range, under
the supervision of Captain w. II. Hart
| and is to be praised for his excellent
work. The buildings are now all insured
EARLY Guard History.
! After the close of the War of the Re
bellion very little attention was PAID tt
the military in Minnesota, and everything
pertaining to the organization and main
| tenance, of companies and battalions was
| abandoned. 1t was in 1879 that the frs
attempt was made to organize company
! Of militia, and the Minneapolis Light In
fantry, organized on May, IL Of that veal
was the first organization. This organi
/ zation is remembered by many of the old
Ell citizens. It was followed by others II