New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1903-04-15

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thea built Fort Totem, and it was at this
post that he was honorably discharged
as corporal Nov. 6, 1858.
Coming to New Ulm be followed
peaceful avocations for the next three
years but on May IS, 1871, he organized
the original CD. A, the men calling them.
selves the .'New Ulm Guard" There
were then two batta]ions of infantry and
when the third was formed Capt. Bob
letter was made its major, his commission
dating from July 90, 1872. About this
time bill was introduced. in the legia-
lature asking for an appropriation OF 81
for each enlisted man. The latter were
then compelled to pay for their own uni
forms, arms and accoutrements but the
Legislature declined to extend a helping
hand. Disguised at the penuriousness
and lack of appreciation of the law
makers the officers, in 1878, resigned
their commissions and the companies
| disbanded.
Capt. Bobleter Immediately reorganiz-
ed Co. A and fol several years maintain
ed the only military company in the
state. For two years drills we're held
regularly and on Aug. 20, 1875, an order
for muster out was issued that they
might become the "Governor's Guard.''
They entered the service of tile state
Sept. II, 1875, Bobleter holding the
rank of captain. 1t remained for the year
1879, however, to develop crisis which
!, assured future for the Minnesota ma
tional guard.
In the month of June laborers engaged
in construction WORK upon the Chicago
& Northwestern railway west of Tracy
went upon strike and at once Gov.
Pillsbury telegraphed to Capt. Bobleter
for assistance. That officer collected
some 35 of his men and with about an
equal number from the Faribault COM
pany left for the scene of the trouble.
At that time the state furnished amuni-
ton for target practice but the supplies
were always insufficient and it was Gus
tomary for the men to buy powder and
ball out of their private purses.
When the order to march came Capt.
Boble:er ordered his men to bring in
their munitions and it was found that
enough was on hand to supply each man
with two rounds. Thus prepared for
battle and with molly collection of re-
volvers which the men gathered up be-
fore their departure, they left for Tracy,
special car earring them over the
rough track in trifle less than an hour.
Arrived there they found the sheriff and
his posse barricaded in the passenger sta
ton, while a crowd Of fully 1000 exclt-
ed strikers beseiged their stronghold.
Forming his men, Col. Bobleter clear
ed the platform and for three days pre-
served order. THIS demonstration of the
effectiveness of the guard went home
without delay snd the newspapers and
public men of the state began clamoring
for better organization. At the next
session of the legislature Capt. Bobleter
went before that body and asked an ap.
preparation of So per day for each man
who had accompanied him. Some of
the members held up their hands in hor-
ror at this extravaganza but the bill
eventually passed and in 1882 the guard
was organized as two battalions of four
companies each.
March 8, 1882, Capt. Bobleter was
made major of the Second Battalion and
on July 8, 1882, he was elected lieuten-
ant colonel. That year the first encamp-
ment was held, the men receiving the
magnificent remuneration of 43 cents per
week. When the Second Infantry came
into existence in 1888, Lieut. Col. Bob
Letter was elected colonel, hiscommission
dating from Feb. 81, 1883, and stamping
him as the senior field officer of the
guard.
At the opening of the Spanish