The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-05-02

muslcal organization OF which
everybody has read or heard
but very little Is known concerning
the marine corps itself. The marines
are the policemen of the navy, walk
ing their beats and maintaining order
aboard ship, just as the policemen in
our cities walk their beats and make
crime and disorder difficult.
AS the navy has grown the marine
lD8ps has increased in numbers until
itA Alw as strong as brigade of sol
diers, az >ps efficient, for the men are
well drilled and disciplined The bar
racks in this city is as heavy witi.
"reminiscences and quaint memories as
grandfathers and grandmothers, and
as interesting. The story OF the life
of the old barracks is as interesting as
a book; the right kind OF book, of
course.
This ancient post was originally
British, and il was erected under the
reign of George III. At the time when
old Davy Burns was farming the best
land now covered by the national cap
ital the old marine barracks was
camp for British cavalry, and after
wards for the colonial cavalry, those
who were loyal TO King George. So,
you see, this is quite an ancient land
mark in this new republic One of the
old officers has said Of the marine bar
racks: "The first sound il woke to
hear was reveille, and the last IL will
ever hear will be taps"
Located as il is southeasterly from
the capitol while society reyels afar
10 the northwest, the barracks long
since ceased to be in the social swim;
but time was when there were greater
echoes OF fiddle and banjo for the two
step and merry waltz than of the notes
of evening bugle. There il was that
Nellie Grant was introduced to the
English lout and gurgler who made her
life miserable, and clouded the happi-
ness Of the entire family OF the great
general, whose unappreciative daugh-
ter she then was.
Everybody in society used TO speak
OF II as "the dear old marine barracks"
There the widow Of brave confeder-
ate general, whose troops made
charge famous in history, often met
with handsome young officers and
mingled with them i'm the may hazy
lancers. until rumor had her engaged
TO be married TO a score OF them; for
they all fell in love with her. II has
played its part as beau par excellence
as not another military or naval sta
tion in this country has done. But
society has gone, and one OF the
young officers has said: "All we do
now is work-and read the Bible"
The old barracks mounts guard off
In the eastern branch side OF the city |
locks arms with the navy yard. and |
surveys the rest Of the town with that |
exclusive English air 10 has. II fills |
up the eight square acres there. lying |
between Eighth and Ninth streets
southeast and ! and streets. and |
has built around itself high brick |
wall plastered over milk-white. with |
dark red rim running all around its
top, like a streak of blood. and its base
tarred black as cannon ball The
long white wings ~ the 0rislv nnar-
tiers stretch out on either side OF the
center house. In the dark the whole
place grows ghostlike. The little
chimneys Of the barracks come peep
ing over the wall but their roofs run
up away from IL, and all the buildings
In the yard throw shadows over such |