Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-31
CO. K, FIRST REG,
Of Brunswick, Dedicates Its
Handsome New Armory.
This Crack Company Justly Proud Of
Its New Quarters.
Large Attendance of Officers and Fine
Program Rendered.

cation, officially known in military cir
eles as Co. K, 1st Regiment, National
Guard, State of Maine. entertained
right royalty, tonight, on the occasion
of the dedication of it's new armory in
the Swift block, and thus added fresh
laurels to it's already long list of hon.
ors won since it's organization. The
building was filled with a representa-
tive throng of Brunswick's citizens,
While many of the prominent staff Off
GERS of the State were present in their
full regalia, thus lending dignity to
the occasion which was fully felt. The
decorations though simple, We're tas-
tily arranged and made a very effect
i've setting for the affair.
The committee in charge of the af-
fair comprised Capt. VIM. C. Goodwin
and Lieuts. VIM. ]. Wilson and Thomas
T. Rideout, and the program prepared
by them was one that gave great sat
isfaction. 1t opened with an address
by the Hon. John Furbush of Bruns-
wick, to which response was made by
Col. L. II. Kendall of Biddeford. A
complete and exceedingly entertain
ing history of the company was read
by Major VIM. O. Peterson of Portland,
while an address on THE National
Guard was delivered by Adj. Gen. A.
Il. Farnham of Bangor, and the clos
ing remarks were made by Chaplain
c. S. Cummings of Lewiston. The
second part of the program consisted
OF concert by the Lotus Quartet of
Lewiston, assisted by Mrs. Minnie L..
Cove as reader.
A banquet to the visiting officers was
rendered by the company at the Ton
tine both before and after the exer-
cises, when many bright and witty
speeches We're made by those present
and thus added to the enjoyment of the
spreads. The whole affair will go
down in the annals of Brunswick as
one of the most successful dedications
ever held by any organization in the
town and reflects great credit upon the
company of which the town is SO just
ly proud.
The history of this organization is
a most interesting one, and as narrat-
ed, this evening, was full of bright
witticisms which were greeted with
rounds of applause. When first Or
ganized in 1854 on the 3rd day of July,
it was as the second platoon of the 1st
Maine Battery. It's membership was
SO and former Sheriff o. r. Despeaux
was first lieutenant, while f. o. Stan
wood was second lieutenant. Capt.
Proctor Of Lewiston, was at that time
commander of the battery. 1t contin-
ued as such until 1891 when it was at
tached as Il gun company to the End
| Regiment of infantry armed with
sabres and Calling guns, while the 1st
| Platoon of Lewiston was attached to
the 1st Regiment. Three years later
it became part of the infantry, was
designated as Co. K and assigned to
the LIST Regiment.
w. O. Peterson was elected as the
| first captain, a position which he held
until 1897, when he became a major of
the 1st Regiment, while w. c. Goodwin
succeeded him as captain. A testi-
| monial to Capt. Goodwin's popularity
and fitness for the position, is the fact
that he still holds this responsible po-
sition, and has brought the standard
of the company, both as to personality
and efficiency, to one of the highest
of any in Maine.
/ are 20 flItHlOcIS VI Tie COLI
pany at present. None but those with
the very best qualifications are allowed
within it's ranks, and this has been one
of Capt. Goodwin's greatest obstacles,
as he has found it necessary upon
many occasions to weed out the i'm
perfect men. The first lieutenant is
VIM. j. Wilson and the second lieu
| tenant. Thomas T. Rideout. The SER
geants are Joseph Shepard, Lendall
NJ. Cotton, Elroy D. Pollard and Joseph
| l.. Groves. while Herbert p Moody is
quartermaster sergeant. The nom
commissioned officers comprise Cor
porals George w. Leonard, Napoleon
Gange. Eugene A. Annable, Joseph T.
Holt and Musician Ernest A. Collins.
| From the time the company was organ
lied until the latter part of last year, it's
armory was located in the little building
back of the Town hall. but last year il
was condemned and consequently new
quarters had to be sought. The old Uni
versaliSt church. now a part of Swift
block, proved a most available place and
| Tor several weeks carpenters have been
at work making the necessary repairs and
alterations. new hard wood floor of
| Georgia pine has been laid nj the main
drill room, which measures 45x54 feet. A
wainscotting three feet high is placed
| about the hall while the walls are tinted
q deep red. The hall is we'll lighted with
many rows of suspended incandescents.
and. tonight, was beautifully decorated
With flags and bunting. A sectional plat
form had been placed at the front, ana
| this was surrounded with "Old Glory
while large reception rooms had been
| skilfully arranged on either side.
| Leading off to the right from the main
entrance to the drill hall is the officers
| room. large, light and CHEEKY den, which
| will be equipped with all modern con-
yeniences for such a purpose. Here are
| the lockers of the. captain and lienten-
| ants. while attached to the wall is a book
case well filed with military hooks.
| Capt. Goodwin states that he intends to
collect a quantity of good readable books
for his men and operate circulating Ii
brlry for their benefit.
| Backed mp against the cap tains pri-
vate desk is what appears to be an in
nocent window seat covered with COM
| Portable cushions and soft. dowry pill
lows This, however. proves to be the
ammunition chest and beneath it are be-
tween 1900 and Il 010 rounds which Capt.
Goodwin keeps safely under lock and key.
| Iinon the walls of the room are several
| pictures. among them being that of Lieut..