The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-12-06

Militia officers Delighted With
the Grayling Reservation

tant eueral NandercooN that next year
the Michigan National Guard expects
To mobilize for the first time on its
new maneuver groun !, the Hanson
State Military reservation neal Gray
ling, which is the finest donation OF
it's kind ever made by citizen To tn"
National Guard of any state The ten
DAYS ;Cur of field service promises To-
mark the beginning of new epoch
for the Michigan Guard because o.
the opportunities which the new res
| erVation offers.
Work in preparing the reservation
has been pushed this year and the
work will be resumed carly next spring
in order TO have the big tract and the
camp site I'm readiness for the tented
city. II il a picturesque park of about
100 acres, Sloping from the hills down
TO the shores of one Of the prettiest
lakes IN the state. The ground has been
leveled and seeded ana a sufficient
number Of trees left standing to pro-
vide some shady spots in each reei-
mental camp as well as along the lake
shore. of all the camp sites the Mich
igan National Guards ever occupied
this is one of the hnes. I'm the opinion
Of officers who have visited it. Fish
Ing has always been good in Portage
lake which lies almost in the center
Of the reservation, and thousands of
minnows were sent there this year
from state hatcheries. 1t is intended
| To re- stock the lake every year in or
der that the supply will always be am
pie.
The fine brick warehouse which has
been erected by Quartermaster Gen
era, Rogers is large enough and so
arranged to provide for excellent sup
ply service. The tracks which tho
Michigan Central has constructed into
| the reservation will run alongside the
warehouse dock, and in addition there
| is to be ample trackage for placing
the trains required for determining and
cntraining the entire Guard, which
promises good transportation service.
Grayling is a division point and this
ensures plenty of motive power for
| handling the trains.
Five New Rifle Ranges.
Work on magnificent new 1000
yard rifle range with a battery of fifty
targets was started this fall and is Ia
be completed in time for the mobiliza-
| tion there next year. The range lies
but short distance from camp and it
promises to be ono of the valuable
| features Of the reservation. II will be
fully equipped with modern shooting
appliances.
| I'm connection with this range plans
are under consideration for erecting
"A mess hall which will serve a double
purpose Not only will t provide quar-
tiers during the shooting season. but
at the time OF the mlneuVers it will
| Ice used for entertainment purposes
| II it probable that an exchange viii
be conducted i'm the hall. where tho
Guardsnien can buy anything neces-
sary for ihs comfort and convenience.
The big feature, however promises u
| be the entertainment plan. The hali
will be equipped for moving picture
| exhibitions and for vaudeville per-
! formances as we'll, white schools and
lectures will be held there. The state
| military authorities are DESTROYS of
providing a place where the Guards
mon can congrcgatc and enjoy them
selves after the days duty is done.
| and this matter is to have careful at
tcution. Something new alcng that
line is heing planned.
Ten days spent AT tn" reservation
will be somewhat novel in that the
guard VIII be for the first time located
out i'm tie country away from any city
| or town of large population. Not many
| minutes walk from camp Will take one
over hills and into country where get
| ting lost will De So easy that batta-
lions may droy out Of sight without
even trying Ordinary landmarks "f
settled country are lacHing on the big
tract and the reservation will furnish
the finest kind of opportunity for real
soldering and real tests of efficiency
i'm hiking in strange land. Excellent
military maps have been prepared ana
map orentation and reading will be
along practical lines on the new rescr-
!Nation. II one travels far enough south
he will strike the trio OF hills known
as the Three sisters" which overlook
the reservation and allow a glimpse Of
the lake and camp site. If he misses
them, lac will hit the Lig state forest
! resorvat ION and HoughtOn lake when
are not many miles farther away. In
all its aspects the reservation IL inter
csting and instructive, and the Guards
man who goes there will enjoy some
now experiences and some exceedingly
interesting instruction as well as Sc.
cure ten days of real soldering In Il
fine climate aud a vacation i'm all re-
spects worth having.
Good Water Supply.
In all respects the tour of duty there
the coming year promises to he one Of
the best in the history of the Michigan
National Guard. ana experienced
members who nave examined the res
ervatiou arc enthusiastic over the
prospect.
, sT9hBlSMUS.
|