The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-02-14

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these We're the Adintant General, Col.
Clarence Jolli9e commencing tas
First Regiment; Major sslack, Ar
mold of Weston, commanding q First
Regiment battalion; Captain Dana
Young, of the Weston company;
Captain Robinson. Of the Morgan
town company; Stewart Hamilton
segard and ]: w. Stewart: Of the
veteran Anthem company and Others:
II was about 1880 o'clock when
the band sounded The officers call:
The officers and men gathered
around tile tables. Captain Charles
Neptune called the gathering 70 or
DER and Introduced Captain Earl H.
Smith as the toastmaster Of the even
ing.
Captain Smith called upon tile
Rev. W. |. canter. pastor of the Nj.
i. church, south, to invoke the Di-
vine blessing.
In taking charge Of the festivities
Of the evening Captain Smith said: X
This is the largest body of fight
ing men that has marched on Fair
mont since Jones Raid, during the
Civil war. However, we are here
tonight for different purpose Those
who came in the sixties had inten-
lions towards destroying organiza-
tions-we arc here to build up one
our National Guard.
ut seems particularly fitting that
Fairmont should be the scene of the
first Of these social events. We have
here one of the! finest armories In the
country, providing a. home for two
crack companies which are composed
of the best youths of the section and
for tile famous First Regiment band.
the finest organization. think, that
ever played.a militia guard mount or
sounded or for a National Guard
parade.
"Fairmont has always been promi-
nent as a militia center. | hear the
old folks tell Of the musters held in
the thirties and forties. Fairmont
sent her quota to the Civil war
some 10 march and fight under Lee
and Jackson; others to do gallant
service meath the Stars and Stripes.
Later when it was fashionable %
lave crack independent companies,
We had our Davis Light Guards
equipped by and named for the Grand
Old Man of Elkins. Later, the late
Senator Stephen B. Elkins equipped
the Elkins Light Guards which was
composed OF from fifty to hundred
Of the most prominent young men of
the section. | remember seeing this
organization embark for trip to
Pittsburgh where 1t was to take part
in some celebration. 1t carried more
equipment, more baggage and more
negroes than would the entire First
Regiment Of today.
"a can remembcr the organization
Of the National Guard and its first
cncampment ut Gypsy Grove. That
spot was chosen because 1t was
equipped with camp meeting houses
which provided shelter for the regi-
ments which had no tents. attend.
cd the early camps at Parkersburg
and Martinsbprg and spent day or
so in the camp train at Boggs Run
when the new organization was sent
there to protect property.
al saw the guard grow aud in
crease in efficiency until the call for
troops was made for the Spanish
American war Ind / saw tile two
grand regiments which left Charles
! ton for the southern camps. No fin
er outfits ever responded to call
for men than these. Since that war
have, watched the guard reorgan-
ize and amproyeAfuntil today IT; COM
mands'the .adpirationf and respect of
lnot; ,onlyathe citizens Of West VIZ
glnia but; OF ftlic natio1i 0s we'll. l
feel proud Of the fact that Fairmont
and Fairmonters played a prominent
parting its Development al
n 3Toastmaster Smith then introduce
Cd Mayor Anthony Bowen who made
the address OF welcome, Mayor
Bowen was in his element. For once
upon a time he was member Of a
cadet corps and the event last night
carried him back to his ,boyhood days
and this gave him an unbounded en-
thusiasm. He recited the advantages
10 be gained by the splendid trair
ing in military company. He
pledged Fairmont support to the
Guard. Mayor Bowen said: Y
ut is usual, Mr.. POSTMASTER, on
occasions of this kind to greet our
guests with such kindly words as viii
convince them of the sincerity .oi
L H.