The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-09-01
WATSON GUARDS, NOW COMPANY K
 HOLDS JUBILEE

Arrangernents to celebrate the golden jubilee of the organization of the com pany are now being made by the members of old Company K, Watson Guard now the 11th company, Coast Artillery corps, c. N. G. On Septem- her IS of this year the company will be 51 years old, it having been organ ized by special order from the ad- 5utant generals office on September F. 1888, as Company K, Eighth Regt- n1ent, c. N. G..
 The company was formed in Strat- ford and all members of the original outfit were residents of that town The first captain was Joseph F. Hanford He had seen service in the civil war before he organized the company. His first Ieutealant was Peter Wolfe and his Second lieutenant Ezra. Whiting.
 UntiL 1888 the company was attached to the EHgth regiment. Then under to the Eighth regiment. Then under @ assigredsto the Fourth regiment The company drilled in the town hall in Stratford. many of its most enthus1- astic members being residents of West Stratford, now the East End. In May, 1892. the military authorities. .conclud- ed talaf< the company could be best maintained in Bridgeport and accord s.fnzIy it was transferred here- Cap = Aain Charles w. Burpee was placed In command then
 m May. 1898, the company. under 1, command of Capt Frederick J. Breck- lbiu went to the panish-Amef1can war as Battery B. First Conn Heavy Artillery. In 1899 it was again in the service as Company K, Fourth rega- mert., remaining as such until the fur- ther Reorganization of the militia in 1908. when the Fourth regiment was sreorzar1dzed and made the Third in lfaaatry. In 1907. most of the companies then in the Third infantry were lfor1med into the Coast Artillery corps Company K going with them and be- coming known assthe 11th company or the corps
 i. The, long record of the company has 5,e-ev,. am honorable oq1e and on a mum Der of soccasions the company has led { tqne rndfHia. brigade in standing as to merit and efficiency.
 Some of the best known of the Con 1recxticut militia officers have been con lneeted with the company since it's or gaxfazat4on. Among those who have Commanded < in Bridgeport are Cap Charles w. Burpee, Frederick H. Mastexgpn, F. T. Breckbih, SteIsnen P Cronan, LoaIis J. Hermann, now r,tator connznauding the local battalion, sst5arley sFIrsaina and Da11a. R. August
 Caut. Arthur O. Bennett of the 4tP company, C. A C., was once first leu +enas,t oe Company K Capt. John A. [ Ts-rNnarsd retired, was a former lieu tenant in the company Lieut. Will liam A Evans served as an officer 1-fth Adt both before and during the ssr1a ,-sAmerfran war. Charles An dres. the puesent department com rnander of the United Spenish- An1eri- can war veterans served with the company sduring the war
 The present officers are Capt Elias HalI. Second Lieutenant Joseph M- Harrison and Second Ldeutenant Ed mond c. Booth. One of the events in connection with the golden 1ubdiee eel eoration will be mthta caInavai 1v17ics, the conpauy will hold at an encamprnent to be established >at 9Iair,s lot. North Main street, from septernber 14 to September 19. Invita- tions to part1cipate are now being sent to all, members of the Company K Old Guard associaadon and to all former members of the company who can be located