Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-07-01
Local Militiamen
Break Records

The main body of the local COM
pany of the Coast Artillery Corps re-
turned Tuesday from Fort Stevens
where they have been encamped fol
the past two weeks. Several mem.
bers of the company secured separate
transportation and stopped over II
Portland and other cities.
The local company made a record
at the encampment which stands high
above that of any other company
They made the fastest time that has
ever been made in firing the big
ten-inch guns by coast artillery
company on the Pacific coast. The
three service shots were fired in one
minute, fifty-nine and two-fifths sec
onds. Medford and Roseburg were
next fastest Clyde Brown of the
local company closed the breach in a
period one-fourth of second faster
than the regular army men stationed
at the fort.
The Ashland company were scored
highest on condition of arms and
equipment, sanitary conditions of
camp and kitchen and other depart
ments. The 4th company of Rose
burg and the lst company of Ashland
were the only companies which fol-
lowed the general order against
bringing personal baggage into camp.
The boys ate, slept and lived exactly
as they would under war conditions
The local company was the only COM
pany which not only started out with
clean leggings and belts. but kept
them clean by frequent washing while
in camp.
The 1st company was the only one
in camp that did not have a single
man on the sick list during the period
of encampment, according to the san
itary officer, Lieutenant Vinsel, OF
Roseburg.
The Albany company did some won
derful shooting and scored the high
est number of hits. Ashland was a
close second and Medford or Portland
third, the exact data not having been
published as yet. Ashland and Rose
burg fired at the longest ranges. The
locals first service shot was fired at
range of 1920 yards, the second
and third at 400 yards
Another record which went by the
boards was that of mixing and blend
ing of the powder, which was done by
the various captains. Over two tons
of powder were handled, and after
being thoroughly mixed and weighed
the resulting charges weighed out to
the ounce. 1t took the officers eight
hours and thirty minutes to accom-
plish the blending, which was seven
hours and thirty minutes faster than
last years record.
Ashland should be proud of her
soldier boys and of the showing which
was made. Under the leadership OF
Captain Malone the company has been
and is now an organiza-
ton which is abreast of all the Coast
Militia and ahead of most. To Mr.
Malone and the new spirit which he
has instilled should 60 the credit for
the 1st company's success.
The militia in Ashland has lacked |
The moral support of the city which |
should be accorded them They have
1t times had an uphill fight to hold
he company together, but have dem
,nstrated that they are most effect
We organization. The support of the
.ity should go out to them in all of
heir endeavors. With the necessary
'enewed activity in military affairs
throughout the United States and the
ecognized need of more interest in
affairs the company men feel
hat in the future the citizens of Ash
and will awaken to needs OF the local
ompany and lend them all possible
ssistance in building up an organiza-
ion which will stand second to none
n the country.