The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-06-15
Organization Mustered in Last Eve
ming by Capt. Eaton, Commander,
With Membership of So.
BARKER rs NAMED LIEUTENANT
Ralph Lycan and William Mcdonald
Fill Other Commissioner Positions
Work to Start Immediately.

Work to Start Immediately.
With an enrolment of So young
men of the city, Bemidji's division
of the Minnesota Naval Militia was
mustered in at the City hall last eve
ming, Guy. A. Eaton, state command
er, and Clyde Kelley, lieutenant COM
mander, having charge of the cere-
monies. It will be known as the
Fifth Division of the First Battalion,
| Minnesota Naval Militia
Previous to the muster in the en-
listed men formed in line at the City
hall and led by the band marched
through the streets of the business
| district and back to the hall.
AS the roll of enlisted men was
called each young man was asked
| whether the signature on his enlist
ment papers was his own and then
| followed the oath.
Boys Are Complimented.:
Captain Eaton complimented the
boys on the interest taken in the es-
| tablishment of a division here and
stated that he had never inspected a
more promising number of young
| men. He expressed the hope and
confidence that the local division
would soon be recognized as one of
militia.
Barker Commanding Officer.
Earle A. Barker, president of the
Merchants association and one of the
most prominent business men of Be-
midi, was the unanimous choice of
the division for lieutenant, the COM
manding officer, when nominations
were called for by Captain Eaton.
Mr.. Barker, who served .18 months
with Company 1 of the 13 Regiment
Minnesota Volunteers, one year and
ten days of this time being spent in
| CuC L PAAOoI oAO WlO AOA I'LL &C
years served with Company Of the
First Regiment, Minnesota National
Guard, thanked the boys for his cleo
ton, stating that never IN his life
had he felt more proi1d.-.=.- I: IL
! Just before the division was dis
missed Mr.. Barker in q short address
to the members said that the work
will be divided into three classifica-
tions, first, that Of a military organi-'
zation; second, that of social, and
third, that of athletics. He re-
minded the members that much work
will be necessary if the division is to
be the success that is hoped and ad
ded that it will be the effort of the
officers to make it, and within the
next year, the best division in the
state. His remarks were greeted
with applause both by the members
and officers of the militia who were
in attendance. Mr.: Barker has been
resident of Bemidji for fifteen
years.
Name Lycan and Mcdonald.
For lieutenant junior grade,
Ralph B. Lycan, who has been in
strumental in making possible the
establishment of the division, was
elected unanimously. He has had
three years experience in the ma
tional guard. William Mcdonald,
Remson Bell and James K. Given
were nominated for ensign, the first
named being elected on the first bal
lot, receiving 27 of the So votes. Nc
Donald has also had national guard
experience. He has resided in Be-
midji for 16 years. .....-:~ .
Officers Well Qualified.
It is fortunate that the first Off
GERS of the division are so we'll quail
fled to fill the responsible positions.
They are highly respected in the COM
munity and will assume command of
the division with an interest and de-
termination which practically as
sures it's success.
In order to qualify the officers
elected last night will take an exam
ination in the work of the militia.
The petit officers will be appointed
by Captain Eaton, being recommend
ed by local officers.
Eaton is Pleased,
Captain Eaton, Lieutenant Kelley,
Ensign A. w. Anderson, DR.. F. s.
Patten, militia surgeon, and c. ..
Brian, chief gunner's mate, who were
in attendance at the muster in were
enthusiastic over the showing made
and are confident that Bemidji will
have splendid division.
II have examined more than 10,-
900 men," said DR.. Patten, but !
have yet to find a company that will
equal the one mustered in tonight.
They surely constitute a splendid di-
vision and Bemidji may feel proud
of them" The expressions Of the
other officers were similar and Lieu
tenant Kelley especially, who is next
in rank to Captain Eaton, enthused
over the prospects of wonderful di-
vision.
To Drill Mondays.
IT wac vnfo1 RI drill REondou ouo