The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-04-14
Citizens Enroll Two Com
panies of Home Guards
and Elect Officers.
WOODMEN FURNISH
1877 VOLUNTEERS"
Drilling Will Begin Next
Week-Big Flag in the
Parade Thrills Throngs.

Assembling at the w. o. w. hail, at
the corner Of Romano and BayIen
streets last night in response to call
issued early in the week, about three
hundred members of the city w. o.
w. camps held a rousing meeting,
and total of 1877 were signed UP for
the Woodmen Home Guard.
Patriotic speeches featured the
meeting; after which more than two
hundred lined up, marched from the
hall to Palafox street, southwark to
Government and then wheeling, went
to the armory, where the fact of the
organization was made known to
Major R. M. Cary, in command of
the battalion forming in this city.
The organization of the w. o. w.
Home Guard was spontaneous. There
was urging, no pleading. All those
who could get to the secretary's desk
willingly attached their signatures
and were ready for orders. Another
meeting, to perfect the organization
yet stronger, will take place Monday
night, when more definite organize
ton will be effected.
z. l.. Rollo was unanimously elect
ed commander.
The roster for the Woodlnen COM
pany will be kept open at 16 South
Palafox street, beginning this morn
ing, and by next Monday night an
other hundred names are expected to
be writer on the roll. On next Mon
day it viii then be announced what
definite plans of activity will be
formed.
Monster Flag Carried.
One of the features of the parade,
which was ordered Immediately after
leaving the meeting place, was the
carrying of the large flag at the w.
o. w. hall, rs men surrounding the
biggest Stars and Stripes in this part
of the country, it is said, and bearing
this proudly through the streets. All
along the route this great flag was
cheered by crowds which lined the
sidewalks along the line of march.
About every man in the line carried a
flag, making of it one of the most
impressive patriotic demonstrations
recently organized here.
Home Guards Choose Officers.
The Home Guards met at the ar
mory hall last night and formed
companies with R. M. Cary battalion
major and 0. j. Semmes and H. Fl.
Thornton captains of the companies.
The. organization of Home Guard
was begun last Monday night, when
SO men signed up, making the mem
bership of the Home Guard now 1872.
Judge A. c.. Blount, who was
chosen as organized at the first meet
ing, presided and presented g. bill for
the approval of the Home Guards to
be presented to the state legislature
for passage, which will authorize the
recruiting of Home Guards in the
state of Florida and placing it under
state control.
Jduge Blount said that the idea for
forming the Home Guard was that IL
an enemy invades the United States,
or the young men are called away,
there would be force at home for
protection. Mr.. Blount said that only
men should join the Home Guard
who are not eligible for service in the
national army. Unfortunately, the
judge said, before the Home Guard
can be legally authorized, a special
act of authorization will have to be
passed in the state legislature.
Bill Presented.
A committee of ten men were APP
pointed by Judge Blount to perfect
the bill as he presented it, and to
take the proper steps to have it pass
ed by the legislature. The following
men compose the committee: J. T.
Whiting. chairman; James O'Brien,
r. F. Mitchell, J. B. Harris, John
Massey, W. j. Oerting, r. M. Cary,
C. S. Bonacker, A. Sara and S. F..
Bogart.
On the suggestion of o. ]. Semmes
that the Home Guard be organized
Immediately and that the work of the
Guard be started as soon as possible,
| it was moved and passed that a bat
talon be formed out of the members
enrolled and that Col. R. NJ. Cary be
the major. Major" aCry then lined
the men up and divided them into two
companies. In "a" company Edwin
Fox was appointed first lieutenant
and w. S. Oerting second lieutenant.
In "B" company John Massey was
! appointed first lieutenant and J. B.
Price second lieutenant. "A" COM
pany will report at the arnory hall
Friday night at 1880 for drill, and
%" company Will have its first drill
| Tuesday night at 7:3C