The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-01-11
Old Opera House Being Fitted Up; Put
in Stoves; Build Lockers
for Men
REGULAR ARMY MAN
WILL Be INSTRUCTOR
Sergeant with 30 Years Service 10 Drill
Unit; MlncO Has &c Members;
Response is Slow

Because of the uncertainty as to
when arms VIII be issued the Young
men are not volunteering for the
Home Guard in very great num-
hers. Only about 25 have made
out their enlistment papers so far
and those in charge of the work
are planning on starting a house to
house campaign. 1t is estimated
that at least rs members should be
. secured in this city as other towns
over the county have enlisted as
manY as 66 in their units
n e old opera house has been
secured and the first drill will
probably be held some time next
week. 1t is expected to make this
one of the best equipped home
guard armories in the state aud a
campaign will soon be started to
raise money for this purpose. The
campaign will be conducted by
members OF the council Of defense
and the probability is that the bust
ness men here will be asked to do
nate enough to buy the arms for
the men. This viii perhaps be
done in other towns also where
units have been organiaed
Work has already begun in eqip-
pinq the armory ami all of the
lumber and other material is be-
ily taken fyom th> building.
Lights are being Installed, stoves
are eing set and Preparations are
bo l'g rIade to build lockers for all
tho arms and equipment.
The unit at Minco now consists
o5 &c members and they have been
drilling for more than months
tine and are now ready for their
arns. The adiutant general has
assn ed local authorities that arms
y u he sent them as soon as they
can be gotten out, du to the work
of equipping the national army the
work of supplying arms for the
home guard is being delayed and
there is nothing certain as to
when the arms will be shipped.
The unit at Rush Springs has
never been thoroughly organized
and they have been hampered by
not having only one man who was
able to drill them For the past
week they have had no one to take
care Of the work as Nj. Stewart
who has been conducting the drill
has been unable to go on with the
work since he was shot the other
night. They have about fifty mem
hers at that place. Captain Hulen
intended to make an inspection
trip there today but because of the
bad weather did not go. Many of
the men who have enlisted there
are from the country and are una
Bile to go to drill when the wealth
er is bad. No commander has ever
been selected for the unit there.
Captain Hulen in speaking of
the home guard organization, said,
I'VE should have at least seventy
five men in the local company
Just why the men are holding back
] cannot understand. We must
wake up if we expect to make our
home guard mean anything. OF
course we do not know just when
we will receive the arms but there
is plenty to do for some time in
getting the company organized and
in working condition. We want
men in the home guard who have
some purpose to serve. The move
ment is commendable and there is
no reason why every able bodied
man between the ags of IS and 45
should not b member of the home
guard. All of those who have been
connected with the organization IN
the past are requested to come TO
my office and fill out the new en-;
listment papers so that we can tell