Morris tribune., 1919-12-12
COLONEL DISCUSSES
PLANS FOR ARMORY
Expresses Satisfaction With Work of
Company K, at Inspection on
Monday

Seventy men with the right spirit
make a better organization than one
hundred men who lack it," CAS- a
member of the State Armory Board,
and as Colonel of your regiment, 1
am willing to recommend that the
state pay over the $4,000 for the
erection of an armory any time you
want it, upon the assurance OF the
Comercial Club representing the COM
munity that a National Guard Com
pany of at least minimum strength
will be permanently maintained at
Morris, and that every effort will be
made to bring the strength of the
present company up to one hundred
men; and I Furthermore urge that
the money be applied for as soon as
needed"
The above are statements made by
Colonel Minnigerode of the Fifth reg
iment on his visit to Morris to in
spect Company K on Monday eve
ming of this week.
The Colonel arrived in Morris in
the morning, and spent the early part
of the day meeting business men of
the town, and inspecting the COM
pany funds, the equipment, and the
records of the first sergeant, William
Hope, with which he expressed him
self as being we'll satisfied.
A meeting of the Commercial Club
directors was called in the afternoon
for the purpose of discussing with
the Colonel the plans for the armory.
He approved the plans submitted to
him, and spoke in favor of the pro-
iect as has been quoted above. The
fact that the Colonel is not only
Colonel of the fifth regiment and in
spector-instructo for the state, but
also a member of the state Armory
Board, gives his recommendation
especial weight Indeed the meeting
was such a success that "all were
pleased" smile was worn by each
member as he came out.
At six O'Clock the Colonel, Captain
and Mrs. Voss and Lieut.. Wells were
entertained at dinner by Major and
Mrs. P L. Spooner.
Inspection of the company took
place at $3.50 in the armory. The
Colonel called for third sergeant
Donald Lord to take charge of a
platoon and drill them, and third
sergeant Donald Lord acquitted him
self most creditably. Uniforms and
rifles we're inspected, and then the
Colonel gave the men a short but
very impressive talk, in which he
stressed the importance of the Ma
tional Guard organization, and the
responsibilities of each man in the
company. Every private" he said,
when he is called out on duty, re-
presents the president, the govern
ment and the state; don't bluff but
carry out your duty to the best OF
your ability" Nor should any re-
turned soldier feel that because he
has been in active service at the
front that the National Guard work is
unimportant or not to be taken seri-
ously.
He spoke at some length of the
favorable attitude of the business
men of the town toward Company
K, and said that he felt sure that in
the face of this spirit of approval
and Willingness to back up the or
ganization, he was justified in re-
commencing that the state money be
extended for the armory, even tho
the required membership of one hum
dred men had not yet been reached
The men of Company K were much
impressed by the attitude and bearing
of Colonel Minnigerode, and by his
talk; it is indeed a privilege to come
into contact with a man of his per-
sonality and standing, and one who
has a record such as his. He took
part in the Meuse-Argonne campaign
with the Twenty-ninth Division, and
has been decorated with the Croix de
Guerre with palms, the Croix de
Guerre with a star, the cross of the
Legion of Honor, the Distinguished
Service Cross, the Distinguished Ser
vice medal, and Philippine cam
paign badge.