The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1922-08-03

| Jlll3 ana ONCE nOlulUS.
Former Member of the "Haymakers"
Rifle Team, Now Residing in New
York, Where He Occupies the Posi-
ton of General Manager of a Great
Railroad, Expresses His Gratiiica-
ton Over The Fact that the Organ
Being.
Mr.. John A. Droege, a native of
Deer Park, where he resided with his
parents until he had attained his ma
| jority and then went to New York,
where his ability as a railroad man
of more than ordinary merit was soon
recognized with the result that he
now occupies the position of General
Manager of the New York, New Ha
ven and Hartford Railroad, has writ
ten the following letter to The Re-
publican relative to the reorganiza-
ton of the "Haymakers' rifle team:
To the Editor of The Republican.
Dear Sir:-The account in your
paper of July 9th of the revival of
the "Haymakers" rifle team interest
ed me greatly. 1t was was my good
fortune and my privilege to be a
member of that organization and the
contingent of ten or twelve who faith
fully walked over to Oakland from
Deer Park Saturday evenings, after a
hard days work in the harvest field,
carrying on" during the two or three
hours drill, and then walking back,
should not be overlooked or forgot
ten. Let us hope there is an equiva-
lent amount of gimp" and patriotism
in the boys of today. There may be.
The names appearing in the article
are all good friends of mine.
l wildly recall the night up in the
hall at Oakland when the uniforms
were "given out" Mine looked like a
kimono. After l let it fall on me !
searched out Capt. Wardwell, who
was having his own troubles, and
asked him to look at it and me.
"SpIendid! Splendid" he replied,
you'll attract attention." l did; we
all did!
l am not writing this for publica-
ton. (The temptation to reproduce
the letter is too strong, Mr.. Droege).
l am writing, however, for the pur-
pose of offering any assistance | can
in supplying you or the old crowd
with historical data. In one of my
five scrap books-the oldest, of course
i find several articles on the sub
ject. One printed in the Baltimore
Sun, dated Hagerstown, Nd, Aug. 1st
(you may recall the year, probably
1892, headed Camp Lloyd All
Ready" about nine inches long, and
in small type, telling of the camp,
preparations, camp routine, names of
companies, officers, etc. You or some
of the "boys" may have this.
Another article from the Sun of
August Bird, six inches long, tells of
the movement to the camp, while on
the following day the Suns article
captioned "Our Boys in Town." with a
sub-heading, Senator German and
the Haymakers" some thirty inches
long, devotes much of the space to "a
fine body of rifemen," and among
other things speaks of them (the
"Haymakers") considered the finest
body of rifemen in the country, living
according to the United States SER
vice." and at is probably the most
capable command in camp for actual
duty" 1t mentions Senator Germans
giving prize to them for shooting
and a special reception and dinner by
him to certain members because of
their experiences with the rifle.
The Sun article of August 9Th gives
details of the marching and contests
under the heading "By No Means a
Picnic" The names of the winners
and scores made are also given. Still
another article under the caption" The
Haymakers Beat their Record" gives
detailed scores.
The next, l believe the last, is a
story from the Cumberland Times, an
editorial, entitled" Cumberland
Should Follow Suit" telling of a
Large and enthusiastic meeting" in
Oakland for the purpose of providing
the Haymakers with a permanent
rifle range for the great contest at
Chicago "in October next" Mayor
Owen Hart presided at this meeting,
with Mr.. Thomas J. Peddicord, attor-
ney, acting as secretary. A subscrip-
ton list was opened, hall provided,
meetings arranged for, etc.
Doubtless copies of these articles
may be had in your neighborhood. If
I can be of any service to you, please
do not hesitate to command me.
Very sincerely,
JOHN A. DROEGE.
1888 Grand Terminal, New York