Milford chronicle., 1950-02-17
MEMORIES OF OLD aCoMPANY R,

MEMORIES OF OLD COMPANY B,'
On Tuesday of this week Colonel William
+. Lank, now 50 years of age and one of our
rehable sources of information about Milford
during the last seventy-five years, stopped in
at the Office and had little "chat." His CON
versation drifted to old Company B" which
ne commanded for so many years He fold
us that on February IS, 1880, seventy wears
ago yesterday Company B, Torbert Guards
delaware Militia was formed. At the organ
lzation meeting DIR. George W. Marshall,
datner OF Dr. William Marshall, Jr, and DIR.
?. m u. Marshall, was made Captain of
the company. Among those who were in
stFumental in organizing the company were
theodore Townsend. later Colonel in COM
mand OF the First Delaware Infantry Regi-
ment; Captain William H. Harris, Frederick
=: WlsWell, Harrison Paige, Bayard P. Burn.
Abe Taylor, Albert and Frank Postles and
several others.
The company was composed of fiftv men
and three officers. They met in Reedy Hall.
The members all paid dues, received nothing
from the State or Federal Government. ex-
eept some old Sprinfield rifles, and even
bought their own uniforms The Connanv
held drills every Monday night. and aIwaTs
mad full attendance So eager to ioin the
company were the young men of Milford that
fhere was a long waiting list of applicants
for membership.
Time takes its toll. Today. seventy wears
a1ter the organization of "B Company" onlv
two of the original members are living, These
Two men have resided in Milford all their
nVes. They are Colonel Lank and William G.
SammonS. At the time of their enlistment
they joined as drummer boys. Colonel Lank
dreV.sa striking comparison of old "COmpanv
hn Jorv
military company Now the members are
pa'q regularly for attendance at drills and
other functions. The troops are modernlv
equipped and the Milford group ranks we'll
at the top among the State units for eff
cheney. IN this respect it follows the example
set by B" COmDany. which for years ranked
first in the old Delaware National Guard
1t was the enthusiasm of men like Colonel
J.ank, Mr.. SammOns and others which kent
delaware troops among the Nations finest.
Their enthusiasm has borne fruit in that Mil
ford is still military minded, and recruits
are eaSllv available to fill vacancies in our
local units. Colonel Lank may well look back
over his years of military service. during
which time he saw active service in the Span-
lsh-AmeTlcan War, the Mexican Border.
and World War l. with pride. He has every
reason to be proud of his record. It is an
enviable one
NS0SS
REPUBLICANS MUST FIND LEADER
John G. Leach, recently elected Chairman
OF the Republican State COMMITTEES has an
nounced that he will quit in April. He gives
as ms reason the pressure of personal busi
ness affairs. In taking this step Mr.. Leach
clarifies the air early so that Republican
Party leaders may select new leader to
guide this years political campaign. We are
IN the dark as to whether Mr.. Leach has
given his full reason for resigning. It would
seem to US that acceptable Wilmington man
can be found who can give the Job his time
We believe that ElwOOd Leach of that citv is
the man. We thought that the wrong Leach
was selected when the State Committee met
IN January and made its choice Elwood
LeachY knows Delaware politics. He knows
the workers in the party in all parts of the
State. He is well and favOrably liked in
every county in Delaware His friends are
legion, and his honesty and integrity is un-
questioned. ElwOOd Leach can, and will
make an outstanding State Chairman should
the party leaders see fit to place him at the
nein-and allow him unhampered use of his
powers to carrv on the coming campaign.
Delaware Republicans could look farther and
fair worse BY overlooking Elwood Leach for
this mDortant post. We'll watch the out
come with interest.
(S0NG
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY