NATIONAL GUARD. The National Guard is now upon a better footing than ever before since its organization in 1894, the same being due largely to the annual encampments and monthly target practice during the summer months, commencing June 15 and closing October 15. There is now one full regiment of twelve companies and one regimental band organized, which are located as follows: Headquarters, band and Company A, at Guthrie; Company B, at Chandler; Company C, at Medford; Company D, at Ponca City; Company E, at Pawnee; Company F, at Shawnee; Company G, at Hennessey; Company H, at Edmond; Company I, at Alva-Woodward; Company K, at Enid; Company L, at Perry; Company M, at Oklahoma City. Eight of the companies are equipped with the undress uniform and the Springfield rifle, caliber .45. Company I, located at Alva-Woodward, was organized March 14, 1900. The second platoon, with the captain and second lieutenant, is stationed at Alva, and the first platoon, with the first lieutenant, is stationed at Woodward. Dividing this company and stationing a platoon at each place was done for the reason that Alva and Woodward were both desirous of having a company, and, on account of their being situated in the extreme northwest portion of the Territory, it was deemed advisable to give each a platoon. Company M, located at Oklahoma City, was organized April 19, 1900, and have only been equipped with the Springfield rifle, bayonet scabbards, waist belts, and cartridge boxes. Company L, located at Perry, was organized May 12, 1900. Company G, located at Hennessey, was organized July 7, 1900. This company was organized and given the initial letter "G" in lieu of the company at Kingfisher (Company G), which was disbanded June 5, 1900, the same having become reduced to less than the minimum allowed by law. The regimental band is fully equipped with the dress, undress, and summer uniforms, and necessary instruments, is subject to the same discipline and regulations as the National Guard, and the band to-day is one of the best organizations of its kind in the Southwest. I am notified that the Territory's quota of the Federal appropriation the coming year will be $5,744.06, which is more than double that previously received, and will be the means of better equipping the Territorial militia in every way. The last legislature appropriated $3,000 annually for the holding of encampments. The encampment held last year was productive of positive good in imparting practical instructions. The regiment reported at encampment with 396 officers and enlisted men. The regiment then consisted of nine companies, divided into three battalions of three companies each. Daily guard mounts were had and instruction given as far as possible in sentinel duties and guard mounting, so that the officers and men understood the work at the close of the encampment sufficiently to study it intelligently. Battalion and regimental drills were had whenever the weather permitted, and daily regimental parades; and by the closing day of the encampment the parades and drills were creditable, and superior to many seen in volunteer regiments after six months of service. It is my opinion that after the encampment this year the Oklahoma National Guard will show itself fit and competent to render any service to which it may be called by the Territory or the nation. The personnel of the militia includes the best material among the young men of the Territory, and the discipline is generally good. The staff of the commander in chief is as follows: Gen. Bert C. Orner, adjutant-general, Guthrie. Col. H. K. Bickford, inspector-general, Alva. Maj. Robert A. Lowry, judge-advocate-general, Stillwater. Maj. Harry W. Pentecost, quartermaster-general, Guthrie. The field, staff, and line officers are as follows: FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. Roy V. Hoffman, colonel, Chandler. Fred L. Boynton, lieutenant-colonel, Kingfisher. Alvah H. Young, major, Shawnee. William P. Baker, captain and surgeon, Guthrie. LINE OFFICERS. Capt. L. C. Booth, Company A, Guthrie. Capt. O. G. Palmer, Company I, Alva-Woodward. Capt. Charles J. West, Company K, Enid. Capt. Fred P. Finerty, Company M, Oklahoma City. OKLAHOMA PATRIOTISM. There are residing within Oklahoma Territory 7,399 ex-Union soldiers who receive pensions from the Government, and several thousand who are not pensioners, who, together with many loyal confederate veterans, constitute a patriotic nucleus of which any Commonwealth might well be proud. But the people of Oklahoma are all true patriots, and in no section of the Union will be found a larger per cent ready to go forth to battle for their country. When the first call was made for volunteers in the Spanish-American war Oklahoma was ready with several regiments, although but 85 men were called for from the Territory. Those who went formed one of the best troops of Roosevelt's gallant Rough Riders and were found in the thickest of the fights in which that regiment participated. At INT 1900-MIS, PT 2 43 the second call Oklahoma sent a battalion, though ten times as many offered their services. Many enlisted in the United States volunteer regiments organized later to go to the Philippines, and a hundred or more gallant sons of Oklahoma are to-day upholding the old flag in that far-off land. Recently when war with China seemed inevitable the first regiment of National Guard tendered their services to go there, and several independent companies and scores of individuals begged for a chance to enlist. Oklahoma, I am certain, will ever be found willing to respond to any call that may be made on her to defend the nation or uphold the flag wherever the Government shall determine that it shall be flung to the breeze. OKLAHOMA ABROAD. Oklahoma and her resources and products are fast becoming known over the world. The rapid development of the country, the abundance and superior quality of the products of the farms and orchards of the Territory, have attracted the attention of the entire nation, and no section of the country is to-day more favorably known as an agricultural, horticultural, and stock-raising country. The first public exhibit of the products of the Territory was made at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, and there is no higher tribute to the excellence of Oklahoma agricultural products than that paid by the awards at that great fair, where were collected the products of all nations. A list of awards is given below: World's Columbian Exposition Awards to Oklahoma. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION. At the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition at Omaha, in 1898, the following awards were made to Oklahoma: Oklahoma Territory, silver medal for State exhibit showing greatest variety of farm products. Oklahoma Territory, silver medal for exhibit of grains, beans, and cotton. Eagle Mills, Edmond, gold medal on hard-wheat flour. Ponca City Roller Mills, silver medal on Oklahoma flour. Perry Milling Company, Perry, silver medal on Oklahoma flour. Hennessey Roller Mills, gold medal on "Perfection" Oklahoma flour. Oklahoma Mill Company, of Kingfisher, gold medal on Oklahoma flour. |