Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1901 — Can Now Secure Militia Company [ARTICLE]

Can Now Secure Militia Company

Rensselaer has the opportunity if acted upon at once to organize a oomsJiiy of militia to be outfitted and maintained at the expense of the state. An effort was made some time previous to secure a company here, but the state appropriation was then all taken up. Attorney General John R. Ward wrote to Dr. Ira M. Washburn last week, however, that a company can now be provided for, and urging immediate steps in that direction. Acting upon this authority Dr. Washburn is engaged in presenting the matter to the young men and boys and it is believed the company can be secured. Seventy men, officered by a captain and Ist and 2nd lieutenants are, required. The company is uniformed and furnished guns st state expense, and each year is called into camp at some appropriate place with the other companies of the state and for this service the members are paid a per diem of $2.00.

There is no probability of the company being called iuto service, although it is subject to such call. The service is purely of a home guard variety and its members are not apt to be called upon to sacrifice their lives on the country’s alter. It is largely an athletic organization. The state will provide an armory for the keeping of the paraphenalia of the company and this can be provided with athletic apparatus and made an enjoyable meeting place for the the members of the company. B. F. Fendig’s drug store is talking headquarters and Dr. Washburn has made arrangements for those who care to join the company to register their names there. A meeting will be called as soon as it is sure the company can be organized.