Eau Claire County, Wisconsin - Chapter 14: The Geiffin Rifles, 1914

Chapter 14: The Geiffin Rifles

Ill the Summer of 1887 a number of the younger men of the City of Eau Claire assembled to discuss the formation of a military company. A preliminary meeting was held early in July, and on the evening of July 13, 1887, a second meeting to effect a temporary organization was held in Smith's Hall, corner of South Barstow street and Gray street. Harry B. McMaster was elected chairman and Thomas B. Culver performed the duties of secretary. A large number were in attendance and the meeting was an enthusiastic one. Committees were appointed to perfect the organization. Interested gentlemen who had been investigating the financing of the company made a favorable report. Measures were taken to secure the Roller Skating Rink at the corner of Second avenue and Ann street, on the west side for use as an armory.

July 27, 1887, another meeting was held of which Harry B. McMaster was chairman and A. J. Sheridan acting secretary. A civil organization was formed with the election of Joseph M. Ballard as president. Homer D. Cooley as vice-president and William P. Chrissinger as secretary and Thomas B. Culver as treasurer. These gentlemen with H. B. McMaster, George B. Mason and Moses W. Burns composed the board of directors.

The committee on armory made a report that the old skating rink, corner Ann street and Second avenue, could be secured for a rental of fifty dollars per year and that the premises could be bought outright for three hundred dollars.

The meeting then proceeded to the election of a Captain and on an informal ballot Harry B. McMaster received forty-two votes and Walter J. Fitch four. The election of Captain McMaster was made unanimous. A ballot for First Lieutenant was taken and Walter J. Fitch received twenty-four votes, John P. Sheridan nineteen and scattering four. Mr. Fitch declined the election on the ground that he had in contemplation a business arrangement which would cause his removal from the city. Another ballot was then taken and John P. Sheridan received forty votes, John Fred Farr four, George B. Mason two, and J. M. Ballard one. The election of Lieutenant Sheridan was made unanimous. An informal ballot for Second Lieutenant was then taken, resulting in John Fred Farr receiving twenty-seven votes, George B. Mason nine, J. M. Ballard three, and scattering seven. Lieutenant Farr was thereupon unanimously elected.

The meeting then appointed a committee on by-laws and articles of association consisting of Messrs. Fitch, McMaster and Cooley and arranged for the appointment of a committee to solicit honorary memberships.

In August the old rink became the armory of the new company and frequent meetings and drills were held to perfect the organization. The citizens responded liberall}^ in taking out honorary memberships. The Griffin Rifles Armory Association was organized to take over the building and remodel it. This association was a stock company and the citizens freely subscribed for stock. October 11 to October 15 the company gave a fair at the old Music Hall, then standing at the corner of South Barstow and Kelsey streets, now the site of the Kahn-Truax building. A report of the treasurer following the fair gave the net receipts as $943.97. The ladies rendered great assistance to the members of the company in making the fair a success. The money thus obtained was used in the purchase of uniforms. Events of this fair being of great interest were the cane contest and the hat contest. The cane was won by John S. Owen, who received 950 votes. George B. Shaw was close competitor and Frank McDonough came in third. John Ure won the silk hat with Ralph E. Rust and Frank Moon second and third contestants.

October 19 First Lieutenant John P. Sheridan tendered his resignation, owing to removal from the city, and First Sergeant Joseph M. Ballard was unanimously elected to the position.

On October 26 Captain McMaster announced the Adjutant General had advised arras would soon be shipped to the company. The drilling in the foot movements was already under way. At this same meeting a committee was appointed to consider plans for the remodeling of the building and to provide for heating. In December the company got down to hard drill. Sc[uad drills were held from 8 :30 to 9 :30 and then company drills for one hour.

At the annual meeting December 6 A. J. Sheridan was chosen recording secretary of the Civil Association, C. H. Greene financial secretary and Thomas B. Culver treasurer. The by-laws had been amended to provide for the captain of the company being president of the Civil Association.

On November 22 the rifles, the old Springfield, were received from the State and the company, which had heretofore been drilling in foot movements, took up the manual of arms. The uniforms did not come until December 15. These were purchased by the company and each man received a pair of blue trousers, a dark blue blouse and a dress coat. These coats were highly decorated with facings and brass buttons, and fitted very tight.

The armory had been put in condition for drills and all through the winter the company worked hard. In spite of great stoves at either end kept at a red heat the men suffered from the cold while drilling and many rifles fell to the floor from the benumbed fingei-s of recruits. Captain McMaster was rapidly molding the company into shape. In the selection of his noncommissioned officers he used great care. Joseph M. Ballard when the company first organized in the summer was First Sergeant and on his election to First Lieutenant was succeeded by William P. Chrissinger. Charles H. Green early in the history of the company was made Quartermaster Sergeant.

During the winter of 1887-88 the Germania Guard, of Wausau, was mustered out of the State service and the Griffin Rifles, together with two other independent companies, made application for the vacancy. Adjutant General Chandler P. Chapman ordered the three applicants to prepare for a competitive drill, and in this contest the Rifles were the victors.

March 29 was the date set for the inspection. The other two competitors for the place had already been inspected. The armory was filled with friends of the company to witness this critical event in the career of the Rifles. General Chapman departed for Madison on completion of the inspection and that the company made a satisfactory and successful showing is evidenced by a telegram received on March 30 from General Chapman conveying the information that Governor Rusk had directed the vacancy in the Third Infantry be filled by the mustering in of the Eau Claire Company. On April 6 notice was given muster would take place on April 20.

Muster In As E Company

On the evening of April 20, 1888, the company assembled at Smith's Hall, owing to the armory being again under repairs, and with due ceremony were mustered into the State service by that grand old soldier. General Chapman. The muster roll of April 20 was as follows :

The Griffin Rifles 209 E Company, Third Infantry

The Griffin Rities were now to be known as E Company of the Third Infantry. Of this regiment Colonel Martin T. Moore, of La Crosse, was in command. In the following summer the company went into its first state camp. This was at Menomonie. Tlie company was designated by the men of the other companies as the "Babies," owing to the fact they had but so recently entered the service. They were under constant and critical observation by the regimental officers and inspectors and came home with an excellent record.

The Third was the first regiment to make use of the grounds. Previous to this time the regiments had camped at various towns in the State. General Chapman and Captain George Graham, of Tomah, were the first to consider the grounds near the village of Camp Douglas for military purposes and in the summer of 1888 made an investigation. They found the present reservation as well fitted for encampment purposes and maneuvering. No funds being available for the purpose, General Chapman at his own risk purchased four hundred and forty acres from seven different owners. On April 22, 1889, a conference of. officers recommended the State purchase of the grounds from General Chapman.

Nearly all the reservation was covered by second growth timber and brush. The first drill of the regiment after reaching the reservation and making their camp was fatigue work. All hands turned to and proceeded to clear uprooted stumps and brush. This was piled in a huge heap near the guard quarters and made a magnificent bonfire which burned throughout the week.

The Griffin Rifles were one of the several companies invited to the inauguration ceremonies of Governor William D. Hoard, at Madison, January 7, 1889. They left Eau Claire in evening of Sunday, January 6, and returned Tuesday morning.

October 14 to 19, 1889, the company gave a second "Fair and Art Loan," which proved to be a great success. A cane contest evoking great interest was a feature of this fair. Richard T. Farr, a lumberman, was voted the cane. His principal competitor Avas Horace Rust, another lumberman, and the race between these two gentlemen was fierce but good natured. Net receipts of this fair were about $800.00.

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A large party was in progress at the residence of Clarence A. Chamberlin and several members of the company were there as guests, among them the Captain. Those present were immediately dispatched as messengers to notify other members of the company. An hour after receipt of the telegram fifty men were at the armory in uniform, fully equipped and ready to march. The limited number of ball cartridges on hand were issued. As the sun was rising on the morning of the 20th the company took the four o'clock train on the Omaha for West Superior. General Griffiu accompanied the troops.

The riotous demonstration by several hundred strikers prompted the West Superior officials to call for troops. A general strike had been inaugurated. The police officers and deputy sheriffs were unable to guard property and protect those men who desired to work. The extensive coal docks were threatened with destruction and work on public improvements had been stopped. Mob rule prevailed.

The company arrived at Superior at 9 :30. Their arrival was unexpected by the rioters and produced an excellent effect. The company marched through the city to the city hall, where their barracks were established. The men had hardly reached the city hall when they were ordered out to intercept a body of strikers reported to be moving on the water works trenches where laborers were working. A press dispatch of that date reads as follows :

strikers were encountered and were much surprised at the soldiers' sudden appearance, and many faint-hearted strikers began to steal away from the scene. The prompt action of Governor Hoard, and the fine appearance and soldierly conduct of the troops are subjects of much favorable comment."

Sunday was spent in a comparatively quiet manner. On Monday morning a mob of about two hundred men started out to "run the town," while the greater portion of the Rifles, under Captain McMaster, were protecting laborers at the coal docks. The mob was encountered by Lieutenant Ballard with nineteen men and by the firmness of General Griffin, who had hurried to the scene, was dispersed under the most critical circumstances. A thousand rounds of ammunition hurriedly forwarded were received from Madison for the Griffin Rifles, while, late in the afternoon. Company L were placed under arms in their armory at Eau Claire, in accordance with telegraphic orders, and held in ; , readiness to start for Superior till 10 o'clock that night, when :;r they were dismissed, but notified to promptly respond to a given signal. The needed lesson had been taught, however, for the mob element realized that the military authorities "meant business." and Tuesday was spent by the troops in the comparatively simple duty of protecting laborers and standing ready to quell any riotous proceedings. Most of "Wednesday passed in much the same way. It had become evident that much of the not spn-it had been subdued and the troops departed for home on the afternoon train of that day. During the whole tour of duty, the purpose of sustaining the civil authorities, suppressing disorder and preserving the peace was steadily maintained by General Griffin, and his judicious management fully accomplislied this design without bloodshed, the civil authorities being enabled to make arrests, with the troops at hand to support them.

On their arrival at Eau Claire that night, the Rifles were met at the depot and escorted to their armory by their gallant comrades of Captain Beisang's Company L with a band. At the armory the members of Company E were welcomed by a large number of ladies, who had prepared for the soldier boys an elegant repast. The "war" was over; the Rifles had endeavored to do their duty as citizen soldiers ; their superiors, including General Griffin and the commander-in-chief, were satisfied with the conduct of the members of Company E, and the boys were content.

Governor Hoard in General Orders No. 13, 1889, made public acknowledgment of the excellent service rendered by the company. The order reads as follows:

Late in the evening of the 19th inst. the Governor received a message from the Mayor of Superior and the Sheriff of Douglas coimty, representing that the civil authorities there were unable to maintain the peace and protect the persons and property of the citizens and requesting that a company of the National Guard might be sent to their assistance. Complying with this request, an order was issued to Captain Harry B. McMaster, commanding Company E, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, at Eau Claire, to muster his command and proceed by first train to West Superior and report to the Mayor. A message was also sent to Brigadier General M. Griffin, Quartei-master General, requesting him to accompany the troops, not only to provide quarters and subsistence, but to act as the personal representative of the Governor.

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These messages did not reach theii- destination until after one 0 'clock in tlie morning, but when delivered they were acted upon with such promptness and celerity that the several members of the company were called from sleep at their homes, and it is represented forty-nine officers and men reported for duty within an hour. Leaving Eau Claire at about 4 o'clock a. m., in five hours thereafter the company reached West Superior, 147 miles distant, and reported as directed.

All reports concur in ascribing the avoidance of most serious trouble, involving destruction of property if not loss of life, to the timely arrival, soldierly bearing and complete discipline of tliis detachment of the National Guard of the State, aided as it was by the experienced .judgment and wise direction of General Griffin.

A most delicate and unwelcome duty was performed with eminent credit to all concerned, to the entire satisfaction of the Commander-in-Chief, and with great profit to the community calling for assistance, and therefore to the State at large.

Most happily bloodshed was avoided, but the power and the dignity of the military arm of the State were manifest, and thus aided, the civil authorities were enabled to reinstate order in place of chaos, and law in place of mob rule - demonstrating once again the wisdom of establishing and maintaining an efficient body of well instructed and properly disciplined state troops and once again warning all persons that Wisconsin can and will protect its citizens in their right to labor as and when and where they

The Commander-in-Chief takes pleasure in extending to Brigadier General Griffin and to Captain McMaster and the officers and men of liis company this public expression of his estimate of the value of their services. By Order of the Governor,

The second call for active duty for Company E was in the summer of 1894. At 12 :20 a. ni., July 9, 1894, Captain Ballard received the following dispatch from Adjutant General Falk:

Commanding Company E, Third Infantry, W. N. G., Eau Claire, Wis. Assemble your command at armory immediately, equipped for the field with two days' rations. Take all ammunition on hand. Will probably require your service in the morning. Expect Colonel Moore to be in Eau Claire tomorrow morning. Will wire further instructions later. Answer at once.

Immediately upon the receipt of this order Captain Ballard communicated with his First aud Second Lieutenants, and ordered them to notify each non-commissioned officer to report to him at once at the armory with his squad. At 2 :15 a. m. he instructed the First Sergeant to fall the company in and call the roll. There were found to be fifty-seven officers and enlisted men in the ranks present for duty. The company remained constantly in the armory ready to respond to all orders, and had a regular tour of duty. Guard mount at 8 a. m., drill at 9 a. m. and 3 p. m., and dress parade at 7:30 p. m. daily from the time it assembled at 2:15, July 9, until 8 p. m. July 11, 1894, when the company was dismissed.

Colonel Moore and Major Julius E. Kircheis arrived at au early hour July 9 and established quarters at the Eau Claire Hovise. The Regimental Sergeant Major, Marshall Cousins, reported to Colonel Moore for duty. The great railroad strike of 1894 Avas then at its height and the sheriff at Spooner on the Omaha railway had made a call on the Governor for aid in protecting property and securing the movement of trains. Fortunately the assembling of troops at their armories was accepted by the sti'ike leaders as a proof of the Governor's determination to prevent violence. General Louis Auer, Quartermaster General, visited Spooner and conferred with the strike leaders, and order was soon restored. The officers of the guard and men of the company were well pleased they were not required to visit the scene of the disturbance.

Following this little occurred out of routine military work up to the call for troops in April, 1898. Rifle practice was taken up by E Company very soon after it was mustered into the State service. Moses W. Burns, a private in the company, was instructor in rifle work. A range was fitted up on the prairie south of the city which the men reached by crossing the Milwaukee railroad bridge in the Fourth Ward. Mention of Private Burns will be made later. The company soon developed a number of shots who were much above the average and among them may be mentioned Captain Ballard, Sergeants Wall, Cousins and Farr, and Privates Burns, Burroughs, Ray, Parkinson, Larson, Charles and Carlson. The E Company rifle team won first place in the National Guard of Wisconsin at Camp Douglas in 1890 and in 1891, in competition with teams from all other companies in the State, won a handsome and costly trophy, generously presented by Robert K. Boyd, of Eau Claire. In 1892 E Company lost the Boyd trophy by a few points. In 1891 Moses W. Burns qualified as sharpshooter and Captain J. M. Ballard, Sergeant Marshall Cousins, Private Robert E. Parkinson and Sergeant Edward V. Wall as marksmen. In the following season, 1892, Private Edward S. Burroughs was awarded the decoration of marksman.

At a camp of instruction and interstate rifle competition held at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, October 24 to 29, 1892, Private Edward S. Burroughs was one of the contestants and Private M. W. Burns Avas present on detail as an instructor.