Historical Wyoming County October 1958 - Old Fulton History

Page 8 October 1958
THE LETCHWORTH RIFLES (cont.)
Year 1880
From the few times the Letchworth Rifles are mentioned in the
Western New-Yorker in 1880 it is apparent the company was becoming
less active. In January, the "Cora Van Tassel Dramatic Troupe" was
brought to Warsaw for two benefit performances for the company andin
March Captain Lawrence served warm sugar, hard tack and crackers
after one of the drills„
Firemen's inspection in that year was a whole afternoon affair
with the Attica Fire Department and Jefferson Band as guests. There
was a banquet, parade and a demonstration of fire equipment. The
Letchworth Rifles and their cornet band were invited and asked to
meet the visitors at the Erie station. The committee of arrangements
was late in extending the invitation to the Rifles and changed the
hour of the parade several times to accommodate the visitors. Capt.
Lawrence was consulted and the plans apparently met his approval.
When the day came, he said he did not have time to call the company
out but also refused to open the armory where it was planned to hold
the reception, and would not allow the band to have their uniforms.
The band, however, met the visitors from Attica at the station and
escorted them to the fire hall. Dinner followed at the United
States Hotel. At the dinner resolutions were passed condeming Captain
Lawrence's refusal to open the armory or permit the band to
have its uniforms as an outrage, but excusing him from calling the
company out on such short notice. The Western New-Yorker in its
next issue commented on the affair as an exhibition of one man power
which had been experienced before.
In July the marksmen of the company were practicing at the
range under the direction of the official inspectors, Lt. Col. E. A.
Rockwood and Major P. P. Beals, Buffalo. Lawrence offered a silver
cup to the man with the best score. Wallace Sherwin was the winner
with a score of l|l|. out of a possible 50.
The company in September organized a drum corps. Edward G.
Gardiner was chosen drum major; John Duggan and Frank Marting, trumpeters;
Millard C. Fullington, George B„ Bancroft, Frank Crippen,
Frank S. Burbee, George M. Lawrence and Samuel Kelly, Drummers; and
William Arthur Brady and Charles H. Knight, other members whose instruments
were not given. They were to be exempt from all military
duty except annual inspection and rifle practice.
Year l88l
In January it was announced that regular weekly drills would
commence which by arrangement would be conducted on a social basis.
At the celebration of Washington's birthday, marksmen's badges were
presented on behalf of the state authorities that had been won in
1880. Captain Lawrence provided a generous repast. There were
speeches and the drum corps furnished music
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