The below article was printed in The Miami Union, a Troy Ohio Newspaper, on 16 August 1900, and refers to an even older newspaper.   Quote:

AN OLD CLIPPING

"The following clipping from an ancient Troy paper was found in the collection of the late Judge George Skinner, of Kalida Ohio, and was handed to us by Charles M. Brooks. We think that it will be of interest to the later generations that have passed through two wars during the last half century."

By John J. Tullis

Although the military department of the government affords matters of history, rather than present verity, a brief account of the rise and fall, may not be entirely destitute of interest. I shall commence back at the time of organizing the northwestern territory.

Arthur St. Clair was governor of the territory, and Samuel Holden Parsons, James Mitchel Varnum, and John Cleven Symmes were judges.

On the 25th of July 1788, they published at Marietta, "A law for regulating and establishing the Militia." At the first session of the territorial legislature on the recommendation of the govenernor, the territorial legislature confirmed and gave force to the law. By this first military law, it was provided that all male inhabitants, between the ages of 16 to 50 should be liable to do military duty; they were required to be armed with a musket and bayonet, or rifle, or cartridge box and pouch, with forty pounds of cartridges, or one pound of powder and four pounds of lead, priming wire and brush, and six flints.

It was enjoined for the purpose of conducting health, civilization and morality, that men be paraded at ten o'clock a.m. of the first day each week, armed and equipped, adjacent to the place of public worship, and on such times, and at such places as the Commander-in- chief should direct. For failing to appear armed and equipped on the first day of the week twenty-five cents imposed, and for delinquency on the day designated by the Commander-in-chief fifty cents. ---For refusing to perform the duty of guard, the delinquent to be fined one hundred cents; and for delinquency in case of invasion or engagement to be deemed guilty of cowardice and desertion, to be heard, tried and sentenced by a court martial.

On the 23d of November, 1788, the governor and judges published a law in addition, &c. By which it is provided that any person who is obliged to do military duty, and who shall neglect to furnish arms, accoutrements and ammunition, agreeably to the requirements of said law, by the time hereinafter mentioned, shall pay a fine for each month he shall neglect to provide the articles by the former law required, in the sum hereafter specified, that is to say, for a musket and bayonet or rifle not provided within 30 days after the publication of this law, five dimes; for every pound of powder and four pounds of lead, or forty pounds of cartridges, not provided within fifteen days, two dimes and five cents; for every cartridge box and pouch, or powder horn and bullet pouch not provided within fifteen days, two dimes; for every six flints not provided within ten days, one dime and five cents; for every priming wire and brush not provided for within thirty days, one dime.

To be inspected by the commandants of companies, on the first Sabbath of each month.

By an act passed by the governor and judges, to alter and amend the militia laws July 2, 1791, it is made the duty of commandants of companies, to drill their men two hours on every last day of the week, and to examine their arms, ammunition, &a. All who attend the drill on Saturday may be excused from attending church or drilling on the first day of each week; provided however, if they do attend church they must be properly armed and equipped, and then need not muster on Saturday. So all had their choice what day they would drill, whether Saturday of Sunday.

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