Machine gun troop history continues

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
With Leonard Cash
 
Historian Leonard Cash continues this week’s installment of his series on the armory by rehashing the history of Wyoming’s only Machine Gun Troop, W.N.G.
News articles from Mar. 12, 1931, report that the formation of the troop was making progress because new stables were officially announced to be built, according to Col. R.J. Esmay, adjutant general of the state troops. Esmay and Col. Copely were to inspect the unit, after which a site for the stables would be chosen.
“Col. Esmay will return to Newcastle, a site for the new stables will be selected, and work started so the stables will be completed by early fall, according to present plans,” the article said.
One of the sites being considered was located by the Sanitary Dairy, which was east of U.S. Highway 85 on high ground. The location offered natural drainage and held the potential for future improvements and expansions.
The four officers and 43 enlisted men who came for the inspection passed with “flying colors,” and Enos and Esmay were “highly pleased with the splendid appearance of the troop and the good condition of its personnel.” 
According to the Mar. 24, 1932, issue of the News Journal, the legion was renting “temporary quarters” for the stables but wanted its own building. However, the article said the explanation for the delay of construction was lack of funds, so the legion appealed to the governor in hopes of finally getting the project started. 
According to news reports from Apr. 14, 1932, ashes spilled onto the floor near the heating stove in the temporary stables, starting a fire. Fortunately, the fire was quickly put out by the local fire department. 
Plans for a riding hall to be put next to the stables were being discussed, according to the Feb. 22, 1934, edition of the News Journal, when Esmay and Maj. Carroll came to inspect the work of the stables. 
“’An appropriation of federal funds amounting to $165,000 for improvement of national guard buildings in the state has been asked,’ Esmay said, ‘and if received Newcastle will get about $28,000 for a new riding hall,’” the article said. 
The two officers were pleased with the work being done on the stables and said it would be “one if not the finest national guard stables in the state.” With the potential addition of the riding hall, Esmay said the property would be “outstanding among national guard properties.” 
Harold L. Curtis, a landscaping architect from the University of Wyoming, surveyed the new Machine Gun Troop Cavalry Barn, upon the authority of Esmay and Capt. T.C. Howell, according to news reports from Jan. 31, 1935. 
Trees and shrubs were to be purchased from Riverton state nurseries, according to the recommendation of Curtis. He also laid out suggestions for which type of plants and trees would go well with the area and provide the best shade. However, Cash said, the landscaping plans were never fulfilled.
“If they (were), it all died out,” he said.
A fire broke out in the armory, as reported the Dec. 14, 1935, issue of the newspaper. It was allegedly caused by a heated chimney and a defective flue, but there was minimal damage due to the help of the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department. Capt. Howell estimated the amount of damage done to be around $200. It was mainly shoes, caps and other equipment that were lost. 
According to an Oct. 19, 1939, article in the News Journal, construction of the riding hall was making rapid progress, and “before the present WPA project is up, it is hoped that the stone walls will have been completed.” 
There was to be a shooting gallery on the east side with dimensions of 167 feet by 30 feet, and a room for office and storage supplies on the south side. The indoor riding hall, which would be in the center of the building, was to be 75 feet by 190 feet. 
The building was about two-thirds complete, reported the News Journal of Feb. 29, 1940, and the article laid out a description of the work that was done. 
“750 linear feet of stone foundation 18 inches and two feet high laid on a sub-foundation of 36 inches deep; 4,885 cubic feet of rock wall 18 inches thick, finished with a five-point masonry effect; 9,189 cubic feet of stone quarried, weighing 448.4 tons; door and window cases installed, and lumber storage building of 10,368 cubic feet capacity has also been constructed,” the article said. 
The project gave the 15 employees on the job a total of 23,838 hours of work. The WPA spent $12,296 for labor and slightly over $1 million for additional costs. 
The newspaper reported on Mar. 7, 1940, that the armory was considering putting in a recreation room “to promote a greater interest in the troop and especially to improve the drill attendance,” because it was down as revealed by an investigation performed by the Lion’s Club. The article said that the troop was an important “community asset.” 
Magazine racks, tables and chairs, pool and ping-pong tables, card tables, a radio, and other things to provide for the entertainment of the troops were hoped-for amenities. Only troop members could use the facility. 
A news article from Mar. 28, 1940, said that the recreation room was “proving an excellent place to ‘talk shop.’” There were signs of increased interest among the troopers, and they were excited for the annual encampment held in Guernsey. 
“Interest and enthusiasm in the troop by its members is at its highest point in a long time,” the article said. “It was revealed at the regular drill last week.”
The article said the troop in Newcastle was bound “to receive an excellent rating.” The article likened military organizations to that of a play, explaining that when one actor fails in doing his job, no matter how small the part, the whole play is ruined. 
“Military efficiency and supremacy come when each soldier does his job and does it well,” the article said. “With no shirkers on the job during the next few months, Newcastle will be proud to come home from the annual encampment, one of the most highly efficient and rated national guard troops in Wyoming.”