1909 07: Col. Frank Norton now head of 23rd

UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED COLONEL OF REGIMENT TO SUCCEED WM. A. STOKES.

Enlisted in 1885, and With Exception of Eleven Months Has Been a Member Ever Since - Six Officers of 47th Qualify as Marksmen - National Guard Notes.

Lieut.-Col. Frank H. Norton, of the Twenty-third Regiment, as foretold in these columns a few weeks ago, was last night elected to fill the vacancy caused by the recent retirement of Col. William A. Stokes. The election was unanimous, there being no other candidate. Gen. John G. Eddy, commanding the Second Brigade, presided at the election, at which thirty-three out of a possible thirty-eight votes were cast. There were five officers absent, all of whom are out of the city.

Gen. Eddy, after announcing the result, and after the applause which greeted the announcement had subsided, congratulated the regiment and the Colonel-elect on the unanimity of the result, and paid the latter a warm tribute.

Col.-elect Norton made a brief and fitting reply, in which he urged the officers to get together and exert every effort to bring about the upbuilding of the regiment. He bespoke the loyal support of all and predicted that the regiment would soon again be in the front rank of the National Guard organizations of the State, numerically and otherwise.

Col.-elect Norton enlisted in Company F., of the Twenty-third Regiment, September 28, 1885, nearly twenty-four years ago, and except for a trifle over eleven months has served continuously ever since. He was warranted corporal February 7, 1888; sergeant, December 1, 1891, and first sergeant November 18, 1895. He was honorably discharged June 6, 1893, but returned to his old company to accept the position of first lieutenant, then vacant, May 20, of the following year. He succeeded to the captaincy of the company June 9, 1902, and was elevated to the position of battalion commander, with the grade of Major, December 22, 1904. He received his present commission on the retirement of Lieut.-Col. Charles G. Todd a couple of years ago, defeating the senior battalion commander in a contest for the office. He is one of the Twenty-third's most popular and most efficient officers, and his administration promises to be a most successful one. He has shown rare judgment and tact in every position he has thus far held, and the fact that he was nominated by acclamation and was elected without opposition is regarded as a high compliment to his personality and ability. Immediately following the election Gen. Eddy announced the appointment of a special board of examination, before which Col.-elect Norton will appear a week from next Monday night. The board consists of Gen. Eddy, Cols. Foote and Barthman, of the Fourteenth and Forty-seventh Regiments, respectively, and Lieut-Col. Frederick J. J. Wood, Brigade Surgeon.

Col. Norton, in speaking of an election for his successor, later, said he would not order such election until he was satisfied that the officers could agree on a candidate. Thus far three names have been mentioned in that connection. They are: Majors Frederick A. Wells, William Du Bois, and Carl G. Rasmus. Col. Norton believes that before the election is ordered, however, the officers will unite on one of the three Majors named.

Six officers of the Forty-seventh Regiment, with the ordnance sergeant, went to the rifle range of Company L, of the Tenth Regiment, near Newburgh, last Thursday, and qualified as marksmen, sharpshooters and experts, as follows:

Col. John H. Foote, of the Fourteenth Regiment, is in Albany sitting at a court of inquiry appointed by the Governor to investigate the affairs of a battalion of the Tenth Regiment, and of which court Col. Foote is Chairman.

The Fourteenth Regiment will be assembled for two or three outdoor drills at the Prospect Park parade grounds before leaving for the joint army and militia maneuvers next month. Capt. Robert S. Cooke and Lieut. J. H. Blume, of the Twenty-third and Forty-seventh Regiments, respectively, may be detailed to the Fourteenth for duty during the maneuvers.

First Sergt. Albert B. Work and Private W. Vonderschmit, of Company K, Fourteenth, have been appointed battalion sergeant major and company quartermaster sergeant, respectively.

Corps. R. B. Muir, H. J. Dudley and Jeremiah Smith, of Companies M, A and F, respectively, have been appointed sergeants.

Comptroller Herman A. Metz, who is the commissary of the Fourteenth Regiment of the grade of captain, has been granted a leave of absence from July 13 to September 10, and will not be with the regiment during the joint maneuvers next month.

Brooklyn Times