CMA Black Horse Troop  

Of Interest is a march entitled Culver Black Horse Troop Library holdings of Marshall's Civic Band, Topeka, KS, established 1884. There is not enough information here to know if it is connected or not the Culver 's Black Horse Troop. Basic data given is: Composer; John M. Gillespie; arranger: Walter Green; publisher Gillesgie-Green Music; date: Not given.

Part of the Black Horse Troop first appeared in the Inaugural parade for President McKinnely he was first elected in 1896. The photo is the 80 horse honor guard of the 1 ^stCleveland Calvary Troop A as in appeared in the Inaugural parade.

It is said that Major Leigh R. Gignilliat upon seeing the photographs of the Mc Kinley's Inaugural Parade his eye only caught and was attracted to the photographs of the 80 horse honor guard. Also after reading a copy of Mc Kinnley's letter to Captain W. E. Burdick of the 1 st Cleveland Calvary; he visioned such a troop at Culver and the publicity it co uld generate for the academy.

The 1 stCleveland Calvary and been purchesed by J. B. Perkins just for the Inaugural parade of 1896 and after this appearance the entire troop was placed up for sale at ten thousand dollars or $125 per horse.

Henry H. Harrison budgeted $2,500 for the purchase of a horse troop. The equestrian director H. E. Cook went to Cleveland to purchase as many horses as the budgted money would allow. Cook with the assistance of J. B. Perkins evaluated each horse and subjected each of them to a severe testing as to soundness, disposition, and training. The choosen by Cook were all black, 5 - 7 years old and fifteen hands high or more.

Culver Academy purchased the first 16 mounts of its Black Horse Troop in March 1897 from Troop A from the First City Cavalary of Cleveland - an 80 horse troop - at the budgeted price that came to $156.25 per horse. They were transported to Culver via the railroad and were off-loaded from the Academy's rail spur north of the campus. The cadets being given a half-day off greeted the horse, the band playing and a gun-fire salute greeted the new arrivals.

found in the Logansport Pharos Tribune , March 27 1897:

Culver ACADEMY

The Maxinkuckee College Coming to the Front.

It Will be in Charge of a United States Officer and
Will Have a Cavalry Company With Black Horses.

Culver Military Academy at Lake Maxlnkuckee is going to put on all the airs of a first class military college, Capt. John Q. Adams, of the United States regular army, has been assigned to duty there as professor of military science and will give the young soldiers the benefit of his military schooling at West Point.

Recently Mr. Culver purchased the horses ridden by tbe Black Horse cavalry at the inaugural ceremonies in Washington. This company was the leading feature in the inaugural parade.

The college boys at Maxinkuckee will be instructed in cavalry tactics and drill days at the academy will be events that will drive away the monotony of camp life at the lake.

Mr. Culver is determined to make his academy one of the finest institutions of the west. A large attendaace of students is expected this spring.

Three months later [May 1897] the Culver black Horse Troop served as Honor Guard for Governor James Mount; its first formal appearance in Richmond, ndiana, at the annual encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic.

The old barn used from 1891-92 as the Union Township Fairground, was adapted for stabling the and over the years enlarged for the horses.

The orginial Riding hall was built in 1897-8. The hall was the largest of its kind in America. The hall was 104 feet wide and 212 feet long; a mommoth amphiltheater, sufficient to manuever 60 horses . The dome of the arched roof towered to 60 feet above the floor. The tower raised 100 feet above the lake providing a unique picturesque view of the countryside. Found in the biography on Henry Harrison Culver is:

Riding hall was built which was finer than those built by the national government for its cavalry posts or at West Point, and probably without a superior in the world. This remarkable building, one hundred and four by two hundred and twelve feet, of brick and stone, with great steel trussed roof, of ornate architecture and incorporating every essential of the complete riding arena, was erected at a cost of $50,000

Next came the Spanish American War victory parade in 1898; and then as honor guard for Admiral George Dewey in St. Louis in 1900. The Black Horse Troop was also featured at the Louisiana Exposition in 1903. Also the jubilee parade in Chicago; and on various other public occasions. The World's Fair in St. Louis.

1904 - Jan 28 - There is great rejoicing in the cavalry department, and Capt. Noble is wearing “the smile that won’t come off"; Twenty (20) new black horses arrived late Sunday evening from Topeka, Kansas. One horse was left in Logansport with a bad cold and will be up In a day or so. The new-comers are beauties, and are fine additions to the famous Black Horse Troop that escorted President McKinley

MAKING GOOD SOLDIERS [pdf file] OUT OF SCHOOL BOYS; Present Army of 84,000 Men and How it Co uld Be Increased to Nearly 15,000,000. The New York Times January 23, 1910, Sunday

Queries from the Curious and Answers to Them. The New York Times February 6, 1910, Sunday Section: Society Fashions Drama, Page X12 Col. 4,

Culver Photographs. In its edition of Jan.'-28 THE TIMES published two photographs of the "Culver Black Horse Troop " and of a " Culver Cavalry Cadet Jumping the Bar." Notice is hereby given that these photographs are copyrighted by the Culver Military Academy

FEW Americans realize precisely the proportions of the mobile army of the United States. Often a comparison is made with the oldtime army of "before de wah" -- meaning, of course, the Spanish war - and a complacent welcome is given to the notion that we have a large and sufficient land force.

... the school is pushed to the... "Black Horse Cavalry Troop out for winter Drill... Culver and "one or two others have fine, large riding halls and ...

1911 - Found in the Internet Move Database:

The Black Horse Troop of Culver (1911)
Release Date: 25 September 1911 (USA)
Genre: Documentary | Short
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Aspect Ratio: 1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix: Silent
Company: Champion Film Company

1912 - The ideal of service in military life was the theme of a brief and informal talk that President Wilson made to the cadets of the Culver Black Horse Troop in he course of his campaign for the presidency in 1912. A detachment of these young troopers had ridden fifteen miles to a neighboring town to hear Mr. Wilson speak. At the conclusion of his formal address they escorted him to the train. At the depot, - standing in his automobile, Mr. Wilson beckoned the cadets to ride in close about him, and after thanking them in gracious and friendly fashion for the courtesy shown him, said:

"...I am always glad to see the unitform wore in connetion with education. To me it has a deeper meaning than a s an attribute to war. It means discipline, of course, but in addition it signifies that a man is not living for himself, but for the social life at large. Iam a great advocate of international peace. Because you wear the uniform I do not think you are less so. But I do not think we well ever have world-wide peace until we can look upon it with the pledor that we lok upon war. There is something wonderf ully appealing tro our natures in war. We hear of mothers hanging sowrds and muskets of their sons on the walls so that they may constantly see them. We do not hear of any one hanging an ornament of a household aby of the symbols of peace, such as a ledger, a yard stick, a pick or a shovel. The reason for this is that man supports himself with these implements, but he is doing a serivce for some one else when he is using a sword or rifle in battlle; and modern people seem to hold a service they do to help them selves below the things they do to help others. So what I wnat you youngsters to remember is that you owe a duty to socoiety which is above any interest you have in self; that you do the greatest good to the world when you live in it to serve your fellow men."
pg. 124-5,Types of Schools for Boys By Alfred Ernest Stearns, Leigh Robinson

Colonel L.R. Gignilliat and Captain Robert Rossow, 1913 by Harris & Ewing.

In 1913 the Culver Black Horse troop was invited to the first inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson; as an escort for former Indiana governor and then Vice President Thomas Marshall.

Later in 1913 the Black Horse Troop was invited to entertain the people in Logansport during a grand show sponsored by the Logansport Elk. Forty Culver boys with their 40 black horses were invited to come to Logansport to perform in an extravaganza for the public. They remained there for three days. The boys camped at Riverside Park and the horses were stabled at the baseball park under the grand stand.

1914 - Jan 1917 - Vedetta - Old Friend Gone - Perhaps many of the alumni, even more than the cadets, will be grieved to hear of the death of "Antelope', the oldest of the five horses of the original Black horse troop. His death occuring last Wednesday, was caused by an unfortunate fall in whihc he broke his lef and later had to be shot. During the last eight years, because of his gentle disposition, unfailing affability, and sway back, he served as the locomotive for the trash chariot, with which it was his habit to run away once a year to show that he still retained the spirit if not the dashing appearance of his glorious prime. He is survived by: Airy, Asset, Alphonso, and Almont, all united by kinship of great age, respectability, and distingusihed military service.

1915 - October 22 the riding hall burnt that housed the Black Horse Troop and 66 of the horses died in that fire [another account says 1915 and that 80 horses died]. Plans were announced for construction of a new 104 by 212 Riding Hall to house 136 mounts.

1915 - Oct 28 - Culver Troop Horses Die in fire - citizen

Oct 26, 1915 - the Atlanta constitution historic archives 1868 - 1939. ACADEMY LOSES ITS BLACK HORSE TROOP

Then again in 1917 also. Thus began the seed for tradition for the troop.

1915 - Nov. 4 - Vast Improvements

Military Academy Plans Extensive addition to Equipment as a Result of Barn Fire

From the smokek and ashes of Monday moening's fire t he plans of the "Still Greater Culver" will grow with assed br eadth and magnicficence.

New buildings for the cavalry department, the change in the road, new rifle range, and the extension of drill and athletic field will be begun at once and will be pushed to completion as rapidly as pposible.

Diagonally to the northeast of the hospital is the site of the new stables and riding hall which will far surpass the dreams of the olc Culver troopers.

The riding hall will be a splended arean 300 feet long by 100 feet wide, facing toward Aubeenaubee bay and the Culver Hill. Rising abouve and running back from the side wall for the entire length of the structure will be a gallery sufficient to seat 1,200 oersons.

Under the same roof and placed in part under the gallery will be the stables, which are to be 300 feet by 65 feet. Here there will be room for 100 horses.

Not only will the entire structure be made as fireproof as it ca n be built, even with a concrete roof, but the stables will be dividied into five sections, each seperated from the others by a solid brick wall. Two doors from each section will open into the hall and each door will admit two horses side by side.... full article under CMA History 1899-1919

In 1921 the Black Horse Troop went to Indianapolis and rode around unit around Monument Circle for the parade honoring General Foch.

Article Preview FOCH SAYS WORLD MUST HAVE PEACE; But the One Form ula for It, He Asserts in Indianapolis, Is Unity Formed by War. HE GETS HOOSIER GREETING 250,000 Line the Streets to See Marshal Pass By--He Leaves for Chicago.
Special to The New York Times.
November 5, 1921, Saturday
Page 12, 1205 words

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 4.--The first utterance made by Marshal Foch upon war or peace since his arrival in this country came from him tonight at a dinner given in his honor by the citizens of this city in the Hotel Claypool...

...Factory whistles and a slaute of nineteen guns from Civil War cannon at the State House greeted Marchall Foch when his special train, bearinghis American Legion hosts, arrived at the station. Here 100 straight-backed youngsters of the Culver Military Academy Black Horse Troop sat at "present sabre" on their lively horses. The Marshal was received at that staion by Governor Warren T. McCray, former Govenor Samue M. Ralston and Mayor Charles W. Jewett.

He sees Race on the Speedway

Escorted by the Culver troop, Marshall Foch rode with Hanford MacNider, new National Commander of the Legion, and ' the Mayor to the Claypool Hotel, and from there to the Indianapolis Speedway...

Here is a 1924 Company E. Banner

INDIANA LAYS STONE FOR WAR MEMORIAL; Gen. Pershing Wields Trowel in Ceremonies at Central Shrine of Indianapolis Plaza. HEADS VETERANS' PARADE Commander of A.E.F. in Tribute to Heroes Stresses Importance of Peace-Time Patriotism.
The New York Tomes
July 5, 1927, Tuesday
Page 14, 655 words

INDIANAPOLIS, J uly 4 (AP). -- To its men of valor Indiana today turned its attention, thousands of citizens viewing the laying of the cornerstone of the central shrine of the World War memorial by General John J. Pershing...

At the head of the column of khaki-clad former service men rode General Pershing, escorted by the "black horse troop" of Culver Military Academy and a group ...

1928 - A movie was made involving the Culver Military Academy and the Black Horse troop
Title: Prep and Pep
Running Time: 6rl Minutes
Country: USA
Cast: David Rollins, Frank Albertson
Rating: NR

Review Summary: Much of Fox's Prep and Pep was filmed on location at Culver Military Academy in Indiana. David Rollins plays Cyril Reade, the ne'er-do-well son of a former Culver star athlete. Struggling to live up to his dad's reputation, Cyril fails miserably and is practically razzed out of the academy. He redeems himself when he tames an untameable horse, thereby qualifying for Culver 's Black Horse Troop. As a capper, he rescues Dorothy Marsh (Nancy Drexel), the commandant's daughter, from a dormitory fire. From its hokey title to its incredible denouement, Prep and Pep plays like a warmed-over Horatio Alger pulp novel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Prep and Pep - Movie Review of the CMA Black Horse Troop from The New York Times

Indianapolis - Parades With Blazing Torches In Rival Rallies for Hoover and Roosevelt [requires payment to read]
By The Assciated Press.
October 29, 1932, Saturday
Page 8, 279 words
A platoon of the Culver Military Academy's Black Horse troop and soldiers from near-by Fort Benjamin Harrison gave the Republican parade a martial aspect. ..

1932 Culver Black Horse Troop escorts President Hoover in Indianapolis. - INDIANAPOLIS HAILS CHIEF ; [requires payment to read ] 22,000 in Stadium Told That Governor Has Shifted on Tariff. A "CHAMELEON ON PLAID'' Court Accusation Is "Atrocious" -- Democratic Appointees to the Bench Recalled. EVASION IS SEEN ON BONUS Executive Demands Opponents Take Clearer Stand on Cash Payment and Inflation. HOOVER IN INDIANA SCORES ROOSEVELT
The New York Times
From a Staff Correspondent.
October 29, 1932, Saturday
Page 1, 1963 words

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 28. -- President Hoover made a scathing attack on Franklin D. Roosevelt tonight, accusing him of a "shuffle" on the tariff instead of a "new deal" and appealed to the nation for support of the Republican ' party as a body of sound policy and progress...

He was escorted to the Governor's Mansion by cadets from the Black Horse Troop of the Culver Military Academy and the band of the Eleventh Infantry from ...

Chicago Fair Opened by Farley; [requires payment to read] Rays of Arcturus Start Lights; Postmaster General Conveys President's Hope That Exposition Will Help Friendship Among Nations -- First Day's Attendance Estimated at About 250,000. FAIR AT CHICAGO OPENED BY PARLEY
New York Times
May 28, 1933, Sunday
Page 1, 2041 words

CHICAGO, May 27. -- The portals of The Century of Progress Exposition, Chicago's second world's fair, were thrown open to the peoples of all nations this morning. There were happy crowds, miles of pageantry, roaring cannon and bombs which, bursting in a cloudless sky, released hundreds of American flags....

The Black Horse Troop of Culver Military Institute formed the guard of honor for the queen, Miss Lillian Anderson of Racine, Wis., and her two ladies in ...

Crowd Jams Fair Opening Bands, Cavalry, Flags and Drums Herald New Era.
Farley, Horner and Kelly Speak at Ceremonies in Soldier Field.
A Pageant of Color.
Chicago Daily News, 27 May 1933, pgs. 1, 4.
By Robert J. Casey.

Soldier Field, Chicago, May 27.—So they opened A Century of Progress. They opened it with a racketing of bombs and the prancing of cavalry and a sunburst of flags that strewed the lake front for miles. ...

Heading the next section of the march was the Black Horse troop of Culver Military Academy—uniformed in gray and white. This outfit and the academy infantry troop that followed it presented easily the best exhibition of marching so far seen.

Cadets Escort Queen.

Other groups of cadets from Morgan Park Military academy and St. John's Military academy came into the bowl as an escort to a series of red floats on which were seated the court of the fair's queen of beauty—Lillian Anderson of Racine—fifty girls dressed in white and cream with broad-brimmed hats of red. Queen Lillian herself occupied a red throne under a feathery red canopy and smiled prettily at the reviewing stand with a perfectly executed "eyes right."

WILLKIE WILL DRIVE FOR VOTES IN SOUTH [requires payment to read] WITH A NEW PARTY; Hanes-Douglas Group to Head Independent Democrats in Seeking Place on Ballot COOLIDGE BACKS NOMINEE He Scores 'Personal R ule'-- 2 Nobel Prize - Winners, Minot and Whipple, Pledge Aid
By JAMES C. HAGERTY
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.
J uly 27, 1940, Saturday
Page 1, 1139 words

COLORADO SPRINGS, J uly 26-- Wendell L. Willkie announced today at his press conference that he was planning to c onduct an active campaign in the South...

The Culver Military Academy black horse troop will be the nominees official escort during the ceremonies,...

Black Horse of Culver is a fictional children's book by Helen Orr Watson 1950 1950 - Oct 4 NEW NOVEL DEVELOPED AROUND BLACK HORSE TROOP "Black Horse of Culver" is the title of a new book authored by Helen Orr Watson, and published by Houghton Mifflin Co. Illustrated with drawings by Bernard Garbutt, the novel utilizing the Academy campus for its setting is said to be an inspiring story for boys and adolescents.

In 1954 was purchased a unique horse 'The Clock' he hailed from Hugo, Oklahoma and he was owned by a horse trader named Wiley Jones. The Clock's full name was 'Quarter-past 15 o'clock'. He served the academy well duing his years in many events including four inaugural parades. 'The Clock' was retired during the spring of 1972 and was placed in the horse pasture at the corner of St. Rd. 10 & 17 to enjoy a life of liesure which was interrupted in November 1972 when he was called out of retirement to once again lead the Black Horse troop in an Inaugraul Parade after which he was stabled for the remaining winter months and was once again put out into the pasture at the corner of St. Rd. 10 & 17 to enjoy a life of liesure only to die a few weeks after. He was buried there in that pasture on a hill and his grave is marked by an original concrete watering trough which was transported from the Culver Homestead on East Shore Drive. The word 'The Clock' are engraved onto a brass plate and attached to the watering trough.

Sometime before 1962 - the Academy purchased the Dillon property on the northeast corner of St. Rd. 10 & 17 where 2 barns, a windmill and a hog lot was. It became the pasture for the Black Horse Troop.

The final railroad trip for the Black Horse Troop came in January of 1965, from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at LaPaz.

Thus the Black Horse Troop has had the honor of appearing in more inaugural parades than any other private or public high school contingent. To date they have participated in 14.

Besides the honors of the Inaugural parades They have had the honor of escorting Queen Elizabeth II of England, the King and Queen of Denmark and the late Emperor Hirohito of Japan during several royal visits to the United States.

2006 in ultimate Horse Barns By Randy Leffingwell Each of the eighteen masterpiece horse barns featured here is an innovative, beautiful structure that embodies the owners’ love and appreciation for horses. Author Randy Leffingwell has selected barns that possess exceptional qualities—a clever response to site challenges; meticulous attention to detail, equine health, and safety; or significant historical context. The purposes of the barns range from havens for private owners to successful breeding and training facilities to historical landmarks on pages 151-3 - Culver is featured in an article entitled 'Culver Acadiemes, Culver Indiana - Equestrian Education in an Exceptional School'.

2009-2010 Two fiberglass life sized horses were purchased for use so that students could practice saddling, bridling and leg wrapping on one was names Relinco and the other Centurion.

Director's of Horsemanship:
1928-1934 - Colonel Rossow

• 1948-1952 Col. Kitts
• 1972 - Lt. Col Floyd W. 'Sam' Townsley
• 1980-88 Major R. Jeff Honzik
• 2005 - Ed Little
• 2009 - Mark Waller

Robert 'Bob' Hartman's writings:

Nine Decades Ago Troop Goes-to Washington

Boots & Saddles Bugle calls to a Century of the Black Horse Troop 1897-1997
author: Robert B. D. Hartman