Army Training at American Lake
A new target range constructed by soldiers near Hillhurst opens for service, preparing troops for future encampments.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The new rifle and skirmish range, which is being constructed under the supervision of Capt. F. G. Lawton, in command of Company M, Nineteenth infantry, at American Lake, is expected to be completed tomorrow and ready for target practice. The range is located about two miles from American Lake in the direction of Hillhurst. This work has been the special mission at American Lake of the soldiers from Fort Lawton, and throughout the remainder of the spring, summer and fall different companies of the United States army will be posted at the lake continuously, taking their turns at target practice. The range will also be brought into requisition during the grand encampment of the soldiers of the army and the National Guard of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, taking place during the month of July.
“The first condition demanded in the construction of these ranges is the security of those laboring or passing near the targets.”
The military presence at American Lake eventually evolved into the sprawling Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The 'Hillhurst' area mentioned remains a quiet reminder of early twentieth-century development near what would become the region's largest military installation.
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