Notes:

•  While these notes were interesting, we could not conclusively link them to a specific R. M. Fletcher or connect them genealogically. Any linking information would be welcome. - Editor's note

•  In 1896 the state organization of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics was organized in Huntsville and R. M. Fletcher was appointed the State Councilor, the highest office in the state organization.
     "Declaration of Principles: 1. The naturalization laws should be so altered as to require from all foreigners, who may hereafter arrive in this county, a residence of twenty-one years before granting them the privilege of the lective franchise. 2. We maintain that the Bible, without note or comment is not sectarian - that it is the fountainhead of morality and all good government, and should be used in our public schools as a reading book. 3. We are opposed to a union of church and state in any and every form. 4. We hold that native Americans only should be appointed to office, to legislate, administer, and execute the laws of their own country." - JOoUAM & Record Vol. 2

•  In 1897, in response to the needs in the Spanish - American War, "The local Alabama State Troop group at Huntsville went into service. The company had formerly been known as the Huntsville Rifles, Company K, until it disbanded in 1897 to re-form as the Monte Sano Light Guards, Company K. Second Regiment, with R. M. Fletcher, Jr. as Captain and Tom Hooper as First Sergeant. In 1898 the company became Company F and was transferred to the Third Regiment. Fletcher later resigned and Robert L. Hay was elected Captain. The group went to Camp Clark near Mobile where Hay resigned and Humes C. Laughlin assumed command. The command did not see battle action, however, but Private Schuyler H. Floyd died from fever." - Record Vol. 2


Related Links:

•  JOoUAM - Official History of the Junior Order United American Mechanics, printed 1897, page 18.

•  Record Vol. 2 - A Dream Come True: The Story of Madison County and Incidentally of Alabama and the United States, Volume II by James Record, 1978, pages 92 & 95.

The Following Pages Link to this Page:
•  Record Vol. 2