The "Montana Militia" in the early 20th century referred to the Montana National Guard, which served as the state's organized militia force under federal and state law. By 1908–1910, following reorganization spurred by federal reforms (like the Dick Act of 1903 and subsequent militia acts), it was structured as the 2nd Montana Infantry Regiment (also called the 2nd Regiment, Infantry, National Guard of Montana).
This regiment was a part-time citizen-soldier force, with companies recruited locally across Montana. It focused on maintaining readiness for potential federal call-up while handling state-level duties such as disaster response, law enforcement support, and civil order. Members typically drilled monthly or quarterly, participated in rifle marksmanship training, and attended annual summer encampments for field exercises, often alongside regular U.S. Army units.
Company H, 2nd Montana Infantry was specifically based in Kalispell (Flathead County), where local men enlisted.
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The above enlistment record for David L. Bailey matches digitized records from the Montana Adjutant General's office for the 2nd Regiment (1904–1918 era). It shows:
- Enlistment: March 2, 1908, in Kalispell.
- Age: 19.
- Born: Comstock, Nebraska.
- Occupation: Student.
- Physical description: Blue eyes, brown hair, ruddy complexion, 5'8".
- No prior service.
- Discharge: Honorable on April 11, 1910, due to leaving the state.
- Character: Good (noted as "Sold." for soldierly/good).
This aligns with our family references to brothers Frank and David Bailey serving in the same unit. Photos from that time shows them in the standard National Guard uniform of the era: wool tunics with standing collars, campaign hats (often with Montana-specific insignia), cartridge belts, and rifles slung over the shoulder. The two posed studio portraits you included depict typical early 1900s infantry privates—formal, side-by-side, with Krag-Jørgensen or similar rifles.
During 1908–1910, the regiment saw no major federal mobilizations (those came later, like the 1916 Mexican Border service). Routine activities included local drills and training. Montana's vast forests and dry summers meant occasional state activations for emergencies; Governor Samuel V. Stewart reportedly called elements of the 2nd Infantry to active duty in summer 1910 to assist with wildfires (amid a severe fire season culminating in the Great Fire/Big Burn of August 1910, which ravaged millions of acres in Montana, Idaho, and beyond). However, David's April 1910 discharge predates that peak period.
Overall, service in the Montana National Guard at this time was a way for young men (often students or workers) to earn a small stipend, gain military skills, and contribute to community/state defense in a peaceful era between the Spanish-American War and World War I.
Media Bailey with campaign hat & US flag
