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History: Broom Drill Teams
Brooms are usually used to sweep floors. However, during the late 19th century, women came together and practiced ‘broom drills’, a military type display using brooms and dust pans instead of guns. Often, the booms were decorated with ribbons and garlands to make the drill more festive.
In May of 1889, Sheridan had a broom drill team.
The Sheridan Post, May 9, 1889 – The Broom Drill On last Saturday Evening. The long talked of broom drill was given tinder the auspices of the Ladies’ Aid Society took place in Coffeen’s hall. By 8:30 o’clock ill the chairs in the hall were filled, and ho library room adjoining was thrown open and soon filled with spectators anxious to see what had never been seen in Wyoming before a – military company comprised entirely of ladies.
The first Sergeant Mrs. C. W. Morey, formed the company in line and then turned it over to Cliff. Wrighter, their commander, who put them through the manual of arms and all the maneuvers known to military tactics. The uniform of the company was white trimmed with red, ami a dust pan and broom substituted for the regulation cartridge box and musket, which were handled with the skill of veterans. The members of the company were Mrs.C. W. Morey ,Mrs H.N Robinson, Jr. Miss May Loucks, Miss Nellie Rogers, Mrs.J. M.Ramsey, Mrs. B. F. Perkins… and Miss Birdie Held.
The time, harmony and precision of the drill was kept more perfect by the experienced drum tap of Dave Little. After the drill the broom and dust pans were sold to the highest bidders, the purchasers being entitled to the privilege of taking the former owners to the appetising refreshments which were served in the hall.
To Mr. Blake’s skill as an auctioneer a large share of the net proceeds are due. The drill, refreshments and entire program was pronounced a decided success by all those in attendance and the net proceeoeds, amounting to about $35 – goes for “sweet charity’s sake.”
Broom drills were popular throughout the state of Wyoming during the 1880s and 1890s.
Bill Barlow’s Budget, Douglas, November 9, 1887 – Douglas society ladies are considering the project of a broom drill. I rise to second the motion. The broom drill: maybe a sort of a chestnut, but it is nevertheless a daisy. I saw one in Laramie, once, and I must say that I think it takes the iced tea for beauty and uniqueness.
A double semi-circle of pink stockinged-damsels, all of the fascinating marriageable age, armed with new brooms adorned with ribbons. Saucy Tam O’Shanter bonnets, sky blue, perched upon fifty shapely heads, decorated with sun flowers.
Fifty violet-hued jerseys fitted like postage stamps over as ninny Venus do Milo forms, crossed diagonally with belts of white, embroidered in gold, with the too-too preciously cut flowers. Kilt-like skirts, neither too transparent nor yet wholly opaque, fell in graceful folds over the aforesaid pink stockings, half concealing half revealing the svelte symmetry underneath.
The broom drill– though by no means a new thing in itself – like the ancient maiden who yearns for a husband, never grows old.
Although the next story mentions broom drills only in passing, it is interesting to think back to a time when women were no considered adequate for military service. Today, or course, women serve in many military roles in nearly all countries.
The Laramie Republican, April 13, 1897 – New Woman as a Soldier – As a pioneer state in woman suffrage, Colorado is the first to bestow upon women the unrestricted right to serve in the militia. No doubt the pressure for the passage of the new law came from the women themselves and it is one of the first results of equal suffrage for both sexes. An argument against this concession has been that women are unsuited for military service and that they would avoid it if possible. The second half of the proposition seems to have dropped out in Colorado.
Women then have assorted their desire to be a part of “the plumed troop and the big wars that make ambition virtue.” Having gained an equal right, to vote and serve on juries the woman of that young state have serenely insisted that they must have equal duties and privileges in the militia. The legislature has admitted their claim and the governor’s signature will complete the law.
But legislatures cannot pass on the adaptation of women to active warfare, that must be left to time and experience. The immediate question relates to their service in the state militia. where their duties are chiefly confined to occasions of display and the preservation of public order.
As far as military evolutionsare concerned women can probably master than aswell asmen. They are fond of the broom drill in colleges, and many dances, like the lancers, are based on tactical movements and a cadence step. There may bedifficulties about selecting a proper uniform, but the vivandieres (A French word for women who traveled with regiments, helping the soldiers) have atleast made a beginning in that respect, and the rainy-day clubs offer some practical suggestions.
In suppressing a mob a well-trained regiment of women militia would be particularly effective. Nothing on earth would make a rioter run quicker than to know that his female relatives and acquaintances were bearing down upon him in all the panoply of civic authority and military might.
Cheyenne Weekly Leader, March 15, 1883
The story from the Laramie Republic continues.
One delicate point to be considered is whether the women militia would yield the unquestioning obedience to superiors that is the basis of a soldier’s work. A refractory male recruit is sometime shot in order “to encourage the others.”
The horrors of war will not keep women out of the ranks. As hospital nurses they see them at their worst Feminine bravery and endurance are established facts. Nearly every every army is compelled to dismiss women who enlist disguised us men. One Yankee woman served as an infantryman through the revolution, and concealed her sex until after the fall of Yorktown. Of course, all the world knows that the fiery martial inspiration and heroism of a French peasant girl drove the armies of England from France, and broke the bargain by which the French crown was to be handed over to an English king.
In the most desperate sieges women have shared the struggles and privations of the beleaguered men. At the same time the idea of women in the militia is something of a shock, and the other states will be apt to wait to see how it works out in Colorado. — Globe-Democrat.
There was a small item in The Sundance Gazette, May 17, 1889, about a broom brigade of Sheridan, which gave an exhibition drill to a crowded house.
This from the Cheyenne Weekly Leader, December 14, 1882 – At a broom drill in Denver the young ladies appeared in a costume made up of red skirt, with a blue jacket trimmed with bars of gilt, military caps, whit e gloves and collars, dust-pans ornamented with U. S. in large white letters for knapsacks, and brooms, with whisk part tied with red ribbon, for guns.
The Cheyenne Daily Sun, June 13, 1885 – The exercises of the evening closed with a broom drill inwhich Miss Helen McCrum as commander and the Misses Bullock. Taylor, Maabin, Saudere, Duffer, Baker, Oillemand and Stanley performed some military evolutions and went through the manual of arms (or brooms) in a manner that would have done credit to the Seventh regiment of New York. They, too, were called out the second time and in every instance during the evening the audience showed their appreciation of the participation with long and enthusiastic applause. In all respects the affair was a most decided success, and an entertainment was the best of the kind of the season.
The Daily Boomerang, January 25, 1896
Many times the broom drill would march in parades around the area, and were always well received by on-lookers. One doesn’t think of a broom as a military weapon, but it is just as good as a wooden rifle to teach the military drill.
