Guide to the R.S. Mentzer Collection, 1914-1919

Collection

Identifier: H60-10

Staff Only

Scope and Content

Administrative records about the Wyoming National Guard and individual companies prior to and during World War One. Topics include mobilization, outfitting, training, orders, personnel issues, promotions, court-martials and other disciplinary actions.

Dates

1914-1919

Creator

Mentzer, R.S., 1887-1933 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print materials allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical Note

Roche Spalti Mentzer was born May 14, 1887, in Pleasantville, Iowa. He served in the Iowa National Guard as a commissioned officer for 10 years before moving to Wyoming and transferring to the Wyoming National Guard in the 1910s. During World War One, he served as part of an artillery unit in France. After the war, he returned to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and eventually became the commanding officer of the 115th Cavalry Regiment as a Colonel.

Mentzer was also a prominent lawyer in Cheyenne, served three years as a prosecuting attorney for Laramie County and one term in the Wyoming State Senate.

On July 13, 1933, Mentzer collapsed and died during a training march with the 115th Cavalry in the mountains south of Laramie. The troops marked the spot with a stone cairn and carved trees, but the location of the monument has not been found to date. Mentzer was buried in Iowa.