Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1873-08-30
TOURN NAMENT AT ROCKY RIDGE,
FREDERICK COUNTY, MD.

Last Saturday, the 23d Of August,
the grand Tournament, as announced,
took place at Rocky Ridge. The day
was somewhat warm, but Very pleas
ant nevertheless. The assemblage OF
lsdie. and gontlcmen was not as large
:as last year; still the crowd was quite
numcrous-.cme five hundred persons
'being present. The track was IN
good order. Qhr object OF the Tour
uan.nt and Bail Srs amusement, ard
to cultivate tho social relations of our
a,eople generally. Mr. john T. Miller
acted as Chief Marshal, assisted by
j. C. Eylcr; Herald and Usher,
Charles ". Brrricli, Eylers String
Band from the Fox HILLS was on hand
in due seasotl While the crowd WAS
assembling near the track az the sha.ly
grove, about llalt mile from BiSgs
Warehouse, the Band performed some
fine airs, when JAMES BRIscoE, OF
Emmitsburg District, danced first
around the stump to give christening
to the merry, merry day, aud us an
omen Of good luck.
The Judges, az announced, were the
same as last year JOHN ". Miller,
George W. Bulrick and Josiah Dot,
ersr, Esqs.
In few minutes more the Knights
of the Lance were dressed in costume
and mounted on their favolte nags
ready for action. Marshal Miller
gave the order and the procession
formed in line and marched up from
the Warehouse to the place where the
spectators from Pipe creek, the Mo-
nocacy, Toms creek, Taneytown,
Hagerstown, Westminster, Creagers-
town and some few from Baltimore
had assembled near the Ring and
Judges stand.
At IL o'clock in the day, the Sir
knights, at the command Of the
Marshal, were drawn up in line
before the Judges. Everything being
in order, and expectation excited to
the highest pitch, the Hon. John
A. KooNs, of townsville District, arose
and spoke in an otf-hand and enthu.
siastic style, recouuting the history OF
Tournaments from the earliest times !;
spoke of the gallant and chivalrous
manner in which the Troubadours and
Andalusians met and plumed in re.
gala contended for the palm of
victory in crowniug Fair Ladies,
regarding it as one Of the highest
honors that could be conferred on the
fair sex; and even went 10 far in the
zeal Of Knight errantry as to Cross
lances and spill blood in their agility
Of boreemanship aud spearing the
qniver, but now the "Rius" could be
contended for in q spirit Of amity aud
friendship, without incnrring i'll feel
ing, arousing bad blood or breaking
limbs, unless it h,ppened from some
accident, "To you, Sir knights" the
speaker said, I'VE commit the honor
Of the contest, and surrounded as you
are by the smiles Of beauty and the
anxiety Of friends, l feel persuaded
you will acquit yourselves with credit,
Go forth then to the pleasing task and
may the plaudits Of brays men and
fair ladies' greet you Oh tho occasion"
After music by the Band. the
knights came forth as follows;
H. Hs4asx :. .. Knight of Creagerstown
Wn. Saeok. .... " Flying Child
T. Whitmorc. " Upr. Monoc' y
J. Deafendall 49,. Spring Grove
g. T. ZaCharias. Mon doll laI
WIN. Skunk . " Before Last
j. Newcomer " Locust Grove
A. IIapc townsville
The Knight Of Creagerstown david
Heitner) was first called, and on q
dashing charger he came forth with