Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-03

The Observance of the Festal Gees.
sion by the uiIItary-Parades.
Prize shooting and PIcn1cs.


month By our military was postponed until
yesterday. The day opened bright, clear
and balmy, and at an early hour the roll of
the drum and piping Of the fife were heard
in various quarters of the city, and the
scenes around the several armories at half
past eight O'Clock were quite Hsely.zss
THE REPUBLICAN BLUES,
who had made arrangements for the cele-
bration of their seyenty-third anniversary
By prize shooting contest at Battery Park,
assembled at their armory at O'Clock,
where the company was formed under Capt.
George A. Mercer The ranks were well
filed, and the corps presented very fine
appearance. After the formation of the
company, it was decided as there was ample
time before the hour appointed to meet the
cars to convey them to Battery Park, to pro-
coed to the arsenal Of the Chatham Artillery
and tender them an escort to the intersec-
ton of South Broad aud Habersham streets,
where the Galatians were to take the cars
for the SchuetZen Park, the place selected
for their picnic.
The battalion was formed in front Of the
arsenal, the Galatians being in their neat
and attractive fatigue uniform, and were
generally admired for their soldiery appear
ance. The day being devoted to social
enjoyment they did not have out their "big
dogs" The battalion marched from State
up Bull to South Broad, to Habersham,
where cars were found In waiting.
The Galatians were seen safely on board,
with many wishes for q pleasant day, and
promises from the brother Blues that if
time permitted some would Join them at the
Park later in the day. The Blues, after a
brief rest, then marched up South Broad
street 10 Barnard, where several cars of the
Barnard and Anderson street line were in
waiting. They were quickly boarded, and
off the gallant Blues started over the smooth
track for
BATTERY PABK,
where, in a short time, preparations were
inaugurated for their prize shooting, which
at once commenced and continued until
nearly two o'clock before the result was
reached.
The rife range at the Park has been great
" improved, and the firing was very salts
factory.
The contest opened with forty-five men,
bers, the result being as follows:
For uniformed members-Pay member j.
P. White scored % and became winner of
the first prize, a handsome silver cake bas-
ket, and also became entitled to wear the
company medal for the next year, and won
a second company medal as the best single
shot.
Veteran John J. Glatigney made IS, and
thereby became the winner OF the second
prize, a handsome silver butter dish Of
late design
For ununifOrmed members - Honorary
member J. F. Herb made the best score, II,
and was awarded the prize for that class of
members, g handsome silver pickle dish
and stand.
Drummer Footman made the best score
in The shooting by the drum corps, and car
ried of the prize, purse OF money.
The prizes were presented the successful
Contestants at the Park by Capt. George A.
Mercer in very handsome speech, which
was greeted with enthusiasm.
Immediately after the presentation of the
prizes the company was marched out of the
Park. and taking the cars at the gate, were
conveyed to the corner of Barnard and
Br0ughton streets, where they disembarked
and proceeded to their armOry and were
dismissed.
The turn out of the Blues was excellent,
and showed that the spirit which character
'zed the gallant corps in the past still per-
yades the ranks.
THE JASPER GREENS
assembled at their armory, corner of Bryan
and AbercOrn streets, at half-past nine
O'Clock. The intention was to have pho
tOgraph Of the corps taken in Reynolds
square, opposite the armory, but the situa-
tions were not entirely favorable, and the
company marched to the western section of
johnson square, where the picture was
taken. The Greens were out in force, and
made a splendid appearance. Indeed, the
company has made great progress recently,
aud is now in a very iourishing condition,
and the membership is constantly increas-
ing.
After a short parade through the princi-
pal streets, they proceeded to the intersec-
ton of South Broad and Barnard streets,
where they took the cars for Battery Park,
which was reached shortly before noon.
Here arrangements for their annual target
practice was made. The company made, on
an average, good scores.
The prizes were as follows:
First prize-A magnificent French-gilt
clock.
Second-A very handsome silver and glass
toilet set.
Third-An excellent pair Of opera glasses.
The beautiful medal presented the Greens
by the Montgomery Guards on the occasion
of the recent visit of the former to Charles
ton, accompanied the first prize, and will be
worn by the winner as the best shot in the
company for the period of one year.
The company had out fifty-three members
In all, but several were compelled to leave
before reaching the Park, and the contest
for the prizes opened with fOrty-twO uni
formed members. The result was as follows:
First prize won by exempt member B.
GOOde, who also was awarded the elegant
company medal presented by the Montgom-
cry Guards, and which he is entitled to wear
for one year.
Second prize won by Sergeant J. NJ. Rey-
nolds.
Third prize by Private NJ. Hennessey.
After the shooting the company returned
TO the city by the cars, disembarking at the
corner of Congress and Barnard streets,
where the corps was formed and marched to
Bay street, down Bay to Abercorn, to their
armoTy.
Here an elegant collation., provided by
Captain Flannery, awaited them, and it may
be assumed that after the fatigues of the
day they were in trim to do it justice.
After the inner man had been refreshed,
the successful contestants were summoned
to the front, when Private NJ. A. O'Byrne,
in a very excellent and appropriate speech,
presented the first prize and medal to Ex-
empt Member B. Goode, who responded
very happily.
The other prizes were then presented,
Sergeant, Reynolds and Private Hennessey,
who made brief responses. One of the most
pleasing incidents of the occasion was the
presentation to Exempt Member w. j.
Cleary Of prize as being the worst shot in
the company. Instead of leather medal
or tin cup, however, the prize selected for
this honor % was a bull dog, made
of earthenware highly polished,
aud about six inches high.
This was presented by Private P. j. O'Con-
nor in a very humorous speech, which
evoked the heartiest laughter. He alluded
to the fact that the constitution gave the
right to every citizen to bear arms for
defense and protection, but when, as
in this case, q member had shown
that he could not hit the broad side of
large barn, and had distinguished himself
BY making seven goose eggs, it was
clear that arms were no protection
to him. Therefore the company had
concluded to present him with a
bull dog, which, in case Of danger, would
be protection to him. He counseled the
worst shot" to persevere with "bull dog"
psrtinacity, and in ages to come he might
succeed in hitting target-if he was close
enough. At present, however, this prize
was "a dog gone too good for him."
The remarks of Private O'COnnor, which
were brimful Of humor, were hugely
enjoyed, and by none more than by worthy
Exempt Member Cleary, who was made the
target of his wit.
After the presentation the company lin
gered around the festive board, and songs,
speeches and anecdotes made up the measure
of the hour. Priyates Burke, O'ByrEe
and Kearnon and Lieutenant Z. j. Kennedy
favored the company with songs, and
speeches were made by Captain Flannery,
Lieutenant James McGrath and others. The
pleasures were continued until nearly dusk,
when with gOod-bYes and cheerful memo
ries of their May celebration the corps dis
persed.