The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-08-29
The Competitive Drill.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25.-The
competitive knights Templar drill
took place this afternoon at District
Park. Long before the beginning of
the exercises, the grand stand, with
a seating capacity for 5000, was
crowded to its utmost, and 1O,Oo0
people were in the inclosure below.
Only three Communicates competed.
The Ropers, Indianapolis; Dema-
lays. Louisville, and st. Bernards, of
Chicago. Each drilled with q men,
except the st. Bernard. Forty
minutes time was allowed to each
drill. The Pacific Coast Command
cries RETAINED frem competing, pre-
ferring that the prizes should be won
by Eastern Knights, whom they re-
garded as their guests. There were
i've prizes in all, varying in value
from $500 to $4,000. The rule was
made by the TrienniaI Committee
that the prizes should become the
absolute property of the winners,
and not subject to further
competition. There were three judges
all officers of the United States. The
army tactics consisted of sword exer-
cises, military evolutions and Temp.
lar movements. The first to appear
in the lists were the Ropers of Indian
apOlis. the privilege of the last drill
was con ceded to the St. Bernards of
Chicago. At II o'clock they advanced
accompanied by the band Of the First
u. S. cavalry TO the northern con-
fines of the drill ground; then re-
turned to the judges stand and Wheel
ing into line gave salute. This was
the signal for a great purst
of cheering, in which the competing
communicates heartily joined. Their
drill was excellently performed, and
their wheeling and marching by
threes was much admired, but in a
movement to the buyle call they
made a couple of bad breaks, calling
forth a sorrowfll "Ah!' from the
crowd and jeopardizlng their claim
to the first prize. The Ropers were
followed by the Demalays, who, as
they marched in stately column to
the front of the Judges stand, with
the Eighth U. S. Infantry band
were received with great cheers
Their drill was watched with marked
some OF the more intricate
eliciting great admira-
ton. They drilled like old veterans.
After them came the st. Bernard
Commandery, with Healy's Chicago
band, and were greeted by an iin-
mense crowd with continuous bursts
of applause. Their salute to the
Judges was the signal for reD ewed
cheering, which was kept up until
they began their exercises. During
the first five minutes they drilled
with marked precaution, but alter
that their drill was marred by
one unfortunate knight, who persist
ed in always getting where he was
not wanted. Before the drill Was
half over it became evident that the
first prize would lay between the
Denalays and Ro?ers, the unfortu-
nate breaks OF the st Barnards de-
priving them of that hope. When
they retired to their tent, the ap-
p!ause was tremendous, clearly
showing in what direction the SYM
pathies Of the people went. At the
conclusion of the drill the tents of
Ihe three competing communicates
were surrounded by Knights ladies,
VINO gave them quite an ovation.
The decision of the judges will be
made known this evening at the Pa
viIion. First prize has been award
I'd to the Demalays, Of Louisville;
second to the Ropers, of IndianaD-
,lic. third fn tba ST Rarnar1l Of
Chicago.
Calculations show that In addition
% the $40, 900 subscribed by the pub
ic for the triennial conclave in Cali
ornia the communal cries have spent
,ut of their own pockets $4,000 in
their visitors. The
California commandery alone spent
10000. and Dewitt Clinton COM
of Virginia City, Nevada,
n a S..ay1a ornnnnt