The morning call., 1891-05-25
AT THE PRESIDE.
Notes of Interest Gathered in
Military Circles.

On the occasion of the visit Of Secretary
Proctor to the PresidiO, about one month
ago, he intimated that a request for gym
nasium and general recreation room for the
use of the enlisted men would be fav0rably
considered by the War Department. Acting
on this hint, the estimates recently for
warded to Washington for approval con-
tanned a provision for the erection of sub
stantial building for this purpose, much
needed addition to the equipments of the
post.i An impromptu gymnasium, furnished
with horizontal bar and few simple APP
planes, is now established in the lott above
the light battery stable. 1t is proposed to
utilize the basement of the new gymnasium
as a bowling-alley, and other sources Of
amusement Will doubtless be provided.
Life at the Preside is somewhat queter
since the departure OF Troops and * of the
Fourth Cavalry, and the absenteeS are much
missed by their friends at the reservation.
No word has yet been received from the
troopers in camp, but they are, doubtless,
ere this, established at their respective
statiOns-the Yosemite and SequOia. AT
the close of the season they will be on duty
as in a camp of instruction, and thereafter
will return to the reservation here.
The men of Troop b, from the Washing
ton Barracks, are now settled in their
quarters, and it is expected that they will
another troop from the Fourth, now sta
ton at Boise Barracks, Idaho, it being the
intention 10 maintain four troops at the
Preside during the fall.
Mrs. W. Fl. Graham has not concluded
her efforts on behalf of the men who use
the library ana reading-room. and is now
engaged in devsing ways and means for the
purchase Of a carpet for the latter apart
ment. Assisted by the Misses Graham the
wife of the cOmmandant has tastefully
decorated the walls of both rooms with
military pictures, Japanese fans and UNI
brellaS and dainty pieces of bric-a-bTac. On
the evening of the I'd prOX. a ball for
enlisted men and their friends will be given
in the reading-room.
Lieutenant j. ID. Miley of Battery is
still absent on Iegimental recruiting service,
and is now at Fresno His next station will
be Modesto. Desirable recruits are difficult
to obtain at this season of the year and it is
unlikely that there will be a large accession
to the ranks of the Fifth through this re-
qurement of the War Department. Lieu
tenan. E. T. Brown of Battery l. is per-
forming similar duty for Batteries Il and l.
stationed at Fort Candy, Wash. Lieuten-
ant Brown last reported from Salem,
Oregon.
Little apparent interest is being taken in
the Superior Court trial for murder of Al
bert Blackman, the private Of Battery b,
although several of his former comrades
Rave been subpenaed as witnesses. In the
event of his acquittal the only punishment
which would probably be inflicted by the
military authorities would be dishonorabe
discharge from the service.
The mortar practice Of the heavy batteries,
begun about the 18th ult, continues, and the
target practice will probably not be con-
cluded before July 1st. Work with the
4R-nch Siege-gunS will be commenced IN
few days, Light battery practice IS usually
set for October.
The energies of the hospital stewards are
not being taxed very severely, the number
now in the wards being only seven, with
ten sick in quarters, total of seventeen, as
against forty-two at this time in April. La
grippe has apparently been completely ei-
faced.
Lieutenant Coffin, U. S. n, of the Brook
Ign Nayy-yard, is still the guest of his
brother, Lieutenant w. II. Coffin, the
genial Adjutant of the post. The naval Off
Ger is here on sick leave, but is now con-
valescent and is enjoying the bracing atmps-
phere of the reservation.
4 slight ch0nge in the regimental orders
was posted yesterday requiring guard mount
on Saturdays and Sundays to commence at
9 o'clock in the morning instead Of l O'Clock
in the afternoon as formerly.