Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-22
GONZAGA COLLEGE CADETS.

The Semi-Annual Prize Drill Contest
Master r. Il. Weller the Victor.
The semi-annual prize drill Of the Gonzaga
College Cadets took place yesterday afternoon
on the college campus before a large assem-
blage. This is the day of all days looked for
ward to by the cadets, for in the competitions
three medals are presented and handsome
flag is carried by the company showing the
most proficiency in the manual Of arms.
Tho fence surrounding the campus was
ablaze with flags, and the college itself was
swathed in bunting. In the northwestern cor
ner of the grounds stand had been erected,
and about this the friends and relatives of the
cadets congregated.
1t was just O'Clock when the roll Of drums
and the blast OF bugles announced the arrival Of
the cadets. A moment later they marched in
and were received with cheers. Preliminary to
the drill there was a flag presentation. Mr..
Joseph Hummer had anticipated the wants of
the cadets, and with the help Of Mr.. Julius
Lansburgh had presented the boys with hand
some flag His presentation speech was re-
ceived with applause and Mai Sweeny. on the
part Of the cadets, responded. Then the flag
was raised and the Cadets Bugle and Drum
Corps sounded the familiar calls. while the
cadets. drawn up in company 'front.' fired sa-
lu.e to the flag. Gen. Joseph Wheeler OF Ala
his absence Judge Dunno of Ohio officiated.
! He spoke Interestingly for an hour and traced
| the history of the aag OF the red white and
blue from the frat red standard of the Abbey
| Of St Denis to the adoption by the American
| colonies Of the present flag.
THE DRILL CONTEST.
| After his address the cadets prepared for the
| individual drill. They presented a company
front and extended across the campus. The
! judges were Capt Walsh and Lieuts Harding
and Harlow Of the Emmett Guard Preliminary
| to the drill Capt. Walsh put the boys through
several movements and then announced tina.
| the contest was TO begin. The bows ranged all
the way from six feet to tritie above four feet.
| First of all, the common movements were gone
| through with. and as the ranks thinned out the
! difficult movements were ordered. At length
| ONLY five remained and it was difficult to see
| how any one OF them could fail. They drilled
! like veterans and every movement given
| with precision. OF on the extreme
right, with mu,ket many inches taller
! than himself stood little Frank Reretsi
] Weller the son OF Mr.. NJ. /. Weller of East
| Washington. tie was stanch as Gibraltar
and every movement soidieriy. One BY one
| the five fell off. until ut length only Master
| Weller remained. and he declared the
victor His classmates cheered and carried him
from the field on their shoulders. Then came
| the contest for buglers. Martin A. Geeson
son of Andy" Gleason. was an cas- victor
footing like Levy. The best drummer proved
to be Sergt. Vim. Jackson. and he bore OFF hi.
medal in triumph. The contest of the day WA,
between companies A and b for the Cade,
flag. 1t was finally won by A company. although
company d was only five points behind. Father
Do!an proved excellent master Of cere-
monies
Rev. C. Gillespie. ST.. president of the col
lege. then spoke to the boys. saving that il wa
the aim of all the instruction in the college Il
obedience to authority and love for the coun
try under whose flag they lived The love o
country and obedience to the authority of bod
their spiritual and temp oral rulers went han,
| in hand. No man could be a true patriot unes
he were n true Christian. and II was certainly
low grade of Christianity which did not carr
with it love for ones native land and the in
s:itutions which 1t .o5tered.