The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-08
SOLDIERS SHOW.
A Fitting Night for the
Grand TableauX.
IN THE PAVILION ARENA.
Crowds Attend the Tournament
in the Storm.
1T WILL CLOSE THIS EVENING.
Brilliant Success of Military Evolu-
tions, Sham Battles and Mounted
Exhibitions.
1T WILL CLOSE THIS EVENING.

Ii anything the military tournament was
better last night than ever for the fury Of
the elements tinged its few blood-curdllng
spectacles with a weird color. Aud alto
gether the contrast within and without the
Mechanics Pavilion has a really peculiar
charm.
To be sure the attendance was not so
large as it would nave been were the mig hit
not more than half full of electricity and
things. Still there was respectfully sized
crowd present, and what was best of all
they thoroughly appreciated the soldiers
novel exhl bltion, applauded cordially the
daring feats of Craftsmanship and gave
expression to highly worked up feelings
after witnessing the battle of Wounded
Knee and the tabloaux of Clusters last
stand and victory amid powder smoke,
when General Forsyth's command cap
tured the REBEL ious Sioux.
The program me began with the musical
ride, a graceful performance of mounted
soldier. who passed through series of
evOlutiOns to mill tary music. Lieutenant
Davis. ch ampion swordsman of the army,
met Professor Crow ley in mounted sword
contest, and they gave each other a lively
bout with woo den swords that fell with
loud whacks up on their padded breasts
aud sides.
Sixteen mounted troopers performed the
lance drill. Tn ey dashed down the arena
armed with gayly pennoned lances and
after liking posi tons some distance apart
whirled heir lances with correct precision
IN the air and all in unison.
Young papoose- Whenever saw light
ming, Alec Miller, and his mule McGinty,
made lonely team. McGinty being by
profession a Government mule and conse-
Quently TOO much of his own mind to per-
form when it did not please him. And
little Alec had more wholesome dread of
the thunder than falling from McGinty's
ears.
What pleased the spectators greatly was
the pretty Maypole plating performed by
twenty-fOur soldiers on horseback, who
rode in three circles. The inner and outer
circles moved in one direction. while the
middle men went around at a gallop in
another, and occasionally they chained
through one another to plat the long
ribbons.
Wrestling on horseback, catch-as-catch-
can, or any style you please, proved highly
amusing when the troopers would come
together and drag their opponents off. The
other mounted contests were sword against
lance and Journeys with the lance, the
latter recalling feats of knights of olden
time. 1t was like a living picture to see
two stalwart fellows on dashiug steeds
rushing at each other in the lists with
lances set. But instead of cleaning points
the lances were covered with pads that
prevented possibility of piercing. though
not removing The chances for unhorsilg
either rider in the charge
For a realistic tabeau, made dOubly so
with powder, smoke and dash and desper-
ale fighting of troopers, whose horses lay
around them, Clusters last stand seemed
marvellous and an Improvement on former
nights. A peal of thunder and its light
min flashes can add a wonderful strength
to such dismal picture.
Then came the stirring reproduction of
Wounded Knee In the Bad Lands, with its
Indian ghost dances. soldier life, fear
less charges and guerrilla warfare, and
the vomiting of fire from Gatlings
with the flash and thunder of musketry,
minging with wild yells and groans of
Indians. As fitting finale the lights went
out, AND into the darkness cleaned shafts
OF calcium illumin alton that fell upon the
forms OF dead and dying Sioux beneath
the victorious soldiers and into the over
hanging clouds of smoke.
There will be a popular matinee this
afternoon, and the military spectacle will
close tonight.