The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1894-06-09
PRIZE DRILL.

The annual individual competitive drill
of Wentworth Military Academy occurred
Wednesday afternoon, on the academy
campus, In the presence of nearly a
Thousand interested spectators. As is well
known, M. c. Lilly and Company offer a
handsome sword to the best drilled cadet
of w. NJ. A.
The ontest for this sword has always
excited interest, and IL Is generally
awarded after a long contest. SO it was
on Wednesday evening. Those who en-
tered the drill were: Cadets j. Cravens, Z.
L. Cameron, j. 8. Tucker, l.. Hicklin, j.
K. Ryland, A. s. Falcon and n. Tod
hunter. The judges were the captains OF
and ex-Cadet Upham who had won the
sword in '93. At $50 O'Clock the command
"fall inn was given, and the above named
cadets each dressed and with armor pre-
pared for the most rigid inspection, "fell
In" line. Capt. McConkey gave the com
mands. He drilled them for fifteen
minutes and the judges decided that
Cadets Falcon and Cameron had com
mitted the required number of errors and
they were ordered to fall out. The others
were given a short rest, and then drilled
for another fifteen minutes. This time
Ryland and Todhunter were dropped on
errors.
This left three to battle for the honor,
Hicklin, Cravens and Tucker. After they
had gone through with the manual OF
arms several times, Cadet Hicklin was
found to have scored the most errors, and
he was dropped.
Then came the battle royal, Cravens and
Tucker. h former a Missourian, the
latter from Kansas. Both had their
friends, and both were we'll drilled. AT
the end of the first quarter, the judges
found they were even; the same with the
second, third and fourth quarters. Side by
side they stood, fighting hke irojans for
the honor. The judges concluded that ii
was nearly a draw; but neither was Will
ing to have 1t that way; both wanted 1t
contested to q finish. After they had
rested, Capt. McConkey ordered them to
iaiI in for The last trial. The judges began
to watch closely. The captain gave catch
commands, but still no errors; finally,
Tucker broke his record and made Il
slight mistake. Determined to have a fair
contest, the captain drilled them fifteen
minutes to give Tucker a .s chance Get to r Tas =
given, the judges averaged the Standing
and Cravens was the winner by seven
eighths OF a point.
Next came the company drill, A COM
pAny contested against b company for the
fiag, and a silk umbrella which was
offered by the Keller Clothing company.
These companies are we'll drilled, and
when they began it was seen that another
long contest was on hand. They drilled
that evening in the manual of arms and
marching, and finished the contest on
Thursday morning at the dress parade and
guard mounting. After they had com
pleted that part of the program reserved
for that day, the companies were formed
in q battalion for dress parade. When
this had been executed, Mr., Gerson Sill.
verman advanced and, in an eloquent
speech, delivered the sword to Mr.
Cravens. His speech was well worded and
an able plea for the young men to strive
to excel in all things. His address over
the companies were dismissed and the
guests dispersed.
The drill was a grand affair and Major
Sellers and Captain McConkey shoulo
feel proud of the military efficiency of tn,
cadets. The decision giving Mr.. Craven'
the sword gave general satisfaction.