Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-22
First in One Drill and Second in Two
Others.
THE PENCIBLES DROPPED TO SIXTH
Capt. Domer's Unfortunate Error
Killed Their Chances.
SUCCESS OF THE BIG CAMP

result the National Fencibles the cham
pion military company of the United States
since 1892, has forfeited that title, and also
the Galveston cup to the Thurston Rifles of
Omaha, Neb. The competition demonstrat-
ed that the Morton Cadets, the youngest
organization of the District National
Guards. is one of the crack companies of
the country, Capt. Shilling's command hay
ing carried off one first and two second
prizes. amounting to $3.50 in this, its
Initial interstate drill, over such famous
drin teams as the National Fencibles,
Sealy Rifles, Mccarthy Light Guards,
Chickasaw Guards and Governors Guards.
Yesterday was a memorable day at Camp
Schofield. At noon there were fully 10000
persons on the grounds. a larger attend
ance by far than on any day since the be-
ginning of the encampment. The opening
attraction was an individual competitive
drill for cash prize of SIS. The Mortons
were well represented among the forty-two
entries. but there was not Fencible in
line. A member of the Thurston Rifles
proved the victor, while Private Houchen
of the Mortons stood third.
Shortly after the conclusion of the indi-
vidual competition all the troops of the en-
campment were ordered ont for participa
ton In the sham battle. The presence Of
troops of United States cavalry and COM
panes Of infantry. commanded by army
officers. added realism to the fight, which
had been carefully planned and which
proved unusually entertaining to the spec
tators. The soldiers barely had time to
brush the dust from their uniforms before
adjutant's- call sounded and then decidedly
the most important and anSiously awaited
event of the week was in order. the an
nouncemert of the judges.
Announcing the Prizes.
The contestants were formed in line with
the Mortons on the right and the Fencibles
on the extreme left, and thousands of per-
sons focked around the judges stand,
where stood Gen. Snowden, Col. Peters
and Capt. Steele. the chairman of the
board of Judges. 1t seemed an age before
parade rest" was given.
Next every soldier in line saw Col. Peters
give a whispered direction to Adjutant
Parkham. The latter Immediately moved
forward and instead of looking straight
to the front every Fencible anxiously fol-
adjutant. He made a bee line for the
Thurston Rifles, however. and Washington
hopes took a painful drop.
The Thurston's were marched to the
front, presented with a check for $1,000,
the Galveston cup and blue streamer
and then took their place in line.
Amid vociferous cheers the Morton
Cadets were called to the front to receive
streamer. the ribbon being fastened to
Capt. Shillings blouse by the sponsor of
the company, Miss Peters, who approvngly
patted the cheeks of ''her captain. much
to the amusement of the audience and the
embarrassment of the officer.
The Sealy Rifles of Galveston were
awarded third prize of $500, after which
Capt. Wing of the Mccarthy Light Guards,
Capt. Patterson of the Governors Guards,
Capt. pomer of the Fencibles and Capt.
Kyle of the Chickasaw Guards were sum-
moned to the stand and informed that their
companies were voted fourth, fifth, sixth
and seventh, respectively.
The FencibIes' Consolation.
Capt Domer smiled pleasantly, as though
he had again won the cup, and took occa-
sion to remark to Capt. Kyle that the
Fencibles would take consolation in the
fact that they had taken a higher place
than the Chickasaw Guards.
Call the Morton Cadets to receive first
prize of 81, 900 in class B." said Col. Peters
to his adjutant.
The Iowa State Band struck up the High
School Cadets March, and mighty cheer
time moved to the front, Capt. Shilling
taking charge of the check and a red
streamer. The Thurston Rifles took second
prize, $500, in class b. while the Gov
ernor's Guards stood third.
First prize 81 900, in C. the maiden drill,
was won by the Thurston Rifles, the Nor
tons standing second, but receiving no
money, as there was no second prize.
of Memphis. and the artillery drill by the
Omaha Guards.
The Official Markings.
The official markings were as follows:
Class A-Thurston Rifles, inspection, 9S;
manual, $3.50; frings and company move
nents, 9629; average, 1886.
Morton Cadets, inspection, "a; manual,
9s. A; firings and company movements,
97.17; average, 96.66.
Sealy Rifles, inspection. $3.50; manual,
97.93; firings and company movements,
1885, average, &.54.
Mccarthy Light Guard inspection, 1888;
manual, $3.50; firings and company move
ments, 95.I9; average, 9G.O2
Governors Guards, inspection, $3.50; man.
Cal, 1920; firings and company movements,
81 so; average, 92.61.
National Fenc:bles, inspection, 1886; man
ual, 97.S2; firings and company move
ments, $40; average, 9O.4S
Chiokasaw Guards inspection, 91.66; man
ual, OPS; firings and company movements,
SAT-; average, SS.41.
The closeness of the markings is con-
sidered remarkable, the Thurstons winning
the championship over the Mortons by
only tWo-tenthS Of l per cent. The Fen
cibles put up the best inspection and the
Mortons next to the poorest The latter
surpassed all competitors in class
A in firings and company movements.
The markings in class B were: Morton
Cadets, inspection, 94.33; manual. 9l.32;
firings and company movements, 95.4l;
average, 9542.
Thurston Rifles, inspection, 97.6O; man.
ual, 97.66; tirings and company move
ments, 93.63; average, 4S2.
Governors Guards, inspection, 95.43; man
ual, 9132; firings and company move
ments, S5.45; average, S6.64.
The score in class G. was: Thurston
Rifles, inspection, 94.3S manual, 9432; fir
ings and company movements, 81. 43; aver
age, 93S2.
Morton Cadets, inspection, $3.50: manual,
92.05; firings and company movements,
9354; average, 92.4S.
In each of the three classes inspection
counted 90 per cent, the manual 10 per
cent and the firings and company move
ments 30 per cent.
In addition to prizes in classes A. B and
c, the Thurston Rifles won the prize for
hest-disciplined company. and also the in
dividual drill prize, carrying off in all ST.
SI5. 1t was matter of business with the
for the members admit that
they pay Capt. Scharff salary and guar
anteed him so per cent of all prizes won.
Capt. Scharff has had considerable expert
ence in competitive drilling. He was in
of the Omaha Guards when that
took first prize over the FencibleS
in the maiden drill at Kansas City in 1890
When it was found that the Fencibles
and Chickasaw Guards stood at the foot of
the ladder their sponsors wept in full view
of every one. The eX-champions, while re-
H. 80 = y,-I,s,N