Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-11
Savannah Breaking Records for
Hospitality to District Men.
HEARTY GREETING TO THE GUARDSMEN
Morton Cadets and the Rifle
Team in Camp.
Who WILL MPET e
Special From STAFF Correspondent.

Special From Stan Correspondent.
SAVANNAH, Ga, May Ito the tune
of Dixie the Morton Cadets and the rifle
teams of the District of Columbia National
Guard, to say nothing of Brig. Gen. Bird
W. Sp encer and nine stanch Jersey rifle
men. all intimately known to the District
scldiery, late yesterday afternoon came
marching through Georgia. The welcome
that awaited the weary, travel-stained
guardstnen was an invigorator, and today
the Washington contingent is happy in
every sense of the word. Memphis last
year was hospitaple, as was Little Rock in
1894, but the folks here in Savannah, per-
haps the fairest city Of the south, are ex-
travagantly surpe ssing all records as re-
CARDS the entertainment of the Washington
military.
All Savannah, and Savannah numbers
some $1,000 generous souls, was much astir
when the Washington train rolled into the
depot at o'clock last evening little
more than an hour behind the schedule
figures. At that time the visitors were as
sured welcome. The promise was prac-
tically demonstrated soon thereafter, and
today the city ard all within it are truth
fully in the possession of the representa-
tiVeS OF the District. A horoscope cast to-
day would unquestionably indicate a bril-
Hantly hued triumphant return home to
Washington, which will probably be at 8
o'clock next Saturday evening.
The railroad journey to Savannah was
not, distressingly dusty and seemingly
everlasting. AS vas to be expected, the
Mortons gave no thought to sleep until
about 3 a m, although the engineers, with
out delay after the start, successfully
sought slumbcr. AS Il result of the Nor
tons efforts TO remain awake, the Jersey
ment, or at least several of them, tossed
uneasily III their berths and Gen. Spencer
is quoted as referring to the cadets as
blasted hyenas." although he indignantly
denies the accusation now. in fact a
friendship as warm as the prevailing tenn
perature has sprung up between Capt Shil-
hnS's command and the noted officers from
mosquitoland, and now each of the latter
Is wearing the Morton Cadets colors and
all are vigorous rooterS for the youngsters
Arrival at Savannah.
When the train rolled into Savannah
cheers arose from the squad of Mortons
which had preceded the Mortons to Georgia
A few words of welcome were extended by
Lieut.. Cam and Secretary Harmon, and
then line was formed. he Jer<eymen to the
left of the cadets. while the engineers were
loaded into buses and driven directly to
camp The little procession, headed by a
color guard bearing the Mortons' stand of
colors, passed from the station to the street
ana into the midst of cheering multitude
Tor really the entire population was out
=
emily none other in Savannah
Inc crack drill company of the town, the
savannah Cadets, under Capt. Brooks, who
Dy the way, IS chairman of the board of
Judges OF the drill, was drawn up at present
arms and after the compliment was re-
turned by the visitors, the line of march
was followed over homelil1e asphalt streets
Without break, the sidewalks were lined
with spectators, and although the appear
ance of the company was that of veterans
returning from a campaign the hand-clap-
ping was constant
On reaching the Hotel De Soto, the small
pageant stopped to permit the withdrawal
of the Jerseymen, and then continued, pass
ing through the drill grounds to Camp
Gordon" where all was in readiness for
the weary wanderers, thanks to the efforts
OF the advance squad and the drill associa-
ton.
The engineers are encamped with the
Mortons. Very thoughtfully a number of
shower baths have been provided In the
camp. and the luxury was gratefully and
immedia tely INDUCED in. In half an hour
the appearance of the Washington con-
tinSent had been improved as much as a
thousand per cent. Next, an appetiz:ng
supper was served in the mess hall Of the
camp, less than a stones throw from the
tents of the District lads, and it is proper
the association. 1t also invited the WIS.,
itors to breakfast this morning Further
the advance squad was taken completely in
charge Oh arrival Saturday and not per-
United to make solitary expenditure,
which inclules hauling baggage and even
car fare.
Savannah is the ideaizat ton of hospitality.
The camp was crowded with visitors early
IT. the evening. The engineers retired
early, but the Mortons began preparatioas
to attend informal rlcantinn
by their sponsor, Miss Sarah Mills, at her
residence. But Capt. Shilling ordered every
memEer of the Company to bed at once. in
&C injection Herewith expressing himself
plainly to the effect that strict discipline
would be maintained while in Savannah.
Capt. Shilling, accompanied by Lieut..
Trallcs and Lieut.. Robinson, called on the
sponsor, were prese nted to her chaperon
Mrs. Julia Gibbs, and the maids of honor
Misses Ellie Rauers, Elise Hugher, Emma
Hopkins, Nan Dubignon and Sallie Has
kell, as we'll as the sponsors of the other
attending organizat ions and several local
military officers. Later, under the guidance
of Capt w. Williamson and Private E. c.
Mercer, both at Sea Girt last September
the Mortons officers were shown through
the magnificent armory of the Savannah
Volunteer Guard, an edifice that caused the
structure on l. street, Washington used
for similar purposes, to fade into remote
insignificaBce.
Arrival of the Mount Pleasant Bows,
Sayannah's May week really began this
morning. At $50 Capt Shilling had the
Morton Cadets astir, and soon thereafter
the drill team was hard at work on the
field where the interstate contest will &C.
cur, and it may be timely to add that SUCH
Interpretation of the drill regulations has
never before been equaled in this vicinity
so the inhabitants say.
Shortly after o'clock the Mount Pleas
ant Field Band-the boys all in good shape
after the long ride-and a section of the
famous Indianapolis Artillery, under Capt
Curtis, were landed within few rods of
camp. The Mortons were on hand and re-
turned the compliment of Saturday even
ing last by escort duty. The band is ex-