The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-17
FORT DOUGLAS GOSSIP.

In consequence of reports from the
army relative to the inconvenience
arising from the collection of dust or
ice in the breech mechanism of the
Krag-Jorgenson magazine rifle when
troops are on the march or on guard
and exposed to dust storms or sleet
and snow, there has been prepared
deta enable cover for the breech
mocha nism of the rife which it is de-
sired to issue for trial in the field be-
fore deciding upon its adoption in the
service. This cover is not intended for
constant use and in view Of reported
serviceability of the rife by some Of
/ ticers under the most trying circum-
stances in the field as well as the re-
suits Of severe exposure to dust and
freezing water, the necessity for it's
adoption in service is doubtful The
i supply, however, of light water proof
cover such as is soon TO be issued for
trial to be used on the breech of the
rifle only on occasions of unusual eX-
posture, and which at other times can
| be carried on the person of the soldier,
may, it is thought, be found of benefit
in service. Three companies have been
selected in the department of the Mis-
souri, to which these covers will be is
sued for trial
The qualification for a sharp-shooter,
under the new firing regulations, is an
| aggregate score of 4S0 This required
under the old rules with an additional
| range, 1000, added. A markSman is
required to make an aggregate score
Of $50 points with an additional range,
800 yards, added. The allowance of
$45O per man for the seasons practive
permits the expenditure of It's rounds
per man. The rules for skirmish firing
permit the use of the magazine only
at the short ranges.
The hundred yard dash between Will
liams, of company d, and Douglas, of
company E, on the 18th inst for
purse of $780, was won by the latter.
The race came off on the east end of
the parade and was witnessed by
large crowd. The course. extended from
company quarters toward company
G. Douglas succeeded in making
fine start, getting rapidly away from
Williams. There was much dissatis-
faction expressed as to the correctness
of the start and Sergeant Hunt, the
starter, came in for his share of CEN
sure from the losers. Williams put up
good race, gaining on his man for
fully two-thirds of the distance, but
lost by about two feet.
During the athletic drill of company
D on Friday, Private Dunbar succeed
ed in defeating ex-Champion Williams
in a thirty yard dash. Notwithsta nd-
ing his two recent defeats Williams
has arranged for two races to come off
in June. One with Bruin, of company
E, distance of $40 yards, and another
with Douglas, of the same company, a
distance of 125 yards. Both races to
be run on the same day.
The residents of the post were sud
denly aroused at II 80 Saturday night
at the alarm of fire which had started
and gained considerable Roadway in
the oil house in rear of the post ex-
change. The command turned out in
excellent time, the only delay noticed
being that of the hose cart which failed
to make connection with the fire on ac-
count of the distance of the nearest fire
plug. When unwound the hose was
discovered to be some thirty feet too
short, and as consequence no stream
was turned upon the flames. The fire,
however, was extinguished in a short
time by the ladder and bucket brigades,
the former pounding the small frame
building to pieces. The loss proved to
be small and the damage to the main
DUllQil1S, III e1SSOCuiL VI IA1C olOI1C Wdl1,
trifing.
Wilkes and Shelowsky are matched
for bicycle road race to Beck's Hot
springs and return on Sunday the oath
inst.
Private Crowley, of company G, will
race any man in the post from quar-
ter to one mile for any amount.
Private Critics is "smokin' up for
100 yard dash with any man who wears
d. on his cap.
Douglas says he is matched for
100 yard dash against Rowe, of Salt
Lake, the Utah champion, for q purse
of $1OO, the race to come off in the city
some time in May.
Mrs w X Wright and daughters.
who have been the guests recently Of
Captain and Mrs. Ayres on Governors
S rs-rr-.zv IS ~ ~ 81 -