Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-19
MORTONS GET THEIR CUP
Formally Turned Over by General Naby
With Complimentary Comment.
The Washington Boys Are the Favor
petition Result.
Special from a stafr Correspondent.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, July 19.-Wtth
the CONNIE ncement today of the competi-
tive drills, Camp Culberson may be said
to be in complete running order.
Several companies of the maiden class
drilled this morning. and this afternoon the
Thurston Rifles, champions of the Mem
phis contest in 1895, are to face the judges.
The Thurstons were inspected this morn
ing, after being in constant preparation for
the ordeal since their arrival here Friday
last The Omaha men unquestionably made
an excellent showing, but whether Ii can
be improved upon by the Mortcns remains
to be seen, for the Washington boys have
several secrets up their sleeves relating
to the inspection.
The feature of the day Saturday, so far
as Washington is concerned. was the ar
rival in camp of Captain Shilling, in ek-
cellent condition after the long trip. ana
the turning over of the Galveston cup 10
the Mortons. Captain Shilling reached the
grounds during the opening dress parade
and review, in which $500 troops partici-
pated, the grandest military spectacle ever
witnessed in the south. AS the Mortons
passed the reviewing oincers. Lleutelia ,N
Tralles. noticing the company commander
on the edge of the field. left the column
and moved the company toward the grand
stand. Then Captain Shilling was ac-
corded the heartiest welcome ina ginabie,
being cheered to the echo and literally
Rugged by every cadet.
Gen. Mnbry's Letter.
On reaching his tent Captain Shilling
was handed a communication from Adju-
tant General Mabry, custodian of the Gal
weston cup and commandant of the camp.
as follows: 1T gives ME pleasure to turn
over to you the Galveston cup, which you
won and had awarded to You at the inter-
state drill held in savannah, Ga, May,
1896.
That drill. under the decision of the
trustee, fulfilled every requirement of the
rules governing the cup and you won II
fairly and merit the distinction of being
the champion military organization of the
United States. l regret that / was unable
to get possession of the cup earlier.
The cup itself was formally turned over
to Captain Shilling twenty-four hours later
by lieutenant colonel and major on
the staff of General Mabry. Thereupon
pandemonium broke loose in the Morton $
camp and several photographs of the COM
parry, with the trophy in the arms OF Cap
tain Shilling. We're taken. The cup is to-
day being engraved When properly in
scribed, it will be returned 10 General
Mabry to he again placed in competition,
The Morton Cadets won the cup fairly
at Savannah, and deserved all the honor
attached to its possession said General
Mabry to me. at is an excellent company
and I hope the command will take hrst
place at this drill
The Thurston Rifles, who retained the
right, are keeping very quiet. They and
the Mortons never speak as they pass by.
After the review Saturday the cham
pions were presented to their chaperones.
Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. George. and maids
of honor, Misses Reed, Pfeifer and Pres
ton. The ladies were profusely bedecked
in the Colors of the company and ex-
pressed themselves as delighted with their
company" The feeling is more than recip-
rocated. Mrs. Corinne Webb was last even
ing unanimously elected mascot for the
company in a manner most pronounced and
enthusiastic.
Reception to the Cadets.
A reception on an elaborate scale will be
rendered the company tomorrow evening at
the residence of Miss Pfeifer. Governor
Culberson of Texas will be among the
guests. This evening the Mortons are eN-
pected as special guests at the Hotel Men
ger where a ball will be given in honor
OF the sponsors. The invitation, however,
will be declined
After the review Saturday the Mortons
gave their first exhibition drill IN public.
The applause from the thousands Of spec
tators was so intense that the boys were
unable at times to hear the commands of
Captain Shilling
l CHANGED to be in the turf exchange to-
day when stranger entered and stated
desire to place 500 at to ] on the Morton
Cadets for first place. The offer was
promptly declined.
on the boys the magnitude of their under
liking. and announced that no member of
the team will be permitted to leave camp
urder any circumstances, except to attend
the reception tomorrow, until after the
drill of the company Thursday. Every en-
ergy is to be expended in the direction OF
lettering the work of the team.
There was great complaint throughout
the interstate camp on the receipt OF an
order requiring visiting companies TO fol-
low the routine planned for the Texas
Guard. The obnoxious order, however. will
be revoked today. The Mortons have an
unprecedentedly well-drilled field of COM
panies to best in order to retain the cham
ponship. The Thurston Rifles seem ragged
and unpublished, but that is true of their
drill that won the championship at Mem
phis. Company D. from st. Paul, is the
only organization using the new manual Of
arms and its drill is well nigh perfect The
Sealy Rifles perhaps were never before IN
such condition. and the company that ranks
higher than the Galveston boys in the
markings will unquestionably take the cup
Both the Belknap Rifles and the Cover
nor's Guard of Austin are in wonderful
form. 1t would not he a surprise to see
any OF them finish in the lead, and the
winner will certainly be entitled to as much
credit as ever bestowed in the past at any
drill.
Program to BE Short.
The chairman Of the board of judges els.
closed to me today that because of the
large number of entries in the several
classes the drill program will be short, and
the inspection will not cut an extraordin-
airy figure. In the big drill the captains
Will be handed the programs fifteen min
utes before taking the field. Inspection will
be In the morning and drill in the after
noon Credit will probably be allowed for
time saved. Never before has Captain
Shilling devoted such studied attention to
every detail OF the work in hand The con-
test Is to be q battle royal.
nfof
the practice work of his rivals, but all he
can be induced to say on the subject is.
4 nave the utmost confidence in the team
and our chances Of winning are at least
equal to those of any other company en-
tered in the competition" G. q