Evening star., 1897-07-26
TAKE SECOND PRIZE
Much Surprise That the Mortons
Failed for First Place.
BEATEN BY TIE GOVERNORS GUARDS
Lost on Inspection and Interpreta-
ton Of the Program.
BOYS EN- ROUTE HON
BOYS EN- ROUTE Me

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, July 26.-There
was an earthquake of surprise early last
evening at Camp Culberson. when the de-
cision of the judges who scored the COM
peting companies in San Antonio's most
most remarkable of interstate drills was
announced. The multitude of spectators
were so astounded that silence reigned for
several moments, the members Of all but
one company were veritably thunderstruck
and the members of the winning company
were really surprised.
The verdict of the army officers made
the Governors Guards Of Austin, Texas,
the champion military company of the
United States and the holders of the Gal
weston semi-centennial championship cup
for the next year. The Morton Cadets won
second prize, 81, 600.
The decision was really heartrending.
The boys had worked SO hard and were so
confident of victory that the ultimatum of
the judges was little short of a thunder
bolt. A rumor that the Governors Guard
was the winner reached the Mortons about
an hour prior to the official announcement,
and although from an authentic source,
the majority of the Washington party
could not believe it. The rumor had tell
ing effect, however, and ii was a most
droopy and detected aggregation that Capt.
Shilling led in the field.
The suspense was soon at an end. Capt.
Rcberdeau was called to the front and
awarded first prize. amid shouts Of Rob
berry and "Give it to the Mortons." Ashy
pale. and plainly showing his agitation and
disappointment, Capt. Shilling advanced to
receive check for $1,000. The Mortons re-
ceived an ovation when they marched past
in review, but the good will of the spec
tators did not tend to assuage the suffer-
ing. Hundreds of men from the regular
amy were present to sympathize with the
MortoDs, bu- even the fact tina: they had
bested all the crack companies of the
United States and lost the champions nip
t. an amateur through an accident did not
relieve the oppression of the company that
so confidently expected and SO greatly de-
served to win.
The regulars were deeply affected, sew
eral of the men declaring that they would
no longer serve under officers who rem
dered such a palpably erroneous verdict.
Thousands upon thousands of dollars were
lost in the result. The Mortons were the
favorites in the straight betting. and every
combination played at the turf exchange
named them for first place, SO sure were
they of victory.
The Washingtonans bet all their avail
able cash on themselves at odds of 2 to L.
Many of the regulars. 1t IS understood, lost
years salary on the drills. Capt. Bean
of the Minnesota company lost small for
ture by the failure of his command TO take
place. The reason for his protest is Tow
clear. Had he succeeded in having the
Mortons barred. his company would have
been awarded third prize and the protest
ing commander landed on top of the bet
ting.
Disguised With the Verdict.
All the visiting companies are thoroughly
disgusted with the verdict and with their
visit to San Antonio Capt. Boyd of the
declared to me that they will never again
participate in an interstate drill Only q
determination to again gain possession of
the cup prevents Capt Shilling from ex-
pressing the same intention. The Sealy
Rifles conceded first place to the Mortons
as did the vast majority of those who wit
messed the drills Of all the companies.
Rating of the Judges.
The rating Of the judges was: Governors
Guards. first percentage, 956; Morton
Cadets. second. with 925; Sealy Rifles.
third. with 92.35: Company D Of Minnesota.
fourth. with 91.7O; Thurston Rifles, fifth.
with Obs. and Belknap Rifles, sixth. with
81 The standing of the Lloyd Rifles
and Company A of Galveston was not
stated. The Lipscomb Rifles won the
maiden drill and the Neelys of Memphis
the Zouave contest.
The outcome of the drill was truthfully
matter of drill itself the Governors Guard
are palpably inferior and they were never
for a moment considered in the prize list.
Lieut. Grote Of the board of judges stated
to me Immediately after the decision was
announced that the Mortons lost first prize
on their inspection mainly, and partly on
Interpretation of the program. Both of
these statements are far beyond the COM
ington party and thousands of others who
watched the contests. Had 1t devoted
months to preparation. the Washington
company could not have made superior
showing In inspection than that last Thurs
day morning. Such being assured, the
company must have been scored because
four cadets were prostrated by the terrific
heat and fell unconscious to the ground.
Interpretation of the Program.
In regard to the Interpretation of the
program, First Lieut.. Jenkins, adjutant of
the 5th United States Cavalry who pre-
pared the drill program, and who observed
from the grand stand the exhibition of the
Mortons. said to me in all sincerity that
Captain Shilling read the paper correctly
and precisely as it was intended. The fact
that such experienced drill masters as
Captain Shilling, Captain Foye of the
Thurstons. Captain Boyd of the Sealys,
Captain Bean of Minnesota and Captain
McAdoo of the Belknaps read the program
differently from Captain Roberdeau Of the
Governors Guard, and were all declared at
fault. strengthens the belief that the board
of judges who offic!ated at San Antonio
differ visibly in their construction of tao
teal points from the boards that did the
marking at Omaha. Little Rock. Memphis.
and, In fact every interstate drill since the
adoption of the 1891 regulations.
Lieut.. Grote remarked that Capt. Shilling,
all In all, was unquestionably the most able
captain to appear in the field. 1t may be
announced from an unbiased standpoint
that the Mortons lost the championship
through an accident. The accident consist
ed in the judges differing in their views
from the recognized experts in things tac-
teal The Mortons followed the interpre-
tations that won the cup at Omaha, Little
Rock and Savannah and three prizes al
Memphis. The Governors Guards have
won it here, putting up drill that did no,
compare in any way with that Of the Nor
tons Sealys.
Competitive Drill q Lottery.
1t all goes to show that interstate com:
petitive drilling is a lottery, pure and sim.
pie. The Morton Cadets last Thursday
gave the finest exhibition of drilling eveI
seen in any drill field. At Memphis they
excelled all competitors in drill, but failed
to take the cup because of inspection. AL
though Capt Shilling and every cadet /.
oil, Hao ortbr rolxa hANo ,.