The times., 1897-03-27
THE DRILL At FORT MYER
Mr.. and Mrs. McKinley's Attend
ance Attracted a Great Crowd.
ENJOYABLE
OUTING
The President AppIauded vigorously
the Maneuvers of the TrOops-Sey.
eraI Members of the Cabinet Were
Present-The Splendid Exhibition
Given by the Soldiers.

President Mckinley laid aside offici al
cares on yesterday afternoon. and, accom-
panied by Mrs. Mckinley and most of the
members OF the Cabinet. wentto Fort Myer
| to witness the last indoor exhibition drill
Of the season i"I
The party were invited to witness the
cvoiutions of the, cavalry by Col. Sumner,
commandment of the post Seldom has "a
| more fashionable assembiage been attracted
to the fort. Indeed, all ROADS seemed to lead
in that direction. and long before the ap-
proach of the Presidential party was an
pouHced by a salvo Of guns hundreds OF
people choked the entrances 10 the drill
hall clamoring for admission.
When the doors were finally opened there
was a mad rush by those who wanted to
obtain places of vantage on the inside Of
the building, and 1t was with the greatest
difficulty that the sentinels OH duty pre-
vented panic. Many were unable to gain
admission, aud Stood about the entrances
striving in vain to obtain a peep of what
was going on within.
for the fort shortly after lunch They
were accompanied by Col. and Mrs. Myron
T Herrck, Of Cleveland, Ohio, who are
now on Il visit To the White House The
President and his guests occupied closed
carriage. The members of the Cabinet
and their families went to the fort half an
hour in advance OF the Presidential party
The drive to the fort was accomplished
In less than an hour and was without
unusual incident. Several times, how
ever, the distinguished occupants Of the
carriage were recognized and cheered by
the crowds on the roads leading to the
fort. When the carriage reached the
boundaries OF the fort tile President was
greeted by salute of twenty-one guns
The crowds taking the signal quickly sur
rounded Col. Summers residence, where
the party alighted. The members OF the
Cabinet, who had previously partaken Of
luncheon at the commandants quarters
awaited the coming of Mr. and Mrs. Nc
KipIey Secretary AIger was the first
member Of Mr.. McKiHIey's official family
to greet him, and assisted Mrs Mckinley
IN alighting from the carriage
The Presidential party remained at Col
were then driven to the drill hall The
entire gallery at the southern end of the
structure had been reserved for the dis
nguishcd visitors. II was artisticaIly
draped with several large American flags
A great crowd was gathered ar the
entrance of the building eager TO catch
glimpse of the President and Mrs. Nc
KinIey. Men lifted their hats and women
craued their necks, smiled and bowed as
they passed. Both the President and his
wife returned the salutations
The members Of the Cabinet and their
families followed close bPynd the Presi-
dent. As tie distinguished party entered
the hall the Sixth Calvary Band, which
was stationed az tile rear end ofthc build
ing, pIa ved Hail 10 the Chief. >" followed
by the national anthem, America The
President and bis company occupied con
spicuous seats the first row OF the
gallery. Mrs Mckinley sat on the Presi-
dents right and Secretary Alger on his
lett. Others who were in the party Were:
Secretary Long and Miss Long, Secretary
aud Mrs. Gage, Attorney General AfcKenna.
Secretary Wilson, Secretary Bliss Miss
Hanna, ana Secretary to the President
Porter and Mrs Porter The Postmaster
General, who mad expected to accompany
the President, was unavoidably detained
at his office. Others who occupied seats
in the gallery We're: Gen. Greedy Gen
Ruggles, Minister Rodriguez. and other
distinguished representatives of both Of
ficial ana Army circles.
The driH, which began promptly at
O'Clock, was announced by the entry into
the tan bark arena of Troop g, twenty-siX
men under the command of Lieut.. Stout
The troop was attired in full dress uni
forms, and mounted oa superb horses. The
men executed a number OF difficult evolu-
tions. The wheeling by twOs, fours aud
platoons, followed by an intricate grape
vine figure on horse back, elected much
praise. President Mckinley watched the
drill with great interest, and frequently
applauded the movements of the men,
Troop II, which followed, under the com
mand OF Lieut.. Harmon, was scarcely less
efficient than it's predecessor. The feats OF
horsemanship executed by this troop have
seldom beea eXcelled in this vicinity
The equestrian tumblng was also d
notable featare that was much commended.
a broadsword contest, vividly suggesting
the conflicts Of the middle ages, closed
this part of the program. The afternoon
program closed with thrilling exhibition
of rough riding by the troopers, which
excited much wonder. Lieut.. Short, who
first introduced the Cossack drill at Fort
Myer commanded the troop that executed
this part of the performance.
The Presidential party left the hall be
fore the drill was concluded. owing to the
Of Mrs Mckinley. who was
beginning to feel the fatigue. The Presi-
dent and his wife Were accompanied to
their carriage by Col Sumner Both the
President and Mrs Mckinley expressed
themselves al delighted with the drill and
promised to make another visit to the fort
at an early day
Al! Of the other members of the PTesi-
Dental party were equally enthusiastic
over the Cyolutons they had witnessed.
Gen. Nelson A Miles, mounted on hand
some white horse, rode into the post
shortly after the drill had commenced and
the maneuvers at one end of
the arena. He was accompanied by his
Lieut.. Mich!er, L. s. A.
Others who were much interested in the
drill were Gen. Longstreet, the famous
cavalry leader, and Col. Fair
fax, who alse took prominent part in
the struggle between the Northern and
Southern forces.