The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-07
CHALLENGED BY NEW YORK.
GEoRGIA RIFLEMEN ACCEPT AND
THE MATCH WILL BE IN
THIS CITY.

hanson t4stS AGkhEAEt ~tNAN
interestingly of the Match st Sea
Grit.
New York and Georgia rifemen viii
meet on the range again on THANKSGIVING
dav at Savannah. challenge has been
sent to the Georgia boys by the Twenty
third regiment of New York, and there VIII
be meeting Of the Rife Range Associa-
ton of this city in the near future Tor
the purpose of accepting the challenge
and making prompt arrangements lor
bringing the match about.
The Twenty-third of New York is the
crack regiment of that city, and has the
finest armory in this country, which cost
sea 600. The regiment is a strong ana wen
eouipped one. and it is quite probable that
a strong team of sharpshooters will be
sent to Savannah on Thanksgiving day.
The match VIII occur at the Avondale rifle
range. on the outskirts of this city.
This challenge by the New York rifle
men is no new thing. 1t was first talked
about last June. when Capt. William w.
Williamson had conference with the
New workers. and told them to make their
challenge formally. They did so later Dul
there has never been a meeting OF the Sa-
vannah RiAemen's Association since that
TIM n take action on the challenge. Such
q meeting. as stated, is now being ar
ranged for the members having been sum
moned to attend the meeting. since the
challenge was sent three of the New YORK
team have met the Georgia men on the
range having been at Sea Grit during the
lost match there. The New York rifle
men saw they will not contest in match
with b,t one organization in Savannah
and if has been decided that the Savan-
nah Volunteer Guards will be the organ
ization that will shoot with them at Avon
dale. ITO Judge from our recent work
with these men from the Guards saiu
Cant. Williamson yesterday, Il think we
can find enough crack shots out OF TINS
command to put against the New YORK
ers and win another victory"
Capt. w. w Williamson, under whose
command the Georgia rifemen have just
swept the field at Sea Grit, returned to
the city yesterday morning over the At
Iantic Coast Line from the scene Of VIC
tory end triumph at Sea Grit, and talks
interestingly about the brilliant shooting
the Savannah teams did there. When seen
bv a Morning News reporter yesterday
Can't Williamson said
ss'The Georgia team has made a reputa-
ton for itself that its most enthusiastic
member never dared to hope for us re-
cord of last year, which we an thoushl
high water-mark, has been ecipsed and,
-. n a New YORK 0AliN,
Georgia has ceased her winning gait, only
because there are no more matches 10
contest No team has ever made such
record before and I am conceited enough
10 think that no other team but Georgia
can ever do the same again.
1.-The New Jersey Rife Association, I'M
der whose auspices the matches are given,
has become alarmed at the clean sweep
made by Georgia, and fearing that no
other team would attend the meet next
year has seriously discussed the propriety
OF putting a handicap on the Georgia
marksmen. Truly, a very great comph-
ment, but a condition which would nave
to be seriously considered before accept
ing such terms. Compliments We're show
cred upon US from all sides, but particu-
larly so when in the company match. The
company from the Guards made 246 out OF
a possible go at 200 yards. Also in the
interstate match, when the team of twelve
made SO out of a possible 600 at 200 yards,
the greatest shooting ever done OF
course, we We're delighted to win the Hill
ton trophy match more than any other,
as 1t is considered the most important
one of the meet, and the one we have
hitherto failed TO win.
kilograms of congTatulation were receiv-
ed from a great many Savannahians and
also from the governor of Georgia, Capt
Dozer of the Horse Guards, and Lieut..
Satterlee Mr.. John NJ. Egan, vice presi-
dent OF the Central of Georgia railway,
spent Sunday previous to the matches
with US at Sea Grit. He stated that he
and Savannah expected great things of us,
and he supposed he would have to offer
the use of an extra steamer to bring home
the trophies of victory. In reply 10 tele-
gram of congratulation, 1 was very glad
TO be able to wire him as follows;
Telegram thanks. Your offer accepted.
Send the ship. We have won every
match" which in as few words as posi-
BILE tells the whole story of Sea Girt. The
Georgia men entered fourteen matches
and won every one of them. i do not in
clude the match open to inspectors of rife
practice, in which Capt Postell came out
second, for this match was not open to
members of the team generally. gen.
Spencer, Mai Harris and l discussed fully
the subject of sending a team to England
States in the matches there. II the pro-
Ject goes through, Savannah will be Of
fered the opportunity of being well repre-
scented on the national team. Most Of the
team leave New York on this afternoon s
Steamer. On my informing a Savannah
man to-day that Wilson and Batty were
going to Canada to shoot moose, he re-
piled: You might as well say mice, for
they could hit them just as we'll"
Capt Williamson was the toast OF the
town yesterday. His countless friends and
even those who never knew him personal
", were eager to grasp his hand and give
him hearty hand-shake in token of theii
appreciation of his great work at Sea Cir
in the name of Georgia. Everywhere he
went during the day he was given a rous-
ing reception and his back was sore with
slapping, and his buttonholes were much
enlarged by the time he got through witr
his ovation. Nothing has done so much
60 dignity the name Of Georgia for Ions
time as this brilliant triumph of Capt
Williamson's men at Sea Grit. Ii is tn,
talk Of the entire state.
~ was Up in the interior Of the stat,
the other day" remarked Col Waite
G. Charlton, land was astonished to fint
that people everywhere, white and black
were greatly enthused over the spendit
work on the rifle range of the Savannah
men,"