Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-17
GENERAL SKATERS JOKE.
How He Gave an Exhibition of His Tn.
erring Marksmanship.


erring Marksmanship.
Colonel Thomas H. Barry, adjutans.
general to Major G General Otis, befol d
leaving for Manila told good story of
Major General Skaters shooting in
the days when he was a colonel on the
Mexican border. A day before he
took ship for the Philippines Barry,
with Brigadier- General Hughes and
Chronicle representative, discussing
Skaters gallantry before Santiago,
said:
81 was Skaters aide three years
ago when we both were bronzing
under the hottest sun that shines in
these states. Shafter was known as
the best shot not only in his regiment,
but in the whole country about. One
day an officer from another regiment,
not acquainted with Skaters ability
in this line, visited the post and soon
made it apparent to us that he es-
teemed himself about as expert a
marksman as ever pulled trigger.
We secretly laughed at his opinion of
himself, and whispered to each other,
Just wait till Pecos Bill gets after
him.
"Well, his time came. One morn
ing Shafter and L started out to ride
forty miles or more to another post,
and the visitor asked to be allowed to
accompany us. We trotted along
easily until about noon, when we
halted to eat orr luncheon, which we
packed with us. AT that time officers
carried short carbines on such SER
vice, and had one strapped to my
saddle. The conversation drifted from
the topography of the country to
Workmanship, and the ofIicer-call
him Smith-said: Say, colonel, have
You got any shots in your regiment?'
"ohafter smiled and replied: Have
I? Why, I've got some men that can
discount the sharpshooter' you read
about. Officers, too. I'm not much
myself, but when you get back to the
fort I'll tell a few of the good ones to
show you thing or two
"Just then an antelope sprang up
quarter of mile away, and all seeing
it at the same moment reached for
their carbines. Shafter was quickest,
and in second adjusted the sights to
600 feet and blazed away. Down
came Mr.. Antelope, and when we rode
up to where he lay we found bullet
hole over his heart.
''Smith examined the wound, look ed
over the carbine, and then muttered,
half aside, Not bad. You say you're
not in il with other officers in your
regiment, colonel?'
No. said Shafter, I'm ashamed
of myself alongside of them
"a couple of hours later another
antelope appeared, but farther away.
Smith fidgeted a moment and then
said eagerly, Colonel, may 1 go after
him?'
'Pshaw. You wouldn't chase
him ON horseback at that distance
exclaimed SLafter, seizing the weapon
and levelling it as he spoke. I'll put
lead in his head.
"He fred and we saw the animal
bound away. Smith was gleeful.
"A little high, colonel he shouted as
we galloped on. Reaching the place
where the game had been, we were
on high rising piece of ground, and,
looking down fifty feet, Shafter point, d
to dark object and said quietly, L
guess got the head
"Sure enough, the antelope was
lying dead, with bullet hole through
his left ear. Smith looked as dis
gusted as any man I ever saw.
And the officers are better?' he
queried.
Skaters eyes twinkled. Lieut..
Smith,, he replied, with assumed
sternness. 4 want you to say nothing
of this ut the post. 1 ought to have
hit him in the eye, and feel ashamed
of my poor aim.'
''omith, who had no sense of humor,
was du nfoun led. For years after
he spread the fame of Colonel Shafter
as marksman far and wide. San