Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-10-05
GEORGE P. BOYCE.
SKATER A GOOD SHOT.
His Joke on the Colonel In Com an d
of u Rival Regiment.

His Joke on the Colonel In Command
of u Rival Regiment.
Colonel Thomas H. Barry, adjutant
general to Major General Otis, before
leaving for Manila told good story of
Major General Shafter's shooting in the
days when he was q colonel on the Mex
lean border. A day before he took ship
for the Philippines Barry, with Briga.
der General Hughes and Chronicle
representative, discussing Skaters gal
lantry before Santiago said:
II was Skaters aid years ago when
we both were bronzing under the hot
test 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 esteemed himself about as ex-
pert a marksman as ever pulled a trig-
ger. We secretly laughed at his opinion
of himself and whispered to each ether,
Just wait till Pecos Bill gets after him..
"Well, his time came. Ono morning
Shafter and | started out to ride 40
miles or more to another post, and the
visitor asked to be allowed to accom-.
pany u.s. We trotted along easily until
about noon, when we halted to cat our
luncheon, which we packed with us.
At that time officers carried short car
bines on such service, and l had one
strapped to my saddle The conversa-
ton drifted from the topography of the
country to craftsmanship and the Off
oer-call him Smith-Said, Say, colo
NEIL have you got any shots in your regi-
ment?'
"Shafter smiled and replied: Have
II Why, I've got some mel that can
discount the sharpshooters you read
about-officers too. I'm not much my
self, but when you got back to the fort
I'll tell few of the good ones to show
you thing or two
"Just then an antelope sprang up a
quarter of mile away, and all, seeing
it at the same moment, reached for their
carbines. Shafter was quickest, and in
a second adjusted the sights to 600 feet
and blazed away. Down came Mr.. An
telope, and when we rode up to where
he lay we found bullet over his heart.
"Smith examined the wound, looked
over the carbine, and. then muttered
half aside: Not bad. You say you re
not in 1t with other officers in your regi-
ment, colonel?
"No, said Shafter. I'm ashamed OF
myself alongside of them
IA couple of hours later another an
telope appeared, but further away.
Smith 1dgeted moment and then said
eagerly, Colonel, may I 60 after him?'
"'Pshaw! You wouldn't chase him
on horseback at that distance ex-
claimed Shafter, seizing his weapon and
leveling 1t 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 so feet Shafter pointed to a dark
object and said, I guess I got the head. ,
"Sure enough, the antelope was lying
dead with bullet through his left ear.
Smith looked as disguised as any man !
ever saw.
"'And the officers are better? he
queried.
"Shafter' eyes twinkled. Lieutenant
Smith, he replied with assumed STERN
ness, I want you to say nothing of this
at the post. ought to have hit him in
the eye, and I feel ashamed Of my poor
aim.
"Smith, who had no sense Of humor,
was dumfounded. For years after he
spread the fame Of Colouel Shafter as a
marksman far and wide. San Fran.
cisco Chronicle.