The times., 1899-08-31

Glen Sligo wore a gala attire yesterday
best, and not for many a day has such
crowd congregated and to witness such
sport. The occasion was the first annual
tourney, and nearly / 500 persons were as
sembled to watch and cheer on to victory
in the iousts fifteen gallant knights who
strove for prizes, and above all court
1znors. Every knight was a warrior bold
and each had a lady fair, whom he es-
sayed to crown his queen of love and
beauty, and falling in that to at least be
represented by g. maid OF honor at the
court assembly The tournament was
pronounced success in every way. The
crowd. consisting Of farmers and country
folks from the surrounding counties who
were present to cheer their favorites, and
the city folk, who came TO witness the rare
sport without any prejudice. mingled to-
gether and the entire days sport was IN
marred by an unpleasant feature.
There was just enough patriotism extant
among the true followers of the various
knights TO make the affair savor of
genuine rivalry, which reminded one of the
days when the good Sir LaunceIot, Sir
Gallahad, and other bold knights tilted the
favor OF queen or some fair maid. There
were, OF course, no Laulcelots or Gala
hads, or knights in shining armor. but
there were good, stout, hale. and hearty
country lads whose exhibitions Of riding
and tilting for small rings were a revela-
ton TO many. All through the day the sky
was overcast with dark clouds and for sew
eral hours drizzle made things damp
and miserable. Despite the inclement
weather and the forebcding outlook the
gala crowds of country folk crowded
around the fitting course and showed un-
mistakably where their sympathies were
by the rousing cheers given each succeed
ing knight as he rode through the three
arches to take or miss the rings.
After three hours of exciting riding and
fitting. r. Fl. Mercier, known as the Knight
of Pleasant Valley, was declared entitled
TO crown the queen of honor and the win
ner of first money without further contest
The gallant knight showed a clean score
OF nine rings without tie. Next to him
was G. A Smith, the knight of River
View, who contested a tie with Il E.
Keller. the Knight of Kenilworth. that
gallant scion of the lance being satisfied
with third honors. l. NJ Amos, Knight
of Mount View, though worsted. brought
up good fourth. and had the distinction
of being represented at the crowning OF
the queen by his maid Of honor Clarence
Beall. who styled himself Knight of Bur-
louisville. was formidable contestant, and
caused considerable apprehension among
the other knights by his trial Tits, but was
unfortunate enough to be rendered hors
de combat by a fall from his horse at the
opening charge through the arches He
sustained serious injury to his lance
hand and was compelled TO withdraw
AT the conclusion of the fitting theaEyin-
ners were announced and the evening was
spent in various kinds of enjoyment until
9 O'Clock when the crowd surged into the
large dancing pavilion to witness the
erowning of the queen of love and beauty
and her maids of honor The gallant
knights formed a hollow square with their
fair choices and crowned them as follows:
Queen OF Love and Beauty, Miss Blanch
Lynch. of Brookland; Maids Of Honor Miss
Dora Clements, Miss Lulu Cheek and Miss
Annie Newman. The ceremony of the cor
onation and the subsequent congratuIa-
tions occupied but few moments and the
hOnored couples launched into a square
dance which was generally joined in by
the assembled crowd. Owing to the in
elemency of the weather the MANAGEMENT
decided 70 postpone the main feature of the
tournament until Monday. September 4.
Labor Day. when the contest between all
knights who have previously won prizes
in Maryland. Virginia, and West Virginia
will be held. The knights will tilt at one
haif-inch rings for purcse of $50 The
winner is to receive. in addition, a hand
some saddle. and the second knight a fine
riding bride.
The officials in charge of the tourney
were: Manager, B. Won OrendoFf; Chief
Marshal. George W. Ferguson; Official Tim
er. A. j. Berger; Assistant Marshal
W. W. Waters; Judges. W. j. MuIlin, T. D.
Gilman, D. J. Carney. j. NJ Bell. Dory
Freeman Manager Won 0rendorf held a
stop watch on each OF the riders and the
contest went off without hitch
The contestants were as follows: knight
of Pleasant Valley, r. H Mercier; knight
of River View, G. A. Smith; knight Of Ar
lington. T. r. Stoneburner; Knight of st.
Joseph, Lawrence Seabel; Knight of Yir-
ginia, H. L. Palmer; knight of Vienna. A.
b. Stats; knight OF Hunters Chapel. H. T.
Works; Knight of Kenilworth. H. e Kei-
Ter; Knight of Maryland. L. D. Love:
knight OF Highland Hall. A B. Griffin;
knight of Rose Lawn. ]. s. Crook. Knight
of Mount View. L. VI. Amos; Knight of
Surrattsville. W. A Miller