The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-12-19
MADE "A GOOD SHOWING
Mayor Robinson Enspeets Battery =
Members List Night


The annual inspection Of the Wichita
| battery, Kansas National Guards, was
! held in the Armory, at % South Main
street last night. The inspection was
made by Major H I. Robinson Of To-
peka.
All in all considered. the boys made an
excellent showing. which speaks well for
the officers who have spent their time in
getting them in proper condition.
A number Of regular army men were
also present from Fort Riley, and they
one and all affirmed that the local
gUardsmen We're as thorough in their
tactics as those Of the regular army. and
in some respects even superior.
Because of the limited amount Of room
only the standing gun drill and a sabre
drill could be gone through with. These
drills were conducted, even to the load
ing and firing of the cannon, as though
the men were facing an enemy and en-
gagged in actual warfare.
The gun drills were executed In two
sections, and it was a beautiful sight to
see with what aIacrity the men respond
ed to the various commands of the Of
fcers. Several Of the guardsmen had
never been in uniform until last night,
and at the suggestion Of Major Robinson
they were not excluded from participant
ing in the maneuvers. By close observa-
tons Of the actions of those who had
been connected with the battery from its
foundation the rockies made very cred
table showing.
The gun drill was followed by sabre
maneuvers and in these the men again
evinced excellent training.
Too much cannot be said Of the off1c-
ers, Captain Lew Aspey, Lieutenant Har-
vey Cain and Second Lieutenant Guy
Gascoigne, to whose painstaking the eff
cheney Of the men is due. They, together
with the men in their command, have
worked hand in hand for one common
end-that the Wichita battery would be
second to none, superior to many
over all OF these is Major Robinson, a
dapper officer, strictly up to the require
ments of all that is military, and one
who has the interest of his command at
heart. He viii make report Of last
nights inspection to Governor Stanley.
and this report will be fattering indeed
to the local men.
The excellent discipline Of the men was
a point which especially favorably i'm
pressed him.
1.-THE Topeka battery. the first to be or
gained in Kansas" he said, did not
make a better showing at its inspec-
ton"
This remark is especially compliment
airy when it is known that not even the
rockies were exempted last night, while
only a picked squad engaged in the diff
cult artillery maneuvers at the Topeka
The needs Of the local meme were thor I
oughly investigated by Major Robinson, !
and as a result the members of the bat /
terry, among other things will receive I
new uniforms by the first Of the year.
The Kansas organization was the first I
among the National Guards of the coun- /
Try to obtain the newest made rifled field /
pieces. The local battery has been in pos
session of two of these big guns only /
since the street fair, and it is remark
able how quickly the gunners have IA
nilia1ized themselves with the many in
ricate parts and with what ease the gun
s unanswered.
Major Robinson stated last night that
IN effort viii be made to have the legis-
allure pass a bill making an appropria-
ion for an annual enoampment. These
AVE been discontinued for several years
oast and the good work Of the men has
uttered because Of this fact. It is
hought that the legislature VII provide
he necessary means so that a weeks en-
.ampment can be arranged for next sum
ner at which time the new field guns
viii be given a practical test.
Captain Aspey rendered a course sup
yer to Major Robinson and the officers Of
Re battery after the inspection.