The times., 1901-06-15

From present indications it seems
probable that pretty Leesburg. Va, will
gain The honor of entertaining the Dis
trict of Columbia National Guard from
July Is to p Although no official an
nouncement Of the site Of the encamp-
ment has yet been made. ii is learned
that a piece Of ground about mile east
of the town where the soldier boys
camped in 1893. has quite won the
hearts of several prominent officers Of
the Guard. 1t was intended that a
meeting Of certain officers who have re
Gently inspected proposed sites in the
vicinity Of the city should be held yes
terday afternoon. This meeting was
not held. but viii probably occur today,
and possibly the camp site may be de-
termined at that time.
Notwiths anding the fact that Lees
burg is apparently more favored than
any other place. there is still in the race
Laurel. Md, whicn is favored by GER
tain members of the Guard on account
of its accessibility The principal OBJ
lection to Leesburg a week ago was the
fact that the cost Of transportation
would be high. and that the trains did
not run on such schedules as to enable
Washingtonians to visit the soldiers
conveniently. These obstacles have
been in part removed. it is said, by the
Southern Railway officials, who have
cut the rate for freight nearly in half
and have offered to run train from
LeesbUrg to Washington at such a time
in the evening that people from this city
may remain long enough to witness
dress parade at o'clock and still be
able to return to their homes that night.
Then the advantages OF a superior eli
mate viii. it is thought by eXponents of
the Virginia site, outweigh the claim
which accessibility may set up for the
site at Laurel The latter ground. it is
understood, lies a trine too low for good
health. The people of Leesburg retain
pleasant memories Of the visit of the
Guardsmen in 1899, and are anxious to
welcome them this year.
Major James E. Bell. inspector gen
eral of rife practice, has received the
official programme of the matches
which viii begin at Sea Girt on August
80. The officers Of the National Rife
Association have taken especial pains
with the programme and the result is
a neat little booklet which contains a
mint of irfOrna ton regarding the
matches. The tournament of the week
following August 80 viii include the
twenty-ninth annual meeting of the Ma
tional Rife Association of America, the
tenth annual meeting Of the New Jer-
sey State Rihe Association. and the
second annual meeting Of the United
States Revolver Association. The Off
cial programme contains several illus
trations, prominent among them being
cuts Of the Hilton and the Interstate
trophies, the latter Of which now stands
in the trophy room at the headquarters
Of the District militia.
The match for the Hilton trophy. in
which teams representing any national
military organizations or the National
Guard organizations of the respective
States may enter VIII be shot this year
on Monday, September . The match
for the Soldier of Marathon, the
trophy Of the Interstate match, viii be
shot two days later II the fond hopes
of the District riiemen are realized.
victory viii rest with them after each
match, and the Hilton trophy be added
to the possessions Of the District sharp
shooters for a year at least
Both matches are TO be shot at 200,
300, 500, and 600 yards. In the Hilton
match seven rounds viii be fired at
each distance. At 200 and 300 yards the
position for firing viii be standing. At
800 and 600 yards the position stipulated
is prone.
The Hilton trophy is by far the most
valuable one contested for at the Sea
Girt matches. 1t is a large shield of
solid silver, in the centre OF which there
IS a representation of an Indian about
To spear a buffalo. Below hang repre-
seatations in silver Of scalp locks. and
on the scalp locks are engraved The
names Of the teams which have cap
tured the trophy. It takes its name
from that Of the donor, Henry c. Hi
ton. of New York The value is $1,000
The Soldier OF Marathon is a bronze
figure of q dying Greek soldier.
Tuesdays and Saturday are the reg
ular practice days for the candidates
for positions on the brigade team The
progress being made by the rifemen is
quite satisfactory. The new Krag-Jor-
gensen rifles are doing good service, and
the scores Of the boys have shown a
considerable Improvement, due doubt
less to the superior accuracy Of this
arm.
Every Thursday several Of the rife
men who have attained the rank OF
distinguished marksmen" go TO the
Ordway range 10 indulge in practice for
places on the American team, which
viii compete for the Palma trophy. In
all likelihood the District Of Columbia
viii have two or three representatives
on the American team.
Mem beTs Of the Corcoran Cadet Curpe
in their uniforms We're a feature Of the
performance Of @Secret Service with
Edwin Arden in the leading role. at the
Lafayette on Monday night It was
benefit for the Cadets, and as a result
a tidy sum has been added to the treas
ury. The play was eminenuy suited to
the tastes Of the soldier boys.
The contemplated trip 10 the Pan
American Exposition at Buffalo is stiI
in the air. High rates is the stumbling
block which is delaying perfection Of
the plans. However, there are good
grounds for believing that satisfactory
terms viii be secured, and that the
militiamen win be present at The Expo