Evening star., 1901-09-03
WON HILTON TROPHY
District Rihemen Made a New Rec
ord Getting 1t.
BROKE THE WORLDS HIGH SCORE
Brilliant Finish Was a Surprise to
Sea Girt.
HOW 1T W \ S D 0 n L

Special From a Staff Correspondent.
SEA GIRT y. J., September 3.-The bri-
gade team of the District of Columbia Ma
t.onal Guard, after the most remarkable
contest in the history of rifle shooting in
this country, has demonstrated its super
iority over the representative experts OF
eight states of the Union, the United States
marine corps and the dominion Of Canada
In winning the famous Hilton trophy
which possesses an intrinsic value of $1,000
guardsmen of the national capital achieved
a victory of which the citizens of WASH
frgton may well be proud. Not only ala
the District brigade team by rolling up
total of 1.O9S smash the worlds record OF
1897 which it established in the year 1879
In the Hilton match. but did 1t in connec-
tion with by far the biggest military shoot-
ing tournament the western hemisphere has
known and against the largest number OF
competitors ever entered in the contest.
1t was truly a glorious day for Washing
ten. The battle was magnificent Inc
struggle lasted all day and darkness nau
begun to fall before the last shot was hreo
Several of the defeated teams rallied ana
cheered somewhat weakly, 1t is true, but
nevertheless sincerely for the District OIL
Columbia
Neyer-tO-Be Forgotten Occasion.
The occasion In all probability will never
fade from the recollection of any person.
whether participant or spectator VINO
chanced to be at Sea Girt yesterday. What
a mighty struggle it was! The contest Will
prnbably go on record as embracing tne
most determined uphill fight of It's kind
against overwhelming odds that ever re-
suited in success. But the District Ma
tional Guardsmen came to Sea Gfrt pri-
rgNtOv tfh A.
done SO. They ought to be satisfied, 1t Is
suggested. But they now threaten to con-
tinue the good work and win everything
that remains in sight. And after the nap
penng OF yesterday it would not be eXer-
cising sound judgment to wager to the con-
trary. There are many important events
yet to occur. but none can compare with
the Hilton match.
At the conclusion of the firing at 200
yards yesterday, when the New York team
had a lead of seventeen points over the
District of Columbia, the opinion was gen.
eral that the empire state men would of
certainly carry off the trophy. The odds
surely were against the District Overtaking
such a lead, Notwithstanding the fact that
never had team that has held the lead at
the 20o-yard stage of the match succeeded
IN winning out.
Good After Dinner Work.
But after a rest and dinner Major Bell
marched his men to the firing point and
they went to work to astoniSh the military
rife shooting world. At the conclusion of
the firing at 500 yards the District had,
however, the advantage and reduced the
lead of New York to nine points. By this
time it was patent that none Of the other
nine competitors cut any figure In the
struggle. General Harries, commanding
the District militia, who had to go to Buff
falo. remained on the range until the firing
at GO yards began. You'll win.' re-
marked the general confidently to Major
Bell. Telegraph the score to me at New
York"
The spectators congregated at the GEO
yards firing point, the followers of the New
York and of the District of Columbia COM
pairing the work of the two teams. When
the first two men Of each had completed
their strings Washington had reduced the
lead TO six points. Then 1t was a game of
seesaw. First New York would gain a
point or two and the District would over
come it,
The Crucial Test.
Finally Major Bells last two men took
their places. They were Cookson and
Dickey. Several bulls eyes were recorded
and then came a two for Dickey. A mo-
ment later and another two was part Of
our score. The District folks felt worse
than sad. The rapidly changing light was
responsible. AT the last, the moon be-
gan to rise. Washington had finished. New
York yet had ten shots to fire. A hasty
calculation showed that In order to equal
the Districts total of 1,0as every one of
those ten bullets would have to hit the
center OF the target. Even then the Dis
trict would be entitled to the trophy, by
reason of having the biggest total at the
longest distance.
A New Yorker fired The target was
changed. A red disk appeared-the shot
was in the four ring. That ended it. The
crowd dispersed. The District men gave
thinking about supper The Washington
lans had outdone themselves by exceeding
their own high score of 1901 which had
never been equaled New York did not
points
The rapid pace of the Canadian team at
the longer ranges was a feature of the day
Al the conclusion Of the firing at 200 yards
canada was seventh on the list The do
minion men when the match was finished
had passed the Marine Corps, PennsyI-
yanla. Rhode Island and New Jersey and
finished third.
TWO Surprising Records.
one OF the surprises of the match was
the shooting of Captain Robbins and Pr-
vate Pile, the youngsters of the team. who
dld the best work for the District Pile
rolling up total of % and Robbins A
total or ~ out of a possible 105 over the
three ranges. They were placed on the
shooting team at the last moment yester-
gay Hiornlhs. Phe took the place of DR..
3 l. Scoot, who served as coach, and Rob-
bins went on In place of Farrow who was
physically indisposed.
The individual totals Of the Washington
team Were: Young, 81: Appeby g3: Lei
zear. 92: Bell, 81; Robbins, 81: Pile 95:
Scoot, 81; Stewart. 30. Taylor. "a; Cash.
~: Cookson. 90, and Dickey, So
In the interstate military match tomor-
row FeTree, Farrow. Harvey and Groome
Viii shoot on the brigade team in place of
C0okson, Dickey. Stewart and Cash.
Ine scores OF the several teams in the
Hilton match follow: