The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-11
B. M. BROWN WINS MEDAL.
The Prize Drill Contest Was Short and Ex-
citing.


Despite the rain which threatened and
which fell the prize contest for the $25
gold medal was held yesterday afternoon
on Capitol Square and after a brief but
exciting contest was won by Private R.
M. Brown, of Company F, Franklinton
Guards Immediately after he had won
the medal Captain w L. McGee, of the
Franklinton Guards warmly complimented
Private Brown and appointed him Sec
ond Sergeant in the company.
1t was twenty minutes to three o'clock
when the Raleigh Light Infantry and the
twenty-five men representing thirteen
companies Of the State Guard appeared
on the capitol grounds and a delay Of
thirty minutes occurred while the contest
ants awaited the coming of Major c. G.
Bunch, who was to act as Judge with
Capt. w. F. Moody, formerly of Charlotte.
When Major Bunch finally arrived it was
drizzling rain and the contest was amidst
a slight downpour.
large crowd was present to cheer
the soldiers. These gathered under the
shelter of the capitol and beneath UNI
brellas. While waiting for Major Bunch
two photographers took views of the prize
squad and the Raleigh Light Infantry.
The contestants for the medal were as
follows:
Asheville Light nfantry-Sergeants J..
C. Beaver and L. G. Penland.
Blue Ridge Rifles of Ashevile-Sergeants
A. D. Monteath and ]. H. Koon
Franklinton Guards-Priyate H. r. May
and R. NJ Brown.
Henderson Guards Sergeant w W.
Willis
Goldsboro Rifles Sergeant Ben Dali,
Corporal Sam Pate.
Wilson Light nfantry-Sergeants Paul
Branch and ]. B. Harriss.
Edgecombe Guards of Tarboro-R D.
Foxhan and M. w Haynes.
Greenville Light Infantry-Corporals
c. f. Rountree and T. A. Duke
Washington Light Infantry-Se
A. M. Harris and J. G. Bragaw
Wilmington Light Infantry-C. G. Me-
MILAN and H. G. Whitney.
Edenton Light Infantry-H B. Chap
pell and G. Makely
Durham Light Infantry. r. Strang-
hon ard +. l.. Hopkins.
Old Guard of Durham-R w. r. Han
per and l.. B. Bobbitt
state
officers were present when Capt. J. J.
Bernard, of the Raleigh Light Infantry
drill master, addressed the prize squad
standing company front on the east side
of the capitol facing the Vance Monu-
ment. He told them of the rules of the
contest, as did the judges, and then the
first command was given.
Right Dress
This command was the cause of the first
man falling out and Private May, of the
Franklinton Guards. stepped to the rear
A few more commands and by twos
and threes the men dropped out on err
rors till but eleven were left Duke. Of
Greenyille, next was out in "Order
Arms" Harris, of Wilson; Deaver, of
Asheyille, and Harper of Durham, fail
ed on Port Arms Bobbitt, of Durham
went next, and on the same command of
Port Arms" Makeley, of Edenton; Nc
MILAN, Of Wilmington; Chappell, Of Eden
ton, and Koon, of Asheville, fell by the
wayside, leaving Sergeant Monteith, of
the Blue Ridge Rifles, Of Asheville, and
Private r. NJ Brown, of the Franklinton
Guards, to finish the contest.
This was over in some fifteen COM
mands. Brown was trembling, but gritty,
while Monteith was steady. This did not
save him. however. as he was caught
when the command of Right Shoulder
from Ready was given and Private
Brown was the winner, the contest last
ing exactly sixteen minutes.
The prize SQUAD was lined up and
Private Brown was called to the front,
where stood Mr.. James II. Pou, with the