The Washington times., 1902-03-23
Fencers' Club Scores Well
Earned Victory.
PRESIDENT A SPECTATOR
Middies Succumb to Stiff Rally in Last
Two Bouts-Score 80 to ga - Diplo-
matte and Social Life Attend Sporting
Event.

President Roosevelt and General Woo
yesterday afternoon saw the team of th
Washington Fencers' Club, which include
Capitals diplomatic and social life, eros
foiis with the fencing team from tn
United States Naval academy.
The Middies were defeated by virtue @
stiH rally In the eighth and ninth bout
by Mr.. Dayrell Crackanthorpe, Thir
Secretary OF the British Embassy, an
Mr.. J. ]. Farley. who. with Mr.. Julia
May Wright. made up the trio Of swords
men for the Fencers' Club.
The Naval Academy team was compose,
Of first classmen Cadets Rowclff, Ian
non. and Whitten. II was their first ap
pearance in public. and the showing mad,
against the veterans was deemed excel
lent. They will contest In the intercoI
legiete match at New York next Satur.
day.
There were nine bouts, each CT five
minutes duration: each one hard fought
The final score was 80 to 80 In favor OF
the Fencers' Club team.
Rare Sporting Event.
Socially it was one Of the most bril-
liant sporting events Washington has
seen for some time. President Roosevelt
was little late in arriving. Accompanied
by General Wood he took a seat in the
fencing arena beside Count Cassini. the
president OF the club. Chairs we're
placed in the arena for a number Of other
notables. including General Miles. who
stood at the opposite end Of the hall from
the President
The Vicomte Faromone de LafajoIe act
ed as maitre de combat Victor Meindel-
OF and Lieut.. H. ]. Ziegemein ofIiciated
as Judges for the Fencers' Club and Ca
dets. respectively, and Mr.. John Herbert
Corning served as timekeeper.
The first bout brought together Mr..
Crackanthorpe and Cadet Rowclif. The
former is rated one OF the best foils in
Washington and the ARRAY was exciting
from the beginning, but ended in a tie
3 to 5.
Mr.. J. ]. Farley and Cadet Whitten
made fast go Of the second bout, the
former gaining decisive advantage by
a tally Of to g. Mr.. Wright and Cadet
Lannon proved themselves adopts at de-
fence and chalked up another tie-i to l.
At the conclusion of this bout President
Roosevelt arose. shook hands with Count
Cassini, thanked him for the pleasant
sport he had enjoyed, and departed, ac-
eompanied by General Wood
be had been a critical observer of the
three bouts and seemed pleased with the
showing of the middies, although they
were evidently a bit nervous at the
thought that the eyes of the Commander
in-Chief of the Army and Navy were
upon them.
Mr.. Crackanthorpe Worsted.
In the second series of bouts Mr. Crack
anthorpe was worsted by Cadet Whitten
by score OF TO 2-the naval cadet show
ing excellent form on attack, in which |
he was somewhat aided by superior |
weight and strength.
Mr.. Wright beat Cadet Rowcliff to 3,
and then Mr.. Farley won a victory from |
Cadet Lannon. Wright and Whitten were |
the next pair on the floor, and although |
the melee was fierce, the result was a |
draw. The naval cadets were one point in |
the lead. with total score of 25 to "a.
Mr.. Crackanthorpe's splendid work |
against Cadet Lannon made good his
claim as an expert blade, for he defeated |
the sailor by score of TO g. and put the
Fencers' Club one point in the lead
Mr. Farley, who is especially strong on
attack and one of the headiest swords
men In Washington was pitted in the !
final bout against Cadet Rowcliff, whom
he easily touched ten times. Rowcliff
landed his button only four times
Final score-Fencer's Club, 80; Naval
Academy, 80.
The closing rally by Mr.. Crackanthorpe |
and Mr.. Farley prompted all kinds of ap-
plnuse. Mr.. Crackanthorpe had been visi-
bly, nervous in his first and second bouts
He holds his foil very lightly-a good
point In bis rapid work, but which proved
disastrous under the vigorous forearm of
Cadet Rowcliff. In consequence he lost his
blade twice.
Mr.. Farley Fences Well.
Mr. Farley probably made the best
showing of anyone on the floor. He is a
iery cool and heady swordsman, who
never fails 10 force the contest at ad-
points. His swift work was
.vident in the concluding bout, when he
anded his button at least four times clear
II his opponents foil. Mr.. Wright is ex-
ellen. on attack, his unusually long reach
living him a substantial advantage
OF the Naval Cadet team, Cadet Whit
en- showed excellent form, especially in
is bout with Mr.. Crackanthorpe. He had I
slight advantage in weight and strength.
'adet Lannon fenced very well and Cadet
'owcliffs work was good except in the
nal bout with Mr.. Farley. when he met G
omeHhat more than his match. s
The cadets were accompanied by Lieu
enant Ziegemein and A. J. Corbesier. The +
liter has been swordmaster at the Naval 4
cademy for thirty-hye years and has :
rought out a team of frst-class blades +
He seemed well satisfied with =
leir showing.
Incidentally, the members of the
encers' Club were elatted at the thought I,
nat they had broken even with the Ca =
cts at last. The same team that repre- =
ented the club yesterday competed With
nnapolis last year and was defeated. ..
Score Of Match. !.
The scnra Of the match hr hn,rtr L. %