Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-10-02
FOR BETTER MARksMANsHlP
State Troops Planning to Raise Record
at Next National Contest.

at tNGNt NdtIOVdt SSUscSs
The impulse and inspiration toward
better craftsmanship which the state
troops received through the participa-
ton of its team this year in the nation
al rifle contests at Seaglrt. N. D., IL
showing itself In many gratifying ways
The delightful trip which the men en-
joyed free OF expense to themselves
the opportunities given them there &c
learn new ways and to mingle with
picked men of the service-to say
nothing of the money prizes and troph-
les awarded there and which skill and
| patient practice are sure to Win,-all
these things, which were new to the
| Vermont men, make them want to go
again. And of course when YER
monter goes, he naturally wants to
stand lin 'front.' as he always stands
in battle.
And so plans are being made for bet
ter preparation and equipment next
year. The state will take advantage
of the interest and experience gained
| this year and start practice earlier in
the season, suitable ranges being pro-
vided for the different companies to
use. Twenty instead of 16 men will
probably be selected and a vigorous
effort will be made to improve the
standing of the state craftsmanship
on the national record. 1t is true that
the result of the Seagirt contests
showed Vermont next to the last
Michigan-on the list. but it must be
remembered that this was her first en-
try in n national match; that she had
only one regiment to pick from and
that decision to go was only made Aug.
l, leaving no time for practise prepar-
alton. Considering these things, Col.
Estey expressed himself as well salts
fled with what the men had done.
They made 2300 points out of II posi-
BILE 5000 New York. which stood
ahead, making about 5000. Michigan,
also inexperienced, made 1000. The
aggregate of all the teams was UNI
doubtedly lowered by the bad wealth
er. windy and dark. which prevailed
throughout the shooting.
Sergeant Fayette Miller, who with
Corporal Hugh Betterly of Co. l. We're
two of the l6 men sent from Vermont
to Seagirt this year, is enthusiastic in
his report of the trip and the con-
tests and of the incentive they are
bound TO be to better Workmanship
among the state riflemen. He says:
Corporal Betterly and | left Brattle-
boro Sunday night Aug. 80, and reach
ed the state camp ground Monday
where we We're quartered in the store
house. We practised during Monday
afternoon and Tuesday and Wednes
day We're fitted by the post tailor at
Fort Ethan Allen to the new regulation
uniforms soon to be supplied to both
regulars and militia. The uniform
consists of dark blue blouse with light
er blue trousers. the stripes of light
blue instead of white. The blouse Is
tight fitting and the chevrons for nom
commissioned officers are smaller and
point up the arm instead of down. The
new cap is entirely different 1t has
a large bell shaped top, German style.
We took the 1920 train at Burlington
Wednesday and went through Rutland
and North Bennington to Troy where
we boarded the Troy line boat Saratoga
down the Hudson to New York. 1t
was good luck for us that the boat was
stalled in a fog above Poughkeepsie
that night. for it necessitated the fin
ishing of the trip Thursday morning
and we saw the beauties of the Hudson
river scenery. West Point and the Pal
isades. After dinner we took the Jer-
sey City train for Seagirt. This is
small place consisting chiefly of post |
office, station and range buildings. but /
it has one OF the best ranges in the |
country. the club house of the New |
Jersey rifiemen's association and the |
state camp grounds on the coast. We |
lived in tents and We're fed in the mess |
hall. We were well entertained. The |
men gathered there were fine lot of /
fellows ana the best OF Oruer prevailed. /
We learned great deal during the |
because we kept a sharp look
out all the while for new methods and |
points of improvement. We noted |
the need of field glasses in !
individual matches. our men made
marked improvement during the con-
test. 1t was n most enjoyable time, !
all around Capt. Burnham, the in
spector of rifle practice for this regi-
ment, and team captain. made the trip
very pleasant for the men by his
and kiRdliness. 1t was large
~ through the efforts of Gov. McCul-
ough and Col Estey that this at
tempt was made this year and they are
TO be congratulated on its success. 1t l.
not only gave us a good time and
chance to see all the pick of the coun
ry in craftsmanship. but it taught us
| great deal and has stirred us up to
ry to do something better in that
inc than we ever have done. It's
worth while TO practice for.
/ is expected that the next meet will
,e somewhere in the middle west, so
hat the trip will be a longer, more
interesting one next year. We must
,e ready to do the event Justice" {