The Washington times., 1903-08-06
PRACTICE ON RANGE
FOR SEA GRIT MATCH
District Brigade Rife Team
to Put in Hard Work.
HANDICAPPED ON DISTANCE
NO Thousand-Yard Target Available at
Ordway Because Public Road
InteTveneS.

The members OF the Brigade Rifle team
which is to represent the National GuarJ
OF the District of Columbia at the annua
Interstate rife meet at Sea Girt from
September . to 10. inclusive. will d,
some hard practicing at the Ordwa
rife range tomorrow afternoon. While
the encampment was in progress. severa
members Of the team did not get out Il
the range. but now all have a chance 70
make u2 for lost time.
Major James E. Bell. the inspector
general of rifle practice of the Guaro
who will select the best fourteen men
to go to Sea Girt. says the men are d.
ing good work, and have improved with
every practice. The practice uays are
tuesdays and Fridays of each week. By
gong to the annual encampment the
candidates lost three valuable DAYS OF
practice. but they intend to work ALI the
harder 10 even matters up.
Most Important Target.
Major Bell says his men are laboring
under disadvantage because they have
no 1'oOO-yard target 10 practice on. At
Sea Grit this is the most crucial test of
marksman's ability, and it is a deplor-
able fact that the local men have had
no opportunity to practice at the
distance They have become more than
ordinarily proficient at the 200. 500, 500.
eoO' and 90O-yard ranges, and Major Bell
is well pleased with their work. These
ranges are comparatively easy when
1000 yards are taken into consideration.
Ihere is 1,000-yard target at the Ord
way range, but in order TO shoot at il
the rifemen would have TO shoot over a
public road, because there is not sum
Client ground for a target of that dis
tance on the range proper.
When the troopers from Fort Myer
were shooting at the Ordway range in
July, one of them shot wild and the
bullet from his carbIne struck an aged
blind woman and injured her hip Much
unfavorable comment issued from the
persons living near the range, and they
were on the verge of getting UP q petit
ton with view to compelling the Dis
trict marksmen TO stop shooting on the
range, when Major Bell came to the
rescue, and settled the matter so as 20
satisfy all parties, and the troopers
were withdrawn.
None Hurt by District Men.
Never since the District men have been
using the range, has any civilian been
injured This is due 10 the fact that q
man has TO demonstrate his ability TO
handle rife in the indoor rife gallery
before he is permitted to shoot on the
range.
Because of the feeling stirred I'd at
the time of the accident the District
marksmen did not attempt 10 shoot
across the public road without first ask
ing permission. which was promptly re-
fused. Major Bell says that while It is
indeed public road. barely twenty per
sons travel over 1t in twenty-four hours
but the residents of Prince George
county know their rights. and demand
I hat they be respected. For that reason
the local rifemen have had absolutely
no practice at the most important dis
lance at Sea Grit
Major Bell, seeing that mis- men cannot
acquit themselves in proper fashion
without practice at the 600 yard range.
VIII ask General Harries to allow the
team to leave Washington on Wednes-
day. August q. to go to Sea Grit In order
TO get in trim for the match 1t is be
Iieved he Will permit the men to leave
earlier than was originally planned In
order 10 facilitate matters and bring
about the best results.
Cook and Wetherald on Team.
Privates Cook and WetheraId. Of the |
local militia, who went TO Bisley, Eng
land. 10 shoot on the American team /
which recaptured the Palma trophy 4
rom the Red Coats. Will both probably /
shoot on the brigade team. They have
lone so for several years and as there |
has been no let-up IN their good work
places have been saved Cor them. Cook
I'D excellent shooting on the team. and
-anked first % all % the Americans
who shot in the international match
"etherald was an alternate on the
cam but shot in & number Of indivId-
lal matches and won several prizes.
capt. Horace Bell. a son OF Major
Bell and an inspector OF rife practice
u the Second Regiment New Jersey
National Guard. who up TO two years
go was prominent member Of the
District militia. won more individual
'rizes abroad than anyone else. Be
ause OF favoritism shown the New York
ifemen by Colonel Bruce. who had !
barge Of the American team. CaDtain
'ell's friends say he was kept of he
cam. ,
Captain Bells Mishap.
He did. however, do some Of the most
charitable shooting ever recorded IN
II he won seven silver cups and about
lCg in cash prizes. Captain Bell also ,
ad the Albert match practically won
hen he suffered a mishap. He shoots
18th a strap around his Krag TO hold il .
-eady. After making y points at 500 !
ards. 10 points at 800 yards. and two
uls-eyes AT four on the 900 yard I
irget. his strap broke. and he could q
OF shoot up 10 his excellent form, and
'st by few points.
100 To Harper's Ferry and Martins a