The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-11

RINGING SPEECHES MADE.
Lieutenant Governor Willard
Roundly Cheered-Help To-
wards Armory Promised.

The Richmond Light Infantry Blues
celebrated yesterday for the one hundred
and twelfth time, according to their
records, the anniversary Of their foun-3
dalton day. According TO precedent, they
went for a days outing, this time the
place being Westhampton Park, the use
of which, together with the cars which
carried the two companies and the drum
corps. having been given by the Passen-
ger and Power Company through General
Manager Huff.
AS usual, the morning was spent in
athletic exercises, such as base-ball bowl
ing and rowing, after which the annual
shoot for the trophy, which is held for
ono. year by the best marksman, was
had.
This trophy is in the shape of a huge
medal, which has been the property Of
tho Blues since the year 1889. having
been shot for each year since that date.
This year it was won by DR.. Charles
Edwards, who was also the best shot
last 10th of May.
About 8 O'Clock the trumpets sounded
Roast Beef and about ninety of the
active Blues and unequal number of the
old members and civilian friends marched
dinner which was enjoyed-and It might
be added, demolished-by the expectant
crowd.
When the time for coffee and cigars
came. there also came speeches. Lieu
tenant-Governor Willard tried to escape,
but the. crowd would not permit of such
deserton by the acting commander
in-chief at such an important stage of
the proceedings, and after repeated de-
nands. he spoke briefly and In his usual
happy vein, thanking the Blues for the
manner inswhich they acted when he last
had occasion 10 call on them. He was
given rousing cheers and greeted as the
next Governor of Virginia.
Major Tyler Cheered.
Ex-Governor IIoge Tyler being then
called on for speech rose, and after
bong repeatedly cheered, at last man
aged to say that he had come all the
way from the far Southwest to be pres
cnt at the Blues celebration. He re-,
counted the times which he had called
on the Blues TO suppress riots, prevent
lynchings and do other services, and
stated that he had never. while Governor,
called on them without having every
expectation satisfactorily fulfilled.
Mr.. John r. Branch spoke. He talked
reminlscently of the Blues s. he first
knew them, and stated that tho earliest
recOllGcllOH ne ndIl pI tHlIlBSt lllllbo'S
was the Richmond Blues and the Peters,
burg Grays. He said that he had never
missed one Of these picnlcs of the Blues
at which no could have been present. and
that he had always stood readyto help
the Blues In any way possible. He called
attention to the necessity OF an armoryt
for the Blues, and, stated that he believed
that should II suitable armory be FUR
nishcd them thataa battalion OF four
companies and perhaps a regiment could
be very easily formed. He further said
that he hoped the mex 10th of May would
see the corner-stono of such an arnory
laid, and he for ono stood ready to make
his donation whenever It WAS needed.
Good Nest Egg Given.
Colonel Cntchins then rose and stated
that a movement for the building of suc.
an afmory was already we'll started, and
that the memhers of the two companies
had already pledged themselves to give
enough money towards It's cost to assure,
tho ultimate success OF the plan. True.
he said, they have not given money
enough to build an entire armory, but
they have given several thousand dollars,
which is a pretty good nest egg" He
then spoke Of the necessity OF an armory