Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-30

infantry, l,GD, corps, l,JSo, navy
1 9S3; Maryland 1869; Washington, / 1853;
District of Columbia, 1.947; Rhode Island,
1.945; Maine, 1,s21; Pennsylvania, 1928;
Massachusetts, 1925; New Jersey, 1921;
Connecticut. 1897.
Cowboys and Their Lassoes.
The aggregation of sturdy rfemen consti-
tuting the team from the state of Montana
is frisky lot. These cheerful chaps hall
from the cowboy section of the United
States. and the paraphernalia they brought
with them to assist IN startling the effete
east includes lassoes. During leisure mo-
ments. when the other soldiers are playing
base ball, the Montanans apparently de-
light to indulge in the pastimes Of their
native heath. much to the CONSERVATION of
the visitors to the range, especially those Of
the gentler sex.
There being no cattle available, the youths
from the far west have taken to that form
of amusement which involves the lassong
of every pretty girl. or every bunch Of the
same, who chance to pass within rope
length.
The Montana outfit started out in quest
Of fun yesterday afternoon at the hour
when there are thousands of folks here from
the nearby resorts, and what they did. In
the language of the Washington small boy,
was a sufficient plentitude. The first victims
were a party of four dainty damsels. Be
fore they knew what was happening the
fair ones were prisoners. The cowboy rifle
IndH piChtu lItiT company, anu only iHe
cream of the pronounced beauties of the
north Jersey coast were selected for the
roundup.
The strange part Of the whole proposition
is that the dear girls don't seem to mind
1t bit this being lassoed. in fact. they
seem to Turk about that portion of the
camp where the Montana team Is located.
The team members incidentally, are all
unkind as to remark that 1t is not only by
means of the lasso that most of the girls
up Sea Grt way willing and even anxi-
Gus to be made prisoners.
In stage whisper, 1t may be mentioned
that since yesterday afternoon several
members OF the District of Columbia de-
tachment have been practicing assduously
with the lasso.
Range Enlarged and Improved.
Since last year the Sea Girt range has
been greatly enlarged and improved. The
addition of fortytwo acres of ground per-
mitted the construction of nine additional
targets at the 1000 yards range and eight
additional targets at the 200 yards range.
The range Is now equipped with twenty
seven targets at 1000 yards and twenty two
at 200 yards. At Sea Girt there are eight
more targets at LOCO yards than at the Fort
Riley range, where the national matches
were held last year.
For markers and scorers q large force of
regular troops have been detailed here.
particularly important Improvement is
new skirmish range of lawn-like appear
ance, equipped with twenty-four silhouette
group targets. A skirmish pit shields the
markers and scorers, who heretofore have
had to leave the vicinity of the targets dur
ing the progress of the skirmish runs.
Those who have been coming here regu-
larly for several years were really shocked
upon their arrival this year. Several en-
listed men were seen actually in the act of
saluting officers. Heretofore such a thing
Init ptyu araraEr w it1,ln Goo,
Cirt. In the past. when an enlisted man did
so far forget himself as to be guilty OF the
incredible act of extending the accustomed
military courtesy to the wearer of pair of
shoulder straps, the officer concerned would
have been justified in promptly seeking
explanation. Such democratic procedure
seemed to be the proper course on the range.
The men in uniform came here to hit the
bull s-eye as regularly and as often as pos
sble. and when they faced the targets rank
was eliminated. 1t was a case of sharp
shooter against sharpshooter, and very
often the individual clad In the garb of the
private soldier proved to be better shot
than he who wore the gold lace decorations.
But this year all is changed, and 1t is the
exception, rather than the rule. for an en-
listed man to fail to salute an officer. And
there are a sufficient number of officers
roaming around at all times to keep all the
enlisted men on the range busy saluting
constantly. This commendable state of af-
fairs is probably due to the presence of
such large force of regular troops. Disci-
pline, of course. prevails without variation
SO far as the regulars are concerned, and
the example thereby set is mighty good
thing for the guardsmen who are here.
Appreciation Of Courtesies.
Gen. Harries. when he arrived here yes
terday. was handed a communication which
had been forwarded from Washington. 1t
was from the War Department and proved
to be letter from the acting secretary OF
war expressing to Gen. Harries the thanks
of the War Department for the considera-
ton displayed toward the officers and men
OF the regular troops who participated in