The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-11-28

AIAt1 SClst W 1AsC SOuAAu INstSA uat oA
a Special Car ACCOMPANIED BY a
Committee of Business Men-Want
Erected ON the Grounds. Storage
Warehouse. Five Kitchens and
Mess Halls and Officers Quarters.
VirghtsviIle and Morehead CITY
Only Sites to be Considered-At-
lantic and North Carolina Railroad
Backing Morehead Proposition.
Yesterday morning at . o'clock the
special committee appointed by the
governor to inspect the proposed en-
campment sites went to Wrigbtsyille
Sound on a special car The mem
bers of the committee present were,
General J.. T. Armfield, Adjutant
General T. Z. Robertson. Colonel H. c.
Bragaw, Colonel J. +. Gardner, Colonel
J. n. Craig and Colonel J. l. Ludlow.
panied them were Colonel T. &. James,
Captain !. VanB. Metts. Messss. A. B.
Shedding. ". b. Cooper, L. b. Rogers,
John II. Handy, Louis Goodman, NJ.
W. jacob. T. S. McManus. ". W.
King, W. T. Corbett, s. T. -Ashe and S..
]. Davis.
Upon arriving at tile sound, they
proceeded to the encampment site and
walked around the entire place which
includes 105 acres. 1t is impossible to
say just what impression the site made
upon them. In some respects they did
not hesitate to let it be known that
thing they did not think the grounds Of
sufficient breadth for a drill ground
tina would accommodate three regi-
ments. The last house ia the ROVE
along the sound they said would inter-
fere considerably in making The parade.
grounds. It would be their object to
have the troops quartered On the sound
side Of the grounds.
General Robertson wanted to know
whether the grounds were offered as
they were or if improvements would be
made. He was told that they could
count on certain improvements. In re-
ply to the query as to what would be
uCS11Su, uC od1u tuC SIOuIlOS WOulut
have to be put in first class condition
and every tree cut off; that a large
warehouse for storing supplies would
be needed; five kitchins and mess halls
and also officers quarters. And above
all else a 1000 yard rifle range.
After inspecting the Summer Rest"
property, they proceeded to the ham
mocks and inspected that location as a
probable place for the rifle range. They
hen went to Lumina where they were
given dinner. returning to the city
about 3::3O.
The visiting officers expressed them
selves as having been delightfully."- en-
tertained at both Wilmington n
Morehead. The left for Raleigh last
night and will meet with Governor
Glenn tomorrow and decide upon the
permanent location for the encamp-
ment site. The governor has already
made it known that his action will be
governed entirely by the recommended
ton of the special committee.
The committee has to decide between
two points. either Wrightsyille or
Morehead City. They inspected the
| proposed site at Morehead Thursday
but will have nothing to say IN regard
to it. Asheville put in a bid but it was
| received too late and it was the in
tention of Raleigh to put in a bid but
they likewise waited too long. Strange
to say, Greensboro made no effort to
| get the encampment. Had the matter
been left to a vote of the members Of
the three regiments there is no doubt
whatever but that Wrightsville would
| have been chosen. And it may be that
the committee will recommend
Wrightsville. The comfort and enjoy
ment of the men in this matter should
be considered for the regiments are not
composed of regulars and the incentive
to become a member of the state guard
is only through what pleasure will be
derived on the encampments. If there
ever was a crowd that had %innunera-
BILE complaints to make it was those
who were in camp at Morehead City
one year ago last summer.
General Armfeld stated yesterday
that the committee would decide the
matter from a cold blooded business
standpoint. The offer made by
Wrightville deserves to be carefully
considered by the committee as it no
doubt will be, but they should also take
into consideration the advantages in
many respects that Wrightsville offers
over Morehead City. In the selection
of the site cash should not be the prime
consideration.
The Merchants Association is doing
all possible to get the encamp-
ment at Wrightsyille. The Atlantic
and North Carolina railroad is putting
up the cash for the Morehead propo-
sition. by the judicious expenditure
of a reasonable amount OF money, the
Wrightsville site could be put In good
condition and the necessary buildings
erected. A good water suppls would
have to be provided but this could be
easily done.