The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-10
SHAM BATTLE AT PARK
GREAT CROWD THRoNGED RESORT TO
 SEE MIMIC WARFARE.
Guns of Captain Sam Roswaid's Montgom- cry Battexy Were Turned Loose at
 Electric Park-Crowd
 Enjoyed Racket.

l The Hotchkiss spat the howftzers snari- | cd. the Maxims roared and the quick-rir- ing guns vomited their best last night al I Electric Park. and an inspiring crowd oi some 1000 people heard the noise. | The great sham battle which had beer looked forward to for the last few days was pulled off at the height of success | across the lake from the esplanade, all oe- l ing under the direction of Battery B. Mont l gomery. Alabama National Guard The battle presented all the essentials oi realism. It was impossible to discern the | men in the battle, of course. but for night artillery duel the effect produced last even ing could hardly have been improved upon. There Is reason for this The Montgomery unit of the National Guard of this State is not only about the best in Alabama. but the local artillery is regarded as one of the most practiced and well-driIled batteries in the entire South.
 cautain Sam Roswaid is justly proud of his artillerists
 The guns were stationary during the battle last night. being planted near the water so that the flames of the discharges could be seen by the massed spectators who lined the whole park side of the lake. The babel of the field pieces mixed with the roaring S.2-inch rapid-fire and Gatling guns tried the constitutions of many of the spectators who had been first to rush to the lake at the saIutes Their auditory appa-
  women and children retired very soon after the first course Others advanced to take their places.
 There were always enough eager listen CTS to pack the lakes border. Many of them fed on their imagination and con Jured visions of the artillery conflicts along the sakhe river between the Japs and the Russ. Such of these never tired of the de- tonations and heard the last one in the tracks that they first stood in. They got numerous earsfull. too, before the noise ceased . But until 1t ceased they were welded to the bank.
 Those whose ear-drums were rudely shaken by the booming withdrew to the other amusements of the park. which are many and being Increased every week. Several small boys inured to the helter- skelter furnished diversion from the cannon ading. Not even the red fire from the guns or the music Of the howitzers could stop this thrilling slide. It not an unm- aginary thing to believe the rumble of the be the of a cannon ball just shot across the lake. And there are always lookers-on around the output of the helter-skelter. The faces of the passengers afford some interesting studies
 All in all the noise was enjoyable one and patrons of the park are expected to be given the free show again. The weather was ideal The crowd was large fin pro- portion. but there was balloon ascension on account of the wind. The balloon will ascend at a later date This will be an nounced in due time.
 The swift handling of the crowds to and from the park last night was commented on favorably. There was no delay at any time more than was necessary to conform to the schedule and when this Is so the amuse- ments always leave a good taste In the mouths of the park patrons.