The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-06-13
CULVER COMMENCEMENT.
Week of Closing Exercises at the
Military Academy.

Invites in the program of closing ex-
lercises at Culver academy The day
opened fair and a large number Of
people, with parents and friends
from different states were there tc
SEE the various drills of the cadets
in the manual OF arms
The large campus ground was Z
scene of beauty The green sward
stretching far in all directions was
kept in perfect manner, and flowers
plants and sparkling fountains were
on every side Everything wore Its
holiday attire. Bright uniforms and
polished arms glistened in the sun
The sentries walked to and fro with
their mechanical pace Patrons Of
the institution and visiting friends
graduates of former years, walked the
bordered paths or gathered in groups
land laughed and chatted with the
cadets.
On Monday the exercises began al
1880, with guard mount, followed
by regimental parade, exhibition OF
blanket riding, bridge building, ar
tillery drill ard wall scaling. In the
afternoon battalion drill and parade,
and night declamatory contest.
On Tuesday there was guard
mount at 7:30, at s, regimental
parade that lasted an hour Some 400
cadets were in line, with military
band and officers on horseback in
command
At o in the riding hall, there was
an exhibition of blanket riding and
individual competition for horseman-
ship medal. Five cadets, each. sing
ly, entered for this strenuous drill A
single black horse was brought in
with blanket girthed on his back.
The rough rider mounted with leap
and rode standing erect, then back
ward; now he threw himself to the
ground, then remounted with the
horse in full action; again he leaps
from the ground and throws himself
lover the horse to the other side, then
back again t the opposite side, re-
|peating the strenuous feat half a doz-
en- times. The leaping pole is then
placed, and as the horse, speeding
around the ring jumps the pole, the
rider having dropped to the ground
with hand on name and bride, leaps
upon his back as the jump is made
Then second horse is brought, and
with a foot on each he rides upright;
then drops between tn horses and
keeps pace with them. Again he
drops to the ground and throws him
|self across both horses, then springs
from the ground upon their backs
again.
At 10 o'clock here was bridge
building. A pontoon bridge was
Thrown across the lagoon by the
same method employed in the army
to cross a stream. Two hat-boats
were fastened in the middle of the
water, and from these timbers we're
strung 10 either side, upon which
|planks were laid, and the troops pass
led over, and returning, crossed AT
|double4quick The bridge is then dis
|mantled Every detail of the bridge
building was carried out and all with
1.-THE swiftest execution.
The artillery drill followed: -Four
cannon, each drawn by four blacl;
horses in command of officers on
horseback, went through the various
revolutions of the drill. The command
lis given: Load Ready" "Fire!
land roar echoes around the wood
lfringed lake.
The new gym hall, with floor as
smooth as is possible to be made, Wa
being put in readiness for the even
ling cotillion.
Wednesday there was guard
mount regimertal parade, cavalry
exhibition and riding drills, com
lpany drills and final battalion parade
Thursday will be commencement ex-
|ercises, essays and orations by grad
luates and at night the final ball.