Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-11-25
QUALIFICATION OF COACH.
Mr.. Frank Hampton Expert Rifleman
Discusses Subject Further.
columbia Record,


Editor The Record:
In your edition of 18th November
you have an article by Col. John r.
Lindsay in which he intimates that my
card regarding the South Carolina rifle
team was intended to injure him in his
campaign for reappointment as U. 5.
D. o. In this he is mistaken, as had
the improvement Of the team, solely,
ir view. I have no doubt that Col.
Lindsay is fully capable Of performing
the duties of any office for which he
may apply, with equal satisfaction to
all concerned, whether it be that of
U, s. D. o. or coach to the rifle team.
I will leave the editor Of the State and
Col Lindsay to settle their differences
and will endeavor to answer some of
the colonels questions as satisfactorily
as he has replied to mine.
I have taken an active part in mill
tary rife shooting for 20 years past
and would be still, If the methods pur-
sued would permit Of 1t. When / see
the team, year by year, going lower
and lower, it is time to lose interest.
In 1905, a team that had never fired
over a thousand-yard range more than
three times went to Sea Girt and was
2Sth out of 81 teams, beating 9, or rs
per cent, of it's competitors. In 1910.
under Col. Lindsay's able coaching,
South Carolina succeeded in beating
four of its competitors, not counting
the marine corps team which was dis
qualified, but counting Montana, which
did not finish it's score, being called
away by the severe forest fires. In
1909 I was a member Of the team and
saw plainly what we were up against.
Does this explain why l did not at
tend the competition? Is there sin
gle member of the rifle team satisfied
with the way things have been run?
If there is, have never heard of him.
Col Lindsay is also right when he
says the hardship Of receiving only SO
cents to 81 a day does not apply in
my case. 1t Is true that my business
does not seem to be as accommodate
ing as Col. Lindsay's and permit me
to attend all shoots and encampments
held in the state and some out of it,
but I am certain that l have made
more personal sacrifices for shooting's 8
sake than most men, nor do l attend
practices and shoots as money
making scheme. I have always been
satisfied to have expenses paid and
with nothing more. l shoot for the
sake of the sport alone. and, as my
salary does not cease while on vaca-
ton, I am able to afford 1t. This. how
ever. is not the case with a majority Of
privates and non commissioned OFF,
GERS. Take the case of mechanic or
engineer, making from SO to Sc day
and whose pay stops when he stops
work. Can he afford to give 30 days
for the honor Of shooting on a losing
team and the handsome pay or 81
cents and feed?
of h
to the point, though, from Col. Lind
says article. We have the coach and
spotter. Now q word about the coach.
Long range rifle shooting is no longer
a matter of guess work, but an accu-
rate science. A coach should be able
to explain to his team the effect not
only of wind upon the flight of bull
let, but of temperature, humidity, light
and shadow upon the sights and many
other infinitesimal points not noticed
by the layman but which go to the
making of rifleman. Can Col. Lind
say do this? But there is no money
to pay such a man." But, let us see
as to this. Col. Lindsay was at Camp
Perry 16 days at $972 per day, this
amounting to $155.52. First Sergeant
Chas. ]. Jeffers, company D. Eighth
Massachusetts infantry, assistant
coach on the American team at Bis
ley, England, eliminated from the
Massachusetts team as one of the four
high men and qualified in every way
to act as coach, offered to take charge
Of the South Carolina team for 500 a
month and expenses. Chas. E. Burt,
musician, company D, Fifth Massa-
chusetts infantry, also one of the
eliminated men from the Massachu-
setts team, made the same offer. Col.
Lindsay's pay at Camp Perry would
alone have paid one of these men for
one month. 1t is true, as Col. Lindsay
says. that the militia is a fine body
and attempting to learn, but, so far as
rifle practice is concerned, they are
striving against insurmountable OBJ
stacles.
Now, in conclusion of this. perhaps,
too lengthy article, l may quote from
Scripture a short verse which may ap-
ply to Col. Lindsays way Of receiving
my previous communications: THE
wicked flee when no man pursueth'-
but then, no one could apply the above
epithet to the genial colonel.
Frank Hampton.
Charleston, Nov. 90.