The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-27
HOW|TzERs OPE n
ARM0RY TONIGHT
Fine Home for Historic Command
Ready for inspection and
Reception.
EQUIPMENT SECOND TO NONE
Governor, Mayor and Others In
vited to Speak - What
Armory Is Like.
EQUIPMENT SECOND TO NONE

With becoming ceremony and with
celebration Justly due the Richmond
Howitzers will formally enter their
new addition. and adjunct to the arm
DRY. at $3.50 o'clock tonight, the dedi-
cation to be attended by informal adj
dresses by Governor Swanson. Mayor
Richardson, Lieutenant Governor ELY
son. Colonel Barton II. G7undy, Colonel
c. L. Wingo, Captain w. NJ Myers and
Captain r, NJ. Wortham.
The ceremonies will be preceded by
an Informal smoker. and tho vast drill
han VIII he decorated for the occasion
In the Confederate and national colors.
One OF the most picturesque and APP
propriatc parts or the dedication cere-
monies will be the presentation TO the
command OF the Hoyitzers' old sponge
bucket. which WAS left on the field
after the memorable conclusion OF the
war at Appomattox Courthouse. The
sponge bucket was presented Few
days ago BY a PROMINENT member of
the Legislature to Colonel Wingo. wlo.
In turn. will present II TO the Howit-
zers. Captain Myers viii receive It on
behalf of his command. and IL will b.
placed In the museum OF relics.
Many Distinguished Guests
Though the occasion. like all the
Howitzcrs affairs. with are well
known for the delightful hours they
AFFORD. VIII be purely Informal 1t Will
he ono OF the biggest in the history
OF the present command. and besides
those mentioned there Will be many
members Of the Legislature. City Coun-
Gil and men prominent both in civil
and military life present TO share and
participate in the festivities OF the
evening.
q FnkN n
known. IS one OF the veteran and best
known military organizations IN the
state. In days past the men saw SER
vice on many a memorable field. the
names of which may be seen on the
walls OF their present drill hall. II
has now one of the best equipped ar
mories in the South. and. according &c
regular army experts who come here
annually to inspect the equipment. one
pf the cleanest and ncatcst
The new addition, which was once
the armory al the old stuart Horse
Guards, Is separated from the armor!
by a courtyard, and the two buildings
one on Seventh Street. the other or
Eighth Street, stand back TO back. the
one easily accessible from the other
The addition. or the building on sev'
enth Street. will be used solely fol
social and Gynnastic purposes. Or
Its lower or main floor it contains 8
swimming pool built of marble thing
and form of concrete. sixty-one feel
Six inches in length ny thirty feet IL
width. and having depth ranging
from three and a half TO nine feet.
In hall leading out from the poo
arc the lockers and dressing rooms
all built OF the same material shower
and tub baths and other accessories
On this floor there is no wood every
thing being constructed of stone mate
rial, and so arranged as to be easily
flushed and cleaned. Hot and cold wa
ter is laid on, the heat being generated
in the armory aud conducted to thu
+ annex by a system of pipes. The poo
Is the most spacious in the State. ant
all its adjuncts are complete in ever!
detail. Concrete pillars support I;
metal ceiling, and everything is tirc
proof.
Some Gymnastic Features.
on the upper floor are the Eymnas
tic hall, the reading and lounsint
room. the pool and billiard room ant
numerous lockers. All are well titte'
up, and the gymnasium has everything
tina, appertains to athletic exercise
with arrangements for the playing o
basketball. AS soon as means Will Jus
tify it competent instructor Will b
placed in charge,
Cleanliness and neatness will be III
order of the day. Smoking will be al
lowed only In the reading and loung
Ing room.
The annex has been nearly eightee
months in the building. 1t was ar
ranged and fitted up without aid q
State funds, the necessary sum havin
been raised by the city and subscribe
by individuals and the How.tzers. an
1t is regarded as credit TO the OF
Eanization and a fine testimonial {
the loyalty of the men to their con
mand and it's traditions. The wor
was largely supervised by Captain
Workman and Myers, who planned man
Of the details. Building Inspector Bee
took much interest in the work. an
Carneal & Johnson, the architects, an
a. c. Bedford, the contractor, We're II
less untiring. to see that the work we
well done.
After the exercises tonight the al
mex will be open every day and nigl
from 10 NJ to II p. NJ, and Will I
accessible to every member OF the con
mand.