DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - NEWSPAPERS - Ft. Myer Military Exhibition
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Washington Post, April 4, 1912, Ft. Myer Exhibition Page 2

SOCIETY SEES DUEL ON HORSEBACK BY MEN WITH PISTOL AND SABER

Soldiers at Fort Myer Give Thrilling Exhibition The Vice President
and the Secretary of War, With Official and Society Leaders, Witness Drills 
and Riding Contests.

     In the presence of Vice President and Mrs. Sherman, Secretary of War 
and Mrs. Stimson, Gen. Leonard Wood and Mrs. Wood, and a large gathering of 
members of Congress and prominent society people, one of the most exciting 
and successful drill exhibitions and riding contests ever held in the 
vicinity of the District was held at Fort Myer yesterday afternoon. The 
drill hall at the post where the exhibitions were held was filled with a 
brilliant throng of men and women.
     The latest and most thrilling departure in the way of army exhibitions 
was tried out when a duel was held between two mounted enlisted men, one of 
them armed with a saber and the other with a pistol loaded with wax bullets. 
For several minutes the man with the pistol fired steadily at his opponent, 
and the duel ended in the hasty retreat of the revolver-armed soldier 
pursued by the man with the saber.
     Besides the usual cavalry and artillery exhibitions there was a special 
riding contest for enlisted men and another for officers and society girls, 
both of which were hotly contested. The latter contest brought out some of 
the best mounts and riders in the District and at Fort Myer. The contestants 
worked in pairs, going over the jumps together and then the officers and 
women singly.

The Winning Teams.

     Lieut. Alexander Gay Surles, on Rebel, and Miss Buchanan, on Katy Did, 
won the blue ribbon in this class, and Capt. J. R. Lindsey, on Expert, and 
Miss Mildred Greble, on Dan, won the red ribbon. Other contestants were 
Lieut. George M. Russell and Miss Janet Allen and Lieut. George Patton and 
Mrs. Brown.
     In the men's class only horses which have won blue ribbons during other 
contests during the present season were entered. It was won by Sergt. Lynn, 
of Troop D, Fifteenth cavalry, on Default, with Corpl. Kane, of Troop C, 
Fifteenth cavalry, on Cosmo Crat, second.
     The exhibitions were started with a musical drill given by Troop A, 
Fifteenth cavalry, commanded by Capt. J. R. Lindsey, which was 
enthusiastically applauded. Next came an exhibition of tandem driving by 
Troop C, Fifteenth cavalry, commanded by Lieut. K. F. Bradford.
     A thrilling exhibition of bareback riding was next given by Troop B, 
Fifteenth cavalry, commanded by Lieut. W. W. Overton, and next came a 
contest in stake driving by Battery E, Third field artillery, commanded by 
Lieut. J. W. Downey.
     The audience was enthusiastic over an exhibition of Cossack riding 
given by Troop D, Fifteenth cavalry, commanded by Capt. H. E. Smithers. Next 
came a battery drill by Battery F, Third field artillery, commanded by 
Lieut. Sherman Miles. The mounted duel was next. Lieut. A. G. Surles acted 
as umpire.

Musical Drill Ends Day.

     The two jumping contests were the premier events of the day, and the 
work of the riders was exceedingly well received. Lieut. J. W. Downer acted 
as judge, with Lieut. S. H. Dickey as assistant judge and timekeeper.
     The closing event was a musical drill given by Troop C, Fifteenth 
cavalry, commanded by Capt. Warren Dean.
     Drills will be given at Fort Myer tomorrow afternoon and evening for 
the benefit of the Olympic team fund.  The features will be wax-bullet duels 
and jumping contests for women riders.