Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 257, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1915 — FINE GOLD MEDALS FOR PISTOL FIRING [ARTICLE]

FINE GOLD MEDALS FOR PISTOL FIRING

Lieutenant Jerry B. Garland Returns From the National Matches Held At Jacksonville, Florida. First Lieutenant Jerry B. Garland returned Thursday afternoon from the matches held for the promotion of rifle and pistol firing efficiency at Jacksonville, Fla. The matches are held toy the government each year and fifteen of the best rifle and pistol marksmen of the U. S. infantry, and similar teams from the cavalry, the marine corps and each state in .the union are brought together for practice and competitive matches. Lieutenant Garland went as a member of the Indiana team, this being the fourth time he has represented the state in the national matches. Two years ago he was fourth in the national individual rifle match and high man on the Indiana team in the national -earn match. This year he won the distinguished honor of winning the national pistol match, defeating all of the 191 entries, including some of the best pistol marksmen in the world. Among the competitors was a man named Lane, of the New York Athletic Club, who has been one of the best pistol marksmen in the country and who has attended matches in all parts of the United States. Mr. Lane was fourth in the match with a total of 695 or 26 below Lieutenant Garland’s fine score. Lieutenant Garland received two fine gold medals, each valued at S3O, and $45 in cash for the pistol match and also another fine medal for being on the rifle team of the third regiment which won third position in the regimental team match in which theje were about forty entries. He also won other prize money, totaling $71.50. He was a little off in rifle firing at the long ranges this year, owing, he thinks, to a slight defect in his eyes which he expects to have corrected with glasses. In the individual rifle match this year there were 551 entries and he fell to the 130th place. He got away with a bad start at the 200 yard range at which he almost always gets a near perfect score. At the intermediate ranges he shot in good form and then fell down at the thousand yard range, making a total of only 60 out of 75. He had a fine trip, the state providing Pullman accommodations down and back. He stopped off a day at terest and then stopped for a few Chattanooga and visited places of indays with friends in the southern part of the state. Lieutenant Garland now has a large number of medals won in the various state and national matches in the past few years and military custom requires that they be worn on the chest at all ceremonial occasions. He received this week a letter of congratulations from his colonel, Aubrey L. Kohlman, of Auburn. * It is possible that Lieutenant Garland will consent to the medals being placed on exhibition in some store window in Rensselaer for a day or two. He has won national distinction in both rifle and pistol firing and his many Rensselaer friends are giving him hearty congratulations. £}everaj years ago Mr. Garland was attracted by a newspaper article stating that Company M, of Rensselaer, was in need of recruits. He appeared at the armory, was examined, enlisted and at once became deeply interested in acquiring military instruction. His faithfulness and efficiency soon resulted in his promotion to corporal and he then advanced as vacancies occurred to sergeant, first sergeant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant. With all his success he is still just “Jerry” to all who know him and modestly says: “Oh’ I guess it was jurft a little luck.”