Kor. 19, 1885.1 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



331 



WESTERN FIELD TRIALS. 



[From a Special Correspondent.] 



rpHE flt-st annual meeting of the Westeni Field Trials Asao- 

 J. ciation commenced at Abilene, Kan., Monday morning^ 

 Kor. 9, at 10 o'clock, end terminated on Friday afternoon at 

 P.M. This, though not the shortest time that trials with 

 &v on more dogs haTe been ran, surely was the roost satisfac- 

 trf f one all the way through. All dogs were given ample 

 liid 5 to displar their good or bad Qualities, e^ch heat lasting 

 from one to four hours. None of the h.mdlers nor owners 

 complained of their dogs not getting time enough. A prece- 

 dent was established by the judges right at the start that no 

 p iudgmeut would be taken. 



The grounds selected were new to evei-ybody except the 

 loc^al sportsmen, and thev had not tried them this season 

 Most of the trial has been rim in the corn or h^vy cover, and 

 vet there were plentv of open places found to try a dog's 

 sneed The weather during the week was warm and very 

 pleasant for the men, but did not give the dogs a fair show. 

 The iar°e number of flushes will convince any sportsman that 

 sometlmig was wrong, and it was the dry ground and grass. 

 A time a little later in the season would be much better for 

 the dogs, and yet not so pleasant for judges and spectators. 



On the evening before the start it was found necessary to 

 get substitutes for two judges, Messrs. Bergundthal and Coh 

 Hughes. After consulting all parties interested it was agreed 

 that J. W. Munson of St. Louis and W. B. Stafford of Tren- 

 ton, Tenn., should act. They each had dogs entered in the 

 Free-For-All, but Munson 's bitch Vanity coming in heat could 

 not run and Stafford withdrew his dog^ TJiese gentlemen per- 

 formed their duties to the satisfaction of all during the whole 

 of the prolonged Free-For-All race. When that was con- 

 cluded Messrs. Munson and Stafford were relieved, as Mr. 

 Stafford had to handle two dogs and Mr. Munson owned one 



Eui)PV that was to run in the Derby. Messrs. E. B. Pray, of 

 enver, and E. 0. Van Horn, of Kansas City, were selected, 

 Mr. ]?ray having a liitch withdrawn that he had some interest 

 In. * Ml-. E. C, Sterling put m the time continually, and to his 

 long experience and the excellence of all the judges we are 

 indebted for the prompt manner in which all fine points were 

 settled. We don't know of any one more capable of acting 

 the presiding judge than Mr. Sterling. 



FREE-FOR-ALL STAKE. 



In the Free-For-All there were ten starters, and a good lot 

 Of dogs they proved to be. They came from North, South 

 and West, some o£ them having met previously on the field. 

 Following is the order in which they were drawn to run; 



Trinket's Bang against Joe. 



Count Rapier against Patsey. 



American Dan against Cato. 



Richmond against Q)ueen Bess. 



Lillian against Bridgeport. 



A number of these dogs have run in former field trials, East 

 and West, and their per formances in previous years have been 

 fully given in Forest and Streaji. 



Trinket's Bang is a pointer (Croxteth— Trinket), Joe a red 

 Ii-ish setter (D ish Ranger— Lady Trumble, Count Rapier a 

 Llewellyn setter (Druid— Magnolia) , Patsey, Irish setter (Lord 

 Dufferin— Queen Bess), Cato a red Dish setter (Keno— Maud), 

 Richmond, lemon and white pointer (Vandevort's Don— 

 Beulah). Queen Bess (G-ladstone— Donna J.). Bridgeport 

 (Dashing Mon.srch— Vannette). Lillian (Gladstone— Sue). The 

 first place was won by the pointer. Trinket's Bang, large 

 liver and white dog. He is not an extremely handsome dog, 

 and might not win at a bench show ; but the longer he runs at 

 a fieid trial the better he seems to be. He did his finest woi-k 

 at the vei"y close of his last hieat. He is very fast and staunch, 

 and very stylish, on points and backing. Trinket's Bang ran 

 last year at Grand Junction, and was there beaten by LilUau, 

 but "yo^U" i^'ble correspondent and many of the spectators 

 claimed that Bang won the heat that the judges gave to Lil- 

 lian. He is owned by William Titterington, of Wyanet, 

 lUinois. The second place was divided between Lillian and 

 Patsey. Lilhau was not equal to the red dog, Patsey, as she 

 was sick, and Mr. Van Horn very cleverly proposed to divide 

 second with hei-. The third prize was "divided between five 

 dogs, but no record was given them, as time did not permit 

 the heats to he rim off. Those getting a share were Cato, 

 Count Rapier. Queen Bess, Riehm< nd and Bridgeport. The 

 first prize Derby was won by J. W. Munson's pointer bitch 

 Mahte, and the' second prize" by A. A. Whipple's Belle. Third 

 prize, divided between the setters Blitz B. and White Cloud. 

 This brings the pointer dog to the front with as much promi- 

 nence as the setter has been heretofore in the Southern or 

 National field trials. 



The field was reached at about 9:30, a full complement of 

 the members of the association being in attendance, as well as 

 a large crowd of local lovers of the sport. 



TRINKET'S BANG AND JOE. 



The first brace included the pomter dog, Trinket's Bang, 

 handled by Nesbitt, and the red setter dog Joe (Irish Ranger 

 — Lady Trumbull), handled by Allen. The run commenced at 

 9 :40, iii open grass field, Bang to the light, Joe going slow. 

 One-quarter mile drawn, no birds. In the corn the pointer 

 led, Joe keeping close to Allen. They brought up to a point, 

 but moved on through the corn, Joe drew but did not stop. 



One half mile through the coin and no game, when the dog-s 

 were ordei ed up to charge. They wei-e then sent on in a pas- 

 ture field, Joe to the left Bang to the right. A half mile made 

 and no birds, both dogs making game on grass, but nothing 

 found. By this time the hunt had wound around from the 

 cornfield and pasture alongside the river bank. Point for Joe, 

 back for Bang, both having made game. Birds flushed, both 

 dogs steady. Joe made a point, but no birds found; search 

 for covey in brash. Bang pointed and moved on and bird 

 flushed. Joe backed and was pointing when bii'd flushed in 

 thick cover. The dogs called and ordered on up the river bank. 

 Both dogs and handlers came to covey, when they flushed 

 birds, which scattered in the corn. Nesbit claimed a point 

 for Bang. i3irds flushed, shot at and missed, Bang steady to 

 sliot. Joe not near enough to back. Trainer AUen flushed 

 a bird and Joe started to wing. Nesbit next flushed a bird, 

 Bang making a point and Joe ordered to back, which he 

 did. Bang got another point and another flush ; was sent to 

 find dead bird. Joe found bii-d and retrieved in good st^Ie. 

 Bird thrown out for Bang, who with some difficulty, found 

 and retrieved it. Dogs cast off; flush for Bang in the corn. 

 Dogs taken up while going to new groimd. Heat given to 

 Bang. 



COUNT BAPIBR AND PATSEY. 



Count Rapier was handled by H, B. Short, who found that 

 the cover and ground here were not such as he has been used 

 to in the South. Patsey was handled by A. J. Gleason, of 

 Alma, Kamas. 



When the dogs were ordered on Patsey came to a staunch 

 point before he had gone ten steps. Gleason was ordered 

 to flush and kill the bird. He ordered the dog to flush, 

 shot and missed. Both dogs were steady to shot. Dogs were 

 ordered on, when a large covey flushed and settled in heavy 

 cover. Some ©f the birds went down in a hog lot, and dogs 

 were sent in but could not do anything for want of cover. 

 Judge Stafford flushed a bu-d and a black, ugly pig another, 

 when it was suggested to try for a new covey." Coming back 

 into grass, where a single bird had been marked down, Patsey 

 made a flush, though it was scarcely chargeable to him on ac- 

 count of cover and rh-y grass. A change was then made, and 

 the dogs were taken up to the garden of a farmer. Patsey 

 i-an up to the fence and got a fine point, Count R. backing. 

 Gleason was ordered to kill the bird, which he did. Patsey 

 made another point without moving, as the gi-ass was full of 

 birds. Both dogs were then caUed back tliat the birds might 

 l)e flushed, wtjich wa^ do^e. 



They were then ordered on, and Patsey again pointed. 

 Bird was ordered killed, and Gleason told Patsey to flush and 

 he killed. Patsey retrieved in good style. Soon after Patsey 

 made a point, but no birds were found. Moving to the front 

 yard, CoUnt R. made a point and Patsey at once backed. 

 Bhort was ordered to flush and shoot, and the bird was flushed 

 and Short missed. Moving into some corn, Count R. made a 

 pouit, and the bu-d flushed to his left. Patsey pointed a rab- 

 bit and Count R. soon did the same. Dogs were Ordered up, 

 and put down a,gam on a covey that had been marked down. 

 Soon both dogs pointed out of sight of each other. The birds 

 flushed and settled a short, distance aWay in the^ grass. Dogs 

 sent on, and Patsey got two points to Count R.'s one. Then 

 Patsey, going a short distance, pointed, and Gleason ordered 

 to flush- for Short to shoot. Short shot and bird fell in the 

 river where the banlc was forty feet high and could not be re- 

 trieved. Judges now stopped' for consultation ajnd declared 

 th.e lieat ended and Patsey the wmner. Both dogs did fine 

 work and their heat was the feature of the da.j. Both wore 

 fast and stylish. Time down, one hour and torty-five min- 

 utes, 



AMERICAN DAN AND OATO, 



Third and last brace for the day were put down after lunch. 

 American Dan, handled by Short, was turned loose agamst 

 Cato, a young Irish setter.' The latter had a sore foot and was 

 expected to flinch. Both dogs moved off at a rattling gait 

 through a millet field, but no birds were found, JNext the 

 bordere of a cornfield were tried. Dan went into corn and 

 was soon lost to trainer and spectatoi's. After ten minutes 

 spent by Short whistling for tiim, judges and spectators went 

 through the cjra and after flushing a large bevy of chickens 

 found him. A hedge was now tried and birds found ruum'ng. 

 Both dogs roaded but the liirds flushed before a. point could he 

 established, Some time was spent trying for birds vrithout 

 success, when the trainers called for time to get water for 

 dogs. When sent on birds were found along a hedge, but 

 they flushed before the dogs got a pouit. They flew into sun- 

 flowers higher than the head of a moimted man, in which 

 Dan got a point and Short wounded, Dan tried for some time 

 to retrieve, and failing, was called off, and Cato found the 

 bu d afterward. Swinging round to a hedge, Gleason flushed 

 a bird, and one hundred yards further on Short flushed one. 

 Going on further a covey was flushed ahead of Dan. W^e then 

 crossed over to a hedge where birds were found and partly 

 flushed. Both dogs roaded, and Cato crossing the hedge got a 

 fine point, standing for about ten minutes while Short was 

 getting Dan up to back, which he did after being spoken to 

 by Short. Bird was flushed but not shot at. We next tried 

 the cornfleld, and Dan made a point. The bu-d was flushed, 

 dog remaining steady. The handlers flushed a covey near a 

 hedge, and they settled in corn. The dogs were sent in and 

 Cato got two points and Dan one. They were then taken up 

 to go to better ground. After getting water they w^ere put 

 into a cornfield and here Dan pointed, and birds flushed before 

 Short got up. Dan promptly dropped to wing. Cato next 

 made a fine point, and flushed bird to order. It flew toward 

 the judges so that Gleason could not shoot. Sent on liere Dan 

 got a whipping by Short for disobedience. Soon after Cato 

 made a fine point". Gleason was ordered to shoot, the bird was 

 flushed and Gleason missed. Cato now made another point, 

 but failed to locate the bii'd after roading through corn where 

 there was no cover. Going into grass Cato flushed, and 

 fm-ther on Dan flushed a bird which Short killed and Dan 

 retrieved fairlv. 



We now crossed a field, and went into com, and a bevy was 

 flushed. They were followed and Cato made a point, and 

 Gleason was ordered to kill, which he did in good style. 

 Gleason was then ordered to keep Cato in until Dan should 

 point and he have a chance to back. Soon a point was made 

 and Cato being turaed loose backed in very good style. Cato 

 is somewhat unsteady in backing, because Dan in pointing 

 usually drops flat on the ground. It being now past sundown 

 dogs were ordered up and the heat decided in favor of Cato. 

 The time, thi'ee hours and twenty minutes, was necessarily 

 long, as bu-ds were in such bad cover. This ended the first 

 day of the trial. 



RICHMOND AND QUEEN BESS. 



At 8 o'clock Tuesday morning the marshalls, judges, hand- 

 lers and their dogs started for the grounds. The experience 

 of the previous day had caused new grounds to be chosen, and 

 the trial was had on lands four miles north of the city, where, 

 if birds were no more plentiful than on the day previous, 

 there was better chance to find them after they had been 

 flushed, and the spectators could see to better advEintage the 

 working of the dogs. The morning was fine, and when the 

 fii*st iDrace of dogs were put down the grass was wet and in 

 fine condition. The first brace were east off at 9:10 A. M. 

 They were the lemon and white pointer dog Richmond, 

 handled by Short, and the black, white and tan bitch Queen 

 Bess, handled by Nesbitt. 



The dogs were started in a meadow to show then- speed, 

 quartering and- style of ranging. They both went at such a 

 gait that one unaccustomed to fast dogs would say they would 

 run over all the birds and get no points, Richmond going the 

 fastest of the two. Dogs sent up the slough, but no birds 

 found, for they were in the corn at that time of the day. 

 Crossing the road, the brash along the creek was tried, but no 

 birds were found. Both dogs worfeed finely in speed and style, 

 a.nd general work. The judges then made for a cornfleld, 

 where they would have found the birds sooner in the first 

 place. Here the fun commenced. In about twenty minutes 

 three coveys were raised and made for grass at edge of cover. 

 Bess here made the first point. The bu-d running in plain 

 sight was tempting to her and she was unsteady. A little 

 f lu-ther on Bess got another point and Nesbitt flushed, shot and 

 missed. Bess moved up and stopped at command, showing 

 she was under control. Passing then into a ravine both dogs 

 got a flush. Crossing the hedge to a ravine, Bess made a flush 

 and a little further on Short flushed one and killed, which 

 Richmond retrieved, Bess unsteady. Bess then made two 

 flushes and Richmond one. Across the creek dogs sent on and 

 Richmond made a fine point; no bird found. Twenty minutes 

 time spent hunting up a draw, and no birds found. But just 

 here the rules were suspended and Mr, Sterling, one of the 

 judges, flushed and shot a jack-snipe that had been marked 

 down. 



Another field was tried with better success, for birds were 

 soon found along the bank at edge of corn. The dogs dropped 

 in high grass. Bess made a point, which proved to be on a 

 rabbit. Next Richmond made a fine point; Short flushed 

 and killed, but bird not retrieved. Bii-ds were flushed and 

 marked by Marshall, Dogs taken to where they dropped, 

 and here Bess got a point. Nesbitt ordered to flush and kill, 

 and Bess retrieved handsomely. A large hawk came too near 

 Short's double barrel, and he brought it to the ground. A 

 covey was flushed by the wagons and dropped under the 

 bank. Down in the ravine Short claimed a point for Rich- 

 mond, but it was not aUowed, asthe judges did not see it. 

 Moving up the bank both dogs roaded, pointed and roaded a 

 running covey. Moving on, Richmond got a point; bird 

 flushed, Richmond steady tojwiug. Going across the corafield 

 both dogs got points, and Short killed a bird. Dogs ordered 

 up ; the heat was awarded to Richmond. This was verj^ close 

 in points of mei-it, and had the Queen been steady to her 

 points and wing she would not have been beaten. This, we 

 are informed, is the fault of hei- owner and not of her trainer, 

 the owner allowing her to nm in at shot. Heat ended at 1 1 :30. 

 Down two hours and twenty minutes. 



LILLIAN AND BRIDGEPORT. 



LflUan was handled by Short, and Bridgeport by Mr. Pray 

 from Denver. Both dogs started off at a good rate of speed, 

 but LUhau was much the faster, well earning- the title of 

 whirlwind. Going down the edge of com Port got a flush to 

 start on. Going to the creek dogs were given water, and 



Lill in getting out into grass on opposite side flusted a large 

 covey by jumpin.Jc right into them. Moving on birds were 

 soon'foiind. Port got a fine pomt, Mr. Pray shot and killed a 

 bu-d with each barrel. Port sent on to retrieve found it and 

 brought in vei*y clever shape. It was Lill's turn next, she got 

 a point and bird flew. Port came to a bait, but 

 moved on. Lill stopped. Short claimed a point but no bird 

 found, Lill then made a handsome point and Short 

 flushed and kiUed. Lill retrieved finely, Lfll sent on 

 flushed in high gras.s. Next a false point for Lill. Then 

 came Port's time to show his nose aud a fine 

 point was made in (he open. Lill called up to back did not 

 do so at once, but kejit moving until she was spoken to by 

 Short. Bird flushed, shot at by Pray with both barrels. Port 

 was a little unsteady and was trying to locate what he sup- 

 posed to be two dead birds. He stopped instantly at command. 

 Sent on, a point was made by Lill. Short " flushed, shot 

 and missed. Port also made a fine point ; bird ran and was 

 flushed. Into cover they were sent ; there Lill made a tine 

 pomt. Short killing the bii-d, which was retrieved by Port. A 

 little further on Port pointed and Lill was brought up to back, 

 which she did well. Judges here called a halt for lunch. 

 After thirty minutes same dogs were put down and sent up a 

 clear open swale to see them range. Both fast, but Lill getting 

 away ahead, After trying a hedge, birds were found by one 

 of the wagons in the open grass stnbble. Dogs taken there. 

 Lill made a very bad flush, running right into the birds up 

 wind on open meadow. Going to the gi-ound Lill made a grand 

 point and Port called up made a back equally as fine. Short 

 flushed, shot aud missed, both dogs steady to wing and shot. 

 Moved up bank, and Lill roaded and bird flew. Lill now made 

 a fine point in grass, aud bird was flushed by Short. Next a 

 flush for Port, quickly followed by Lill in the same manner. 



Moving on to grass! Port made a grand point. Lifl, called 

 up to back, did it in grand style. It was worth going across 

 the continent to see these two dogs on a point. Bird ordered 

 flushed, but being across the slough and down a bank, could 

 not be Hushed by Mr. Pray, .so Port was ordered ou to do it, 

 which he did and was steady to iving. Port pointed again 

 and a rabbit ran. The heat was here ended, and a fine one it 

 was, for never in Kansas were seen two finer specimens of the 

 Llewellejm setter down together. The dogs were nearly nquaX 

 in all but pace, Lill here having the advantage, but she did 

 not know how and where to find birds as well as Port. Obedi- 

 ence and disposition were equal. The judges had to split hairs 

 to decide the matter, giving the heat to Lillian. 



Second Series. 

 PATSEY AND TRINKET'S BANG. 



The tti-at brace of the second series were Patsey, the Kansas 

 City favorite Irish setter, handled by Gleason, and Bang, the 

 Ulinois pointer, handled by Nesbitt. They were put down at 

 2;35 P. M. on an open mowed ground to try pace r inging and 

 quartering; Bang going rapidly, whfle Patsey was falling short 

 of his usual speed. On top of the ridge three jack rabbits 

 were started and Nesbitt shot one. In the com Bang made a 

 flush and Patsey a false point. Going on again into grass, 

 Patsey makes a point, and Bang, called to back, does it in 

 fine shape ; but, unfortunately for Patsey, it is a false point. 

 Again the grass was tried and both dogs roaded, and Patsey 

 got a point. Bang had a^false point scored to him. Patsey 

 got a fine point on a covey, Bu-ds rose in a thicket ivhere 

 Gleason could not shoot. Patsey immediately got a point and 

 bu-ds got up ahead. Put into the corn, Patsey pomted and 

 roaded, and birds flushed. Gleason killed and Patsey retrieved 

 in good shape. We credit Bang with a point at the same time. 

 Patsey at once got another point and so did Bang. Nesbitt 

 kiUed bird to Bang; and as the birds were ranning both dogs 

 got a point at edge of corn. 



Dogs were then taken to grass. Here another false point 

 was scored for Patsey. Gleason flushed a bird. Bang got 

 next paint, Patsey being called up to back, which he did. 

 Patsey then got a point, and Bang backed. Put into anothei- 

 cornfield, Patsey got another jiiomt and Bang two, after . long 

 roading. Coming to grass, both dogs pointed and wf r' or 

 dered up. The judges considted and then put dog-s down in 

 grass. Gleason flushed a bird and Patsey two. Moving on. 

 Bang and Patsey both got a point; Bang's was false, and Pat- 

 sey moved up and flushed his bird, when Gleason came up 

 and he got no credit for the point. Dogs ordered up; heat 

 ended, and Bang declared the winner at 4:49. Patsey did not 

 do as weU as in the first heat, and Bang improved vei-y per- 

 ceptibly. Patsey's defeat is attributed more to his trainer 

 and handler than to himself ; at least that is the impression 

 made on the minds of his admirers. 



CATO AND RICHMOND, 



Cato, red Irish, handled by Gleason, and Richmond, handled 

 by Short. The dogs were sent away for speed on open, and 

 Richmond, being the fastest pointer in this part of the coun- 

 try, it was a wonder to see little Cato, with a lame foot, keep 

 up to him. Going into cover at last, birds were found. They 

 were feeding, and there being no cover, they flushed wild and 

 some went into grass. Here Richmond got a point and Short 

 shot and wounded the bii-d. which fell in high grass, and as 

 the hour was late the judges could not wait for the dog to 

 retrieve it, Richmond was called off and Gleason called Cato 

 with whistle, but he would not come. Gleason clamied a 

 point and the dog was found pointing the crippled bird. 

 Richmond got a point and Cato backed. Short flushed and 

 killed and Richmond retrieved from hedge. Cato got one 

 point and then pointed a rabbit. Going into the corn more 

 birds were flushed and marked down. They were hard to 

 find, and after that Richmond got another point. Darkness 

 coming on and there being no need of further trial to decide 

 the matter, Richmond won the heat. 



Third Senes. 

 trinket's bang and LILLIAN. 



Wednesday morning was cloudy, and fine for the dogs, as 

 the scent was good. The dogs were ordered down at 9 :40. 

 Bang started off and found a covey in five minutes. Both 

 dogs showed speed, but Bang was the faster of the two. A 

 nice wind was blowing from the south. The bu-ds fi-om 

 Bang's point were marked in a slough. The dogs being taken 

 there, Lill went in and flushed the covey out, again a sin.gle, 

 and afterward she got a point. Short shot the bu'd. As it 

 was difficidt to retrieve the judges said this was not necessary. 

 Dogs next worked in thick willow and sumac, and the whistle 

 was in constant use. Lill showed herself to be under the best 

 control. JNesbitt had trouble to bring Bang to heel. Bang 

 th en ran near to a bu-d in the hedge, and it Was flushed by 

 the judges. Next tried a slough to the southwest. After half 

 a mile no birds were found. Dogs sent off in grass. 



Bang was very ranlc, but showed much the best pace and 

 ranging. Bang roaded in fine style down the di-aw, but failed 

 to locate and was ordered on by Nesbitt. Lill in the meantime 

 having gone into the corn, found nothing. Dogs next sent up 

 through the corn, wbere there was no possible chance of find- 

 ing birds. Lill lagged in crossing the open prairie, and exam- 

 ination revealed the fact that her breast was enlarged, as 

 t tough she was nursing, and that would of cour.se make her 

 feverish and out of condition. She "was in much the same con- 

 dition when she ran with Bridgeport yesterday, but getting 

 worse did not sustain her reputation, for sue had divided 

 two third prizes last year in the National Field Trials. Bridge- 

 port could easily have beaten her to-day. The spectators 

 flushed a covey tliat settled m the grass directly in front of 

 the judges, and with the dogs to wind they were sent on. and 

 Lill found. Short shot and killed. Bang broke shot. He was 

 not penahzed, as Short shot without being ordered to do so by 

 the judges. 



The grass was very heavy and the birds hard to find, 

 Handlere were here talked to by Judge Sterhng. Moving on, 

 a bird flushed. Bang dropjwd to wing. Dogs worked close 



