lfl, 1890.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



314 



purpose (of the Western meett is purely speculative," and 

 (2d) "that the crowds must be attracted not by any such 

 laste for sport as impels the devotee of open coursing, but 

 by the opportunities the races give for betting." 



I do not see bow the first objection is any more valid a one 

 than can be urged against any of our sporting goods dealers. 

 Tbey are in business for money. Yet we do not bar them 

 from the ranks of good sportsmanship. We leave individual 

 merit to decide that, and so we should do here. But even if 

 this objection were valid against the projectors of this enter- 

 prise, and even were it the case— as certainly it is not— that 

 these men had '-nothing of the love of sport impelling them," 

 there would be serious injustice in making the charge. 

 Even it' these men were not sportsmen and therefore entitled 

 to our fellowship and kindness, the force of this first ob- 

 jection lies against them, and not against the people who 

 attend their meets. It is in these people, in the crowds of 

 spectators, that the spirit of inclosed coursing lies. It is 

 against them, and against that spirit that we should direct 

 tfre argument. 1 do not believe, therefore, that the first ob- 

 jection, i. e., that of mercenary motives, cuts any logical 

 figure in this case. 



As to the second charge,that these meets must be supported 

 by betting men, and not by men who go out simply to see 

 the dogs chase the. rabbit. If there be any validity in that 

 1 confess I am unable to see why it does not lie against the 

 Eastern Coursing Club as much as against the National As- 

 sociation. But I do not believe it has validity either in the 

 one case or the other. We will never be able to entirely 

 prevent a man's making an iccasional wager on a sporting 

 event. It is the very element of chance that makes sport 

 sport. We rebel at a sure thing, even in fishing or shoot- 

 ing. There is a wager in every little sweepstakes reported 

 in the Trap columns of this paper. Why do we not decry 

 tbst? But let all that go, and let us stick yet closer to the 

 text, which is that the inclosed meets will come to be fos- 

 tered solely or chiefly by gambling men. Now, we have no 

 right iu justice to simply assume this. We should show 

 some reason for such an assertion. I would like to inquire 

 what reason has so far shown itself ? 



I presume there was as much betting at the meet of the 

 E. C. C. as there was at any meet of the National Associa- 

 tion. But, since this is a mere assumption on my part, and 

 since we should not go on mere assumptions, let me stick 

 closer yet to the safe reasoning ground of facts. Let us 

 compare pure open coursing and pure inclosed coursing, on 

 a betting basis and in trie light of facts actually seen in 

 this country. 



It was my fortune to attend all the open meets of the 

 American Coursing Club, at Great Bend, Kas. I did not see 

 very much betting there. It didn't wo rry anybody. There 

 was no noise nor confusion resulting from it, I should say. 

 Bear in mind that, this is America. We didn't have any 

 howling mob of book-makers, dressed in "strange fantastic 

 costumes," at Great Bend. And yet, do you know, I believe 

 that on the whole, there was rather more betting at Great 

 Bend open meet than at St. Louis inclosed meet, which lat- 

 ter I also saw and watched closely. I am ready to say, em- 

 phatically, that that good-natured and well-dressed St. Louis 

 cr^wd came out not to gamble, but to see those dogs chase 

 the rabbit. I don't think our lives or morals would be in 

 danger in either crowd. Bv what right of reason, logic, 

 argument, or indepd of good justice, are we, therefore, to 

 predict good from the meet that has the more betting, and 

 evil from the one that has the less? 



If the editorial alluded to was written iu a spirit of pure 

 prophecy, I confess myself unable to cope with it; but if 

 these things are to be governed by fair reasoning and good 

 logic, it certainly can be coped with. If I should take on 

 the veil of prophecy, 1 should dare say that, if ever we are 

 to be cursed in this country with the moral plague of "box 

 coursing" meets (which we are not) the plague will he just 

 as apt to be the outgrowth of the Eastern Coursing Cluo or 

 others like it, as of this "company in the West" whose real 

 methods and intentions seem so poorly understood. For my 

 nrophecy I should have for foundation the axiom that like 

 causes produce like results. Shall I be thought rude if I 

 beg to say that I am not able to see where our editor has the 

 premises for either his argument or his prophecy? In a 

 conclusion bearing so keeuly upon what might at least be 

 fostered and befriended, and nursed up and encouraged into 

 a new and worthy form of American sport, it would cer- 

 tainly appear better to have both of the pr°mises located in 

 America, aud not the minor premisein this country, and the 

 major in Great Britain, clear across an ocean of difference, 

 and leagues wide of our actual facts. 



1 have always found this paper fair and just, and open to 

 the voice of any one who sought to be just and fair. I do 

 not wish to be thought wise, or learned, or even "smart." I 

 do not claim to have all of the facts, but only a part of them. 

 All I seek is justice and fairness. Therefore, I am confident 

 that what 1 have written— unwelcome, at least, as it might 

 naturally be thought to be, and perhaps a trifle presumptu- 

 ous—will be given a place in the columus so long kept clean 

 for truth and justice. I feel confident also that fair and 

 temperate talk from our Western friends will be given 

 place. And I sincerely hope that they will so bepester our 

 editor with good-natured facts, and with clean aud gentle- 

 manly coursing meets, that in the end he will be obliged to 

 reconsider his position— taken, in justice to him we should 

 remember, very early in the day of inclosed coursing in this 

 country— or until he will be obliged, at least, to place the 

 coursing of our Western club on a level with that of the 

 Eastern Coursing Club, both as regards its present form 

 and as regards its probable future development in genuine 

 sportsmanlike features. 



I insist that nothing herein be twisted or construed as im- 

 plying the least prejudice against the Eastern Coursing 

 Club, whose growth our Western men all watch with 

 friendly pleasure. I should hail that, as I should the West- 

 ern cl ub, as one more worthy sporting feature, and the more 

 the merrier. There is no close communion in sportsman- 

 ship. There is no East nor West in sportsmanship, if it all 

 be governed by fairness. But I insist that the friendship 

 and charity we extend to the East be extended to the West; 

 and I tear much that we shall indeed ere long have an Ease 

 and a West, if we have so sharp writing as that of this well- 

 meant but biting editorial, which I honestly believe to be 

 unjust to a number of hearty good sportsmen, UDjust to a 

 clean and legitimate form of sport, and moreover, unjust to 

 that spirit of liberty and fairness which prevails in this 

 country more than it does or ever can in that Great Britain 

 upon whose customs we are asked to model estimates of 

 ours. E. Hough. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



Coursing in this country is, of course, in its infancy, and 

 although four successful * meetings have been held on the 

 Kansas prairies, where, there are no obstacles to interfere 

 with the running, either iu the form of an ovpr-zealous 

 society for preventing harmless sport or by a lack of good- 

 running rabbits, the number of those who are interested 

 who can attend the meetings is naturally very limited; and 

 means must be devised by which the sport cm be provided 

 for those who are equally interested, but unable to leave for 

 a two weeks' vacation, and which must necessarily be 

 attended with considerable expense. 



In order to bring about these results the National Coursing 

 Association of Hutchinson, Kan , was organized, the object 

 being to arrange a series of meetings in inclosed grounds in 

 i is :i large citiesEast and South. There would necessarily be 

 considerable outlay of time and money to so perfect plans 

 that an enterprise" of this kind could be carried on success- 

 fully, and it could not be expected that any one with his 



senses intact would undertake to present to the public a full 

 fr?e exhibition: and it is only good common sense to think 

 that fair return would be expected for the investmeu*-, and 

 not in the least reflect on t*ie managers as gamblers or to 

 even have a suggestion of their being other than high 

 toned gentlemen sportsmen. Aud in the three meetings 

 that have been given under the management of the Associ- 

 ation no improper conduct has been tolerated and no gam- 

 bling encouraged; and, furthermore, there has never been a 

 dollar made, but on the other hand, a loss has been sustained 

 at every meeting. 



It was understood that no gambling or book-making 

 should be allowed in connection with the meetings, and 

 that the sport, should be given in its purity, snd perfectly 

 fair and honest contests rigidly upheld. Local dogs alone 

 competed for the prizes in the Eastern cities, and points 

 were accurately counted in every course. 



That the exhibitions may yet be coutrolled by dishonor- 

 able parties we will admit, and then be run in tue interest 

 of the pool sellers; but to say that this was and is the object 

 with those who have the management in hand is a little be- 

 yond the privilegeof anyjournal, for reflection is cast on the 

 motives of those interested; and if the individual who wrote 

 the editorial in your very worthy journal could suggest a 

 method that appears to him the proper way of popularizing 

 coursing the Association will gladly listen, and if practical 

 follow the advice, for the true motive has been thus far to 

 bring their sport before the public with all its beauty and 

 without loss. Surely it would be pleasant to work in con- 

 nection with local clubs as suggested in the reports of the 

 fall meetings, but this can be doue only after showing them 

 the interest that it at once stimulates in those who see the 

 running. 



There have endless difficulties arisen in organizing the 

 American Coursing Club, even though it was and has been 

 simply a private gentleman's club. One wanted to be this 

 and another that, and all wauted to win or there was foul 

 play somewhere. Another wanted to be considered the main 

 organizer and so stated it all over the country. Jealousy 

 and back-bitiug and selfishueas have nearly broken up the 

 club, and it willin time have to be reorganized, and this, too, 

 a private club with no expectations of ever being more than 

 self-sustaining. It is perfectly proper to ask and expect 

 those who enjoy the entertainment to contribute a small 

 sum for the privilege and for those who meet the expences 

 and perform the labor to receive remuneration forthe same. 

 It would be a peculiar philanthropist indeed who would give 

 all his time and pay the expenses of a coursing meeting for 

 the benefit of the public. Coursing is a pleasant pastime 

 and pleases the masses, and in time coursing meets will be- 

 come as numerous as horseraces, and we hope and pray that 

 they may be kept pure and free from any suspicion of jockey- 

 ing or jobbing, and this will certainly be the case as long as 

 the writer takes an active part in the management. 



G. Irwin Royoe. 



INTER-STATE FIELD TRIALS. 



ISpecial to Forest and Slream^ 



LAFAYETTE, La,. Jan. 13.— The first meeting of the 

 • Inter-State Field Trial Club began here to-day witb 10 

 entries in the Members' Stake, 19 in the Derby and 25 in the 

 All-Aged Stake. The judges are A. R. Starr, Judge Cleg°' 

 and N. D. Wallace. There is a large and enthusiastic crowd 

 present with quite a number of the best professional hand- 

 lers. Among them are Rose, Titus, Stephenson, Avent, 

 McCargo, Short and others. The birds are too plentiful and 

 cover too thick to show off a high-class dog to the best ad- 

 vantage. In the first heat run there were eight bevies found. 

 The weather is all that could be asked for to-day. 



In thp Members' Stake Orner Villere's pointer bitch Lil- 

 lie Talbot beat R M. Hutchibs's pointer Spring, in a long 

 and poor heat. F. F. Myles's setter Ben Hur beat Omer 

 Villere's setter Ten, having a decided advantage in nearly 

 all qualities. F. F. Myles's setter Bob McCargo beat R. W. 

 Foster's setter Capt. Bethel T., both showing up badly. N. 

 D. Wallace's setter Bang and J. K. Renaud's setter Ned 

 White ran one hour, found three bevies, made one point, 

 quite a number of flushes and chases, and were ordered up 

 for want of merit— ^ just decision. F. F. Myles's setter 

 Dimple beat Judge J. M. Thompson's setter Mark Twain 

 in a close heat, but Dimple clearly had theadvantage. This 

 ended the first series. Bern Hur beat Lillie Talbot in a long 

 heat that might have been decided in his favor much sooner. 

 This ended the day's running with only three dogs left in 

 for first, all belonging to Mr. F. F. Myles. 



THE DERBY. 

 Out of 40 nominations in the Derby there were 19 filled, 

 and they were drawn to run as follows: 



F. F. V. (J. R. Purcell), liver and white pointer bitch 

 (Flockfinder— Ion). 



against 



SlMONlDES (Rose & Madison), black, white and tan Eng- 

 lish setter dog (Gath's Hope— Gladys). 



Hope's Ray (D. E. Rose), black, white and can English 

 setter dog (Gath's Hope— Lady May), 

 against 



Bang (N. D. Wallace), black, white and tan English set- 

 ter- dog (Mark Twain— Lena R.). 



Transit (Thomas Blythe), liver and white pointer bitch 

 (Beppo III.— Lass of Bow), 



against 



Lillie Talbot (Omer Vnlere), liver and white pointer 

 bitch (imported). 



Ned White (J. K. Renaud), white and ticked English 

 setter dog (Mark Twain— Lena R.). 



against 



ANNIE F. (Memphis & AveDt Kennels), black and white 

 English setter bitch (Roderigo— Juno A.). 



Dad Wilson's Boy (J. Shelley Hudson), black, white 

 and tan English setter dog (Dad Wilson— Dolly S.), 

 against 



Flake of Flockfinder, Jr.. (J. R. Purcell), liver and 

 white pointer dog (Don— Lady Spotswood). 



Dad Wilson, Jr. ( J. Shelley Hudson), black, white and 

 tan English setter dog (Dad Wi'son— Lit). 



mgainst 



Harry C. (Memphis & Avent Kennels), black aad white 

 English setter dog (Roderigo— Countess House). 



Heiniken (J. R. Purcell), liver and white, pointer dog 

 (Flockfinder— Ion) , 



against 



Fred Gates (Hamilton & Jackson), black, white and tan 

 English setter dog (Bob Gates— Lilly B.). 



Daisy Girl (G. R. Howse), black, white and tan English 

 setter bitch (Count Paris— Nellie Cambridge), 



against 



Royal C, (Memphis & Avent Kennels), black, white and 

 tan English setter dog (Roderigo— Countess House). 



Tribulation (B. M. Stephenson), liver and white pointer 

 dog (Beppo III.— Lass of Bow), 



against 



ROWDY Rod (Memphis & Avent Kennels), black and white 

 English setter dog (Roderigo— Juno A.)« 



Roy Wilson (R. W. Wehrle), black, white and tan Eng- 

 lish setter dog (San Roy, Jr.— Roberta II.), a bye. 



THE ALL-AGED SETTER STAKE. ' '"^ 

 There were thirty-two nominations for the All-Aged 

 Stakf. twenty-five of which filled. They were drawn to ran 

 as follows: 



FRED GATES (Hamilton and Jackson), black, white and 

 tan English setter dog (Boh Gates— Lilly B.), 



against 



Don's Don (J. R. Purcell), liver and white pointer dog 

 Don— Lady), 



ROY Wilson (R. W. Wehrle), black, white and tan Eng- 

 lish setter dog (San Roy, Jr.— Roberta II.), 

 against 



F. F. V. (T. R. Purcell), liver and white pointer bitch 

 iFlocknnder--lon). 



Stubble (J. D. Sperry), black, white and tan Gordon set- 

 ter dog (Maicol in --Dream If ). 



against 



Ben Hub (F. F. Myles), buck, white and tan English set- 

 ter dog (.Paul Gladstone— Lottie), 



Tennessee Bob (West Tennesson Keunels), black, white 

 and tan Euglish setter dog (Fred W.— Ida.), 

 against 



Chance (Memphis & Avent Kenuels), black aud white 

 Euglish setter dog (Roderigo— Bo Peep). 



Daisy's Hope (A.M. Young), orange and white setter bifeeh 

 (Gath's Hope— Daisy F.), 



against 



Beppo III. (Graphic Kennels), liver and white pointer dog- 

 ( Piiam— Meally) . 



Heiniken (J. R. Purcell), liver and white pointer bitch 

 (Flocktinder-Ion), 



against 



Transit (Thomas Blythe), liver and white pointer bitch 

 (Beppo HI, — Lass of Bow). 



Capt. Bethel (R. W. Foster), white and black setter dog 

 (Gordon— Blanche;, 



against 



Flake of Flockfinder. Jb. (J. R . Purcell) liver and white 

 pointer bitch tDon— Lady Spotswood). 



Tennessee Charley (West Teunessee Keunels), black, 

 white and tan English setter dog (Fred W.— Ida), 



against 



Rowdy Rod (Memphis & Aveat Kennels), black and white 

 English setter dog (Roderigo— Juno A.). 



Corsair (West Tennessee Kennels), black, white and tan 

 English setter dog (Dan Gladstone— Haidee), 

 against 



Spring (R. M. Hutchings), liver and white pointer dog 

 (Mainspring— Curfe w ) . 



Dad Wilson. Jr. (J. Shelly Hudson), black, white and 

 tan English setter dog (Dad Wilson— Lit), 

 against 



Lady Zeal (John E. Gill), liver and white pointer bitch 

 (Croxteth — Amine). 



Toledo Blade (J. D. Dager), black, white and tan Eng- 

 lish setter dog (Roderigo— Lillian), 



against 



Joy of Prince William (J. R. Purcell), liver and white 

 pointer bitch (Flockfinder— Ion). 



Dimple (F. F. Myles), black, white and tan setter bitch 

 (Gordon— Blan che) . 



agains* 



Galena (J. E. Gill), liver and white pointer bitch (Trin- 

 ket's Bang — Cremorne), 



Bloomo II. (Graphic Kennels), liver and white pointer 

 bitcb (Lad of Bow— Bloomo), a bye. 



Lafayette, La., Jan. 14. — It was stormy and rather dis- 

 agreeable at timt-s to-day for good work. The grounds we re 

 somewhat better than yesterday. While the Derby was 

 running, under the same judges, new judges were select* d 

 to finish the Mt-mbers' Stake, which resulted as follows: 

 Ben Hur beat Bob McCargo. Ben Hur beat Dimple find 

 won first money Dimple beat Lillie Talbott and won sec- 

 ond. Lillie Talbott was placed third. First and second 

 prize winners are both English setters, and belong to F. F. 

 Myles. 



The Derby: Simonides beat F.F.V. in a closely contested 

 heat. Hope's Ray beat Bang, both dogs about equal in 

 natural qualities. Bang would not back. Transit beat 

 Lillie Talbott. Lillie had a decided advantage in work on 

 game and would have won if she had not broke shot and 

 chased. Annie F. beat Ned White, outclassing him in 

 nearly every respect. Dad Wilson's Boy and Flake of Flock- 

 finder were run two hours without making a singlp point. 

 Flock making two chases. Both dogs were ordtred up for 

 want of merit. Dad Wilson, Jr., and Harry C. ran a close 

 heat for one bour and fifteen minutes, both doing very high 

 class work; decidedly the best heat run during the trial. 

 They will be put down again to-morrow morning. 



EASTERN FIELD TRIALS CLUB MEETING. 



THERE was no quorum present at the adjourned annual 

 meeting of the Eastern Field Trials Club on Tuesday 

 last, and the meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 

 the American Institute building, A full attendance is re- 

 quested, as business of importance is to be transacted. All 

 members who cannot be present should send their proxies 

 to the secretary, Mr. W. A. Coster, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 



After the adjournment there was a meeting of the Board 

 of Governors, President Donnerin the chair, The members 

 present were Messrs. Donner, Hitchcock, Dexter, Breese, 

 Thayer, Lorillard, Duryea and Coster. The minutes of the 

 previous meeting were read and approved. The committee 

 on rules reported progress and were given further time. 

 The committee on grounds also reported progress, and Mr 

 F. R. Hitchcock was appointed to mab arrangements fo 

 the use of suitable grounds for the clab. and he %vill depar 

 for the South on Thursday— tf>-3ay— for the purpose. The 

 report of the treasurer showed a balance t<"> the credit of th 

 club of si, 597 46. Mr. E. W. Durkee, New York, was elected 

 a member, and the resignations of Messrs. J. E. Thayer, E. 

 R, Wharton, Arthur M. Hunter, J. G. Heckscher and Geo. 

 B. Raymond were accepted. The secretarv was instructed 

 to notify all delinquents that unless their dues were paid by 

 Feb. 11 "their names would be dropped from the roll. 



THE BEAGLE CLUB.— Whisted, Conn., Jan. 13.— All 

 persons interested in the keeping or breeding of beagles are 

 cordially invited to apply for admission to membership in 

 this club. Our dues are but S3 a year. Copies of the consti- 

 tution and by-laws, and also the standard may be had by 

 addressing Frank D. Hallett, Secretary. 



THE APOLLO STAKES.— New York, Jan. U.—Editor 

 Forest and Stream: Owing to the Albany Kennel Club not 

 having a show this year, the Apollo stakes have been trans- 

 ferred to be judged at Rochester,— H. P. FEOTHINGHAM, 

 Sec'y and Tresis. 



