FOREST AND 3TRfiAM. 
othw evidence tliat he is la a class by himself when it comes fa 
running a shoet. , , „ , ■„ ^ , 
Tack Fanning is back from the Coast, but will not remain in 
the East very lotlg. Going from here to Baltimore, lliencc Ue wlM 
make Kansas City, Lincoln, Peoria and St, Louis ifl the crdef 
"Voc George is back in tlic sliooting fold. Pigeons are not Joe's 
forte, targets being just to liis liking. As he threaateiis to taUfc 
in the Missouri State shoot it is likely we will be able to give a 
better account of him. - . , . j 
Lieutenant Du Cray, Parker Bros.' representative, was pleased 
to find so many of his company's gun in tne hands of the prin- 
cipals at this tournament. He managed to go the entire distance, 
but owing to some hard luck could not hnish m the money, 
landing just one short. In the last two handicaps he has average'! 
just >U9, killing iia in 1898 and 22 this year, a tiiost eSGeJlent 
Charley Willard, although not a princifial, "Was present dtirlng 
several days of the tournament. 
Lou. Harrison, of Minneapolis, Minn., owing to illness, ty^S pre- 
vented participating in the handicap. S ■ ■ 
Tom Marshall has now participated in three handicaps, aiiring 
which time he was compelled to shoot at 108 birds, of which he 
scored lOG. In face of such a record it is not very strange tJiat 
he should be a two-time winner. In '88 he scored 23, missing hxs 
fifteenth and twentieth bird. As he was the winner on each of 
the other occasions it will be readily understood that, he had ro 
score them all. , , . , «»' i 
VV. R. Clark, Irby Bennett and Jim Hildreth, Of the Wmcliestcr 
Company, were present on nearly every day of the shoot, thottgh 
they took no part in the contest. , , d. ^ i 
Col. Martin made his appearance at Elkwood Park on baturUay 
prior to the handicap, remaining there until the day after its close. 
During all of this time, we are informed, he shot at a trifle over 
500 birds, and lost but eight of this number, which is aiK S-verage 
of over '.QiS. „ . ,, 
Mr. E. S. Lentilhon, of the Dupont Company, came over on the 
last day to shoot in the consolation handicap, but, though he en- 
tered this event, he did not get to shoot owing to the fact that it 
had to be declared off as it was impossible to hnish it. 
Owing to the unusual pressure on om- columns it is necessary to 
curtail personal mention, much as we regret to do so. We arc 
aware there are many others worthy of mention, which we must 
defer until another time. t, ,t 
The post entries of the G. A. H. were Messrs. Geo, Roll, C. H. 
Green Jr.; O. C. Bogardus, T. B. Robertson, W. C. Rawson, L. 
Stutevant, B. W. Claridge, H. Travers, M. FL Lindsley, R. L. 
Packard and R. Kuss. , 
After the ties were shot ofl.' there was insufficient time to shoot 
off the Consolation Handicap, a 15-bird event, $10 entrance, and the 
Auld Lang Syne Sweepstakes, 10 birds, ?7 enlrance. 
Mrs. Milt Lindsley ("VXanda") was one of the lady contest- 
■ants in the Handicap. While not so successful as the two other 
■ladies, she nevertheless made some very excellent kills and at- 
tracted quite as much attention. Most of her shooting was from 
the 26vd, mark, not 25, as her handicap was made. 
Elliston was free to admit that the birds in his match with 
Capt. Money were entirely too fast for him, and a revelation in 
that respect. . , „ ■ . 
Prom the amount of talk one hears here in the East concerning 
the Missouri State shoot, it is more than likely that there will 
be a big delegation go out to this tournament. 
Paul R. Litzke. 
THE GRAND AMERICAN HANDICAP. 
The Grand American Handicap for 1899, in the matter of entries, 
broad scope and greater public interest, , far surpassed its predeces- 
sor of 1S98. although the latter was justly valued as a phenomenal 
record breaker, and possibly a final one. Up to the lime of clos- 
ing the entries there was the greatest divergence ol opinion in 
respect to their probable number. Not a few new hats were won 
and lost on the 250 figure, considered as being near the boun- 
dary limit by those who were in a position to make estimates 
based on logical probabilities. On each side of this estimate were 
the extremists— those who firmly predicted that the number of last 
year would not be reached, owing to differences of opinion con- 
cerning high guns and class shooting, and those who were san- 
guine that the number would reach near 800, owing to better times 
IHOS. A. MARSHALL. 
vV inner of Handicap, 1899. 
in the business world, the greater interest manifested in pigeon 
shooting everywhere, and the steady natural growth of America's 
greatest shooting event year by year. The total number of entries 
was 278; of these twelve failed to fill, and ten were post entries, 
so that the total number of actual competitors was 266, a difference 
of 69 greater than the number of starters last year, and 71 greater 
in the total number of entries. 
Thus, from a comparatively humble start in 1893 with 21 shooters, 
the Interstate Association has so wisely planned and conducted 
the handicap year by year that it has steadily grown in breadth 
and success, culminating in the contest of last week with the 
record-breaking number of 266 contestants. 
As to the intervening years, the handicap of 1894 had 54 entries; 
that of 1895 61 (this contest was held in Lorillard Park, near Pater- 
son, N. J.); 1896, 109 entries, of which 104 competed; 1897, 146 en- 
tries, of which 135 competed; 1898, 207 entries and 197 competitors. 
The winners were as follows: In 1893, Mr. R. A. Welch, of Phil- 
adelphia; 1894, Mr. Thomas VV. Morfev, of Lyndhurst, N. J.; 1895, 
Mr. John G. Messner. of Phittsburg, Pa.; 1896, Mr. O. R.. Dickey, 
of Boston, Mass.; 1897, Mr. Thomas A. Marshall, of Keithsburg, 
111.; 1898 Mr. E. D. Fulford, of Utica, N. Y. This year Mr. Mar- 
shall won again, of which more hereinafter. - . . 
The dates were April 11, 12 and 13, as originally fixed, but it 
required four days to finish, with several events cut out of the 
programme at that. The weather was such as to permit of cotj- 
tinuous shooting, and on the whole was favorable to good competi- 
£ion, though the high wind which prevailed at times made a swift 
IrtiiriiiMiiiBMliliMi 
Jf K. T. A. MARSHAll. AT tttE SCORE. 
sifting out of many shooters, some Of wliom were not equal to the 
difficulties it imposed, while many on the other hand suffered from 
the hardest of luck in having birds, killed in the air, blown 
out of bounds. 
Tuesday, Ap il W, First Day. 
Two events were on the programme for this day, namely, the 
Elkwood Park Introductory, seven birds, ?5 entrance, birds extra, 
high guns, lliree moneys, ties to divide. Consequent to the large 
number of shooters present and the impossibility of finishing both 
events, this one was declared off., 
The Nitfo Powder Handicap. 
The unusual large number of contestants precluded all possi- 
bilty of disposing ot both events scheduled for inis day, thereiore 
the managtmcnt decided to shoot only the Mitro PowQer Handi- 
cap, cancelling the Elkwood Park Introductory. 
the Nitro Powder Handicap conditions were: Infteen birds, 
$10 entrance, handicap rise; high guns. According to the pro- 
vision of the programme there could only be twenty moneys, 
though the entries ran up to 210, Of this number thirty killed 
straight and took all the money, which netted each $'(0.3U, as all 
the straight men iavored a division of the purse. Plowever, it 
would have been impossible to have shot it under other conditions, 
as the programme required the event to be disposed of this day. 
It was growing rapidiy dark when the last round was shot. 
No less than fifty-one of the principals scored 14. In not a few 
cases these losses were birds tnat leii dead out of bounds. Sev- 
enteen finished with a total of 13, and two with 12. One hundred 
and ten of the contestants withdrew, as it was obvious that noth- 
ing but straight scores could pay. ■ ■ , 
The following are the straight men Wtb snared in a division oi 
the money: Hallowell, Riley, Valentine, Dr. Kibby, Roll, Lane, 
Barto Sperry, Sweeney, Marten, Johnson, Crosby, Dallas, Voris, 
Le Roy, Teipel, J. A. R. Elliott, Francis, Stubener, Grimm, Dicks, 
Bingham, Klein, Zewcrg, Burgess, Popham, Wood, Elliston, Post, 
The men who killed 14 are: Brewer, Brucker, Kirkover, Stock- 
ton Parmelee, Vincent, Laflin, Worthen, Cockrill, Merrill, George. 
rSudd Money, Hickman Gottlieb, Fulford, Van Aleen, Malone, 
H. Dunnell, W. Dunnell, A. S. Miller, Green, Jr.; Hicks, Sam- 
uelson, Geikler, Jim Jones, Dr. Williamson, Mayhew, Kilbourn, 
Gambell, Hutching. Lyons, DuBray, Rockwell, Clay, Browall, 
Ivins, Mosher, Stockwell, Duston, Stoddard, Woodruff, Perrine,^ 
Donley, Martin, Claridge^ Capt. Bunk, Schemmd, J?c. Knowlton, 
Hunewell and Sampson. . 
The men who killed 13 are: Sumpter. Chase, Nauman, Har- 
baugh, Atkinson, Sporting Life No. 1, Deiter, Rcmsen, M. S. 
Rice, Plankington, Capt. Wooley, Tulley, Moffett, Barker, Hooey 
and Faurote. _ „ ^ , 
Those who killed 12 are:' B. Dunnell and G. H. Ford. 
The list of those who did not finish follows: Denny, Fanning, 
Tacksnn, Kirshner. Callison, Gay, O'Brine, Heikes, Collins Far- 
incr, Norton, Welch, Burkhardt, Alkire, Loomis, W. Miller, Hyde, 
Studley, Young, Shaw, Capt. Monev, Peterman, Anthony. Stone, 
McVey, Marshall. Harrison, Appleby, Ranks. Carter, Clark Mc- 
Kinnv Quimby, Shaner. Tames, Morfey, H. Ford, Glover. Shuler, 
Waddell, Mosby, Dave Elliott, Mcls.ey, Landis, Merrier. Paterson, 
Wagner, Dr. Smith, Burrousfh. Ileilman, Walker, U. M. C. Wat- 
son Mark King, North, S. Hoffman, F. Stannard. Gilbert, Holden, 
Balienstein, Palmer, Van Martin, England, Cashau, Packard, Ra^v- 
hide, Sherman. Coleman, Trumbaucr, Bryan, Buckwalter, Dr. 
Carver, E. S. Rice. Meidroth, W. M. Thompson, Lilly, Dering, 
Macartney, Fallis Fawcitt, Brady, VVerk Jack Parker, Arno. Nich- 
olson Sedam, Dupee, Schortemeicr, Stoddard. HiMbrandt, Belloff, 
Lee Hassinger, Geoffrey, W. L. Smhh, Murlieid. Creighton. Speer, 
Hicks, Moore, Courtney, CuUom, Hegeman, Jr., Puck, Dickey, 
Zwcrline, Apgar, The Count, Rattle, Weller and Bender. 
The Grand Ameiican Handicap. 
Two full days and part of a third were required to finish this 
great event, with its 266 contestants. There was no dawdling at 
the hour set to begin. Promptly at 9 o'clock each morning 
Manager Shaner started the competition, and it continued from 
that time on till near the end of the day, when the light began 
to fade. , J , J 
The weather on Wednesday, in the forenoon, was dark and 
cloudy and raw with a little sprinkle of rain betimes, yet not 
enough to interfere with the shooting. The wind blew stiftly frorn 
the south and southwest. At noon the weather cleared up and 
the conditions were not unfavorable for good scores. 
On Thursday, a stiff high wind blew from the west and north 
of west all the forenoon, bringing disaster to many a shooter, for 
the birds started for the boundary with astonishing swiftness, and 
even when hit full and fair went out of bounds with the carrying 
force of the wind. No. 3 set of traps were considered the most 
diflicult, for there the wind blew straight in the shooters' faces. 
Often after the first barrel was fired the residue of powder blew 
back into the shooter's eyes, obstructing a clear second shot. Ihe 
birds, springing from the traps against the wind, would swirl up 
high in the air, and many times, though fairly hit with both 
barrels, would be carried yards back of the dead line, sliding 
smoothly out as if they were going down a steep inclined plane. 
These few hours of wind made a severe change in the situation. 
Bird after bird was lost, thereby putting many out of the race, 
ending many promising hopes when the morning began. 
On Wednesday, when the day ended, the twelfth round was 
shot up to the two hundredth man. On Thursday the twelfth 
round was continued, and when the shooting for the day ended 
all was finished up to the twenty-fifth round, so that each man 
had but one bird to shoot at on the following day to determine the 
moneys if the ties were not shot off. Afterward, there was then 
only the final ties to shoot off for the cup. 
Considering the large number of contestants, a remarkably small 
number made straight scores even early in the competition. Even 
in the early rounds shooters began to lose birds to such an ex- 
tent that at the end of the twelfth round onlv forty-five men were 
straight; at the end of the fifteenth round thirty-one were straight; 
at the end of the twenty-first round nine men were straight; 
at the end of the twenty-fourth round seven were straight. 
There wae s iar^e attendance of visitors each day, said t9 pe 
:the greatest ever i>resent at any previous shoot held at Elkwood 
'Park. Many ladies were present to witness the sport, ihe gen- 
tler sex was also represented in the list of competitors, three ladies, 
Mrs. P. H. Murray, ol Stilh^aier, Minn.; iSirs. M. i'. Lindisley 
, (Wanda), of Cincinnati, O., and Mrs. \V. C. bhattuck, o£ Minne- 
' apolis, Minn., showing that skill at the traps ts not the exclusive 
' nroperty of man, , , , ( -i 
In a great event of this kind there are a few who work while 
the many are having sport. There was a selected staff , of special- 
ists Each man was chosen for his special fitness in the office 
which he filled. Mr. Elmer E. Shaner, the manager, conducted 
all the multitude of details wilh the skill and forethought which 
always mark his management. All the inuicale machinery \yas 
completed before a shot was fired. Notwithstanding the wide 
difference in the duties of the force employed, the managerial sys- 
tem was so complete that no matter how fast the shooters hnished 
their turns at the traps, the records were up to date, and all the 
parts worked together in a harmonious whole. Mr. jslianer was 
constantly alert here and there and everywhere, guarding against 
delavs and straightening out any little kinks la the free running pt 
the 'great event. To keep 266 shooters following each other in 
succession around three sets of traps, and to keep all the collateral 
details in running order is no small task. A serious error any- 
where could easily throw the whole shoot m confusion. Mr. 
Shaner's work was so complete that he won greater laurels as a 
manager, and proved beyond question that he could cope with a 
tournament, however great might be the number of entries or the 
interests involved. ■ , , », ; -r^j . , t. i„ 
The office of compiler of scores was filled by Mr. ^idward Banks, 
who has had that part in charge in the three past handicaps, and 
each time handled it with .signal success. The large number oi 
entries and the rapid manner in which the shooters finished- their 
turns at the score made a great amount of work for his ofhce, but 
did not impair in the least the routine efficiency of it. He was 
assisted by Mr. John D-. Regan, of New York, an expert in gns 
line and thoroughly proficient from having filled the sarne ofhce 
in the past in connection with this event "and from having also 
acted as scorer, cashier, etc., in many shooting events about _Ne\v 
York The entry clerks in the scorer s department were Mr; J. K. 
Starr, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Paul R. Litzke, of Little Rock, 
Ark both of large experience in every detail of conducting a 
tournament. Besides having charge of this depai-tment, Mr. Banks 
was the Association's press representative, and v\as e.spected to 
answer a volley of questions at once without interfering with his 
routine work. He shot in the handicap also. With so piuch care 
on his mind, it is a wonder that he made the excellent competi- 
tion which he did. , , d t,> • 
The cashier's department was most ably conducted by Messrs. 
A. Meyerhoff, of New York, and Mr. L. Lautenslager, of Pitts* 
^^Mr. W. H. Palmer, of New York, was watchman; Mr. H. F. H. 
Dressel, of New York, was gafeman, and Mr. J. McGraw, ofLong 
Branch, was messenger. , „, , , -v, , 
At No. 1 set of traps, Mr. Edward Taylor, of New York, w-as 
referee. Pie acted in the same capacity in this event last year and 
is a veteran in skill and experience and integrity. Mr. J. Vone 
Emmons of Long Branch, N. J., was scorer at this set of iraps. 
At No. 2 set of traps, Mr, Harold VVallack, of Long Branch, 
N. J., was referee. He also has officiated in this event for years 
past, and he, too, is a man of skill and experience and integrity. 
Mr. A. A. Fink, of Reading, Pa., well known as a manager of 
shoots in his State, acted as scorer at this set of traps. ■ •, _ 
At No. 3 set of traps, Mr. Bernard Waters was referee. Kir, 
Howard Gray, of New York, was scorer. , ^ ,r- 
The squad hustlers were Mr. W. J. McCnckart and P. DeVigne, 
a most exacting office, of infinite labor, for on them depended the 
warning of the indifferent, the hurrying up of those who lagged, 
and a general keeping up of the line of shooters, who began at -No. 
1 set of traps and finished at No. 3. . . 
Each shooter bore on his back a large card, on which was 
marked the number which preceded his name in the list of .shoot- 
ers, and which designated the order in which he shot. On 'it also 
was marked the sho"oter's handicap. Thus, a card marked 'No. 2. 
28yds." denoted that the shooter shot after No. 1, and that his 
handicap was 28yds. Printed lists could be obtained on the 
grounds, and on these were the names of all the shooters, their 
addresses and their numbers m the order of shooting. The> iden- 
tity of any shooter thus could be easily determined by referring to 
his corresponding number in these lists. , . , 
Each shooter began at No. 1 set of traps, thence walked td No. 
2, where he shot his next bird, thence to No. 8, where he shot 
his third bird, and then he retired till his turn came again, which 
between the first and second round .was after an interval o! about 
three hours, a most trying wait to those who were fretful or 
nervous, or both. As the rounds were shot off, and as the shooters 
were dropped out and the number consequently grew less, the wait 
between rounds grew I'^.^s, though on the other hand the strain 
grew greater with many as the competition nearcd the finish. 
The long wait between rounds was the sole irksome feature of the 
shoot. , -J J 
As to the manner of keeping the scores, each scorer was provided 
with a set of score sheets, which was a duplicate of those in the 
hands of the other scorers.. Let us suppose now that the shoot 
has just begun. Then each scorer uses the first sheet, which has 
printed on it the names, numbers from 1 to 25, and_ handicaps of 
the first twenty-five shooters. When the shooter has shot at No 
• 1 set of traps, the scorer records his kill or miss, and Nos. 2 and 3 
in turn do the same. When the shooter* from No. 1 to No, 25 
have shot, the messenger takes the three filled score sheets^ to the 
office of Ihe compiler of scores. The sheets are marked 1, 2, 3, and 
when placed side by side in one two three order the three-'shots 
of each of the twenty-five men are seen at a glance. The ehtrv 
clerk copies these sheets to the main sheets, which are_ ticked 
down over a large area of desk. In the meantime the scorers 
have taken up the sheets numbered from 26 to 50. inclusive, and 
when these are filled they are sent in as before, till the round is 
finished, when a new set of score sheets are takf-n in hand and 
the scorers proceed as before. When the shooting has advanced to 
a stage where men are dropped from it. a heavy bHie pencil mark 
is drawn through the names of such as have mi.ssed enouah to 
preclude their winning, and thus the scorer at the traps know, 
thft he need not call up those whose names are thus cancelled. 
Xbe party from the West came in a special train of seven 
