BSD 
P-OREST AND STREAM, 
[June 25, 1904. 
§ifl0 §mg^ mid ^Ifeif. 
' — — — — " 
Fbrfurra, 
June 26.— Zeltner's Morrisania Park.— German-American Shooting 
Society's shoot. _____________ 
Rifle CIttbs and Shoot'ngf* 
Editor Forest 'And Stream: 
While pouring over my budget of late newspapers, I ran across 
& CaBadian paper in which were articles anent rifle shooting and 
shooting clubs, from which I infer that a progressive editor is 
"agitating a more universal interest in sports in Canada, of which 
the chiefest element lies in fire arm marksmanship. It has roused 
some good club men and is bringing out some instructive litera- 
ture, as will be observed, for instance, by the letter appended: It 
seems to me that we might also have an awakening of interest in 
the mattsr right here in the United States, and if the agitation in 
Caaatia can become infectious and come across the border into 
Vankee land, I believe we ought to welcome the birth of the 
-question or subject. I don't know what the status of rifle shoot- 
ing is back East, but way oEf here in the metropolis of the far 
West, it looks as if Americans were not nowadays giving lire- 
arm marksmanship the high distinction as a sport that it deserves 
- o«rtside of military (id est, army and navy) circles. 
■ At random I have taken from my files a copy of the San 
Frandsco Daily Call of recent date, and find in one issue two 
pa'gcs fully devoted to sports, but in all of the fourteen columns 
<f>? sporting news there is not one single line dedicated to shooting. 
I heve frequently noticed similar derelictions, and wondered at 
it; but the discussion in the Canadian publication brings the 
subject out more forcibly, and you will pardon me, I hope, in 
carrying my troubles, so to speak, to you and your many readers, 
and ask your indulgence and sympathy iti an affair that ought to 
appea! to our pride and patriotism. 
The Canadian correspondent makes prominent several features 
connected with rifle shooting and clubs, including the popularity 
or non-popularity of the sport, the possible obstacles to be met 
with in the formation of clubs, and the moral views that might 
be taken as to the sport in one phase or another. And first, a 
word on my part concerning the latter aspect. If I have not 
erred in my observations, it is a matter of conscience among 
Americans as to the disposal of a Sunday or Sabbath, though it 
appears to me that the Yankees are more inclined to devote the 
day to religion, while the so-called "foreign element," especially 
in the big cities, show a general disposition to make Sunday a 
day of recreation and pleasure, making it an "Old World Sunday," 
as it is called. This, I think, is due to an instinct of the work- 
ing classes of foreign birth to make a holiday of the holy day as a 
matter of economy, in order to get in as many working days out 
the week as possible. The American, on the other hand, pre- 
fers to take his Saturday half holiday to the ball game, devoting 
!iis Sunday to rest and spiritual duties and divertisement. At any 
j-ate, in my estimation it's a point in ethics that concerns the in- 
~ dividual, based on conscience or convenience. So let us set the 
Sunday question aside. ' 
It is a well established tenet in the domain of commerce that 
every man 's business is what he makes it, as regards, honesty, 
lawfulness and respectability. And the same will hold good in 
sports and recreations. The knowledge of a gr.me of cards imay be 
either a genteel accomplishment or a vice. Devotion to outdoor 
sports mfy be carried to such an excess as to become a passion, 
to the detriment of one's legitimate calling. I am cynical of the 
■attitude of persons whose station or vocation is such that they 
are to pose as examples in decorum and morals; but I doubt very 
much if I could find fault with a clergyman for belonging to a 
gun club and taking a try at the buUseye once in a while. I 
believe in muscular Christianity, and if I am not mistaken, it is 
in merrie old England that a minister of the gospel is thought 
all the more of if he can and does play cricket. 
Firearm marksmanship (rifle practice or target shooting) ought 
to appeal strongly to professional men such as doctors, lawyers, 
educationaries and clergymen, and especially the first and, the last 
named. We all know the value of recreation or divertisement that 
take our minds "off from business" and away from arduous daily 
duties. And none are so beneficial as those recreations which 
demand concentration of thought, and which entail no violence or 
boisterousness. It is one thing to watch a game of baseball or 
lacrosse, and another to take part in it. But to get any real 
-benefit out of shooting, one must not be content to be a specta- 
tor. And in taking part there is no risk of breaking bones, sprain- 
irig joints or straining tendons, and yet there is plenty of exercise 
to be had, with a training of the wrist and eye, both of the most 
essential importance to the doctor or surgeon. 
A target shooting range necessarily must be beyond the urban 
limits or busy haunts of man; but in these days of rapid transit 
via electric cars, automobile or bicycle, if not always by, steam 
railway or horse, distance is of little account. Accessibility is a 
foregone conclusion to begin with. Shooting parks or ranges are 
possibilities that can easily be converted into actualities. And 
we ought in this country have more rifle clubs, shooting parks 
and Creedmoors. The German veterans from the Franco-Prussian 
Avar who settled in this country formed societies here and per- 
petuated and fostered their skill in marksmanship— sharpshooting— 
to their general benefit. The Schuetzen Verein is an institution 
almost peculiar to our German-American citizens. These shooting 
societies, like their Turn Vereins and singing societies, became 
social factors. And in many instances the shooting societies w£re 
a source of financial profit to the members. Their shooting ranges 
or parks were investments, and a membership in a German shoot- 
ing society is tantamount to a high financial rating in' some of the 
Western German communities. 
In Germany, Great Britain, Austria, Russia, France and Italy, 
where shooting is an accomplishment confined almost altogether 
(outside of the army and navy of course) to the well-to-do people, 
hunting and veaatic sports generally are given a higher social 
status than they are in America. The game preserves in Europe 
being vested in private ownership, it is a privileged class^^who 
may indulge their propensities for hunting with firearnis, and a 
hunt partakes often of the character of a social function., .When 
royalty wants to bestow a particularly nice bit of attention to a 
visitor or favorite, it docs so by an invitation to a hunt. A 
hunting breakfast at the lodge in the game forest may be a 
"swell" though quiet non-official social affair, participated in by 
persons of distinction of both sexes, the exhilaration of a ride or 
hunt being supplemented with a breakfast of epicurean excellence, 
prepared by the ablest chef, followed by music and dancing. In 
Germany special homage is paid in the fall of the year to St. 
Hubert, the patron saint of the - German nimrods. It is Aug. 12, 
,1 believe, when the hunters throughout England and Scotland 
make a sort; of general observance in honor of the sport of hunt- 
iiig, by gi'ousp shooting a»<J feasting. I soiijcliiKC.s think those 
Old World people can still give us Americans sonie pointers on 
how to get the most out of our pleasures and recreations. 
But before I close I might say, as a ntstter bf general interest at 
this time, that the shobtiflg gallery business in San Francisco is 
almost tnonopolized by Japanese. Most all galleries are presided 
over by Japanese women. The patronage is distinctively Cos- 
mopolitan, but the chief patrons are our soldiers and sailors re- 
turned from our insular possessions ill the Pacific They are 
almost invariably "bell-fingers." . 
San FRAMcisco, Cal. Wm. Fitzmucgins. 
Following is the letter which impelled me to pen all of the fore- 
going: 
Sir — I have read your editorials on rifle clubs with great inter- 
est, and if I may give you the results' of four years' experience in 
organizing and carrying on a rifle cltib and in watching the growth 
and the movement in Canada, I shall be happy to do 9o. 
Under present conditions, the rifle club movement is hot attd 
will not be a success tor many ffeasons. Some of these may be 
removed by Governmental action, ' the others may also be re- 
moved, if our young men— and old Ones' too, for that matter — ^will 
develop a little more patriotism. Between watching a game 
of lacrosse, or even a game of baseball, and a visit to the rifle 
ranges, the latter is not in it. ■ 
First of all, although the Government has done something, they 
have not done enough. The loaning of ten rifles per club of 
forty men, and the giving of one hundred rounds of ammunition 
is not sufficient. There should be at least twenty rifles per club 
and two hundred rounds per man; the latter is the allowance 
made to military clubs or associations, and I see no good reason 
why any distinction should be made. If rifle clubs iform part of 
the military establishment of the country, they should receive the 
same grants as all others in the service; if they do not, then there 
is no reason why they should receive either rifles or ammunition 
from the Government. Therefore, in -order to secure the success 
of the movement, the grant of arms and ammunition should be 
doubled. - . ; 
But these difficulties are slight, are mere nothings when com- 
pared to the others, which, as I have already stated, could be re- 
moved if our young men could develop a little more patriotism, 
Any one going to the ranges on a ' fine Saturday afternoon will 
find perhaps forty or fifty present; but let him go to a lacrosse 
■or baseball match, and he will see thousands present. Of course, 
legitimate sport is all right; but of what value would weeks of 
sitting on the bleachers be in the make-up of a soldier? One day's 
rifle practice would be of more service to Canada in time of 
trouble than months of lacrosse or baseball playing, as most of our 
young men play it — that is, from the grand stand. Until the 
people can be brought to see the importance of rifle shooting, I 
do not see much chance Of securing a second line of 100,000 rifle- 
men. I suppose I will be criticised for stating that our people 
are not patriotic; but patriotism' • does not- consist alone in 
vociferously singing "God Save the King," and the ^"Maple Leaf" 
— and that is about as far as it goes. No doubt that in time of 
trouble one hundred or two hundred thousand men could be 
raised in a short time; but what would be the use of them if the 
maiority could not hit a freight car at two hundred lyards. 
In Toronto and Ottawa, rifle shooting is more popular than it is 
in Montreal. I have been told that on Saturdays the ranges are 
crowded. In Montreal it is not so.. What are the reasons? 
First, the apathy of the average citizen regarding the matter; 
second, the apathy of the majority of the officers of our city regi- 
ments. This is apparently an extraordinary statement to make, 
but it i,s one which can easily be substantiated by the men who 
go to the ranges every day they are open. There are betwen one 
hundred and fifty and two hundred officers in the Montreal dis- 
trict, and one would naturally expect, . that some of these would 
be present every Saturday, but it is very rarely that one is to be 
found there. Further, every year before the shooting commences, 
a range officer and two executive offi.cers are named for every 
Saturday during the season. I do not remember ever having seen 
three officers present together, except when regimental practice 
was taking place, and during all of last summer the appointed 
officers were not present more than once or twjce. This is a 
military duty, but is neglected, like many others things. There 
are not more than ten officers of the city regiments who take any- 
thing like an active interest in shooting. 
Then, I do not think that sufficient care and attention are paid 
to the young shots. I think that a second-class target should be 
used at rhe 200-yard range for young shots. The bullseye is large 
and easier to get on to; arid for a man who is just commencing, it 
is a great satisfaction to know that he is ' hitting something; 
whereas, with a smaller target, he misses it, does not know 
whether he is high, low, to the right or left, and gives it up in 
disgust. One or two secoiid-class targets should be put at 200 
yards, for the beginners, and the same number of first-class at 500 
and ceo for the same men. 
But the main question is, How are we to get more men to take 
an interest in rifle shooting, to join clubs and to' come to the 
ranges? I have two suggestions to make. The 'first is, open 
the ranges on Sunday afternoons. I am prepared for a protest 
from some quarters; but let us look at the matter sensibly. A 
large majority of our men work six days a week; therefore, can- 
not spend any time shooting. Another considerable number wish 
to see the lacrosse or baseball or football match at Saturday after- 
noon; therefore prefer to go there. These two classes form the 
bulk of our population, and they will not learn rifle shooting un- 
less they can do it on Sunday. What are the objections: Caus- 
ing extra labor? This will not hold, because the electric cars 
run on Sunday, and "the fact that the ranges are open will not 
compel any more men to work than if they were not. 
,The :tib|<sct!pij that it is. a sport,; ^nd thus a desecration of the 
Salbbatli ^iH-^ not hold. The same' objection can be made' to 
riding, diiving - or walking; but iip sensible man makes it. Rifle 
^hooting is :a sport, but is, not boisterous; it is not exciting as 
lacrosse or baseball ; it does not lead to drinking, swearing or other 
evils, but quite the contrary, because a man, to be a good shot, 
inust leave whisky and tobacco severely alone. There is infinitely 
less objection to be raised against rifle shooting than there is to 
the playing of baseball on every vacant lot on every Sunday 
afternoon. One will see more Sabbath desecration in ten minutes 
at one of these games than he would in all the rifle ranges of 
Canada in a whole season, , if they were open on Sunday. If 
Sunday is the only day on which' the majority of Canadians can 
.slntt, then let us h'cve the ranges open On that day. 
'J iierc is one more point. CanacUan wonieri have never been 
b?ckward, ncr have they ever shown the white feather when there 
was danger from within cr without. They can take a hand in 
this game if they want to. Many .men whom I have canvassed 
have told me there was no use joining, as their wives wanted them 
.Saturday- afternoons to go shopping or walking. Now, if the 
women, young and old, married and single, would oi'der their 
husbands, in esse or in posse; to. join a rifle association, and; to 
show a syofe C4i'tl- 9!-,')6^st f ijcc . j^. fuouth during the season, f, 
think we would get many meihbers from the- free-orf-9aturday- 
afternoon class. . 
It is now four years since the Star inaugurated the rifle club 
movement, and still we have only thtee'Clubs iti this city. There 
should be a hurdred. Sorne years ago I urged the formation of 
cliibs'~in the different trades, but without success. The answer 
was invariably thnt Saturday afternoon men wanted to go to the 
lacrosse or baseball match, or out with their families; but if they 
could shoot on Sunday they would be glad to do so. 
With regard to the cost, it is only right that, with regimental 
and civilian associations in existence, if a man does not want to 
join either, that he should have to pay for markers. As it is 
now, the associations pay the markers, and from the opening of 
the season till the end of September, no member has to pay 
anything more than his' railway fare.. Members of the militai y 
associations for a small annual fee each, receive two huridied 
rounds of ammunition arid free marking. Of the civiliah assocl;!- 
tions, at least one charges a fee of only $1.50, and nlembel-sliip 
entitles one to one hufidted rounds and free markirig. 
With the exception of a few men, there appears to be no gen- 
eral interest in the question. Could we not organize an associa- 
tion of the civilian rifle associations of the Dominion on the lines 
of the British organization for the encouragement of rifle shooting, 
the formation of clubs or societies, and bringing of pressure on 
the Government to increase the issue of rifles and ammunition, 
and give us free marking? Who will start the movement? Let 
us hear from the secretaries of our rifle clubs. 
- LEE-ENFIEtD. 
Pfesquc Isle Rifle Clufe. 
Erie, Pa.— The club held their weekly shoot oil gatutday, Jurife 
11, with a good tiumber of members on hand. Scores: 
J G Germann 77 76 74—224 E D Allen 71 65 64—200 
S C Long 81 73 70—224 A G Ribjet 55 53 46—197 
J Stedham 74 73 72—219 W W Jordan 42 43 34—120 
A Mount 78 71 69—218 T Weber 51 
J Almeda 70 68 68—206 
Mr. T. Weber was a visitor. Cabia Blanco. 
— $ — 
Fixtutau 
Tune 25.— East Waljpolfe, Mass.— Secohd aililual tourhamefat ol tke 
Neponset Gun Club ; $60 in prizes. M. H. Grant, Sec'y. 
June 27-July 2. -^French Lick Springs, Ind. — 'J ournamcni of tin- 
National Gun Club; strictly amateur; $600 added money. John 
'M Lillv. Pres.. Indianapolis. 
July 1-2. — Brownwood, Tex. — West Texas Gun Club League tour- 
nament. 
July 4. — Lawrence, Mass., Gun Club Independence Day tourna- 
ment. Robert B. Parkhurst, Sec'y. 
July 4. — Utica, N. Y.— Reverside Gun Club target tournament. 
E. J. Loughlin, Sec'y. 
July 4. — Brunswick, Mc., Gun Club all-day target tournament. G 
M. Wheeler, Sec'y. 
July 4. — Richmond, Va. — East End Gun Club annual merchan 
dise shoot. J. A. Anderson. Sec'y. 
July 4.— Pittsfield, Mass., Rod and Gun Club all-day shoot 
Harold S. Sidway, Sec'y. 
July 4.— Buffalo, N. Y. — Infallible Gun Club amateur tournament. 
Added money; merchandise prizes. F. J. Person, Sec'y. 
July 4.— Lexington, Ky.— Ashland Gun Club tournament and Blue 
Grays championship. Robert R. Skinnet, Mgh 
July 4-6.— Memphis, Tetlii., Guh Club toui-natiletit ; $6t)0 added 
money arid ttopllies. A. H. Fi-ank, Mgr. 
July 4-6. — Winona, Minn. — The Interstate Association's tournament 
under the auspices "( the Winona Sportsmen's Club. Oswald 
Leicht. Sec'y. 
July 6-7.— Homer, 111.— Homer and Ogden Gun Clubs' tournament. 
•July 6-7.— Kane, Pa., Rod and Gun Clut). 
July 8-9.— Wausau, Wis. — Wisconsin League of Gun Clubs' Statt 
tournament. H. G. McCrossen. Sec'y. 
July 12-13. — LitchfielcL 111.— Consolidated Trapshooters' Congress. 
July 12-14.— Denver, Colo.— Grand Western Handicap tournament. 
July 12-14. — St. Piiul, Minn., Rod and Gun Club amateui nanui 
cap tournament. J. L. D. Morrison, Sec'y-Mgr. 
•July 13-14.— Scottdale, Pa., Rod and Gun Club. 
July 19-20.— Shamokin, Pa., Gun Club midsummer shoot. S. C 
Yocum, Sec'y. 
July 19-22. — Cincinnati, O., Gun Club annual handicap; $2,200 
added money and guaranteed purses. A. B. Heyl, Sec'y. 
July 20-21. — Armada, Mich. — Tournament of the Eastern Michigan 
Gun Club; $100 added. E. W. Sutton. Sec'y. 
July 27-28. — Grand Forks, N. D. — The Interstate Association's 
tournament, under the auspices of the Grand Forks Gun Club. 
W. M. Ferguson. Sec'y. 
Aug. 9-10.— Litchfield, 111.— Consolidated Trapshooters' Congress. 
Aug. 9-10. — Raleigh, N. C— North Carolina Trapshooters' Associa- 
tion tournament. 
Aug. 9-10. — Birmingham, Ala. — Alabama tournament. 
Aug. 9-12.— West Baden, Ind.— Indian touriiuiucni; $1,000 added 
money. 
♦Aug. 10-11.— Bradenville, Pa., Rod and Gun Club. 
Aug. 10-12.— Branttord, Ont. — Dominion ui Canada Trapshootinj; 
and Game Protective Association's fourth annual tournament. 
A. B. Cutcliffe, Sec'y. 
Aug. 15r20.— Buffalo, N. Y.— New York State shoot. 
Aug. 24-25.— Hot Springs, S. D.— The Interstate Association's tour 
nament, under the auspices of the Hot Springs Gun Club. H 
A. Gayhart, Sec'y. 
•Aug. 25-26.— Tarentum, Pa., Rod and Gun Club. 
Sept. 5.— Springfield, Mass. — Fall tournament on Labor Day; $% 
added. C. L. Kites, Sec'y. 
•Sept. 6-7.— Irwin, Pa., Rod and Gun Club tournament 
♦Sept. 14-15.— Ruffsdale, Pa., Rod and Gun Club. 
♦Sept. 27-28.— Monessen, Pa., Gun Club. 
♦Oct. 4-6.— Allegheny, Pa.— North Side Gun Club. 
•Western Pennsylvania Trapshooters' heague toumamenu. C 
G. Grubb. Sec'y. Ptrtabtirsr. 
DRIVERS AND TWISTERS. 
Club secretaries are invited to send their scores for 
publication in these columns, also any news notes they 
may care to have published. Mail alt such matter to 
Forest and Stream Publishing Company, 346 Broadway, 
New York. Forest and Stream goes to press on Tues- 
day OF EACH WEEK. 
The Riverside Gun Club, of Utica, N. Y., Mr. E. J. Loughlin, 
secretary, have arranged a shoot for July 4. 
•« 
At the meeting of the Illinois State Sportsmen's Association 
last week, it was decided that the shoot for 1905 shall be held at 
Lincoln, 111., the same place at which it was held this year. 
In an event at 25 live birds, Mr. J. P. Dannefelscr was high 
with a score of 23, at the shoot of the New York German Gun 
Club, held at Outwater's, near Carlstadt, N. J., on June 15. 
»?, 
The team contest between the South Side Gun Club, of New- 
ark, N. J,, and the North Side Gun Club, of Edgewater,' N, J,, 
was shot on the grounds of the . latter club last Saturday. The 
South Side Gun Club was defeated by a score- of 216 to 208. 
■There were eleven men on a side, and egch shot^t 25 targclii. 
