16 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[July 2, 1904. 
Grand American Handicap. 
The fifth Grand American Handicap at Targets, held at Indian- 
apolis, Ind., June 21-24, on the grounds of the Indianapolis Gun 
Club, eclipsed in magnitude and prestige all its predecessors. 
The grounds, sixteen acres in extent and beautiful in the bright 
green of summer time, were perfectly equipped for this great 
event. Large, open tents, one at each of the five sets of traps, 
were plentifully supplied with camp chairs and afforded comfort- 
ably cool quarters for the spectators. Other tents were in place 
here and there in numbers sufficient to meet all requirements. 
An ice cream tent was close by the club house, while on the 
opposite side was a large dining tent. Again, some distance away 
from the club house was a large refreshment tent, where lemonade 
and other light beverages were dispensed to the thirsty groups 
incident to the hot days. The tents were all at comfortable dis- 
tances from the club house and from each other, with a purpose 
to avoid crowding and congestion. The plan worked admirably. 
The spectators were distributed over the grounds. Notwithstand- 
ing the large number of people on the grounds each day, any one 
could walk freely about from one place to another without any 
jostling or delay. 
Five sets of expert traps, arranged Sergeant system, was the 
target-throwing plant provided for the competition. They ex- 
tended in a straight line in front of the club house and at right 
angles to it, No. 3 set of traps being directly in front of it, and 
this was the set used in the spectacular climax called "shooting 
off the ties." The contestants at the score faced toward the north, 
thus having a good light. The piazza and balcony of the club 
house afforded excellent places of rest and points of view to the 
spectators. The piazza was a favorite place and was thronged 
at all times, during the competition, with a fine array of ladies 
and gentlemen. 
A specially competent crew of trappers served the traps, so that 
the traps in consequence were ready for action promptly when re- 
quired. Their promptness and efficiency never flagged. Each set 
of traps had a pit, covered by a roof, which sloping gently up- 
ward, formed a screen only a few inches high, thus the targets, 
when in flight, had much the appearance of coming out of the 
ground. This feature enabled a shooter to catch sight of the 
targets quickly at the commencement of their flight; but with 
many of the contestants who were unaccustomed to such favor- 
able conditions, this seeming advantage caused a shooting in 
quicker time without, corresponding allowances in respect to the 
flight of the target for such time, and misses were not infre- 
quent as a result. One hundred and twenty thousand targets 
were placed in the five pits before the competition began, and , 
the supply was well maintained throughout. Thus there were 
no annoying delays while barrels were rolled to the traps, and 
there unheaded and unpacked, as is a common incident at some 
other tournaments. 
In short, the competition, once started, had no delays at all. 
Once started, it ran along as smoothly as a perfect mechanism. - 
This tournament had a most active, hearty local support. The 
Indianapolis Gun Club was strongly in evidence, both in the 
competition and in material assistance to the management. The 
officers of the club were specially courteous and active in as- 
sisting. The president, Mr. W. T. Nash, Mr. W. B. Allen and 
Mr. J. W. Bell worked like beavers. Mr. Bell, who is the sec- 
retary, had charge of the ammunition supply, which was stored 
in a small building about 50yds. from the club house. Any 
standard load of any manufacturer was there in stock. And any 
purchaser had to specify what he desired; that is to say, Mr.' .Bell 
or his assistant would not give any advice as to loads, even if 
asked for it. A large card, in a conspicuous place before the 
purchaser, bore, in large black letters, the following legend: 
"We are impartial as to what ammunition you use. Ask for what 
you want." 
Mr. Nash, ever affable and obliging, Was incessantly active in 
attending to the duties incident to his office of president. To 
his efficiency as an officer he adds a most pleasing and gracious 
personality. Between extending a hearty welcome to visiting 
sportsmen, giving information to the anxious inquirers, assist- 
ing the coming and speeding the parting guest, he had no idl» 
moments. As an illustration of the careful preparation con- 
cerning details which had been observed by the officers of the 
Indianapolis Gun Club, one will be mentioned as a key to all 
the rest. Telegraph messages received in Indianapolis for any of 
the shooters were forthwith telephoned to the club house on 
the grounds and promptly delivered. If a shooter desired to 
send a telegram, the telephone in like manner was at his service. 
In passing it may be mentioned that the club is an amateur or- 
ganization, and does not hold shoots for the sake of the treasury. 
Any moneys made are expended in improvement of the grounds 
and therefore accrue to the benefit of all concerned. 
To the hero of many flawless tournaments, Mr. Elmer E. 
Shaner, manager of the Interstate Association, more than praise 
is due. The shooters of America are indebted to him not only 
for managing a mammoth tournament without an error, but for 
the example of how a tournament should be run. Most tourna- 
ments, as to details, are a series of readjustments and most 
managers are actuated by a series of afterthoughts. There was 
none of those in this G. A. H. Everything was fully thought 
out and efficiently provided for in advance by Mr. Shaner. 
Having arranged a perfect working plan for the contestants, they 
we-re required, by him, to act their part promptly. They were 
notified that when their names were called out, they were duly 
notified to shoot or to get ready to shoot, as the case might be, 
and that any one who was not ready then to shoot with his 
squad would be disqualified. He meant what he said. The shoot- 
ers learned that Mr. Shaner's rules were not mere abstract verbal- 
isms. They imposed precisely what their words implied. A 
number of shooters who neglected to make their entr'es each day 
at the proper time as a consequence found that they could not 
make them at all. No personal plea or any other plea served to 
change the situation. The shooters had to live up to the rules 
or suffer the consequences. The G. A. II. would have been the 
greater by several entries had some over-deliberate applicants 
been permitted to enter after the entries were closed. No ex- 
ception was made m favor of any one. Knowing this, each one 
fitted into his place with care. Each one had a fair, open field 
without fear cr favcr, but it devolved on each one to attend to 
his own interests in proper time and place, else the interest of 
others were violated if such neglect were ignored. But viola- 
tions were not tolerated. Mr. Shaner offered a perfect working 
system of competition. The shooters, perforce, had to fit them- 
selves to it. Consequently the competition from start to fiirsh 
ran as smoothly as clock-work. 
The class of contestant rnd f'c'r'.T- v?' Mi a high crde- 
The}' were of (he refined ■part cf sociefy. They v ere gentlemen and 
ladie;, as c:u'd be cb-ffved at a g'.sv.-.-. There were the same 
atmosphere of srocd breed : ng and n'cety of deportment which 
c.btain at a fashiomb'e epera. The ladies honored the tournament 
w/'th their presence in good'.y numbers. Jt was a decorous! 
p'emni tournament in every particular, 
The system enforced by Mr. Shaner at this tournament was 
truly ingenious. The total number of contestants in a handicap 
were divided into five sections. Each section was assigned to a 
set of traps, and thus became a unit. It is clear that the total 
divided thus could be much more expeditiously and accurately 
handled than it could as one body. Moreover, a much more 
perfect equity was established as to weather, light, waits, times 
of day, etc., besides saving much valuable time in keeping all 
the traps at work from start to finish. Under the prior system, 
one squad after another followed from No. 1 trap down the line 
of traps, thus imposing a long wait on those who were in the last 
squads, causing much inequality as to light, etc., and losing 
much time. Concerning the latter, when No. 1 squad started, 
four sets of traps were idle. Shooting at No. 2, three sets 
were idle. Shooting at No. 3, two sets were idle. Shooting at 
No. 2, one set was idle. Thus, while No. 1 squad at the start 
was shooting under the old system, when it shot at five sets of 
traps, ten more squads could have shot at the same time under 
the new system which starts each of the five sets at the same 
time. Mr. Shaner nevertheless was a busy man during the day. 
Aside from the perfection of the general plan,' there were endless 
matters incident which required to be specially passed upon. He 
had no idle moments. The whole tournament ran so smoothly 
that it appeared easy, but arranging the preparatory work for a 
day's competition required the work of Mr. Shaner and his 
lieutenants till 1 o'clock in the morning of that day, or even later 
The assistant manager, was Mr. Chas. A. North, Cleveland, O., 
who as an expert had charge of the traps, and gave his atten- 
tion to squad hustling in general, and to any matters which 
tended to expedite competition. 
Mr. Shaner's assistants, above mentioned, were all high class, 
educated men, and were remunerated accordingly. They were 
courteous, alert and energetic. They kept all the details promptly 
up to place. The squad hustlers were armed with megaphones, 
and while cne squad was shooting, they called up the shooters 
whose turn it was and made ready the next squad, which lined 
up promptly in place as the preceding squad stepped from the 
firing points. 
At each set of traps was a board which showed the number of 
squads in the section, their shooting and the number of the squad 
which was shooting. The squad having finished, the score board 
was reversed, and the score card of the next squad, which hart 
been fastened on the back of the board, was thus in place in 
front. The filled score sheet was next removed from the back 
of the board', and the score sheet for the next squad was tacked 
in place, so that when the board was again turned, all would be 
ready for action as before. 
The steady growth of the G. A. H. at Targets has been a 
remarkable feature. 
In 1900 there were 74 entries. This was the first G. A. TI. at 
Targets. It was won by Mr. R. O. Heikes, of Dayton, O., 
with the score of 91. By the way, there was much regret ex- 
R. D. GUPTILL, AITKIN, MINN. 
Winner G. A. H. at Targets, Indianapolis, 1904, 
And in this connection Mr. Shaner was heard to remark that he 
had the ablest staff at Indianapolis that he ever had. 
But the spontaneous praises bestowed on: Mr. Shaner, and' which 
were frequently uttered all through the tournament, were the 
best evidence of genuine appreciation. The general consensus 
of opinion was that in handling big tournaments, Mr. Shaner was 
without a peer. That he had an able staff of assistants, the fol- 
lowing enumeration will show: 
The cashier's office was in charge of Mr. Fred C. Whitney, of 
Des Moines, la. Mr. Whitney's skill in the cashier's office" is 
as national and good as is Mr. Shaner's as manager. For keeping 
accurate account of all the intricacies incident to taking in 
entries and paying out winnings, with the great totals balancing 
nicely to a cent, Mr. Whitney has many times proved his worth, 
and has officiated in prior G. A. Handicaps. 
The compiler of scores, Mr. J. K. Starr, of Philadelphia, has 
acted in the like capacity in G. A. Handicaps of several previous 
years, and has the skill and knowledge necessary to fill the 
office ably, notwithstanding the infinity of detail involved in it. 
He had an able assistant in Mr. IT. S. Humphrey, of Indian- 
apolis. This was Mr. Humphrey's first engagement with the As- 
sociation, but not his first experience in matters of .sport, he 
having been more actively identified with field trial clubs, of 
which he has been an officer and chief worker for a number of 
years past. The clerks to the compiler were Messrs. Maynard E. 
ATen and Coburn Allen, of Indianapolis, Ind. 
The referees were as follows: 
J. L. Hymer, Indianapolis, Ind., at No. 1 set. 
Albert E. Ballweg, Indianapolis, Ind., at No. 2 set. 
D. C. Morris, Indianapolis, Ind., at No. 3 set. 
Matt Harris, Muncie, Ind., at No. 4 set. 
J. E. Bombarger, Indianapolis, Ind., at No. 5 set. 
The scorers were as follows: 
Everett Shepherd, Indianapolis, Ind., at No. 1 set. 
Clyde Osborne, Indianapolis, Ind., at No. 2 set. 
r>-rge Kerr, Ind'rnqpolis, Ind., at No. 3 set. 
. Pen Forbis, Mrn~ie, Ind., at No. 4 set. 
r "^-ncan. Ind'anapolis, Ind., at No. 5 set. 
£r»-.~d 1 it =tlers were as follows: 
E. R. Fnldson, IndianaoMh. Ind.. at No. 1 set. 
Edward Dark, TndVnapclis, Ind., at No. 2 set. 
J. A. Martin, Indianapolis. Ind., at No. 3 set. 
J. L. Winston, West Baden, Ind., at No. 4 set, i 1 • 
H, W. gopwell, Indianapolis, Jw}., at No. 5 set, U .: 
pressed at the absence of the "Daddy of Them All" at Indian 
apolis. He is convalescing slowly from the attack of fever from 
which he suffered lecently, but was not strong enough to ven- 
ture into such strenuous activity as pertains to the G. A. H. 
That he holds a large warm place in the hearts of the shooters 
was many times in evidence in the form of expressions of es- 
teem, regret and sympathy. 
In 1901 there were 75 entries, an increase of 4. Mr. E. C 
Griffith, of Pascoag, R. I., won with a score of 95. 
In 1902 there were 91 entries, a gain of 16 entries over the 
previous year. Mr. C. W. Floyd, of New York, won with a 
score of 94. 
In 1903 the Handicap took a jump to 192 entries, of which 
180 were starters. Mr. M. Diefenderfer won on a score of 94. 
■ The background was the sky. The flat prairie land was as 
clear to shoot over as water. A full view of the target was had 
from the time it left the trap till shot at or till it fell. The 
targets were thrown a full 50yds. While they looked easy, they 
were not so easy as they looked, as the scores will show. 
The weather was of the delightful summertime. The tem- 
perature some of the time was intensely warm, but there was 
generally a breeze to convey comfort to the visitors. The light 
was clear, though at times there was a high glare from the sun- 
shine which was not any benefit to weak or faulty eyes. 
The street car company put on extra cars during the morning 1 
and evening hours when the traffic to and from the grounds was 
heaviest, and ran on half hour, instead of an hour, schedule. The 
six miles' ride was through a pleasant farming country when once 
the cars were outside the city, and was an agreeable part of the 
tournament. 
The total number of targets thrown during the tournament 
was 152,300, truly an enormous aggregate. 
Monday was not of the Interstate Association tournament, but 
it was a day of great and busy practice. Five 20-target events 
were shot, in which about 157 participated. Mr. J. L. D. Mor- 
rison made the extraordinary score of 99, while several scored 98, 
namely, C. W. Budd, J. Boa, J. A. R. Elliott, H. G. Taylor and 
J. W. Garrett. With this and the great scores in evidence at 
recent tournaments there was good ground for belief that the 
G. A. H. . wou'd be won this year on a straight score, but it 
was not to b;. 
Jane 2I> First Day, 
The programme of the first day provided ten events, each at 
go targets i added to each, entrance $3, AU events at un« 
