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FOREST f AND STREAM, 
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Smith's Falls C. G 
_ Enter the Rideau River at Kingston, Ontario ; pass for 
sixty miles through a bewdderingly entrancing succession 
of river and lake, and the voyager arrives at the pretty, 
active little Canadia town of Smith's Falls, of about six 
thousand inhabitants, and the home of the Smith's Falls 
C. C. Sixty miles further along the same route or about 
one hundred and twenty miles from Kingston, lies 
Ottawa, the capital city of the Dominion. Between 
Kingston and Smith's Falls this waterway consists of a 
chain of twelve beautiful lakes, connected by charming 
bits of winding river. The river portions are made 
navigable for boats of noft. in length and 6ft. draft, by a 
system of locks built in the early part of last century by 
British military engineers. The quaint, strongly-built 
stone lock-houses, loop-holed for musketry, remind us 
that this was once looked upon as an important military 
waterway. 
The lakes vary in depth from forty to three hundred 
feet; gamy bass are plentiful, and in the cool recesses 
Home of the Smith's Falls Canoe Club. 
of the greater depths lurk goodly numbers of portly sal- 
mon trout. Ten, twelve, and even fifteen-pounders are 
by no means rare. To the canoeist the Rideau Route is 
a region of pure delight; to the angler-canoeist, an 
earthly paradise. 
The people of Smith's Falls are fully alive to the 
charms of this playground at their doors, and the shores 
of the Rideau are thickly dotted with the pretty cottages 
which constitute the homes of many of them in vacation 
times. 
Curiously enough, until recently the large fleet of river 
craft in Smith's Falls contained very few canoes, but the 
owners of these few were enthusiastic champions of the 
craft whose graceful lines allow its entrance into Nature's 
most idyllic scenes with no impairment of the harmony of 
the picture. 
Not until 1901 did there exist in the town any organiza- 
tion for the purpose of furthering aquatic sports or bring- 
ing together in a social way the devotees of the paddle. 
A few energetic paddlers set to work to organize, and 
at a meeting held April 1, 1901, launched the Smith's 
Falls C. C, electing the following officers: Hon. Com., 
Senator F. T. Frost; Hon. Vice-Com., F. Weber Ashe; 
Com., J. R. Lavall, M. P.; Vice-Corn., R. J. Brodie; 
Mr, W. E. Mills was elected to fill this vacancy. Before 
the opening of the season the club was deprived of the 
services of their energetic and capable captain, Mr. E^ I. 
Scott, who removed to engage in business in Sault Ste. 
Marie. Mr. Scott was looked upon as "the father of the 
club," had been foremost in everything pertaining to its 
welfare, and his loss was keenly felt, indeed. Mr. S. W. 
Gilroy was elected as club captain in Mr. Scott's place, 
and when the river opened up the boys started their 
second season's work, having now purchased a new and 
up-to-date war-canoe. They also went in for singles, 
doubles and fours, using cruising canoes, as none of the 
members as yet owned a purely racing craft. 
That they practiced faithfully and well is evidenced by 
their record at the big meet of the A. C. A. North Divi- 
sion, held at the Mississippi Lake, Carleton Place, on 
June 28 and 29. There was an immense list of entries in 
all events. The following clubs sent large representative 
contingents : Grand Trunk Boating Club, of Montreal ; 
Toronto C. C. ; Y. M. C. A., of Brockville ; Bohemian C. 
C, of Brockville; Britannia C. C, St. Lambert's C. C, 
Carleton Place C. C, Lachine C. C, Smith's Falls C. C. 
At this time the Smith's Falls C. C. had existed for only 
fourteen months. Yet in competition with eight other 
crews, composed largely of veteran canoeists, they won 
the mile championship after a terrific race in record time. 
They also took second place in the half-mile war-canoe 
race with a turn, for the Carleton Place trophy, being 
beaten only by a few feet by the renowned Grand Trunks. 
Second place in the green fours, and the half-mile singles 
also fell to the lot of members of the club — a satisfactory 
record for these young and untried paddlers, in view of 
the fact that the course on the Mississippi Lake was very 
rough, so much so that several races had to be cancelled 
by the regatta committee, as canoe after canoe was 
swamped as rapidly as launched. The Smith's Falls prac- 
tice course is a winding stretch of river as smooth as a 
mill pond, and rough water was an entirely new problem 
for them. 
Training was resumed with the intention of attending 
the international meet at Cape Cod, but finding it im- 
possible to make satisfactory arrangements with the rail- 
roads for transportation of men and canoes, the trip was 
abandoned. Instead they attended the Canadian Canoe 
Association meet at Britannia Bay, Ottawa, but with a 
crew trained for mile distance only, failed to land the 
C. C. A. championship race, which is a half-mile event. 
Early in 1903 the executive committee began an active 
campaign to produce a suitable home for the Club, the 
lack of which had proved to be a very serious obstacle 
to keeping up interest in the organization. Too much 
praise cannot be given to the active paddlers who had 
stuck loyally to their work under most trying conditions. 
Their old quarters did not provide even space for lockers, 
to say nothing of rubbing tables. Their faithful trainer, 
Mr. Geo. Russell, worked under great disadvantages, but 
his enthusiasm never flagged. 
The surmounting of so many obstacles, and the success- 
ful struggle against unfavorable financial conditions, have 
solidified the organization and created an esprit de corps 
which is perhaps the most favorable asset of the club to- 
day. 
The new club house was completed and formally 
opened on Labor Day, September 7, 1903. It is a modest, 
inexpensive structure, but admirably designed for the 
wants of the club, utility and comfort being the first con- 
SMITH'S FALLS' WAR CANOE. 
Captain, E. I. Scott; Sec'y-Treas., Murray Lister. Some 
forty-five members were enrolled the first season. A 
second-hand war-canoe was purchased from the Ottawa 
C. C, and Club Captain E. I. Scott undertook the work 
of coaching a crew for the C. C. A. meet to be held at 
Brockville, on the St. Lawrence, that year. A cheap boat 
house was acquired for the housing of the canoe, and 
these very modest and inadequate quarters - continued to 
be the home of the canoe club until the end of last season, 
1903. 
The war-canoe crew with their out-of-date boat and 
their lack of experience did not, of course, dream of win- 
ning any prizes at their first appearance in a race, but 
with that spirit of genuine sportsmanship which has hap- 
pily characterized the members of the club from the be- 
ginning, they wanted "to get into the game," and were 
quite satisfied with their performance at Brockville in 
1901, although they did not win any prizes. They were 
getting experience which was to help them out in their 
next season. 
At the annual meeting in March, 1902, Mr. Murray 
Lister resigned the office of secretary-treasurer, which he 
had filled to the greatest satisfaction of the members. 
siderations. On the morning that the splendid flag pre- 
sented by Commodore J. R. Lavell, was first flung to the 
breeze, the building committee received many congratula- 
tions from the crowd of interested members and friends 
who inspected the new home of the club. 
In the afternoon a very successful regatta was held, and 
in the evening some three hundred guests attended the 
first dance of the club. The entire day was a huge suc- 
cess, and was, indeed, a red-letter day in the brief history 
of the S. F. C. C. 
A large proportion of the cost of the club house has 
already been paid, chiefly through the sale of life mem- 
berships. The future looks very bright. Already plans 
for the coming season have been made. Afternoon and 
evening regattas, moonlight runs by the club fleet, war- 
canoe cruises to Oliver's Ferry, nine miles distant; 
"camp-fires," illuminated flotillas, bonnet hops, etc., have 
taken form. The club at present owns three 30ft. war- 
canoes and two 20ft. fours. The number of pleasure 
canoes owned by members is large and steadily increasing. 
The growth of this club is an object lesson to very 
many towns situated similarly to Smith's Falls, as regards 
population and location, Its success has not been brought 
about through the energy and large financial assistance of 
two or three members, but is directly due to the unselfish 
loyalty of the rank and file of the organization. The fees 
have been kept as low as possible; every gentlemanly 
young fellow is welcomed to membership. A spirit of 
manly sportsmanship, whether in victory or defeat, has 
been inculcated and steadily fostered by the guiding 
spirits, and as a result the club is winning a high place 
in the affection and respect of the citizens at large, who 
take a pride in it as a representative local athletic asso- 
ciation. An auxiliary force of the greatest value is pro- 
vided by the lady friends of members. Their devotion to 
the interests of the club has been unbounded from the 
first. 
At present the club has a membership or 112, and a 
large increase is this year looked for. Mr. W. E. Mills, 
the popular and indefatigable secretary of the club, will 
be pleased to give any desired information to those inter- 
ested in the formation of a club, or for the providing of 
inexpensive quarters along the lines of the S. F. C. C. 
This season the executive will make a supreme effort to 
bring within the fold every lover of the canoe, whether he 
be a keen racing man, intent only on the winning of cups 
and trophies, or a nature-loving enthusiast, whose delight 
is in narrow, winding, tree-hung channels, water-lilies, 
purple iris, or the brooding moonlit silence of the beau- 
tiful Rideau. • 
All communications for Forest and Stream must be 
directed to Forest and Stream Pub, Co., New York, to 
receive attention. We have no other oMce. 
Pfesque Isle Rifle Club. 
Erie, Pa., June 25.-— Only six of the club members were present 
to-day, but they did some good work. Scores: 
P arker 77 75 72—224 J Almeda 73 71 70-214 
J A Ackermann 76 75 68—219 J Bacon 70 70 70—210 
J Stidham 72 72 72—216 G E Shafer ...74 70 65—209 
July 2.— The club held a very successful shoot to-day. though 
a rather high west wind blew all afternoon. Scores: 
I -L Germann 83 76 75—234 J Bacon 72 55 65—202 
A c I 5°" nt • 83 74 70-227 E D Allen 69 68 63-200 
I S . t , ,dham •• 78 74 62-214 W W Jordan ..44 39 35-118 
J Almeda 72 68 68—208 
Cabia Blanco. 
— ®- — 
If you want your shoot to be announced here send a 
notice like the following: 
Fixtures* 
♦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 
t i ad i mone >' and guarantee purses. A. B. Heyl, Sec'y. 
July ^1.— Armada, Mich.— Tournament of the Eastern Michigan 
Gun Club; $100 added. E. W. Sutton, Sec'y. 
July 21.— Rockville, Conn.— Fourth Consolidated Gun Club of 
Connecticut tournament. F. Elliott Metcalf, Sec'y. 
July 27-28.— Grand Forks, N. D. — The Interstate Association's 
tournament, under the auspices of the Grand Forks Gun 
Club. VV. M. Ferguson, Sec'y. 
July 29-30.— Newport, R. I.— Aquidneck Gun Club two-day tourna- 
ment. J. S. Coggeshall, 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, Aln.— Alabama tournament. 
Aug. 9-12.— West Baden, Ind.— Indian tournament: $1,000 added 
money. 
*Aug. 10-11.— Bradenville, Pa., Rod and Gun Club. ' 
Au S- il" 12 -— Olean, N - Y -> Gun C]ub two-day tournament. B. D. 
.Nobles, Secy. 
Aug ' i 0 "^ 2 ' - Brantford > Ont.— Dominion of Canada Trapshooting 
and Game Protective Association's fourth annual tournament. 
A. B. Cutclirfe, Sec'y. 
Aug. 15-20.— Buffalo, N. Y.— New York State shoot. 
Aug. 23-24.— Chattanooga, Tenn— Target tournament of the Moun- 
taineer Gun Club; $200 added. S. B. Lowe, Sec'y. 
Aug. 23-24.— Renovo, Pa.— Recreation Gun Club two-day target 
tournament. Geo. B. Dechant, Sec'y. 
Aug. 24-25.— Hot Springs, S. D. — 1 he Interstate Association's tour- 
najnent, under the auspices of the Hot Springs Gun Club. 
H. A. Gayhart, Sec'y. 
*Aug. 25-26.— Tarentum, Pa., Rod anS Gun Club. 
Sept. 5.— Auburn, N. Y.— Labor Day tournament. Knox and 
Knapp, Mgrs. 
Sept. 5.— Ossining, N. Y., Gun Club fourth annual Labor Day 
tournament. C. G. Blandford, Capt. 
Sept. 5.— Dover, N. H., Sportsmen's Association annual Labor 
Day tournament. D. W. Hallam, Sec'y. 
Sept. 5.— Springfield, Mass.— Fall tournament on Labor Day; $25 
added. C. L. Rites, 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. 4-5.— Allegheny, Pa— North Side Gun Club. 
Nov. 1-3.— St. Louis Mo.— World's Fair shoot; live birds and tar- 
gets. Alec D. Mermod, Mgr., 620 Locust street. 
♦Western Pennsylvania Trapshooters' League tournaments. C. 
G. Grubb, Sec y, Pittsburg. 
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 all 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 secretary, B. D. Nobles, informs us that the Olean, N. Y. 
Gun Club will hold a two-day tournament Aug. 11-12. 
The New York Athletic Club has resumed its target shooting 
at Travers Island. Shoots will be held every Saturday hereafter. 
In a contest for the English Hotel cup, on the grounds of the 
Indianapolis Gun Club, July 9, between Messrs. Michaelis and 
Britton, the former won by a score of 93 to 89. Mr. Hugh Clark, 
of Wabash, Ind., has challenged the winner. 
