1875 
37 
THE BIFLE 
The American Team in Parliament. 
In the British House of Commons on Tuesday last, 
Mr. Sullivan, member from Louth, asked publicly how 
the law relating to the bearing of arms in Ireland 
would be affected by the visit of American rifleinen. 
Sir Jlicbael Hicks, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, re- 
plied that the Amei ican gentlemen would be heartily 
welcomed by the whole Irish people, that there was 
no reason to believe there would be a breaking of the 
law. Mr. Sullivan insisted upon a positive assurance 
of the course to be pursued by the authorities, and the 
Secretary promised that there would be no interference 
with the freedom of the riflemen, and that if necessary, 
arrangements would be made to secure them immunity 
from even the formal op eration s of the law. 
Riflemen in Council. 
The past week has been one of consultation among 
the Riflemen in and about New York. The weather 
has not as yet been gracious enough to allow them to 
enter the field, and the only alternative is to lay plans 
in the council room. The measures resolved on are im- 
portant and will work some changes in rifle practice. 
The old Creed more targets are abolished and hence- 
forth the Wimbledon system will be used on the iron 
target. It is an experiment but it has been determined 
on by the Board of Directory as now the law of the 
range. The Amateur club have been enjoying remin- 
escences of their last year’s success in gift making to 
the principal actors in that brilliant victory. A complete 
change of officers, in the club is suggestive and we will 
now see what we shall see, under the new regime. The 
club must push ahead if it expects to keep iis position 
as a pioneer body in its special field. The International 
match approaches with rapid steps and the committee 
are working on to have everything ready when called 
upon. They are determined that the team shall be free 
from any impediments or embarrassments in going 
abroad and give all their attention to the task of win- 
ning. We give below full report of the several meet- 
ings, sustaining the acknowledged reputation of the 
Rod and Gun, as the present leading journal on rifle 
matters, in accuracy and fullness.. 
NATIONAL BIFLE ASSOrlATION DIRECTOB8. 
The regular April meeting of the Board of Directors of the Na- 
tional Kille Association was held at their rooms, 93 Nassau street, 
N. Y., on Tuesday afternoon, April 6. Major Gen. Shailer the pres- 
ident, occupied the chair, Capt. Fulton as Secretary. Present, 
also, Gen. T. S. Dakin, Gen. Woodward, Gen. McMahon, Gen. Kil- 
boum Knox, Gen. 31111 m, Col. Wingate, Col. GUdersleeve, Lt. Col. 
3Iitche]l, 3Iajor Smith, Col. Bodine, Capt. Fulton, Capt. Whittaker, 
and Lieut. Storey. Secretary Fulton read the report of the doings 
of his effice for the month. The Treasurer, Gen. McMahon, pre- 
sented hie exhibit of receipts and expenditures. The cash on hand 
at the last report was $1,498 41; receipts during the month at the 
range and at the office bad raised this to $1,567 49; disbursements 
of various kinds had reduced this to a balance of $931,36. There 
is however, still due the Association from the state and local author, 
ities the sum of $.5,500. 
The range committee reported upon the improvement of the 
range in the matter of the fence along the top of the embank- 
ment to prevent wild or stray balls from passing over the top to 
the danger of passers by on the other side. A previous resolution 
had authorized the work at a cost not to exceed $*.J.000. The con- 
tract had no%v been formed with Patrick Rooney for a suitable bul- 
let proof fence at a cost of $1,523 75. The fence was to be eight 
or ten feet high, of two inch plank front and rear, with a space of 
ten Inches, filled with broken stone grouted. The range committee 
also asked permission to complete the planting of trees about the 
range. The treasurer thooght the sum required for the work could 
be better used at present The Range and Finance committees 
were requested to coufer on the matter with power to go ahead if 
tbongnt by them best. 
The matter of the defaulting regiments who had refused to pay the 
petty bills for markers fees, was brought up. Col. Gildersleeve 
moved to bring the obdurate militia men to terms by shutting all 
members of regiments in arrears from the privileges of the range, 
until such dues were settled. The board seemed divided on the 
advisability of this course. It was thought that as the Adjutant 
General had expressed his opinion npon the charges, the regimental 
officers would see the propriety of their immediate settlement; with 
this understanding the matter was laid over. 
The special committee appointed at the last meeting to report on 
the proposed change of targets reported and unanimously recom- 
mended the change. 3Iaj. Gen. Shuler said be had been discussing 
with Major Leach the propriety of a general international conference 
of riflemen during the visit of the American team to Wimbledon. 
At such a conference, the matter of targets might be settled for all 
time. Some of the alrectors thought the time for a change had not 
yet arrived especially in view of the International 3fatch being con- 
ditioned on the old target. The following resolution was carried 
unanimously: 
Resolved, That the form of target in nse at Wimbledon be adopted 
by thi^ association ; provided, however, that at least four of the 
first-class targets be retained in their present form for the use of the 
men who are to represent this country in Ireland in June next. 
The spring opening was discussed and the programme was read 
with the list of prizes. Gen. Dakin promised $100 to be divided 
into three przes for members of the 2d DiWsion; a telescope from 
Gail of Union Square was mentioned, and a long list of minor money 
and medal prizes. In the Leech cup competition, any member of 
the Amateur club may enter, but outsiders must be native-born 
Americaub. The days of the spring meeting were altered to read 
May 26, 29 and 31, to inclnde the holidays about Decoration Day. 
The prize committee on the Life membership badge submitted 
three designs. After discussion, the committee were directed to 
modify the design so as to have an old fiint-lock model, in place of 
the present miniature Kemington that no offense might be given 
On motion of Gen. Knox the late Adjutant General John S, Rath- 
bone was elected an honorary member of the National Kifie Associ- 
ation. The vacancies on the Board caused by the withdrawal of 
Gen. 3Iolincux and Col. Church were then filled. Col. Gonverneur 
3Iorris replacing Col. Church, and Col. John Ward of the 12th Regt. 
being elected to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Gen; 
Molineux. 
Gen. Woodward, Col. Wingate and the Secretary, Capt. Fnlton, 
were appointed a committee to rerise the by-laws and rules and reg- 
ulations to accord with the new system of marking. After a fine 
display of legal fencing upon the status of those who were both 
elected and ex-officio members of the Board, the Board adjourned. 
THE AMATEUR RIFLE CLUB ANNUAL MEETING. 
The regular annual meeting of the Amateur Rifle Club was held 
on theeviming of Tuesday, April 6, at the Second Division rendez- 
vous, New York. The gathering of Creedmooritis was quite large. 
Mr, G. W. Yale, of Hartford, was present in company with Mr. E. 
C, Westcott, the new President of the Sharps Rifle Company. 
Among others were A. V, * aufield, Jr., P. G. Sanford, J. S. Con- 
lin. Geo. Cronch, J. E. 3IcEwen. E. H. Madison, L. W. Ballard, J. 
Bodine, Col. Scott, J. L. Price, L. C. Bruce, Robert Johnston, Thos. 
Lloyd, W. B. Coughtry and Alex. Roux. 
Col. Wingate, the President of the Club, occupied the chair. F. 
W. Fairbanks read the report, of the Secretary and Treasurer, put- 
ting the membership at about 150, and the cash in the treasury at 
$627. Before other business was gone through with, a little play of 
compliments in the way of a double presentation was enacted, seem- 
ingly much to the satisfaction of all concerned. Col. Gildersleeve 
did the agreeable in a very flue style, in the way of presentation 
speeches. First to Col. Wingate, on behalf of the late Team, a 
statuette, entitled the “ Soldier of Marathon.” The bronze trophy 
represents a Grecian courier who had been running with a sprig of 
laurel to give word to’the citizens of the famous victory. He has 
dropped to a reenmbent attitude, but still holds aloft the emblem of 
rictory. The ebony base bore a silver plate with the inscription — 
“Presented to Col. George W. Wingate. Captain of the Interna- 
tiona) Team of American Riflemen, by the members thereof, as a 
memorial of the rictory ovev the celebrated team of Irish Riflemen, 
Creediuoor, Sept. 26, 1874.” 
The gift came from the team to their Captain, and Col. Gilder- 
sleeve, in handing over the emblem, alluded to the services which 
Col. Wingate had rendered, not only in bringing about the match, 
but in carrying it against so many discouragements to a successful 
termination. 
Col. Wingate, in acknowledging the gift, said* 
Gentlemen,—! do not know of anything which could cause me 
more pleasure thau to receive at your hands this beautifpl and ap- 
propriate gift. It is but seldom that one has an opportunity of rep 
resenting his country on such an occasion as the late International 
match, and to feel that it has been done with success, forms an 
episode to which we all will look back with pride and iileasure Few 
bur those engaged In the struggle know the anxiety we felt about 
the ^ucce8s of this match. The hopes that we hardly dared acknowl- 
edge as our scores improved at each competiition, the fears that 
some precaution might be omitted, whicli would hinder our chances; 
this and much more of our experience during those weeks and 
months, when the eyes of two continents were upon us, can only be 
felt, and never fully described. 1 shall preserve this bronze not 
only as a token of friendship, but as a remembrance of those scenes 
of excitement that we went through with together, and looking on 
it in after days, perhaps, it will bring back to me not only the faces 
of my friends now present, the kindly words that you have spoken, 
bill the thrill which wO all felt when the white disc slowly rising at 
Bodiue’s last shot marked the rictory of the American team in the 
first International Rifle Match. (Applause ) 
Col. Gildersleeve had again the pleasant duty of offering to Capt. 
Henry Fulton, as the leading shot on the American team, a fine 
gold watch. ‘I his valuable present was procured by subscription 
among the members of the club. It is of gold hunting case, pen- 
dant winding, with gold and glass caps of the latest model and is 
the finest finished I timekeeper ever made by the “ New York 
Watch Co.,” Springfield, 3Iass. On the gold cap is the following 
inscription: — 
“ Presented to Capt. Henry Fulton, by the Amateur Rifle Club, as 
a memorial of his remarKable achievement m the International 
Match. September 26th. 1874. Score 171 out of 180.”— with U. F. 
in monogram on the case. 
The chain is of solid gold, the seal is of design appropriate for 
the day it commemorates, two miniature Creedmoop rifles, crossed, 
made of platinaand gold, between them a long range target with 
the scores dotted, and an onyx stone beneath all. 
Capt. Fulton in replying said he had but dune his best, as he sup- 
posed all the other members of the team hud done. If they were to 
win again it must be by dint of hard study and liberal share of work 
on the field. 
Mr. Alford moved that a committee be named to procure a suit- 
able testimonial t6 3Ir. Fred. P. Fairbanks, w'ho had acted as treas- 
urer and secretary from the formation of the club, and the President 
appointed Messrs. Alford, Johnston and Price such committee. 
Several unimportaut amendments to the by-laws were proposed 
When the election of officers was proceeded with, C’ol. Wingate, be- 
fore any nomination had been made, put himself out of the field as 
a candidate for the office of I^esident, saying: 
Gentle3ikn:— In selecting j’onr candidates for the office of Presi- 
dent, I beg that my name may not be used. I have now held that 
office for three years; in fact since the origin of the club. I have 
been fortunate enough with your co-opera:i<ui to see it l'fow under 
my administration and that of the very capable gentlemen who com- 
pose the Executive Committee, from a small aud unknown collec 
tion of inexperienced riflemen, to the most prominent rifle club in 
the United iStates, if not in the world. The prestige given to us by 
our victory in the International Match has placed us in a position 
of which we may well be proud, and there sei*ms to be no reason why 
we may not be as successful in the future as in the |»asi. In view of 
these facts I think the best thing that 1 can do is to step down and 
out and allow some one else to take the head. My busmess inter- 
feres greatly with the proper discharge of the duties of the office and 
will continue to do so. You have many among you more capable 
than myself to act as Pre>iden{, aud 1 must therefore respcctiully de- 
cline being a candidate. 
The st.iff of officers was organized for the next Tc.-ir as follows : 
President, Capt. Henry Fulton ; V'ice President, Col. John Bo<iine; 
Secretary, Sergt. W. B. Coughtry ; Treasurer, A. Alford ; Executive 
Committee, Geo. Crouch, Rob't Johneton. E. H. Sanford, G. W. 
Yale, Col. Geo. W. Wingate. 
Col. Gildersleeve reported on the matter ot uniforms for the dab, 
b ut his samples not finding favor, he with Col. Wingate and Mr> 
Johnston was made a new committee to look into the matter fur- 
ther. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. J. H. Bird for his serrice 
at the Benefit performance, and he was elected an honorary mem- 
ber. It was also carried that all persons donating the sum of $50 or 
more to the club be elected to honorary life membership, subject 
however, to the approval of the Executive Committee. The club 
then adjourned. 
The MEDAL presented by Gen. DePeystcr to the American Rifle 
Association is a handsome trophy. It is an eight-pointed star of 
solid gold suspended from a badge of bine ribbon. It is about three 
and a half inches in diameter, and weighs about thirty penny- 
weights. In the centre is a fine flat engraving of the Sun god shoot- 
ing in the skies. On each side of this are two raised platinam fig- 
ures of an Indian and a rifleman of the Revolutionary period. At 
the base is a cluster of military trophies and insignia. A laurel 
wreath of greenish gold surrounds the medal, and the whole makes 
a prize which from its intrinsic value alone is well worth contending 
for. 
PS6E0M 'MATCHES. 
San Antonio, Texas —Shooting Match at the San Pedro Springs 
by the San Antonio Shooting and Fishing Club, Saturday, April 
3, 1875: 10 blackbirds each, 21 yards rise, 80 yards boundary. 
Benchly 011011111 - 7 
Johnson 111111111 1-10 
Lockett 1011111 — 8 
Hoffman 1001100 — 7 
Larzalier 10 10 110 0 — 8 
Houston ' 111111010 — 9 
Woodlief 0 0 110 10 1 — 4 
Bingham 111111111 1—10 
Kelley 01111000 o — 4 
Johnson and Bingham having tied, divided the stakes in order to 
reserve the birds for another match. 
SECOND match: 
5 blackbirds, 21 yards rise, 80 yards boundary. 
Woodlief 
....1 
1 
1 
0 
0-3 
Luckett .... 
....1 
0 
0 
0 
0-1 
Binsham.... 
....1 
0 
1 
1 
0-4 
Johnson 
....1 
1 
0 
0 
1—3 
Hoffman . . . . 
...0 
0 
0 
0 
0-0 
Larzalier.... 
....1 
1 
1 
1 
1—5 
Hon^tou ... 
....1 
0 
(1 
0 
0—1 
Benchley 
....0 
1 
1 
1 
0—3 
Kelley 
....0 
0 
1 
0 
—1 
Larzalier killing the whole 5 took the stakes. 
Buctrus, O.— A small shoot cameoff here on the 2d— with the 
following score: 
Finley. ... OllOOlIlO 1—6 I Sningly . .000101100 1—4 
Hoffman.. 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0—6 \ Bowers.. 110 1110 0 1 1—7 
DOFBLE BIRDS. 
Finley 01 0121 Sningly 0 1 0 0—1 
Hoffman 110 0—2 | Bowers 11 1 1—4 
Long Island, — A private shoot came on Wednesday, April 6, at 
the East New York grounds, between Miles L. Johnson, of Robins, 
ville, N. J , and Dr. B. W. Talbot of New Y'ork city; 50 birds each, 
50 yards rise, 60 yards boundary. 1)4 shot, five traps, and S250 a side. 
Gun to be held below elbow until bird on the wing; both barrels al- 
lowed; each to find, trap aud handle for the other; ten birds to be 
shot at in succession. Iia A. Paine judge fer Johnson; Walter Ire- 
land for Talbot; Mr. Parks, referee. Day cold and cloudy. The 
shooting occupied three hours fifty minutes. Score as follows; 
Mile, L. Johnson (B.)-O 1 0* 0 1 0 0 1 It 1 1+ 0 0 0* 0 1 1 It 
1 0 1 1 0 h* 1 1 It 1+ 1 0 0 1 0* 1 0 It 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 It 1 0 
It. Killed, 27; missed, 23. 
B W. Talbot (B.)— 1 0 h* 0 1 1 0 It It It 0 1 It 0 1 1 0* It 0 
011110 1000110 0 * 1010000 0 * 1 1110010 0 .— 
Killed, 25; missed, 25. 
♦ Fell dead out of bounds, 
t Killed with second barrel. 
BrcYRCs, O.— We had a shoot here April 12, with following score; 
under the auspices of Bucyrns Shooting Club. F. Lanck, referee. 
F. Haman and D. Van Vohns, judges. 
Finlev . ..010111010 1-6 Hoffman ..110010111 1—7 
Suin'ly ...1 00001111 1—6 Wingert...O 110 11111 1—8 
Fulton 0 0 10 10 111 0—5 Mader 1 10 0 00100 1—5 
Frayer 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0-2 Bowers. ...0 10 0 11111 1—7 
s. Bowers. 0 11111111 1—9 
Toledo, O.— A sweepstakes took place at Fishers on April 9. 
Two best sliotsto t.ake tne money. 18 birds: usual distance and rules. 
The following is the score. 
I>l„-att 1 1110111111111101 1-16 
Hall 1 1111111011111111 1—17 
Mathews II 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1-16 
Huldwin 1 001011110 0 111010 1—11 
Mouroe 1 1 0 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1—1 
Mu T. H. Jones, of Cinoiiiuati, recently tried tlie killing of 38 
out of ,'iO pigeons while standing between two traps witli his back to 
one, in the fame manner as Capt. Bogardus, and made the following 
6Core:-l 1, 1 1, 1 1. 1 1, 1 1, 1 1. 1 1, 1 1. 1 1, 1 1, 0 0, 1 1, 1 1, 
1 1, 1 1, 0 1, 1 1, 1 1, 1 1, 1 1, 1 1, 1 1, 0 1, 1 1. 0 1^5 out of 50. 
Strathrot, Can.— .4. match was shot on Good Friday for a 
French mantel-piece clock presented by Mr. L H. bmith. The fol- 
lowing is the score : 
.John Pain lOllOOOll— 1 j Wm. Saul lOllfOlll— 6 
Mr. Roles lllullOOl— 6 J. W. Snuire 110110011—6 
J. Thompson llOKHMOl— 5 | J.as McKay (OOlOOloO 2 
Richard ~aul OUlillOOOO— 2 I Chits Jlurrav OIOllIlll— 7 
M. A, A. Smith lOlllOUO— 6 S. M. Boughner .. 001111101—6 
Geo Billington 111111111—9 I 
Toronto, C. W.— James Ward, the champion pigeon shooter of 
Canada, offered a gold medal to be shot for, open to all. There 
were about 28 entries at 15 birds, the shooters being handicapped 
from 18 to 21 yards. Tlie prize was won by Barrett, who killed 14 
out of 20. A sweepstakes followed, f 10 eacli, 25 birds, 21 yards 
rise, SO yards boundary. Ward, the champion, won, killing 24 out 
of 25; defeating Miller, Renurdsou and Farrlaiue. 
Savannah Ga.— A pigeon-raateh for S'60 was shot March 09, by 
D. I’. Robertson and Charles B. M'cecott; 25 birds, 21 yards rise. 8J 
vards fail. Robertson won by a score of 16 to 14. William M. Da- 
vidson, referree. 
Baltimore.— A pigeon match between James Engel, the Haiti* 
more champion, and James H, Kell took place. Engel won, kil l in g 
13 out or 20. Kell killed 10 out of 20. Stakes were $200. 
