E. 32 
iTu-iie 2 6 
LETTERS FROM SPORTSMEN. 

A Florida Trip- 
nrNTixGDOK, Pa., Juxe 8. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
I was among those whom the inclemency of last winter drove to a 
clime milder than this. Bronchial affection forced me to go to 
Florida, and as some of yoar readers, similarly affected, may wish 
to learn something of a locality where their snffeiing may entirely 
cease or be greatly al eviated, I wish to state to them a few facts 
through the medium of The Rod and Gcn. 
1 left this place on the 8th of March, and after stopping one dav at 
Washington, D. C., I arrived in Jacksonville, Florida, on the cvemns 
of the 12th. 1 was in search of a spot where I coaid indulge my 
taste for banting, and I soon discovered that the surronndings of 
Jack-'SonvilJe were too low and wet to travel over on foot, without 
getting my feet wet, which would aggravate my disease. I received 
a favorable representation of Tallahassee and vicinity, and accord- 
ingly, after spending three days at Jacki^onville, I took a train for 
Tallahassee. For a few days, the weather being cool and wet, I di I 
not improve in health, but after ten days I improved so that I began 
to feel strong enough to enjoy some out-door exercise. I had taken 
with me my double breech-loading rifle, which in Pennsylvania I 
had found best adapted to general reqairements, but I soon dis- 
covered that within four or five miles of Tallahassee, when I con- 
clndedtotake my exercise, it was unsnitable; the principal game 
being “Bob Whiles” and rabbits, of both of which there is great 
abundance. I sent for a $45 Remington shot gun, when some 
sportsmen there assured me that a breech-loader was not eqnal to a 
muzzle-loader, and regretted that 1 had sent for it, as they would 
have let me use theirs while 1 chose to remain. After a little dis- 
cussion we agreed to test the relative merits of breech and muzzle- 
loaders when mine arrived. After receiving my gun and u^ng it a 
little in the field, two gentlemen, owning muzzle-loaders, (claimed 
to be the best in the city) and myself, made a trial on the same con- 
ditions as the T. F. & F. Gnn Trial of 1873. We fired at 30 inch tar- 
gets, 40 yards, 1 l-8oz. of Xo. 7 shot, from T. O. Leroy. Badly 
beaten on first trial, but not satisfied, they insisted upon a second 
trial. At this the breech-loader averaged with R.B. 125, and with 
L.B. 153 1-3, while the best muzzle-loader averaged but 92. Few of 
the high-priced guns tested at gun trials (when every giinmakerputs 
his best foot forward) make targets better than this breech-loader, 
and if Messrs. Remington tnm out such work as this at $45. we 
predict that American sportsmen will soon cease to be charmed by 
the names of Scott & Son, Greener, or any other noted foreign 
maker. 
I found the well-known reputation of the people f .>r sociability 
and hospitality fully verified. Xotwithstanding the financial em- 
barrassment that many of them labor under, their social qualities 
are unimpaired. A more hospitable people cannot be found than 
the citizens of the city and suburbs of Tallahassee. If any of yon, 
fellow sportsmen, should go there for health, sport, or speculation, 
their generous reception will alleviate the pangs of disease, and 
make > ou feel fully at home. Many complain of being poor, which 
I think'is imaginary. They may be poor as compared with what 
they were in their former condition of wealth and luxury, but in no 
other sense; nor w^'th their soil and climate ran they remain long in 
even imaginary poverty, the soil that made them rich once will do it 
again. 
The land is rolling hummock, with a sandy surface and a clay sub- 
soil, wonderfully productive when well cultivated, but in latter 
years from well known causes it has suffered by neglect and bad 
farming Live oak, the varioas species of water oak, post oak. yel- 
low pine and magno ia, are the principal trees found on the hum- 
mock land north, east and west of TaUaha^see, while on the south 
there is only yellow pine. 
Immediately around Tallahoss^ no game is found except Bob 
Whites and rabbits, and in the winter, ducks. Vpon going south- 
ward. deer and bears are found within ten miles, and become very 
abundant upon going from 50 to 75 miles to southeast. Dt-er are 
bunted there with bounds, the sportsmen being on horseback and 
armed with shot-guns. Excellent sport can be had in catching 
bream, black bass, and salt w’ater trout, and as no law has yet been 
euacted in Florida to protect any kind of gamo or fisb. there is an 
indiscrimioaie slaughter the year round. M. B. 31. 
Sharps’ Creed moor. No- 1- 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., June 4. 
Editor Rod and Gun; 
I have just given my new Sharps' Creedmoor, a very satisfactorj* 
and nearly complete trial. The summary or conclusion of it all, 
I herew ith Bend to you, hoping it may interest a few devotees of 
the rifle. 
The following is the description of the gnn as furnished by the 
manufacturers. Designed exclusively for very long distauces, 44 
calibre, 32 inch barrel, long, straight, hand-made pistol-grip, polished 
Block, checkered-grip and fore-end, regulation w eight and iriirger- 
pull; peep sight, with Vernier scale, allowing the necessary eleva- 
tion for 1300 yds.; wind-gauge, with interchaugable globe and split- 
bar front sight. (This is the very best rifle manufactared, and will 
be found to give splendid results at the longest ranges ) 
Any one, on reading the words which I have just quoted, would 
be greatly deceived it he should purchase in consequence thereof, 
one of the rifles, as being the very best. It is not the very best, 
the statements of the proprietors to the contrary notwithstanding. 
But I am not going to condemn the gun, by any means. The scores 
which I now give, show that it is an extraordinary weapon, and 
should not be criticised unfairly or dishonestly. I gave the rifle a 
trial at 100, 200, 300, 400 and .5*10 yards on the 2sih of May. There 
was nb w ind a-'.d the sun was shining very brightly during the day. 
The range is located two miles east of this city, on the Dutche^s 
turnpike. It is perfectly level and well adnpted for this pui pose. 
Arrived on the ground I carefully measued off 100 yds., (there being 
no range at this distance) and commenced business. As the loading 
of this rifle, charge of powder, etc., is well-known to all riflemea, 
I shall consequently omit it. Placing the gun in an iron rest, solid 
as the rock of ages, and carefully sighting it, 1 palled the trigger. 
Result, 7-8 of an inch, by string measurement. The ballet deviated 
to the right, [showing a slight misplacement in the sitnation of the 
I sights. Adjusting them a trifle, re-loaded and fired again. Result. 
3-8 inch. This was encouraging, it was good enough. The third 
shot gave 3-8. The fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh gave respect- 
ively 2-8, 4-8, 3-8. 2-8. Total, three inches. I can find no particular 
fault with this string, and think the statement, that it will “drive 
a nail” has some foundation. With these seven shots the trial 
closed at this range. I immediately opened at 2i4) yards, making 
two trials, as the first proved only mediocre. The score fooud op 
as fol'ows: 1 6 S, 5-8. 7-8, 2, 1 1-8, 7-8.3. Total, 10 2-8 inches. This 
is a so, very good shooting, still I think the gun ought to do better. 
At 300 yards the score stood 4. 31 8, 1 1-8, 4 3-8,37-8,5 2-8,4 2-8. Total 
inches. The mean deviation at this range was nearly four inchea. 
This will do for target shooliag hut at a turkey would be “wild.” 
The 400 yards string footed up quite handsomely, being nearly as 
good as the preceding score, 5 7-8, 4-2S, 4 6-8, 3, 4 7-8, 4, 3 2 8. Total, 
30 inches. 
The 500 yards range, closed the trial for' the>'day. The string was 
as follows, 7 3-8, 4 7-S, 8 1-8, 7 -S-S, 6 1-8. 7 2-8, 7. Total, 48 1-S 
inches. 
On the next day, (29th,) I^esnmed the trial, starting at 600 yards 
taking four sighting shots, instead of two. as on the proceeding day. 
It was my aim and iEtention to give the arm as thorough an exami- 
nation as conld be done. Puffs of wind blew down the range occas- 
ionally, but no shots were fired while it continned. I also give these 
scores in detail, and every rifleman can form his own judgment of 
their merit and respectability. Xo telescopic or hair irig,ers were 
need. The eeores are — 
At 600 yards— 10 6-8. 9 I S. 10 1-8, 4. 12. 6 5-8, 10 7-8. Total. 
63 1-2 inches. 
Al TOO yards — ’0 5-8, 10 :}-8. 10 7-8, 12 6-S, 11, 10 3-8, II 7-8. 
Total, 77 7-8 iochee. 
At 800 yards— 16 2 8, 17 1 8, 14 5-8, 10 7-8, 15, 16, 10 7-8. Total, 
100 3-4 inches. 
At 900 yards— 17, 5 34^, .20 1-S, 16 3-8, 4, 14 5-8, 12 7 8. Total, 
90 3-8 inches. 
The experimental trials wound up at ihe 10 W yards better.witb the 
following really maguiiiccni score, 12 5-8, 14 1-8, 6, 7,78; 14 7-8, 
16, 12 7-8. Total. 84 3-8 inches. 
The rc‘sult of all these seventy shots proves that this rifle is nearly 
all that the manu&cturers claim for it. By attaching one of Mal- 
colm's telescopes the shooting could undoubtedly be improved at all 
the ranges. 
Medicus in your issue of May 22d, says the greatest penetration 
ever obtained with a rifle, using black powder, at 200 yards is 9 1-2 
inches. For the fallacy of his words I refer him to the “crack- 
shot,” by Barber, page 1S5 and 186. He is referring to the Whit- 
worth rifle, (Barbour) and says, “with seventy grains of powder, at 
500 yards, it sent a bnilet through thirty-three half inch planks, and 
the projectile was then only stopped by a solid blcck of oak behind 
them.” Medicu*. brush up. you are getting rusty, and by the way, 
yon say that the .Maynard was sulgected to a trial of 5.900 over- 
charges, without injury to any part. 1 do Lot bill ve it. 1 have 
a 3Ia\nard, supposed Ito be a good one, which bas not been fired 
over 2,000 times, with ordinary charges every lime, and it stands 
to-day. rickety, the result of the tip-down principle. If I had used 
heavy charges, you can imagine what there would hare been lefi 
of tbe rifle. 
Again, why does he select Dupont's Duck £lag’e. in a competition 
with tbe Dittmar powder? Has it not been decided time and time 
again, that Laflin & Rand's and the Hazard are the very best brands 
manufactured in this countr)*; and that, furibernnorc, three drachms 
of their make are worth more, (for strength, ditrribution. and pene- 
tration,) than fonr drachms of any other made in America! He, in 
consequence of using an inferior grade of powder, givea ike award 
of superioritjq (correctly I think, under the circumstancet), to the 
Dittmar. Had he used Hazard's “Duck Shooting,'' No. 3. or No. 4, 
tbe penetration would have been exactly revet sed. 
An £x-Gl'nmaker. 
The Thousand Islands- 
ALEXANDRia Bay, N. “i ., June 10. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
As most of your readers are aware, .Mexandria Bhy is siinatad on 
the St. Lawrence River, among Hie rao.st picturesque ol the Thou- 
sand Islands. and blit a few years ago wa'^ comparatively tinknowu to 
the tourist. A few of the knowing ones, however, would visit the 
Bay annually and enjoy with rod and line tbe superb fishing of this 
romanvic region. But the charms of thes- lovely verdure-clad 
islands have got noised abroad, and within the last tw’o or three 
years the influx ol risitors has been so great that t e hotels of tbe 
Bay have been taxed to their utmost capacity to accommodate them. 
The Crossmon House is the favorite hotel of the Bay, and is under 
the excellent management of Messrs. Charles ( rossmoa & Son. The 
fishing at tbe present time is superb, and I would s;iy to all lovers 
of the piscatorial art, who can get away fora day's fishing, to come 
now. and join ns in the sport, Tliere were seven fine niu.'^calonge 
taken by our glle.•^l^ last week, the largest weighing 24 pounds. One 
lucky individual caught thn e in one day, and yesterday your cor- 
respondent .had ihe satisfaciion of booking a “bounce^” and a 
lively tussle he had in landing it, too. Every boat brings in from 
twelve to twenty-five fine pickerel for a day's sport, Bass are com- 
mencing to bite a little, but we do not anticipate much sport from 
them until 1 Her in the season, when we intend to get up a “comer 
on bass, 
I^t me advise all who are undecided where to spend the summer, 
or their sammer vacation, to visit .\lerandna Bay; enjoy its mag- 
nificent scenery; its glorious fishing, and the charm of picniciog 
and camping on its numerons gcm-decked islands . G. F. 
Due Diligence- 
Bosto.v, June 5. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
1 send you notice« oi convi' tiuns under our smelt law. We have 
been fought at every point, but our law has held good in spite of 
legal talent, I trust that next winter your legislature. w ill pass a 
bill in conformity w ith the Massachu.^iis law. I hope you will find 
room to publish what follows, .as it wid interest yonr readers to 
know what we are doing. 
Id addition to these two o^her p irtie^ were convicted for having 
in possession fourteen smelt, and were fined $14 and costs, amount- 
ing to $21 50. 
Dr. Ordwray, President of the Massachusetts Anglcra'^^Association, 
has caused to be issued warrants for the arrest of seven different 
parties in Quincy and Weymouth for the violation of the smelt law, 
which forbids tbe catching or having them in possession during the 
spawning season. 
The Smelt Law. — State Detective D. B. Keith arrested yesterday 
morning and brought before Judge Bumpus of the Quincy District 
Court 8. W. Jenkims, proprietor of the New Sqnantum House. 
Squantum, and his clerk. Geo. L. Odiome, for violation of the 
smelt law — the former for having in hie possession 12 and tho latter 
96 imelts. Jenkins pleaded guilty and was fined $12 and costs, 
amoaniing to $16.50. Odiome pleaded nor guilty and was held in 
$100 to appear next 31onday. The best of the joke is that Jenkins 
is a member of the Massachusetts Anglers' Association, and the 
warrant was issued upon information received by some of tbe mem- 
bers, which looks as if they intended to see that the law is enforced 
at all hazards. 
Another Conviction Under the Smelt Law.— This morning 
Joseph Roberts of Quincy was brought before Judge Bumpus in the 
Quincy District Court for violation of the smelt law, by having in his 
posseisioQ 500 smelts. He was convicted and fined $500. He ap- 
pealed and was bound over to ih§ September term of the Snperior 
Court in $500 bonds. 
Still Another Conviction Under THE Smelt Law.— On Tues- 
day an interestiog case came before Judge Bumpos in the Quincy 
District Court. The defendant was Edwin Clapp of East Braintree, 
who was accused of having smelt on bis tabic during tbe close lime. 
It was claimed that tbe Government must show that they were in 
Clapp's possession. Judge Bumpus claimed that tbe Government 
had so proved, tbe only point being as to the number of smelts. 
S. W. Hatheway, Esq., who appeared for the .Mnssachusetis An- 
gler's Association, raid that the obiect of the prosecution was not 
for the purpose of iier.-ecution, but to establish a principle of law, 
and he should be satisfied in judgment of two sinelU. 3[r. Clapp 
was thenfined $2 and costs. John Quincy Adams, Esq., appeared 
for Mr. Clapp. John P. Ordw'ay. 
Leading of Guns. 
Montreal. June 15. 
Editor Rod and Gtn: 
I notice frequently questions in your papers asking “Why breech- 
loaders le >d, and bow to get rid of leading?” In your last you s:iy 
they do not lead. In very hot or very dry weather, the fouling of 
the powder forms a hard residuum near the muzzle and makes any 
gun very liable to lead. On the 24th of May just past, I, with a 
friend, had a very thorough trial of two new guns. 1 need not 
name the maker, but their uiimberf were 5011 and 5547. The day 
was blazing hot, and be'ore we had got through the 25 rounds each 
gun, that we were e.xperimenting with, both guns were very con- 
siderably leadid 1 took out the extractors and washe 1 them with 
hot water and tbe u.<ual brush, bat conld not remove the lead lom- 
pletely then; a dose of wire brush still left traces of le id. 1 dried 
and oiled the guns tboroughlj and put them away for a week; then 
for experiment rubbed them out with a piece of buckskin with 
mercurial (or blue) ointment and a little fine emery powder, or 
rather flour of emery, common kn'fe polish. This removed every 
trace of lead at once, the lead forming an amalgam with the mer- 
cury and coming off rhe barrels at once. 1 am rather particnlar 
about my barrels, and on looking through my battery this week, 
fonr double C. F.'s, one double rifle, one doable muzzie loader and 
two single rifles; though 1 have ns»d several of the guns for many 
years, there is not a speck of rust inside any of th« !n. I invar. ably 
clean ray guns, no matter bow tired, before gelling supper, when 
shooting. To run a brush through the barrels, and then a couple 
or bits of greasy buckskin afierNvard takes very little time, and it is 
a great plea-ure to see ih-* iuMdes bright as when new; while the 
outside looks worn, and as if it had seen service. By the way. I 
got a present of a Sharps rifle the other day from Gildersleeve, as a 
soivenir of his visit to Montreal la.<t August. Koyal. 
Reasonlon Game Laws 
* Auburn, Me , June 14. 
Editor Rod and Gun: 
Having been a constant reader of your paper for the last year I 
can heartily congratulate i he propositions of your correspondeni-s as 
rcgdids the necessity of stringent game laws. I am a lover of hunt- 
ing and fi.'ihing, but it has always Bcemed wicked tome to shoot 
game or catch fish out of ^ea^un. It the general custom in this 
part of the country to begin to catch fish as soon a« the streams arc 
open ID spring, and. I Chink, from that time till tbe 15th of June 
they are almost worthless, having been starved through the winter 
or nearly so, and are weak, miserable trash to eat. It seem.'« to me 
that no sportsman will coDDtcnancc such work, but, on the con- 
trary, will work zealously in co-operation with the different associ- 
ation, and have tbe matter properly legislated upon, if possible, and 
I see no reason why it is not. One word to Uixiderniists who arc 
shooting woodcock for specimens at the present time. If you have 
among yonr collection one or more woodcock be aiire you have not 
shot the mother of a brood of youug birds that are not able to take 
care of themselves, and mu^t die in conseqnencc. Such things are 
done, and a word now and then through your paper will, in time, 
have the desired effect on such persons. 1 don't think they really 
mean' to do wrong, bat they don't stop to think of the effect of snch 
shooting. Every spo^t^man should take these things into considtr- 
ation; that if we shoot game and catch fish during tbe close season 
oor sport will diminish from year to year; and the time will 
not be long, at least, before it wi 1 be hard work to gel game enough 
for dinner. Reason. 
Shells- 
Xew York, June 17. 
Editor Rod and Gus: 
“ U," of Quincy, III., in hi. communication of May 18 to Rod and 
Gl'n, .^eaks of the failure of No. 12 paper shell., manufactured by 
the Union Metallic Cartridge Company of Bridgeport, Coiiu.. 
whereas Ely shells made him no trouble. I liad the same experience 
while rail shooting last September, and over one -third of the 
Bridgeport shells missed, while some of Ely's shills that had been 
loaded two years, which I had with me, every one went. Not one 
of Ely’s missed lire. " 11. ,” therefore has my sympathy. Should you 
be ple-ased to publish this, put it so that I may n.)t be understood 
as wishing to injure tho Union Mettalic Cartridge Company, for they 
are very accommodating people, and mean to do right by i heir 
patrons. Estectatios. 
