35 ° 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Sept, i, 1906. 
The Western Handicap. 
In writing the story of the Interstate Association’s 
first Western Handicap, held in the city of Denver, Colo., 
the week of Aug. 21-23, the first thought that occurs to 
the chronicler is that Denver has made good in that 
large way which has come to be recognized the world 
over as characteristic of the West and Western enter¬ 
prise. When Messrs. A. E. McKenzie and J. W. Garrett 
went to New York last winter with the special mission 
of inducing the Interstate Association to assign the 1906 
Grand American Handicap to this city, they made large 
promises of what this great Western country would do if 
they were successful in bringing the greatest of all shoot¬ 
ing events here. On the basis of these promises, and 
the enthusiasm they showed, they deserved to succeed in 
that laudable ambition; but when, for logical reasons, 
the Interstate Association cast a majority vote for In¬ 
dianapolis, the West again showed its Spartan courage 
and magnanimity by endorsing this choice and then 
accepting the proffer of one of the four auxiliary handi¬ 
caps. 'the delegates returned from the big metropolis 
and at once set to work to justify their prediction that 
even though they captured what in name was only a 
secondary event, they would make it a bigger shoot than 
the G. A. H. itself. This was a good deal to say; and 
if some of us believed that it could be done, there 
were many doubters. But Denver did not stop to argue 
the case; it went to work, and within a few weeks sent 
abroad the information that there would be $3,000 added 
money hung up here to make the Great Western the best 
shoot of the year. Then we began to understand how 
these big pledges were to be redeemed, and last Tues¬ 
day afternoon, when Secretary-Manager Elmer E. Shaner 
announced in stentorian tones that entries for the day 
had been closed with a total of 311 contestants, Denver 
and the \\ est, and President McKenzie smiled the smile 
of satisfied accomplishment. 
And so the first Western Handicap goes into history as 
by far the most successful shooting tournament of the 
year, and within twenty-two entries of the greatest tar¬ 
get tourney in history, viz., the Great American of 1905, 
in which there were 333 starters. In analyzing condi¬ 
tion that made this possible, two main points only need 
be considered. The one, which we can all appreciate, 
is large added money; and the other, which perhaps 
the East has been slow to realize, is that the spdrting 
and shooting instinct of the West is much more fully 
developed, in proportion to population, than in the 
older sections of this large country of ours. If, in 
the States east of the Mississippi, it might be said that 
one man in every hundred is a lover of the gun, it would 
be well within the limit of comparison to say that in the 
West one man in every ten owns and knows all the 
enjoyment to be had from the use of the gun afield and 
at the trap. Hence it is true that the Horace Greeley 
axiom “Young man, go West,” has been found as bene¬ 
ficial in this year of our Lord 1906 to the interests of 
the Interstate Association, as that grand old man’s 
advice has been to hundreds of thousands of enter¬ 
prising and courageous minds from that day to this. 
We believe that the business of the future in the sale 
of guns and ammunition lies in the country west of the 
Mississippi; therefore, we were not surprised to see the 
Great YV estern entries go above the 300 mark, and yet 
Denver already declares boldly that this is but the fore¬ 
runner of much greater shooting events to follow. They 
want the Grand American Handicap here. They have 
wanted it for the past six years, and now they believe 
they have shown that they deserve this honor 
The location for this big event was happily chosen at 
Berkeley Park, a beautiful tract of unimproved land 
five miles out from the center of the city, on a natural 
lake, from which the place takes its name. It is reached 
by rapid transit electric cars running every seven minutes, 
and thus has the main requisite of an event of this 
kind. Five Leggett traps were arranged in a row right 
on the shores of the lake, so that every target thrown 
fell into the clear water. The range faces almost north, 
the grounds are well shaded, and the scenery is inspiring, 
with Long’s Peak, the monarch of the Rockies, and a 
hundred miles of lesser mountains, presenting a mag¬ 
nificent panorama of natural grandeur away to the west. 
Monday, Aug. 20, was assigned for preliminary practice 
shooting, the first shot scheduled to be fired at 1 P. M. 
And right here Mr. Shaner got his first exact knowledge 
of what this shoot would develop into. Within a little 
while after cashier Whitney opened his books, 200 men 
had handed in their entrance fees over the counter, and 
it was found necessary to refuse nearly a hundred more 
entries, as it would be impossible to finish before night. 
The conditions were not altogether favorable, and a 
very bad light reduced scores, under a heavy storm 
cloud toward evening. The best work of the day was 
done by F. E. Rogers, winner of the recent Grand 
American Handicap, and the old war horse, W. R. 
Crosby, each of whom accounted for 98 of the 100 shot 
at. Other places were filled as follows: Second, Hirschy, 
N. J. Margott, T. Hubby and R. Proser; third, J. S. 
Thomas, L. I. Wade, and Wm. Veach; fourth. Young. 
Marshall, Spencer, Heer. Freeman. Plank, M. E. Atchin- 
son, B. Johnson, Dr. Shattuck, R. Saucier, A. J. Law- 
ton, O. N. Ford, and D. A. Upson. 
The first day’s shooting was a little slow, owing to the 
fact that the office and trap crews were practically ail 
new at the work, and must learn those knacks of move¬ 
ment that make up the “go” of the truly successful 
shoot. But these young men were willing and apt 
scholars, and under the able direction of Shaner. Whitney 
and Charlie North, soon had everything moving in excel¬ 
lent shape. 
Aug. 21, First Day. 
The first day’s work was begun under clear skies, and 
with all conditions favorable. At 9 o’clock Secretary- 
Manager- Shaner called for attention, and stated that the 
Great Western Handicap was about to begin. There¬ 
upon Mayor Speer, of Denver, through Judge Lindsey, 
welcomed the visiting shooters, and in behalf of the 
citizens of Denver, presented Mr. Shaner with the key 
to the city, which indeed looked large and strong enough 
to unlock the doors of the promised land. President 
McKenzie added some trite remarks, stating that this 
was in part a realization of the ambition of the sports¬ 
men of the West, but that they hoped and expected yet 
greater triumphs in the not distant future. Mr. Shaner 
accepted all this in his usual happy manner, and then, 
at precisely a quarter past nine, Mr. C. D. Plank, of 
Denver, fired the first shot in the regular events of the 
tournament. Thenceforward it was a busy scene indeed, 
with never a stop along the whole line until darkness 
compelled the cessation of firing, with the programme 
only about two-thirds finished. 
The weather was variable, and during a portion of the 
afternoon the wind blew severely ahead of a storm that 
threatened to descend from the mountains; but the 
shooting went merrily on. In the very first squad a pace 
was set by W. S. Hoon. an Iowa lad, who went out in 
the first ICO with 98. Shortly afterward, O. N. Ford 
set a new mark with 99, and this was followed by an¬ 
other amateur, IT. G. Taylor, and two professionals, 
Crosby and Hirschy. Only seventeen squads were able 
to finish the entire programme, and while it was there¬ 
fore impossible to gauge averages for the day, first place 
was safely landed by Crosby, who finished with the 
phenomenal score of 199 out of the possible 200. On 
Wednesday merning the conditions were again good, but 
with a clouded sky, the light was not the best, and this 
may have affected scores one or two percent. The 
scores, at 200 targets, follow: 
Mills . 
W S Hoon.... 
Prose . 
J W Garrott . 
A J Lawton... 
J Roher . 
M Hensler ... 
W A Matlock 
W M Clayton. 
\V J Rand 
Chris Gottlieb 
VVm McGee .. 
C Bulwer . 
R R Barber . 
E G Wallace . 
IT Martens 
A IT Goehring. 
Geo Reimers . 
C G Spencer.. 
J M Day. 
T S Thomas... 
T F Norton... 
B Saucier . 
B Scott .. 
J C Ramsey .... 
F E Rogers. 
W H Heer. 
S A Huntley... 
O N Ford. 
D A Upson .... 
R Thompson ... 
Cap Hardy .... 
Wm Veach -- 
G A Schroeder.. 
Dan Bray. 
D Lindeman .. • 
H D Freeman.. 
H C Holmes.... 
Guy Ward . 
H Faurote . 
p C Ward. 
Guy Burnside .. 
W R Crosby.... 
IT C Hirschy.... 
G Deering . 
P T Holohan.... 
W H McCreary. 
J C Tohnson. 
M Thompson .. 
T W Swem. 
E C Sneed. 
A Olsen . 
R H Myers. 
W T Booking... 
J H Severson... 
A Keister . 
T E Hubby. 
IT Bonsor . 
F C Riehl. 
G W Maxwell... 
Dr Carson . 
C H Ditto. 
F M Edwards... 
W M Jones .... 
Dr Shattuck ... 
F Hodges . 
E Confar . 
H Casey . 
M Storey . 
M McMillan ... 
Kelly . 
C A Burt. 
A Corcander ... 
W J Mayattie... 
R J Andrews.... 
E R Browner... 
H McDonald ... 
Geo Rogers .... 
W D Townsend. 
Chas Thorpe ... 
Chas Kleinhausi 
E A Fisher. 
Elson . 
T A Marshall... 
C B Hagerman. 
T Hartman . 
G W Jenkins.... 
. 187 
F Durrak . 
. 196 
. 192 
E F Walton . 
. 179 
. 185 
E S Eastman. 
. 153 
. 191 
T A Gray. 
. 187 
. 190 
A Adebman . 
. 179 
. 191 
G W Anderson. 
. 1,5 
..193 
. 125 
. 185 
O Porter . 
. 181 
. 171 
B A Robert. 
. 174 
. 165 
D C Sanderson. 
. 85 
. 174 
Daniels . 
. 186 
G R Mackie. 
. 177 
. 187 
L G Sevanter. 
. 186 
. 174 
E W Arnold. 
. 191 
..185 
J M McDonald. 
. 161 
. 188 
FT C Flood. 
. 176 
. 182 
W FI \ ietmeyer. 
. 178 
. 187 
F B Ellet. 
. 181 
. 147 
B Johnson . 
. 185 
. 161 
Geo Snow . 
. 146 
. 175 
C G Rotnaur. 
. 184 
..177 
. 16,8 
. 171 
F H Sprague. 
. 173 
C E Shaw. 
. 177 
G G Pickett. 
. 174 
..195 
C Hoffman . 
. ISO 
S F Linch. 
. 187 
H F Tinnen. 
. 158 
C A Mohr. 
. 173 
..179 
M Hanly . 
1 71 
. 183 
M II Park. 
. 178 
J Tarberry . 
16.8 
. 175 
166 
. 176 
T M Kellar. 
162 
. 1S9 
169, 
. 195 
F Weatherhead . 
. 163 
. .195 
D Elliott . 
164 
. 191 
J W Slusher. 
. 164 
. 1S7 
1 W Lewis. 
. 165 
. 180 
181 
. 176 
J G Sheldon. 
. 182 
. 189 
F O William. 
..183 
158 
. 189 
. 149 
. 187 
A H Windsam. 
. 142 
. 190 
. 168 
. 174 
184 
. 186 
D D McKee. 
. 174 
. 168 
. 185 
..189 
W H Clay, Jr. 
. 186 
..178 
T Selzer . 
. 199 
. 136 
. 197 
A A Carlos. 
140 
. 191 
M L Kullman. 
. 160 
. 191 
R W Mason. 
. 173 
. 183 
Cal Calleson. 
. 180 
. 181 
. 158 
. 181 
. 174 
. 156 
E A McKenzie. 
. 161 
. 172 
C Younkman . 
. 164 
. 183 
N Powell . 
. 171 
. 159 
. 177 
. 183 
C H IToppy. 
. 157 
. 165 
M C Ramsey. 
. 172 
. 174 
C Van ITorback . 
. 172 
. 195 
Tas McDonald . 
. 164 
. 181 
Dr Babcock . 
. 154 
. 186 
IF A Coscilins. 
. 143 
. 185 
S Clark . 
. 131 
. 187 
. 184 
. 131 
F R Van Buren. 
. 166 
. 179 
W R Baumgardner.. 
. 167 
. 170 
. 148 
. 178 
W M' But er. 
. 179 
. 174 
. 171 
. 183 
D B Stephens. 
. 177 
. 169 
C A Farnsworth. 
. 176 
. 175 
. 184 
. 167 
. 162 
. ISO 
. 158 
. 172 
. 183 
..172 
W Mercer . 
. 180 
. 78 
. 159 
T I Cairius . 
. 148 
P I Cairius . 
. 179 
. 178 
F Houston . 
. 178 
. 191 
T Appleman . 
. 187 
1) Herriman . 
. 161 
. 182 
T B Newton. 
. 174 
W B Kennedy. 
. 177 
11 Thiele . 
. 38 
. 176 
,. 150 
. 173 
W A Smith. 
.. 177 
. 181 
T D Gilreath. 
. 169 
. 183 
C B Monahan. 
,. 176 
. 176 
L Lamb . 
,. 143 
C B Eaton. 
... 154 
L S Herrington.... 
... 143 
A McLaughlin . 
... 178 
T Connerly . 
... 153 
W Seymour . 
... 151 
W R Thomas. 
... 189 
W C Williams . 
... 179 
A Glover . 
.... 78 
J S Sherman. 
... 172 
J W Price. 
... 171 
Dr E C Cook. 
... 179 
W E Dingman . 
... 1S5 
C A Young.»• • ■. 
... 191 
D FI Curry. 
... 169 
B F Cole . 
... 170 
T S Dailly. 
....187 
R Merrill . 
... 185 
I, A Hayden. 
... 169 
W Huff . 
... 193 
J T Skelly. 
... 174 
L E Scofield. 
... 174 
E A W Everett_ 
... 141 
W A Mattson. 
... 171 
J C Den. 
... 159 
F Brinson . 
... 177 
D Houser . 
... 162 
F Ackerman. 
... 167 
1 B Warren. 
... 164 
Dr Haughwort. 
... 158 
O, Thebault . 
... 154 
R O Heikes. 
... 178 
W B Miller. 
... 160 
1 H Noel. 
... 187 
A A Mathews. 
... 168 
T McHenry . 
... 176 
A ()lsen .... 
... 192 
F L King. 
... 162 
R E Bailey. 
...158 
F P Fitzgerald. 
... 165 
W E Crosby. 
... 191 
W H Reno. 
....162 
B S Russell. 
... 175 
D W King, Jr. 
... 176 
C T Crosby. 
... 1S9 
H Anderson . 
... 189 
1 I Wooley. 
... 169 
R Razee . 
... 175 
I C Copeland. 
... 155 
T Remiatte . 
... 186 
H Money . 
... 185 
C A Bois. 
... 176 
C Pankin . 
... 169 
S Knight . 
... 153 
A Gregory. 
... 1,3 
T L Decker. 
... 166 
1 Whitney . 
... 169 
c, H art . 
... 171 
... 179 
B C Shrunk. 
... 167 
W R McKinnon.... 
... 169 
W M Hayes. 
... 176 
1 T Beard. 
... 177 
T H Sherman. 
... 163 
P Hughes .'. 
... 180 
F Runington . 
... 159 
P L Collins . 
... 178 
F, E Metzer. 
... 174 
C IT Morton. 
... 183 
T M Lower . 
... 154 
A R Kellar. 
... 168 
H ITargens . 
... 162 
F Armstrong. 
... 164 
W T Smith. 
1 C Stoner. 
... 169 
H A Gayhart. 
... 186 
1 C Knight. 
... 159 
E R Tacket. 
... 164 
W I! Wolf. 
... 176 
W R Morgan. 
... 157 
T C Carey. 
... 175 
T. Wade . 
... 185 
T T Blank. 
.... 177 
M E Atchison. 
... 184 
T A Blunt . 
.... 178 
M E Lens. 
... 185 
T VV Reger. 
... 168 
Geo Tucker . 
... 191 
W A Boettger. 
.... 175 
A Holt . 
... 187 
H McMurchy . 
.... 185 
C B Adams. 
....169 
Mrs N Bennett __ 
.... 130 
Geo Post . 
... 179 
Mrs H Bardsley. 
.... 112 
H W Kahler. 
... 187 
W A Shadduck. 
.... 183 
B Conley . 
... 195 
W G Carpenter. 
.... 167 
II Taylor . 
... 193 
Fred Bell . 
.... 186 
Ira Bansho . 
... 177 
W H Hume. 
.... 172 
F P Metzker. 
... 168 
T Ray . 
.... 174 
F M Gooden. 
... 181 
T Furdy . 
.... 162 
R Proser . 
... 1S6 
B Owen. 
.... 159 
A L Holder. 
... 160 
W M Bowman. 
.... 175 
Dr Sevier . 
... 161 
T W Bazebbe. 
.... 176 
Dr R W Murray- 
... 169 
S K Planck. 
.... 165 
Andy Mann . 
.... 156' 
Squad 18 took up the programme for the second 100 
Wednesday morning, and it took until 2 o’clock in the 
afternoon to shoot through. Summarizing the day’s 
work, the places were filled as follows: Crosby 199, 
Hirschy 197, Spencer, Heer. Hubby 195, professionals, 
and S. A. Huntley and Robert Conley, amateurs, 195; 
Huff, H. G. Taylor and A. J. Lawton 193. 
Aug. 22 and 23—Second and Third Days. 
The second day’s programme was begun at 2:15 P. M., 
and it was possible to finish only 30 squads in the sweep- 
stakes programme of 100 targets, the remaining squads 
and the preliminary handicap going over to Thursday. 
During the late afternoon a rainstorm interrupted the 
shooting for half an hour, and some of the squads that 
struck a bad few minutes suffered severe backsets to 
their ambition for high scores. One new world’s record 
was made, however, by the expert squad composed of 
Crosby, Heer, Hirschy and Spencer. These four men, 
being handicapped at 21vds. for the preliminary, shot to¬ 
gether in the sweeps also, and they went down the line 
of traps with but 5 targets missed in the 400 shots, break¬ 
ing the last 295 straight, a feat never before approached 
by four men shooting in one squad in open competition. 
Aug. 23—Third Day, 
The programme was resumed Thursday morning, under 
threatening conditions, and a dark sky, but fortunately, 
the weather did not again interfere with the shooting. 
The second day’s sweepstake programme was finished at 
1:30 o’clock in the afternoon, there having been a total 
of 303 entries, a few of whom defaulted. On this day’s 
work the four honor places were filled as follows: 
Crosby, Spencer, Taylor and Shemwell, 99; Heer. Huff, 
ITubby, Rogers, 98; Atchison, Dingman, 97; Thomas, 
Miller, C. F. Crosby, Wade, Upson, Arnold, Hoon, Law- 
ton and Mackie 96. 
At this point the tournament committee held a session 
and reviewed the situation, it being the unanimous deci¬ 
sion that the sweepstake programme of 100 targets for 
the last day must be cut out in order to insure finishing 
the tourney on Saturday. This was accordingly done, 
and the Denver Trap Club generously donated $250 added 
to the five events cancelled to the fund to repay all 
amateurs who shot through and did not get their money 
back. This decision closed the average programme at 
300 targets. Crosby is therefore the winner of the big 
shoot, with 298 breaks to his credit, Hirschy being sec¬ 
ond with 296, and Heer, Hubby and Spencer bunched 
right up close. In the amateur class H. G. Taylor wins 
first, with 292, W. W. Shemwell second with 291, and 
Garrett, Robt. Conley and A. J. Lawton tie for third. 
From a trade standpoint, as well as many others, this 
was a most successful tourney, and all the trapshooting 
interests were w^ell represented, the professional con¬ 
tingent being as follows: 
For the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. and Remington 
Arms Co., Messrs. Marshall, Head, Sharp, Long, Ricker, 
Coolage, Heikes, Heer. Hubby, Riehl and Adams. 
For the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., Messrs. Hil¬ 
dreth, Frazier, Doty, Siefken, Whitney, Crosby, Hirschy, 
Gottlieb, and Money. 
