The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1853-07-02
KENTUCKY MARKSMEN.

We have individuals in Kentucky, |
that even there are considered wonder
ful adopts in the. management of the RI
le. Having resided some years in Ken
lucky, and having more than once been
a witness of rifle sport, | shall present
The result OF my observations, leaving
the reader to Judge how far rifle shoot
ing is understood in that Sta e.
Several individuals, who consider
themselves adapts in the management of
the rife, are often seen to meet for the
purpose of displaying their skill; and,
betting triAing sum, put up IA target,
in the center of which a common-s sized
nail is hammered for about two-thirds
its length. The marksmen make choice
of what they consider aproper distance,
and which may be forty PAGES, Each
man cleans the interior of his tube,
which is called wiping it, places a ball
in the palm Of his hand, pouring as much
powder from his horn as will cover it.
This quantity is supposed 'obe sufficient
for any distance short ofa hundred yards.
A shot which comes very close to the
nail is considered that of an Indifferent
marksman; the bending Of the nail is of
course somewhat better; but nothing
less than hitting it right on the head is
satisfactory. One out Of the three shots
ger orally hits the nail; and should the
shooters amount 10 half a dozen, two
nails are frequently needed before each
can have a shot. Those who drive the
nail have further trial amongst them
and the two best shots out of these gen.
orally settles tie affair, when all the
J, sportsmen adjourn to some house, ant
spend an hour or two in friendly inter
course, appointing some day for another
tlial. This is technically termed dric
ing the nail. <
Barking the squirrels is delightfa
sport, and, in my opinion, requires
r greater degree of accuracy than an,
other. first witnessed this manner 0
, procuring squirrels while near the towl
of Frankfort. The performer was tn
! celebrated Daniel Boone. We wake,
out together, and followed the rock
f, margins of the Kentucky river, until W
! reached piece OF fiat land, thickly co
vered with black walnuts, oaks, an
hickories. As the general mast was
good one that year, squirrels were see
gamboling on every tree around US. NJ
g componion, stout, hale, athletic mar
dressed in a homespun hunting.shir
i. bare legged, and mOccasined, carried
t long and heavy rifle, which, as he wa
loading it, he said had proved efice i
$ all his former undertakings, and wbic
o he hoped would not fail on this occa
sion, as he felt proud TO show Inc hi
: skill. The gun was wiped, the powdt
was measured the ball patched wit
six hundred thread linen, and a charg
4 sent home with hickory rod. W
: moyed-not step from the place, f
d the squirrels were SO thick that II WI
unnecessary to 60 after them. Boor
q pointed TO one Of these animals, whic
had observed us, and was crouched q
d bark about fifty PAGES distant, ar
bade me mark well where the ball shou
!. hit. lie raised his piece gradually III
I til the bead or sight of the barrel VI
d brought to line with the spot he inteI
! ded to hit. The whiplike report re
oundsd through The woods and aloi
the hills in repeated echoes. Judge
my surprise, when ! perceived that Y