Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-13
Rife Practice in-,he West.

Having resided some years In kentucky,
and having more then once been witness of
rifle sports, l will present you with the result
of my observation, how far rifle shooting is
understood in that State. Several individuals
who conceive themselves expert In the man
agement of gun, are often seen to meet for
a purpose of displaying their skill; wagering
small sum, then put up target, In the centre
of which, a common-sized nail is hammered
for about two thirds of its length. The marks
men make choice Of what they consider a
proper distance, which may be forty PAGES
Each man cleans the interior of his tube,
which is called wiping it, places ball in the
palm of his hand, pouring as much powder
from his horn upon it as will cover it. This
quantity is supposed to be sufficient for any
distance within hundred yards.
A shot which comes very close to the nail
is considered that of an Indifferent marks
man; but nothing less than hitting it right on
the head is satisfactory. One out OF three
shots generally hits the nail, and should the
shooters amount to half a eozen, two nails are
frequently needed before each can have a
shot. Those who drive the nail have further
trial among themselves and the two best shots
of these generally settle the affair, when all
the sportsmed adjourn to some house, and
spending an hour or two in friendly inter-
course, appointing, before they part, day for
another trial. This is technically termed
driving the nail"
Barking off squirrels is delightful sport,
and, in my opinion, requires greater degree
of accuracy than any other. | first witnessed
this manner of procuring squirrels whilst near
the town of Frankfort, the performer being a
celebrated rifle shot. We walked out togeth-
er, and followed the rocky margins OF the
Kentucky river. until we reached piece of
fiat land thickly covered with black wanuts,
oaks and hickories. As the general mast was
a good one that year, squirrels were seen gam
boiling every tree around Us. Nv COM
panion, stout hale and athletic man, dressed
In homespun hunting shirt. bare-legged and
moccaasined. carried a long and heavy rifle,
which, as he was loading it, said had proved
effectual in all former undertakings, and which
he hoped would not fail on this occasion. as he
felt proud to show me MS skill. The gun was
wiped, the powder measured, the ball patched
with 600 thread linen, and the charge sent
home with a hickory rod. We moved not a
step from the place. for the squirrels were so
numerous IL was not necessary to 90 after
them. My companion pointed to one of those
animals that had observed us, and was crouched
on branch about fifty PAGES distant, and
made me mark well where the ball should hit.
He raised his piece gradually, until the bead
(that Is the name given by Kentuckians 10 the
sight) Of the barrel was brought 10 a line with
the spo. he intended to hit. The whip-like
report resOunded through the woods. and along
the hill, in repeated echoes. Judge of my
surprise when / perceived that the ball had
bit the piece of bark Immediately beneath the
squirrel and had shivereG it into splinters.
the conclusion produced by which had killed
the animal. and sent it whirling through the
air rs II it had been blown up by the explo-
sion OF powder magazine. Since that ad-
venture have seen many other individuals
perform the same feat.
The "snuffing of a candle" with ball,
first had an opportunity of seeing near the
banks of Green River. not far from a large
pigeon rcost, to which had previously made
a visit. heard MANY reports OF guns during
the early part OF dark night, and knowing 1t
10 be those of rifles, went towards the spot
TO ascertain the cause. On reaching the place
was welcomed by dozen tall, stout men,
who told me they were exercising for the pur-
pose of enabling them 70 shoot by night, at
the reflected light from tee eyes OF deer or
wolf. by torchlght. A fire was blazing near,
the smoke of which rose, curling among the
thick foliage of the trees. At distance that
rendered II scarcely distinguishable, stood a
burning candle, a if intended a. an offering
to the goddess of night, but which, in fact, was
only fifty yards from the spot on which we
stood.
One man was within few wards of il. 10