The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-02-29

"A correspondent, an eye witness, gives detail
OF the engagement below
MORRIS, Feb, 90, 1858.
Ihe match was arranged to take place on Fri.
4 oay' feo 2lst Early on the morning Of that
Gay. all anxious to witness the contest started
LOT Morris, arrived, took short soourn at Hon
kins', In a few moments were Joined by VIM.
Nicholson who received us kindly, extending a
most cordial welcome. Soon, the invincible
Brunk appeared, and after the usual friendly
greeting, preparations were made to proceed TO
the ground. We being strangers in the locality
we're in a aquandary at this juncture A gentle.
man. resident of Morris, kindly volunteered to
pilot US to the ground Kindly thanking the
! gentleman, we took up our line of march north.
ward toward the railroad: arriving there, turned
westward about one mile, filing north about 20
rods from the railroad, most inviting field pre-
sented ITSELF we halted. All things being ready,
! the action commenced Five trial shots bein.,
allowed. Brunk led off, hitting the board every
time; Nicholson in his trial. only once. The
spectators noticing the skill of Brunk, commenc-
ed betting 10 to l. and lager on Brunk, but no
takers, the contest commenced for the decision
OF the wager, which ! understand, was for
so side. Minor outside bets were made, the
amounts Of which am not informed
1t might be well to state that in this engage
I
ing one of Abbey's target guns patent muzzle,
telescope sight. Mr. Brunkcr, in the fire which
consumed his shop and fixtures had his fayorite
gun destroyed, but was kindly furnished one OF
his own make by his friend Thos McDermot,
the gun having only globe and beed sights. The
participants fired as they chose, 10 shots being
allowed Brunk hitting the target at each shot,
two III the centre the rest in close proximity To
it. Nicholson failed to hit his target A frown
or as a., Al. A..
ris man and his vouchers We expressed svm-
pathy for Grundy, and evinced it by cheering
for Brunkcr three times three and a tiger. All
the faces of La Sale county men were lit up
with smiles of Joy. Outsiders now began 70 dis
perSe' many expressing their disappointment
One youth, anxious to find somo evidence of the
execution Of the Grundy fayorite. sought out an
old stump five rods to the left of the target and
exultingly exclaimed, "here is a bullet hole -
others rushed to the spot, ana upon close inspec-
ton, admit that it was the work of a wood mag
got. All now dispersed, some winding their way
: homewa-d. those of the betters to the store of
Mr.. Abbot, stakeholder, there TO possess them
selves of the coveted $50, SO, and s. Abbots
lager and long necked bottles were called fire.
quentiy into requsition hot whisky md gih-
cocktails disappeared in rapid succession from
public view '8" ~ -"
While the match or rather shooting w:ty esfne esf
on'a German rushed up and enquired if Brunk
had his great gun which shot so lar and accurate
there? Being answered yes told us there were
some Of Mr. Hodges cattle in a field about four
miles west in the direction of the shooting, and
that II would BIT best to change the course y lit.
tie bit
After the usual congratulations of friends, ac-
companied by hot whisky, the crowd at Abbott's
dispersed except the contestants, who remained
Ii Brunk did not gain much in stamps, he did
in reputation for his gun. After hearing many
expressions Of admiration, left fully pleased
with the exploits of the day, and fully confident
that with Brunk, and his gun to do the execu-
tion, La Sale county would always wear the
laurels in that line Fcuo