The New York herald., 1871-02-23
TRIGGER TOURNAMENT.
Contest for the Double Bird Cham
piOnship Badge.
Splendid Field Of Participants-An the Cracks
Of the Country Present--Great Gathering of
the Interested Miles Johnson Of New Jer-
sey, the Winner Extraordinary Score.
.rt's been a glorious occasion -

ats been glorious occasion ~
.They have come from the West, from the East,
from the Middle States, ana the Lord only knows
where, TO shoot for tins badge and these
shooters have done noby and the baubie mas been
well wOn.n
These admissions came from the mouth or one OF
the several aspirants for the magnificent badge
given by Captain r. sealy, OF Long Island yester
day afternoon, after 1t had been announced that
Miles johnson, OF New Jersey, the lucky one in
contest Of an extraordinary character In pigeon
shooting.
"Aad killing twenty. eight birds out OF fifteen
double rises is score, SIR, unequalled the his
tory OF such shooting.n
The impressions OF the talkatye aspirant were the
FEELINGS OF sope seven hundred gentlemen who
journeyed by cars, on boat and IN carriages TO wit
the decision for the golden token that had been
prepared for the pigeon shooting tournament on the
grounds OF the Long Island Pigeon Shooting Club
near Jamaica, l.. i. The occasion had been well
chosen. 1t was the ancys tribute to the memory OF
the immortal Washington, and never In the history
of like amusement Ia this country has there been
such festive gathering, and never has better feel
lug or more general satisfaction been expressed at
\ like termination.
THE OCCASION.
The excitement apparent at tins time IN the circles
o! the professional and amateur pigeon shots or this
vicinity prompted Captain Sealy TO give the badge
oi gold, studded with diamonds, TO the best marks
man at double birds IN the land, the conditions
being that should be contested for under the rules
OF the Long Island Club aud that the birds should
be shot from Ii and traps, eighteen yards rise and
100 yards boundary, one ounce and a quarter Of
shot. The publicity given TO the proposed event in
the HERALD created Juror among the interested far
and wide, and as eally az ten O'Clock yesterday
morning they began 10 throng the hotel OF the
generous sealy and talk ''shoot."
Everybody was on nand. The premises We're redo
lent OF powder and shot. Guus-singe barrel, double
barret muzze leaders and preech leaders, some
worth $500 and others not twenty shillings-were
everywhere around. You could not mistake the oc
cason. Everything pointed 10 IL and all were COO
cooing in anticipation OF the sport.
A CHANGE
BY the original terms the championship badge mad
been agreed To be given to the winner on consrera
ton OF his holding himself in readiness TO shoor any
challenger Tor sum not less than $500 within three
months OF challenge, and II the party holding ~
should defeat all contestants for the term OF
TWO years 1t should become his personal
property. These conditions We're not agreeable,
1T was ascertaned, and, upon reflection tncy We're
changed, so that the winner might become the
owner OF the badge without restrictions. The an
nouncement Of ihs decision nightly pleased the
crowd. and at noon, a list being prepared 1t
soon nled with the following names. the entrance
being twenty-five dollars each:-
John Taylor, Jersey City, N. j.
w. ID. SOutndrd POugbkeepsie, NJ !.
Geo. J. Romer, Poug1keepse, n. Y.
Il. w. Tinker, Providence, X. l.
Miles Johnson, Yardvulc n. j.
Captain L. NJ. Jones, Fire Island N.
Horace Ramsey New York.
Ira A. Paine. New York
Captain A. II. BOgardus, Illinois.
n. DoNey Illinois.
A. l.. Sewell New York.
Alva Merrill, Boston.
The large number OF entries so pleased the glver
of the badge that when he found that twelve had
signiied their intentions OF participating he con-
aed 70 maze ca sec"n% & pre re ., op I'D mo4e az ne
additional manifestation OF generosity, and AT one
O'Clock The hotel was deserted
THE FIELD
Legal gentlemen Of distinction mingled with farm
ers, and nice young men who are immense fayorltes
with the ladies' with laborers OF casiron features.
Here was a doctor with brigand hat and Mephis-
iophileaI swagger; there reu bearded and portly
tavern keeper, reinforced by his dog; beyond him
she professional sport in natty dress, and to
the sundry citizens in loudly striped pantaloons
who paid their admission and with sagacious coun.
tenances crowded to the front, making up an apprc
atlve gathering. awaiting Will illconcealed anxiety
the opening OF the tournament.
Soon the twelve earnest shooters ga.bcre0 lii n
throng and with one admission decided 10 accept
Mr.. Parks for both
JUDGE AND REFEREE,
,icemng his great experience and proverbial quail
ties OF justice and :ove Of fair dealing just what
absence of greater number OF traps II was decided
TO use but two ana arrange the respective strings
so that both could pe pulled at the same instant
JAKE.
an ebony colored piece OF humanity and nigger
VINO had written all over bis lace, ''fou cant 1901
dis yer chicken" was accepted as handler and
uapper. His admonitions were TO .'irap the birds
on the square or there would oe dead nigger for
somebody to mourn over;'' bus whether the Illus
1rlous Jacob did work on the square o. not Is hard
TO tell, but 1t is so presumed.
DRAWING
for the manner In which they snould shoot next
took place, and this was done tmpartally. The day
was pleasant for the sport though COOL It was one
of those February days that seemed To have hated
on its Journey, ana, AMID surroundings OF snow and
Zee thawlng and chilly sunblInks. to remind US that
we are on the verge or spring.
While the anxious hundreds are being driven
back from the table used by the contestants TO load
rbar rvuns Very aIluilfp snot
that will lie OF service to them in having a good
signt, aud while the half hundred or guerlllas
that always hang around pigeon match To SCOOP
in any missed birds are taxing eligible position on
the ~ beyond lie field, let a moment be given to
The shooters In the order they come to the scratch
n. DoxEY, or ILLINOIS.
or "Doxey, old boy,' IL the constant companion Of
Captain BogartiGs-a type or The straightforward
honorable Western hunterwith whom ne travelled
I6U0 miles to look at the crack shots OF the Fast
a words sest sad nsf all his Ss a@ his N e. e
polls has gained h!ni anu his companion many
friends.
ALvA MERRILL, OF BOSTON.
A new conner III THIS section. Thick set and NUT
ton chop whiskers OF such peculiar character has
Ava that he could never be forgotten. He was
earnest hopeful and expeclant--and no doubt In MS
own town IS a crack boy with the gun--and yeser-
day thought he could take the badge back TO the
that he was only slouch OF q countrymau."
CAPTAIN BoGARDUs or ILLINOIS.
The readers Of the HERALD know OF this gentle
man. Six ieet or more iD mis- stockings, broad
shouldered and muscular us giant he is man
IcNcA lVIkc. Ills isuhcStS gSitht DtdIlNE
well known to here expaiiatc upon ana has skill
with the gun has gone the world over. As before
tnis report reaches the eyes OF O million readers
Bogartus Will be speeding towards his Western
home II Is air 20 say he has made many friends IN
this section OF the coantry-iriends that win not
easily lose sight OF him.
W. D. souTHARp, OF pouGuKEEpsrs
y quiet young gentleman fresh from the country
ana came 10 town for a days sport. He had .six-
penny popgnn.N ana IL he had aimed at the birds Il,
little more, might have been successful in making "a
better score than he did
GEORGE }. RoMER, or rouGHKEEPslE.
companion OF Southaru's. like q genuine
bacKwO0dsman, but in whatever manner nc fixed
mis- cap twisted the handkerchief about his neck
IN Ileu OF q collar he Gid not get the shang
OF the thing" George never was in tig sweepstake
before.
CAPTAIN JONES, OF FIRE ISLAND,
gentleman used 10 tile murmurngs os The
ocean, which PROBABLY ed bl,n into the idea that he
is u first rate shot for pigeons but with pistol or
rife, right shoulder and left shoulder he can
beat the woTld--et him tell II.
% u LIE \ MY