The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-03
BERGGy AFTER TIE PIGEON SHOOTERS
Two Pigeons Killed to Provoke an Arrest, but
Mr. Bergh Contents Himself with
Making Threats.
BRaGH-What are thu stakes

BEaGn-whal are thu stakes
SlArLfS-brlOins,
About half u dozen members OF the Jereme Park
shooting Cub ana two members OF the Long Island
Club were az Jerome Park yesterday afternoon Tor
the purpose OF amusing themselves at their familiar
pasrilne, Mr.. +. Staples ana Mr. b. o. Deforest hay
ing shot small match at birds eacli the former
winning oy one bird, wnen Mr. Bergh, the great
humanitarian, suddenly put III an appearance on
the field, accompanied 10y three officers. MIR. Bergh
stalked into the midst OF the gentlemen and seemed
disappointed at the slim attendance on the ground;
but ne said nothing for some minutes. We do not
know how long ne would have kept silent mad not
Mr.. Parks. sr the President OF tho Long Island
Shooting Club, brought him to his speech by ad-
dressing him In the following manner
Mr.. PARKs-Mr Bergh, believer
Mr.. BEEGH-That IL my name.
Mr.. PARKs-My name Is Parks | am the prcsi dent
of the Long Island Shooting Club. and this gentle
man Is Mr.. Deiorcst, the president Of the jerome
Park Shooting Club. We are law abiding citizens
and II 1t Is unlawful 10 shoot pigeons viii desis;
but should there be law against 1t, we Will con-
tinue to enjoy our sport. We want the matter
tested. Now, slr, have you any lawful right 10
stop usS
Mr.. BERGH lin ragcl-I VIII stop 1t. Shooting
pigeons IL a brutal BLACKBOARD business; an un.
lawful act; and am determined to put stop to ii.
mir. Ber2h seemed to be under the impression
| that his presence had stopped match that had
been begun, for no called out, What are the
stakes T' Mr. staples replied, "SirlOins, sir r'l
Mr. PARKs-We, then, we will at once make q
test question OF 1t. and what you will do Mr..
Paine addressing the professional who was the
groundl, shoot some birds and let Mr. Bergh see
how they killed. aud let us then ascertain what
he viii do.
Two pigeons were then put In the traps. and Ira
Paine shouldered his gun. The trap was sprung
aud pigeon soon knocked over. One OF Bergh's
men then ran aiyi picked up the bird, which was
still alive, and brought to Mr.. Bergh who held it
IN his hand several minutes, while several OF the
gentlemen present begged him to give it to them
that they mlght put 1t out of its misery. Some Of
them berated him severely Tor his cruelty to
animals. Bergh would not give up the bird, but
continued to expatate on the barbariy of the
shooting, when bang went Paines gun again. and
down came the other pigeon, which was also Sc
cured by Berghs henchmen.
Then Ira Paine put up his gun ana awaited the
arrest, rs he expected nothing than lncarcera.
ton in Weslchester jail, ana subsequently legal
test Oh the criminay of pigeon shooting. Mr..
Bergh, instead Of ordering Ira into custody told his
officers To dispense the crowd, which, by this time
had augmented to nearly fifty by the acquisition OF
some forty stable boys, who were attracted thither
by the unusual manner in which business being
conducted The officers made charge on the boys
ana drove them before them out OF the field. The
gentlemen however. doubted Mr.. Bergh's author
Ivy to drive them or their own grounds, and re-
manned where they were to discuss the unsettled
subject of pigeon shooting.
Just ut this moment Mr.. Staples stepped ont In
front OF Mr.. Bergh ana discharged his gun, begging
Mr.. Bergh not to alarmed that he did not intend
TO hurt him.
Mr.. BERGH-You probably would like to take my
life'
Mr.. SrArLEs--Not al all, sir; not at all; it's not
worth 1t.
gentleman present then told Mr.. Bergh that In
England the society for the Prevention OF Cruelty to
Animals never interfcred with the sporting clubs IN
the United Kingdom, aud that the Prince Of Wales
was the president OF the most popular shooting
club In England.
At this remark Mr.. Borgh seemed TO ny into a sim
greater passion, and he denounced the Prince OF
Wales as 'the greatest backguard in England"
He further said that he had been lately In CORE
spondence with the English Society for the Preven-
ton OF Cruelty TO Animals, and he proud to say
that the killing OF pigeons ana other birds for
ment and practice was now being discontinued. MI.
Bergh said there reason or necessity for Kill.
ing birds to practice shooting; that target could
be put up, or an object resembling bird could he
thrown the air to be fired at; but 1t cruel.
barbarous and BLACKBOARD act to Kill pigeons any
other OF Gods creatures for amusement.
Mr.. Bergh seemed TO be very iil-uatured stating
that he was sick and ought to be In bed instead OF
out there In the cold wind; but when asked why he
had not gone to bed instead Of comiug out there
and meddug with matters that did not concern
him he waxed wrathy, and declared hts Intention or
following pigeon shooters wherever they made their
appearance, and would arrest and punish all who
violated the laws.
Some one then ntmated that there was no law TO
prohibit pigeon shooting, aud told MIR. Bergh II
there was lie would be obliged to him TO show II.
Another gentleman asked him what he Intended to
do about the killing OF the two pigeons before his
eyes-whether he meant to arrest Ira Pane and test
the question before the co"rs; but his replies were
evasive. HE knew his business. and IL was none OF
theirs what he intended to do"
gentleman present then told Ira Paine TO move
away and see whether the officers would arrest
aim. Paine left, taking his traps with him, fol
lowed by the gentlemen OF the clubs when Bergh
and his men took possession OF the platform from
which the shooting had taken place. They remained
wagon and in = few moments after left Jerome
PARK.
Then the question arose as TO the right OF Mr..
Bergn to go through the gates or Jerome Park with
out The permission or the persons having those
grounds In charge, and much discussion took place
on the subject; but all paroles seemed determined
to solve the mOoted point at once whether shoot
ing clubs have o right to Kill pigeons not, and
this they all seem unanimous shall he done quickly
THE HABBOR GRACE HORROR.
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