The Van Buren press., 1874-03-24
Knights Of the Trigger. y
VAN BuREN, ARK, March 81, 1874

VAN BuREN, ARK, March 81, 1874.
EDITOR VAN BUREN Press:
In these times of great pretentions Of NOR
alists to reform vices, intemperancc, etc. al
low me to suggest the necessity Of the imme-
diate organization OF humanitarian assecia-
tion in our midst, for the prevention of cruel
ty to animals. To those familiar with the
columns Of the Turf Field and Farm, Wilks'
Spirit of the Times, and other sporting papers
have noticed the frequent articles appearing
In snid papers. headed " The Trigger" Now
this triggcrng means, as there explained
the cruel slaughter of what is known as ono
Of our handsomest as well as one Of the most
innocent and useful barn yard birds. called
the pigeon, an awkward, clumsy flyer, too
confiding in mans generosity and protection
to manifest dread at his approach. These
poor birds are caught and crowded together
In pens for weeks and weeks previous to the
day Of slaughter, and when they have nearly
lost the use Of wings are brought forward
and turned out one by one to be shot at by a
class Of city bandit box, would be considered
sport.mcn, more properly known as pool
dealing gamblers and blacklegs, to the very
great amusement of a class Of gaping tools,
loafers and vagabonds, gallant knights Of the
ring. belt. .tc.,) who assemble to witness the
disreputable and cruel slaughter Of innocent.
hvl picss victims. even worthless for the table
when killed. And all this merely to crafty
the vanity and rapacty Of a class of men for
whose benefit many Of the States lave passed
laws imposing heavy fines and imprisonment
for such cruelty to domestic animals. But
cruel and heartless hewevcr as the sports
mentioned of these SO se!f-considered valiant
knights of the trigger are, as carried on In the
vicinity Of some Of our great gambling cities.
by the Bogarites. the Joneses and Jinklnses
and who would fain be classed as crack-shots
and considered among the higher order Of
sportsmcn in the field, who he well knowAs
would spurn the idea OF shooting other than
the sharp-cyed keen-winged game bird of
that legitimate class, endowed by nature with
instructive powers Of self preservation. Yet
it would seem that it was reserved for certain
citizens of ours to inaugurate and establish
new order Of cruelty intensified by the length
Of time in many cases that the victim suffers
In its agonies. THIS new order, | suppose.
should be considered knights Of the Double
Trigger" Their favorte amusement con-
sistlng In employing some huxter to collect a
number Of turkeys (domesticated Of course)
from the farms around, when day Is set for
the cruelest exhibition of nhuman sport that
has yet made its appearance among sports
men, II such they may be termed, and consists
rs follows: One turkey ut ~ time Is put on
the torture-Jor, some or feet from the
ground, tied and confined SO as to be COM
shot from under the wretched victim previous
to being killed. The placing, etc, being
ready, the members OF the order march up
one by one and after depositing dime In the
DIST of Mr. Huxter and game keeper, he. the
member, spreads himself, face downward, fiat
on the ground with chunk or block of
wood In front Of him, over which he rests an
old rusty life gun and takes u deliberate
shot across space Of from one to one hum
dred and fifty yards. The rule being In all
cases death or no turkey. But as often hap
pens, the poor animal has to be shot ut re-
peatedly after losing u leg, wing, or cut and
scathed In every conceivable manner, and
still the dime will be exacted for another shot
as long as the wretched victim can endure
life. This is no fancy or highly wrought pic
ture of the doings Of the new order Of
knights Of the Double Trigger" and Rusty
rifles. But l will close this article by wish
ing that this order of so-called- what-you-
please, may dissolve and meet no more. Gcd
and Liberty, GRANGER.