New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-28
THE AMERICAN WIMBLEDON.
THE INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCH.

LIE AMERlCAN WlMBLEUUN.
THE INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCH.
cREEDMooR THE SCENE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE
RIFLE SHOOTING ON REcoRD-THE AMERICAN
TEAM DEFEAT THE IRISH RIFLEMEN By THREE
POINTS.
The rifle match between the renowned Irish
team and the American riemen was shot Saturday
at Creedmoor. under circumstances favorable to both
sides ana II ended In that astonished every
body and delighted every American. The American
team AFTER close contest lasting from forenoon until
late In the afternoon, the match by three points
Inc weather was all that could have been desired. In
the forenoon the sky almost cloudless slight hail.
ness only being visible at the horizon and the day
not intentionally The range was in fine condi-
uoh and was handsomely decorated with the
irish and American flags and colored bunt-
Ing. rents for the accommodation OF tho guests
had been erected on the borders OF the range,
but tho general arrangements were limited.
ana were apparently planned only for the convenience
OF favored few. stout rope tied to posts aud
placed In semcircuar form about the range. and be-
nina 'hls the crowd remained, detachment OF police
under the command Of Capt. Copeland being detailed
from THIS city to preserve order The contestants with
some OF their friends, reached the range at early
hour In the morning. aud Immediately busted them
serves In preparing for the match. As the hour
nounced approached for the shooting. visitors
arrived In great numbers, and the range
soon MED to OVERLOOKING. The mass Of the
crowd however did not arrive until the after
noon and when the last train came In the additional
arrivals made the number Of those present at time
ABOUT 1900. very large part Of the crowd COM
posed OF Irish people, who paid close attention to the
shooting OF their countrymen. and applauded
cessiui shot Very few ladies present, the most
prominent being Lady Masserene, the Lady
Mayoress OF Dublin, Miss Harding, and Mrs.
George W. Wingate. The Lord Mayor Of Dublin,
Lord Masserene, Col. Church, and Gen. shaer
present, aud scattered among the crowd United
states army officers heads OF municipal departments,
politicians, and members OF the American Rife Associa
ton and OF the Amateur Rife Club. The preliminary
arrangements Tor the match very complete. The
targets were placed In pairs for each team Major eech
GhSpsas Nos 10 aud u on the left OF the range for the
70 the Anne ricans This choice gave the Irish the adj
gIauy awaited themselves during their intervals OF
Hiring. A marker and scorer placed at each tar
10 allow OF duplicate score being made. This double
scoring although valuable safeguard, proved at the
were taken correctly at the targets without single mis-
take and there was at no time interruption to the
smoothing by doubts or dissatisfaction.
Al ll:l5 the shooting began Col. Wingate giving
the order TO begin firing" The range Immediately
turesque than might be Imagined The first to shoot was
john Kg6y OF the Irish team. who used target No 16
At No II were James Wilson, Edmund Johnson. and
Joshua Miner. RgDys hail struck the center, scoring
Americans VINO was az target 10 49, with Heb,
burn, and Col j. Bodne. AT No. 20 were Col H. A.
Gilderseeve, c. W. YALE and Gen. 5. B. Dakin Lieut..
Fulton lay upon the mat IN his peculiar position, with
his left arm behind his neck holding the butt OF his r
TOOK long. careful am, and struck the bulls eye"
scoring four The rhemen then followed each other in
quick succession tue Irshmen, however taking less
time to AIM and therefore Flushing their portion OF the
work before the Am srcdns AS the match advanced
the Americans gradually gained, their shooting being
Fulton having begun with " BULBS eye" added six
more TO his score making the eighth shot
aud 1nlshias with 'cenire." His direct competitor.
Mr.. Rugby, divided his shots about evenly between
former aud Of the latter. The member OF the Irish
who followed Fulton closely DIR. j. Il. Iiaml-
b. "buIi'seyes" and another center" and finishing
with "bupseye." His was So TO Fuon's So. the
testants also about equal in merit the difference
being in favor OF the Americans For some reason
moi condition" and did not fully sustain their pre-
regulations. AT the finish or the 800 yards sho0
party adjourned to the tent for luncheon. Here was
neutral ground Of which advantage was taken by Mjor
Leech after the edDles had been disposed OIL made
pleasant speech which served as an introduction or
the present .uon to Col. Wingate, In trust lor
cup made In Ireland. Toe cup Is intended
puzo 10 be shot for on conditions imposed by the
After response from Col wngate and for
Irish Major Leech gave 10 Col Wlngats one OF
Colonel i To- wear IL until the close Of the
decIds IN wbom IL beionged At the conclusion of these
exchanges good feeling party returned TO the firing
points aud the shooting at 800 yards was begun Here
sides dropped slightly behind their previous scores
Col Gdersleeye and Gen. DAkin OF the Americans and
Dr. Hamilton and j. X. Miner OF the Irishmen each
making miss" out OF the IS shots Miners MISS
caused by his striking the Ous eye OF the wrong
target The highest OF the Irish team al 30 yards
was So, winch made by Mr.. Rigby.
At the conclusion VI the shooting at the 300 yards
range the score stood 39 10 $40 III the freshmen,
thus leaving the Of the two ranges shot seven
points ia favor OF the Americans. IL was now evident
that Irish would not win easily, II they won at
oil nj oh hp wards being
novelty in this country, it expected that the
perience OF the Irshnen at such long range shooting
would enable them to win. They did not seem TO De
very confident, however Little things disturbed them,
aud they absolutely refused TO shoot unless the crowds
which had cncrOacned few feet WITHIN the ropes.
should be driven back THIS done without difficulty,
and delay, the third ana last part OF the
match began. Here again. Lieut. iFulton seemed TO be
perfectly and scored four At the nrst SHOT did
also q. W. Yale and Col. bodne. Col. Gildersleeye
three, and L. L. Hepburn and Gen. Dikin missed,
the atters cartriIgr unfortunately being imperfect
The first shots OF the lrishmen were no improve
ment in these. Wilson and Johnson making each;
Rgby Hamilton. and Miner, each, and Walker
making miss" As the shooting proceeded . seemed
intended 10 turn in favor or the trshmeD,
as they gained rapidly. Finally at 420 the Irish team
concluded their shooting and be- to clean their
rifles and pack up their traps In u tless manner. while
the Americans had still several rcG0ds to shoot The
last shot fell to Col. BOdne ard at that moment the
stood 931 $780, IN favor 81 the rishmen. III he
missed the freshmen would win by point. The ut
most endeavOrs the POLICE could hardly keep back
the crowd the shot was 1red and when the puff OF
smoke slowly and dispersed a moment OF intense
stiffness ensued until she white patch slowly passed
over the "bulls eye" Instantly the posts sup
porting the ropes torn up aud the crowd rushed
forward In a uense mass, cheering, throwing up their
hats and embracing such OF the winning team rs had
not made their escape.
Following e a table showing the relative standing OF
the teams at the conclusion Of each ave shots:
Yards Rounds Ii'4!os,,. American total Difference.