The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-28
OUR RHLEMEN.
Visit OF the Captain Of the Irish Team 70
the New Orleans Club.
Presentation OF Medals. Etc.

the NEW VIlC8uD OA0~s
Presentation Of Medals. Etc.
Sunday was red letter day with the mem
hers of the New Orleans Rife Club. The
presence in the city of Major A. B. Leech-
the captain of the famous Irish team, whose
performances at Creedmoor attracted universe
Interestingly naturally created quite pleas
ant excitement among our home rifiemen, and
they did not rest until the distinguished vlsl
tor had promised to honor them by visit to
their clubhouse atiMsgnolia Park, on Sunday
the 25th inst, at l 80 p. NJ.
In anticipation of the visit tho clubhouse
was handsomely decorated with the hags o.
United States and Ireland, and the members
Of the cldb. together with quite number Of
invited guests, assembled to greet the repre-
sentative of the best rife club in Europe, and
possibly in the world.
Punctual to the hour the carriage drove up
and the Major, escorted by Vice President
Parker and Messrs Foster and Salter, of the
club. entered the grounds, where he was re-
ceiyed with a warmth and genuine cordially
which was at once an evidence of personal
regard and of pride in him as representative
. xiHeman. Four shots from miniature mortars
announced the arrival Of the guest who, pro
ceedinp at once to the clubhouse, was intro
duced, with delightful absence of formally,
to the various members and visitors. On
inspecting the guns used in practice by the
club, Major Leech expressed establishment at
their great weight, and asked why such heavy
rifles were preferred. One of the members
Major Shipley-replied "We think we can
shoot with greater accuracy with heavy rifles "
To this the Major replied that his club had
found that light rifle Of ten pounds was
surer and better gun for all purposes. and
he believed that opinion was gaining ground
everywhere "However," said he, laughing
", "you Americans are stronger men than
We are, and hence the heavy rifles may suit
you best.
At this moment DR.. G.. Beard approached
the Major. and in few appropriate remarks
presented him. in behalf of the club, with q
beautiful gold medal badge. which was hand
somely crnamented with the flags of the
United States and Germany and name of the
club in vari-colored enamel.
The Doctor rendered it as a memento of the
Majors visit to the club, and as an evidence
of the kindly interest entertained for their
Irish brethren by the riAemen of New Orleans.
In accepting the medal, Major Leech said that
much as he was taken unawares by the recep-
ton Of SO costly and beautiful q present, he
was not at all surprised at this evidence of
good feeling-he hoped he might say friend
ship-for ever since he had landed in America,
he had received wherever he had been, the
most marked and grateful evidences Of sincere
regard. When he first moved in the great
undertaking he regarded it as great un-
dertaking to take twenty persons from their
homes in Ireland to bring them over here
20 shoot match with American ridemen-
he had been animated and encouraged by
wish to see America, and had thought that if
he could be instrumental in bringing the two
peoples closer together, SO that they might
better understand and appreciate each other,
It would be an achievement of which he might
Justly be proud He referred to the thousands
of his countrymen he had met in this country,
and declared that he had never been prouder
Of being an Irishman than he was at that mo-
ment; and to illustrate how mistaken he had
been in his estimate of the Irish-American
citizen, he related that before the match at
New York he thought it would be requisite to
have some five hundred policemen to restrain
The crowd, and had been utterly amazed to find
that with six policemen perfect order was
maintained. He was inclined to believe that
he could have kept order without any police
men.
In closing he declared that the gentleman
who had so honored him would find that while
he was no orator, he was at least Uery CRATE
ftA man.
The little impromptu speech Of which the
above is the merest skeleton, was really gem
in its way, and was delivered with depth of
feeling, an unaffected sincerity and natural
grace which spoke the Captain of the Irish
team at once, cultivated, refined and warm
hearted gentleman.
In return for the compliment to himself,
Major Leech presented to the club as an evil
ilence of his esteem and a memento of the
occasion. a very chaste and elegant bronze med
II, which contained upon one side representa-
lions of himself and of John w. Lloyd, of the
Irish team; the former as a modern rifleman,
and the latter as an ancient bowman. Below
is the inscription "Pro Patria ct Rege." On
the reverse the following is inscribed: "The
Irish Rifle Association, founded in 1867"
After the departure of the distinguished
guest, which was effected amid much hand
shaking and good wishes, the contest for the
gold badges and the patent muzzle-loading
xiAe became quite animated.
Major Shipley retains the badge for best off
hand shooting; but Mr.. Arms calamity re-
signed the badge. for rest-shooting to DR..