The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-07
PIGEON SHOOTING.

Mr.. BERGH DEFENDS SUCCESSFULLY HIS LAW
IN REGARD TO CRUELTY TO ANIMALs-AN IN
TERESTING INSIGHT INTO PIGEON SHOOTING
AS SPORT.
Mr.. Henry Bergh has succeeded in plac-
ing on the statute books of New York, a
law which renders cruelty to animals a pun
ishable and Unable offense. The pigeon
shooting which is INDUCED in by the young
sporting gentry of New York and vicinity
has received Mr.. Bergh's attention and a
law suit has grown out of his enforcement
of the law. The New York Times gives
5th Of January, 1872, Mr.. Paine advertised a
grand pigeon shooting tournament to come
off at Fleetwood park, under his manage
nent. The competitors were to pay an en-
trance fee Of SIS each. The first prize was a
silver cup presented ty James Gordon Ben
nett; the second prize in money. Paine was
to receive portion ofthe gate money. When
everything was In progress for the opening
of the match, a squad Of officers headed by
Superintendent fairfield, of Mr.. Bergh's so
ciety; Captains Dellett and Steers, of Morri-
siana and fremont police, put in an appear
ance on the ground, armed With warrant
from Judge Hauptman. The match was
broken up and the sports dispersed. Paine
then sued Mr.. Bergh for 81 900 damages, and
the cause was tried yesterday. Mr.. John
Deyelin prosecuted, and Mr.. Elbridge T.
Gerry defended. In opening the case the
counsel for the plaintiffsrgued that although
the philanthropist Mr.. Bergh, had the good
wishes and support of the community gem
orally, yet he, like all other reformers, was
liable to overstep the line, and had in this
case done so, and by so doing had invaded
the rights of citizens, and set himself against
FIELD SPORTS AND HABITS OF YEARS STAND
ING OF THE PEOPLE.
By the constitution of the United States,
citizens were allowed to cultivate them
selves in the use of arms, and such men as
Professor" Paine and others were only
engaged in a legitimate business in thus
teaching our citizens the use of firearms.
Men were thus enabled to familiarize them
selves with the gun and become good marks
men, and, If need be, become of use TO our
country in time of war. The counsel OBJ
served that Mr.. James Gordon Bennett, who
had just given $4,000 to the poor of this
city, was a warm sdmirer of the sport, and
was a pupil of the "professor, )" the plaintiff.
Mr.. Bennett had shot in matches with the
Dukeof Hamilton and others. A letter was
here read from Mr.. Bergh, addressed to MrI
fairfield, the superintendent of the socie-
~. instructing the latter to proceed
to Fleetwood park on the occasion
in question and break up the match.
1t enjoined him to keep within the law, and
use no violence Of force more than absolutely
necessary. and to obtain warrant TO enter
the grounds. Mr.. fairfield testified that he
obtained warrant, and proceeded with
force Of police to the park. The testimony
of this witness proved beyond doubt that the
officers had only acted in strict conformity
with the law. Sergt. Steers and Capt. Dellett
fully corroborated Mr.. Hartfeld's testimony.
Mr.. Horace b. Clafiin, a vice president of
the society, was then called for the defense.
He stated that his country house was situa-
ted close to Jerome park, where numerous
Invariably, he said, wounded birds would
fly into his grounds, some with the legs shot
of, wings shattered, and bills broken. In
his estimation such assemblsges were a nui-
sance. and were, as far as his own family
were concerned, great source of annoy
ance.