The New York herald., 1875-02-23
PIGEON SHOOTING.
GRAND SWEEPSTAKES DECIDED AT BABYLON,
L. IA DAY GREATLY ENJOYED BY ANA

GRAND SWEEPSTAKES DECIDED AT BABYLON,
L. IA DAY GREATLY ENJOYED BY ANA
TEuRs AND PROFESSIONALS.
The pigeon shooting fraternity Journeyed TO
Babylon, L. L, yesterday, and nad an en-
joyaole time In deciding a grand sweep
stakes Many or the spectators were gen.
tlemen well known In this community, and
those not "taking a hand" In the event,
gave themselves up 10 innocent merriment which
makes the occasion memorable IN many respects.
A field, near Selah Smiths Watson House. was
selected as the shooting ground, and about noon
there had assembled nearly 800 persons, VINO love
this amusement, all anxious to note the skill dis.
played BY the several contestants. The sweep
stakes was open TO all comers-S25 entrance. 25
birds each, 27 yards rise, OF. shot, 80
yards boundary, any size gum but otherwise
English rules TO govern. Entered Tor the event
were tho followng:-John Balrour, A. B. Purdy,
Clements Moore. N. Van Buren,, 7. Van Buren,,
Miles L. Johnson, A. s. Post, DR.. A. Wagstafr Ira
A. Paine and Captain Solomon Saxon the latter
duck shot OF much renown ION the island" but a
novice In pigeon shooting. These entries made
the stake OF $3.50 value, which was divided so
to give $l25 to the arst $75 to the second and $50
to the third. Mr.. E. Stephenson acted as
referee. The New York delegation came to
the score in great confidence, and, upon the
upon the success OF prominent representative,
as contrasted with men OF such established repu-
tatons as Johnson and Paine. First came Mr.. Bal
four, who opened the ball by missing MS pigeon.
He was followed oy Mr. Purdy. who ceverly brought
down lair bird, when Mr.. Moore repeated the
performance, as did Mr.. NJ Van Buren, Mr.. I. Van
Buren, and Miles L. Johnson. Mr.. Post gave his
pigeon chance, and he went sailing rapidly
toward selah's barns. DR.. Wagstaf scored in
good style, as did Mr.. Paine; bat Captain Sol, OF
Babylon, had the satisfaction OF observing the
"clmbing'' characteristics o. his bird, and the old
gentieman's score began with prominent ''goose
egg" In the next round DR.. Wagstan and
Captain Sol missed their pigeons, all the others
scoring IN fne form. AT the end OF the fifth bird
for each, Balfour had killed two, Purdy four,
Moore four, the Van Burens four each, Johnson
four, Post one, Wagstar four. Paine two (missing
his third, fourth and flth) and saxon two. The
sport now became interesting, and an enterprs-
ing pool seller might have indulged In
his calling to very profitable extent.
In the sixth round Killed q birds were
scored to every contestant excepting Johnson. who
allowed his pigeon to escape through little care
lessness. At the conclusion OF the tenth round NJ.
Van Buren, and Purdy topped the llst having each
cut down nioe; tnen came T. Van Buren,. johnson
and agstan, with eight each; Moore, Paine and
Balfour, seven each; Captain Sol, six, and Post
three. The brothers Van Buren, by this time mad
shown that they were in excellent form.
and would be hard to beat, though 1t
must be said that luck was with them
been snot,, NJ. Van buren, led the dance with i
thirteen. Moore with twelve. Purdy eleven. Paine
ditto, and captain Sol the same; the others
money Alter eao% H0 contestaat had o' Oeee eae
given i've additional birds, making twelve.
the brothers Van Buren, and Johnson were tie,
the ref rec ordered the others to retire, order
g give these three gentlemen cnance to decide
who was the best man. N. Van Buren, grounded
oil his remaining five pigeons in tine style, whlle
Johnson alio wed ms t"enty.1rst to escape ana 7.
twenty-secoud and twenty-nlth. TINS gave
M. Van Buren, frst money ($125) and Johnson
mucn the best shooting In the contest, obtaining
bros more dlfcult to Kill than the wlnner or the
s sea to
won third money-S50-aiter very spirited en-
aras aaa noSe he pane s "
Dx 'ars asa s atnsa 'ss with ''sH Se dsss
was highly c0mpilmented oy shooters and specia-
tors alike The weather was all that could be de-
wind rom the southwest to Keep the score clear
OF hanging smoke. TIE birds, as a lot, were lalge
and strong, but slow in getting away out OF dan
ger.
SELAH SMITHS GROUNDS, BABYLON, j.. l., Feb. %,
1875-PIGEON SHOOTING.-Sweepstake OF IS birds
each, open to all comers; S25 entrance, 27 yards
rise. a Oz. shot, so yards boundary, any gum ana
English rules to govern. Value OF sweep. $3.50
$l25 10 the first, $75 to the second ana $50 to the
third. (Note-B., breech loader; NJ, muzzle
loader.)
Nj. Van Buren, B,-1+ 111o 1111*1,
u ~ II, 111l0, II " II IL l. Total, 25;
killed, %; missed 2.
Miles L. Johnson (Bl-1 H. 01*111,
~. /, OIL IL Total, rs; killed, %;
missed g.
I. Van Buren B,-1+ II / OIL, 1o1I+1, Ell
II !, II ~ l, 20 Oil. Total, 27; Killed,
%; missed, s.
IL /. .01 ~ l. II U 1-lO Total, p;
killed. 81; missed, 9.
A. b. Pnray (B) IL -11o11 1l1+1* l, ,oo1*1O.
10l1l, 10. Total, 26; killed, 20; missed, 8.
Ira A. Paine (M) $1,000, l*l, 1l1O1,
II " !, 0. and retired. Total, %; killed. II;
missed, 8.
Captain Sol Saxon (M.)-ooo1*1* 11*1*1o.
II H. l ], y, and retired. Total, u; killed,
Is; missed, 9.
John Balfour (B.)-O11oo ol*1*l*11, 10000,
" l. and retired Total, 20; killed, 13;
missed, Z.
A. 5. Post (MJ-o o1oo, o,1o1o0, 1l11*1,
o IL II i, and retired. Total, 20; killed, IL;
DR.. A. wagstar (B)-1%o11* *,1011%1*, 90
90 l. 0Ol* ], aud retired. Total, 20; killed, IL;
missed, Q.
Referee Mr.. F. Stephenson.
Time occupied IN shootlng-Four hours
skilled with second barrel.