Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-05

Al INDIANAPOLIS MANS STORY or rRI-
vATE TARGET sHoo1NG-How THE TAR
GET LOOKED AFTER THE PRESIDENT GOT
THROUGH.
From the indianapolis Sentinel.
A gentleman of this city has in his posses
sion curious relic Of the late President
Lincoln In August, loG3, Mr. 5 was a
clerk in the navy department at Washing
ton. The accumulation Of business at that
time frequently compelled him to work after
office hours. About six O'Clock on the eve
ming of the 3lst, the clerks having all left
the department, and the watchman not vet
on duty, Mr. 5. sat at his desk, alone as he
thought, in the building. Suddenly he heard
some one walking up and down the hail
with long strides, muttering to himself d"
building all alone" he heard the voice say As
he came to the door. Looking down the
hall, he saw President Lincoln. who
presently turned and seeing Mr.. 5, ap-
preached with " Good evening, sir. "
- Good evening, Mr.. President" said Mr..
S. :" Is there anything can do for you ~
IL was Just looking for man that goes shoot
ing with me sometimes" said Mr.. Lincoln.
Mr.. S. happened to know that President
Lincoln was fond of firearms, and was in
the habit Of testing every new gun invented,
which at that time was q very frequent oc-
currence. The messenger Of the ordinance
bureau generally went with the Mr.. Lincoln
on his trial trips, 50 Mr.. 5. told hin he
would see if the man was still in the build
ing Finding that be was not, Mr.. 5. offered
his services "All right said Mr.. Lincoln
- yet your coat on and come on" He fol-
lowed Mr. S. into the room and stood at his
desk. drumming on it with his fingers, and
keeping up a running FIRE of talk about the
amount Of work they all had to do, how hot
the weather was, etc.
Mr.. 5. being ready. they started '' But
hold on said Mr.. Lincoln, I'VE must have
something to shoot at " So Mr.. 5. went
back to his desk and got 4 halfsheet Of con-
gress letter paper this he folded twice max
ing the target four thieknesses of paper. four
inches square. At the door of the navy de
partment they met man from the white
house with box Of ammunition and Il
Spencer carbine, the qualities Of which Mr..
Lincoln was going to test. Mr.. ). took the
gnn and Mr.. Lincoln the cartridge-b)x, and
then Mr.. S. took three steps, and Mr.. Lin
coin took one, and with trot and a stride
the two made their way across the lot south
of the White House. Arriving alta safe dis
tance, Mr.. S. placed the target against guy
post standing in the ground, and the Presi-
dent, having loaded the carbine, paced off
the distance about eighty or hundred feet,
raised the rife to level, took quick aim
and fred the round of seven shots in quick
succession the bullets chipping all round the
target lake Gatling gun. and one striking
near the centre.
81 believe can make this gun shoot bet
ter. said Mr.. Lincoln, after they had look
ed at the result of the first fire. With this
he took from his vest pocket small wooden
sight which he had whitfield from pine
stick, and adjusted 1t over the sight of the
carbine. lie then shot two rounds, and Of the
fourteen bullets nearly dozen bit the paper.
Mr.. Lincoln then wanted Mr.. 5. TO shoot,
but As the gentleman was mt proud OF his
arksmanship he declined, and the two
walked acros; the lot to the White House,
Mr.. Lincoln with the cartridge-box and car
bine over his shoulder, chatting like boy
home from hunting, and Mr.. 5. with the
target in his pocket getting in a word edge
wise when he could. At the White House
door they parted with CHEEKY good night