Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-15

MlDDLErowS, Conn. May 2G, 1877.
EpIroR OF FoREsr AND STREAM:
Ibelieve in rifle clubs. II in each of 90
600 towns of our country We have an average
of twenty-five men, who, from practice,
would be able to send most of their bullets
within three foot ring at forty yards. and
at least one shot in five at halfa mile or more,
we should have a constant ready force of half
a million men, who would be expert enough
to warn off or strike down all the invaders
the combined world could send against us.
L. would be a wonderful economy, aud add
immensely TO our national strength, if our
general government should discharge ten
regiments of regulars, and expend the money
they cost (Ss, 600 600 to $40 900, 900 annually
in promoting local rifle clubs, by furnishing
trainers and, If need be, ammunition, and
even ranges and guns, and badges or medals
to be competed for as stimulants.
My own observation is, that rifle clubs
promotive of good morals. The people will
have amusement of some kind. Every rifle
shooter Is aware that the use Of liquors and
tobacco units him for good workmanship. |
know a case where man was fast becoming
a confirmed topper. but on getting interested
in shooting at a club where he was ambitious
TO excel, he laid aside his cups-to the great
qualification OF his friends and neighbors.
The tendency Of rifle shooting is in this di-
rection. Any one giving attention to the
matter will be surprised at the absence of
drinking, profanity, low language, bickering
etc, at the riie range gatherings. as compar
ed with horse racing assemblages, and even
ball playing. In ball playing and boating
only a picked 'nine. or SIX take part, and
have the benefit OF the exercise. At the rifle
club. however large all take part. In the
former two, especially in ball playing. the
exercises consist Of short, sudden, straining
spurts In rifle shooting. the continuous
gun-cleanIng and the gentle reaction of the
gun supply Just enough of appropriate eXer-
else, while the study OF the effects Of gravity,
wind, light, barometer, thermometer, etc.
are of an educating and eleyatlng character
Many have died from direct or indirect IN
juriSs in the ball field, and there are to day
IN our country at least ten thousand men and
boys with broken fingers or other injuries IN
cident to ball playing. la all the ntle shoot
ing in the whole country there have probably
been a score Of accidents, fatal or otherwise
think the above reasons are enough to
justify my 'beliet IN rIhe clubs" More could
be added if need be. / have personal reasons
for speaking well oi this recreation. From
mala rial disease contracted IN the Volunteer
Sanitary Commission Service during the cam
paigns of 1868 and lSGi was more or less
an invalid for dozen years. In the summer
of 1873 | procured "Creedmore rifle"
stuGied up the principles of gunnery," as
taught pretty thoroughly in my college mathe-
matics thirty odd years ago. and, by reading
picked up what information | could from re-
cent improvements and practice. During
nearly two years have, weather permitting,
spent a few hours each Saturday afternoon at
a rifle range, and ON as many other days as
business would allow, sometimes an hour or
two daily towards evening making this my
chief exercise and diversion from business
thought and care. As the result have bet
ter health and more strength and vigor, and
do more business and writing than IN dozen
or fifteen years prior to taking MP the rifle
When ! began shooting had to have help to
carry and clean IL ten pound gun, and could
only fire eight or ten 80 grain charges with
out being Frustrated, now l eau carry my
gun one to three miles, clean 1t myself at
every charge, and fire, without stopping, fifty
or sixty, or more 9Gi grain charges, and en-
Joy the pleasant Jarring sensation, coming
home refreshed by the exercise. o.J.