The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-16
PIGEON SHOOTING.
THE PRoPosED INTERNA IIoNAI CONTEST FOR
AMATEUR SHOTS ONLY.

THE pRoPosED INTERNATIONAL. CONTEST FOR
AMATEUR SHOTS ONLY
NEW YORK, August 10, 1877.
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD:-
Noticing Mr. Bogardus' challenge to the crack shots
of England In to-day's paper, which appears TO have
been occasloned by my remarks published Yesterday
wish to take the first to correct anv m,sap
prchcnsons that might arise from the pcrusal OF his
oncr. During my stay in England became acquainted
with many OF tho most prominent members of tho
birmingham and London Gun clubs. These gentlemen
are all strictly amateurs, not professionals, They
expressed to me their willingness to take part
in an international pigeon shooting mattel,
on tins sidc of the Atlantic with select
team OF amateur American shots. They commissioned
me 10 bring the matter to the notice of the pubic
orally and especially of the sporting fraternity so that
an expression OF opinion might be had on the subject
and II possible the preliminary arrangements lie made
Tor such match. The challenge MAS Intended s,i.Iv
for amateurs Professionals were not COMPRISED m u
IN any manner. Ny commission have G.ithfuy per-
formed. In the Interview with your representative
published IN Tuesdays paper | pointed On, Can,,,n
Aubrey l.. Patton, II. ID. Patton Captain shelly md
LORD Stormont US the gentlemen Likely TO constitute
the English team. gave II AS my opinion that al.
though We had as good 81 OTIS on this side as
they have IN Eng and that there are not SO MANY
OF them. In making TINS distinction had I'm mind
amateurs only. alluded To the diflidcnce of Ameri.
pigeon shooters their skill but pontra ont
four gentlemen amateurs-harvey Brown, General
Strong, General Grub ana Robert NewcII-wnom
thought would constitute excellent team To onnosa
to their English antagonists with TAR prospects OF sue
cess.
10 these names would now add 9TH, that of Mr.
j. W. Acglin, Of New Orleans. These FIVE zen tIemcn
amateurs, IN my opinion, are not only equal TO anv
i've IN England but can beat any I've professio n.is
that could be picked out IN tins country Their pub
lie records show It, two oi them, Acislin
and Brown, having beaten Bogardus IN mn,
hcly contested matches Robert Newell has a
record OF 81 out OF "a possible 100 firing AT
double birds--a which Bogardus mas ncvcr
reached. THIS Mr.. Newell obtained In a match or
$1,000 side, shot at Syracuse, IN 1860 with John
Taylor, OF Jersey City General strong Is known us
OF the best shots In tue West lie defeated Ana
klenman, the crack Western shooter. IN n series
OF matches General Grub also well known
These all gentlemen OF high .ociaI stanainp and
well dtscd to compete with any English team that
could be sent over.
Mr.. uogardus gays that no can find Jour men in
Illinois any State in the Unon, VINO, with himself
would be abic 10 compete with any hvc from England
To this | would reply that there arc moi
i've professionals in the country who could
beat the amateurs | have mentioned. General
Strong OF Illinois, s undoubtedly the best shot In the
State and he could probably be induced form one of
an amateur toam II professionals TO be mixed up
IN tho International match that Will XII II at once