The New York herald., 1878-12-31
A MILITARY ATTRACTION
Little Mac" on Exhibition
at Gilmore's Garden.
THE RIFLEMEN'S PRIZES.
What It Costs to Secure the Presence of
a Major General

One of the most extraordinary lawsuits this city
has known has been begun in the superior
Court. bids fair attract universal attention.
partly because of the parties whose names are in
yoved and partly because Of the inside view its trial
will afford OF public demonstrations and popular tes
simonials When the foreign rifle teams We're here
competing with their friendly rivals the National
Rifle Association OF America the host in whose
cautious keeping the strangers remained. This was
natural in the membership of the association
the crack shots of the nation and of them men
OF position wealth and culture. Among others were
Judge Giderseeve of the City Court of General Ses
soGs; Major Fulton General George Washington
wingate aud Major General Thomas L. Dakin. These
gentlemen publicly known the guides. phil
osophers and friends to whom the foreign rfiemen
pinned their faith, whom they looked for advice
counsel and material aid.
1t was perfectly well understood that seductive
manager could the attendance of the British
rifle team without first obtaining the approval of
the Rife Association. They partook of break
fasts, ate dinners sat for photographer until
the seal of appreciation had first been given by Gen.
sra Wingate, General DakiD, some equally respon-
sible party. Although this unquestionaby
arranged the best interests Of all concerned it
afforded opportunity for considerable sport at tho
time and in this late day seems likely to become
fertile source of modification TO somebody.
THE TEMPTATION.
In those days the building. variousy known as the
Hippodrome and Gilmores Garden. owned by
William Il. Vanderbilt who leased it for considera
bic consideration to prominent republican politi
clan named Sheridan Shook and his partner, Edward
g. Gilmore. They hired the place in the hope OF
making money, and sentiment had nothing to do
with il. even when Theodore Thomas conducted his
orchestra there. Observing with the eye of experts
rhemen and their presence. native well as foreign
born, these caterers for the public veal and wealth
conceived an idea.
II ths:-In some way the personal presence of
he rife teams should be made to draw money to the
dppodrome, and, if practicable. other attractions
hould be added that thousands of dollars might
made. Obviously the way to the at
tendance of the rihemen to persuade the Rifle
Association that it was good thing to do. The
deavor made, and arrangement was concluded
by which certain prizes should be delivered to the
successful competitors in the then popular contests
But while that was all wen enough from the propri
standpoint. the Rifle Association failed to see
where their benefit came in.
THE YIELDING TO TEMPTATION.
But men are superior, as rule, to emergencies,
and, after careful pondering, it agreed between
the National Rifle Association America, parties Of
the hrst part. and sheridan Shook and Edward G.
Gilmore, parties OF the second part that the latter
would pay the former $500 If the former would Sc
cure the personal attendance OF no less parsonage
u.
nor OF the sovereign state New Jersey aud that
being there, he should show himself Ipon the plat
form an present the trophies or whatever was to he
presented, to the victorious narksmen. In other
words il General Mcclellan could, in quiet way and
without knowing it, be made kind OF Tom Thumb
addendum or side show to the great rifle exhibition
the propre.ors OF tie garden would pay $500 TO the
parties getting him there.
IHE EYfs
The press and the public seized the presentation
idea with enthusiasm. No knew of the $500
agreement OF course and thousands, ANXIOUS to see
"a
the might be, hocked ts.the Garden and cheer
fully paid the price of gate money to see and hear
their Old commander.
The evening came, so did the riiemen. also the
National Rifle Association Of America. Tho Mayor
and Common Council put in an appearance early in
the evening" Each cottage contained notable men
and women. All the boxes sold in advance. A
special musical programme WIS provided. and all
the chief performers of the city there to ddie
toot or bang in honor OF the crack shots OF the
world. Major generals were as thick as buckle
berries and brigadiers unnotced in the crowd.
The supreme moment dawned The prizes were
ready; the rihemcn, but Mcclellan. where
he? Ask OF the roaring shouting crowd, that pushed
but could not see. Modest as ever, the little man
from Jersey responded 10 the call with bow aud
smile, but he never spoke word. Like the knife
grinder, lie had story to tell. The disappointed
throngs that had borne pushing hauling. squeezing
and bad air for an hour, in the belief that speech
from Little Mac would amply compensate Them,
turned away disgusted. The presentation went on
very much the play would II Hamlet left out.
None who present that autumna night will be
apt TO forget the scramble that ensued. That lives
snd limbs were not lost il a mercy: that accidents of
Pleased by their trophies and ticklcd by applause,
The guests remained and stared at while after
which, still in the kind care and custody Of the rife
association. they safely borne away to supper.
Everybody was satisied-except the people who had
paid 70 hear and Mcclellan. The Garden folks
delighted because the receipts large. Tho
rifle teams happy because OF their prizes and
the popular demonstration The National Rifle A.
sociaton Of America especially jolly because
they already, IN anticipation, fingered the forthcom-
Ing $500.
MIGHT
Few days passed. The foreign guests left tha
country The riae interest died out. normal busi-
enterprises engaged the attention of all con-
cerned and the $500 might have been forgottcn-but
IL not In the course OF time the careful chief
of the association gently reminded the parties OF the
second part that their check for $500 would be
ceptabe. For period notice taken OF the
suggestion Then il was renewed, and finally it
bluntly demanded This reused the sleeping partners
and they demurred to the demand. Further than
that, they repudiated the claim and alleged that
rifle association had not kept faith and not
entitled to a dollar
This a crusAer The delay had seemed hard 10
bear, but this absolute dccination too tough:
and now, AS the end of the year approaches and
cheeks OF $500 in general demand, the National
Rife Association OK America have invoked the potent
aid OF the Superior Court to compel the Garden
TO give II up.
TIE sIEr5 TAKEN.
The President OF the association is General George
Washington Mingste and the counsel Of the
ton IL Lawyer George Washington Mingate. Esq.
This makes II pleasant Tor both parties
and complaint demanding $500, With interest from
October j. 1875 have been served the defendants
who in reply alegc that General Mcclellan did not
all that promised aud expected, and there
fore they decline 10 pay the money. Military,
sporting and legal circles viii be greatly interested in
this novel phase OF exhibition. General Mcclellan
will doubtless appreciate keeniy the compii-
fentary requests made him honor public aather-
igs by his presence when ho has reason 10 Suspect