The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-08-21
FANCY SHOOTING.
MIR. Era pnine's Exhibition al Presumpscot
Park,

| $500 ~-~ ~As = uilS, CudulpiVu 1duCy SuO
OF the world, gave an exhibition of his skill as
a marksman, at Presumpscot Park yesterday
afternoon to small number of spectators,
among whom were several gentlemen who are
adopts in the use of the rifle and shot gun
Mr. Paine is gentleman of medium height
broad-jbouldered and thick set. He was
dressed in fan English shooting blouse with
helmet hat He was born in Massachusetts,,
but for twenty years has lived in Providence,
r. |. AT present he halls from New York.
| He commenced shooting in public in 1859.
Since then he has beaten John Taylor, cham
pion of the United States in his match with
him killing 9S out of 100 birds, feat never
before accomplished; he has also varquished
johnson and Tinker of Providence, / 9th
noted shets. In 1871 he defeated Capt
Bogardus. In May, 1876, he met aud van
quished Capt. Patton of the English army
who had never before been beaten, in the
presence of the Prince of Wales. Patton had
won the great prize of l$360OO twice running,
at Monaco and seventeen international cups.
Thus it will be seen that Mr.. Paines claim to
the championship of the world is we'll founded.
The exhibition at the Park yesterday was
not SO full ard complete as it would have been
had the nature of the ground and surround
ings been different, yet it was wonderful and
gave great pleasure to those who witnessed it.
Mr.. Paine took his position on the track in
front of the Grand Stand, SO that all could
enjoy the shooting, while comfortably seated.
His weapons were Parker double-barrel
breech-loading shot gun, an Evans rifle and a
Colts army pistol. His targets were glass
balls about two inches in diameter filled with
feathers. These balls were thrown from trap
(Which is simply lever operated by spring,)
by himself or another person. His first per-
Torrance was with shot gun the balls being
thrown from the trap. Out of twenty.six balls
shot at in succession only three fell to the
ground unshattered. He next held the gun
in one hand and succeeded in breaking out of
Is balls. He next held the gun in one hand
and with the other threw up the balls and out
of six shots missed but two. A base ball
player was called for and the balls were
thrown high into the air by him and shot
were missed. Next the balls were thrown at
MI. Paine and out of eight only one escaped
demolition. One of the spectators conceived
the idea that he could puzzle Mr.. Paine BY
throwing two balls at, once and in different
directions. He tried and out of four pairs
only one reached the ground whole. Next the
balls were thrown swiftly in every direction,
and at all angles and out of ten shots Mr.
Paine failed but two or three times. The
base ballist then threw two balls in quick
succession and in different directions and Mr.
Paine broke three pairs in succession. Next
he stood back to the trap turning round just
as the word was given to spring it and out of
six shots only two missed. Two balls were
then thrown from the trap at the same time
and cut of six pairs he missed but one. He
then stood back to the trap turning at the
signsl as before. OF one pair both balls were
broken, and of the other two one each.
His next performance was with the Evans
rifle (Which by the way Mr.. Paine considers
one of the most wonderful weapons yet in
vented.) The balls were thrown up into the
air by an assistant and out of TWENTY-FIVE balls
he broke seventeen. In another round out of
twenty he broke thirteen. One of the finest
performances was the cross shooting done
with the shot gun. The balls were thrown by
a practiced base ball player with great swift
Hess. MT. Talne SuOL at the pail JuSC as IL
passed in front of him. Out of fifteen shots
nine were successful, which was remark able
considering the brief time he had to take aim.
In the pistol shooting out of five balls thrown
by his assistant he missed but one Out of
seventeen thrown up by himself, holding the
pistol in one hand and throwing the balls with
the other six were missed.
The most interesting feature of the exhibit
ton was the effort to break as many balls as
possible with the shot gun 10 one minute. The
watch was held by one of the spectators. 1t
was started at the first report and time was
called when the minute was up The balls
were thrown in pairs from the trap. When
time was called ten pairs had been thrown and
out of these Mr.. Paine had shot seven pairs
and out of the other three one ball each, thus
making seventeen balls broken, wonderful
feat but not SO wonderful as he has before
accomplished as be has broken 81 in this time.
Another exhibition will be given this after
noon and there should be a large attendance
Mr.. Paine's shooting is little less than
marvellous. 1t is attended with not the
slightest danger to the spectators and ladies
enjoy it as much as gentlemen.