Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1880-02-26
CARVER OUTDONE.
Extraordinary Shooting by a California
Marksmhn.
San Francisco Chronicle, Jan, &c.

| San Francisco Chronicle, Jan, &c.
The celebrated DR.. Carver, who left
California about a year ago, and has since
perforated the temple of fame with bullets
from his "little riae," has now a most
formidable rival in the person Of DR.. John
Ruth, who yesterday gave an exhibition
of his wonderful skill with the rife at
Shell Mound Park, Berkeley, in the pres
ence of about one hundred spectators,
largely composed Of local "crack-shots,"
with both the rifle and shotgun. There
was also fair sprinkling of ladies in the
assemblage. The doctor was accompanied
by his wife, prerossessing lady OF medi-
um stature, who also entertained the COM
pany by brief display OF her skill in the
manipulation of the rifle and pistol. This
was Mrs. Ruth's Grst exhibition in public
and she manifested considerable perturba-
ton at first, or, as the doctor expressed it,
"she was a little skittish upon her first ap-
pearancc, but after the first two or three
shots the nervousness disappeared, and
the glass balls were shattered in quick
succession. The balls were thrown into
the air by an attendant, Mrs. Ruth break
ing SIX out of nine She then perforated
a glass ball held in the attendants hand
alta distance Of about twenty feet, and re-
peated the experiment with the hammer
OF the rife held downward. She also
shattered with pistol several balls
thrown IN the air, and also a ball held in
the hand. Mrs. Ruth was loudly ap-
pauded for her steady nerve and
wonderful craftsmanship. DR.. Ruth
then proceeded to give an exhibition
of fancy shooting at a glass ball held
in the hand of his attendant, he taking
aim through his legs with his back to the
object. He also held the rifle with the
butt resting upon the top of his head, the
hammer pointing downward. He also shot
with his back reclining upon table. In
all these experiments he was successful on
the first attempt. He also performed the
Austin brothers mirrow trick successfully.
Turning his back to the attendant, he
sighted the rife by the aid of small
hdnd.mirrOr, and broke the ball at the
first trial. Perhaps the most wonderful
feat that he accomplished, and one requiring
considerable nerve on the part OF both
cigar out the mouth Of the latter, an ex-
pertinent which led many to predict that
the Doctors assistant would not live to
very green old age. Another interesting
experiment was shooting without sight,
that essential adjunct being covered by a
piece ofcardboard placed around the barrel.
The absence of the sight apparently made
no difference, as the destruction of the
vitrcous spheres continued unabated. The
following experiments were also successful
w accomplished: Shooting a ball from
the head of an attendant, the latter being
blindlolded; the same feat with the band
age removed from the attendants eyes and
the latter looking into the mu2zle of the
rife, One-hand shooting with small rife,
manipulated in variety OF uiiicult
ways, holding the rifle with the
hands placed back ofthe neck. lnnone OF
these shots did the doctor fail to shattCr
the balls from the hand of the attendant.
One of the most marvellous feats perform
ed was the following: Placing a glass
ball upon the ground the doctor shot in
front Of it, and blowing under it, sent it
flying several feet in the air by the force
of the conclusion, and before it reached
the ground another shot broke it into
thousand pieces. An exhibition OF rapid
shooting was also given, the doctor break
ing the balls lis fast as the attendant coSld
throw them into the air, The exhibition
closed with display Of short'range pistol
practice, in which the marksman was not
as successful as with the rifle, having,
as he remarked by way ol an apology
had but little practice with the weapon.