The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-22
THE LOCAL SHOOTING CLUBS
Some of the Crack Marksmen and the
Creditable Scores They Have Made.
Growth Of Interest in Indianapolis in Target
and Pigeon ShootiDg-The Guns Used
by the Different Clubs-Notes.


shotgun clubs, 10 each of which belong a num-
Der of irst-class shots. The Phoenix Rife Club
shoots every Monday at Bruce Park, which has
one of the best ranges to be found any
where. Il has about fifty members, with
r. L. Scarlet as president, and Edward
Bretz as shooting master. The rife used
by this club Is the Ballard, single
trigger, mostly 32caliber. with a pull of three
pounds or over, according to the rules of the Ma
tional Rife Association. The guns weigh from
eight to nine and three-quarters pounds, ten
pounds being the limit Dr. Hodges, of this
CLUB, has made the biggest score ever made on
the Massachusetts target At 200 yards, ten off
hand shots, he scored ten at first shot, eleven at
second, and the eight following shots were each
twelve O. w. Williams is credited with having
che best score made on Union target In ten
shots he scored 236 out of a possible-or, as the
noted shot, DIR. Alexander, terms it, an 'impos-
sible"-250. This target is twelve inches in
diameter. the black center being exactly the size
Of a silver dollar. The center counts twenty-f five.
The indianapolis Target Shooting Association.
Emil Martin president r. A Miller and Fred
Merz shooting-masters, have splendid range at
their large and beautiful grounds northwest of
che city. The club numbers seventy five mem
bers, most of whom use the Martini rife. the
others the Ballard Their guns run in weight
from twelve to fourteen pounds They use set
trigger and rest, which is called 'sfaulenzer."
indianapolis has no professional shooters,
though many gentlemen here shoot well enough
30 be entitled to that rank. There is, however,
some little odium attached to shooting as a
means Of livelihood, while there is none
attached to it when pursued mere
~ as recreation. The professional
shooter is a great man while he lasts, but he can
not expect to keep in fashion long. The latest
downfall of the professional is that of the cele-
brated DR.. W. F. Carver. On Aug. IL his guns
and trophies were sold in New York city by the
sheriff to satisfy Judgment of the American
Exchange in Europe for a loan of Sc, 600 to the
Doctor. A ring, given the Doctor by the EN-
peror of Germany sold for $575; watch, pre-
scented by the Prince of Wales $780, one gun
sold for S400, and others from $25 to 500.
No one now thinks of buying an English
fowling piece, for the American shotgun, like
the American rifle, leads all the rest The favor
tie manufacture OF shotguns are those OF the
Colt Arms Company the Harrington 81 Rich
aFdson, the L. G. Smith and the Barker. En-
gish fowling- pieces are practically out of the
market. American arms are in every way con-
sidered superior. and at the same money one
cannot come within gun shot of getting good
gun of European make as can be bought OF
American manufacture The famous Greener
gun. English, valued at $780, is no longer in de-
lmand, even among the most fastidious sports
men, as its American fellow is better in every
respect. At from $S5 to 500 shotgun can be
bought in this country of exquisite workman
ship and finish, as carefully made in all its parts
Is a watch.
There are several shotgun clubs in this city.
The Marion. North Side and Meridian are regu-
larly organized, besides which there are half a
dozen others informally put together. There is
very good club among the Panhandle boys.
The North Side and Meridian clubs shoot ar Beck's
park, on the Bruce ground, and the Marion
Scots on the other side Of the river below Ken
tucky avenue. In the North Side club DR.. Par
sons, d. G. Bergundthal, DR.. John Morrison. Q:
w. Meeker and Horace Comstock are considered
among the best shots; in the Marion, 1homas
Howell Hamp Kerr and DR.. S. Fl. Moore; in the
Meridian composed of young men, Clarence and
John Martindale and John Bradshaw. Although
the Southside has no regularly organized club,
tt has some good shots, among whom are Dr. e.
Aadley, Seph Smith, Lynn Atkinson, John Gels
and Dr. Moore.
The prospects for quail-shooting in Indiana
never promised better than now. The season
was remarkably good for nesting birds, and the
law is more generally observed than ever before,
especially in central Indiana. There is getting
TO be feeling among farmers that the game
law--at least that part of it referring to birds
ought to be enforced. They are not SO particu-
lar about fish, Many of them beginning to
DO little shooting themselves. This gives them
q personal interest IN the enforcement OF the
law, as they don't want their sport spoiled by
outsiders shooting out Of season. II the law Is
20 be broken they probably feel that they can do
1t themselves on their own land
NOTES ABOUT SHOOTING AND SHOOTERS.
Dr. S H. Moore will leave shortly for weeks
sport on the Illinois prairies
Edward Clark left yesterday for Assumption,
Ills, for few days chicken shooting.
Frank Wiles, of the l., B. & W.. made clean
score on the prairie Monday and Tuesday.
Joseph Becker. Frank Samuels and ]. Rogers,
who have been at Donavin, report good shooting.
John Gels returned on Thursday from sue
cessful hunt among the prairie chickens of Hi
nois.
A party Of shooters who have been trying the
prairie report the heat of Tuesday at ll3 de-
krees.
The theft of fine hunting dogs is Of frequent
occurrence since tho opening Of the hunting
season.
The Noble Gun Club are contemplating chal-
longing the North Side Club to friendly team
shoot soon.
Charles NJ Miles, of the Amateur Gun Club
was successful in carrying off the badge at the
clubs last shoot
Those who have returned from the first days
sport Of prairie-chicken shooting in Illinois re-
port an abundance of birds
Messrs. Comstock. Springsteen and Van Blar-
com have been shooting at Hume, III. They
brought back seventy-fve chickens
The North Side Gun Club. of this city, has
issued challenge to any regularly organized
club ia the State for friendly shoot.
The North Side Gun Club badge was won by
Joe Casper at their last contest. He killed
twenty-five out of a possible twenty-five.
S. Fl. Socwell and Charles Tutewiler had three
days shooting at Chrisman, Ill. They report
frst-eass sport, and bagged eighty fye chickens.
Some prairie chicken killing has been done
this month in Indiana. This is clearly against
the law. The birds are protected until Sept l.
Mr.. and Mrs. O. W. Williams have just re-
turned from chicken shooting at Dudley, ILL.,
Mrs Williams killed four prairie chickens. She
Is an excellent shot,