Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-16
WITH BOW AND ARROW.
The DevOtees OF Archery Wh0 Sheet
from April 90 October.

hum april 10 VCSoO0Rs
CHARACTERISTICS OF TIE LOVERS or sPoRr-rHR
SMALL NuHBRR OF ARcnKRs-wHHRR flB HHYHU-
SLASH rRHvArs-ARcHIRY m TEE DfsrRcT-
WHAT TIE roroHAcs ARE DOING.
1t 10 an odd characteristic Of the lovers q sports
that the adherents OF one can seldom see anything
interesting or fascinating in another. Thus .
baseball enthusiast cannot conceive the pleasure
which the tennis player derives from batting Q
rubber ball back and forth over q net, and q
cricket player sneers at both. There seems to be
tnose who indulge In games OF exercise toward
one particular sport OF no class is this more true
Than OF the archers the simon-pure archers who
shoot from April to october and from dawn TO
DUSK. There are not many archers Of this enthu-
sastie class In this country; they may be counted
within the hundred limit, but these few are firm
at which the prize contests are fought with an
energy equal to that shown In any other sport
i aSe 5ne viGs9rS are widely while
keep on shooting until they can DO better work.
THIS little band stands together nrm a q rock,
or the grumbles that are heard that il il too hard
work: They are sincere and strong In their en-
ARCHERY cRNrRRs
Ihere are four parts OF the country that form the
centers OF this archery enthusiasm. These are
New York, Washington, Ohio, and California.
PROBABLY OHIO is stronger in the element than any
OF me others as It has for outlying support clubs
~ Inc neighboring states Of Michigan, Illinois,
New York city and one In Brooklyn, while Cali
i0rnla boasts OF an organized band OF archers with
the regulation amount Of enthusiasm. Washing.
Ton mas mad club for number OF years
THE WASHINGTON ARCHHRs
nave always been OF the first rank among enthust-
asts. Clubs have been started in various parts OF
the city, the tide OF archery has ebbed and flowed
and the clubs have sunk again into mere memories
but through all the reverses the original followers
OF Robin Hood have chung together, and the result
was seen last summer, when the home club showed
up oravely against the crack bowmen OF the coun-
try. VINO assembled here at the annual meet OF the
National Association.
One OF the most prominent figures among WASH
for years at the head the list as the best shot in
the District. Instead Of diminishing his enthusi-
asm mas increased with time, and he does not lose
minute that may anord him practice.
PROSPECTS FOR TUE SEASON.
STAR reporter called upon Mr.. Maxson the
other evening to learn something about the pros
pect for the archery season. He found him Just
nnishing his supper, having returned but q short
Time oefore from the Washington barracks, where
ne and other members OF the club had been
twanging their bowstrings and Darling their
shafts into the rainbow-hued targets
trict arc6ers have not been abe to do much shoot
Ing. They began the Season In good time several
OF the Potomacs having faced the targets as early
March. 1t meets every Friday AFTERNOON for prac-
tlce, and the first meet this season was very en-
souragins, both as to the numbers present and the
records made Since then there has been but one
Friday when 1t was worth while to string a bow
The enthusiasm OF the individual archers has not
diminished though, and the present fair weather
will, think, soon enuven the range such OF the
archerS as have private ranges have kept In prac-
tce by getting In an occasional round when the
were made.
''THI ROSTER OF THE CLUB
ne continued, shears the names OF about twenty
nve active members, OF whom about fifteen are
| really active archers Besides the Poromacs there
are number OF other archers in the city. Last
ialr start was made. Lack OF convenient grounds
however, proved drawback to this ORGANIZATION
aud moPs ena. may renew It's NE this season
the pest KIND OF spur to enthusiasm. A few
young ladies' have taken measures to form club
AT LeDrolt Park. This Is good location for q
club, and such an organization should draw to it
all the archers In the northern part OF the CITY,
GaplIoi Hill at present furnishes the majority Of
the District bOwmen, although the archers have
70 travel 10 the Arsenal for practice.
AN EXPENSIVE AMusRxKxr.
1.-THE great drawback to archers" continued Mr..
Maxson, meditatively, as though he were recall.
Ing some earlier disappointments "the great
trouble IN organizing an archery club Is that it is
hard 10 persuade the beginners that 1t is worth the
cost. Archery comes, perhaps, higher than any
other sport. In the FIRST place one must have a
bow, which will cost at least S. and IL ought TO
Of little things that 20 to make the aTc6sr of
easy one. After that comes the club Initiation
lee and when everything is paid for the figure has
that ends the expenses, unless should be care
less enough TO break or lose the arrows or break
SGTese ~ we VINO love archery 90 not think
target on good range.
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
contains about two hundred active archers a mart
OF whom meet once year to test their skill. The
association has not felt the bad effect of the
weather, as has the local association. During the
winter as retiring secretary, collated the cham.
plonsh1p records, arranged the leading scores in
tabulated form, closed my books, and turned over
the management with a sigh OF relief to the new
board Of officers, The association never was in
better condition at the beginning OF q season anal
as the executive committee is one OF the best it
mas naa, there is every reason to expect most
1.-THE annual meet will be held August %, 20, and
30 at the Soldiers Home, Dayton, OHIO. This is
near the center OF archery interest in the United
States, and from what have learned there Will be
large attendance number OF our local arch.
Srnv bsct 20 ana hoped that they may
Mr.. Clark, OF wyoming, Ohio, is doing remarkably
well In practice, and two or three ex-champIons
are also expected to be present. that 1t is about
certain that the championship OF the country viii
remain west or the OHIO River.
practice in the West has been more general
tnan II mas been here, and some notable scores are
reported This Is we'll, as it will require the best
OF work and much OF It to surpass the grand scores
with which Mrs. Phillips OF Mich, won the ladies'
championship at the meet here last July, Last
Friday afternoon the POtonacs met for their re0u.
lar weekly contest. Eleven archers shot and some
creditable scores were made, though ali Showed
lack OF regular practice. Two new members were
elected" "o-0
The present oncers of the Potomacs are a, fol.
lows President, W. b. Grant; vice. president Mrs
L w. Maxson; second vice-president Miss C. WI.
son; secretary, G. D. Mecutchen; treasurer, L D.
Wilson; lady patrOnesS, Mrs w. Swift,
POLITICS IN THE DEPARTMENT..
How Government Clerks Regard Elec.
lions NOvadays.
An old-t1mer was complaining the other day
about the indifference OF Government clerks TO