Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-22
DEF|ES THE WORLD,
]. A. Higgins Says That II
American Rifle Shooters
WILL TACKLEANY 0THER12
Frisco Opinions About the Gaudaur-
0'COnnOr Boat Race.
BASEBALL NEWS OF INTEREST.
Popular Talk as to What the National
League Is.
WILL LTACKLEANYOTH
BASEBALL NEWS OF INTEREST.
GENERAL SPORTING NEWS OF THE DAY

Undoubtedly shooting-that is, target ana
wing shooting-is more popular to-day than
it ever was in Pittsburg. There are more
shooters of classical type than were ever
here, and their enthusiasm is more intense
in their sport than it was ever known to be
in Pittsburg. There are not only more
shooters. but there are really more admirers
of shooting in any of its branches. 10
prove this one only need refer to the prosper
ous clubs that are springing up all round the
neighborhood.
This new enthusiasm has certainly created
rivalry that did not exist formerly among
shooters hereabouts. As s result challenges,
public and private, are numerous. Tomorrow
the Heron Gun Club will have a contest on
handicap terms that will, or ought at least,
give a fair test of individual merit How
ever this is not the great question at issue
among shooters. The premier question among
rife experts particularly is: Where does
America stand among the countries in the
world as rife shooters?
HUGGINS TALKS BUSINESS.
Regarding the question Mr.. j. A. Higgins,
the champion rife snot said many interesting
things yesterday. During long conversation
he pointed out one or two facts that are worthy
the attention of everybody connected with
shooting, either by rifle or gun. He said: ut
is a mistake for the world at large to think that
Americas best rife shots are beaten because
the American team is beaten annually at VIM
bledou and other places in England. This
year the regular military team of Il has been
arranged to 90 to England to represent Amer
ica This team is selected from Massachusetts,,
and l say positively that many twelves will be
left behind who are superior
Now uon't want to talk for mere talkings
sake. / am only inclined to speak because the
best rife shooters in this country in the way of
a team of u or is or as low as have had no
chance to make their mark abroad. In En-
gland the military practice in rife shooting is
much more regular and eXacting probably than
here: at any rate almost the only good rifle
shots there are among the military. In
America the best rife shots are to be found
among the common everyday citizens. There
fore / make this bold statement that
we will produce u men, all Americans,
who will 90 and do battle at the targets with
men from any other country on the globe. l
say this as matter of pride for the country;
not as an individual. l may not be in the Il
chosen, because | know many good shots in
America. However. can say this much, and
that is my offer will be backed up any time it
is called.
II had contemplated taking a team of
Americans to Europe, but the fact that the
military dozen are going settles any project we
might have had in view. OF course, as | have
already intimated, our military NAV be beaten,
and we still have the champion rife team of
the world in America"
Mr.. Huggins has had several offers to go to
Europe this year. The Bullard Arms Company
particularly has offered to pay all his expenses
for trip across the Atlantic. Mr.. Huggins will
probably not go except he can get a, team and
engagements for that team, to travel and con-
test through the principal cities in Europe. A
team that he would name would meet all !
corners, either military OF otherwise He e1-
poets that offers will be made to au American
team before the summer is far advanced.