The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-01
THE TRAP CHAMPIONS
Grand Contest Between North
and South in February.
TROPHY A NATIONAL CUP.
Picked Teams to Struggle-who Will
Win the Live Bird Contest
Portraits of Crack Shots.

For months past the crack sportsmen of
all sections of the country have been look
ing forward with the keenest interest to
the approaching championship match be-
tween the North and South at live birds,
which takes place in February and which
is to decide the superiority at the trap OF
half dozen different states. 1t is we'll
known that for several years there has
been sharp rivalry between the best shots
of these sections; but it was not until
lately, when representative OF the Dixie
Gun Club, of Pensacola, Fla, came TO Chi
cago and proposed a match between the
marksmen OF Illinois''and the Orange state,
that the idea was mooted of a series of con-
tests, in which the best trap shots of the
whole country could participate. The
Robbins IL Palmer company, OF Chicago,
were the first to propose such course OF
trials at the traps as would decide the
much-vcxed question and at the same time
give to trap shooting healthy impetus.
Trap shooting requires high degree of
skill, combined with quickness of hand
and eye that is not called for in any other
class of Workmanship. So popular has it
become among sporting men that 1t is with
many an absorbing passion. The brilliant
records of Paine and Bogardus have been
very nearly, if not quite, equalled by many
clever amateurs, and there is now hardly
a township in the Union of any considera-
BILE size that cannot boast of its gun club,
with here and there an expert who would
make presentable showing even in crack
tournament. The improvement in gum
making, too, has had much to do with the
popularizing of the sport Not all the
honors are left for the North. The South,
true to its sporting instincts, has kept pace
with its neighbors. Among the smartest
teams in the country today are those found
in Louisiana and Florida, where are found
the ideal pleasure grounds of the gunner.
The great Louisiana marshes, fifth-eight
miles east OF New Orleans, are favorite
resort of shooting men during the winter
season and, indeed. ducks are plentiful
there all the year round; SO it is little to
be wondered at that many Louisianians
should be expert with the gun. The same
is true of Florida, whose facilities for gun
ming are unsurpassed.
Early in December last the Robbins d
Palmer company of Chicago decided to
make mid-winter trip to Florida in the
interest of trap shooting. They invited
number of gentlemen interested in this
sport to accompany them South on their
pleasure trip. 1t was then suggested that
a team of expert trap shooters should be
taken along, representing the different
gunmakers of the country, as the best
means of bringing them into contact with
the hnest marksmen of the sections
through which they were to pass during
the trip. The duty of selecting a repre-
sentative team was left by general consent
in the handle of.Mr. w. Fred Quimby, one
of the most skillful shots in the United
States and a veteran winner of many con-
tests at the traps. Mr.. Quimby chose as
his team Messrs. G.. Willard, of Chicago,
Harvey McMurchy, of Syracuse. L. f.
Davenport, of Brooklyn, +. Lindsey, of
New York, r. o. Heikes, of Dayton. and
l.. c. Creamer, of New Jersey, all among
the leading cracks Of their respective local.
tiles. Mr.. Quimby himself decided to cap
tain his team, and to take along Messrs.
Heikes and Dreamer as substitutes, the
team proper consisting of five men only.
When the organization of the team be-