The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-10-14
HOW TO Be A MARESMAN
1t Requires Steady Practice,
Says Q~uartermaster
Alvin H. Graft.
NERVE DOESN'T ALWAYS COUNT.
other Interesting News Of the
Several Companies of the
Fourth Regiment.

ITO what do l aecredit my proficiency
as q marksman?" said Quartermaster
Alvin Fl. Graf. of the Fourth Regiment,
to q reporter of The JERSEY CITY NEW
a few days & when asked how he be-
came the best shot in the regiment, and
one of the best in the State. T.
well" he continued, II will tell You.
l am not n crack shot because l have
natural ability or because I can handle a
gun. but because I practice and practice
contIn ually." gD.
Captain Graf is an excellent marks
man, and an opinion by him Is we'll
worth remembering. He is without ques-
ton the best rifle shot in this section of
the State. and his advice is much sought
after.
YES" said he, II wouli have never
been able to shoot had l not practiced
continually. Some people say that a per-
son, In order to become " successful
marksmau, must have steady nerves.
That is not so. While steady nerves will
help a person. still they will by no means
make good shot of him, I am about as
nervous q man as ever handled q gun. l
cannot hold a rife steady in my arms for
love or money, YET l can make a good
score. This is by no means surprising.
Although my rifle wabbles around 10
the air / can hit the bulissye oncs in a
while without trouble. I watch my
target carefully, and when my sight is
full on the black circle ! pull the trigger.
The bullet must travel straight aud 1
score a bnllseye.
REQUIRES PRACTICE.
This may sound AS though it were an
easy matter to do but it is not. Gu my
part it required years of hard. steady
practice. but / finally reached tbs upper
rounds of the ladder, and now if make
anything less than a bullseye / am not
satisfied. l know I can make them and
have made them. u a low err score
doesn't satisfy me. So 1t would be with
every member OF the Fourth Regiment if
they would do as / did and practice con-
tinually. While natural ability will help
a man 1T is by no means necessary. A
man who will practice continually will
become rs good a shot as the man who
has natural ability"
Captain Graf has q score of decorations
which testify TO his ability as q marks
man. Numerous regimental and State
badges can be found among his collec-
tion. AT the State rifle practice last sum
nier be made the remarkable score OF 48
out OF a possible so. This score gives him
the medal offered by Lieutenant Colonel
Mason for the highest score at Sea Girt.
Mr.. Graft holds tie res ponsible position
of clerk to the Board OF Education. ae
is a born soldier. and in the National
Guard he has a host of friends. AT pres
ent he is in Washington with the team
the invitation OF the Washington. D. c.,
n. G. rifle team to shoot q friendly
match and incidentally have a good time
at the Capitol.
OF THE sKIRMIsH.
1t Is said that Mr.. Adoipn Walters. Jr.,
is slated for the vacancy of Sergeant
Major Of the Second Battalion, caused by
the promotion OF Sergeant, now Lieuten>
ant Pringie. Mr.. Walters Ia well quail
fed to fill the position
Company B mas organized q football
team and has Issued sweeping challenges
to all the companies in the regiment.
Company A has decided to try concIu-
sions with the ex-cadets on Election Day.
and this afternoon the teams will play 4
practice game at Marion.
The members of Company A are pray
ing for clear weather on Monday even
ing. when the twenty-seventh ami
versary OF the company will be celebrated
with a full dress reception at Hasbrouck's
New Hall. Every detail has been care
fully looked after n q large crowd is
expected.
Colonel Abernethy will leave on Mon
day for Chicago. OF course he will visit
the Fair.
A%djutant Pfingle is unfolding the
dignity of his new Office iu rood style. IL
is even rumored that he will tell no more
funny stories, nut this rumor receives no
credence.
The second battalion will be assembled
for drill ut Bergen Square on Tuesday
evening, October "a. On the following
evening the First battalion will drill.
Tbs color guard is excused FIR ON these
drills.
Private George G. Doyle detailed from
Company A 10 the Gun Detachment has
been returned to the con pany for duty.
Private George M. Galway has been
relieved from duty on Company AIS
court martial. Private n. Fl. Brinker-
hoff has been detailed to fill the vacancy.