San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-09-01
HISTORY OF A GUN CLUB.
IMPORTANT OMISSIONS ON THE
PART OF THE EXPRESS
HISTORIAN.
Some Startling Disclosures of Facts
Concerning the State Shoot
in the Year 1891.
by TEXAS FIELD

lines of an article purportlng TO De
the outlines OF a history OF the San
Antonio Gun club.
Finding that the author, pur-
posely or otherwise, in his evident
desire to boost the organization
spoken OF, omitted some Of the
most salient points; omitted the
statement of facts, which, II re-
lated, would have had a very great
influence toward moulding public
sentiment either favorably or un-
favorably to the organization men,
toned.
With these few lines as an intro.
duction and with an apologetic
bow to the public for introducing
such a nauseating subject, We will
now proceed to the
FIRST ASSIGNMENT OF ERRORS.
The energetic but Erratic Histo-
rian says In his first paragraph:
"Previous to 1883 there had been
several gun clubs formed, but with
little success. About this time
DIR. Frank Flood, August Thiele,
Arkansas Prescott, Willard Simpson,
Fred. Kelley aud John Gilbert met
and decided to form new gun
club. Final arrangements being
made, meeting was called at
Scholz's hall for organizing"
This is incorrect, inasmuch as it
divides the credit Of the first or
ganization between the gentlemen
named. Mr.. John Gilbert, now of
Houston, was the original mover
in the matter, and subse-
quently secured the help of the
gentlemen named above, together
with A. B. Critzer and O.C. Cues
saz. Both these gentlemen were at
the bornin', though the Erratic
Historian evidently wishes to keep
the matter dark.
SECOND ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR.
The Erratic Historian again COM
mits a crime of omission, by bridg-
ing over the period of time elaps-
ing between 1888 until the acquisi-
ton of Lakeview grounds, some.
time in 1892.
The Erratic Historian, for reasons
best known to himself, does not
tell what transpired in 1891, on
the occasion of the 14th annual
tournament Of the Texas State
Sportsmens association. Why does
he omit one of the most important
events in the annals of trap shoot
ing and in the history of this club?
AS the ball. has been started in
the history business, 1 will supply
the missing links in the wonder
full chain of trap shooting history
and as the public scans these lines,
1 will here make the assuring
statement that l am happily in
possession OF stacks of brochures of
antique literature which will be
found excellent documentary evil
dence in support of my statements
of facts.
In 1890 the following gentle
men were selected to act as dele
gates from the San Antonio Gun
club, to attend the 18th annual
session and tournament of the
State association at Waco, Texas:
e. Polk, Jno. Warren, S. Veith, G.
Chabot, ALB. Critzer and o. G. Cues
saz. The delegation was instructed |
to attend the sportsmen's conven-
ton, which was then held and to
secure the state shoot for 1891, at |
ali hazards, for San Antonio. |
That the delegation did its duty is |
evidenced by the fact that San An
tonic was chosen as the next meet
ing place and upon its return to
the Alamo City, the members |
thereof were generally patted on |
the back for having ably repre-
sented the Gun club.
But the shoot was not secured |
to San Antonio without hard work. |
Dallas and Fort Worth were both |
on hand, with glowing promises,
but Mr.. Guessaz, who acted as
for the San Antonio
club, promised the shooters $1,000 |
in prizes. should they come to the
city of missions. Then.San Antonio
was chosen amid great enthusiasm.
Time rolled on and we find our
selves making preparations for the
great shoot of 1891. The different
were appointed and
the work apportioned to each, &C
cording to their best ability to
perform the work assigned them.
One of these mittees, consist
ing of Messrs Barr, Simpson and
Guessaz, was appointed for the pur-
pose of soliciting loans from the
members Of the club in order to en-
able the latter to purchase pigeons,
etc. The only man who moved in
the matter was Guessaz, and he Sc
cured some 5000 from the members
as loans to the club, with the un-
derstanding that the various sums
be returned to them after the shoot.
Then there was appointed COM
mittee on prizes, consisting of