The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-01
STRECKER A WINNER,
High Scores Made at the
National Shoot
ing Fest.
FIRST IN THREE EVENTS
San Francisco's Crack Marks
man Distances All
Competitors.
TOP SCORES AT EACH TARGET.
Honors of the Opening Skirmish
Captured by the Men From
the Coast.
FIRST In THREE EVENTS
TOP SCORES AT EACH TARGET.

NEW YORK, N. Y, June 30-The in
auguration ceremonies of the first shooting
festival of the National Schuetzenbund of
the United States of America commenced
this morning, ana until Z P. NJ. the quiet
surroundings of Schuetzen Park at Glen
dale L. l., echoed with the crack of pow
der and the ping of bullets, while thous-
ands saw California marksman win the
day.
From early morning until about II A. NJ.
rain fell steadily, but at this hour des-
perate struggle between the sun and rain
resulted in partial recovery OF the former
The threatening aspect OF the weather
initiated greatly against the attendance
in the morning and early afternoon. but
when things atmospherically looked set
tied the crowd commenced to arrive and
fully 5000 people were scattered through
the park.
The Schuetzens were fortunate in their
selection of locality for their celebration.
Glendale Park is about twenty minutes
ride from Long Island City and is place
of great natural beauty, with an area OF
about thirty acres. 1t contains large
dancing pavilion, bowling alleys, restau-
rants, bars and many other facilities for
comfort and amusement. The scene to-
day exhibited an animated appearance, all
the structures being gayly decorated with
German and National bunting and signs OF
"Welkomme" were everywhere manifest.
No means were neglected to make the
'svolk' happy. They watched the shoot
ing and bowling; they danced; they lis
tened to tyrolean yodlers singing their
native songs in costume; acrobats went
through aerial manouvers for their bene-
fit and vaudeville was presented to their
view. They danced and ate, drank and
we're merry to their hearts content. The
festivities were kept up to late hour to-
night and wound up with grand pyro-
technic display. :.
A source of great interest to the sight
seers during the day was the pavilion con-
tanning the honorary prizes presented to
the bund from all quarters. The crowd
thronged the sides of the pavilion, specu-
lating over the individual value of the
gifts, which in the aggregate amount to
between $50 600 and 100000, and grew rap
turous over the splendid display. which
ranged from $1,000 cups and services of
solid silver down to medals of gold and
silver.
The promoters have been for some years
arranging for this mammoth festival. The
forty five rife ranges, 200 yards long, after
a careful and critical examination were
pronounced by experts to be perfect and
are highly commended by the sharp
shooters. Every detail has been attended
to SO as to make the best possible records,
each of the targets having been put TO a
severe test, and the general verdict is that
they cannot be improved upon.
In addition to the shooting there are in
dividual and team bowling contests, the
prizes for which will be very big. The
first series of bowling for such prizes took
place to-day. open to all corners. During
every day of the festival there wall be a
banquet between and Pm. The shoot
ing contests will be continued from s A. NJ.
to P. NJ. There will be concerts and
dancing during the afternoon and an in
teresting programme of general amuse-
ments. In the evening stereopticon views
and fireworks will be exhibited.
Tomorrow the Schuetzenfest will be
formally opened, to-day's shooting being
for general prizes open to all comers. The
parade starts at 8 o'clock, and will be par
ticipated in by all the local and visiting
rifle clubs and the German veteran soldiers.
the Turner's and singing societies
of New York, Brooklyn and New
Jersey and many of the Volksfest
organizations. The parade will form
at the Schuetzen Hall on st. Marks place,
proceeding via Broadway, Union Square
and Fifth avenue to Thirty -fourth-street
ferry, and the Long Island Railroad to
Glendale Park. At Union Square, Gov
ernor Morton, Mayor Strong and other
honorary members of the society will re-
view the parade.
Although the shooting to-day was more
in the nature of a skirmish, the real battle
taking place tomorrow, there was good