Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-04-12

The Wheeling Gun Club will open its
new grounds on South Huron street,
Island, on Tuesday the 14th inst,
shooting to be from two 20 six o'clock.
These grounds are pronounced the best
that could be obtained around the city
and for convenience are unsurpassed.
Great interest is being manifested by
sportsman, and it Is thought the active
membership of the club will be much
stronger than the old Island club. The
new members who have never shot any
at the traps, numbering some six or
eight, are eager TO commence practice,
which gives promise OF a successful
club.
The people of Wheeling may well be
proud of the old Island Gun Club, that
was organized in May, 1890. This
club can boast of achieving what prob
ably no other club in the United States
ever accomplished, and that is, they
never lost team race. This club can
also beast of one other remarkable
fac. and that is they gave six or seven
tournaments open to the world from
1890 to 1893 yet the highest average in
all these tournaments was made by
members Of the Island Club. In May
and June, 1890, this club defeated the
Washington, Pa, Gun Club twice, once
In Washington and once here. The
following year they offered 10 shoot
any club in Pittsburg race for $500, a
side bet, but found no taker
In 1892 the team went to Atlantic
City, n. j., and defeated the ten teams
of shooters from the best gun clubs in
Pennsylvania, New York and New Jer-
sey, winning this great race by the mar
row margin OF one bird, which showed
the mettle of their opponents. In Au-
gust of the same year on Deschres-
ho3ka Island in Canada, near Detroit
.Ihey also met and defeated seven
crack teams out of Canada and the
United States winning 500 in gold, al
most lin a walk"
These two latter races gave the Is
land Gun Club a national reputation
and from thai time they were feared
and duly respected by the greatest
shooting clubs in the country. The
Manufacturers Trap Shooting Asso-
citation. composed az the time OF the
leading manufacturers Of the United
States in guns, powder shot, etc, in
1893 proposed to donate $500 in cash
and give a two days tournament, one
only in a State.
Six tournaments were given. one be-
ing held in Wheeling on the State Fair
Grounds. This tournament was at
tended by the best shots in the United
States, yet the individual championship
OF the State was won by a member OF
The Island Gun Club, though contested
by shooters from all parts OF West Vir-
ginia. Also the highest average that
was made by any shooter in the six
| tournaments given by this Association
In 1893, was made by a member of the
Island Gun Club.
The Island Club defeated the Column
bus. o., Gun Club by eight birds and the
Parkersburg, w Va, Gun Club by ter
birds in '93, also the Fsirmont club in
"a. All these clubs owe them a return
match the Island boys having gone anC
shot these several races on their op,
ponents grounds. Although the latch
string has always been out. still up tt
date they have never responded 10 the
invitation for a return race.
The new Wheeling Gun Club will bC
composed Of the best shots out of tn;
old Island club and these inexperienced
who join, will have the benefit Of theil
experience and will find in the club
none burt gentlemen and true sports
men, who stand ready at any time tC
render all the advice and assistance il
their power to make 1t pleasant for new
members.