The herald., 1897-02-21
AMtRICat OpUNISAUAtu
As Huntresses, Bicyclists and
Drivers of Fast Horses
EXCEL MALE COMPETITORS
So Quick With Rifle, So Afraid OF a
Mouse
These Women Are Not MannIsh In Domes site
Lifs-They May Wear BIoomers to
Facilitate their Movements

American women are rapidly taking
to out of door sports. Here are five who
have recently won distinction by then
ability to lead in the hunt, on the wheel
and the race course.
Shooting, cycling and fast driving are
some Of the sports which they have
taken up, and not only have they ex-
celled their own sex by accomplishing
extraordinary feats in their chosen
amusements, but they are the envy OF
many of their male competitors.
Three of these women are modern
Dianas and have attracted a great deal
Of notice in their respective localities
by bringing down game of all descrip-
tions, both large and small. Their un-
srring aim with rifle and shotgun has
gained for them the admiration of many
an older and experienced hunter
Another prides herself on having ex-
celled in driving fast trotting horses.
while the fifth has accomplished Won
ders as a century rider on her bicycle.
There Is not the faintest suggestion
Of the new woman" in the domestic
life of any of these women, and aside
from being highly respected in the COM
munities in which they reside. they are
excellent wives. mothers and daughters.
as the case may be, and the sport is fol-
lowed by them purely for the healthful
exercise and amusement which it af-
fords.
Mrs. Catherine Helsel is the name of
one of these modern Dianas, whose fond
ness for roaming over the mountains
In purusit of game has left her at the
age of 64. which she has reached this
MONTH bright, witty and healthy
specimen of womanhood.
At the present time she lives with her
husband, George Helsel, at South Board
man, Kalkaska county. Mich. The ear
lier years of her life were spent in Ohio.
where she became a devotee of the rod,
line and gun. She accompanied her fa-
ther or brothers on their expeditions,
and soon became an expert with a shot.
gun, and few birds escaped her unerring
aim.
More than 40 years ago Mr.. and Mrs
Helsel moved to a small town near Grand
Rapids, Mich, and every fall spent sew
eral weeks hunting. AS game grew
scarce they continued further north to
where they are now located, midway be-
tween the rich hunting district of the
Boardman and Manistee rivers.
Mrs. Helsel early aspired to large
game, and discarded her double-b bar
caliber repeating rifle. She has a long
list Of deer to her credit, and during
one season she killed fourteen of the
fieet-footed animals.
She is extremely modest in relating
her exploits with the rifle, but
declares that she is never hap
pier than in the woods, with
her dog and gun, and AYERS that she
now owns the best bear dog that ever
shifted a track. She has one bearskin
rug adjoining her parlor which is pierced
by a bullet from her rifle.
AS an evidence of the esteem in which
her prowess is held by her neighbors
this expression of opinion by her friends
Is very emphatic:
IF you have any crack marksmen In
your vicinity, you can't trot them out
any too quick. We up here in Northern
Michigan will bet our last cent on Mrs,
Helsel, on the run or standing, at any
distance under sixty rods.
The huntress of Jacksen's Hole" is
the title given by her friends to Miss
Mildred Bevington, a young Rocky
mountain GIRL living on the border OF