Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-10-05
SHAFTER'S SKILL in SHOOTING.
The Joke He Played on the Colonel Of
Rival Regiment.

The Joke He Played on the Colonel Of
Rival Regiment.
Colonel Thomas II. Barry, adjutant-
general to Major-GenerA Otis, tells q
good story of Major General Shafter's
shooting in the days when he was q
colonel on the Mexican border. A day
before he took ship for the Philippines
Barry, discussing Shafter's gallantr9
before Santiago, said:
Il was Skaters aid years ago when
we both were bronzing under the hot
test sun that shines in these states.
Shafter was known as the best shot not
only In his regiment, but In the whole
country about. One day an officer from
another regiment not acquainted with
Skaters ability in this line, visited the
post and soon made It apparent to US
that he esteemed himself about as ex-
pert a marksman as ever pulled trig-
ger. We secretly laughed at his
opinion of himself and whispered to
each other, Just wait till Pecos gets
after him.
well, his time came. One morning
Shafter and l started out to ride forty
miles or more to another post, and the
visitor asked to be allowed to accom-
pany us. We trotted along easily until
about noon, when we halted to eat our
luncheon, which we packed with us. AT
that time officers carried short carbines
on such service and had one strapped
to my saddle. The conversation drift.
cd from the topography of the country
to craftsmanship, and the Officer-caE
him Smith-said, Say, Colonel, have
you got any shots in your regimentT
"Shafter smiled and replied: Have
1? Why. I've got some men that ca1
discount the sharpshooters you read
about. Officers, too. I'm not much my
self. but when you get back to the fort,
I'll tell a few of the good ones to show
you a thing or two
Just then an antelope sprang up .
quarter of mile away, and all seeing II
at the same moment reached for theiI
carbines. Shafter was quickest and In
a second adjusted the sights to GOO feet
and blazed away. Down came Mr.. An
telope, and when we rode up to where
! lie lay, we found bullet over his heart
Smith examined the wound, looked
over the carbine and then muttered
half aside, Not bad. You say you're
not in 1t with other officers in your regi
ment, ColonelT
mo said Shafter, I'm ashamed OF
myself alongside of them
"a couple of hours later another ante
iope appeared, but farther away. Smith
/ fidgeted a moment and then said eager
ly: Colonel. may l go after himT
"'Pshaw! You wouldn't chase hin
on horseback at that distance ex
claimed Shafter. seizing the weapon
and leveling 1t as he spoke. I'll put
lead in his head
/ He fred and we saw the anima.
bound away. Smith was gleeful. "A
little high, Colonel he shouted as we
galloped on. Reaching the place where
/ the game had been. we were on a higf
rising piece of ground, and, looking
down fifty feet, Shafter pointed to &
dark object and said quietly: I gues.
1 got the head
Sure enough, the antelope was lyinl
dead, with bullet through his left ear
Smith looked as disgusted as any maj
l ever saw.
"'And the officers are better" b.
queried.
Skaters eyes twinkled. Lieuten
ant Smith, he replied, with assumed
sternness, I want you to say nothing
Of this at the post. I ought to have
hit him in the eye, and I feel ashamed
Of my poor aim
Smith, who had no sense Of humor
was dumfouhded. For years after hi
spread the fame Of Colonel Shafter a!
q marksman far and wide.-San Fran
cisco Chronicle.