The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-20

TAI. amount OF leisure time.
II Notwithstanding THE fact, or
IN perhaps just on account Of the
air of exclusigeness thus granted
TO the sport. live pigeon shooting is be-
coming very popular in America. Almost
every day new shooting or gun clubs are
established in various parts Of the coun-
try.
The sport has been transplanted to this
country from England. where il is very
fashionable among what is known there
as the upper ten thousand" that lets-
/ ured class so prominent n the British
Isles. The Nottingham Gun Club is the
| most famous English shooting club. and
the rules formulated and used by that or
ganizatcn are the ones that govern con-
tests in America as a rule. Every year
there is held what Is known as the inter-
national week Of shooting. when the rank
and fashion OF England, forgetting for a
few days its horror of the massacre of
doves" assemblies TO do honor TO the oc-
casion
The representative gun club CT the Unit
ed States is the Carteret Gun Club whose
grounds were for many years situated at
Bayonne. n. j.. but who have recently
obtained magnificent quarters on Long
island where there has been erected a
fine clubhouse and all the appurtenances
of a first-class shooting club.
The Carteret Gun Club is the only one
recognized by foreigners and i.s member
ship comprises most of the best known
shots in the country.
Another well-known club that includes
among its members some famous pigeon
shots is the Westminster Kennel Club.
But this clubs special object is the i'm
provement of the canine race. SO THAI i.
does not rank as high as the Carteret
Club in the shooting lire.
or course there are a great many good
shots in this country. some Of them stars
of the first magnitude. who are not men
or leisure, or even Well off, but almost
without exception these men are those
who can earn their livelihood by means
OF their guns, and a rule represent somo
firm or gunmakers or an ammunition man
ufactory. and are paid for using ard adj
vertisrg some special brand Of either.
There has been a good deal OF discus
sion as to what should constitute an anna
teur shooter. for among pigeon shooters
the rule that draws the linz =, noe- otaov-
sports would not fit the case. The men
who shoot for the fun of the thing are
the men who make the most money. as a
rule. and who shoot for the largest stakes.
Almost any Gay one may read Of a match
being contested between fwo or more r'a',
for stake of s25 or $50 or maybe 500.
Your gentleman shooter will net engage
In a match for any such sum as that. how
eyer. Before he Will test his skill in COM
petition with some one else. he demands
that the stakes shall be at any rate 5000
or $1,000 side. and often much higher.
After great deal of talk and dispu.ing
II was finally decided that the professions
al shooters should consist of the men who
are paid by some firm - shoot Cor them as
an advertisement Of their goods.
Some Of the best known professional
pigeon shots IN America are Captain Brew
er. Or. Carver. ]. A. r Elliott. Fu.ford.
Gilbert Heicks and Dlckey. OF course
there are many other first-rate shots but
these are probably the best. Captain Jack
Brewer IS undoubtedly the first pigeon
shot In the country. If not IN the world.
After gaining all the laurels in this coun-
try. he went 10 England and beat al the
crack shots there with ease. Unfortun-
ately. Captain Brewer has been ruled out
or All competition In England and Amer;-
ca for conduct unbefitting d gentleman.
When one tries to pick out the best
pigeon shots among the amateurs the
task Is a still more difficult one How
ever, without disparagement to any not
mentioned, the following may be ranked
g. among the best: Edgar Gibhes Muir
ply. Gec"~a Work. r. A Dolan, l.. r
Duryea and r. -. Gilbert
One of the best Known shots in America
IS George Manchester but ne has long
since retired, an unbeaten man. Macalas-