The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1899-09-20


tators and the hOsts-the latter being
Messrs. 7. j. Smith, Jr X. f. TurleY,
Harvey and Waller Chenault, T. t.
Covington, r. w. Miller, w. r. Letcher,
DR.. " H. Hobson and DR.. ii. C. Jasper.
Other members of the home club par
ticipated in the sport in the afternoon,
when live pigeons and clay targets we're
shot.
At nine O'clock promptly the shoot
ing began, the grand-sland in Turkeys
park being partially filled at that
early hour with expectant on-lookers.
The SO-yard space in front had been
very tastefully marked off with U.
S. flags, these fluttering colors adding
to the attractivenesso Of the place whilst
serving as convenient markers for the
boundaries of the shooting grounds.
The sport was to be varied, clay
pigeons, live swallows, and live pigeons,
all to the number of two or three thous-
and having been generously provided
by the Richmond Club.
After the preliminaries, the frst to
advance to the mark was Mr.. ALI. Clay,
whose reputation as a victor over the
great Kentucky champion, Gay, of
Pine Grove, had preceded him and
made his appearance a signal for APP
plause. With an easy but somehow
determined looking air. this great gun
ner strobe to his place. He is over six
feet high, prOportiOnately built, very
dignified, but enters into the sport with
an earnestness that, had there been a
rich prize at stake, would have scared
our fellows into a cooked hat. Though
there was no prize, Mr.. Clay looked
like there might have been a name and
fame attached to the victory anyhow,
which spirit animated the other con-
testants, only with somewhat less in
tensity, admirably exhibiting the dis
cipline they have acquired from long
practice to do we'll whatever they I'M
dertake, no matter how great or how
small the honor or the prize. The first
swallow that was released had scarce
gathered the air under its fleet wings
before it fell lifeless near the trap
whence it had sought liberty, through
the unerring aim of ALI Clay, one of
the best marksmen.th ever looked
down the barrel of a Parker gun.
The next was Mr.. G. w. Clay, a bril-
| liant shot, a Jolly fellow, with more life
than his predecessor, but with skill no
less. His gun is 500 Parker, a gem
Of the gunsmith's art, and he is as
justly proud of it as he is of his best
Bourbon sweetheart. When he toed
the mark all eyes we're fastened on his
fine figure and his splendid gun. His
deep voice rang.Out, Ready! ""Pull!'
and as the spreading wings of the chin
ney sweep appeared from the straight
away trap the almost musical sound
OF the costly weapon was as a REQUIEM
over the dying swallow.
There is a common way to measure
the popularity OF nOnresidents of Mad
ison, which il to say ''they are as cleayer
as Quincy Ward" So that when Quincy
himself appeared a partial handicap
started the audience into an ovation
which prevented Mr.. Ward from send
ing his live bird to its Paradise until
he had lifted his hat and bowed his
acknowledgements. Straightway he
put cartridge of No. shot into the
body of the released bird and fresh ap
plause evidenced the approval and
friendship OF the audience
Then followed Messrs. Harry, Sidney
and WOodfOrd Clay, J. NJ. Brennan and
L. V. Butler. The live bird contest
was 5-round affair. q. w. Clay and
MIR. Brennan killing all their birds,
Wood Clay 4, Ward and Harry Clay 3,
Aft. and Sid Clay 2, Butler /; total 25
out of 40. Drs. HobsOn and Jaspar
equaled their rivals, each killing all
his birds. Waller Chenault and r. w.
Miller 3, Turley 2, Covington and II.
Chenault each; total q of 40.
The eight visitors then broke l27 of
their 200 targets, average of a fraction
less than l6, Alfred Clay leading with
q out of %, G. w. Clay 20, Quincy
Ward 10, Harry Clay IL. Sid Clay Is
WOodford Clay ID, Brennan u, Butler
8.
RIchmond's turn now came and her
picked team of nine men did admirably
Onslderfng their brief experience and
the prestige OF their competitors. They
broke l35 targets, an average of exactly
10, fraction less than one less than
the BOurbonites, viz: DIR. HobsOn, T.
J. Smith, Jr., and Harvey Chenanlt
each broke is. r. E. Turley Is, Waller
Chenault and w. r. Letcher Is each.
DR.. Jasperl3. and r. w. Miller and Il.
I. Covington / each.
Mr.. Emile Praghoff, of the Louis
vile Gun Club, proved his qualities by
breaking 10 of % targets. and killing
of birds There had been three
hours OF continuous shooting with in
terest unceasing. The scores were an
nonnced and adjournment taken for
dinner. Carriages conveyed the visi-
tors to the Hotel Glydon where they
had been quartered as guests of the
home club. After two hours rest the
afternoon sport began with live pigeons.
in the presence of large audience, OF
which many were ladies. Compared
with targets and swallows, live pigeons.
we think, furnished much greater sport.
They rose as a rule with rush, being
fresh and in good condition. For quite
while not bird escaped, the gunners
seeming to be resolved to make a record
for future sportsmen to shoot az. A
hearty laugh ensued when Harvey
Chensult missed his first pigeon, the
rather gentle bird circling over his
head and alighting on the grand stand,
subsequently flying about the grounds
and twice getting dangerously near the
open traps. Once Mr.. J. w. Smith
fred point-blank at this and his own
bird. killing the latter
When the supply Of live pigeons lad
been exhausted. after ID rounds. the
visitors called for clay birds and an
other fine exhibition resulted. The
sport lasted until almost dusk when
the party returned to the city TO enjoy
the open-air concert by the Richmond
band.
The day, we understand, was
thOrOrghly enjoyed by the visitors,
who expect our club to come to Bourbon
for a t'vo-days shoot, in which event we
hope Cur crack shots will acquit them
selves equally as we'll. il not better,
than they did upon this memorable oc-
casion.
LIVE PIGEON coxrEsI-ls BIRDS.
ospn5sEHaH7Sz H~rSSo
HzssssppaaaTs Asseoos