Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-04-09
TIE AMERICAN HANDICbP.
The Best Shots in the World Will
Take Part During Coming Week

AuU 0eos bAvsS IL UnV
Take Part During Coming Week
AT ELWOOD PARK, LONG BRANCH.
N. J.-SPLENDID LOCATION AND
ARRANGEMENTS OF TIL E
GROUNDS sCNIE OF THE MEN
WHO WILL PARTICIPATE IN
THE TOURNAMENT = FORMER
WINNERS OF THE GRAND
AMERICAN HANDICAP.
1t is typical of American enterprise
and grit that. whatever the Yankee
takes UP he aims to do better than any
other nation. Co seq emily it is hardly
any cause for surprise that the trap
shooters of this country are recognized
as among the best in the world and
that the premier shooting fixture OF the
globe is decided in the United States.
The Grand American handicap has
come to be regarded by experts as the
great event of the year in spite OF the
fact that the tournament is only SIX
years old. When the first Grand Amer
lean was started in 1893, it did not meet
with the unanimous approval OF the
shooters, who did not like the idea OF
putting s25 in a 25 bird sweepstake,
handicap though it be. The result OF
the first year proved the wisdom OF the
promoters. The experts perceived that
there was good money to be won, and
the future of the handicap was as
Sured.
U-r. Il, mo
place next Tuesday, Wednesday ana
Thursday, and it is not saying TOO much
to assert that the shooting pubic is
awaiting the result with intense inter
est 1t is expected that not less than
$50 and probably nearly 800 shooters
will present themselves as candidates
fer the big sums that are offered AS
was the case last year. 81. $40 VIII ne
guaranteed to the three high guns in
the proportion Of $500, $500 ard 500.
A slight change, however, las I9eh
made in the division Of the &ui2Iui,
which will - V7U1'. - odd
purse Instead of two nioncys for o2ch
additional ten entries over and above
60, the number necessary to fill me
guarantee. there will be three add
tional moneys for each ten entries ever
60, provision being made for any num-
Der of entries up to and including zoo,
with an arrangement should there be
more shooters.
ne l.4.-...ate Association, UH2er
whC.c mana cement the shoot taxes
place, has donated q haad@9me silver
trophy, to be presented 10 the winner
Ct the event Tie prize viii be wei!
worth striving fag irrespective OF the
induceIrc at Of The money to be raNcu
in, for the fortunate winner will thus
have something to remind him in after
DAYS and as a proof tnat he defeated
the best shots in the country at the
greatest shoot in the world.
Mr.. Elmer E. Shaner, the we'll known
manager of the Interstate Association,
will direct the affair, as in former
years, which in itself is a guarantee
that everything will be run smoothly
and without any hitch. The handicap
rers are men VINO are thoroughly well
acquainted with the capabilities OF the
competitors, and, although when such a
large number Of shooters of different
calibers are to shoot together there is
sure to be some grumbling, still 1t IS
generally acknowledged that the work
has been well done.
Elkwood Park, the beautiful grounds
near Long Branch, n. j., will again be
the scene CT the great event. These
pigeon shooting grounds are undoubt-
eddy the finest in their line in the
world, not even excepting the famous
ones at Monte Carlo, or taose around
New York, Philadelphia ash Paris, or
: |, Ic
All the crack shots in America will
be on hand to take part in the handi
cap, and it io expected that some very
high scor'& Il be made; Among
who occL" IS a unique position among
the trap shooters of America and is I'M
doubtedly the best known Of them all.
He is an Englishman and has been
over here for about ten years. DurinS
that time he has shot about as many
live bird matches as anybody in the
country
Captain Money is great general
when shooting matches and is perhaps
the best handler" that anybody coulG
wish to have behind him In a tight
finish. Curiously enough, although he
has been shooting pigeons for many
years, both in England and in America,
he is now, when about to enter upon
his siXtieth year, shooting better than
ever, and has made some remarkable
scores during the past winter.
He saw service with the British army
in the Indian mutiny in 1878 and was
for some time stationed in Canada. In
his young days he was one of the
hardest men to beat in a steepiecnase,
being afraid of nothing and inspiring
his horse with some of his own conf
dence.
Another well known shot who will
take part in the Grand American is
Rolla o. Heikes, who was born in Hi
nois. but is now and has been for some
time resident of Ohio. living at Day
ton. He is the champion Of the world
at inanimate target shooting and holds
the E. c. cup, emblematic of that title.
He is acknowledged to stand in class
by himself at that style of shooting.
Quite recently he was taken to live bird
shooting and holds the championship CT
America at that game. having won the
cast iron medal at Chiacgo some Is
months ago and since then defended it
successfully in five contests against
such men as Fred Gilbert, Charles NJ.
Grimm and c. w. Budd, all of whom