Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-20
A RECORD BREAKER
Annual Shoot Of Interstate Assoc
alton to be Monster Event.
HELD In KANSAS CITY NEXT MONTH
Great American Handicap the Blue
Ribbon Event and Ottumwa Shoot.
ers Will Take Part-Estimated That
Over 800 Entries Will Be Received.

Local shooters anticipate one of the
greatest tournaments i'll the history of
this country next month when the
great American handicap will be shot
at Kansas City in connection with the
annual shoot of the Interstate associa-
ton. l.. T. Crisman of this city, has
already entered for the blue ribbon
event, while several others expect to
take part Ottumwa will send at least
dozen shooters to the affair, and as
they are all practicing, they expect to
bring back some of the spells. While
there is long list of events to be shot
off, the one great prize to which all
shooters look with longing eyes is the
Great American Handicap. This event
was originated in 1898 and was always
held in the east until this year. Late
ly western shooters have been making
strenuous efforts to get it to come
west and were finally successful They
promised the largest entry in the his
tory of the event, and their promise
will be fulfilled.
Manager on Ground.
Elmer E. Shaner, manager of the In
terstate association has already reach
ed Kansas City and is preparing for
81 and lasts until April s.. He received
telegram yesterday from Edward
Banks who is receiving entries for the
big event in New York The commu-
nication stated that 215 entries lad
been received, against sixty the cor
responding time last year, thus assur
ing the greatest number of wingshots
that ever participated in any shooting
tournament.
Mr.. Shaner, who has been identified
with all the previous American handi-
cap tournaments, and is thoroughly
conversant with all the requirements
to successfully bringing of such a big
event is the representative Of the In
terstate association to look after all
the details and see that everything is
In as near perfect shape as possible for
the handling of the great number of
shooters that will participate in the
record breaking tournament.
Greatly Encouraged.
Mr.. Shauer is greatly encouraged
with The prospects for successful
meeting and when interviewed, said:
When | was in Kansas City last
fall. at the request Of committee
from that city. looked over the field
thoroughly ard was very fayorahly
impressed by the Kansas City spirit
and the excellent facilities it afforded.
] made a favorable report to the con
trolling board CT the association. That
the selection was a most wise one is
being shown every day in thousand
different ways. The entry list has al,
ready swelled beyond all the eXpecta,
tions OF us fasteners and the best
week for enrolment is yet TO come
Such a lengthy list is startling. and /
have grave fears that so many shoot
ers will be Tnwieldly. | have been
figuring of late on q 300 basis, which
is far in excess of the number of en-
tries OF any previous tournament, and
now i wouldn't be surprised to see
my estimate beaten. In fact, it is
practically assured that there will be
a greater number, for with 215 now
and the books open until next Sat,u-
day. ] do not sec how there can help
being more than 900 shooters who will
send in their names. The enthusiasm
in the cast is unbounded and great
preparations are being made for the
trip out west. whore the greatest wing
shots in the country are produced.
Contributes Forty.
When ! was in Kansas City be