The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06

Mr.. Stearns was editor Of the checker de-
partment of the Derry News, having jour
neyed to that city in 1879 From 1896 TO 1901
he was editor and published of the North
American Checker Board. During that time
he created thousands of games and prob
lens. Indeed, he is referred to by many
as 1.-The Problem King" Greatest Prob
lematist of Our Time" and the like.
1t is not generally known that besides
his regular duties in a large manufactury
at West Derry he has published thirteen
standard checker books, all of which are
eagerly sought after by draughts players.
The most popular of his publications are
as follows: Portrait Books" Volumes l
and 2; Worlds Problem Books" Parts l
and 2; Granite Checker Series" Parts !,
2 and 3; "Bradleys Bristol and Stay
mans Black Doctor and Supplement"
checkerist in New Zealand as he is in his
own State. In 1891 he won a gold medal.
against 400 contestants, most Of whom
were experts of many years experience.
In 1926 he took the first prize in the New
Castle Chronicle end-game problem con-
test with what was at that time consid-
cred to be the most beautiful problem in
the nineteenth century. He has also won
innumera bic book prizes.
In the spring OF 1901 Mr.. Stearns toured
his own State, playing fifty games in Man
chester and Concord, the two largest cities.
His progress was almost triumphal and
his score was twenty-five wins and twenty
five draws, although he was pitted against
the best talent his State afforded In his
sitting with the State champion his score
was, Stearns 3. champion 0, drawn g.
1t might also be mentioned that Mr..
Stearns possesses the remarkable gift of
playing blindfod draughts. He has even
engaged in a game OF whist and checkers
simultaneously. the latter being played In
another room, and Mr.. Stearns having no
opportunity to see the board.
Mr.. Stearns is an enthusiast over the
merits of the game He states that his own
success in life may be attributed to the
qualities he developed while studying check
ers. 1t made me think; TO think was to
look ahead into the future said MT
Stearns recently, when speaking of the re-
markable power of checkers as brain eX-
erciSe.
Some time in 1904 Mr.. Stearns will publish
a book which will be the acme of his ex-
peTiences, the gist of his checker wisdom,
so synthetical that the student will be able
to learn in six months those principles
which were formerly not acquired Tor sew
eral years under the old methods of prac-
tice
MIR. Stearns was the first president of the
New Hampshire Checker Association. He
was also vice president of the New Eng
land Association. As cross-board expert he
met the greatest New York players. nota-
bly, DR.. Shaefer and John McEntree, and
PLAYED against them with success His
victory over the Jersey City champion
caused the New York World to say that
| Stearns had proved himself al least as a
mighty analyst and one OF draughts' keen
est critics.
At the present time he lives in West Der
~. n. H. and is checker editor OF that
vivacious little monthly called The Magnet.
To-day he is known all over checkerdOm
as the greatest educator Of the draughts
multitude of the present day. One OF his
pupils, Willis G.. Hill. Is present champion
of New Hampshire. 4 few weeks ago Mr..
Stearns attended the team match at Bos-
| ton. and had the satisfaction OF seeing Hill
| Stearns considers the Journal column one
OF the best in the West.