The San Francisco call., 1909-09-02
Pr. RATHIENS IS
KING OF THE SHOOT
San Francisco Man Wins the
Highest Honor of Schuetzen
Verein Jubilee
Last Fragment of Eagle Target
Fell to Earth as Clock
Struck 6:30 p. m.

P. F. Rathjen's is the most prominent
German citizen Of san Francisco today.
A member OF the common people all
his life. Rathjens attained kingly
honors at exactly $50 o'clock last even
ing. BY shooting down the last frag-
ment OF a wooden eagle in the king
jubilee shoot OF the San Francisco
Schuetzen verein, held at Shell Mound
park yesterday. Rathjens left plebian
society and took his place among
schuetzea royalty
AS golden jubilee king Of the verein
he has attained the highest hoaors pos
sible in the big shooting festival now
ia progress
I2S SOUGHT KINGEY HoNORs
RathJens was one of l2e shooters
who shot at the inanimatet eagle. The
bird" was perehed on. top Of a tall
pose at the west end OF the grounds
and the marksmen took up their. stand
IN the center of the athletic arena:
about 100 yards distant from the target.
The shooting commenced ait 10 o'clock
in the morning and continued; with an
hours intermission, until RathJens
brought down the last piece
d. B. Faktor brought down the first
trophy when he secured the ring at
exactly noon. Five minutes later Louis
Bendel shot away the peg which. held
the crown to the body. William Stel-
ling brought down the. crown at .I=15
o'clock, and the scepter fell. before the
gun OF o Rosberg at 1850 e'clock.
Msnymarksmen dropped out. of the
competition al this stage and only the
best shots remained A long Interval
elapsed before another portion of the
bird was brought down. c. Olday Sc
cured the right wing at $40 and 30
minutes later the other wing was
shot OF by DR.. A L. w. Zillmer. w
,ilinnemann secured the neck a few
moments later and there remained but
the head and tail.
LONG LIVE THE KING
It was Rathjen's shot as the clock
struck $50. Taking careful aim. the
genial German brought down both the
tail and kingpiece.
Immediately all was commotion. The
shooters gathered the new king in their
arms and bore him to the platform,
where the regal chair was awaiting.
Rathjens was the happiest man in the
world. He kissed every one in sight
and whooped her up for the president
and kaiser.
Then came the grand march to the
pavilion. Perched on the regal chair
decorated with the flags Of the United
lNoNcSs 0ra many anu the CO4OIS OF the
San Francisco schuetzen verein, the
king was borne on the shoulders of his
cnferees while the band played See
the Conquering Hero Comes"
THE TRIUMPHAL MARCH
II was a triumphal march. Hundreds
Of enthusiastic spectators lined the
route to the dance pavilion and did
homage TO the king. who replied with
wave OF his hat and q 'Hoch der
pavilion and the officers of the verein
with king Rathjens in their midst
mounted the platform. President George
II Bahrs introduced the king as ''the
INST ppular member OF the San Fran
cisco schUetzen verein."
II we voted for q king" said Bahrs,
the choice would undoubtedly have
fallen on the man who has earned the
. right TO rule over US by virtue Of his
skill with a rife. Our new king is. a
natural born monarch; :he looks. the
part and I have no doubt Will act it, q:
Amid cries of The king, the king"
Rathjens came to the frnt ( the plat
form, embarrassed but happy. He was
attended by the daughter of the regi-
ment, Miss Alice Noddin. attired. in. a
military costume Miss Amy Rankin
and Miss Irma Bahra. g.
EVERYBODY Is INVITED -
Ladies and gentlemen said: the
king. Il never knew before how: it felt
70 be a king, bat know now and 1T
sure feels all right. I have, besides at
tanning the kipgly honors. wen q prize
Of $3.50, and I want to spread. 1T. Every
body is invited" The Invitation was
generally accepted. -.
Fred Hagemann, the silver Jubilee
king. and John Tiedemann. who won
the regal honors last year. were intro
duced and given a hearty reception.
The remainder of the evening was spent
in joliifcation. The crowning ceremony
will take place at the conclusion OF the
festival next Sunday evening.
German Consul Franz Bopp, Con-
gpessmen julius Kahn and E. A Hayes
attended the festivities yesterday and
brought greetings from President Taft
and Kaiser Wilhelm.
OPEN HOUSE TODAY -
The Shell Mound pistol and rifle club
viii hold open house today. Prepara-
tions have been made TO. receive a big
crowd and treat the visitors with Shell
Mound hospitality. The targets. which
were closed yesterday will open again
today and all the crack shots will par
ticipate. Friday will be ladies' day.