Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-18
TRAPSHOOTlNG PROVES
SPORT FOR MANY ATHLETES
Alexander and Other Heroes of Dia-
mond Seek Recreation at Trnps-Cnp-
tain Wuf PnsscH Few Remarks.

For many weeks baseball fans have
been reading and talking abou, the
salaries that tn. big fellows OF the
game were going to set during the
coming season
ono star IN particular caused extra
comment, that was Grover cleveland
Alexander. II" being the National
Leagues best. no thought lac was worth
more than last years salary. so held
out for $1,000 He nnally. com
promised ON about $4,000. The period
81 waiting. together with its many con-
tcrcnccs. was surely one OF suspense.
and naturally his nerves were some
wha, unstrung After he had affixed
his signature 10 two-ycar contract.
he no doubt felt that big load had
bcon lifted from his shoulders, and
made plans for recreation
His first enjoyment was trip TO the
B'idcnam Gun Cl.b. of Camden. y. j.,
Of which many prominent Philadel-
rhihna arc members. where he demon
stratcd his ability as a trapshootcr. and
got III trim for a hunting and fishing
tip II" was 10 take with Pat Moran.
Nl""k handles - gun as we'll as he docs
"a baseball. amd his scores al the traps
equal The majority Of shooters. He can
hardly b" c,aSS"d tho only one
however, for many other baseball stars
are trarshootinC enthusiasts
Among them arc Chief Bender.
Frank Baker, Ty cobb Joe jackson,
Wilbcrl Robinson, Hans Wagner.
chrtsty Mathcwson. Harry Davis. iris
Spca kcr. Bob Shawkcy. Eddie Collins.
Joe Bush Too. crendall. Walter John
son, Jack Coonbs. Gsbby Cravnth. Ed =
die Plank. Bill killcfcr. Bill CarriCan
and many other notables
Another famous sportsman is Cap
tain Jack wuif amateur champion
trapsh"otcr Of America. The capita lin
shoots for tho pure love Of the sport
and II" can always give an interesting
talk ON his traDshoOtinE experiences
He IL bachelor. and while not a multi
millionaire, Is wealthy. OF course, in
thcs. high cost OF living DAYS, the
averag" married man hasn't much
chance I" get any more than he needs,
which fact gives Captain Jack" a
handicap.
II" has hit the nf,y-hve-yca marx
OF life. and is still 4 specimen Of
health and vEor. this casting aside Or.
after he has passed the twoscorc line
He attributes his condition to tho
hours he has spent in the open. Trap
shooting has given him confidence. as
surancc and. above all else. q rugged
constitution. wouldn't trade his lot
with John d. Rockefeller. lie doesn't
have to, for that matter.
While not a tightwad. he admits tina t
the cost OF trapshootinG is an item
But. lie argues. isn't il far better to
be out OF doors. engaging in a healthy,
fascinating sport at cost of few
dollars here and there than To NOPE
around cafes, restaurants and cabarcts
at an equal or greater expenditure"
This is his argument, and il certainly
appears TO be a sound one.
If trapshootinS can make one feel
well and strong and eager to battle his
way through the world isn't il greatly
preferable than TO have riches heaped
upon you and get your only pleasure in
the sordid amusement OF the theatcr
and cabaret? There arc other things
in this world besides money and as
Captain Jack" says. he would rather
have his health, than every dollar he
possesses. After all, when you come to
think it over. it is health not riches,
that brings hapDiness.