Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1924-10-17
Charles County Cham
pionship Trap Shoot.


One of the most interesting eyents
connected with the first Charles County
Fair was the championship trap-shool
staged by I. +. MeDonagh, ably as
sisted by Harry Edell, of Baltimore,
the well known agent for the Western
Cartridge Company's products, and one
of the best trap shots in Maryland.
Incidentally Mr.. Edell donated the four
prizes, including the championship
cup. With him came DR.. Ortel, OF
Baltimore, also a well known expert at
the traps, and between the three able
managers, the match, which was to de-
termine the county championship at
single targets was a great success.
Twenty good men and true made en-
try in this match, one of them being
DR.. Ortel, who while not eligible for
the title and cup, acted as fine pace
maker for the other nineteen men who
were eligible.
Divided into four squads Of five men
each, the first squad was called to the
firing line about ll.30 a. M, each man
equipped with twenty-five cartridges
and his favorite gun, while large
number of interested spectators formed
gallery on the slope Immediately
back of the trap.
DR.. Ortel came through with twenty
three broken targets, Lynch tying his
score, and DIR. Fort fell into third
place with twenty.
Came the second squad, and when
the last was fired j. Matthews was due
tn take fourth DriZe
Up to this time, John B. Wills had
been conspicuous by his absence, and
some thought he had cold feet, but
when the third squad faced the trap,
this youngster was there with his
trusty $3.50 single barrel, entirely I'M
disturbed by the frequent misses of his
squad mates, punching out twenty-five
with maehine-like regularity. This
score put him into second place which
he held as Chevrolet" McDonagh
was the only man in the last squad to
come across with a score which put
him in the running.
Lynch at this time looked like sure
winner. He was hitting his targets on
the nose, and barring breaks, his ex-
perience babe fair to put him at the
top.
These breaks, however, make trap
shooting an interesting game and the
amiable George dropped eight targets
in his next round, finishing with a to-
tai of forty.
j. Matthews put on some extra steam
in his second round and punched out
twenty three, which tied him with
Lynch's score, while DR.. Fort came
~
of his possible fifty, and ranked in
third place.
Here was golden opportunity, only
forsy to beat for first place and plenty
of room for half a dozen men to drop
into second, third or fourth place.
Young Wills, it will be remembered,
had scored twenty two, hence he had
to break eighteen to tie, nineteen to
beat and cop the cup and title.
Without sign OF being ratified,
John b. called pull and the referee
called dead with motonous regular
ity twenty three times, then came call
OF lost" but Wills proceeded to
smash his last bird into cloud of
dust for total OF forty-six, a real
score, only one target
behind the score OF the professional
shot, DR.. Ortel.
His opponents rallied around him to
give him the glad hand and the gallery
applauded generously, for John b. is a
great fayorite as well as fine shot. 50
the county championship and cup fell
to lad who shot a score we'll above
the average.
Looking over the totals to decide the
three runners-up, Lynch and j. Mat
thews took first and second, while Ray
Owens and DR.. Fort with thirty-seyen
each, were called up to shoot of the
tie at ten targets, and decide which one
would carry home the salt and pepper
shakers. DR.. Fort squeezed his rabbit
foot and broke nine TO Owens eight,
which ended the greatest trap shoot
ever held in Charles county, and the
crowd dispersed for dinner. After this
important event was over, back came
the shooters for more fun at the trap.
First event, 10 targets, IA entries.
Three monies. Six men tied with nine
targets, Lynch winning the shoot-off.
Three tied with eight targets, DR.. Fort
and his rabbit foot taking the money
on the shoot-off. Two men tied with
seven, Gates winning.
Second event, 10 targets, 10 entries.
Three monies. Ortel and Burch tied
with 10 each, Burch winning the shoot
of. McDonagh took second money
with DR.. Fort lhird.
The scores of each match follow