Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-03-10
Ken Lee Takes
Decided Exception
To Doctors Statement

Kennebec Journal. Sporting Editor:
was extremely sorry to note. in
Saturdays issue of your paper. that
Doc Paine of Waterville appears to
be peeved at my challenge which
appeared in a recent copy of the
Journal.
With your permission l wish TO
take exception to about everything
in his printed remarks, for the fol-
lowing reasons:
In the first place DR.. Paine him.
self suggested that I arrange such a
match. I have his letter to that eff
feet in my possession.
AS to my claiming proficiency"
as he so delicately puts it, 1 will
simply state that certain fair as
sociations in this State have paid
me as high as $50 an hour for exhi-
bition work with the rifle, revolver.
and shotgun. If the Doctor has any
idea that Maine fair association
will do that for a man who has no
claims to proficiency, it is my pleas
ure to suggest that he try to get a
few shooting contracts.
He says that the title claimed by
myself and Mrs. Lee was won by de-
fault. 1t was-hundreds of titles have
been won in the same manner, and
in this case it simply goes to prove
what 1 have always contended-
that there are very few all-'round
shots in the country.
He says that the up river shoot
ers share Mr. Lees regret that an
all-'round match cannot be staged"
and attempts to explain why by
stating that there are no "rules" to
govern such a match. He winds up
with a nasty crack about having to
play according to my rules or not at
all.
The fact that there are no rules
to govern an all-'round match is as
we'll known to myself as to DR..
Paine-which is why suggested the
course laid down in my challenge.
He cannot say that ] have ever re-
fused to play his game-why then
should he sidestep mine? He cannot
expect to win an all-'round match
with his trapgun.
If DR.. Paine. or any shooter in
this State. or any official of the
National Guard of this State, will
lay out course of shooting en-
bracing all branches of the shooting
game, it would please me greatly to
shoot anywhere, at any time. and
under any conditions so laid down.
BY "ail-'round shooting" I mean
just that. Work on both fixed and
flying targets with rife and pistol.
and shotguns at the trap. The
country is packed with good sta
tionary rife shots, excellent sta
tionary pistol shots, and good trap
shots like my friend the Doctor. But
the fact that he does not work on
flying targets with anything but a
shotgun is no proof that other folks
cannot do so, as I will gladly DEM
onstrate at any time.
True, I cannot lay down set OF
"rules" that will enable him to
smash two apples at time with an
auto pistol, or hit pennies with either
rifle or pistol. But unless he can do
other things beside stationary work
(Which is merely a test of equip
ment), he should make no claims to
all-'round proficiency. nor object to
my making such claims. If | can
stay within a point or two of him in
a regulation match at fixed targets.
and put it all over him on flying
targets Gas / can. very easily, it
strikes me as rather funny than
, otherwise that he should object to
my claims to being a better all
round shot.
I've got a typewriter, too, Doc.
But ] have always thought it poor
weapon to settle questions OF rela-
tive shooting ability with.
KENNETH +. LEE.
Augusta, Maine