Evening star., 1928-09-09

IeCUe0 the enVrOnS OF our NatlOna
Capital as the setting for some nev
4 movie entitled When Archery Wa
in Flower there would be n,
dearth of local bowmen and lady arch
ers for such production.
The first weapons used in the latitude
of the District of Columbia-bows o.
yew and arrows of birch-are agar
gaining popularity. If you doubt this
stroll through the grounds of tbs
Smithsonian Institution late in the af-
ternoon, any Tuesday or Thursday dnc
you will see there the modern represent
atives of the ancient art of archery
Vring with one another In target
Shooting contests.
In the historic days when subsidiary
detachment from the notable John
Smith expedition. established at James
town. Va, came up the Potomac and
landed in tine vicinity of what now Is
Georgetown the voyagers saw great
herd of curious, humpbacked cattle
grazing III a valley. Even as they
watched, they observed friendly redskins
stalking thu bison, seeking to ge% close
enough so tifat they could shoot stone
barbed arrows at them.
Today not far removed from where
the Indians, aboriginal inhabitants of
the District of Columbia, shot buffalo.
deer and bear with homespun bows and
handmade arrows modern SportSmen
fell rabbits squirrels and other small
life of Maryland. Virginia and District
of Columbia woodlands with similar
weapons Archery as means of
amusement has more followers than
ever before around Washington.
The records of the director of Public
Buildings and Public Parks show that
more than 400 archers have used the
grounds reserved for that purpose near
the Washington Monument, on the Mall
near the Smithsonian Institute and in
Rock Greek Park during the current
Season. Practically all the leading
fills schools around Washington fea-
ti;-e archery as one of their worthwhile
sports. The young ladies are taught
how to handle bows and arrows and
some of them have acquired marked
rroficiency in the pleasurable pastime
Central High School has a girls
archery club, while some of the girl
Students at Maryland and George
Washington universities have taken up
this venerable diversion Members Of
lccil Girl Scout and Campfire Girl
troops are also interested in bow and
arrow shooting.
x X X *
AZ 9E PoIomac Archers," the lead
Ing organization of its kind in
Washington at present. has the larg-
est membership roster since its re-
vtval some years ago. Originally this
club vas formed in 1879, as result of
a certain Army officer and several Gov
ernme'1t scientists becoming interested
In the sport.
Col. john T. Pickett. the officer in
question, happened to be walking one
day along a corridor in the United
States Patent once when he noticed
several friends-patent examiners
arguing vigorously about e bow and
some arrows which one of them held.
Col. Pickett, who was an amateur archer
Of considerable experience and skill,
stopped az joined in the rather heated
discussion
Capt Bartlett. one of the patent ex-
aminerS, had received the primitive
weapons from a Western inventor, who
had submitted documentary data with
the models and requested patent pro-
lection on that particular type of raw
hide-backed bow. Col. Pickett showed
Capt. Bartlett and his associates how to
hold the bow string the arrow and take
the proper stance for long-fight shot
Eventually he invited the group to his
home lawn. where ne set up straw
target and taught them the rudiments
Of bow and arrow shooting.
The notable Potomac Archers organ
lied in 1879 was the logical outgrowth
Of that elementary archery practice.
AS time passed Capt. Bartlett. in par
ticular, became an enthusiastic bowman,
and ultimately interested his close as
sociate and colleague. L. w. Maxson of
the Patent Offlce, in the pastime.
MaXson, a man of powerful physique,
a former oarsman at Yale University,
developed into a most proficient archer.
From those early days until the present
not another archer in the District has
acquired such remarkable skill in the
ancient art. The former athlete by
hard practice and natural ability became
so adept that finally he won the Amer
lean archery championship. His fight
shot, free style. of 290 yards, made in
1891, was not surpassed until 1924, when
the record was raised to 304 yards.
Last Winter Howard Hill, archery pro-
fecsional of Opa Locka. Florida. in
creased the flight shooting mark to 39l