Fun & Games in Allegany County
Friendship Gun Club
We are pleased to chronicle the adoption of a suggestion made by us recently viz. the formation of a Gun Club. Already a good number of shootists have signified their willingness to become members and a meeting is to be held on Friday evening next in the parlors of the Mansion House to complete the organization. All interested are desired to attend at 8 o'clock prompt. On Thrusday last a preliminary glass ball shoot gook place and the following very respectable scores were made. Ten shots each at 21 yards.
- E. G. Latta broke 8 balls
- W. H. Durkee, 7
- G. Ghamplain, 6
- B. Lansing, 6
- W. Van Vleck, 6
- J. H. Warner, 5
- A. Applebee, 3
[Source: Friendship Chronicle, Vol. 1, No. 11, April 21, 1880]
Too much Talkee, Talkee! No Shootee!
A short time since a few of your marksmen discussed the feasibility of forming a Gun Club, chiefly for purposes of social amusement. The fact duly appeared in the CHRONICLE and there promptly followed in the next issue of the Belmont Free Press a sweeping challenge from a shootist of that place. To this challenge the following reply came from E. G. Latta whose record as a rifle shot certainly entitles him to the respectful consideration of any would-be opponent however skillful a marksman the latter might be:
Friendship, May 5, 1880.Ed. Free Press. -- My attention has just been called to the challenge in your issue of April 28th. There are several reasons why I will not accept as there stated, but if the gentleman will shoot for amusement only and is willing to be governed in all respects by the rules of the National Rifle Association, I will be pleased to meet him for friendly trial of skill at any distance and at whatever time and place most convenient, only specifying that the match must be shot over ground new to both parties. A MEMBER OF THE FRIENDSHIP GUN CLUB.
To this the editor of the Free Press adds the following comment:
In reply to the above, we are authorized to say, that the match if made, must be "Go as you please." regardless of rules. We are unable to see anything unfair about such a proposition.
The unfairness of the proposition which the editor of the Free Press was unable to see is obvious to any one versed in the conditions which are adopted in all trials of skill and accuracy in rifle shooting. The Belmont marksman would like to enter into the contest untrammeled by any such regulations and would if his terms were accepted be permitted to bring into use artificial rests, heavy weight rife, telescopic sights and other considerations which would entirely nullify the contest as a trial of judgement, skill and accuracy. Mr. Latta makes the following offer and would like to hear from the Belmont sharp shooter in reply thereto: --
- 1st. I will shoot any kind of a long range match and permit my opponent to sue telescopic sight, and the match to be governed in other respects by the rules.
- 2nd. I will shoot a match at 20 shots each, at any distance he may desire, ten shots with my regulation rifle, strictly to the rules, and then change rifles and fire my last ten shots with whatever rifle my opponent shall have used in firing his first ten shots, he to fire his remaining ten shots with my and regulation rules.
- 3rd. Ten shots each at 100 yards, 4 inch bullseye, inside of 12 rings; bullseye counts 25, inner ring, 12, out ring 1. Each competitor at liberty to use any rifle, position and sights he wishes. The person firing ten shots to be allowed 8 points on his score for each second of time between his and his opponents last shot. I never bet on shooting, but will deposit $100, to be used in fitting up a long ranged target and the necessary fixtures for long range shooting if the gentleman in Belmont will deposit a like amount for the same purpose and shoot me the three above described matches, the winner to receive back his money, aggregate scores to decide. The target to be erected on the most suitable ground to be had between Cuba and Wellsville on the line of the railroad.
Source: Friendship Chronicle, Vo1. 1, No. 15, May 19, 1880
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