Shooting Contests

Very few sportsmen have the opportunity of taking in a field day conducted in certain areas of the country. It was my privilege to be a spectator at a two-day event about fifty years ago in a neighboring state. It was exceptionally interesting, even to those who were not outdoorsmen. At one spot they had displays of guns from the earliest flintlocks made in the Colonial days to the present modern weapon. Several of them were valued in the thousands of dollars.

Contests seemed to be the order of the day. There were rabbit chases for the different classes of dogs, as well as an open class for all comers. Then there was the coon chase. A coon, with a collar and chain, was led over a circular course of a mile or more, then back to a tree near the judges' stand. It was allowed to climb a tree and sit on a lower limb. The chain was fastened high up on the trunk so that the dogs could not get to it. This chase proved to be most interesting. Champion coon dogs were brought here by their owners from a number of states.

In the main event, which had at least a dozen hounds, one of the champion dogs led the pack all around the course. He was first to the tree, but from years of training and dozens of chases, this old hound apparently wanted to make certain that the old coon did not run to the tree and then jump off to the side and thus make its escape. While he was circling, a much younger hound came straight to the tree and began to bark. This dog was awarded the championship over the vigorous objections of other owners, particularly the owner of the first dog. It seemed that the rules of the contest were to award the dog the prize which first barked 'tree-d'.

The shooting contest with the old charcoal burners drew tremendous crowds. Matches were conducted for flintlocks and percussion’s, both off hand and bench rest. The off hand shooting was very good, but the finals in the bench event proved to be the most exciting. One shooter had made his own weapon. It must have weighed at least thirty pounds or more. The bore was quite large, probably a fifty caliber or more. In the finals it came down to two shooters, the man with the large bore and another with a small caliber, perhaps a thirty-two.

In the first round, these two had identical holes in the paper target ring. The unusual thing about the target was when one was placed on top of the other the holes were as though they had both been punched by a machine, with the exception that one had a larger hole. In the shoot-off, the man with the large bore, short barrel, cut a little more of the 'X' but not quite as much as the first.

Shooting matches such as these are far from the matches that were held along the frontier two hundred years ago. Every settlement usually had at least one man who was considered the best shooter and that many an Indian went to his 'happy hunting ground' from this man's rifle.

These frontier men always enjoyed competition. It seemed not only to allow the men to let off a little steam but also gave him an opportunity to show off his skill.

These contests usually lasted three days. Contestants as well as spectators came from other settlements. It meant, often, that temporary shelters had to be erected to provide for the large crowds. The old hunters always provided game to feed them. Contests consisted of wrestling, story telling, knife and tomahawk throwing. Sometimes exhibitions were put on by some of the individuals on block busting. This consisted of placing a section of a tree trunk on a stump and throwing an ax. The game was to split the block in two.

The main part of the program was the shooting. It was the prizes that brought the contestants. First prize might be a brand new rifle. Second place a fat steer. Other prizes could be a keg of powder or a hundred pounds of lead. The targets would be blocks of wood about eight inches square that had been charred in black from a camp fire. Two lines would have been scratched by a hunting knife, making a cross in the center. Each contestant could buy a maximum of three blocks for each match. In these times each block sold for several shillings. Later they bought the blocks in American money.

The blocks were lined up on a rail for the first elimination shoot off, at about fifteen rods. Each man had to shoot at his target without any means of support. The winners of each match qualified for the final day to try to win the grand prize. The final day's contest would use the same type of targets but they would be moved to about twenty rods. Each contestant could buy only one block. The bullet cutting the 'X' in the center of the target was the winner unless there was a tie. Then the best of three decided the winner.

We are reasonably certain that such contests were held here when the fort was still active, particularly when ammunition happened to be plentiful. A few years ago we read a story written about a famous Indian fighter who roamed through these parts of the state. He was called 'Captain Jack'. Most of his experiences were based upon facts and fiction. One of his 'hideouts' was supposed to be just south of the present Bedford Borough. At this nature-formed half circle basin, many shooting contests were held.

Thus far I have failed to find any mention of such contests written in the county's histories. Many famous marksmen were supposed to have been here to take part in these events. Whether these stories are facts or fiction I cannot confirm either way. Anyway, it made an interesting story.