The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 15, 1901, Page 1

VOLUME XC-NO. 45. SAN FRANCISCO, MONDAY, JULY 15, 1901. PRICE FIVE CENTS. THIRD NATIONAL SHOOTING FESTIVAL OPENS AUSPICIOUSLY WITH A PARADE OF SCHUETZEN CLUBS AND IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY AT RANGES + +SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING OF THE BUNDES FESTIVAL Opening Scenes at During the First Shell Day’s Mound Park RESH and eager for the day, sev- eral thousand Schuetzen arose ith the s vesterday morning, donned their fraternal uniforms p upon the appointed line on New Mont- ready for a procession, a| contest at the ranges and the gencral ceremony of a great national Bundes fes- of July, 1901, will find an | g place in the minds of resi- | It was no Bastile celebra- though by a chronological opening of the third na-| 1g festival and the national | hour fell gomery strest erma them upon the same day. It | y particu- day fel g Teutonic in ev feature and successful in ex-| as the opening of the third na- | A procession in th ger and more instinctive- c than anything of its kind , a ride across the the formal cere- ! pening at Shell Mound shooting contests at the ge w jistribution of p“lz‘-si compiled, all found | secutive places on the pro- first day of the festival. found an; to schedule, | with a sureness | 1o was accord ckly and e complete success of this | t Californian effort and the third | a There was color e of it. Perfectly ar-| € detail planned #n advance uguration of a i [ Enthusiasm of Participants. ried out to a dot. | the real German | X in exuberance on bolstered the regular or- | ss over any possible quag- Every participant in the opening of the fest seemed to bubble entbusiasm. On the lne of | the boat or at the ranges it was | the same—song, dance or social hilar- | The spirit of fraternity ruled. otony. ity. And there was business transacted, too. Between times these ardent, earnest| * Schuetzen fought Out their battles at the For this some of them crossed a | d with itching palms they fell ‘ shooting ranges soon after at Shell Mound Park. There the g, incessant fire was a sure- dication that something big in | rifie competition was going on. The very | air sputtered with the sharp explosions of | the guns and the din and ratt’s of the fire | »d in high handed fashion. Now and | en a shout would go up when some skill- marksman had accomplished a feat of | arms more than ordinarily effective. It | i@ not take long for a fine score to im- press itself upon the crowd. When the markers swung their flags 200 yards away, a ng & high figure on the targets, the red shooter, appreciative of the ap- use, would then do the proper thing, with moistened throat and a toast or two on his lips, would return to the ranges once more, fortified in heart and spirit and seemingly better equipped for more arnest effort, At the Ranges. At the ranges the noise was of the popping kind. Men walked about with stern looks on their faces. They were there to shoot, to win priges and to bufld or sustain reputations. And this shoot- ing is & serious thing with the German rifieman st a National Bundesfest. Nerve and & carefully trained eye and & steady hand ere required and the least ennoyance op the part of outsiders plays havoc with the shooter. into the range he leaves the world behind him. He is as earnest and as intent upon his work as any birddog in the field his the allotted cartridges he forgets game and the struggle and then becomes ! one of the merry makers to whom the Bundesfest is a big and prolonged picnic. | | nic. Away from the ranges and scattered | aoout the park were thousands whose in- terest was not bound up in the shooting. | For them the dance pavilion and th open-air concert were of far more mo- ment than the best of scores and shooting | that brings as a reward handsome prizes in gold and silver. Men and women, old and young, made the most of the hollday. The park, dressed in bright colors and beautifully decorated, was a splendid set- ting for the merriment and the jollity of a crowd bent on pleasure. The booths rang with the German songs and toasts from noon till long after the sun had set and the ball of the evening was in full swing. On every side was the sound of voices raised in gayety and the enjoy- ment of the hour. After the long morning march along the principal streets of the city Schuetzen companies embarked on the ferry boat Oakland. The trip across the bay was one of band music and song. Jvery national German air was treated with the greatest fairness. Not one of them was slighted. Such good spirit pre- vailed that when the Oakland mole was reached the organized companies left the boat, still engaged in voicing their patri- otic sentiments in throatal melody. From the mole to the park the trip was a bit more subdued in tone. The pangs of hun- ger were beginning to gnaw at stomach linings, for the march had been a long and an early one. Silentlv the Schuetzen marched from the train to the pavilion in the grounds and there lined the floor in anticipation of the speech of President | Kuhls, the formal opening of the day festival. MADE WELCOTIE TO THE FEAST President Kuhls Delivers Opening Speech of the Bundesfest in the Pavilion. President Kuhls, accompanied by his aids and the vice presidents, mounted the platform and addressed the people thick- ly packed on the pavilion floor. Foilow- ing is his speech in full: Brother Schuetzen: It was to have been my pleasure to welcome to-day the king of shooters, whose unerring hand has wielded the royal scepter for the past three years, but I am sorry to state that Mr. Hayes is too 11l to attend this ceremony, I bid you welcome, brave riflemen, true and 800d women and lovely maidens! Welcome, heroes, defenders of your country, veterans of the German army, and gallant and brave warriors of the Army and Navy Union! Welcome, all you pllgrims from across the continent and from beyond the sea, from every State and section of this great and mighty nation, who have assembled here, upon these distant shores of the Pacific, to witness the friendly contests among America’s truest and best sons. It is my proud privilege to bid you all a most cor- dial weicome to-day on behalf of the Na- tional Shooting Bund of the United States and on behalf of all the people of Cali- fornia. I feel proud, indeed, in the consciousness that tke privilege is ours to welcome you here as our guests on this auspiclous occa- #ion, all of you who have come to contribute by your presence, by your participation, to add luster to this splendid celebration, It Shooting of| the National Organization of Riflemen| When he goes | outside When he has blazed away | | | e I the | HONOF “mpr7 | | CROWDY AROLND TRE TEMPLE OF GIF'T NCIDENTS OF THE DAY Russo’s Pet Rifle in Shop for Repairs and He Says It Fell From a Window RANK DITTLING of the Hel- vetia Rifle Club of Sacramento scored the honor of making the first bullseye of the Third Na- tional Bundesfest. It was less than fifteen minutes after the shooting began when he fired the shot that hit the bullseye. A great shout arose, and the proud marksman was the recipient of many congratulations. Few of the crack shots, East or West, participated in the shooting yesterday. These men for the most part preferred to ‘walit until conditions were better for top- notch shooting. August Hohman of the Norddeutscher Verein was the first to shoot at the honor target. His score was 65. The absence of the shooting king, Wil- liam Hayes of Newark, who was too {ll to participate in the opening exercises, was a cause of much regret. Collamarini and Russo, the opera favor- ites, were at the park and were toaated wherever they appeared along the line of club and singing section booths. Russo is disconsolate. His exquisite rifie, with which it is alleged he made scores of 25, 24 and 24 In three practice shots at the hono, target last week, is sadly disfigured and is in the shop for repairs. Russo says he let it fall from a window. Fred Bushnell was on the platform in the pavillon at the close of President Kuhl's speech, to which he had listened open-mouthed with his hat held behind him. Then some one proposed three cheers for something or other and Bush- nell waved his hat in the alr and show- ered everybody on the platform with con- fetti, until the occasion seemed a Mardi- Gras festivity or a Chinese funeral. Some one behind Bushnell had surreptitiously filled his hat with the torn paper. T I Chico Marksmen Win Trophy. SACRAMENTO, July 14.—The Northern California blue rock shooting tournament which opened here yvesterday was con- cluded to-day. Eighty men were on the shooting line. The Chico team won the Northern California trophy by a score of 81 out of a possible 9. Ths Washington Club team made 77, Sacramento Gun Club 77, Willows Club 71, Capital City Club 69, ¥’ Dixon Club 6. Johnson of Chico also won the gllt-edge trophy for to-day’'s highest . lnurl.n. which was 96 2-3 per cent. Do o5 D A - SCENES OF THE FIRST DAY AT THE RIFLE RANGES AT SHELL MOUND. REVELRY BY NIGHT Shell Mound Is Made a Fairy Scene by Myriads of In- candescents and Fireworks HELL MOUND PARK was ablaze with color last night. At the conclusion of the day’s shoot- ing the marksmen and picnickers gathered about the temple of prizes. Those who won medals during the day received them from the hands of the president of the bundes. This ceremony completed, the crowd scattered through the grounds. Shell Mound .at night, since the incan- descent decorations were installed, is a glowing light palace. Studded with elec- tric ‘lights and, hung with lanterns, the park is like a falry scene on the stage. A fireworks display and a biograph show were the features of the evening’s programme. Not until 11 o’clock did the crowd move homeward and then they straggled out as if loth to leave. During the festival night celebrations will be a feature. Danecing and open air concerts are on the programme. ANC AUGYST H HOHMANN TS MERRY MEN AND MAIDS San Franciscans Active in Extending Hospitality to Their Guests From East SC S ROM the time the clubs in the parade broke ranks and the men crowded about the ferry-boat Oakland and mingled with the men of other socleties the day’s good fellowship began. Every San Franciscan in particular made it his business to extend hospitality to the guests from the other edge of the, conti- nent, and such a jolly, jostling, cheering crowd has seldom been seen about the old steamer in all its long life on the bay. And yet there was a dignity In keeping with the national character of the festi- val, and kings and presidents and cap- tains did not forget the importance of their positions nor cease to be as impos- ing figures as giant frames, waving plumes, bright sashes and glittering swords could combine to make. ‘When Shell Mound Park was reached and the exercises in the pavilion had been concluded the congested crowd about the pavilion began to debouch through the lanes and walks and among the arbors and booths of the park, and everywhere the scene became one of gayety. Lunch was the first consideration with most, as it was after 12 o’clock when the two spe- clal trains that cénnected with the Oak- land reached the park. Many of the sheoting clubs had spectal banquets at 12 o'clock for members and invited guests. The singing sections also entertained in that manner and many smaller parties enjoyed sumptuous basket lunches. The concessionalres had arranged long rows of small tables under the trees near the regular restaurants and hundreds were served at these tables, the balmy air and pleasant breeze being an important factor in their enjoyment of the picnic lunch. Dancing began in the pavilion early, re- gardless of anticipation of the grand ball at night. The music was stirring and tha young men and girls and many who were young in Germany thirty years ago en- tered into the pleasures of the dance with a whole-heartedness that was unmistak- able. The music was a feature of the opening day, although not designed especlally to be so, since next Sunday, when the sing- ing sections will unite jn a grand concert, will far eclipse yesterday for music. Yet there was much music, and good music. The various shooting clubs have head- 1. DAY PARADE USHERS IN CELEBRATION Schuetzen Societies in Processional Form March to the Music of Many Bands. Some Striking Scenes Along the Line INE o'clock was the appointed hour for the grand parade of the National Schuetzen Bund yester- day morning, and without the waste of a moment’s time Grand Marshal Wieneke swung his pro- cezsion of. schuetzen companies -into line at the corner of Market and New Mont- gomery streets. There was no confusion or undue excitement. The plans had been carefully laid and all arrangements per- | fected in advance, o when the signal for | the start was given the procession moved as if it were a well regu’ated machine. Up Market street the silken sashed and gayly capped socleties of shooters marched to the stirring music of many bands. In numters and appearance it was a procession that compared favorably with the best civilian parades ever seen in this city. All along the line of march the crowds edged the sidewalks, and ap- plauded from time to time as society after society passed in review. Every lo- cal German club, uniformed or in civilian dress, distinguished by sash or headgear, made a part of the procession. Then there were the Eastern organizations, all head- ed with well ordered local bands. Not much attempt was made at the spectacular. There ‘was a strong, striking simplicity about this procession, and some very interesting and noteworthy features. It was dignified, without the presence of absurdities in the way of floats or sym- | bolic displays. Along Market Street. Proceeding at a steady pace up Market street, the pgrade countermarched around the Lick monument and then down Mar- ket to Kearny street. Then, moving north- ward the next turn was made down Cali- fornla street to Montgomery. Reaching Market street on this turn the procession arrived at the ferry in ample time for the 11:15 boat for Shell Mound. In all the parade nothing attracted more attention than the mounted men of the Hannoveraner Verein. A white horse rampant adorned the coat-of-arms of the Kingdom of Hannover, and this fact gave significance to the mounts of this verein, their horses all white, though not exactly rampant. In fact, they were mostly very fat and sleek and seldom has so comfort- able a looking organization taken part in a San Francisco parade as thesd portly men of Hannover and their well-fed horses. The Schwaben Verein fent more bright- ness of color to the parade and to the multitude in Shell Mound Park than did any other organization. This soclety had its men and a number of girls attired in the old costume of Wurtemberg. and nothing in the day’s celebration lent so much of olden time and old country gala day appearance as did the dress of the Schwabtans. Court Hubertus, the German lodge of the Order of Foresters, was gay in for- esters’ hats with a green band bearing @ iR O quarters In tents arranged about ‘the cir- cular track where athletic games are ‘held on other occasions. In the center of this circular fleld is the ‘“‘Gaben Tempel,” where the prizes offered are exhibited. This handsome little edifice and its pre- cious contents were the cynosure of all eyes yesterday. Among the clubs whose headquarters were crowded with guests were the San Francisco Schuetzen Verein, Verein Ein- tracht, Germania Schuetzen Club, Nord- deutscher Verein and the Helvetia Schuet- zen Club of BSacramento, The Nord- deutscher Verein headquarters was the scene of much merry-making, Many of the crack shots from the East were en- tertalned there, and champagne corks were kept a-popping, g the name of the court. The German For- esters, an independent organization, were led by a lusty young fellow dressed in the picturesque forester's dress of the six- teenth century. Helvetia Rifle Club. A little American flag floating above the carriage in which Captain Frank Ruh- staller of the Helvetla Rifle Club of Sac- ramento rode attracted comment and ap- plause all along the line of march. It was the flag that Captain Ruhstaller car- ried with him back to the International Schuetzenfest at Dresden and to Zurich, at both of which places he took rank among the worl@’s greatest riflemen, ex- celling particularly in rapid-fire shooting. Another banner that waved proudly in the parade was the championship banner of the centennial exhibition shooting tour- nament, won by the team of the Califor- nia Schuetzen Club. The Schuetzenfest must certainly be highly successful from start to finish, for never did “Schuetzen . Liesel” carry out her part as mascot of the festival with more spirit and cleverness than Miss Catherine Krieg exhibited. She wore the old-German shooting festival costume, re- sembling the Tyrolese costume as to bod- ice and skirt. Her hat was a jaunty, turban-like effect cocked upon the side of her head, and with a target marked upon its top. The Schuetzen Llesel car- ried a silver goblet in one hand, lifting it on high often in response to the cheers of the throngs along the line of march. A miniffture wine cask with silver hoops was slung by a strap across her shoulder. The Schuetzen Liesel marched close to the head of the parade all the way up Market street and back and out Kearny and back on Montgomery street and down to the ferry, and could have marched miles further. On the special boat she was. the center . of _ a good-natured, bantering crowd of sharpshooters, and- throughout the day the Schuetzen Liesel was an im- portant feature of the celebration. “Schuetzen Kaiser.” Fritz Hagemann was out in all the glory of his Schuetzen king trophies, won on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Schuetzen Verein. His having carried off the honors on that anniversary entitles him to de called Schuetzen Kaiser instead of plam Schuetzen Koenig. Colonel Oscar F. Long Garrison No. 101, Regular and Volunteer Army and Navy Union, was one of the few organizations outside of shooting clubs that participated in the parade. It was in charge of ita commander, George W. Chaplin, and pre- sented an excellent front. Ferris Hartman, “Doc™ Leahy, and a number of other cholce spirits marched in the rear ranks of one of the last dtvi~ slons, and looked as German almost as the dachshund that a red-faced, blond~ mustached man led by a string, or even as the Hannover mounted brass band that led the phalanx of Hannoveraner Verein, ‘While the clubs were hastening to theis, assigned places of rendezvous, to awalt the start of the parade, a ceremony of much significance occurred in the court of the Palace Hotel, A guard of honor from the San Francisco Schuetzen Verein was drawn up, with Captain ¥, A. Kuhls in command, Captain Herman Weber of the Independent New York Schuetzen ad- vanced, holding in his hand the staft of the flag of the National Schuetzen Bund, of which his club has been custodian since the last Bundesfest. He surrendered the banner into the hands of Captain Kuhls with an appropriate charge. Captain Kuhls accepted the trust and placed the banner in the hands of a staiwart stand- ard-bearer, By him it was carried at the | head of the parade,