John is correct. After the Du Pont World's Pigeon Champion in 1895 one enthusiastic sportswriter proclaimed Fred Gilbert the “The Wizard of Spirit Lake” and it stuck.
He was still referred to as such in the Sporting Life December 19, 1914 announcement "The Du Pont Company Plans to Pay Tribute to Fred Gilbert"
Fully 500 clubs are expected to hold “Fred Gilbert Anniversary Shoots” and figuring on the most conservative basis of an average of 15 shooters at each club, it will mean that 7500 shooters THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY will assist in doing honor to a man long known and loved by thousands as “The Wizard Of Spirit Lake”.
BTW Dr. W.F. Carver was “The Evil Spirit of the Plains”
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