Quote:
Originally Posted by William Woods
Mr. Murph,
I am just finishing "The Best of Nash Buckingham" edited by George "Bird" Evans. Harold Money is referred to as "Captain" as well as his father Captain E. C. Money. Money the elder is referred to as the inventor of smokeless powder in this story.
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A good 50% of what GBE wrote about the Money family in
The Best of Nash Buckingham is dead wrong!!
While unpacking my books at our new home, I discovered that in the back of a thin 1941 Scribners edition of
De Shootinest Gent’man which contained only that one story, was a second part titled “Recessional.” “Recessional” was a sort of 10-page mini-biography of Harold Money – de shootinest gent’man. In it Nash says he first met Harold at a trap shoot at Fordyce, Arkansas, in 1905 or 6, where Harold ran 150 straight with his Winchester Model 1897. I thought I’d thumb through my bound volumes of The American Field for 1905 and 1906 and find that shoot report.
Well I blew off the better part of a day, and I never found a report from said shoot in Fordyce, Arkansas! I’d think if professional shooter in those days had run 150 straight it would have been reported and appeared in his company’s advertising. However, that little search started an obsession with the Money family that has lasted several years.
From the U.S. Census records I found that Captain Albert W. Money and his family arrived in the U.S. in 1890. Capt. Money and his wife, Emily, had four daughters and two sons, Noel Ernest Money and Harold Bloomfield Money. Albert set up and operated The American E.C. and Schultze Powder Company, with works in Oakland, Bergen County, New Jersey, and offices at 318 Broadway in New York City.
On 7 October 1891, Lieutenant Noel E. Money (Princess Victoria’s Royal Irish Fusiliers), resigned his Commission and subsequently joined his Father’s business in the U.S. Of great interest in my long Money family search was the discovery that Noel E. Money’s shooting journals are preserved in the Rare Books & Special Collections section of the Irving K. Barber Learning Center of the University of British Columbia Library at Vancouver. I visited there in November 2009, and discovered that these volumes were not “just” shooting, but covered his whole life, and what a life it was!
The New York Times for January 24, 1893, reported on the meeting held at Taylor’s Hotel in Jersey City on the 23rd, where The Manufacturers and Dealers’ Inter-State Shooting Association was formed. Noel Money was one of the attendees appointed to the Board of Directors, and also the handicapping committee.
In 1893, the new Interstate Association hosted the first Grand American Handicap, held at Dexter Park, Long Island. Capt. A.W. Money was one of four men tied at 23 birds in that inaugural Grand American Handicap. The shoot-off was quick with R.A. Welch winning the 1893 GAH on the fourth bird. The next year, 1894, again at Dexter Park, Capt. A.W. Money tied with T.W. Morfey both men going 25 straight. T.W. Morfey won the GAH for 1894 on the twelfth round of the shoot-off. A.C. Gould, editor of Shooting and Fishing, induced Capt. A.W. Money to write a series of articles on Pigeon Shooting which Gould published in his paper. Demand for those issues was so great that Albert revised the articles and they were published as the book
Pigeon Shooting by Blue Rock.
Noel’s shooting diary shows he went Rail Bird shooting at Salem, New Jersey, on September 1st and 2nd 1893 and shot 140 Rail.
Bill Murphy provided the following information about Noel Money from some Parker Bros. records he has. Noel Money ordered a $400 Whitworth gun on Feb.9, 1895. At the time his address was Oakland, Bergen County, New Jersey. The gun was to have 30" barrels, a slender grip, no safety, 2 3/4" chambers, scroll and flowers, no birds, trigger pulls 3 and 4, must be done by May 1. Serial number is 81122 and DuBray took the order.
Apr 11 1895.jpg
The Grand American Handicap for 1895 was held April 3, 4 and 5, at Willard Park, Patterson, New Jersey. Capt. A.W. Money was shooting a Greener weighing 7 ½ pounds with a 40 grain load of his E.C. powder pushing 1 ¼ ounce of #7 shot out of a UMC Trap shell. Noel E. Money was shooting a Parker Bros. gun which also weighed 7 ½ pounds but was using a hot load of 48 grains of E.C. pushing 1 ¼ ounce of #7 out of a UMC Trap shell. Capt. Money shot from the 31 yard line and withdrew after missing his 23rd bird with a score of 20. Noel was shooting from the 28 yard line and scored 23, losing his 10th and 20th birds.
In September 1895, Noel sent 81122 back to Parker Bros. for them to “Make L.H. shoot best can”
In November 1895, Noel visited Nash Buckingham country. His journal shows he shot at Wapannoca, Arkansas, on the 9th and 11th. On the 9th he shot with Neely and Wheatly, and took two Canada Geese and 104 ducks. On the 11th he shot with Dr. Maddeu, and took 110 ducks.
The Grand American Handicap of 1896 was held March 24, 25 and 26, at Elkwood Park, near Long Beach, New Jersey, and with 109 entrants was the biggest Pigeon shoot up to that time. But, it was not a good year for the Moneys. Capt. Money shooting from the 29 yard line, killed four, missed three and withdrew. Noel E. Money shooting from the 28 yard line, killed two, missed three and withdrew, as did Annie Oakley from the 27 yard line. Capt. Money was still shooting a Greener and Noel a Parker, but they had gone to a faster load of 1 1/8 ounce of #7 pushed by 50 grains of E.C.
Again for 1897, the Grand American Handicap was held March 23, 24 and 25, at Elkwood Park, near Long Beach, New Jersey, and this year with 146 entrants was again the biggest Pigeon shoot up to that time. Capt. Money, still shooting his Greener from the 28 yard line shot at eighteen birds, killing fifteen and withdrew. Noel, now shooting a Smith from the 29 yard line finished out of the money with a 21.
New York Times, Dec. 13, 1897.jpg
From the entries in Noel’s diaries, it appears to me that he never returned to his Father’s business, or if he did, it was a very brief return. The journals show him on a hunting trip in the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, and then on a Bear hunting trip in Siberia. The bridge across the Ural River was just completed in 1898 and the Trans-Siberian Railroad reached Irkutsk that year. So Noel and his cronies took the train out to look for the great Russian Bears.
The Grand American Handicap of 1898 was held March 22, 23 and 24, at Elkwood Park, near Long Beach, New Jersey, and with 207 entered of which 197 appeared, was again the biggest Pigeon shoot up to that time. The only Money I find shooting the GAH was Capt. Money shooting a Greener weighing in at 7 pounds 15 ounces and using 1 ¼ ounce of #7 shot pushed by 52 grains of either E.C. or Schultze out of either Winchester Leader or UMC Trap hulls. The Captain killed 24 Pigeons, missing his tenth bird.
From the November 26, 1898, Sporting Life, “Harold Money, son of Capt. A.W. Money, of the American E.C. and Schultze Powder Co., killed 25 live birds straight in a sweep, at Singac, NJ, on Nov. 16, taking first money alone. John L. Brewer and Captain Money were in second place with 24 each.” And, from the same issue “Noel E. Money, late secretary of the American E.C. and Schultze Powder Company, is expected to visit this country shortly. He is on a business trip which will take him to California. His stay in this country will be a short one, but his many friends hope he will have time to give them a handshake before he returns to Europe.”
The 1899 Grand American Handicap was held April 10, 11, and 12 was again at Elkwood Park. The GAH continued to grow with 278 entries and 262 shooters actually starting. Harold shooting a Parker Gun from the 28 yard line, and using shells loaded with 52 grains of E.C. and 1 1/8 ounce of #7, killed all 25 of his birds, but the fourth one fell dead out of bounds, so his score was 24. Captain A.W. Money using his Greener and 50 grains of E.C. killed 21.
On April 29 and May 1, 1899, the prestigious Philadelphia Gun Club held an invitational shoot for members of the Riverton, Carteret, Westminster, Kennel, West Chester and Herron Hill Clubs. Harold and Capt. A.W. Money cleaned up. Harold Money, shooting a Parker gun and using 52 grains of E.C. and Schultze pushing 1 1/8 ounce of #7 shot out of a UMC Trap shell, won the 50-bird race with a 49. Capt A.W. Money, shooting his Greener with the same load took second with a 47.
On July 14, 1899, Harold Money and Aaron Doty shot a 100-bird race at the Lyndhurst, N.J. grounds. They both killed 95 birds and agreed to the tie with no shoot-off.
At the Ocean City, Maryland, Mid-Summer Tournament, in late July 1899, I find both of my subjects of interest shooting well – Harold B. Money and Ansley H. Fox.
In the January 13, 1900, issue of The American Field, I found the following note – “It is rumored that Captain A.W. Money of Oakland, N.J., is prepared to back his son Harold to the extent of $1,000 in a 100-live-bird race with that veteran trap shot George S. McAlpin. Young Money is a good shot, but Mr. McAlpin’s great experience and good work at the traps should count for a great deal in an individual match with any man.” So far I haven’t found anything more about such a match.
Also in that issue was the shoot report for the New Years Day shoot at the Carteret Gun Club. For the New Years Day Cup a miss and out, Captain Money shooting from 30-yards got 2 before he missed. Eleven took the cup. For the January Handicap Cup, also a miss and out event, Captain Money shooting from 30-yards missed his first bird. Harold shooting from 31-yards went 14 before he missed. Twenty-one took that event.
The January 20, 1900, issue of The American Field, carried the two notes about Harold. First – “Mr. Harold Money has severed his connection with the American E.C. and Schultze Powder Company, and left New York last week for a distant business trip. During his residence in the vicinity of the metropolis he made hosts of friends, to whom he endeared himself by his many lovable qualities of heart and temperament. As a shooter, Harold young as he is, stands in the front rank, with few equals and no superiors. His recent records at the traps class him in the highest grade of experts; he is cool, quick and accurate in his work under the most difficult conditions and against men tried and seasoned in the furnace of competition. The American Field joins the army of his friends in wishing for him abundant success in his new venture.
Second – “The American Field had a very pleasant call last week Friday afternoon from Mr. Harold Money, recently of the E.C. and Schultze Powder Company of Oakland, N.J. Mr. Money was on his way to Nebraska whither he goes on business for an indefinite period. He is a very brilliant young trap shot and his Chicago friends regretted very much that he could not remain in the city long enough to try his hand on some of Uncle John Watson’s good birds. However, he may return from the Northwest before the end of the winter months, and if he does he will try and make it a point to stop in Chicago a few days and do a little shooting.”
Those wild and crazy Moneys seemed to be getting press in every issue! The January 27, 1900, issue of The American Field carried – “Noel Money, eldest son of Captain A.W. Money, of the E.C. and Schultze Powder Company, a gentleman quite well known on this side of the Atlantic, as he spent some years here and was quite a good trap shot, has secured a commission in the Imperial Yeomanry of Great Britain, and has started with his troop to South Africa to fight the Boers. The Imperial Yeomanry is 1500 strong, and is a body of men somewhat similar to the Rough Riders in the Cuban campaign. The men are all gentleman farmers, who are accustomed to riding after hounds across country, and are members of various hunt clubs. Their ability to handle firearms has also been considered, and all in all, it is expected to prove the crack light cavalry troop of the campaign. The officers and many of the men have furnished their own equipment. The Prince of Wales has been elected Honorary Colonel of the troop.”
At the Carteret’s Annual Championship of 1900, a 100 bird race, held on 21 – 22 February, Captain A.W. Money scored an 82, third from the bottom, while the event was taken by C.A. Painter of Pittsburgh with a 94.
I haven’t yet figured out what Harold was up to in Nebraska. But, in the records for the 1900 Grand American Handicap at Live-Birds, held April 2nd to 6th, the only Money I find is Capt. A. Money of Oakland, N.J. who got 23 from the 28-yard line. He shot a Parker weighing 8 pounds even, using Winchester and UMC shells with 48 grains of E.C. and only 1 1/8 ounces of #7. G.S. McAlpin of New York City got 22 birds from the 30-yard line. He used a Daly weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces with Leader shells with 44 grains of DuPont and 1¼ ounces #7. By the way, Annie Oakley used a Richards in the 1900 GAH and got 22 from the 26-yard line. Annie also used only 1 1/8 ounces of shot.
The first Grand American Target Handicap was held in June 12-15, 1900. Captain A.W. Money was there. On Tuesday there were five 15-target and five 20-target events, for a total of 175 targets. Captain A.W. Money was 33 targets off the leader, Heikes, with a score of only 134. On Wednesday, Captain Money got 72 out of 85 in the open events, and 82 out of 100 in the Preliminary Handicap. In the Grand American Target Handicap, on Thursday, Captain Money only scored 66 out of 100 shooting from the 17-yard line. In Friday’s open events he scored 62 out of 85, and in the Consolation Handicap, shooting from the 16-yard line, he only got 67 out of 100. Maybe his gun was choked too tight for that short yardage. On Saturday there was a 25-bird live-bird event, and Captain Money scored 24 from the 30-yard line. In the report of the Grand American Target Handicap, published in The Sportsmen’s Review for June 23, 1900, the report of the award ceremony included the following – “At the conclusion, Capt. A.W. Money, in a brief speech, called attention to the man who has done more for the interests of trap-shooting in this country than any other—also had given to the shooters the magnificent Interstate Park—a shooting park without peer in the whole world—Captain J.A.H. Dressel—and called for three cheers for him, and they were most enthusiastically given. Captain (but now unanimously advanced to the rank of General) Dressel replied briefly, thanking the shooters for their appreciation of his efforts, stating that he was more of a worker then a talker. ….. At a little informal supper that evening, numerous felicitous speeches were made and toasts were drank—one of the most interesting being the one to Noel E. Money, who while in this country, endeared himself to hundreds of the shooters, but who at present is fighting his country’s battles in South Africa. That he might know he was not forgotten by his friends on this side, the following cablegram was sent to him:
Interstate Park, New York, June 14, 1900.
Lieut. Noel Money, Shropshire Yeomanry, Field Force, South Africa:
Greetings: Now at First Grand American Handicap Target Tournament. Heikes winner.
Toast to you. God bless you.
Wadsworth, Norton,
Heikes, Marlin,
Hobart, Packard,
Thomas, Capt. Money,
Sanders, Dressel,
Waters, George,
Pride, Hallowell.”
The U.S. Census for 1900, for Franklin Township, Bergen County, New Jersey, taken on the 19th day of June 1900, showed Albert W. Money, being 61 years old and his occupation being “Manfg Powder.” Albert was listed as being born in May 1839, in England, of parents both born in England. Albert and his wife Emily L. Money, 55, born Feb. 1845, had been married 30 years and had six children, all still living. Emily was listed as having been born in English Canada of parents both born in England. Only one child was enumerated at home, Ethel A. Money, 22, born Apr. 1878. All three were listed as having arrived in the U.S. in 1890, and having lived here ten years. They apparently were still citizens of Great Britain, as the entry under the Naturalization column was “no.” I haven’t found Harold Money in the 1900 Census, but single people often were not indexed.
The American Field, November 24, 1900 – “Captain A.W. Money returned last week from a business trip to England. He looked in splendid condition and his health is much improved by the voyage across the water. He was accompanied by Mr. Walter F. Smith.”
On December 8, 1900, the Moneys got hot at the Carteret Gun Club. Event No. 1 -- 5-birds miss-and-out, McAlpin from 30 yards, Captain Money, Postans and Emerson all from 29 yards went five straight. In the shoot-off McAlpin, Postans and Captain Money all got 4 while Emmerson scored 3. Event No. 2 – miss and out, Postans, McAlpin and Captain Money all scored 6, while Harold missed his first bird. Event No. 3 – Allowance Handicap 10 birds – Harold Money from 31 yards and Hutchings from 26 yards both got all ten birds. McAlpin withdrew after nine when he was one down. Harold won the shoot-off with another 10 to Hutchings 9. Event No. 4 – The Oakleigh Thorne Cup, which was previously held by George S. McAlpin, handicap, 10 pigeons, trophy to become the property of the member winning it three times. Harold Money scored a clean ten. McAlpin (31), Captain Money (30), Bradley (31), Postans (31) and Dutcher (27) all scored 9. In the shoot-off for 2nd money McAlpin, Bradley and Postans each got 5, while Captain Money and Dutcher each scored 1. Event No. 5 -- a miss and out with McAlpin, Bradley, Harold Money, Captain Money, and Postans all scoring 5. Event No. 6 – miss and out McAlpin, Harold Money and Gilbert each scoring 6.
On December 15, 1900, there was another shoot at the Carteret Gun Club. Event No. 3 – Allowance Handicap 10 birds – Harold Money from 31 yards, H.J. Daniels from 31 yards, and C.S. Gutherie from 30 yards all scored 9. In the shoot-off for the cup, Harold Money scored 1, while Daniels and Gutherie each missed their first bird. Event No. 4 – Cup contest, 10 pigeons, 30-yard rise – Harold Money, Captain Money, Gutherie and Danials all scored 9. In the miss and out shoot-off Gutherie scored 4, Harold Money 3, Captain Money 1, and Daniels 0.
On December 20, 1900, Harold Money, of Oakland, N.J., and Robert A. Welch, of New York, shot a 100-bird race on the grounds of the Carteret Gun Club at Garden City, L.I. The result was a tie of 89s and it was said another match would likely be arranged.
Albert Money apparently wrote a letter to the committee complaining about the chief handicapper at Carteret trying to oust him and his family as pros.* That brought the chief handicapper, George S. McAlpin,*to Money's office at 318 Broadway in New York City, on 28 December 1900.* The meeting apparently didn't go well and McAlpin slugged the 61 year old Capt. Money and broke the malar bone on the left side of Money's face.
George McAlpin Surrenders.jpg
On December 29, 1900, at the Carteret Gun Club, Harold Money, shooting from the 31-yard line, was one of five shooters to get 14 out of 15 live-birds in the George A. Barker prize event. The prize was a Jules Jurgensen stop watch, of the highest value, with a heavy gold chain, locket, and cigar cutter, one of the best trophies ever given to the members for competition. The shoot-off was miss and out, won by Duryea on the 18th bird. Harold was out after 12.
On January 2, 1901, four shooters – R.J. Daniels, Harold Money, S.M. VanAllen and J.S. Fanning – were in a shoot-off for the previous Interstate Park Handicap series. The event was 25 live-birds from 30-yard rise. Daniels and Fanning both ran 24, while Harold withdrew after his second loss when he had 19 out of 21. Van Allen withdrew when he had 12 out of 14. On the same day, the third contest of the second series renewal of the Interstate Park Handicap was then held, and Harold ran a clean 25 from the 30-yard rise.
On January 4, 1901, George S. McAlpin, with his counsel, surrendered himself at the Centre Street Court.
In the January 19, 1901, issue of
The Sportsmen’s Review, was an article about the recent action of the executive committee of the Carteret Gun Club, seeking a resolution to have any member who competes with professional shooters resign. “Captain A.W. Money and his son, Harold, would come under the ban, as would Louis Duryea, Daniel I. Bradley, Robert A. Welch, and a few others…”
The American Field, January 26, 1901 – “Captain Money, though but partially recovered from the assault inflicted on him while in his private office by George W.(sic) McAlpin a month ago, is progressing as well as the serious nature of his wound will allow. The malar bone on the left side of his face was fractured and causes him considerable pain and inconvenience as it slowly knits.”
February 21 and 22, 1901, were the dates of the Carteret Annual Championship. The event was a 100-bird race. Strong winds from directly behind the shooters and occasional flurries on the first day made for rather low scores. Harold Money won it by one bird with a score of 88 to take the trophy cup and $680. George McAlpin retired after the 75th bird with a score of 62, as did Captain Money with only 57. McAlpin had won this event in 1899 with a 96.
Philadelphia’s Riverton Gun Club’s eighth annual tournament was held March 23, 1901, at the grounds at Taylor’s Station, N.J. As at Carteret last month, Harold Money (30) proved himself the champion, losing only two birds for a 98, winning the amateur trophy and $760. Second was Daniel I. Bradley (30) with a 95 getting $475, and third was R.L. Pierce (28) with a 93 getting $285. Captain Money (29), F.C. Butler (28), and Dr. Wilson (30) all with 92s cut up the fourth place money of $190.
At the 1901 Grand American Handicap at Live-Birds, held April 1 to 6, 1901, both Captain A.W. Money and H.B. Money are listed as being from Oakland, N.J., and both shot Parker guns. A.W. scored 24 in the GAH, and Harold Money scored 23, missing his last bird.
The New Jersey State Tournament was held May 7 to 10, 1901, at Smith Brother’s grounds at the foot of Foundry Street, Newark. Captain Money participated, but I don’t see Harold listed among the shooters.
On May 14 to 17, 1901, the Pennsylvania State Tournament was held at Allentown. Harold Money was there, competing in the open events.
At the 1902 Grand American Handicap at Live-Birds both Captain A.W. Money and H.B. Money are listed as being from Oakland, N.J., and while the Captain still shot a Parker that had lost an ounce since 1900, Harold was now shooting his “famous” Winchester which also weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces. A.W. using Leader-Magic shells with 3 ½ Schultze EC and 1 1/8 ounce 7 ½ scored 23 in the GAH. Harold shooting Leader 3 ½ EC DuPont and 1 ¼ ounce of 7 missed three out of the first eight and withdrew. Earlier Harold went 11 of 12 in the Kansas City Sweepstakes, and in the Nitro Powder Handicap he was one of 80 shooters to go 12 straight.
During the Boer War Noel Ernest Money advanced to the rank of Major in the Shropshire Yeomanry. Noel’s captain, Gordon Wood, was wounded and Noel was given temporary command. Noel was subsequently promoted to Captain and given permanent command. Noel returned to England and on November 25th, 1903 married Maud Wood.
The November 14, 1903, issue of
The American Field carried the following note –
“The many friends of Harold Money, the well-known representative of the Winchester Repeating Arms Co., who was very ill at Kansas City, Mo., last April, when the Grand American Handicap at targets was held in that city, will be rejoiced to learn that he has fully recovered his health and is again shooting a great clip on inanimate targets. He recently shot at 60 and scored them all; then at 75 and scored 74, and then shot at 135 and made one straight run of 111. Mr. Money is at present at Colorado Springs, whither he went as soon as he was able to leave his room at Kansas City and where he has built up his strength. It is more than likely that he will remain in Colorado during the coming winter as the climate there is better for him than on the Atlantic coast.”
Advertising for The American “E.C.” and Schultze Gunpowder Company, Ltd. was regularly found in
The American Field through the February, 13, 1904, issue. Beginning in the April 2, 1904, issue of
The American Field, “New E.C.” and “Schultze” celebrated Bulk Powders were being advertised as products of Laflin & Rand Powder Co. Through the end of 1906 L & R advertised “New E.C. (Improved)” and “New Schultze” bulk powders in addition to their “Infallible Smokeless” dense powder. Beginning in mid-February 1907, “New E.C. (Improved)” and “New Schultze” bulk powders, and “Infallible Smokeless” dense powder were being advertised as products of E.I. du Pont de Nemours Powder Company, Wilmington, Del.
Being out of the gunpowder business gave Capt. Money time to write the section on “The Shotgun and its Handling”, for the book
Guns, Ammunition & Tackle by A.W. Money and others for the American Sportsman’s Library. It does appear that he continued to work a bit on some basis for Laflin & Rand.
April 6 and 7, 1904, found Harold shooting in the Interstate Tournament at Bristol, Tennessee. W.R. Crosby was high gun the first day with 195 out of 200. H.B. Money, A.M. Hatcher, and R.L. Peirce were in second place with 193s. The second day with more favorable conditions found W.R. Crosby again high gun with a remarkable 198. R.L. Peirce was second with a 193, and A.M. Hatcher was third with a 191. Harold had a 190.
The Paducah Gun Club’s annual spring tournament was held April 19, 20 and 21, 1904, in the worst weather ever seen in Paducah – for April. The first day Harold Money and Spencer tied for high gun with 237 out of 250. In the shoot-off on the last day of the tournament Harold won it with a 97 out of 100 to Spencer’s 94. The second day was two live bird events, ten-birds each. Harold got nine in the first event, losing to W.P. Kennedy, secretary of the club, who scored 10. Harold won the second event, shot in a snowstorm with a clean ten. The third day was two more live bird events. In the second event, which was 25 birds, Harold was in a four-way tie of 24s.
May 4 and 5, 1904, found Harold shooting in the Interstate Association’s tournament at Nashville, Tennessee. The first day’s event, 175 targets, was taken by Harry Kirby with a 165. Second was Charlie Spencer with 164, and third Harold Money with a 163. The second day, also 175 targets, found Spencer losing 7, while Harold Money was second losing 9. High overall was Spencer with 332, with Harold and Fletcher tied with 329.
The Interstate Association tournament was held at Warm Springs, Georgia, on June 14, 15, and 16, 1904. Days 1 and 2 were each 200 targets. Harold got 192 the first day and 186 the second day for a 378.
The 1904 Grand American Handicap was held June 21 to 24. The first day’s event was a 200-target race. The top scores were 197 by J.A.R. Elliot and J.L.D. Morrison, while Harold Money shot a 194. The Preliminary Handicap on Wednesday was 100 targets. T.H. Clay from 16 yards and L.A. Cummings from 18 yards tied at 98. In the 20 target shoot-off Clay was the winner. Harold shooting from the 20-yard line got 89. In the GAH on Thursday, R.D. Guptill from the 19-yard line and W.M. Randall from the 17-yard line tied at 96. The 1904 GAH was won by Guptill, of Aiken, Minnesota, in the shoot-off. Harold Money shooting from the 20-yard line got 90. The Consolation Handicap, on the final day, was won by Remington’s pro William Heer with a score of 98 from the 20-yard line; and Hunter Arms pro, Harvey McMurchy, shooting from the 19-yard line was second with a 97. Harold by then had moved up to the 19-yard line and still only got 85. The winner of the Preliminary Handicap, L.A. Cummings; the winner of the Grand American Handicap, R.D. Guptill; and the winner of the high general average, J.L.D. Morrison; all used Winchester Model 1897s. The only event won with a double was the Consolation Handicap won by William Heer with his Remington Model 1894. Cummings used Winchester Leader shells, while the other three used UMC Arrow shells.
July 19 to 22, 1904 was the Cincinnati Gun Club’s Tournament. In the first days shooting at 180 targets, in extremely hot weather with no wind, E. O’Brien scored 161 from the 18-yard line, while Harold Money from the 20-yard line and Scott from the 17-yards line tied for second with 160s. The second day’s shooting included a 50-target event and a 185-target event. The first event was won with a 49 while Harold shot 47. The second was won with 171, and Harold was third with 167. The Grand International Handicap on Thursday brought some relief from the heat. In that 100-target event, two shooters went 93 from 16- and 20-yards. Two shooters went 92 from 17- and 18-yards. Harold was one of five shooters who got 91. Other events that day amounted to 175 targets of which Harold broke 156. Harold was consistent enough to carry the high total for the three days shooting of 483.
The final Interstate Association shoot for 1904 was at Concordia, Kansas, September 28 and 29. Weather again was quite a factor with gale winds and rain the first day. Professionals William Heer and C.G. Spencer lead the pack with 185s out of 200. Mr. Marshall was second with 180, and Harold Money posted a 179 for third. The high amateur was George Maxwell with a 181. For the second day Heer was again the high man with 195 out of 200. Spencer was second with a 191, and Marshall was third with a 189. Harold Money posted a 183. Ed Arnold was the high amateur with a 189, and second was E.L. Wetzig with a 184.
In 1905 Harold continued as a professional shooter for Winchester and at the Grand American Handicap he finished way off the pace with 84 out of 100. The money winners were R.R. Barber who won $319.50 for his lone 99; four shooters with 98s got $239.60 each; seven shooters with 97s got $91.30 each; 21 96s got $35.10 each, 14 95s got $31.95 each; and 26 94s got $3.80 each.
The next big shoot was at Kansas City, 200 targets per day for three days. Harold’s scores were – 180, 187, and 176. Day one was taken by William Yeach with a score of 192, and the high professional was Fred Gilbert with a 191. Day two was taken by William Yeach again but with a score of 183, while the professionals got hot with Remington’s shooter W.H. Heer going 193, Fred Gilbert again going 191, and R.O. Heikes in a tie with Harold at 187. Day three was taken by Ed O’Brien with a 181, while among the professionals J.S. Fanning was high with a 187, Fred Gilbert second with a 186, and W.H. Heer third with a 184.
On August 29, 30 and 31, 1905, the second biggest shoot of the year was at Colorado Springs, Colorado. Day one Harold Money shot 189 out of 200, while high score for the day was W.R. Crosby with a 193. Day two Harold Money again shot 189 out of 200, while high score for the day was C.M. Powers with a 194 and W.R. Crosby again shot a 193. For day three Harold shot 92 out of 100, while high score was C.M. Powers and Cal Callison both with a 97.
It appears Harold may have been running with the big dogs in 1905, but he wasn’t near the head of the pack. A listing of those shooters who carried a 90% or better average on at least 3000 targets showed Fred Gilbert leading with .956 on 17,065 targets and W.R. Crosby close on his heels with .955 on 16,415. Money was in 38th place with .905 on 11,580 targets
In 1906 Harold did the great bulk of his shooting in Texas, though he did make it up to Indianapolis for the Grand American Handicap. He was way off the pace and finished with 84 out of 100 from the 19-yard line. Even worse was Capt. A.W. Money (Blue Rock) who shot 74! For 1906 however, F.E. Rogers won the GAH with a 94 from the 17-yard line. Remington’s shooter W.H. Heer carried the high average for 1906 with .963 on 14,055 targets, using two straight-gripped Remington Model 1894s, while Harold shucking the Model 1897 Winchester got .928 on 5765 targets.
Well, I finally found what must be the shoot Nash remembered! On April 17 and 18, 1907, Harold shot a tournament reported from Camden, Arkansas, which looks in my Rand McNally to be 33 miles southwest of Fordyce. Nash coming down from Memphis may have passed through Fordyce on the way. Harold led the tournament with 194 out of 200 the first day and 192 out of 200 the second. He also had a run of 128 straight. This is the only shoot in Arkansas I have found Harold reported shooting in. I found his complete records for 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1908.
At the 1907 Southern Handicap held at Richmond’s Deep Run Hunt Club, Harold got 76 out of 100 in the Preliminary and 86 out of 100 in the Southern Handicap. Winning scores were 94 in the preliminary by E.H. Storr, and 92 in the Southern by G.S. McCarty and H.E. Buckwalter. McCarty and Buckwalter tied at 18 out of 20 in the first shoot off and went to a second where Buckwalter again got 18, but McCarty went straight. W.R. Crosby also shot a 92 but being a paid pro wasn’t in it for the prize.
The GAH was held at Chicago from June 18 to 22, 1907. The opening day was a 16-yard event and Harold posted a 95. On day two in the preliminary Handicap, shooting from 19-yards Harold broke 89. Harold shot an 86 from the 18-yard line in the Grand itself, while the likes of Crosby, Gilbert and Heer were shooting from 21 yards. On the final day the Professional Championship was shot at 200 targets. Harold posted a 180 while the event was won by Crosby with a 192.
Harold shot at 10760 targets in 1907 and posted an average of .939. Harold finished 1908 with an average of .9220 on 7770, putting him in 20th place for that year. In 1909 Harold moved up to 17th place among the professionals with an average of .9361 on 7920 targets.
Harold again shot in a two day shoot at Camden, Arkansas, on May 11 and 12, 1910. The reporter stated in a great sentence “Harold Money got away to a bad start the first day, losing five out of the second event, which virtually put him out of the race, but he kept breaking them in such a manner that he was in the running until the second to the last event on the second day when he again dropped five, and, of course, that was too “many.””
The last shoot report I’ve found for Harold was for the May 24 and 25, 1910, shoot at the Calcasieu Gun Club, at Lake Charles, LA.
Sporting Life for May 18, 1912, published the following note “According to a letter which Ed Banks recently received from Captain Money, who is living in England, the veteran is thoroughly enjoying life. Harold Money is in charge of a rubber plantation in Ceylon, while Noel Money is living in Herefordshire, in England, and shooting considerably.”
From his marriage to Maud in 1903 through 1912 Noel Money was land agent for his father-in-law, Capt. Charles Wood’s estates. Noel and Maud had a daughter Mary and a son Gordon. In 1913 Noel and his family moved from England to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, where he was involved in the construction of the Qualicum Beach Hotel and Golf Course. By August 1915 he was called to again serve the Empire.
Another letter to Ed Banks from Harold Money was published in
Sporting Life for June 22, 1916.
Sporting Life, June 22, 1916.jpg
For Noel, “the front” Harold mentions was North Africa and Palestine. During WW-I Noel was with the 159th Infantry Brigade, 53rd Welsh Division. He was a Major when they were in Libya and a Colonel by the time they were in Egypt. By the time they advanced into Palestine with General Allenby, Noel was a Brigadier General commanding the 159th. After the Great War, Noel returned to his family at Qualicum Beach.
Harold Money returned to the U.S. in the 1920s. Harold worked at A&F in New York beginning about 1926. The U.S. Census for 1930 shows Harold Money living as a boarder in White Plains, Westchester County, New York. The Census listed Harold as being 53 years old, and a salesman. Harold eventually married the widow of his wealthy friend Douglas Franchot, and retired to a home on the Severn River near Annapolis. A couple years later Harold contracted pneumonia at their summer place in the Adirondacks and passed on.
Captain Harold Money.jpg
10-16-2023, 01:48 PM
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