Parker kicks British behind in 1901

[Drew Hause]

The 1901 Sporting Life issues have just been digitized, so LOTS more information is now available regarding the 1901 International Competition. The American team used only American-made guns and American-made ammunition. The shells contained 1/8 oz. more shot (1 1/4 oz.) than was permitted to members of the British team who, however, as compensation, could use two barrels to the American one. Marshall and Merrill gave up their Cashmores and choose Parkers, as did Heikes, Le Roy, and Parmelee who had used Remington doubles at the GAH that year.
Capt. Thos. Marshall - Parker, R. O. Heikes - Parker, W.R. Crosby - Smith, C. W. Budd – Parker, J. S. Fanning - Smith, J. A.R. Elliott - Winchester, F. Gilbert – Parker, F. S. Parmelee - Parker, C. M. Powers - Parker, Edward Banks - Winchester, E.H. Tripp - Parker, Richard Merrill - Parker, and B. Le Roy - Parker.

http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3704024.pdf
Meeting held to arrange conditions of the International Competition

The American team sails May 25
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3708020.pdf
Paul North leaves Saturday May 15, on the Cunard Line, which will give him nearly two weeks in which to prepare for the coming of the team.
As at present decided upon, the team is made up as follows: T. A. Marshall, captain:
R. 0. Heikes, W. R. Crosby, C. W. Budd, J. K. Fanning, J. A. R. Elliott, Fred Gllbert, Frank Parmelee, C. M. Powers.
This leaves a vacancy or two to be filled up, but the vacancies will not probably be filled until "The Indians" meet at the Iowa State shoot, at Newton, Ia.
Among those who will go along with the team are E. H. Tripp and wife, Indianapolis, Ind.; Emile Werk and F. D. Pride, of Cincinnati, O,; H. Le Roy Woodard, Campello, Miss.; Louis Erhardt, Atchison, Kan.; H. E. Getchell, Woonsocket, R. I,; and probably others.

American Team Departs May 26
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3711022.pdf
The team will consist of the following shots: Capt. Thos. Marshall, R. O. Heikes, W.R. Crosby. C. W. Budd. J. S. Fanning, J A.R. Elliott, F. Gilbert. F. S. Parmelee, C. M. Powers, Edward Banks, E.H. Tripp, Richard Merrill, and B. Le Roy.
Others with the team are: Capt. A. W. Money, Emil Werk, D. F. Pride, D. Erhardt, Fred. Elliott, and Frank Harrison. The ladies of the party are Mrs. Banks, Mrs. Crosby, Mrs. Tripp, Miss Werk and others.
The party will stay at the Hotel Cecil, London. England, for several weeks. Paul North has gone on ahead (on his honeymoon) to make all arrangements for the match.

June 15
Report from June 10 & 11
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3713023.pdf
The betting, which began 6 to 5 on the Englishmen, changed last night to 10 to 1 on the Americans.

London, England, June 11th, 1901 — American team defeated English team 860 to 801, possible 1000 flying targets, 18 yards rise. Americans used one barrel, Englishmen two barrels.
FIRST MATCH, JUNE 11th. Individual scores, 100 targets.
American team—Crosby 93, Budd 89, Tripp 88, Heikes 88, Parmelee 87, Merrill 86, Elliott 86, Fanning 85, Gilbert 84, Marshall 80; total, 806.
English team— Izzard 87, Pike 84, O'Connor 84, Ellicott. 82, J. H. Butt 81, Captain Johnson 80, Palmer 79, C. Morris 75, Paul 73. W. Morris 73; total, 801.
SECOND MATCH, JUNE 12th.
Same conditions. American team—Crosby 95. Gilbert 93. Heikes 92, Tripp 90, Fanning 89, Elliott 86, Parmelee 84, Powers, Lt Roy Woodard 84. Marshall 83, Budd 81: total, 877.
English team—Jount 87. Izzard 86, Ellicott 85, Pike 83, O'Connor 80, H. J. Cave 79, Johnson 78. Butt 75, Palmer 71, Inglis 70; total, 794.
THIRD MATCH, JUNE 13TH.
Same conditions. American team—Crosby 90, Heikes 88. Gilbert 85, Parmelee 84, Budd 83, Powers 83, Elliott 83. Marshall 83, Fanning 82, Tripp 82: total, 843.
English team—Pike 83, C. Morris 82. Izzard 80. Ellicott 76. Jount 76, Johnson 75. H. J. Cave 71, Butt 71, Palmer 68, Paul 67; total 749.
Glasgow, Scotland June 22—American team defeated Scottish team 969 to 882, possible 1000 flying targets, 18 yards rise, use of both barrels.
American team—Gilbert 100, Merrill 100, Crosby 99, Heikes 97, Fanning 97, Parmelee 97, Tripp 97, Marshall 94, Elliott 94, Budd 94; total 969

The Americans were to then go on to tour The Continent, but The Continent declined

June 22 – Report of the American Team’s Victory in the Anglo-American Clay Bird Match
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3714019.pdf
THE BEST INDIVIDUAL RECORD was made by W. R. Crosby, who broke 93, 95 and 93 respectively in the three matches, an average of .926 per cent, for the 300 shots.
ON SATURDAY the British trap shooters, in recognition of the victory of the American gunners, arranged a special contest, exclusively for the visiting team. The Englishmen presented a valuable cup as a trophy. Fred Gilbert and C. W. Budd tied on 23 out of 25 targets. In the shoot-off Gilbert won as Budd broke 7 out of 12 and withdrew.
Crosby, Heikes, Merrill and Powers broke 21 out of 25.
A special match was then shot, in which members of both teams competed for a gold cup. Each man shot at 15 targets. Crosby and B. Le Roy tied on 14 out of 15. In the shoot-off Crosby broke 14 to Le Roy’s 13.
W.R. Crosby also won a Live Bird shoot June 17 at the Hendon Gun Club.

June 29 Complete Trip Report
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3715020.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3715021.pdf
W.R. Crosby defeated the Scottish champion shot, Faulds, at Glasgow, Scotland June 22. Each shot at 100 pigeons from ground traps and 50 pigeons from tower traps. Crosby scored 139 to Faulds’ 134. We suppose clay pigeons were used as they have one style of shooting where the targets are thrown from a high tower, all birds shot as they go overhead.

July 6 Additional report from C.W. Budd
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3716019.pdf
The team left for American June 30. Powers was hospitalized with Typhoid Fever and Merrill stayed with him. Elliott went on to Belgium and France for a series of pigeon matches. Capt. A.W. Money remained in London. The team arrived in Boston July 9.

July 6 Editorial regarding the match by Will Park
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3716023.pdf

July 13 Additional reports of the Scottish competition with comments from The Country Life (London) and The Field (London)
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3717026.pdf
http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3717027.pdf

http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3718020.pdf
On returning, 6 members of the American team defeated the New Utrecht Gun Club in a 100 target at 18 yards’ rise challenge match at Interstate Park. Fred Gilbert was high with 97.

http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3718022.pdf
Tom Marshall received a Tiffany & Co. Cup from the team in appreciation of his efforts as captain.

[Drew Hause]

"Marshall and Merrill gave up their Cashmores and choose Parkers, as did Heikes, Le Roy, and Parmelee who had used Remington doubles at the GAH that year."

This was probably a pretty big deal knowing how guys shooting for prestige and money are about their favorite target gun. Heikes and Parmelee went back to their Remingtons after the match. Would sure like to know what inducements were involved!