Wilbur Parker at the 1898 GAH

[Bill Murphy]

198 of the greatest shooters of the time. Among them were R.A. Welsh, the winner of the first GAH at birds, the great shot and Parker dealer Orren R. Dickey, sporting goods dealer Von Lengerke, A.W. Dubray, our hero and Parker salesman, Washington D.C. Parker dealer William Wagner (one of those who killed 25 straight), the famous F.D. Kelsey, and trigger maker Fulford, the 1898 GAH Champion.

[Drew Hause]

Was it 'W.F.' or 'W.R.'?

http://www.la84foundation.org/Sports.../SL3124021.pdf
Among the visitors were J. K. Hull and W. F. Parker, representing Parker Bros., Meriden, Conn. They came over to show the Parker gun to a large crowd of amateurs, and were not disappointed. Besides, they carried off the honors of the day, Mr. Hull making best average ia the open sweeps by breaking 94.5 per cent. Mr. Parker shot well to the top and came within a bird of tieing Howard Ridge, of Philadelphia, for second average; but a 90-per cent, score under mixed conditions is not so very bad.
Messrs. Hull and Parker shot for price of targets only, although the other contestants made no objections to their shooting for the money; in fact, some of our experts were anxious to have them enter the sweeps so they could "donate" towards a good cause; but from the looks of their scores they would not have lost anything.
We wish that more manufacturers' representatives were like these two men. They came on business and did not feel like winning from their customers to help defray expenses.