A Curious Thing

[John Davis]

June 18, 1881, The Chicago Field, “Mr. Haskell’s Remarkable Record. Lynn, Mass. Editor Chicago Field: - The glass ball exhibition at the base ball grounds, on Memorial Day, was witnessed by about 2,000 persons. There was sweep shooting until 3:30 p. m., when the event of the day took place. This was the match of Mr. J. C. Haskell to beat the best time of Captain Bogardus in breaking 500 glass balls. The conditions of the match were to break 500 balls in less than 25 minutes and 15 seconds, to shoot from Bogardus traps, placed 12 feet apart, the shooter to stand 15 yards distant from the traps, and to load his own guns. But one ball to be sprung at a time. Mr. Haskell used four Parker Bros.’ guns; charge, 2 3/4 drams Brackett powder, 1 1/4 oz. No. 8 shot. The judges were, J. M. Hoyt and Dr. Ahearm; referee, J. Nichols; scorer, Eugene Barry; E. W. Webster pulled the traps; H. Mortimer of Boston, attended to cooling the guns. At 3:30 the heat was intense, but the shooting was commenced promptly on time. In the first 250 he fell slightly behind the record, breaking them in 13 minutes, but increasing his speed in the last 200. He finished the 500 in 24 minutes and 2 seconds, missing 16 balls, and beating Captain Bogardus’ record 1 minute and 13 seconds, and his own record, made February 22, 13 seconds. The Captain said that he did not expect to see such good shooting and that at some future time he would shoot Mr. Haskell a match for any amount.”