46

The Rifle Range.

The Match Between Buffalo Bill and L.
C. Daniels-- Bill the Winner.

The rifle match between W. F. Cody, better
known as Buffalo Bill, and Mr. L. C. Daniels of
Portland, Me., took place on the grounds of the
Worcester Sportsman's Club, east of Lake
Quinsigamond, yesterday afternoon, in the
presence of nearly 400 spectators drawn hither
by a desire to see the famous scout, who shoots
so well on the mimic stage, try his hand with a
marksman of known reputation in a contest
where bullets were in use and money at stake.
The day was bright, with a cloudless sky, but
the air was far too sharp and frosty to admit of
comfort in shooting, so that neither of the contestants
did as well as in their practice work.
Mr. Daniels has the reputation of being one of
the best rifle shots in the state of Maine, and
came to Worcester confident of easily winning
the match with his opponent, who, being much
occupied with his show business, has not the
time to keep his outdoor practice at the target.
As will be seen by the appended score, he
came very near accomplishing his purpose, the
unlucky sixth shot probably losing him the
match. Four of his shots were better than his
opponent's best, though the average, which included
the unlucky shot, was not equal to the
popular Buffalo Bill. The latter is not in the
best of practice, having to get it here and there
while traveling with his show, and, like Mr.
Daniels, claims that yesterday's score is not a
fair test of what he can do under more favorable
circumstances, which would include a
warmer day and more practice at the target.
The conditions of the match were for each man
to have ten shots at a target three feet square,
with a black bullseye four inches in diameter;
distance 50 yards; open sights; off-hand, with
elbows free from the body; the shots to be
measured from the centre of the bullseye to the
centre of the shot; the smallest total measurement
to win. the stakes were $100 a side. Mr.
G. W. Davison of Providence, R. I., was the
referee, Mr. Frank Wesson officiated as judge
for Mr. Daniel's, and Mr. Isaac P. Austin, one
of the Austin brothers, served in a similar capacity
for Buffalo Bill. Both men used the
Frank Wesson No. 2 mid-range rifle, ten pounds
weight, 44-100 calibre. The score was as follows:

Inches.
Buffalo Bill..... 21 2-16
L.C. Daniels.... 23 6-16

Buffalo Bill was declared the winner of the
match and stakes. The utmost good feeling
prevailed, the loser taking his defeat good naturedly
and hoping for better luck next time.
The spectators were very much interested in the
contest, and crowded along the line between
the stand of the marksmen and the target
making it at times exceedingly dangerous to
some of them. No mishap occurred, however,
and all were pleased with the sport afforded.