Buffalo Bill's Wild West In England (Part 1)

ANNE OAKLEY'S FAREWELL. Sir,--As I leave shortly or America (my departure being hastened on account of my health, which at present is not of the best), I write to ask if you will kindly allow me space in your paper to thank the English Press and public for the many favours shown me during my stay in London. To the members of the Gun Club, Hurlingham, and Sporting and Dramatic Clubs I am indebted for many hours of pleasure spent in their company. I am leaving England with regret, but hope at some future time to return and see my many English friends. Until then I will say "Good-bye," wish "A Merry Christmas." I am, very grate fully, London, December 8. ANNIE OAKLEY. London Address :-- ("Little Sure Shot.") C. Lancaster, 151, New Bond-street.

SHOOTING. 182, STRAND, LONDON, DECEMBER 14, 1887.

ANNIE OAKLEY.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE COUNTY GENTLEMAN."

SIR,-As I shall shortly leave for America-my departure being hastened on account of my health, which is at present not the best-I write to ask if you will allow me space in your paper to thank the English Press and public for the many favours shown me during my stay in England. To the members of the Gun Culb, Hurlingham, and Sporting and Dramatic Clubs I am indebted for many pleasant hours spent in their company. I am leaving England with regret, but hope at some future time to return and see my many English friends. Until then I will say good-bye. Wishing a Merry Christmas to all, I am, very thankfully, ANNIE OAKLEY, London address : 151, New Bond-street. (Little Sure Shot.) Dec. 10. 1887.

SHOOTING. 182, STAND, LONDON, MARCH 14, 1888.

MISS ANNIE OAKLEY v. GRAHAM.

THESE pigeon-shots have had another match since the one we last reported. It took place at Camden, New Jersey, on February 22, and for an account of it we are indebted to the New York Star of the follwoing day: -

"The contest was at fifty live birds, under the Hurlington Rules. The weather was beautiful, and the large crowd present enjoyed the sport. In the betting, Graham was a slight favourite, but the young lady had numerous supporters. The birds were fast flyers, and the contestants, who were in the best of condition, had to empty a second barrel very often to bring the pigeons down. Miss Oakley had splendid command of the gun, and some of her shots were applauded by the spectators. Graham did well in the early part of the mathc, but fell off towards the end, and was finally foced to submit to defeat. The score was - Oakley, killed 47, missed 3, toal 50; Graham, killed 45, missed 5, total 50." Graham used a gun weighing 8lbs. and shot at 30yds. rise, Miss Oakley shooting at 25yds. rise and using a C. Lancaster 12-bore weighing 6 1/2lbs., with 3drs. Schultze powder and 1oz. shot. Everyone in America interested in shooting is talking of Miss Oakley's shooting at live birds. She is the only shooter who has defeated Graham two matches out of three. The stakes were 200dollars.

THE FIELD.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1887

SHOOTING.

LESSONS IN SHOOTING

SIR, - I notice a letter in The Field of last Saturday, signed H. H. H., asking if any of your correspndents can recommend a "good professor" to teach the art of shooting, &c. I strongly advice H. H. N. to pay a visit to Mr Charles Lancaster, of 151, New Bond-street. I myself have learnt many valuable hints from him, and I have taken several friends of mine (who were, I may say, real "duffers") to him, and they have all blessed me and their "professor," inasmuch as they can now make very respectable bags. The fact is that Mr C. Lancaster is not only an excellent and painstaking "coach," but he understands better than any gunmaker I have come across how to fit a maff properly a man with a gun. I notice H. H. N. asks partciularly about fit. Of course, the sportman himself must state what weight of gun he can conviently wield during a long day's tramp. This is a very important question, as I have lately discovered. I though I could carry, so as to use pretty sucessfully, a 12-bore weighing 6lb. to 7 lb.; but I have at length discovered that this weight of game gun has been beating me for several seasons past.

I may mention one fact which will, I think, show that Mr Lancaster can assist in the art of shooting. I met Miss Annie Oakley the first day she shot at his private grounds, and I was also present when she first came to our club ground (the Gun Club). At the period Miss Oakley could kill about one blue rock out of seven. After Mr Lancaster had finished his course of instruction she killed for-one rocks out of fifty, and for this performance she selected her Lancaster 20-bores - a pair of beuatful guns built for exhibition shooting - in preference to her Lancaster 12's. Miss A. Oakley had previously told me that "her ambition was to kill thirty-five blue rock out of fifty beofre she left England."

PURPLE HEATHER.

Annie Oakley Beats [the?] English Champion.

CAMDEN, Feb. 22.-Annie Oakley, the markswoman who lately was with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in England, shot a pigeon match to-day with Graham, who has been the champion of England. Out of the fifty live birds let loose for each Miss Oakley shot 47 and Graham 45. This compensates for Miss Oakley's bad luck in the Long Branch tournament the other day.