SCR00007.173

Springfield Union
Oct 26th - 87

I saw the Wild West very often. They are making quite a sensation over there From the Queen down every one goes to see them, in fact the American exhibition without the Wild West would, in my estimation, be a complete failure, as it is not representative American at all. Here is an English blue rock pigeon which the gun clubs use in their matches, and which was the first one Miss Annie Oakley of the Wild West exhibition killed. She presented it to me before I left for home. Miss Oakley isa great favorite over there. She is invited out nearly everyday to some reception or other. A few days before I left, she was the guest of Lord Mandeville at the grounds of the sporting and dramatic club at Barnes, near London, when she divided a sweepstake with 10 entries with her host who presented her with a jubilee sovereign with his monogram and crest engraved on it. The last match I saw her take part in was the the ground of Charles Lancaster, the noted Bond street gun maker of London, where for a bet of $500 she was backed to kill 35 out 50 blue rocks with her 20 bore shot gun made by Mr. Lancaster, she to stand at 25 yards rise, the Hurlingham rules to govern. She won by killing 41 out of 50, in fine style. Mr. Lancaster presented her with a very handsome gold badge suitably engraved. I used a shot gun quite a good deal while in England. The same day Miss Oakley shot I killed five straight blue rocks and Mr. Lancaster gave me a carbuncle and diamond pin as a souvenir of my visit. I used a Lancaster 12-gauge gun and stood 28 yards from traps. In company with Mr. Hindley I went to Birmingham where I was the guest of J. P. Clabrough, the senior member of the well known gun firm J. P. Blabrough & Brothers. We visited the factory of Messrs Clabrough and other gun makers Buck Taylor is very much liked in London.

I spent a short time at my old home in Shropshire and enjoyed a little partridge and pheasant shooting. I attended a night session at the house of commons lasting from 8 p. m. to 4.30 a. m. It is my opinion that England will grant home rule to Ireland as soon as Gladstone comes into power again, and it looks as if an election was not very far off. The English working classes are opening their eyes to the condition of Ireland.

I left Glasgow October 6, on the Circassia and had a most delightful return voyage. A concert was gotten uy by the chief steward for the benefit of the Shipwrecked Seaman's home, and $25 was collected. Mr. Black, a well known baritone singer who was on his way to San Francisco to join the National opera company, gave two excellent songs and the chief steward gave two comic sketches which were well received and a very enjoyable evening was spent. I am glad to be once more in old Springfield. It does one good to get back after nearly four months' absence. It is my candid opinion that Springfield has in M. W. Bull the best military rifle shot in the country and two or three others are close after him, among them Lieut. S. S. Bumstead and F. R. Bull. I think Springfield can produce 10 men with military rifles who can beat 10 men from any one city in the Union if they will practice.

Springfield Union
Oct 26th - 87

I saw the Wild West very often. They are making quite a sensation over there From the Queen down every one goes to see them, in fact the American exhibition without the Wild West would, in my estimation, be a complete failure, as it is not representative American at all. Here is an English blue rock pigeon which the gun clubs use in their matches, and which was the first one Miss Annie Oakley of the Wild West exhibition killed. She presented it to me before I left for home. Miss Oakley isa great favorite over there. She is invited out nearly everyday to some reception or other. A few days before I left, she was the guest of Lord Mandeville at the grounds of the sporting and dramatic club at Barnes, near London, when she divided a sweepstake with 10 entries with her host who presented her with a jubilee sovereign with his monogram and crest engraved on it. The last match I saw her take part in was the the ground of Charles Lancaster, the noted Bond street gun maker of London, where for a bet of $500 she was backed to kill 35 out 50 blue rocks with her 20 bore shot gun made by Mr. Lancaster, she to stand at 25 yards rise, the Hurlingham rules to govern. She won by killing 41 out of 50, in fine style. Mr. Lancaster presented her with a very handsome gold badge suitably engraved. I used a shot gun quite a good deal while in England. The same day Miss Oakley shot I killed five straight blue rocks and Mr. Lancaster gave me a carbuncle and diamond pin as a souvenir of my visit. I used a Lancaster 12-gauge gun and stood 28 yards from traps. In company with Mr. Hindley I went to Birmingham where I was the guest of J. P. Clabrough, the senior member of the well known gun firm J. P. Blabrough & Brothers. We visited the factory of Messrs Clabrough and other gun makers Buck Taylor is very much liked in London.

I spent a short time at my old home in Shropshire and enjoyed a little partridge and pheasant shooting. I attended a night session at the house of commons lasting from 8 p. m. to 4.30 a. m. It is my opinion that England will grant home rule to Ireland as soon as Gladstone comes into power again, and it looks as if an election was not very far off. The English working classes are opening their eyes to the condition of Ireland.

I left Glasgow October 6, on the Circassia and had a most delightful return voyage. A concert was gotten uy by the chief steward for the benefit of the Shipwrecked Seaman's home, and $25 was collected. Mr. Black, a well known baritone singer who was on his way to San Francisco to join the National opera company, gave two excellent songs and the chief steward gave two comic sketches which were well received and a very enjoyable evening was spent. I am glad to be once more in old Springfield. It does one good to get back after nearly four months' absence. It is my candid opinion that Springfield has in M. W. Bull the best military rifle shot in the country and two or three others are close after him, among them Lieut. S. S. Bumstead and F. R. Bull. I think Springfield can produce 10 men ILLEGIBLE military rifles who can beat 10 men from any one city in the Union if they will practice.