1st squad 43 1st squad 43
2d " 37 2d " 43
3d " 36 3d " 43
4th " 45 4th " 46
--- ---
Total 161 Total 175
The story is still told among the old members of the club who claim
that under the circumstances and rules of carrying the gun the record
has never been beaten.
The New Jersey Gun Club was organized July 18th, 1877. Its object
to protect and enforce the Game Laws of New Jersey; to foster and
encourage the improvement of the dog and gun; to promote friendly
intercourse and generous emulation among sportsmen, and also to engage
in such sports, games, and matches as desired by the members. The
shooter was required to hold the butt of the gun at the hip until the
bird was on the wing. The rifle rules were the same as those adopted
by the State National Rifle Association, with the exception of the
arms, which were decided by a two-third vote of the club. Mr. Thomas
W. Harrison was a prominent member, also Mr. William Hughes, who was
also a member of the Jersey City Heights Gun Club, and known as "Old
Reliable," for his uniformly good scores. The medal of the New Jersey
club was a retriever's head holding in its mouth a woodcock with
diamond eyes, costing $80. The club prize was a beautiful silver cup
costing $200. When the club disbanded, about 1885, the members competed
for final ownership of these and Mr. John Pearson won the medal, and
Mr. Hughes the cup.