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Rolla
Heikes Wins First Grand American
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here for complete shoot results.
Interstate Park, New York City, June 14, 1900; American shooting
star Rolla Heikes of Dayton, Ohio, became the first Grand
American Handicap Champion when he broke  91x100
handicap targets. The 44 year old Remington-UMC professional won $130.25
in prize money in the big event. Seventy four of the greatest shots in
America competed for the big title. Hood Waters of Baltimore was
second with 89x100 and $113.95 in prize money.
Other notables competing include Charles
Sparrow Young. Young is a professional for Robin Hood Powders. He
broke the first ever 25 straight in the Grand American. He shot from the
20 yard line today and finished 5th, winning $65.10 in award money. He
was one of the originators of the release trigger. Ansley Fox,
the famous gun maker, broke 86 to rank number 10 and won $32.55 in prize
money. Thirty three year old William Crosby shot from the 22 yard
line but broke only an 84x100. The founder of the Westy Hogans, Neaf
Apgar of New York City finished tied for 24th place with an 83 from
18 yards.
The great J. S. Fanning of Jersey
City, NJ was one of two gunners handicapped at the maximum distance of
23 yards. It was too much for him to handle on this day as he broke an
80x100 and finished tied for 30th place. Forty six year old pigeon
shooting legend J. A. R. Elliott managed only 73x100, also from
the 23 yard line. Just last year Elliott beat Rolla Heikes in Kent, Ohio
for the Cast Iron Trophy. He won the trapshooting championship at the
1899 Sportsmen’s Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City by
breaking 1,223 of 1,300 targets. Sixty four year old John W. Marlin,
founder of the Marlin Firearms Company 30 years ago, made the trip to
New York from his New Haven, CT residence. Very sad to see John break
only 75x100 from the 14 yard line. Age has a way of catching up on
everyone.
So our hats are off to champion Rolla
Heikes and runner-up Hood Waters. We wonder if this shoot will still be
held in the 21st century.
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