This is a continuation of the “coverage” of the Central Sharpshooters competition held in Monroe in July 1911 under the direction of the Swiss Rifle Club, which had only been formed three years earlier.

All of the events of the shoot were to be open to the public with cash prizes totaling $4,000 being offered. The formal opening was to be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the shooting park with a welcome by fest president Thomas Luchsinger. Shooting was to begin immediately afterwards and end at 6:00. Shooting was to be from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. the next three days. There was to be a band concert on the square each evening and entertainment at Turner Hall on Thursday and Friday evenings. Culmination of the event began with a convention of delegates at 10:00 Sunday morning and a Grand picnic at 1:00, where they would crown the king and distribute prizes. The king medal would be awarded to the shooter making the highest score in ten shots on the German ring target, which was on display at Kundert Bros. hardware store.

The Lena band was to arrive on Wednesday to furnish the music during the four days’ shooting session and each evening in the court house park. R. D. Gorham placed a small notice in Tuesday’s paper that said, “All owners of automobiles who find it convenient are requested to report at Turner Hall tomorrow at 12:45 p.m. sharp to take the shooters to the park.” He added that the local rifle club will greatly appreciate the favor.

The Ludlow Hotel served as headquarters for the shooters from St. Louis, Chicago, and Highland, Illinois. Reservations for sixty was enough to fill the house. Prize bowling on Swiss alleys from 1:00 to 6:00 each day was also part of the activities at the shooters park. Refreshments were also dispensed to the thirsty at a long bar in the shade of the grove

There were about 150 shooters present. With their ladies and other visitors it was estimated that there were 300 in all. John Meunier, a celebrated Milwaukee gunsmith, came to meet with the sharpshooters as a guest of George Spangler. Meunier, one of the old-timers, was a crack shot in his day. Even though age had dimmed his sight somewhat, he was still fond of the pastime and still shot among the high ones.

Edward Ruegger, one of Monroe’s king sharpshooters in the earlier days, received much pleasure from the tournament even though he had set his rifle aside some years earlier. He had attended all of the shoots of any importance for years and received his share of prizes and medals. A collection of his medals, cups, and more were shown in the window of Trukenbrod’s pharmacy. The feature of that display was the large silver trophy he won at Philadelphia in 1876.

A grand concert was also held at Turner Hall on Thursday evening at 9:00 with the program printed in the paper the previous day. Nettie B. Wegg was the leader of the orchestra. Because of the lack of room in the hall only the shooters, their wives, and others who contributed to the fest fund received tickets. 

Fest president Thomas Luchsinger served as the toastmaster at the kommers after the concert. Mayor W. J. Knight extended a welcome to the city. Attorney A. S. Douglas then spoke of the wealth and resources of the city and county, making clear the importance of this locality and the center of the foreign cheese business. He added that this industry was introduced with the settlement of New Glarus by the Swiss colony. Edward Arps, a young shooter from Colorado ended the speeches with a toast on the “Shooting Hobby.” His words were included in the paper on Friday.

A grand schuetzen ball was held on Friday evening with music by Bast & Booth’s orchestra. Nothing was reported in the newspaper about the ball, but results of the meet were included on Saturday.

The team competition consisted of six men on a team with each member shooting ten shots. Each person could receive as many as 250 points. The championship banner went to Highland, Illinois with 1,254 points. St. Louis Central was second, and Wausau was third. Each of the team scores was listed in the paper.

Thousands of people attended the culmination picnic at the grounds of the Swiss Rifle club on Sunday. A. G. Bitterly, of Denver, was the king of the shoot with his score of 230 on Saturday. That beat the score of 221 made by S. A. Schindler the previous day. Bitterly had a floral crown placed on his head, but the “modest young shooter blushed a deep crimson when he was taken by surprise by a Monroe girl as she stole a kiss.” 

J. H. Theiler, of Monroe, was high man on the Honor target with 71 of a possible 75. It was believed at the time of press on Saturday that this score would not be beaten.

St. Louis was chosen as the place for holding the next tournament two years hence. The invitation of the St. Louis Central sharpshooters was accepted at the business meeting on Sunday. 

The Monroe Evening Times had great praise for the efforts of the local group. “The shoot here was a success in every way except that the attendance was not as large as had been anticipated. One hundred fifty shooters, ladies, and others were brought here by the shoot. The local club, which undertook the big task, handled the affair in a manner that brought compliments from all visitors. The management and entertainment not only pleased the visitors but the shoot was a financial success, although it will be some days before the exact figures of receipts and expenditures can be set down.”

— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Saturdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi48@tds.net or at 608-325-6503