Schutzenbob
Frequent Elocutionist
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Rheinisch-Westfälisc hen Sprengstoff-Fabriken
Posts: 2033
Location: Nightingale, California
Joined: Oct 24 th, 2005
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Re: Berg Ballard
Reply #40 - Mar 6th, 2022 at 8:15pm
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Pictured here is Emil Berg, son of Henry Berg. At the time this photograph was taken, gunsmith Henry Berg was a firearms dealer with a store located on the northeast corner of Third and Harrison streets. In 1888, Emil was taken on as a partner and the name of the business changed to H. Berg & Son. Many considered Emil Berg to be one of the top two marksmen at 200 yards in the entire country. It was stated that when Emil was but ten years old, he could snap a candle at ten paces with the best of them! In this photograph, Emil is wearing his shooting medals and standing next to the target showing the results of his recent match. On Sunday, February 26, 1882, Emil competed against M. Grau of Chicago, considered the best in the country, if not the world. The rifle match was held in Dubuque - the target was a 12 inch bull's eye, with 3/4 inch rings. The grounds were crowded with spectators and the excitement ran high. The only calm ones were the contestants themselves. The match commenced on Sunday forenoon, but was adjourned in the afternoon on account of fog! At that time, Berg was 35 points ahead, and the betting odds were largely in his favor. The contest consisted of 50 shots each, at 200 yards, off hand. Grau and Berg each put up $100. Unfortunately, the tables were turned on Monday when the match resumed and Grau came out the victor by six points. The total score was Grau 1,070; Berg 1,064, and Grau retained his title of "Champion of the West."
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