Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
DUBUQUE GUN CLUB
DUBUQUE GUN CLUB. The name "Dubuque Gun Club" prior to 1924 was used in newspapers to describe the DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY
A new club by the same name was organized around 1923 and by 1924 had a membership of around sixty members. In April the membership was invited to a shooting contest at the Frank Fincel farm along Peru Road. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fincel were experienced trapshooters and modern equipment had been installed for the sport. (1)
In June, 1924 the club hosted its first annual registered trapshooting tournament near Center Grove. There were expected to be from 75 to 100 entrants with many having state or national reputations. One of those was Fred Gilbert of Spirit Lake, Iowa who was nationally known as a "98% shooter." Some professional shooters representing arms and ammunition businesses were also to participate. One of the local favorites was J. A. Stipp who had recently won the Iowa state competition breaking 47 targets out of 50. Another favorite was Frank Fincel. The club only had two traps with one of these held for use in case of emergency. (2) Mrs. E. L. King of Winona, Minnesota and Charles Hummell of LaPorte City tied for high honors with records of 142 out of 150 targets. Mrs. King's high run was 42 targets without a miss. (3)
On June 28, 1925 the club had a special Wife Day at the Center Grove trapshooting site. The inexperienced shooter was said to have the advantage. (4)
The second annual registered trap shoot at the Center Grove Traps was held on July 12 1925. Shooters from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota were expected with a special invitation to women who wished to participate. Membership in the club has risen to forty-five. (5)
Practice times were offered club members at the Fincel farm or the Center Grove range between competitions. On September 13, 1925 members of the Dubuque Gun Club hosted shooters of the Hilltop Gun Club from East Dubuque at Center Grove. (6) In a similar event held in September 1926 Frank Fincel won top honors breaking 383 targets out of a possible 400 at an event held in East Dubuque. (7)
---
Source:
1. "Dubuque Gun Club Holds Shoot Today," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, April 27, 1924, p. 14
2. "First Registered Shoot to Attract Big Crowd Today," The Telegraph-Herald, June 29, 1924, p. 15
3. "Second Registered Event to Attract Big Crowd Today," The Telegraph-Herald, July 12, 1925, p. 13
4. "Sunday is Special Wife Day at Traps at Center Grove," Dubuque Telegraph Herald, June 5, 1925, p. 12
5. "Second Registered Event.."
6. "East Dubuque to Oppose Dubuque Gunners Today," Telegraph-Herald, September 13, 1925, p. 21
7. "Local Man High Gunman at Shoot," Telegraph-Herald, September 27, 1926, p. 2