Show Vernal Gun Club Reflects Early Valley History Vernal Rod and Gun Club the oldest sportsmans sportsman's organization organization in the State of Utah was chartered in 1902 Its first members were Les Les- Leslie Leslie lie Ashton W P Coltharp W M McCoy Lynne Ashton Dan Hillman Stan Ashton Dr Chas Hirth and Peter Dillman THE PURPOSE of the club was to promote the protection of game further the stocking Continued on page B 8 I Gun GUll Club t I ICo Co Continued from page 1 of streams with fish and andI I establish California quail In Inthis inthis this region a and d create broth of sportsmanship The first meeting was held in the Leslie Ashton store As the organization pro gressed competitive shooting was entered into among the I members This produced a great deal of excitement and rivalry and lead to the chal challenging of the best marksmen n among the soldiers at Ft Du Duchesne chesne THESE SHOOTS created a lot of interest I IOn On the social side the Gun i Club h held ld the banner for the I most unusual ball held annu annul ally in the early years of the valley Dale Jensen the present president relates that many of the hopes of af these charter members for game preservation tion and social affairs have been realized MR JENSEN also paid trI tri tri- tribute bute to the accomplishments of the younger members of the club |