You all should know who Will and Maurice Thompson are. If not, shame on you! Look them up.
Jack A. Hoefer later became U.S. Army Captain Jack Hoefer. He supposedly went up San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt.
Capt. Jack, as he was known, was an expert swordsman and taught many actors how to use a sword. I have 2 of his fencing foils that he gave to Hugh Rich.
He was also a pretty good archer. He owned an archery shop and supplied many Hollywood movies with bows and arrows and other gear.
Hugh learned how make arrows working for Capt. Jack. Hugh bought his archery shop in 1938 with some financial help from his father. Hugh continued to make equipment for movies, including spears and shields for both Indian and medieval warriors.
I have several books by Maurice Thompson, and find them very informative. The article and quotes by Will Thompson make him sound a bit modest, while he was actually and accomplished target competitor in the American and double rounds. He competed in the 1904 Olympics and finished 3rd with a Bronze. I think it also got a Bronze in a Double American round. I saw a display of the bows by Thompson, Pope and Young at the North American Longbow Safari in Fox Oregon, many years ago, and took some pictures of the bows. I later heard from a gentlemen, that said the collection was missing from a museum . I have not heard more about that story. I believe the collection was on loan for the display at the NALS in Fox, Oregon and returned to the museum.
Sure woulda.
Great stuff Ira. Very interesting article. Liked to have hung out with Capt. Jack and the boys.
Deno