The History of the Wilhelm Tell Schuetzen Barn
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The Swiss arrived in New Glarus in 1845, part of the nearly 8 million German speaking immigrants who came to the United States between 1820 and 1890. That migration nearly doubled the population of the U.S. at that time. The Swiss brought with them traditions from their homeland, which included the Schuetzen Style of shooting which is offhand (Standing on two legs like a man) with no slings, rests, or shooting jackets.
Chris Westigaard wrote an article for "The American Rifleman" in January 1929, entitled "Defining the Schuetzen Style of Rifle-Shooting". He states that, "As far as I have learned the first union of riflemen was organized at a Schuetzen Fest in Highland, IL, sometime during the Civil War."
On March 17, 1870, The William Tell Schuetzen Verein of New Glarus, WI, was incorporated for the purpose of "improving in the use of firearms, to prepare the young men for the service of their country in danger from an enemy, to promote good and brotherly feeling among the members, and to cultivate the faculties of the body and mind."
The Westlichen Schuetzen Bund (Northwest shooting Region) was formed in 1897. It included Shooting clubs from Chicago, IL (2); Cincinnati, OH; Davenport, IA; Elgin, IL; Fountain City, WI; Hartford, CT; Indianapolis, IN; Joliet, IL; La Crosse, WI; Milwaukee, WI; Monroe, WI; Monticello, WI; New Glarus, WI; New Holstein, WI; Omaha, NE; Oshkosh, WI; Peru, IL; St. Louis, MO; Wausau, WI; and Winona, MN.
The William Tell Schuetzen Verein was very active, and their team won the Wisconsin State Championship in 1904 in Milwaukee, WI. In 1905, John Schmid, from William Tell, was crowned the "King" at Davenport, IA. In 1906, John Schmid was crowned "King" at La Crosse, WI.
1907 was a "Banner Year" for the William Tell Schuetzen Verein. THEY WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Charleston, SC. The team consisted of J.M. Schmid, S.A. Schindler, Henry Aebly, Dr. H. Hoesly, and A. Schlatter. Teddy Roosevelt signaled the start of the Tournament with a shot at a telegraph paddle. Kaiser Wilhelm, of Germany, donated the medals. The William Tell team was given a "Hero's Welcome" at the train Depot when it arrived in New Glarus!
1907 was also the year that the William Tell Schuetzen Verein built their Schuetzen barn; the "Fest House" of its day; something that every self-respecting German Community wanted to have.
William Tell hosted regional Tournaments in 1910 (Dr. Hoesly won 2nd Place in 100-shot championship), 1914, 1917, and 1923. New Glarus hosted many local tournaments also. Dr. Hoesly wrote in the Wisconsin State Journal (October 1929) that..."he remembers the famous old "grumpel shoots" when all New Glarus turned out to shoot for grab bag prizes offered by the merchants back in the '90's (that's 1890's). At the end of the day the best marksman was crowned the "schuetzenkoeng" and carried through the town at the head of a cheering parade."
Schuetzen lost popularity with the advent of WWI (Anti-German Sentiment); however, the death knell came in 1928...with prohibition. No profit due to no beer and wine sales!
