In the early summer of 1884 Charlottetown artist Robert Harris had just completed his painting of the "Fathers of Confederation," a painting that would be lost in the Parliament Building fire of 1916, but be immortalized forever in reproduction. The same month, on June 18th, the inaugural meeting was held at Falconwood, Dr. Blanchard's residence on the grounds of the Insane Asylum just east of Charlottetown, on the Hillsborough River. A rather inappropriate place to hold the first meeting of a sport that demands the maximum in alertness and responsibility. But all should be aware that those in attendance had the latter qualities, and in no way reflected the accepted stigma of the location.

In attendance this day, along with Dr. Blanchard and Magistrate FitzGerald, were Francis Arnaud, who was head cashier at the local Bank of Halifax; Prince Edward Island Attorney General, Hon. Frederick Peters; Barrister Francis L. Haszard; David C. Chalmers, the local agent for the Bank of Nova Scotia; City Alderman Horace Haszard; William Worden, who was the American Consul living in Charlottetown; and the local postage stamp clerk William C. Hobkirk.

The group was very enthusiastic. After making a positive decision to organize a shooting club, their first order of business was to elect the executive officers. Following the usual nominations and voting (and in 1884 strict parlimentary procedure was the rule rather than the exception), Rowan R. FitzGerald was elected the Club's first President. Vice- President was Frederick Peters, and Doctor Blanchard was named Secretary/Treasurer.

An annual dues structure was not considered, but the members did agree to assess themselves an amount, from time to time, as would be necessary to cover the club's required operating expenses. Their initial assessment, or subscription as they called it, would be three dollars and fifty cents each--a sizeable amount for the day, and comparable to well in excess of one hundred dollars today.

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