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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: jcar315 on September 17, 2009, 03:18:00 PM

Title: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: jcar315 on September 17, 2009, 03:18:00 PM: Just a little back story. I have a sticker on my truck about recurve bows which can spark conversations with strangers which I do enjoy. I was just at the post office sending out some mail (I was the only person in there) what a 78 year old gentleman named Ray asked my about recurve bows. Chatted briefly about that then he told me he had a story.

When he was 10 his family lived on Long Island NY. He worked at a golf course fetching golf balls that players hit in the water. One day he was waiting by the lake when a guy carrying a bow walks up. He introduces himself as Howard Hill and that he was in town to do a show at Madison Square Garden and he was looking to practice some shooting. Ray jumped at the chance to help and HH had him take a stick a poke holes in the bank along the stream that fed the lake and HH shot arrows right into every one of those holes Ray made. He shot some eels right in the their heads while they were swimming in the water. On one hole on the course Ray asked Howard is he could hit the flag (which was made from bamboo) with an arrow. Howard drew his bow and split the flag stick with the first shot. Ray said HH hit everything he shot at. He didn't go to the Garden to see the show but he did say that he bought a bow when he grew older and could afford it. Mentioned how Howard being in Robin Hood impacted him too. When we were done talking he said he was going to head home and string up his old bow and do some shooting.

Just thought it was a cool story and wanted to share it. Nice guy and I think he and I both were happy to spend some time talking.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: Cody Roiter on September 17, 2009, 03:28:00 PM: Very cool..
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: turkey522 on September 17, 2009, 03:32:00 PM: Thanks for sharing.
Terry
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: Tom I. on September 17, 2009, 05:47:00 PM: Two good things happened, John.....You got the benefit of hearing a first-hand account of an encounter with a legend, and the older gentleman
found someone who would take the time to listen.
You probably made his day. Good on ya!
Tom I.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: PAPALAPIN on September 17, 2009, 07:15:00 PM: Tom

You should follow that up and ask the old guy to go shooting a bit. It would probably mean a lot to him, and you might learn some pearls of wisdom from him.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: reddogge on September 17, 2009, 07:49:00 PM: John,
One of the neatest stories I've heard. Take your boy too when you meet him again.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: cacciatore on September 17, 2009, 08:09:00 PM: Nice story John thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: bowhunterfrompast on September 17, 2009, 11:47:00 PM: Great story..thanks for sharing :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: seboomook on September 18, 2009, 08:05:00 AM: Great story John, I agree you should take your son to shoot with him if possible.
We had an 84 year old marine in for a flu shot
yesterday who had some great WWII stories.
His generation were some great americans with great values, and their stories need to be heard by younger folks.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: jcar315 on September 18, 2009, 08:19:00 AM: I will have to watch for him. He told me the road he lives on so I will have to go over there and see if I can find his house. Thanks for the suggestion guys.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: Frenchy on September 18, 2009, 10:35:00 AM: A pretty neat story,thanks for sharing it.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: Tox Collector on September 18, 2009, 04:55:00 PM: Great story -- thanks for passing it along. Tox Collector
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: Hud on September 19, 2009, 08:17:00 PM: Neat story, your fortunate to get a story that is first-hand. Good luck.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: Big Riser on September 20, 2009, 11:37:00 AM: Nice ,go"s to show you the story and tresure our older Americans are priceless.Thank you for sharing.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: oldhickory on March 14, 2010, 01:39:00 PM: Great story. Howard Hill impacted a lot of peoples lives, and he still does to this very day! The mark of A True Legend! Thanks for sharing. Lon
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: SpankyNeal on March 14, 2010, 01:45:00 PM: Great story...thanks for sharing it with us!

Spanky
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: mullet on March 14, 2010, 07:49:00 PM: Great story, and for sure take your son. One of the greatest influences in my life was my Grandfather. I used to love sitting under the shade tree listening to his stories about old Florida.
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: Bjorn on March 16, 2010, 12:12:00 PM: What a rare encounter. Take the nice feller out shooting with you!
Title: Re: Howard Hill story.......from an oldtimer at the post office
Post by: NW Jamie on March 16, 2010, 06:51:00 PM: Great story! Funny how a onetime meeting like Ray had then inspired him into later getting a bow. Thanks for sharing.