Trapshooting: The Patriotic Sport by D. H. Eaton
https://books.google.com/books?id=6aQvAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA211

It was first awarded to the State Champion of the Ohio Trapshooters' League.
http://books.google.com/books?id=6aQvAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA211&source

January 2, 1889 Sporting Life
https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll17/id/53051
Rolla Heikes won the first $500 L.C. Smith Cup December 25, 1888.

$500 in 1890 = about $14,000 today

Forest & Stream August 8, 1889 with an illustration
https://books.google.com/books?id=TUchAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA52&lpg

Fred Gilbert (who used a Smith 1895-1901 when he switched to a Parker) with some of his trophies in 1903; the L.C. Smith Cup is #4 - impressive!