The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-07

SHEEP DRESSING ExTRAQRDUARY.
Butcher Boys .. yAsas ls.ss,,-rns
Match Between 4>arby ana Gersnau-
German the yi..tor.
The long talked Fl match NJ sheen drssssus hst-.
George hocoT.e alias Darby and ROdgss German, took
place iast evening at Kerrgan BALL The match arose
nom conversation among Warrington Market butchers
regard to the skill and ds1tsrity Of German; and
Darby, relying his Old reputation sent young Gorman
= challenge, which was accepted The terms Of the
match were 70 leg, pull, skn and dress fine sheep, IN
market sty for dty dollars aside. shaughneesy tho
"boss' Of German, furnIshed the sheep, and feel
ing in regard TO the match ran very high.
German, who works regularly ut his trade
every day, had the advantage Of constant practice;
and Da, by, whose skni admitted all Sides though
he had Dot worked IL the slaughter house for some time
endeavored to regain his old skill by little extra work.
Eoh parties awaited Wednesday evening" therefore,
with great confidence Bets freely given and
taken, and each uian had plenty Of hackers.
Kerriean Hall, whore the match was decided 10 To-
Gated in White street. Deserted wagons, heaps Of mud
and ice pitfalls Of dirty water and pitfalls Of dis
solute women, piles of brick and any quantity Of
debris from torn down buildings make the ap-
proaches to the Hall anything but pleasant.
red and white lantern indicates the Hall,
and entering . long passage the visitor nnds
himself IL large barroom crowded by butcher boys OF
all sizee and ages; hung with pictures Of dogs
and prize lighters, the floor savdusted small dog Dit
CONVENIENT, ana Harry jennings tho handsolest joes.
and toughest OF sports presiding Q uptiey Set Of
rougs abd butchers Small boys i0okei with admiration
at Waterford Jack" celebrated dog who has seen
better days and watched every wag of his tall with
silent doiieht. Men swarmed around with pct dogs
pefpipg from under their bark ng out from
TIER packets. gentle with plenty Of liquor aud
great wanted match h,s dog against
any weight, and facetiously accommodated with
nite.p h1Ld,ed FOUNDER. Finally Darby arrived, was
happy to make our reporters acquaintance began the
sal. Of tickets and indicted the purchasers thereof up
stairs to
KERRlGAN HALL.
The hall was formerly celebrated dancing academy
re,oices hmensable attempt at freeoo painting
In the centre Of the s pit, thirty feet by nfteen
sides lined with zinc, and traversed a. mans height
by huge beam, with single butchers hook fastened
bats performed, and here the match conteetei
fom this PIT rows of seats rose 10 the ceiling every
side, open for ventilation, and exhibiting make
with a many distinct and dsagreeable smells as
Coie,Ige gives to Cologne. With an ordinary pair Of
rost could locate the bear the dogs, the coons,
The and the ferres without the slightest difficulty
uur reporter accommodated with seat in the
CHI VA the politely kicked down part OF the
building 70 Accommodate him, with o board 10 write
upon. The doors were thrown open, and the spectators
began to assemble.
THE AUDIENCE
posed mostly butcher boys-hcalthy looking
\
good humor broad fun AL classes of butcherdo
were Represented the srsocratc SPORT with his
iashr nabe dress, shiny beaver and beautifully dyed
b.. to the rough about tuwner with his low cap
red shirt great boots, Devil swagger Many
the robust middle aged bosses present. and their
attend, kept excellent order few rowdes shouted
and swore. few swells looked their fur muf-
Tiers and bet their cautious segars and drinks Quiet
Harry Jennings was every where. One or two City
Fathers with strong brogue and attempt At ncognito,
diversified the asselnbage; and altogether about three
hundred pei were seated around the pitt when after
bed about the pit anxiousy inquired aug body had
seen him whppedteD sh-ep were thrown into tho
ring and The friends OF the parties began to prepare for
the contest
took lorg time to arrange The sheep very large,
weighing from sixty to seventy pounds, and as it q
matter Of some moment which party should get the
smaller sheep, hal dollar pitched up the choice,
ana luck favored German fTom the start. The boys
the pit willingly held the the ropeyarn and
the skew.rs, osed dressing thesneep Tubs and boxes
wee ranged 70 catch The blood. Then the half
Conan again won and took the second
heat. John Mossey and Carrot Cation we're ap-
pointed Judges, nno B. Spelcer timekeeper Tho gen.
tiemen were ali well known Washing market butch
eIs Loudly cheeyed. " th scientific touches
Coz then selected his eve sheep; Darby followed
sun the sheep placed upon the ecge the pit,
and Lick Slack made the sdry ncsons OF the ju
GUAR ard prepared the Limbs for the contest the boys
SUNG around willingly hoIong The legs of those amt
nas which evinced desire to kick the bucket instead
OF cying quietly.
A. last Darby appeareoa Short thick set, red shrted
gentleman, with the mnstache AMI Imperial Ia Bowe
ry. Tho sheep were pronounced sufficiently dead for
dressing Darby gave extra hitch to his tro~ sers
and an extra edge TO his knife, and placed
hD self as;rse ), ore Of the sheep; the tune.
work began. Quick as fash the keen knife shot up
tue legs Of one alter another Of the sheep until
pee asta cleared OF its skin The most perfect
quiet e Observed by dropping of his knife Darby
lose age. Three sheep legged and then
strung up the hook With skilful cuts Of tho
knife blows the handle and bis elbow tho skin
pulled. Then come The fuzzy touches about tho
breasts wipe or two upon the fore aod hind Quarters
aud then out the entras Tue set keeps the body
sns'her takes ''R rs placer The breaking y shs
ary holds its breath with Anxiety Now with his knife
in his mouth, now IN he hand Darby jumps absut hs
serve, il they cannst command, success In q
space Of time which seems 70 the unini,iased
ilc,sd'b,y short, a tremendous shou. pro-
,ime-thrty Two minutes thirteen seronds--an average
Of about Blk minutes and twenty sx seconds sheep
Goou bye, Darby "You'r beat sure,n and bets two
/ 70 one on Gorpan. "a
GoRMAN VICTORIOUS.
Another long wait, and Dan Harrington beeds Cor
mans sheep. Got0,an who has been helping carry on
the cht dourres Of HIS competitor, makes his ap
pcaraDce in the uniform red shut and long boots
tail slim, well built curly haired, good looking young
fellow, as lively eel and lent as Caesar
fiom the Word go " II evioent that he must
The five sheep were kgsed 10 rapid succession and
a''ssso with - celebrity which seemed magical. He
.oes up his wtrk ia the vry best style: blows his
-b.ep before lie hangs them up; Is particular about
@'PHg them down with cloth; wins applause and
htrrabs from every one. Loud calls OF "order''
q,.iet the slightest distur bance Once the young
fellow gets nervous, and locks ali around for
he kDife he has in nis mouth AGAIN q sheep
falls 70 the hoor, the rope yarn caking, and
fean his eager hand misses the chord winch lies
beside hun. Presently he steaces htmsen, however.
How the iur dies, and with whas quikuess tho sheep
are BONE out II the ring BY this time pit has
slaughter house look and smcl not pleasant ooutsdcs
h"uts, cheers, stamps ciapping applause, cries OF
'iuhhly Roach, "Damun, - chicken "Bungo,u and
he match " over. Time twenty-five minutes aud
tire sectnfs an oi about four minutes and
went, -four se,oDds--a beat OF ten minutes and ten
s.con
There Is great ruth for German, shouts and hand
Stockings. In moment the young fellow IA caained, In
spite Of laughing and in st ato
20 the rom bcow. Darby good bumoretly ADMITS
hat u IN q ban beat aud that bis opponent is tho
sa,aftest yong butcher IN the trade. This betting
when ynn,e ont ~ nkscce Won't do, he adds. friend