The New York herald., 1869-01-19
COCK FIGHTING EXTRAORDINARY.
THE NORTH AGAINST THE SOUTH
New York VS.. "0ld Virginia. Twelve
Battles, $500 Each, and So. 900 tho
Lain-The Northerners victori.
ous, Winning Eight Fights.

Of this section were In readiness for any and all
character OF fighting, has been prolific in terrific
battles and MANS that have been the source Of ex
citement, sharp betting and lasting quaities In
all these instances the birds have been the product
Of the successful breeders Of New York. New Jersey
and Pennsylvania. The fame OF the fowls ex-
tended hundreds, yes. thousands Of miles,
and it caused among the owners OF the well known
strains OF Southern chickens pang OF jealousy that
they could not well Withstand. At last but upon
mature reflection, they OF the South particularly
from "Old virginia. gathered together the "pickn
OF the noted birds upon their soil and sent bold
challenge to their friends in this city that they had
chickens in their estimation that could walk away'
with anything that could be heeled against them.
This was just what the North had been looking for,
and In answer they assured their Southern friends
they could be accommodated and that at the earliest
notice. Hence the present main, or rather that
fought yesterday within six miles OF the metropolis,
between game cocks representing, on the one hand,
The North and, on the other, the South. 1t had long
been talked Of and the excitement and betting days
ano weeks before the fighting was OF the most ami.
mated nature.
This contest, almost unequaled in the annals OF
cock fighting in the Northern States occurred yester
day afternoon as alluded to, at spot not necessary
TO MENTION but it necesstated conveyances OF every
description to take the earnesminded followers and
ride. After river had been ferried over there
miles OF craggy heights to encounter and it required
good and true h0rseffesh to surmount them in sea-
son. But this requisite was forthcoming. as scores
OF melted steeds were seen, with their gilt trap
pings. drawing coaches embazoned with wen snown
monograms, climbing the steep paths in which
could be seen when the silent clouds OF falling snow
admitted it, the countenances OF gentlemen who
seldom lend their presence to such entertainments
THE AGREEMENT.
The gentlemen interested in the contest agreed that
the cocks shown should be seventeen in number and
weighing from four pounds two to five pounds
twelve ounces-a range that gave each side an oppor
tnnity Of presenting the superior fowls Of their
respective strains. 1t was further agreed that the
battles should be for $500 a side, and $1,000 the
main to fight all that fell in. Twelve couples fell in
the first six TO constitute the MAN, and the last
fle to be considered an outside one.
THE SCENE.
Two O'Clock In the afternoon had been arranged
for the fight and well did the principals hold to their
agreement as at that hour word went TO the neigh
tsrested parties were congregated awaiting the he
signal OF assembling at the pit 1t was q peculiar
Soe nes 81 s,ud
whose cash In bank would excite the
envy Of millions; farmers whose broad acres
whose racers and trotters in their trials OF speed
have been heraded the world over: hotel keepers,
whose reputation for genial ty and lberalty cannot
be exceled by any host In the land; blacksmiths,
tanners weavers. men OF no work and men OF ali
work, and then we obtain a fair glimpse OF those
that mingled fraternally and joyously, vending
their way to the circle around which in few mo-
ments was the most intense excitement.
THE PIT.
II was q new one erected for the occasion. Rough
boards recently taken rrom the damp and storms OF
the winter roughly put together, constituted the ac-
commodatons. Considering that five dollars were
charged Tor every entry, i may Wen be questioned
at least some ease wherever their lot may be cast
whether In this matter they were treated fairly by
W m hair ba m fha nf taoir
ele.n
THE Birds
Tfey were mary and or many different cOlors and
strains. Those from the South the word vent forth,
were Of the .Stone Fencen strain but when il IA
mentioned that these gentlemen brought eighty
birds with them IT must be recognized that they
showed decided mixture OF blood.
Long Island breed, who have fought and won many
main, and whose garneness has been the crowning
cry OF bird raisers IN this section for many years.
The former had, Of course, the largest number OF
birds to select from, but It proved the latter had
enough, as they gaantly won the main and eight
The grand red cock intended 10 I'LL the post OF hon.
or on the Northern side and fight the heavyweight
battle, but could not do so as his big bone and frame
would not allow him TO c me within weight. And
another well thought Of bird was thrown out OF the
selected ones rs ne manifested symptoms OF that
troublesome disease which shows itself first by
dischsrge from the nostris.
THE BETTING.
surrounding the pit hundreds Of eager and excited
men stretched forth their hands some with rolls OF
greenbarks too large for ordinary men to carry,
offering accepting some OF the thousand and one
wagers that nned the air. The North was the fayo.
s snt S 70 @ .oao % % e put @ tne o.
eooD they were greeted with lower sums Fifty to
forty was then offered BY the North and ten to eight
the first fight When told that nearly the entire OF
last week Southern breeders OF chickens and southern
partsans walked this city, and when they met
their fowls and predicted easy victory. This
style Of betting and the odds against seemed rather
fDcomprehenslble; but the North knew what their
rame was aud offered these odds, while they looked
for the cocks
with eyes and feathers right,
And with heels sharp and prime.
ready to do battle.
THE FrgHTrxG.
First FigfL-The games began with the heavy
weights. two 1ve-twelves. The North was first In
the pit, amid great applause. II required some
business was managed the BIRDS were uncovspsd'
Each showed black red. The North was the iavopn
te At twenty to sixteen and and forty TO thirty wi
1rst ny the North staggered ~ opponent by quick.
hard hitting, but waen he got u back in neck,
head and breast he did not rellshst But the North
was game aud, although he became weak after sew
eral buckles, ne fought well. The betting became
even. After the Long Island bird had rested awhile.
which he did IN an exceedingly adroit manner, he
commenced to give L quick aud hard again 20 sold
ten 10 two. cold virginian began TO look Tor n
place to hide, when he was pounded and, no one
ascepting it the North was declared the winner.
ssconf Fght--The light weights, two four.twos.
looking; the North showed an English cock. same
color. Betting, ten 20 seven In favor Of the latter
was terrible hghting. The English bird cut his
plncky opponent at the FIRST buckle in body
breast and neck. but he retalated; yet there
was more punishment In the formers ihrusts
The odds became ten TO two on New
York; but '0ldi virginia. fooled them this
once, and when every spectator thought
mis- time had come. he buckled 20 II again Qrandiy
and hit the North sucn fightfu blow 10 the meek
that he broke IL, causing ham 70 die lnstaDter The
North were blue and the South jubilant Time, six
minutes.
THIRD FDnf.-Twenty TO fourteen on the North
and the betting very clamorous. The south sent IN
b3ck-eXcelent NOtfh
presented blus red from Long Island, raised
by "a thoroughbred farmer-"good and true,r lie
had won Two fights before, and some OF the
veterans inithis business recognized him. Each FIVE
I'VE. But they were both good. Long Island got il
badly at the nrst buckle. being knocked down and
cut In the breast and neck frghtfuiy Yet be stuck
and fought and the more the brassback Mapped at
him and cut, the more ana harder be gave Il back
Al last condition and game toId and when many OF
Che Norths adherents had left him In betting he