The New York herald., 1870-03-20
COCK FIGHTING At TIE SOUTH.
GREAT MAIN AT FUNCKTowN, MD.
The District Of Columbia Conquers Maryland
Each Battle for $500, and the Odd
Fight for $4,000.
FUNCETowN. Md. March II, 1870.

game chickens IN the cockpit had its origin IN the
South. For nearly century these contests had been
increasing up to the period Of the late civil war,
when the amusement was deserted for bloodter
scenes on the field.
The match for the series OF battles which to-day
In part Will decide 30 much for the men OF the DIS
srict OF Columbia ana this State had long been on
the tapis; but not not until the Gath Of February
last did matters assume basis OF pleasant progress
sion toward the looked for end At that time 'Lumn
F. Eslln, OF Washington, member OF family Of
great cock lighters In that city, met Fritz Kan0de
and s. Stanhope, Of Hagerst0wn and without dim.
Guilty con cluded upon she preiiminares for the con-
test. The neghborhood, the State Pennsylvania,
Virginia and the Carolinas knew OF 1t in sngulary
brief period. The contracting parties agreed that
each should produce twenty-0ne cocks, weighing
from four pounds twelve ounces to six pounds two
ounces. ana to hght all that fell in, or matched,
each battle being for $500 and the odd fight,
or victory, Tor $4,000. They further agreed
to fght two days, with one and a half inch
gais, the Philadelphia rule governing them In every
THE BIRDS.
Where SO much is at stake the strain OF birds to
be shown naturally excites much discussion The
cocks to-day Will compare with, n not surpass, any
that ever entered pitt being large Of size possessing
age Ca the death. Those from Washington fought
by Esln. are called the ''Red Horse" and 'tShang-
hae' strains. The former were pronuced by an old
but small black COCK Obtained from Boston over
fifty years since, crossed with famous Sergeant
hen. There was another with their progeny by
the Wnlsting JacKet' stock, bird black red across
the back ana saddle, but having magnificent coal
black breast. These birds have been IN their houses
two weeks ana In constant training. They were
sent to their battle ground ten days ago.
The Maryland cocks are OF the .'st0ne fence and
"counterieiters," Georgia dominickers'' and the
with black muffs-an uncommon and rare
fowl The lot were obtained for this contest
from Jefferson, Berkeley and Richmond, Va. and are
THE FEEDERS AND HANDLERS.
Dick Harris, long with the Eslins, has been feed
ing, putting into condition and training The birds
from Washington. John Dickson, a professional Of
no mean ability. Of philadelphia, has been seconded
by "Lum" Eslin to heel che birds from the capital
The match list was soon finished, when 1t was an
nounced that there would be sixteen battles
enough to satisfy the most fnveerate lover OF the
pSstime Amid an interest and excitement never
before witnessed by me IN a cockpit, at eleven
Dr. E. l.. Butler. Of Hagerstown, was agreed upon
as judge. 1t had been determined to fight seven
matches today and nine tomorrow; but the length
of some Of the gghts with attendant circumstances
caused the principals to stop this evening after the
fifth battle. Every bird pitted was Gead game. The
Maryland cocks were In little better condition than
those shown by their opponents, but the latter, on
the whole, were the best cutters ana more ready
moutners. The following gives the battles IN
detafi-
FIRST Ftont-The heavy weights, nve pounds ten
ounces. MARYLAND showed their favorite, Stone
was ginger red, with yellow legs and white
buckle-a noble looking bird The District presented
Red Horse. black red. with black legs and breast
The ginger had the call in betting. 1t severely
contested fight. Maryland had decidedly the best OF
1t In the rapid hitting but then chance blow across
the back took the powder out OF him for awhiie but
he came again. knocked out the best eye OF the Red
Horse and fought him down. Then the Stone Fence
had wing broken, and ultimately, when pierced IN
every portion OF the body, both were SO weak they
refused 70 buckle, and Maryland's handler obtained
the count and, had ne been as shrewd as the hand
lQr6 nm a on m VIZ fba no
but he was not and by better judgment the District
finally obtained the count and the battle amid great
cheering Fully $1,000 depended on the result
Second Fs0ht.-same weights The District sent
n Gsd Horse a Sor as Gsd BY
Georgia Domnick. a lofty, well stationed cock. He
was light red, with yellow legs and white tail. Bet
ting even. This was rattling fight The black red
made matters serious. and won tough fight About
$3.50 changed hands. Time 22m.
another OF the same strain before. He was raised
by George Esler. and called by MIN "Jenny Lind"
M SoSr y WAS gnes with 6aSK gs weight
blue mufr with blue buckle, one ounce less, and the
prettiest ever pitted Jenny had the call with the
1t everywhere In their buckles. Finally the mum has
his leg disjointed and that with neck blow gave
aaaust sae anG Te ue m nn' was
other black red, named ''The WIDOWS Fancy;''
to ninety was offered on the Widow. 1t was good
fight, and won by the District boys. Very quickly
tine blue picked up dying. Time, 4m. 3Os.
FttU FiDh-The District sent IN another Red
Horse, I'VE pounds and six ounces, and their oppo.
nents black red mun, strong, vindictve. q
heavier. the odds were on the former
100 to 95. They went together like the cracking OF
whip, and gave hit Tor hit, but the Red Horse got
train blow and he was quickly cooked, dying in the
pit. Time, 3m 4Os. About 81, 200 changed hands on
the result.
The ignting now ceased for the day with four VIC
tories scored for the District Of Columbia against
for the Marylanders. The latter still feel
Hune, however, that they will win the main,
although the odds against them are about 100 to 10.
The crowd Is increasing, ana tonight Hagerstown
and FuncktOwn are alive wiJn strangers.