The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-11
MAIN OF "STAGS."
Opening Of the Cock Fight
ing Season.
10g Island and Westchester in the ht-Thir-
tan Battles $50 Each, and $500 the Odd
Tght-Bergh's Men on the scene-Ar-
rests-The Fighting Continued
Long Island the Winner.

~ the headquarters OF the game cock. Men who
brush along the pathway Of life at speed entirely
incompatible with old fogyism own and breed the
Iyrannlcal chanticleer; yet many of such persons
are estimable individuals ana would add dignity
TO some anniversary meetings. And such ex-
amples OF the excellent and respectable becoming
entirely enfhused by rafting tight between Wen
meaning BIRDS Is not uncommon on ''its sea grit
shore" Oft and again has some city or vii
lage OF the island inaugurated the sport
OF cock lighting. and when it has not
been Brooklyn proper one OF the quiet suburbs
has done the work, and literally rejoiced in the
success. Long Island. in word has peen the
cock lighters paradise for years, and Friday night
one Of Its progressive denZens in Hunters Point
threw wide open the doors OF his 'store.r and, for
consideration, ushered visitors into pit where the
sport was formally commenced for the winter by
man OF stays chickens between Westchester
and Long Island. 1t had been arranged that these
parties should each show Is birds. ranging from
3 lbs. IA OF. to lbs. o., and fight all
that weighed in for the OF $50 a bat
tie and $500 the ODD fight II the story
can be credited. the 'tp" given but few,
yet the result proved conclusIvely thai each and
every OF these acquainted all his relatives and
cousins down 20 that 'icrty-seco1d" human mys-
terry, and at eight O'Clock the house was wei hed
with motley crowd. rhe building, nothing
prince.y size. is devoted TO the selling OF rum
and the fighting OF game chickens, yet from its
external appearance it has but little TO indicate
that any thing more than
A SUBSTANTIAL DRUNK
can be obtained therein. The Dit, at the rear OF
The building was crowded at the hour above men,
TONED, and the throng was found chafing each
other to XIII the time intervening before the ball
was opened In the anterooms the imprisoned
chickens were ready for battle, and now and then
the premises would resound with the clarion notes
OF imprisoned fowls, and hearing the cheerful mu-
SIC, the features OF the old cock lighters would
glow with pleasure
Such an assembiagel Among the crowd were
ruffians from New YORK. who knew the weight OF
pistol better than they did that OF prayer book.
MI in frolicsome humor, and insisting on LAYING
heavy odds on Westchester. Then there were
lordly ana domineering barKeepers, their placid
faces lighted up with appreclative glows officers
Of the government in their Sunday clothes, the
sagacious cOuntenances Of loud-mouthed reform
ers IN the late election, the m luton chop whiskers
and eneminate professional gentleman from
Brooklyn, accompanied by citizens good and true.
once holders and office seekers both were there;
and there were pock-marked men, with
canine look and abundantly boweled. to
the HERALD reporter unknown though per.
''nobby" young gentlemen. with standing collars
and low cut vests, showing big expanse Of SHIRT
bosom. these young men looking as II they might
be identified with mercantile pursuits. And then
there were veteran gamblers, old dog fighters,
heeers for dishonest and disreputable prize fight
ers and one or two citizens IN loud overcoats,
who,paid their admission fee, but were too drunk
to enjoy the show.
The location or the pit invites interference from
thepOdce and the keen-eYed servants or Bergh and,
pity to relate these con1ounded disturbers OF inno
cent pasiimes very suddenly showed up on the
premises IN the height OF the sport and for while
interrupted us harmonious continuance. But OF
Shortly before nine O'Clock the veteran Jakaway
accepted the responsible position or Judge. and
with the u 800 N voices CRYING sao on West;
1900 to $50 on the mainY' and with more yelling
and plenty of cursing, then commenced
THE FIGHTING.
First Fght-The little fellows, two lbs. IA OF.
Westchester sent in a black red tassel and Long
Westchester was the favorlte, but Long Island had
the best Of 1t from the send-of, and at the sixth
ny he so hurt the Morrisania representative that
he went looking for hole. In five minutes the
black red received his quletus and he was pounded
by an old sport, Long Island being chaiked down
Second FighL-fhe big fellows, two 5 lbs OF.
Both black reds Westchester, as before, had the
pretty even, but the Melrose bird was in poor con-
,itIon, some OF his blows not having POWDER
OF butter. AT last with the betting all around the
compass, Long Island kicked his opponent In the
head and he asked for his mother. Time, IL
Third Ft0ht-Two lbs Black reds again. A
pair Of grand raspers- 1t was give and take all the
became excited. Long Island got the lead at last,
and the odds were 10 to his victory. He
knocked the life out OF his adversary in just eight
minutes. Three fights Tor Long Island and West
chester looking disconsoate, yet remembering That
they were thirsty.
SLIGHT INTERRUPTION.
Here the guardians Of good order came upon the
scene. superintendent Hatfield, OF Berghs men,
with squad OF polce-the latter wishing EVIL
0ently 10 be IN other employment-were known to
De on the way TO the pit, and the lights were put
down. Everybody was enJOlned TO Keep quiet
Even the swilling OF bad liquor was stopped. For
time the crowd OF rioters were ike babes but,
were turned up and the loafers swore it was ''too
thin, this way OF stopping the fght.' The birds
ior the fourth fight were heeied and about
crush, and, as one man, 200 men
saw the officers pouncing upon them. Never
did cock pit 80 suddenly become a wreck as this.
The side was torn away, the ROOF battered on with
rough and hardened fsts, and In the twinkling of
the result Of the assauiting party. Berghis men
carried and handled carelessly silver-mounted
volvers and one genius OF this party, who wore q
plush cap yelled out ''shoot emit as the boys were
leaving without saying "good night" Fortunately
this order was not obeyed, and when the officers
reached the station house there we're but 10 noses
TO count, i've having given them the slip on the
way, and not one OF them principal or the least
Interested except as spectators In the contest
At tEeve O'Clock good natured Judge liberated
these 10, and by this time the pit was restored to
some KIND OF shape, as the crowd meant TO see the
matter through At twelve minutes to one O'Clock
without the fear OF another visitation from the Of.
tcers, the sport weDt-on with
REDOUBLED vIGOR
Fourth Ftght-Each scaling los. IL OF. Long
island sent IN a blue-red and Westchester black
red--the latter the favorite, and much excitement
an tue pit. They came together like the crack OF a
whip and at the iourtn buckle it looked as If
the luck was changing, as Westminster was
rafting the life out OF the blue by his stunning
kicks. The latter came again, however, aud
getting in a blow ON Westchester's head, the fe-
ciplent stretched bis neck and was looking for
hole to go home, az he was pounded Time,
sm. four Gghss for Long Island, and the boys
90 the right side began to gzzie gin and sugar"
FyTh Ftqht-Botli black reds. Tie list called for
4 lbs. 9 ez. They we're raspers and in half a dozen
fys each were cut In body and head clean as
ceaver could carve them. But Westminster was
too busy for Long Island. and at last catching the
latter IN the head, spread MIN ouf fat FOUNDER.
Ii was all over in 4m. Westminster WAS
happy, but their happiness was soon changed to
sorrow, a. IL was found the vctCuI0us chicken was
one ounce over weight aad the Judge decided In
consequence "al bets on and Westchester loses
the 1ght.D so the latter IN hard luck all
around, but they had stu backbone.
Ci1rfy. Txun A Inc In ~tnop Ubo had