The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-04-17
TEXAS SPORTS.
a brutal battle HEctN~cm "a Lion
es~ aud "a Texas Suit.

Special Dispatch {. The Globe Democrat
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, April O.
Americans OF the nineteenth century il
this city to day were reminded of the
days OF ancient home, when the curious
multitude Hooked at stated periods t.
. witness fierce contests between savage
beasts. The occasion of this was the
contest between a large lioness and :
Texas bull. The scene Of the contest
was about three aud a halt miles from
town. A spacious ampitheater had been
erected, capable of seating D 200 people.
la the center of it was a mammoth cage
ITO feet in circumference, weighing 6,00C
pounds. Free conveyance was offered
attendants upon the fight. and fully zoo
Went out to witness it, The bull, mus
cular animal eleven years old. Was found
/ in the cage, and though showing but lit
/ tie spirit, was generally considered capa
bic of combating even the so called
king of beasts. At O'Clock the an
nouncement of ''rrady" was given. In
tense excitement prevailed, and all seem
ed fearful lest perchance there might be
some flaw in the construction of the cage,
aud that the struggling animals might
break the bars and escape to vent their
savage wrath upon the helpless assem-
Dlage of people. Finally, the iron cage
containing the lioness was backed up
against the pit for the battle, when a
shoot was opened, the door of egress for
the lionness was unbarred and she spraug
upon the battle ground. The bull eyed
her suspiciously and continued chewing
his cud, when Jennie, as his antagOn-
list is named, passed around to his rear.
Not experimenting the attack the bull
was taken by surprise, when Jennie
pounced upon him. She sprang upon
his launches with an effort to fasten her
teeth and claws in the powerful beast:
but his hide, being thick and exceeding
tough, resisted the attempt. The attack
aroused the ire of the bull, who turned.
and madly rushed upon his antagonist,
caught her in his horns and tossed her in
the air When she fell, one of her ribs
was evidently broken, and uttering coarse
and infatuated growls, she retreated.
The bull followed the lioness up, and
presently caught her again in his giant
horns, and again sent her sailing through
space. The crowd shouted and cheered,
tue WIIueSl cuSuIoldsLH prevailing. nose
who had plaDked their notes OH the king
of beasts raised the white feather, while
the raging bull followed up his victory.
Jennie was finally cornered, and, stand
ing upon her hind feet, bracing herself
against the bars of the cage, with open
mouth and thunder-li like roaring, she pre-
pared for the life struggle. Knowing no
fear, the bull rushed upon her His
point was finally gained, and Jennie was
at his mercy Overcoming her resist
ance he forced her to the ground and
brought all his power to bear upon her
head. Down upon his knees the bull
fell, actually pinning the lioness to the
floor with his horns. This ended the
combat. Jennie being completely van
qushed, and left in dying condition.
After the bulls final effort she had not
sufficient life remaining to even groan.
The fight lasted twelve minutes. The
lioness had been famished for the occa-
sion, and the starving had evidently been
overdone, thus affecting her natural
strength and activity, and preventing the
development of her ferocious instincts.
The combat was the occasion of the
greatest excitement to spectators and
people generally, though the sentiment
of the community was decidedly opposed
to it.