The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-05-01
sunday sports In Texas.
TERRIFIC FIGHT OF a BULL WITH
LIONS.
SAY ANTONIO. ApriII4.

San Antonio was to-day again ex-
cited over lion and bull fight. Af-
ter the fight oflast week, in which the
celebrated Texas bull, "Old Tige,"
whipped an African lioness, the low
ers Of this fierce sport and others
governed by curiosity, have had
desire to witness another combat be
tween the Texas King bull and the
well-known African lion, "Old
George" who is reported to be the
most ferocious animal of his kind in
the United States. Before 10 A NJ
the crowd began to assemble at the
arena, which is just three miles from
the city, and at l2 NJ large throng
had gathered. The amusement Of
the day was begun by fight be-
tween two Mexican bulls, to give
relish for the richer feast Of horrors
to come, bat the bulls were too tame
to fgbt-rather civilized bulls-and
after many vain efforts on the part of
the trained bull-fghters to goad them
to evaporation, this first part Of the
programme terminated.
Shortly after p NJ, about 1000
people had assembled for the grand
event Of the day. cod George"
the lion was prowliDg and growing
within the circle of the large iron
cage, 60 feet in diameter, which had
been erected for the combat at great
expense The sporting" fraternity
were freely Offering to take ventures
on the result at three and even i've to
one on the ball, and found not a few
takers The bull having been loos-
ened 10 sn adjoining field, was
brought with great difficulty to the
ground and forced into the cage.
The lion, quietly eating q piece of
raw be- was separated from "Old
Tige" Ly q canvass curtain stretched
across the cage. As soon as the
ropes were taken from the bulls
horns the canvas partition was
drawn aside The attack was at
once begun by "Tige," who rushed
madly upon the lion and tossed him
ten feet into the air The monarch
of the forest fell heavily to the
ground, but Immediately sprang up
and made fearful spring at the bull
The Texan received him on his horns
and again gored him in the side and
threw him savagely against the iron
bars, bleeding and badly bruised,
and then virtually put au end to the
combat, for the ferocious "Old
George" had the fight efectually
knocked out of him, and refused
to come to time, although be was re.
peatedly challenged by the Texan.
Cheer after cheer arose from the ex-
cited crowd in the great amphithea-
tire, every one OF whom bad mounted
the seats when the bull proved him.
self the victor.
The canvas was then drawn between
the combatants, and the lioness that
encountered the same bull last week
was turned in with her mate. The
curtain was again drawn aside, and
the pair were turned against the bull.
cold Tige" looked for moment at
bis old antagonist, end then rushed
savagely upon her, tossing her into
the air and breaking two of her RIBS
He then turned upon "Old George,
the Man eater" and gave him another
toss into the air, badly goring him.
The lions then crouched in q corner
of the cage, completely cowed, and
"Old Tige" deliberately approached
aud smelled them, but did not renew
the attack He stood paving the
dirt in token of his victory.
This bull is terribly savage and
dangerous He is ten years old and
has killed five other bulls in single
but extremely fierce combats. He is
the mixed Texas and buffalo blood,
and is larger than the average Texas
bull When he was being brought
into the fighting pen, to-day, be rush.
ed upon crowd and badly gored a
man who was assisting in holding
him with lassoes. The lions are
from Africa, and of very large
size, but are old They are the pair
that killed their keeper about three
years ago, in Tennessee. "Old
George" has but one eye, and this fact
was much against him in the fight.
The bull, before entering on this
combat, was upon three legs, having
been badly wounded by the lioness
last week, and not having vet recov-
cred. But when be charged upon
bis antagonist he seemed to forget
all about his wounded limb
The next fight will be between this
champion hull and three noted Mex
lean bull fighters. The sympathy is
all with the bull, and the expectation
is that it will go hard with the
"greasers" After that combat the
community here will enjoy a lion
and tiger fight. Texans are quite
h.favored in their sports, and
care little how many bulls, lions and
Mexicans are whipped.-Ne,e York
Times