The New York herald., 1878-03-15
COCK FIGHTING.
A POLICE RAID AND TWENTY SPECTATORS CAP

TURED.
NEW haven, March II, 1873.
New Haven probably has more game fowls than any
city Of its In the United States The raising of
the ''games" has become study to several gentle
men, who have even gono so lar In their
enthusiasm send man TO Europe,
especially In their interest 20 procure the
best procurable fighters, That there may be no
doubt as to what the championship OF the pit belongs
In a majority of the fights New England New
Haven birds represented, and generally they have
satisfied their owners. The reason for sending to
Europe is an assumption that American bred fowls
have deteriorated somewhat, and new blood is
needed. II would naturally be inferred that
possessing such fowls n taste for such
exhibitions, citizens would occasionally arrange
matches within the city, Notwithstanding the penalty
OF an existing law and an arraignment before the
lice court notable match occurred about two years
ago IN the business place OF ono of the prominent
officials OF the town, which was attended
by politicians Of all degrees and gooaly repro
scntaton OF sporting men IRON other cities. Tho
police did not Interfere with the sport, and lately the
owners OF the ''iancy ones" have been accustomed
to Indulge in their iavorlte pastime In place eabo
rntey hted up tor their reception This place
exactly 10 the centre OF the Guy, but IL Is with
In the sound tho college bells In what
Is known as Barclay street One William Leo
Is responsible Tor It's ownership, accoriiug 10
rumor, he occupying Tie premises above) the pit in
basement, as "A dwelling. In ntting up tho PIT
considerable expense incurred which would arg ue
that 1t was Intended to make It permanent insttu
uon. The sides Of ,hc pit carefully
padded TO prevent the u,rds who MIN,
chance TO DO tumbed against It's sides from being
injured, ana around the pit were arranged circle
OF seats built IN tiers after the circus ten model An
other appliances aud convsnegccs, Including fancy
''gans coops, &c.. were also looked aiter. IL
tended on Tuesday ught TO have a ce eebrntion
Weather permitting there would have been present
birds from Springfield and elsewhere. heavy
discouraged tho owners OF the up-couatry birds from
fha Nag Aot..
on light and arranged a series of battles be wccn
tho "powntowners" and tho "Sandy Hollow
ties Some fancy BIRDS were provided and early
in the evening the fun begun, there oeing IN
attendance about nifty persons. Social glasses be-
tween the battles eulvened the spectators, about
eleven O'Clock tho excitement was Intense Shortly
before midnight quarrel Was impending concern'ng
have been tho rulc had not new
ana unexpected Interruption occurred About
posted told tho Chief OF Police what was gong
on. Soon alter squad OF regular and extra
collected ior the purpose of makinga rad. While
dispute was III progress within the building the police
were surrounding the premises without, which the
absence OF pickets allowed them 10 do undetected.
| Whom all was ready The cellar door kicked In
aud the police began to crowd IN one At time. Al
fret there were nine men outside and two were
tailed 20 IN, but when seen that there were
many oca with OF the officers rushed IN. A
Hight OF stars leading TO the upper floors
u.,,, OF ahe building was so. pn. In immediate re-
| Tho lights were exuoguished, but not before
the police had learned Tho lay OF the land pretty WELL
However, the spectators had ton oil being
caught The small force without the building made Il
seem the wisest course 10 attempt fight by means
| OF windows and doors. Ono fellow Jumped
through two story window, taking the
window frame with him. Others leaped
| through the windows on the lower floor but the DO.
lco began to their clubs freely, striking those
who attempt escape, driving some back into
the hands OF the officers inside. Nevertheless out
| OF about nity thirty escaped leaving twenty ia
| the charge Of the police, who carried them
another. When the entrance was effected there were
| two BIRDS In tho pit nghtlne. These carried
| along for evidence Others might have beon found
| had a search been made, there lot them
| about the promises Some idea Of the lively work
| may be gained from the statement that not
the spectators received bruises, and Vi tho officers
Ia spccial) received thump on his head but clung
The work. On tho whole a pacific disposition was
shown and there really no light between cti-
zcus ana officers The prisoners were locked up
| where they could hear Of their birds
to them at Intervals during tho night yes
terday morning came beore tho City Court. News
oi the affair drew large crowd OF spectators to the
room, and interest was stimulated by the rarity
| Of sucn case, raid having been made tho
"nghters" ior years. Most Of the settled on
tho payment oil So and COSTS and probably all will
SO without standing trial Tho extreme penalty Is 81
and costs. The ''hccers" and 'hcadcrs' wore among
those that escaped and II IS said several
citizcns. The cost TO each man caught was $40 s9
The cost for window glass and 9th damages Will be
much than the pay Tor admission at fifty cents
per capita could have amounted 10. II Is understood
10 be the intention OF the Attorney OF tho City
Court, before which the tried, 10
put stop 10 cock fighting within the city, but In that
game fowls viii hardly give up their sport, but will
adjourn to neighboring towns and probably Will
forget In the future that they guarded from
Interruption, this beng lesson not 10 be forgotten