Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-04-08
Scenes Of Ancient Rome Revived

A despatch of the Gth inst, from San Anto
no, to the New York Herald says:
The first OF series of bull fights took place
in this towo to day. Thousands OF people
were 10 attendance from points distant some
twenty miles 90 each side of the river. The
contests had been very extensively advertised
and deep interest created. Tho novelty was
to consist 10 the contact of African lions with
Texan bulls. 1t was expected that the furious
king of the forest would make short work Of
the OK, ADD exhibit how the animal captures
AID eats his victims 10 the desert. 1t was to
be revival Of the goliaus sports IF the 10
mans, representative OF those bloody contests
10 the amphitheatre of the Colosseum before
the EDperors Of Rome. All the gl.diatorial
glamour was thrown around the events. The
lion, inluriated by the shouting and demon.
STATIONS of the people, and gored by the crazad
BULL was to seize and partly eat his Texan
opponent in right royal style.
The announcement read thus 1.-The terrific
OF ndi,t betwee lions and bus, at San Antonio,
commences April s. An encounter between a
full grown African oncss and wild Texas
bull" Also, "a bull fight with six celebrated
Mexican bull fighters, selected as tho best in
the country" Again, IAN encounter between
the full grown black named lion Old George,
the man eater, we'll koown for ferocty, having
killed his keeper 10 Tennessee two years ago,
and Texas bull, we'll known for his courage
and agility. 40 immense iron den or cage,
forty feet 10 diameter, sixteen feet high,
weighing 6 600 pounds has been constructed;
this is to be surrounded by an immense ampbl.
theatre $50 feet 10 circumference, with ample
protection aud with q capacity for seating
10 600 people"
Hundreds of people have paid daily visits to
the animals, some coming from the heart OF
! Mexico. The bulls are very wild, and some
heavy bets have been made in their favor, the
Mcxicans generally being of the opinion that
they will come off victorious 10 nearly oil the
contests
For days past this place has seemed like a
huge fair, so intent arc the visitors on erJcy-
ing the sports. twas thought that the oness
might kill "her bu," but as "Old George
has bad teeth it was expected This buP'
would kill him. Facts arc against this idea
now.
With reference to the Matador encounters
the Mexcans will not be allowed to shoot their
bull. 10 order to win the prize they must
oes arc prohibited. 1t is to DC what is known
to Mexicaus as hand and horn contest. It's
Just possible that several of these men will be
killed if they adhere to the rules. As have
stated, the bulls are very wild, and an old
herder here tells ms be would not face one OF
them in the liog for $40 900, even With the
lasso.
Caudor compels Us to state that the first day $
sport, considering the grea! expectations, was a
rather tame affair. At four clock this after.
noon a handsome, well built Texan bull, with
J stout, short horrs, was turned ioto the large
iron cage prepared for the occasion. The lions
sprang ct the bars Of their cage, roared and
gIared at the bull, who went csperiag around
The edges Of the irc|osure, evidently GOT iotim
dated at the sight Of the monarchs OF Africa.
At this u omeot the MUD naturally reverted to
the terrific scenes enacted in the Fespaslao
anphithcatrc, of the late Of St. Martina, St.
Igoalius: Poti!ius aud the uCuaned Thousands
Of Christian men who fell victims 10 the arena
20 Inc brutal funatcism Of the victorious War
rcrs tc make Roman holiday"
Shortly after four o'clock q liooess was let TO-
to the cage with the bull. She was full grcwn,
but evidently cd and emaciated. Several years
ago she killed her keeper, AID by her appear
ance onc would imagine she has becu oontinu
ally punished ever since. A small allowance Of
food and good deal Of the iron rod seems TO
have bcoo her lot. People accustomed to the
pretty, sleek, we'll fed animals in the geological
department 10 Central Park would have looked
with disdaiu upon this hcruloe, If such title
can be given her. At first she seemed lame
but the limp appears to have been temporary
ooIy.
On entering the csge she sprang upon tho bull,
almost Ieaping over him. This was evidently
in play, as she did not attempt to bite or scrach
him. This first round was watched with breath
less silence; but the crowd became disguised
when then animals separated and cantered OF in
opposite directions. After few minutes Of
; quiet fun the bull began to watch the antics OF
his opponent as she rushed around the cage and
he charged Mt her furiously several times. She
managed to escape him each time, however, for
about five minutes.
At length the bull made an extraordinary
charge. and catching the lioness on his horns
tossed her about six feet in the air. then inclln-
ing his head little he caught her again on his
horns IS she came down, twirled her about IN
the air. and flung her some twenty feet away
from him. The loness fell to the ground like
log, and lsy motionless for about hafa minute.
She was stunned. When she recovered che
glanced hastily at the bull, then dashed against
the cage. as if she desired to escape. The bull
again charged the unfortunate :'queen," tossed
her higher than before, and, as she fell gored her
almost to death. She was hors du combat, and
the BULL not having received scratch, was let
out Of the arena. The lioness will die.
Tomorrow Sunday "Old George the lion
l
Of his cage to get at the victorious native Of
Texas to-day, it is probable the fight will be
long and fsrce.
| CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATION AS the con.
serVatves arc making arrangements for the
coming elections, the following, from the
amended plan of organization as adopted on
the pa of October last by the State Conserva.
tive Committee, composed of three members
from each Congressional district) may not be
upintcresting at the present time:
Each city aud county. by popular meeting,
after due notice, or through the medium of
existing organizations, may appoint city or
county committee. to consist of cot less than
two nor more than fvs members from each
district or ward 10 each city or county, who
shall be charged with the affairs and conduct
of tho party in such city or county, regulat
Jog aud directing the same, either by wards