Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-07-16
The present generation is .elf-de-

intelligent enlightenment has so dinus-
ed itself that exhibitions, such as 'he
Romans used to engage in, such as pun
fghts, and so forth, can never again oe-
come a sport to entertain peop'e OF ,ne
Uuited States with. But, ais . Tor
the prediction, and twice aias for the
concei, that lies back of It. The fol-
lowing, from Bradford, this county,
under date of July fsr, tells Its own
tale, and proves that hopes of many
and the coucelted predictions OF many
have come to a most ignoble end:
One of the most brutal exhibitions
that has ever taken place in this STATE
was a fight between bull and bear
at Custer City, this county, YESTERDAY
afternoon, which was Witnessed by al
least seven hundred persons. People
came by train from long distances, ana
there was a band of music to Keep up
the spirits of the people until the con-
test should commence. The audience
was made up OF the very toughest eie-
ment to be found in the oil region, aud
slouch hats, red shirts, long rsw-hide
boots and misunderstanding pistols
aud knives lad conspicuous places 10
the gathering. There were about hVe
women and three or four children pres
ent.
The event had received pretty liberal
advertising, and these who came had
done 90 to do betting and see some
thing tba: had never before been VIII
messed 10 this section OF tlfe State.
The seats we're arranged over q small
space of ground and raised at slight
elevation, commanding a full view OF
the pit, which was 26x33 feet and III
fee, deep. In this lay the bear, a
shaggy brown fellow weighing three
hundred pounds. The entrance to the
pit was by large iron door at one end,
which was approached by trench.
At two o'clock there we're no signs
of the fgh, beginning, and the crowd
began to yell at such rate and demand
that the management, fearful they might
imagine the whole thlng huDbug and
wreak vengeance upon him. ordered the
band to strike up, which 1t did.
As soon as the last notes died away,
there was a demand from every throat
for the bull to be brought in. The
door was then opened and the buil en-
tered the arena with a rush. AT the
corners of the pit above were men with
strong oaken clubs, to prevent the ani-
mails from leaping out Of the pit, aud
near by were two men, with long poles,
to gosd the bIutes to action.
The bull was trim limbed. With sharp
horns, aud weighed aboa, 100 pounds.
He stopped suddenly iu .he centre of
the pit aud glared upon the bear, who
was stanG,ng with his back that way.
Neither seemed disposed to commence
the fight, but the bear, turning and
facing his antagonist so as to be on the
defensive, excited the bull, who com
meuced advancing, and the bear reared
up to receive him. The bull rushed
una lily forward and sent him rolling over
and over, at the same time goring nim in
the sides. The bear gladly escaped to
his corner, where the bull made no at
tempt to 90.
In the second round the men with
the poles goaded the bull into the bears
corner. He took Bruin upon bis horns,
threw him four feet INTO the air, and be
fell with a thud, several feet away.
The bull then made another daring
charge, when Bruin fastened his claws
IN the neck of his antagonist, shifting
one ear in two aud drawing the blood
freely. This dazed Taurus, when he
gave a yell and withdrew few feet,
beIlOSing with all the power of his
lung.
Bruin saw a chance for liberty and
attempted to leap out of the pit, but
was beaten back by the men with clubs.
MakiDg another desperate effort be got
one Of his claws fastened in the top OF
The pit, and one OF the mea, endea7or
ing to push him back, had his arm
iacerated by the brute. With light
ming Ike rapidity the bear sprang from
the pit into the seats above, and scene
Of indescribable confusion ensued. ne
bounded to the top seat and sent his
claws irto the flesh of woman. He
bad the field almost to himself, as the
audience was flying from him in the
widest confusion, and reaching the top
most seat, distance of forty feet from
the ground, he looked over but would
noi jump.
After the greatest difficulty the bear
was secured aud thrown into the pit
The audience returned, and round No.
4 was begun by the bull making a ter
rife charge, when he received badly
laeerated neck and a cracked horn.
Both animals were badly trested III tbi-
round L.. the fiftn round Bruin sprang
at his enemy but fell short and was
rolled OTer and over and badly gOred in
the sides. He groaned with pain. In
the sixth round the bull was again badly
torn about the neck aud was subdued.
1t was then the betting turn in the bears
favor. In the seventh round the bull
was badly used up and attempted to get
out of the pit and ran around com
pletely cowed.
There were cries for the fight to end
in favor of the bull. but the majority
ruled. and IN the eight round Bum was
buried back into bis corner. The ninth
round was tame, both animals fighting
shy. The men with the poles gosded
The animals on. and Bruiu was caught
On the bulls horDs and thrown high in
the air, Landing on his back. The rest
Of the rounds were without interest,
and the contest Was decided in favor of
the bull.
The affair came near ending in row,
IS the audience was about equally di
Vided a. to whether the fight should go
IN or end. The animals we're terribly
punished, and it is thought neither of
them will live.
STATE ITEMS.