The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-31
COCK FIGHTING
A Main of Thirteen Battles Between
Albany and Ulster Counties.
A l. b A N Y w I N s .
Some Fine Strains of Blood
Engaged in the Fight.

RoSpouT n. ". March IS. 1879.
For the first time in number of years Ulster
county had the pleasure if it may SO be termed,
of having first class cooking main within its bor-
ders Several shakebag fights and minor bird con-
tests have taken place. and hundreds of dollars
changed hands but none Of the events created such
furore among the gentry who indulge in that
class of sport as that OF last night few OF the
owners of good fighting stock in this city and county
have for time been trying TO get up main
with outside parties but not until the great cooking
main between Albany and Troy birds last month.
in the latter city. this accomplished The pres
ence of few Ulster and Duchess sportsmen at the
above affair, and the braggadocio about their Birds
soon brought on match, which was made on the 18th
ult to take place in Ulster county within six weeks
from that day. the Albany sportsmen to receive
three days notice of time and place. The
terms of agreement were to show
teen birds a side, weighing from lbs.
OF. to lbs. 10 o.. and fight all that
fell in or matched in weight. for $50 battle and
$500 the odd contest or main. AS few OF the lead
ing sporting men of Duchess and Orange counties
were Interested financially. and also contributed
toward listers stock of birds. number Of the nee
essary pasteboards were sold at IS each to their
friends OF the mum sort in those counties.
About dusk yesterday the knowing ones who had
road leading to Rosendale in every conceiv
able sort OF conveyance and many even
took the prccauton to take a roundabout
way on foot, which was not very desirable journey
The spot selected in an old out-of-the-way
shanty some distance from the road. and toward
which suspicion would not for moment have been
attracted. A strip Of thick woodland near at hand
also acted fine place to leave the vehicles. About
nine O'Clock, in the neighborhood of two hundred
inent spor.smeD and politicians from Troy. Albany
Hudson. Catskill, Poughkeepsie, Newburg. Peekskll
and other points along the Hudson. preparations
were at once commenced for the opening fight
The result Of weighing and matching decided that
thirteen battles should be fought. A knowing one
present expressed the opinion that both sides had
selected fine lot OF birds, and If the coseness of the
result be taken into consideration he certainly
was correct. While the preliminaries were going
several bets made the opening battle
and on the main. Albany Troy and Cohoes repre-
senativcs freely backed their main ut 500 to $780,
with number of takers from the lower river coun-
ties. At twenty minutes to eleven the sport COM
menced and tho first pair of birds brought into
the pit.
First Fi9ht-Light weights were presented Albany
showing dark red and Ulster yellow pyle both
weighing lbs. OF. Both seemed ready for the
fray aud went to work in good earnest. In the first
hold the Ulster bird had the best of the battle, cut
ting his opponent badly and loud shouts of $50 to
$40 on the Ulster. with but taker. Several small
bets of $40 TO IS the Ulster offered and &C.
copied. Quicker than fash the Albany bird buried
its gans into the breast of the pyle and piles of
money were won and lost the result Of the blow
for both fell entangled the Ulster bird never to rise
again Albany felt jubilant and proud over their
FIRST victory. Time occupied II minutes.
Second Ftgtt-rhe weights were lbs. 3 o. Ulster
handed in a dark brown. with high. glaring comb.
and Albany presented dominick. Albany became
wild from the word 90 and jumped for it's antagon-
ist and was well net. the Ulster bird sending back
blow for blow. For few moments it was nip and
tmck ana pets Mere even up tne a"m,nick got
sent him Keeling. and had it followed up the advan
tage gained would have made short work of the
dark brown, but despite the efforts of its handler
he would not then force, the fight, and the Ulster
bird recovering from the stunning blow it had but
. desperate effort, slashing right and left aud
fnally sent brain blow into the dominck. which
sent him staggering Shouts of $40 to $40 on the
Ulster bird with buta couple of takers. Duchess
official at this point offered $500 to $50 without find
the river chaps jolly. The Ulster bird followed up
the advantage il had, and under the handling of
well known New York bird fancier soon put an end
to the dominick. which taken from the pit with
the chances of death in its favor instead of life. Tme
~ minutes. Albany /; Ulster, /.
Third FigM.-Thngs now began to wear an excited
and lively aspect. Both sides had won a battle. and
the Growing in that respect was even. though it
evident that the down the river sports felt
highly elated over the last battle. which a des-
perate Heavy wcights'wcre brought forward for
this battle Ulster presenting a handsome dark red
lbs. or. Both birds appeared rather shy and I'M
willing to enter into the combat Ulster suddenly
took bold front and began to shake things up
lively. Albany showed true grit and in moment
they were fast. Ulster in twinking buried one Of
knocked him stone dead. Time, IL minutes. AL
bany, /; Ulster. q
proceedings better be imagined by sportsmen
than described in print The Albsnans and Trojans.
and also "fush" with .incre,' began to wear woe.
begone countenances. Two lbs. or now showed
up, Albany back-red and Ulster light red. Both
altogether lively from the word go. break
ing listers wing. and also slightly disabling
him about the leg. Ulster made dash for his
opponent and left him minus eye. Loud
shouts of $40 to 500 by the Ulster favorites with
but few takers. $50 in. Ulster" ''Strike heavy.
Albany" heard froma of voices, and 500
SIS offered Ulster the main. Ulster continued
To bang away at his opponent. cutting aud sashing
fell to the ground. Albany was pounded" in this
battle and was lett in the pit but was soon picked
Fifh Fight-The bright prospect to all appear
ahead for Ulster made her hackers offer long
odds, which found but few takers. Albany in this
tight showed dark red mum. weight 4 lbs 10 or.
aud Ulster brass back OF the same weight. The
betting this hght opened wildly. First II 80
to IS on the inufi and then So 10 SIS the brass
back. and to unaccustomed to the sport it APP
peared ss II there was considerable hedging going
on. The mum soon got the brass back ut his mercy
and made short work of him. breaking his back and
putting an end to tho hight. Time. 0 minutes. Al
bany. z; Ulster, 3.
SrM F,ght.--A brighter smile beams upon tho
countenances OF the Albanans. Two line birds
shown up. Albany dark red Walton and Ulster
lemon pyle. Weight lbs. OF. They buckle from
the word go and in few moments Albanys gaffs are
fastened in the Ulster bird and both tall in heap in
one corner of the pit. The handlers took the steel
out OF the Ulster bird and the light went on. IL
$40 TO 81 Albany with takers. as 1t evident
that the Albany bird had the pyle dead to rights"
The fight, however, went bravey on till Albany sent
another terrible blow and the pyle started rum
He cau bea n
would not come to time aud Albany again de-
cared the winner. Time. minutes. Albany, 3;
Ulster. 3.
SerenM Figtt-wcghts. Abs. OF. Albany white
back. handsome bird, and Ulster dark red. With
rush the Ulster bird springs forward 10 the struggle
but is we'll met by the proud and handsome white
back, who sends stunning blow at Ulster, who
after staggering little from the effects of IT, returns
blow blow aud becomes the favortc in the battle
uy this time the excitement grew TO FOYER hent and