The New York herald., 1879-02-26
COOKING MAIN.
Eleven Battles Between Pennsyl-
vania and New Jersey.
A VICTORY FOR PENNSYLVANIA
Rattng Fights, Good Birds and Large
Sums Changing Hands.


Did you ever see cock fight? Never I! What,
never Well, hardly There is no sport If in
deed sport it be considered that to possess
more charms and greater amount of fascination
than well contested cock fight. Just where the in
tense pleasure and satisfaction that generally mani
tested by spectators in Witnessing of these bloody
exhibitions is derived from is mystery that no
fellow unnated in the science of gaties and unac-
quainted with stags bfinkers and cocks find out
or understand. Cock fighting was known in England
long before the invasion of Cesar. 1t extends back
to time wherein the memory of men knoweth
nothing to the contrary" The fame and valor of
the game cock ancient the written history.
and in modern days he is regarded as the "blooded
horse of the ieathered creation"
These animals fight not for the gods of their coun-
try, nor for the monuments of their ancestors, nor
for glory nor for freedom. for their children,
but for the sake of victory, and that may not
yield to the other. Cock fighting has been
termed 'royal DIVERSION" but whether in
these days of advanced civilization it comes
under the head of legitimate illegitimate
sport, is an open question 1t is quite certain that
it is attractive and popular, and that great
many of our best and most prominent citizens from
all the professions and walks of everyday life. will
lay aside their business. for the purpose
of witnessing q cooking main. The strict
surveillance of police force, and the
rigid enforcement of laws, for the past
few years has rendered the sport of cock lighting
almost obsolete and among the lost arts within the
limits of our quiet and moral city. Now and then,
however these encounters have taken place. but
whenever they have been indulged in it has been
strictly on the sly. and they have always been
attended with small degree of personal risk,
for no one could tell what moment some victorious
bird that entertained of the law and had
fear of being brought up the next morning some
police court would give the whole thing away by
indulging in an unearthly crow, and thus arouse
some sleepy guardian of the peace just at moment
when he ought not to be disturbed.
For some time past it has been known by ect
few who are always on the Q rre and able to scent
O good thing even at great distance, that an in-
portant main the tapis between Pennsylvania
one side and New Jersey the other, but the
time and place OF the main not definitely settled
upon until Saturday last when each party in
formed of the place of rendezvous and required
to have their birds hand at the appointed time
The most commendabe and enviable secrecy
ercised and maintained by those having the affair in
charge, consequently there no disagreeable
prise, and nothing transpred to interfere with the
evenings sport. Outside of those directly indi
rectly interested in the main there present
large number OF invited guests. The correspondent
of the HERALD the only newspaper man
present The battle ground was located i'll the rural
district in the northwestern part OF the city, the
particular location it is not necessary to mention for
obvious reasons. The gentlemen from the city who
attended the main started from various points at
about eight O'Clock in the evening, and after brisk
drive OF about nine miles the frozen
ground they arrived at neat apd convenient
wayside inn, where arrangements had been made for
their accommodation and for the MAN, aud where
there fear that the shrl Growing of the cocks
peaceful and quiet slumbers. There present
lawyers. DOCTORS politicians. merchants and MEM
bers of both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Legs
latures, and it was asserted that Clergyman
in disguise was on hand and took in
the main, as well as the ohampagne from the begin,
ming to the end with peculiar relish In social
status blood, brains and cash. the party may be said
to have been decidedly disingue. Rare gems of the
purest water, warranted eighteen carats tine shone
and sparkled from many aspotless shirt front, while
rubies, sapphires and emerads flashed Ill magnif-
cent splendor from many soft and delicate hand.
Previous to the main most substantial lunch was
served. and washed down by copous draughts of
champagne. This put the party in most excellent
humor and spirits and made the subsequent betting
so brisk and lively that large amounts of money
changed hands and the "hard times beyond the
realms of the charmed and magic circle were entirely
forgotten.
1t was agreed to show eleven birds side weighing
from lbs OF. to lbs II oz and fight all that fell
in and matched for 500 q battle and $3.50 the
main. These conditions strictly carried out,
and the result eleven well contested bat
ties. The pit was arranged in large room
where ample provisions were made so that
every person present could obtain good view
The pennsylvania birds were '.heeled" and attended
to by a well known fancier Of this city, while gen.
tleman from New York performed the same service
for the Jerseymen. lhe main lasted six hours and
concluded about four o'clock in the morn
ing. 1t in gallant style by the Penn
sylvania birds by score of six to five.
itous routes, aud could have been found at their
various places of business at unusually early
hour; and had any one during the day asked about
cock fight look Of holy horror anu vrtuous indig-
nation would have been seen Oh the calm and placid
faces of these Quaker city merchants. SIC ha's't
gorid Hiuadt.
The first battle of the main brought out couple
of feather weights, of lbs or each Pennsylvania
sent in gray hackle. while New Jersey furnished
sprishtly 6rown-red The betting at frs first
showed himself murh the stronger and
harder hitter. and he immediately became a
favorite ut the odds of 20 to 10. The Pennsyvania
bird had the best of the lighting for long time,
when he received blow that broke his right wing.
This had depressing influence on his hackers. ana
caused some OF thcm to practice the art OF ''hedg
ing" The hackle fought ON vigorously and applied
the steel with such effect to his opponent that he
soon showed his dunghil strain and away. First
battle for Pennsylvania. Time. IA minutes.
SECOND FIGHT.
Pennsylvania was represented by sturdy looking
brass back, willie the credit and honor of New Jor
scy was upheld by handsome blue,red-weight
lbs, o. This battle was short sharp
lite from the start and the result justified
the confidence of his hackers and partially COM
pcnsated the Jerseymen for the loss and disgrace OF
the previous tight. When they together the
third time the blue-rcd sent the steel through
the brain the Pennsy bird and laid him dead
at his feet Time, . minutes. Pennsylvania, Il New
Jersey, l.
THIRD FIGHT.
Pennsylvania produced spangled nun and New
usual preliminaries had been gone through with
and the bets made at odds on the Jersey bird the
fowls scored and came together with u savage
rush. and both being doad game for a few
moments nothing could be but cloud OF
feathers. and nothing heard but the noise of con-
tending plnions and gaiIies. 1t shown that
the nun was fatally injured. and it only required
short space of time to settle the fight in favor of tho
black-rcd Time, minutes. Pennsylvania, /; New
Jersey, 2.
FOURTH FIGHT.
Pennsylvania showed lemon colorcd pyle while
the hopes and expectations OF the Jerseymen were
centred on another vicious looking black-red--
weight, lbs. The odds decidedly in favor of
the latter bird. After allowing short time
for the beters to make their wagers the fowls
brought to the scratch and ooscd when they flew at
each other quick the lightnng's flash and give
aud take the order OF tho day. The Jersey bird
the contest in jog in the first round. AZ this
stage of the main there were many long faces among
the Pennsy ylvanans and many plethoric pockctbooks
that had suddenly become thin. Time, minutes.
Pennsylvania. /; New Jersey. 3.
FIGHT
Both parties sent in ck.rcds-wciphts lbs.