New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-01
GoADING STEERS WITH STICKS.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS about two-thirds full of
spectators and policemen yesterday afternoon when
the alleged Spanish bul-fght well under way.
The circuit-ikc arena where the Texan steers
showed their docIllty and good breeding was sur
rounded by two broad fences, between which there
was a space Of three four feet. The inner
fence about five and half feet high.
The arena was somewhat bigger than that OF an
ordinary circus. The seats were in tiers and at
the top there were reserved boxes. A small Spanish
flag fOated frcm a pole at the end of the ground,
and band furnished music that perhaps was cx-
pccted to excite the Ire of the pensive look
ing steers. he crowd that gathered
to witness the harmless spectacle was
composed mainly of men who were drawn to the
scene by curiosity There romantic kind of
flavor about a Spanish buli-light even although
there were to be no bulls and no fight. that r.
resistible apparently and there must have been
from l 800 to 1000 persons present OF these
twenty or moro were women. The - BOYS were
bent on having good time. and they had it. II was
more fun to hear the guys at TIE
feTerOs than to watch the Spaniards IN their inrt-
fectual attempts TO excite the melancholy steers.
There were a good many Spanards IN tie crowd,
and thoy kept shouting to the men IN the arena, TO
the great amusement of those who were not iamil-
lar with the language spoken The lively way III
which the fighters leaped over the inner fence when
they were closely pressed caused the greatest meir-
mcnt.
Henry Bergh and several other officers OF the So
cety for the Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals were
present to see that the animals were not
abused or injured When Mr.. BerGh entered
and began to examine the small wands,
about two feet in length, from the ends Of
which brightly-colorod pieces of paper were
streaming there was an attempt to hiss him but
Inspector Thorne, who present with over sixty
officers quickly quietcd the noise. Several times
in the course of the performance Mr.. Bergh had TO
interfere but for the greater part Of the time he
was holding his sides with laughter at the utterly
absurd features of the show
BEGINNING HE SPORT
At about half past five the band struck up
march, and the egIt Spanish tOrraOs dressed in
gaudy costumes and with their richly colorcd capes
hanging on their shoulders. advanced into Che arena.
None of them seemed to be under forty or fOry-hve
years of age. They were led by Senior Angel Val
demoro, the chief, and took off their cunously
shaped black hats when the crowd checred them.
his satisfied the multitude which had been stamp
ing impatenty and shouting Bring in the bulls"
The torrcr0S separated in the centre OF the ring after
the manner OF the opening grand cayacade OF
circus and selected their cloaks which had been
hanging on the inner barrier. The crowd
became uneasy, and awaited anXIously the APP
pearanCe of some savage animal winch was gong
10 make havoc with the valiant looking SpanIards.
One of the lighters as measure OF precaut0n,
leaned over the barrier and back again TO ascertain
its height and the boys cheered him uslly. The
awful suspense which preceded the blo0dIess con-
test broken again by n strong-lunged man VINO
wanted " three cheers for Mr.. Bergh. Tins was
received with cheers, laughter and misses.
Finally the gate was opened, and instead Of
Withholding bull with lowered head ana oloodshot
eyes, "A IA her small black and white steer came
meanderng into the arena with surprised
and Disguised look IN his mild eyes. He trotted
amicably up 10 one of the tOrrerCs, VINO promptly
placed himself on the other side of the
convenient fence, while the crowd reared
at his unnecessary but very prudent act Then
the animal stIOled around the arena, looking over
the eDce, apparently very DESTROYS OF leaving the
not over-fcsIye scene. A derIsivc shout of laugh
this extremely un-Spanish-ke behavior of the steer
There was no help for 1t. however. There was no
fight in him, and the beginning OF the show was
ANYTHING but suspicious.
Bring IN another bull |" shouted some one, ard
the crowd reechOed the sentiment. The steer stood
around for while, utterly indifferent 10 the to'rTos
who were Haunting their many-coored capes before
his docile-looling face, and then he walked around
the Enclosure, and was finally let out. lie turned
around, however, and on coming back nearly canght
unwatchful fighter who stood near the gate, by
the seat of his trousers. The man barely saved
himself by vaulting nimbly over the fence, while
the crowd laughed at his discontinue,
STEER EQUAL TO IHR OCCASION.
The second steer made more sport than the first
coming in with dash he cleared the ring of every
one there was in it, to the great delight of the audi
ence Then tine tOrreros began to worry him with
their colored capes which they gathered up and
threw before his face. holding one end. The animal
caught one cape and carried 1t on, and soon
one of the Spaniards. by skful lodging, placed his
hand for an instant the animals forehead and
escaped the blow of his blUnted horns. In reality
here was little danger, because the tips OF the
horns OF all OF the steers had been sawed OIL, ana
large rubber caps had been fitted on them.
The fOrrcrO appauded, and dOtcd his
hat. Then another man, by "A quick run stuck
rosette, with flying rIODOns on the steer IOrehead
hearted The TRIBUNE reporter asked one OF Mr..
ReIghs men. in considerable alarm, If these rosettes
were stuck to the animals by means of pms or
tacks. The reply Invested the Incident OF every
thing of a romantic OF exciting character:
ION, no! It's only muciage"
The animal was rather lively and made some
work for the torreros. They were agile as cats,
however and always euded hun, generally taking
refuge behind the fence when there was the slight
est excuse for it. One of t1c SPaniards took two OF
tue steer, when ms mead was iowereu' III
the neck. Then the men threw thelr
capes at him, and he leaped about IN a
very reckless kind of way h didn't seem to he
very mad. but he was evidently very much both
cred and plagued by the ubiquitous torrTOS. lie
gave one of them slight hit as he was getting
over the fence. and another man lost his hat while
he was repeating his fellow torTcr0s feat.
"Oh, go back and get your hat shouted an I'M
patient spectator 10 tine bare-heuded t0TFOO. But
as the o. Ger still fingered in that immediate neigh
bOrhood the remark seemed TO the Spanlard to have
no point.
Tie steer had now become tired and the novelty
of the scene mad worn out. He strDlled lelsurely
about, and II MAS suggested that one OF the
toIrcros should ride him." The Spanlards too. were
little tired with their violent exercise. and took
BRET rest soon they renewed their dcathly
struggle-lor applacse-and one of them Vas nearly
caught by tne steer. lie threw his cloak
MT the animal, who made dash for
hun, forcing him along tho fence. While
running the man stumbled shghtly, and
for an instant II was Thought that the creature
would strike him with his horns. But h0 rcgalned
his feet ana before the on HIM the other
torreros coming to the rescue, distracted the ami
mars attention. Then the spOre became dull again.
ana Bowery boy" suggested tho prOprieiy OF Il
walk around"
MR.. BERGH ISTERfEREs.