The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-08-29
BULLDOG VS.. COON.
A Great right or which Fifty Thou.
.ay1 p,Itpra vns wegcrcd,

and Kept by Jim Ncingnn, man pi conSlu-
cradle rcnown and potency in sporting cir
cles. There were not few gentlemen in
the city who had given great attention to the
rearing and disclpining Of blooded dogs OF
the terrier and bull species. They took
great pride in their pets, and were ever ready
to pit them against their weight in any fair
combat, and grew quite excited in talking of
their pets, and Offering wagcts on their skill
and tcnaoity in combat One day party of
friends were assembled in n large tobacco store
on Gravier street of Messrs. Wilson q Lips
comb, n noted firm of that day, composed of
the late Public Administrator and agent
for the Piedmont Air Line, Col. u. II.
Wilson, and of Mr. W. II. Lipscomb, now of
Virginia who was recently on a visit to the
city.
The owners of the great champion dogs of
the city being loud in their boasts of the
prowess of their pets, provoked from Col.
Wilson the remark that his colored porter
had coon named Andred Jackson who could
whip any fighting dog in the city. There
were several gentlemen who rushed forward
to accept the challenge, and after much dis
cussion the wagers were all settled and the
conditions of tho combat agreed to-
The news of the fight getting out, there
was great excitement in the sporting world.
Large bets were made 10y everybody on the
contest. No tournilc race between famous
winners on the Mctairie ever excited more
interest Col Wilson entered his four
year-old coon against any four footed fight
ing animal in the city for purse of $500.
This challenge was accepted by Col. Sam
Boyd, who was the owner OF several invincible
terriers and bulldogs, which had triumphed
in many famous and desperate combats.
,l,.,l,.
became Interested in the expected combat.
The dogs were the iavoritcs at large odds.
There were few sagacions country raised
gentlemen who risked their money on the
coon.
The combat was fixed to come off on Christ
mas Day of 1853. II drew an immense crowd
to Nelligan's pit. All the dignitaries of the
city were present, including the sheriff, the
chief of police, member of Congress, several
aldermen, and other high officials The
Judges consisted of two leading journalists
and the sheriff. The terms of the combat were
regularly drawn up. The contestants were
exhibited. Capt. Boyd schampion bullterrer,
weighing thirty-five pounds, was brought
ont. He was splendid animal, bearing the
sears of former combats but in fine condi-
ton, and with every mark of invincibe
heroism and inpatient valor. lie became
immediately the favorite, and the most eX
travagant bets were offered, with few takers,
OH his ability to STAY the coon in one round.
Large odds being thus offered, Il few knowing
| ones began to entertain the same. These
wagers were generally placed on the time
when the bullterrier Sam would lay out the
| coon. A $1,000 to $500 that the coon would
| give in in ten minutes; 81 900 to $3.50 in
twenty minutes; 81 900 to 500 i'll n half
hour. The sporting men generally ventured
| l. H.. Al L. Al
side of the dog.
When the coon was brought in by Col.
| Wilson the confidence of the hackers of the
dog did not decline, and truly the appear
ance of the coon was not encouraging. He
was n rough specimen Of his race, with a
| large fleece, very long claws and teeth, and
evidently a veteran, but without n pedigree
or history to encourage his hackers.
Col. Wilson and his hackers, however were
not discouraged by the unequal aspect of the
combatants. The arrangements for the cont
bat were quickly made, and the gadiators
with their seconds lcaped into the ring.
Col. Wilson was invited, as the usual pre-
caution, TO lick the bullterricr, to see il he
had been peppered.
The Colonel waived of the suggestion, de-
claring that Andrew Jackson could do the
licking himself of any dog in creation. But
the Colonel insisted on putting several
buckets of water in the ring to refresh his
champion after the rounds.
Grounds be DID, exclaimed one of TIL.
bctters Oh the dog. Your old coon will moi
last through one round. He may have al
the water he needs" And herein the hacker:
of the dog exhibited their overconiidence
and lack of knowledge of the coon. This con
cession produced 4 violent controversy during
the combat. II was commenced by gallant
dash of the terrier at the coon, and thcil
deadly embrace, during which they rolled
over the arena, swapping, scratching, and bit
ing each other with great vigor. The viso
of the dogs assault. and the activity ant
effectiveness with which he piled his power
/, full Jaws and terrible incisors were attesteC
by the large quantity of wool scattered
around from the heavy fleece of the coon
who, however, took his punishment will
great fortitudc, never uttering n complain
or murmur, while Sam, the terrier, coult
not restrain the utterance of loud howls ant
barks over the agony and pain inflicted b,
the coon's assault upon his legs, his nose
mouth, and other exposed parts, in which III
fixed and piled his teeth and claws with fear
full vigor.
This contest prosecuted with such vigor
soon exhausted the combatants, and tim
was called and a round proclaimed. Durin;
We're examined 10y the bettcrs The terrie
was badly chawed, his legs were quite un
, steady and though his spirit was undauntcd
| it was evident that he was not overconiident
, And now the bets began to change, and odd
, Oh the dog were not so freely offered. TIL
coon's appearance did not discourage hi
hackers. He had lost a good deal of wool, bu
his flesh was still intact; his veins and bone
/ had never been reached by the dogs incisors
, and, in fact, he had been stripped for tll
I combat, and was in better condition than q
the beginning of the fight.
I The second round was fought with like r,
suits. The great tenacity and spirit of til
dog encouraged his hackers. II was evidei
A that no amount of chewing or clawing woul
: extinquish his valor. He could only losetl
> fight by death or exhaustion. 1t was not
4 that coon tn effect either result Sever;
4 rounds were fought without giving either con
s Blatant any advantage over the other. MOI
. than thrcc-quarterso of an hour Were consume
:. in these several rounds before symptoms wei
@ evinced by either combatant of letting dow
1t was then discovered by the hackers of II
dog that their adversaries had adopted ven
shrewd strategy which was clearly compr
e hended by the coon, in providing buckets
). water for the refreshment of the coon. Att
~ one of the rounds the coon would strike {,
y |
II self to refreshing bath, would then deli
|, erately overturn the bucket, thus creating
u puddle and mostening the sawdust, So tn
n on the resumption of hostilities the poor dc
a would slip and slide, 80 that tho coon Ia
4 him ut great disadvantage With his hroi
rs feet and Hat body, the coon had no difficult
le in maintaining his position and awaiting Il
rs assaults of his enemy. From this time o
a it was obvious that the coon had the adva
ID tage. Tho dog came up to the scratch vii
n undying valor and resolution, hut, ala
n with his eyes nearly scratched out, his Iii
at chawed OH, his legs almost bare of musc
" and sinews, and his viscera laid bare by Il
Is repeated clawng of his foe. His conditi'
T. was deplorabe, AMI after the combat h
rs continued for one hour and twenty sew,
rs minutes the dog was unable to come TO Il
" scratch when called, and, lying down in Il
h corner, responed to all inyitions of Il