National Republican., 1884-02-26
A CoCKINa MAN.
Washington Pitted Against Virginia in
Mine Fights and Wins.

Nine Fights and Wins.
One hundred men, representing all stages
Of society and professions, drove out to Silver
Hill postoflice yesterday. For week past
suggestive rumors of an approaching chicken
fight were circulated, and although but about
dozen men were acquainted with the time
and place. the above number left the city and
drove to Silver Hill. The fights were an
nounced tn take place at IL o'clock, and by
that time the little village was filled with
city men inquiring where the contest was to
take place. A courier from the main
lines camo into tho village shortly
agreed to conduct the crowd to the pit upon
the payment Of "a half dollar, an yer betcher
life yer can't git there without me-" Most
of the crowd put up and after walking half
mile east of Silver Hill came to the pit. 1t
was in an open field near barn owned by
man named Andrews. Around it were gath
cred score Of choice spirits who welcomed
the crowd with hearty cheers. About four
yards to the east of the pit an improvised bar
was set up and whisky sold briskly at quar-
ter drink, while beer at dino glass was
partaken OF freely.
Bunk" Ridgely, the referee called time
at 1140, and the crowd settled down to watch
the contests. The fights were for 500 side
and 800 on the main. Virginia was pitted
against Washington, and each side had its
! admirers and hackers, although the latter
were in the majority. Thirteen birds were
shown, and nine battles were arranged. The
Washington birds were handled by Johnny
Evans, and Wat Killery did the honors for
Virginia.
The Washington bird was favorite at 90
to 10, with few bsckers in the first fight.
The chickens in this fight were top weights,
| the Virginia bird weighing three ounces more
than the Washington bird. In the first fly
off the Washington dark red killed the light
red Of Virginia in minute
A dark red for Washington next sprang
into the pit and crowed Justify in the second
fight. A red pyle for Virginia soon followed,
and after considerable pecking and scratch
ing was killed by his opponent
A handsome gray showed up for Washing
ton in the third fight, and red pyle crowed
for Virginia. This was well-contested fight
and both birds were injured. Tho Virgins
bird proved to be the best, however, and soon
sent his gatf through his antagonists brain.
Tho fourth fight was between red for Wash
ington and saddle-back for Virginia. Th,
fight was short one, but was characterized
by sharp fighting, ending in the death of thu
Virginia bird.
The fifth fight was q short one, and wa
between n red for Virginia and black spot fo
Washington. The latter bird, on the secont
| leap, killed the red with wel-directed blow
A brown showed up for Washington and
red pyle sprang into the pit for Virginia il
the next contest. This was the best contested
fight of the main, and some sharp and prett.
fighting was witnessed. Washington, how
ever, proved the best bird, and killed his brt
in Crush"
After this battle the Virginia men rofuse'
to continue the fight, aud the main wa
awarded to Washington. About $1,00
changed hands. Tho crowd returned to thi
city about o'clock.