Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-12-24
ROSTERS IN THE RING.
The 5000 Prize Won After a
fought Main.
EACH SIDE TOOK TWO STRAIGHT
BATTLES, BUT UPPER LEHIGH
CAPTURED THE LAsT-LIVELY BET
TING AND A LARGE CROWD.

Over two hundred prominent sporting
men of Lower Luzerne and Carbon
Counties paid twenty-five cents each last
night to witness the battle between
Upper Lehigh and Drifton birds. The
main was held in the dance hall of a
saloon near town, and consisted of five
battles. Delegations were present from
Lansford, Nesquehoning, Summit Hill,
White Haven, Hazeton and all the
smaller towns around Freeland. The
contest was held without the slightest
friction of any kind and passed off with
out the wrangling and hard feeling that
usually occur at such scenes.
The purse was 5000, which was held
by South Heberton citizen. The Judge
was from Hazleton, and in the pit
besides him were two handlers and two
heelers, Upper Lehigh, Jeddo ann Pitts
burg furnishing these. The crowd had
gathered at an early hour, but very little
betting was done until the pit and other
necessary fixtures were arranged.
Upper Lehigh won the toss on weight
and choose to begin with the light birds
first. 1t was believed their roosters were
stronger on this point, and the betting
opened at lively gait At five minutes
of twelve the birds for the first battle
were placed in the pit and they tipped
the scales at four pounds. The fighting
was slow for awhile, but the little fell
lows warmed up to their work later on
and good straight kick laid Drifton out
on the carpet.
Nothing daunted by the loss the men
from Coxe's domain put up their cash
again for the second battle, which was
fought between two pretty members of
the poultry family, weighing four pounds
four ounces each. These got down to
business at once and this was the short
est battle of the main. Drifton came
out as in the preceding fight
The weight of the birds for the next
round was four pounds fourteen ounces,
and with the increase also rose the spirits
of the hackers. Upper Lehigh was well
fixed after their two victories and to win
would give them the main. Money was
showed ont pretty strong during the in
termission, but no odds were offered at
any time during the evening. Another
sharp and short contest was this, and
ended with Upper Lehigh carrying out
its first dead bird.
Battle No. was between roosters
weighing five pounds six ounces, and
two fine specimens they were. After
exchanging introductions they stood a
moment like pugilists sizing one another
up. Then both took rush and met
together with kick. For one minute
it was hammer and tongs, but after the
first count Upper Lehigh weakened
slightly. Again they tried and after
some hot kicking Upper Lehigh went
down, tieing the main.
The next was the last and deciding
battle, and the birds weighed in at six
pounds two ounces. Drifton was now
confident, since the heavy weights were
looked upon as their finest birds The
betting was almost entirely in their
favor, and after the birds reached the
pit it was impossible to get takers for
their money. The first kick, however,
stunned the Drifton bird, and although
he made gallant fight to the end
Upper Lehigh's representative was too
strong. At fifteen minutes of two this
morning he turned on his back and
Upper Lehigh had won the great main.