Arizona weekly citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz) 1880-1901, 1891-06-27
SAN JUAN'S DAY.
Exciting Races Viewed by Tuosoa's
Mexican Population.

Sunrise this morning found a scene OF
hurry, hustle and excitement at the
laguna nine miles north OF town, and
the villagers there will remember this
day for years, and will proudly tell
that their OWN u year Coses Won the
great race.
Great throngs,m mainly Mexicans,many
of whom had camped TO be there at the
contest, had Assem- bled, full Of excite
ment, in many cases accelerated by the
contents Of TASKS clandestinely preduc-
ed. anxious for the beginning. Saddle
horses without plumber were about, and
it was impossible to distinguish the
racers.
Soon after sun up, while it was yet
cool, the crowd parted and the racers
emerged. Two fine cow ponies, one a
black, the other spotted, ridden by
twelve year old boys dressed in the this-
nest Of white suits, and handkerchiefs
around their headsI'rh younl sters were
evidently delighted at their present no
toriety and their Craftsmanship showed
that 1t was not altogether unmerited.
The ponies carried no saddles and in
lieu OF stirrups the riders passed their
legs through surcingles. Now the tx
element was intense. Many shouted
evidently with the sole object of making
noise, and bets without end were made.
The surroundings presented the sipgu-
lar appearance of having paired of. Pairs
Of horses tied together; pairs OF cattle;
pairs of saddles fastened to each other
by the pommels; piles of spurs. OF lar:ats
one man having a coil 8ggregatinx 300
feet-everything that was OF value was
wagered, and the betters seemed craZed
with the passion.
Then the din abated. From
prancing around tie two horses
were ranged together, with two other
horses ridden by men at either side
carrying huge switches. This to stranl-
ers would seem an odd feature IN racing,
and inquiry revealed their purpose. They
were "whippers." Odder still, ranged
along the race track-tnree miles and
back-were other whippers, similarly
equipped and similarly mounted.
OF q sudden shouts from hundreds
brought attention back to the riders
The little fellows were plying spur and
switches to their animals, heartily sup
plemented;by the whippers. The ponies
almost flew, and made hard work OF il
for their tormentors, the whippers. The
race was not one in which the best work
was to be done on tire finish, the policy
evidently being to make speed while the.
could. they cid exactly this. The racers
disappeared from the assemblage at
tie starting point, and among those not
following was speculation as TO the cut
come. The shouts OF tho pursuing spec
tators grew less and less. Then their
volume increased. The racers were re-
turning. heir great dust became
greater and soon 80 or 40 horses came
INTO view. It was difficult distinguish
ing the racers from the very interested
onlookers. and when they were seen the
black horse was ahead. He was com
ing at a Very slow gait for racer, but
evidently his best. Spatt.red with froth
he was all but exhausted. His little
rider was covered with husband when ne
passed the finishing point his breathing
could be heard yards around
The stake was ten COWS and tan calves,
waiting in an adjacent corral, which
were at once vented and handed over
40 head--to their neT owners