The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-14
THE FEATHERED WARRIOR
How Game Cocks Are Trained and
Handled by Experts in
That Line.
Ys
Big Match Between Eastern and
Western Birds Set for
Next September.
1.-THE Priest" as He Appears in Fighting
. Trim-"War Horse" Takes One
y More Victory.

Written for THE HELENA INDEPENDENT.l
Ut IS NOW A CERTAINTY THAT
13 this years cock fighting season is going
Z to be an extremely bright one. A proof
of the renewal of interest is that one of the
most interesting mains that has been made
in a long while has just been arranged be-
tween A. b. Suit, of Suitland, Md, and
Anthony Green, of Sacramento, Cal. A
picture from a photograph taken for MI.
Arthur Lumley is herewith presented of
one of MIR. Suits most famous fighting
cocks, 1.-The Priest" who has come soath-
less from five matches, in every ono OF
which he killed his opponent in short
order. The main between California and
Maryland will bo fought in the east ON
Sept. Z, 1892 Ian unusual time, but there
are special reasons for it,, Richard K. Fox
having been made the final stakeholder.
The articles of agreement were signed at
his Office. Each side is to show seventeen
cocks, the light weight is to be four pounds
eight ounces, and the heavy weight six
pounds four ounces, all that weigh in" to
be fought undo the rules Of the New York
cock pit with gaffs one and one-quarter inches
in length, the blades round from socket to
point, and the sockets fair and not exceed
ing three-eighths of an Inch; $500 a side
has already been deposited, and the final
deposit of $500 a side on tho main is to be
deposited a few days before the battles
Jan. 4, 1892. The battles are for $500 a
side, the odd fight for $4,000; $3.50 is al
lowed for expenses to Mr.. Green. the Cal
ifornia side, in consideration of his fight
ing the main in New York or New Jersey.
The c~ock-tighting seRson proper begins in
the north on Thanksgiving eve, and lasts
until the first of June, though only "staRs,"
"chickens"-birdS under one year old
counting from the first OF March, not ma
turod cooks, arc fought until about New
Years, and there is very little cock-fighting
legitimately after the first of May.
A cook pit proper ls a circular space COW
cred with a mat or carpet and inclosed by a
white canvas web eighteen inches high.
When you enter it, before the fighting has
begun, you are surprised at the clean order
illness Of the place. Ibe carpet of the pit is
swept az clean and looks as inviting rs the
cover of n dinner table. although 1t is not
generally white. The shining sides of the
pit glisten and CLEAN in the briRh light
from the Jets suspended rs low over the pit
as may TO to give the f~ightingybipeds the
best possible chance to see each other, and
the rows on rows of ~circling seats look
tho crowd piles ia, though, things
look different. Tho brightest OF gas
lets have Il hard battle with the close and
tobacco-laden atmosphere, II the specta-
tors almost tumble over each other in their
efforts to get the best seats. One seat only
ia >acred, and that is tho referees seat on
the lowest tier. Never make the mistake,
when you want to see a cock or dog fight, of
getting into the referees seat. A quiet
smoker will run around the place Mt your
plesnness IL you do 30, though no one will
say anything about vacating. You will be
nliowed TO keep the place until the cocks
are brought ON by their handlers, and the