Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-11
A NIGHT OF SPORT.
A Lively Cooking Main in n Hall on the
south side Last Night.

It was another red-ietter night with
the sports last night. And all were
there-at the cock fight on the South
Side. Crowded together In dingy.
Iow-studded room on the third floor OF
well-known resort just across the
creek, were some one hundred and fifty
Of the typical Wheeling sports, all with
anxious and varied faces.
1t was a contest that had long been
talked Of, and the owners OF the birds
have for some time been getting the
contestants into proper condition. Ii
was one OF the biggest cooking mains
held in this city for long while, there
being some forty-two birds involved.
The early hours were spent In the main
saloon on the ground floor, and here the
boys gradually floated in as the appoint
ed hour wore on apace. About half
past nine o'clock there was a crush OF
sports on the inside, and all were tigur-
ing aud guessing and surmising on the
probable outcome. taking drink after
every guess.
In the back part OF the saloon is q
large apartment, where appears sort
OF improvised stage, on which Is
piano, and this was thumped at inter-
walls by q genius smothered by circum-
stances, while another individual
with terpslchorean proclivities tickled
the floor with his feet. This was kept
up throughout the evening, even In be-
tween the cock fights. Occasionally ono
OF the boys would unravel a topical
song by way OF change, all OF which
was heartily enjoyed.
Just before ten o'clock all filed up
the long and narrow stairway TO the
sKy-parlor OF the building, two robust
personages at the head OF the stairs
grabbing the tickets as the people
passed by. On this floor there was
quite liitle casino. Near the stairway
was wheel OF fortune while just be-
yond was a lunch and beer counter,
fresh kegs Of beer being brought up ev-
cry now and then.
The cockpit was stationed near the
front OF the building and was a l2-foot
enclosure. On two sides OF
the pit the seats were mr.
ranged in circus fashion, and
by this arrangement quite large num-
Der OF people could be accommodated,
and all could get a good view Of the pit.
The spectators also crowded in upon
the other two sides OF the pit TO con-
siderable extent. 1t was solid
bank OF people crowded into
small compass. The first main
was between Wheeling aud
Bellalre birds. The first two contest
ants weighed in at 6h5 pounds, and the
betting started at $40 TO So and IS 70 50
on Wheeling, but after the FIRST few
innings the betting evened MA lLA
The Belalre bird won, after hot strng-
gle. A well-known sporting man OF the
Eighth ward, handled the Wheeling
birds, and prominent sport OF Bcllaire
looked after the birds from over the
river, and each man had his second.
The second fight was also between
Wheeling and Bellaire, and old sports
who have gazed on many battles say IL
was the gamiest fight seen In this city
I'm two years. The birds weighed five
pounds and three ounces. For quite
awhile Il looked as II the Wheeling bird
was poner, but after awhile II rallied,
seemed 20 be infused with new life, and
sailed I'm. Che Wheeling bird finally
won, and this against a broken leg In
the second pitting. The fight lasted
nine pittings. The third fight was won
by Belaire and the fourth by Wheel
ing.
The 9th fight was one OF the short
est OF the evening, Wheeling winning
in one pltting In one and half minutes.
The next fight lasted ten minutes, Bell
aire being the victor.
The eighth fight was also won BY
Wheeling, IN one OF tho shortest con-
tests Of the evening, and the ninth was
also captured by the Wheeling bird.
This made the odds In the betting
largely on the home birds, and on these
conditions II became quite lively.
The last fight was won by Wheeling
az 3 O'CLOCK this morning, making six
fights out Of ten for the Wheeling birds.
Considerable money changed hands over
the result.
Al $3.50 this morning Nike Howley
and Jacob Smith are sparring amid
much enthusiasm.
nnrasa with K erosene.