The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-07

WEREYOU ATTHEFIGHT?
PRESIDENT JUD u. WOOD WAS An
INTERESTED SPECTATOR.
He Represented the Society for the Proven
ton Of Cruelty to Animals and Has the
Names of All who Attended.

who would have thought IL? and he. the
president OF the Society for the Proven
ton Of Cruelty to Animals. too Never
theless it's a fact. The Doctor declares.
however, that he has had enough OF
chicken-hghts, and that he will never
again attend one.
His presence this time at such place
came about in this wise: Since his cleo
ton as president Of the Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals DR..
Wood has had his weather eye constantly
on those who have been INDUCING in such
sport. He has known the time and place
OF almost every fight I'm this vicinity for
several months past, but he has utterly
failed in his efforts to procure suitable
evidence to warrant him in bringing the
matter before the courts. But he de-
cided long ago that before the courts the
matter should come, and that in no un-
certain way.
fight was arranged for yesterday
afternoon, and the Doctor. as usual. was
right ION to it," In fact he had been in
formed long enough ahead to allow his
beard to grow at its own sweet will for
several days. The presidents beard
grows rapidly. and this is exactly what he
needed In this particular instance. for
he knew full well that Or. Jud. h. Wood,
as president Of this humane society could
not see the fun. However, he had lit
tie idea Of his own that DR.. Jud. Is. Wood
as the tough sport would be able to gain
admission without difficulty. With this
idea prominent in his mind the Doctor.
rs aforesaid, allowed his luxurious beard
for several days to become the plaything
OF the gentle Zephyrs He then secured a
soft felt hat and an old Overcoat put on
his fishing trousers and his arctic shoes.
Thus clad he was ready to present HIM
self for admission.
The time for the contest was fixed at l
o'clock. and the place was the old Drewry
Mansion, abeut two miles below Man
chester.
He invited a friend whom he could
trust TO accompany him, and they drove
to the place in a buggy. Fearing that
he might be turned down" at the door,
the Doctor sent his friend I'm first, and
after seeing him safely within the lines
ne carelessly sauntered up to the gate
keeper and asked "how much" Ii paid
his dollar and walked in
And then the sight. one Of the big
porches was the amphitheatre, i'm the
centre Of which was pit built of boards
about eighteen high. with floor. This
was surrounded by forty or fifty men.
ter.
Nor were they toughs. The assemblage
was composed largely Of business men
prominent in both cities. The amateur
detective made himself perfectly at home
| TO avoid suspicion, and managed TO Keep
his hat pulled carefully over his eyes.
Those who gave him a passing glance,
thought that he was a broken down sport
who ad come to see the fun, and nobody
worried about his presence.
Soon after he had gotten in the fight
began. The contest was between Rich
mond and Manchester cocks.
The first pair I'm the pit was red and
a gray. The red birds leg was broken in
the first round. but they continued as the
Doctor expires sed It. for ten or fifteen
minutes like bull dogs. Frequently he
said the gaffs would be buried so deep
I'm the body or neck Of the adversary that
the handlers would have to pull them
apart. In the second round the Richmond
bird was killed outright.
When | talked with DR.. Wood last
night he was greatly pleased at the sue
cess of his first detective experience. He
only stayed to see two rounds, as he
considered that he had evidence in abund-
ance. He was greatly worked up over the
affair and declared that he never dreamed
of such brutality.
While there ne secured not only the
names Of the two handlers and the gate
keeper, but also the names of all those
present, many Of whom are his personal
friends. 1t is. he says. a sad duty which
he has to perform, but he will not let
friendship stand in the way Of what he
considers right.
The attorney for the society will be
consulted to-day and the case will be
brought to court just as speedily as pos
sible. The energetic president says that
cock-1ghting shall be stopped in this COM
munity if the laws are strong enough,
and he has n mighty strong idea that
they are. This, he says IS his first and
last experience as detective for the So
ciety. but that they will soon BE- in a
position to employ competent men to per
form this part Of the work
While the Doctors disguise was very
effective. no one who saw him would ever
have taken him for a tough. He looked
more the sporting gentleman whose
finances are slightly embarrassed.
The detective had his kodak wrapped
in an old cloth under his arm. but he
says that was :he only part of his work
on which Providence did not smile-the
sun would not shine.
There were eleven fights, and the Man
chester birds won nine. Consi ierable
money changed hands. and many Rich
mond men lost heavily.