davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-06-21

HIS CHICKEN WAS "No BUENo."
wicked-looked knives cuts a swarth of
feathers from the opponents body, and
the fight is generally ended by one
bird getting its throat cut by the other.
Then comes the battle royal for a
grand finish. Ten or twelve birds, all
armed with 1-2 inch slashers, are put
into the pit, each one handled by it's
owner. The handlers form ring, each
holding his birds tail to the center.
the pit. The birds hesitate a moment,
then, as a rule each picks an opponent,
and in few seconds five or six battles
are being fought at once in the pit.
As fast as cock is killed the victor
looks for another to tackle, and the
bloody work wakes fast and furious.
In Hle course of fifteen or twenty min
utes the field is reduced to two or three
bloody and exhausted birds, who, wary
of each other, fight it slowly out to the
finish. when the last bird gives feeble
but triumphant crow that announces
that the hattie is over. Sometimes a
sly chicken will let another kill all the
birds in the pit until he is reached,
when, fresh and strong, he pitches in
and wins the fight by killing the one
bird.
1t is cruel sport at the best, and
many sightseer has left after the
first shuttle, having had more than
enough of the bloody sight, But for
the Mexicans and those who have grown
used to it the cock pit seems to possess
a strong fascination, and they will
undergo severe hardship to be on hand
with their game chicken or with their
dollars to be bet On some other mans
birds
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-06-21
HOT SPORTS IN TEXAS.
COCK FIGHTING A CRUEL SIGHT TO
AN uNAccuSToMED eEHoLDER.
Sunday Afternoon Amusement In the Mex
lean Quarter. Where Every Man owns
One Game Bird or More.

There are very few cities in the
United States where cock fighting is
permitted by law and openly carried
on as recognized amusement. San
Antonio, Texas, is one of these few,
and every Sunday afternoon the battle
royal is fought in the cooking mains in
the Mexican quarter. Its prominence
is perhaps due to the numerous Mex
lean residents, says the N. Y. Sun, for
barring bull fight a Mexican would
rather see cock fight than any other
exhibition. The pits are generally
located in the poorest Mexican quarter
of the city. in a yard reached by q
passage through a one-story ,fiat-roofed
adobe building, in which is saloon.
Chickens are everywhere. in the room,
in the hall, out in the yard, and even
on the low roof. When not under their
owners arms, they are in coops, and
they keep up a contin ual growing that
is deafening. For several hours before
the pitting commences the saloon is
crowded. Beer and whisky are con-
sumed in large quantities, and discus
sion of the merits of the various birds
at times rises to the pitch of battle, but
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-06-21

mysteries of his art. made a number Of
photographs depicting, events which
under no circumstances could possibly
have occurred. Going to the very root
of the matter, says the st. Louis Post
Dispatch, he produced surprising
photograph, revealing the venera bic
lounging before the door of one of the
toughest dives in Seven Dials, London.
Seven Dials is tougher than old Five
Points, New York City, was in its
palmiest days. Yet here is the G. %.
NJ. automatically represented leaning
against door post under large paint
ed sign. which announces that alcoholic
liquor may be had within. That it is
a complete photograph there can be
no doubt, and, worst of all, the vener-
able gentleman has every appearance
of posing for the picture. If such a
photograph were offered to a jury of
English liberals as evidence of the loose
habits of the reverend premier the
jurors would scott ut it as an ,impcs1-
bility, but they would, nevertheless,
feel uncomfortable s.
irving Dancing ''Ta-ra-ra.'
Another photograph, equally mons:
trous and equally authentic, repre-:
sents MIR. Henry Irving, the dignified
and somewhat austere tragedian, en-
gaging with Miss Lottie Collins in the
highly entertaining and instructive
dance which accompanies the singing
of "Ta-ra.ra Boom-de-ay. Is it pos
sible that Mr.. Irving has his lax mo-
ments, that during the intervals be-
tween the extraordinary mental strain
required in assuming the character
of Beckett, Henry VIII. and Louis NJ.
the celebrated actor INDUCES in I'M
seemly dances? According to photo
graphy, which has swayed the minds
of jurors in deciding much more mo-
mentous events, there can be no doubt
that this is true. Yet those who know
Mr.. Irving would rather regard the
photograph as n miracle than accept
the conclusion it inevitably involves if
it is to be considered genuine.
A young man yielded to temptation
and took the opportunity of breaking
open his masters till. While thus en-
gagged he saw the ghost of his mother.
1t was a misty, transparent ghost,
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-06-21

LOTTIE COLLINS AND HENRY IRVING.
clothed in white, and in every way a
perfectly reliable one. The young
man, wishing to be able to prove what
he saw, called in the assistant of q
photographer, who produced picture
showing the ghost complete in every
detail. This, then, according to the
conclusion of Mr.. Gladstone. is indis-
putablc proof that ghosts actually ex-
list, fact which will undou btedly oe
encouraging to spiritualists.
The infallibility of photography in
evidence is apparent from a photo
graph showing a man in the act of
shooting another man across table.
But the remarkable point about this
picture is the fact that the person do
ing the shooting and the person shot
are one and the same. Here, then, is a
reproduction of an event which, accord
ing to the laws of physics, could not
have occurred. 1t is not possible for
one body to be in two places at the
same time. The only alternative is
either to deny the law of impenetra-
bility, a law which has never been
known to fail, or to deny the evidence
of the photograph. IA
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-06-21
Steel. spun,

intervals between the pittings ths
Mexicans, young and old. come on,
from the audience, each with a chicken
under his arm. and, squatting down in
the pit, talk about the great breeding
of their bird, the BATTLES it or its fore
fathers fought in the past and tell OF
the wonders their particular bird could
perform if the conditions were just
right.
Grand Melee for the Finish.
Every Mexican has his bird, or, in
fact, many birds, but the man is in
deed poverty stricken who cannot come
out on Sunday afternoon with at
least one game cock. When they are
very hard up for money they will sell
these chickens cheap.as low as 25 cents
apiece. but the majority offered for
sales at these prices are chickens that
have turned tail and run in some
previous battle and are only fit for the
pot. These Mexican birds are we'll
bred and well marked and would bring
at least s. apiece anywhere in the
north that cock fighting is at all a
popular sport. Black-breasted reds,
ginger reds. acknowledged rice. black
or yellow legged grists and blacks seem
to be the comnonest varieties.
The pitting generally commences
with a series Of battles between birds
owned in two different towns near the
city, or else between the city and the
country birds. Then follow several
hack fights between individual birds.
The interest is kept at fever pitch by
an occasional battle with slasher gaffs,
or spurs that are shaped like knife
blade, instead of needle. Every
stroke received from one Of these
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-06-21
DOWN.
IN TIE CUCArlT.

in response to the earnest solicitations
of the owner of the black breasted red
he will bet against him and on the
Georgia blue, or cover the dollar offer
ed temptingly by the owner of the
Georgia blue. AS soon as the manager
of the pit thinks that all the money is
up that will be produced, orders are
given to make ready for the first
shuttle. The handlers go out to the
coops, get their birds, sand put the gatfs
on them. These gaffs are steel spurs,
generally about two and one-ha1f
inches long, sharp as a needle, and
bound to the birds heels. The birds
are then brought n,smoothed with the
hand, and allowed to peck at each
other until angry. Their cropped
combs afford no hold for the bcak Of
their op ponent and the damage is done
with the gaff. The birds are set down
on the ground and turned loose. They
fly at each other; one drives his gait
into the other birds body: they are
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-06-21

picked up, the gaf carefully with
drawn and are started off in another
shuttle. The man whose bird gets the
gaH stuck into him has the privilege
of pulling it out, for fear that if the
owner of the other bird was allowed to
do it he would twist the steel so as to
kill the cock: The gaffs are so long
they lie hung together until pulled
apart. This combat continues until
one bird is killed or turns tail and
runs. This latter game cock rarely
does, but fights to the death. In the
The Press., 1894-09-13

We would respectfully call attention to the advertisement of Alfred Williams & Son, of Hartford, Conn. Their assort- ment of furs for this fall is complete, and they have splendid line of furs and fur garments of all kinds. They never had larger assortment of furs since they have been in business, and they have large quantity of garments of all kinds, ready made, and can be delivered at once. We have recommended this well-known fur house to our readers for many years, but this year we are informed that they can be better recommended than ever, as they have larger line of furs. It must be borne in mind that this firm are manufac- turers, which enables them to sell lower than any one else in the same line of busi- ness in the state. When in Hartford give them call. They will be glad to see you. If you are not prepared to buy, step in and look at their goods. One of the leading newspapers of Conn. said that "One of the best fur houses in Conn. is that of Alfred Williams & Son in Hart ford. They sell all kinds of fur garments of their own make, and at lower prices than dealers who do not manufacture their own goods" Our readers may think this weather is rather warm to have their attention called to furs, but in order to get a fur garment made or remodeled to the present style by this firm, to wear when cold weather shall arrive, you must get your order in soon.
The Press., 1894-09-13
State Politics.

The name of Senator Phelps of Rock vile is brought out for the candidacy of secretary of state on the republican ticket. Yes, that's good suggestion.
 The buzzing is just beginning as to the candidates to be run for the senatorship of the 24th district. Senator Keeney, who was put on the ticket in 1899 much against his wishes, positively declines to run again, and it is understood that Senator Pinney has place upon the democratic state ticket awaiting his acceptance.
 The candidates for governor who seem likely to get support in the republican are Coffin of Middletown, Merwin of New Haven, Cheney of Manchester, Porter of Pomfret, Marigold of Bridgeport, with a prospect that Searles of Thompson and Brandagee of New London may appear as "dark horses,'' if there is no quick agree ment on some of the above candidates. w. E. Simonds also will have friends in the convention who may press his name, notwithstanding that he has declared him. self not to be in the race. The probabil- ity, however, is that one of the four first named candidates will appear from the first balloting as the winning man. The discussion over the first name on the tick ct has. withdrawn attention from other places, but there are also parties who are attending strictly to business in regard to these. For secretary of state New Lon don county delegates will press the name of Wm. c. Mowry, representative from Norwich in the present legislature, and Senator Phelps is also mentioned for the place. Senator Milner of Plainfeld is in the field for the controllership, and other names will appear for these offices, also for the treasurership. It will not be strange if the candidate nominated for lieutenant-governor be one of those men, toned for the first place.
 George Landers of New Britain, son of ex-Congressman Landers, who has been talked of for the republican nomination for congressman, declines to be consid- cred as candidate. MT. Landers has for years been an efficient member of the re- publican state committee.
The Press., 1894-09-13
The Stafford Springs Fair.
October 9th, 10th, and 11th.

october sun, IUCn, anu llIn.
 It is announced that Newton will not compete in the handicap race for Stafford riders, thereby giving the other boys field to themselves. Also the race for Holland county riders is changed from an open to handicap, as otherwise it would be difficult to get riders to compete against Newton. The only classes in which New ton will compete are the mile and half mile open and the Holland county handi- cap.
 Articles for exhibition in the hall, house. hold goods and fancy articles, if carefully tagged and marked with name and ad- dress, may be left at Burr's corner dry goods store or with Miss Hattie Ellithorpe, West Main-st., any time before the fair. Such articles will be carefully wrapped and marked and returned to Burr's store, if not taken from the hall when the fair is over. c. P. Hodgson, Hattie Ellithorpe, hall committed.
 The hall committee also appeal to the local merchants to assist in making the hall show attractive by such display of wares as will give to visitors favorable impression of the excellent line of goods kept in stock in Stafford stores. They will have no time to make individual so- licitation, but urge upon all the import ance of making early application for space, before it is all assigned to exhibits or en- gagged by out of town parties. Home ap- plicants will be first served if making a reasonably early acquisition.
 Dr. Mary Walker has been engaged to attend the fair, and will on each of the days deliver an address on subjects to be selected from several submitted by her. The doctor is figure in modern Ameri- can history, is 8 good talker, an earnest believer in advanced theories, and her military record as the only regular sur geon of her sex who served the govern ment as such in the war has unique in- terest. She will be we'll worth seeing and hearing. She wears the garb of gentle man.
 The list of attractions outside of regu- lar fair exhibits, trotting and bicycling, so far as announced, includes the balloon and parachute exhibit on each day, Dr. Mary Walkers address, Prof. Harding and An Sid, acrobats, with Miss Mollie Olive, juggler with knives, balls, lamps etc., Delaney and Fritz in a comical act with their wonderful juggling house, Bald win and Daley in feats of tumbling and juggling, and other exhibits to fill in any chinks of spare time. As usual something entertaining will always be kept before patrons of the fair.
The Press., 1894-09-13

THE unusual event of railway wreck in Hoosac Tunnel took place on Saturday night. A freight train, obliged to stop to into by another freight train. Two men were killed and others injured. The tel egraph operator is under arrest as re- sponsible for the accident, having given the signal for clear track to the rear most train, though under the rules a train is not allowed to enter the tunnel until signal is given that the last entering train on the same track has emerged at the other end.
The Press., 1894-09-13

Notwithstanding the great losses and suffering caused by the forest fires in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the authorities of these states announce that outside as- sistance is not needed, and that they will be able to care for all who have been made ill or dependent by the recent ca- lamities. This is in marked contrast with what has happened after previous calamities of the similar extent.
The Press., 1894-09-13

Complete returns of the Vermont elec- tfon make the republican plurality for governor 28,663, the largest ever given a candidate for that office in Vermont, a gain of 15,292 over the plurality for the republican ticket in 1890, and about 7 1000 greater than that given Harrison for pres ident in 1899. The total republican vote this year is 4,791 greater, and the demo- cratic vote 2,205 less than that cast for the presidential ticket in 1899. The pro- hibition vote dropped nearly out of sight.
The Press., 1894-09-13

HARTFORD republicans are so entirely out of the article called harmony that no iudicious citizen of that city may desire to run for congress. So why not look for a unanimous endorsement of Candidate Henry of Rockville? He's all right"
The Press., 1894-09-13

THE Maine election on Monday resulted in a republican majority of nearly 5000, the largest ever given in that state, the nearest approach being 26,0OO in 1866. For congressman Reeds plurality is 5000 against 1 ,679 in 1892; Dingley has 10, 100, Milliken 5000, and Boutelle over 10000.
The Press., 1894-09-13

Vicar General Hughes, of this Catholic diocese, has been given an assistant Rev. J.. A. Mulcahey, of Waterbury, Father Hughes, who is in not over TO- bust condition of health, will probably soon resign, leaving Father Mulcahey in full incumbency of the office.
The Press., 1894-09-13

Hartford Courant The ferment now in progress in New York republican politics has the look of being an altogether whole some one. The opposition to Mir. Mor- tons candidate seems to grow out of no hostility to MT. Morton personally, but out of feeling that this is very good time to make it clear to MT. Tom Platt that the republican party of the state is not his private preserve, and is not really suffering for continuance of his benevo- lent supervision. This feeling, we take it, explains Chauncey M. Depew's intima- tion that in certain contingencies he might consent to accept the nomination himself.
The Press., 1894-09-13

You'll find our story on Carpets an in- teresting one in whatever grade your pur- chase is to be. Our stock is now com plete, and offers exceptional lines to choose from.
 We call particular attention to the pat quettes in rich colorings.
 For Carpet for hall, parlors or draw ing-room there is nothing that can equal them. This is the best time to make these selections, and we shall be as pleased to serve you this season as we have in the past.
 First floor.
The Press., 1894-09-13
C. r. GlLSON,............ ,...,,AuCTlONEEH. SIP LEN DID FAR M ], Farming Tools, Stock,
 Hay, Grain, Etc.,
 AT A UCTIoN- :
Will be sold at public auction on FRIDAY, SEPT. I4th, 1894, !,
AT 10 O'CLOCK A. M

AT 10 O'CLOCK A. M.,
 On the farm formerly of N. E. Pease (deceased)
 situate about mile from somersv1lle, Ct,
 on the road to Ellington, the following:
 horses, yoke oxen, F cows, bull, 6 year. lings, sheats, SOW with pigs, lot of hens and Kemp's manure spreader, Thomas disc harrow Whitely moving machines, Buckeye moving machine, Buckeye reaper l self-dump horse two=horse power machine, thresh1ng machine and separator, threshing machine, wtnnow- ing mill, hand-threshing machine, 2 hay cut ters Ross feed cutter, corn sheller. potato digger. hay tedder Empire grain drill, l horse hoe, furrower, broadcast seed sower and cart, Dacco hoe, King corn planter, harrOWs, Planet, Jr., cultivator, ? OK carts large farm wagon, team wagon, large business wagon, light business wagon, large tWo-seated carriage, sfde-sprng 2-seated canopy top carriage enew), buggy, two-seated wagon, 1 carriage, l ex- sea aey sleigh sleigh pair bob new harness, A pair secondhand harness, oth, o 70 With h ar se of farming tools and other merchandise, such as vinegar, cider, household goods, Cooley Creamer,
 Terms on day of sale Sale positive, rain or shine, and will continue if necessary the day afr
 - GEO. H. NEWTON. Executor
 Somers, Conn.,, Sept. 4th, 1894.
 VIII be sold at auction on the above date, Sept. 14th, at one o'clock p. m. the home farm Of the late N. E: Pease containing about 36O acres pleasantly situated one mile south of somers- vile, and said to be the best farm in Holland county It is in high state Of cultivation fruit, pasturing, moving and tillage all highly pro- duct1ve. House, s-story, 10 rooms painted and blinded. large cellar, bottom cemented and all in me excellent repair. Large, ample barns sheds to secure a bargain and secure farm worth owning. part of the purchase money can re- main on mortgage. FRED N PRAISE
 SOmerS, Sept. 4th 1894.
The Press., 1894-09-13

A 16 year old girl was recently appoint ed postmaster at Wampum, Pa. She seems to have been both precocious and mannish for she has already been arrest ed for embedding $1, 800. Embezzlement is usually masculine offense. ..-.
The Press., 1894-09-13

THE Conn. State Fair at Meriden be- gins on Tuesday morning next, and closes on Friday evening. Visitors will find an entirely new arrangement of the grounds, hibits, trotting, exhibition of farm and other machinery, stock, produce and hand craft. Excursion rates on railroads. Good trotting assured for each day, and the us- ual number of outside attractions which help to draw and amuse the crowd. Sec retary Andross believes in a clean fair, but not dall one; the strictly agricul- tural exhibition is thing of the past.
The Press., 1894-09-13

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 3-Taxes are o now due and payable on list of 1893. as per vote of the district. I am ready to receive the same. On Monday afternoons may be found at my residence, East Main-st
 AUGUSTUS SPELLMAN Collector Stafford Springs, Conn.,, Aug. s9, 1894.
The Press., 1894-09-13
First floor.

Don't be too late for one of these solid Oak Chamber Sets, such as we have in times previous sold for $3O, but are now now selling for $21.5O. We had % of these, but cannot promise them to last long. They are of solid oak, finely made and finished, have beveled mirrors 24x30 inches. We doubt if you find any Sets to equal those we are showing from $13.90 to $25. Your choice of Maple, Imitation Ma hogany and Antique Elm.
 Solid Oak, Curly Birch and Birds Eye Maple Sets, from 1925 to $55, find ready customers. Do not fail to see them.
 Fourth floor.
The Press., 1894-09-13

THIS Paper and The Connecticut Courant [weekly) furnished for s22O per year.
The Press., 1894-09-13

NOTICE-Just received, car load of IN Choice No. 1 Milling Wheat that we are selling for $1.35 per 100 pounds.
 12S3w E. c, DENNIS.
The Press., 1894-09-13
Qhe 1Rre&@.

MCLAUGHLIN & SON, PUBLISHERS. $1 50 a year. If paid strictly in advance ,$1 .25.
The Press., 1894-09-13

INSTRUCTION given in Water Color
 l and Oil Painting. and in Vocal Music Also Palnting done to order For terms apply to Springs, Conn.
The Press., 1894-09-13

A member of the cabinet is quoted as authority for the interesting statement that Theodore Roosevelt is thinking se- siously of handing in his resignation as civil service commissioner, and that Pres dent Cleveland knows it. Another part of the story is that MT. Roosevelt has his eye on the mayoralty of New York. He would be strong candidate, and his elec- tion would be one of the biggest pieces of good fortune vouchsafed to the city with in the memory of the oldest inhabitant
The Press., 1894-09-13

LAOR sSALE-Good two-horse Lumber l Wagon, Good Business Wagon, Pair Good Working Harness, and pair Light Driving Har- ness. A. JACOBSEN. BuH Cap.
The Press., 1894-09-13
TDiaH-

Stafford Springs, 9th, Leon Paul, 1 year, son of Alix Roberts.
 West Stafford, 5th, F. w. Kibbe, 92.
 Stafford Springs, 9th, Margaret, 43, wife of Fred Kretschman.
The Press., 1894-09-13

Have you this invariable rule for sweet pickling? Seven pounds of fruit, three and one-half of sugar and one pint of vim egar. Spice to suit the taste.