The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-13
THE COCKS WERE GAME.
NfNY BLOODY BOUNDS BEIHLEN
the FEAJHERED GLADTAIORS.
Contest Between East and West End Birds
Jsst Out of the Corporation.
Much Money Changed Hands.

"N'c lh'Ie. III was a glorious OccdSl0H' y.
IT'S Kind. In fact, 1t was a pronounced
success such as is rarely enjoyed by the
dead game sports OF this city, and
many young men returned home at an
early hour this morning away up in the
technicaiiues Of cooking mains, but away
down in matters Of finance.
II was one Of the most elaborate events
which has taken place I'm the vicinity OF
Richmond for many moons Yesterday
morning low whispers of the affair were
heard i'm the cafes.
Are you g0ing:' murmured a gentle
man of sporting prOpensities in a down.
town restaurant.
"Why. Of course; wouldn't miss it for
ten came the suggestive reply, and 1
spotted them then and there
The festivities commenced about 10
o'clock last nieht at "a spacious apart
ment selected FOR the purpose in the West
End just outside the corporate limits.
AS early as $50 o'clock dozen or more
"enthusiastics' were upon the scene anxi-
ously awaiting an opportunity 20 stake
their little all on the result Han ana
hour later the apartment began 10 present
am animated appearance. The sports came
by tens, by twenties, and even by th.r-
around the pit was occupied. They were
all there the sport by force OF habit. the
inexperienced sport. the all-around sport.
and the wOuld-be sport with only limited
means 10 demonstrate his capacity 10
keep up with the procession The reg
ulation silk hat. the shepherds crook, the
patent-leather shoes and the Havana
cigar an gave the crowd an air Of genuine
sporting men.
Secluded Quarters.
An ideal place II was, and no struggling
constable or blue-cOit would have once
dreamed that anything unusual was going
on Through q dark walk-way. and away
down in a. secluded corner one had 10
feel his way along TO find the centre
Of attraction. Tipping down beside a
high fence. some distance through mar
row. passage dark as Egypt and then
through another Notwithstanding laby
rinth. "a couple of gentle raps upon the
door admitted the sports. one az time,
and once inside all was animation.
pit. some twelve feet square, neatly sod
ded and enclosed by ten-inch boards, was
admirably set off by gasoline lamps, and
benches around about this attractive
place accommodated the crowd. which
numbered something like one hundred
and fifty.
About half am hour was consumed in
excluding everybody so as 10 enable the
collectors 10 get I'm their work. This
was difficult job, but finally the adj
mission price was reduced from one dol
lar TO fifty cents. SO as 10 put the FUN
within reach Of every body and give the
boys a show 20 make little wager, ana
at 900 o'clock the representatives. from
Richmond and Manchester were crowded
around the pit.
There were FIVE regulars" and quite
a number of extras The former a.
course. attracted the most attention, as
the results We're 10 decide whether the
East End or the West End man owned
the best chickens. Money changed hands
ON every side Greenbacks of ten, five,
two. and one dollar denominations were
staked on every side, and the musical
Jingle of silver coin left no doubt that
many Of the sports We're willing 10 back
their convictions i'm a substantial way.
put up. or shut up. was the popular
phrase. and many an East end dollar
went 20 the West end.
The First Fight.
The opening contest WAS between gray
cock with "a record and bright red fowl
which was tho pride of the East End. IL
was a fairly good match. and the red cock
fought with the desperation Of a BIRD
with a pedigree. lie was game 10 the
core The gray cock, however Kept
steadier head. and held his wind better
In the fourth come down" he succeeded
I'm gazing the red fowl who fell practical
ly dead. Both birds were badly dilapi-
dated. and their recovery looked doubtful
TO say the least. Most of the money was
staked Or the gray cock, who covered
himself with glory for his owner from the
west End.
Twenty minutes was the time allowed
/ between acts and the "heelers nad
their birds IN the pit promptly ON time.
Maeers were somewhat more spirited TINS
/ time. for fl was evident from the begin
ming that a hard battle was 10 Doe fought.
/ Both birds were i'm the pink Of condition
evenly matched, and anxious for the fray.
The West End was represented 10y "a
brown cock. while a proud dark red fowl
did the honOrs for the East End
| Ready said the referee.
"Ready." repeated the "heelers," in
/ breath
Come down." demanded the referee.
and the birds clinched with a terrible
blow Round after round was interpspersed
! with the work of the "heelers. and
| the fight was characterized by that grit
ard perseverance which surrenders only
| with death. The birds fought like lions
but the brown cock slew his opponent in
the sixteenth round and announced his
victory with a defiant "cock-a-doodle
doc"
The Growing Event
The third FIGHT brought smothered cheers
from all quarters. Excitement ran nigh,
and money changed hands freely. TWO
red cocks. with perfect symmetry of form
and game TO the heart. were the princi-
pals The West End cock could be dis
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