The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-18
sPoILINo FOR A FIGHT.
Anaconda People Who Own Tip TOP
Game Cocks.

Anaconda People Who Own Tip Top
Game Cocks.
Local sports have been quietly talking
during the past week of the chances Tor
getting upa cooking main to be held as soon
as arrangements can be made, in this city
or vicinity. This sport, which is so popu-
lar among the Spaniards and Mexicans,
seldom excites more than a passing inter-
est in other countries, but there are sew
eral chicken fanciers in this city who, In
discussing the merits of their pet birds,
bave almost decided to make test OF
them in the pit.
John Berry has three or four game cocks
of the red variety and Silver grays which
he thinks are able to cope with anything
of their size and weight in the state.
William Condall also has n fine COOP
full of American bred birds of which he is
justly very proud and though he is not IN
the business of cock fighting, but is Civ
ing his attention to the breeding ana rais-
ing of birds for the market, yet he IS Will
ing to back his pets against all owners.
Mr.. Condail has recently purchased a
house and lot at the head of Birch street
and has built a house for his fowls that is
arranged SO that his birds have air ana
shelter and are not seriously crowded:
He has four of the game birds now ana
has ordered hens from Muskeegon, Mich,
for breeding purposes.
InlcaQO Is AT tue uGdd Vi VIC
coop. He is a red bird weighing about
five pounds and every feather in him is
full of fight. There is a standing chai-
lenge backing him for 500 against any
bird in his class in the country. none
barred. and any rules desired. He is val
ued at $50. Next to him is the heavy
weight of the flock, a black red, weighing
pounds ounces. He is of half pump
kin and half tornado stock and is the
handsomest of the lot. His stride Is that
4 H.. -. Ia Nn
feather about him. He could not be pur-
chased for SIS. Gray Dominick is a Mon
tana bred bird. of half DomInick and half
red quill parentage. He weighs about
five pounds and is full of game.
The fourth bird is n lightweight, 4
pounds and ounces. to give or take two
ounces in a match. He is of Far Down
and Tornado stock.
Other cocks that would fight if a match
could be made for them are Mormon Boy
a 6-pound bird, who would give or take
four ounces; and a Henne cock that
weighs pounds ounces is just spelling
for fight with anything in his class.
These birds are all fighters and will, II
given an opportunity, do battle with eacn
other and not quit until one or the other
lies dead. Their fighting qualities are
bred in them through generations OF
fighters, and they are such pugnaclous
creatures that they will even fight their
own shadows at sight.
ne ulIeTeuCe DeAWeeu u Bdiilo SOSh
and a barn yard fowl is that the born
fighter will 'stand stee ~ while the chan
ticleer, however warllke he be, Will. at TIT
touch of the steel gaffs with which game
birds are armed in the pit, turn and fiy
A gaff is wicked weapon, even wher
seen as a curiosity. 1t is made in various
sizes and shapes. varying from three
quarters of an inch to two inches II
length, and are steel hooks like larg'
darninG needles bent and fitted to
socket that goes over the natural spur o.
the chicken. A leather flap serves
as band to wind about
the cocks leg, and this is then secured b,
waxend thread, which holds the weapon
tight. When birds thus armed are dropped
into a pit there is certain and sudder
death for one of the combatants. The!
fly at each other, striking at each other
head and lungs, and the steel quickl.
reaches a vital spot.
There are many tricks that can b.
PLAYED by a shrewd handler OF n cock
and the rules which govern are NOR
Varied and intricate than those OF TN
p