Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-01-25
LIVELY COOKING MAIN
Between Ohio and Pennsylvania
Birds Last Night
The Fights Took Place a Few Miles
From the City.
And Were Witnessed by Several
Hundred Sports from this State,
OHIO and Pennsylvania-Con-
siderable Money Changed
Hands -Honors Even in the
First Four Fights-News From
the Turf, Diamond and Prize
Ring-Other Sport.

The biggest cock main held in this vicin-
ity during recent years was fought last
night within a few miles Of the city. Fif-
teen fights were arranged, for S25 each,
and wager of 300 on the odd fight. Ow-
ing to the late hour when the sport COM
meuced, ana the intervals which elapsed
between fights, only five battles took place
before two O'Clock. If the programme as
arranged, was carried out, it was daylight
when the last fight was decided.
Tue pit was pitched IN the centre OF a
small hall, and rough seats were provided
10 accommodate tue two hundred or more
persons who gave up one dollar eacn aJ
the door. The birds were sent out early
in the evening, and the w. " h. u. motors
last night TOOK out the spectators. A dele
cation OF about twenty tive came down
from Pittsburg, and as many more came
from Martins Ferry, while numbers from
Circleville, ChilGcothe, GAINESVILLE, New
ark, and other points IN ONO, augmented
the crowd. Z was representative as
semDluge of sports, with the usual number
Of clerks aud others who saw cock fight
for the first time.
There were rumors that an effort would
the main, and this report PROBABLY had the
effect OF keeping some of the weakkneed
ones from attending. a well known gam
bier opened a chuck-a-luck layout, and
with the assistanceof mis- "cappers" work
ed successfully for about an honr. Then
constable entered the door, the tip was
given, and when the officer arrived tne
gamblers were quitely witnessing the
sport in the padded arena.
1t was nearly eleven o'clock when the
first fight commenced. The prellmi-
naries had all been arranged, tne COCKS
trimmed ami heeled, and Two birds which
fell in at pounds . ounces.
were pitted for the battle. ONO
aud Pennsylvania each showed olack
red. A Martins Ferry man handled the
Ohio chickens. The Pennsylvania birds
were pitted by "Rube" Coppers, one OF
the best known nursers In America. Odds
of > to 4, ana later TO 5, were Offered on
the Martins Ferry chicken, and consider
able money changed hands on the result OF
this fight. 1t took about ten pltungs TO
win, but Ohio had the advantage from the
START and proved an easy winner.
The second fight was between two black
reds, who weighed 4pounds ounces. Bet
ting on the result was even, but the visit
ors were not very favoraoly impressel
with their cock, aud Martins Ferry offered
odds of 10 10 and > 10 4 with few takers.
An Ohio man offered TO bet 200 on the bat
tie, but only SIS was taken. The hght was
peculiar. The Ohio bird was struck IN
The head in the first pitting and ran from
the pit In the second ptting he showed
up gamely for a runaway, and even money
was offered on him. Another pitting and
OHIO stock was up, while "Ruoe" admit
ted that he was whipped. The Ohio bird
wen in about eight minutes.
So far the local men had taken every
thing in sight, and became overconhdent,
with the result that they lost heavily in
next fight. Martins Ferry showed
black red weighing 4:lO, the PitCsourg
cock being a Jrlfe heavier. Betting was
even at the start, but the Pittsburgers oe-
gan to loosen up, and finally offered odds
of D TO on their chicken. In the first
hitting "Rube's" heart was gladdened by
a well aimed blow which landed in the
neck of the Ohio bird. Martins Ferry
was done for: in few moments he was a
dead cock in u pit"
The fourth battle was likewise very
brief, and was captured with ease by the
PENNSYLVANIA bird. Martins Ferry
showed a gray, Pittsburg black red. The
Smoky CITY cock was a favorlte at TO. !,
and 10 10 :. 1t took but one pitting TO set
tie the contest, the Martins Ferry bird
getting its death blow in about minute.
a fight which was not part OF the
main. was arranged between South Side
aud a Pennsylvania bird, for $50 a side.
The South Side cock weighed ) pounds
| ounce. and it's opponent was ounces
heavier. The betting was to on Pitts
burg Pittsburg Won in three or four pit
tings.
Arrangements were being made for the
next fight. when the Register man escaped.
The honors were then divided, each side
winning two.