The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-16
BULL, MAN And DOG
Details Of a Fantastic Fight in the
Hills of California.
HOW THE HORNED ONE WON
Big Jack and His Dog Buck Had to
Yield While the Mexicans and
Cornish Miners Kicked Up a
Deuce OF a Robbery.


Bravo, toro!
stick TO him Buckr'
Hold tight, Jack, you'll win outv'
In the dusty bull ring is gaunt red
animal with a white bulldog fastened
tightly on his muzzle, while a six-foot,
heavyweight miner tightly grasps his
tail. About the amphitheater hundreds
of stalwart Cornishmen and swarthy
Mexicans stand and shout at the sport.
The sun is descending beyond the San
ia Cruz mountains, tinging the brown
hills and the tall redwoods with varied
hues. This is the picture of summer
afternoon in 1858, when the quicksil-
yer mines of New Alamaden were the
center of attraction for the mining
pioneers of all nationalities.
1t was a fete day at New Almaden.
The Cornishmen. while they had their
own sports. and wrestled and fought
to their hearts content, took right
merely to the Mexican methods of en-
joying themselves. 1t was not alone
Spanish who built and supported the
bull ring; but as well the Briton. All
the rude benches on the sides of the
little glen, in the mouth of which had
been leveled and walled in the seat of
combat, were crowded. Swarthy south
erners and fair-faced English giants
squatted on the grass, leaned against
the trees and peered over the heads of
the fortunate corners who had the front
places and were settled to enjoy the
sport
Not alone the miners and their fami-
lies were about the enclosure, but many
visitors helped to swell the throng.
Curious ones from San Jose and the
little ranches in the Santa Clara plain
elbowed and jol1ed with their neigh
bors Of the foothill haciendas. and the
miner and the vaquero We'd with each
other for the chances of the dark-eyed
daughters of the South land, whose
bright dresses and gay scarfs added
touches of color to relieve the brown
of the hills the gray of the ring and
the somber-hued dress of the miners.
Unfortunately for the success of the
sport II had been impossible to secure
the services of professional bull fight
ers-they were in too great demand
and since the sport had to go on, for
the miners had determined on that
point amateurs who had seen many
a contest to the death volunteered to
make the sport for the assembled
crowd They had drilled themselves
for days, the bandarlllos had all the
motions for the throwing of the gaily
bedecked darts, the agile picadors had
practiced with their scarfs and sharp
pointed swords. while the star matador,
an agile young fellow who knew no
fear had studied the thrust and stab
so necessary for his success and was
SO often seen in dumb show practice
that our housewives shuddered for the
safety of the mich kline. No promoter
ever had greater success In gathering
an audience. no audience ever gather
ed more intent on enjoyment. IL was a
hot day and all kinds of liquids flowed
freely. The crowd was in a good hum
or and the familiar figures in the mines
and the neighborhood were greeted
with merry quip and jest and banded
witticisms across the ring, waiting the
advent of the actors.
A queen of the carnival had been
chosen and occupied the seat of honor
I'm a rude box, while beside her was
the governor OF the fete, and In front
the band, whose brassy notes echoed
about the mountain side.
Answering the fanfare of the trum-
pets the gates swung open and the am
ateur bullhghters crossed the ring and
bowed before the queen I'm mock salute
The governor gave his permission that
the snort should go on. The trumpet
sounded again and the gates 10 the
bull pen opened. To salute from the
crowd, Bravo. taro!' there charged
into the ring lank red bull, below
ing with the pain caused by the dart
ing of the banderillos into his should
ers.
After a few jumps he stopped. He
faced the stony wall of the enclosure.
His first roar of defiance had driven
the courage of every amateur out
through the point OF his barped SWORD
and from behind the shields the would
be heroes timidly peeped at the mad
dened animal prepared for their sport.
The bull was king lie pranced about,
believing with rage. and not one of
those who came to bait but stayed In
hiding with bated breath.
From every side came tlnts and
teers. They were called towards and
urged TO go out and fight. but all to no
purpose; that nervous red bull was too
great a menace for even the stout
hearted 10 face. They preferred the
safety of the shields and there they
stayed while the band blared and
brayed. The people shouted. laughed
and then grew still from exhaustion.
over on one side sat Big Jack, the
leader of the Cornlshmen, the unbeaten
hero of many a friendly fisticuff. the
acknowledged champion OF the mount
ain side. whose fame reached through
all the mines, and as noted for good
nature as for his prowess.
IL Big Jack had one possession of
which he was proud IL was his bulldog
Buck He had brought the animal
from across the water, fed him with a
spoon when he was too young TO eat.
dressed MS WOUNDS altef MS earliest
battles. coached and nursed him until
Buck was the acknowledged champion
among the camp dogs. Buck was not
a beauty even in a canine sense. His
legs were short and handy his chest
was broad and deep. his ears trimmed
short His mouth. the climax OF his
homeliness TO the uninitiated. was the
acme of excellence TO those who knew
points. He came OF thas noted family,
one scion of which. when fastened TO
bull. had suffered the cutting off of
one OF his legs rather than let go his
quarry. His jaw was undershot. and
four white teeth showed plainly against
the black Of the upper lip. 1t was a
jaw 10 grip and hold. but IL never
made him a. friend
Big Jack and Buck had so long been
hs-...