The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-13
THE ELITE At
A COOKING MAIN.
Select Crowd of Sports
Meet at the Foot of
Tamalpais.
THREE WOMEN PRESENT
Contra Costa and San Francisco
Counties Have an Old
Time Fight.
THE FORMER THE WINNER.
How the Veteran Con Mooney Was
Fed on Game Cocks by
Blundering Caterer.
THE FORMER THE WINNER.

The cockhghter will not down. The
same thrill a Spaniard has in seeing the
matador thrust his sword into the heart of
an Infatuated bull is his when the game
cock again and again punches the gait
into the neck of chicken. If the latter,
cut UP and feeble from exertion and loss
of blood, fights on till death the thrill is
more intense, according to toe amount of
savageness displayed by the victor and the
endurance of the vanquished
The cockfghter argues that the sport is
not so cruel as doghghting, driving horse
races, coursing or prizehghting, and he
does not propose to be done out of his
pet pastjme by the arbitrary regulations
of cities or townships.
The undisputable proof of all this was
gwen yesterday in the shade of old Mount
Tamalpais, where one of the biggest and
most aristocratic mains OF this year was
successfully held.
1t was a big main in the respect that
Contra Costa and San Francisco counties,
the two best gamecock producers, were
pitted. Thirty birds on either side, trained
and ready to battle, were shipped over 20
5ausalito Saturday night. This was done
in the old-time conventional way, each
cock being inclosed in a gunnysack tied at
the neck. In days gone by, a man with
gunnysack the contents of which wriggled,
chuckled and crowed, attracted but little
attention. 1t was different, however, on
Saturday evenings ferry-boat. The un-
usual occurrence attracted much attention,
and the residents of Sausalito were on the
lookout all of yesterday for the treat they
expected was in store for them.
The aristocratic end of the main was in
its selection. This was an exclusive
affair, more so than IN those days when a
five-dollar note was collected from each
sport as he gained entrance to the pit. A
few of the veterans in such affairs were
present. They were not many, for most
of them have passed away or are not now
in fit physical condition to take long jour
neys such as are necessitated while chas-
ing away from constables, sheriffs and
the like meddlesome gentry. The new
element which figured yesterday at the
pitside consisted mainly of clerks in high
positions, both civil and official; Judges
of police and Superior Courts, city
father or so and three ladies who have
often graced the salons of upper tendon.
Barring an expression or two of ooh,
my dear, Poor thing, is it much hurt?"
when one bird jabbed out another's eye
with its steel spur, these ladies had a
splendid outing. They laughed at the
ludicrous appearance of the cocks, shorn
of their extra plumage. just as a prize
fighters hair is cut close to the scalp prior
to entering the ring. They wagered gloves,
candy and even money on which would
prove the victor in tine engagement that
must almost necessarily end in the death
of one or both roosters.
1t is generally accepted that pleasure
most difficult. to acquire is that which is
best appreciated Apparently from their
tied to all the fun they enjoyed.
IL was hoped that the main could be
brought off in Sausalito. Why not? Pool
rooms that are prohibited from running
in every town and hamlet ofthe State run
there in full blast anG with open doors,
where even boys and young girls may be-
come educated to gambling.
But the City Trustees of Sausalito drew
the line at cock-hghting. Constable Gar
rity, wide awake as usual, set his foot
down on the sport ana declared that the
order from the City Trustees must be
obeyed. George CHM, ex-Mayor of Sau-
salito was sworn in as deputy constable,
and he too assisted in enforcing the law.
Even old Judge Belhue, the only magis-
trate IN the burg, and who is likewise sole
proprietor of the buses at the ferry, re-
fused to carry passengers who calmly de-
manded to be taken as fares to the cock
fight
J. Ross Jackson. the well-known news.