The record-union., 1896-10-24
BULL AND BICYCLE.
First Fight in Mexico in Which the
Wheel Was Introduced.

The bicycle, which has crept into al
most every path of human life, has at
last found its way to the bull fighting
ring. There are few bicycles, as yet, in
Mexico. The people of the neighboring
republics are inclined to regard the rid
ing of a wheel as very similar to work,
and a good many of them are opposed
to that sort of thing. Still there are
number Of Americans down there who
ride and a few Mexicans who have the
initiative faculty sufficiently developed
in them to follow suit, and enough
human nature in them to like it, once
having done so.
A few days ago Manuel Garcia, who
has been one Of the champion bull
fighters of the domain Of President DiaZ.
and who felt his pride, has suffered re-
Gently because of a falling off Of his at
tendance when he performed his daring
feats, determined to begin a new epoch
in the history Of the ring and to become
the hero of 1t.
He has fought bulls on foot and on
horseback from boyhood. He has killed
everything in sight with horns in both
ways. He felt that he could repeat the
thing blindfolded almost, but all that
was an old story. So he made UP his
mind to introduce the bicycle in the
ring. He knew well how to ride. There
was no better performer in Mexico, and
If he could kill a bull while seated on his
steed he felt certain of wearing a new
crown of glory.
The City of Mexico was touched here
and there with flaming red and yellow
posters from end to end. In big letters
the bills told the story. It was a simple
one. Manuel Garcia, famous for years
as the hravest and shrewdest bull fighter
of Mexico, was to meet the biggest and
widest animal seen in the Capital City
in the present generation.
The great day arrived. Thousands
gathered in the great amphitheater and
waited until the bovine giant was
driven in. He looked big enough and
mad enough to eat a man. One Of the
| lesser lights rode in and prpdded the
bull once or twice. Then few darts
were fixed in his quivering flesh and
he rushed madly UP and down, while
| Manuel looking very handsome in his
bright costume, rode in on a glittering
bicycle. The bull eyed it and then
rushed for it. Manuel lodged once.
There was almost a punctured tire, but
the horn just missed the wheel and
| no damage was done. The bull went
far past the bicycle, and turning at the
other side of the ring watched 1t for a
moment. Then the old fire came back
into his eye and he moved toward the
urcanny thing again, as though shot
from gun. The toreador rode slowly
along with his sword ready, and as
the bull approached prepared to dodge
and strike him in the side.
| But bicycles do not dodge like horses.
They have not that keen, personal in
terest in their work that horse has.
The front wheel struck some slight i'm
pediment and the machine stopped just
long enough to get a horn in each
wheel. He lifted bicycle and rider to-
gether high in the air, and still rushing
| madly on pitched both far over the
fence among the spectators, and the
fight was over. The toreador looked
after 1t was over as though he had
passed through a printing press, and
the bicycle reminded the onlookers
more of tangle in wire factory than
| anything else. The bicycle will prob
ably not be used further in this way
Chicago Times.