The San Francisco call., 1896-06-15
GAME CHICKENS
SLASH AND SPUR,
Fighting Birds Of San Jose,
Sacramento and
This City.
BATTLES ON A BARGE.
Bloody Sport Witnessed by a Sc
lect Gathering of
HeelerS.
MUCH MONEY CHANGED HANDS
Departu re of the Gang From the Arctic
Oil Works for Richard.
sons Bay.

The people who were ldling in the vicin-
ity of the Arctic Oil Works, Long Bridge,
yesterday morning were surprised at see
ing an army of supposed tramps heading
toward the wharf Immediately back of the
oil works.
The so-called tramps, who carried sacks
over their shoulders and under their arms,
made dash for tug which was anchored
near the wharf and disappeared in the
cabin.
What in the name of earth can those
fellows be up tor" remarked an old lady
who was killing time by fishing off the
wharf. An old gentleman, her husband
in all probability, was busy at the time
catching fish, but after batting up and cast
ing out his hooks for more bites, he found
time to take q peep at the tug on which
had gathered fifteen or twenty hard-look-
ing citizens.
While the old gentleman was endeavor-
ing to size up the situation another batch
of bag-carriers hove in sight.
Say, old woman, let US quit fishing.
Pm on to the racket; there's going to be a
chicken-fgh somewhere to-day-sure, and
m a-going to see If can I be declared In
on the game. I'll tell yer that chicken
fighting is hot stuff and great sport. Come
along, Mary"
The old gentleman did not see that
chicken-fght by large majority.
His wife settled that question in very
short order and by very few words.
Well, as the second part OF the chicken
gang was passing along the wharf IN the
direction of where the tug was lying a
rooster crowed, and Immediately after q
chorus OF chanticleer voices came from
divers sacks.
The boys who were loafng on the wharf
OT7iolrIu rod
about the tug, and then chicken-fghts
were discussed in all manners by the
urchins.
:'Say, there, you feller with the glass
eyep' shouted one of the lads at healthy
looking chicken-fancier who was resting
his anatomy on coil OF rope, Cut hole
in that sack or you'll smother the bird,
see2'
Another lad suggested to a red-nosed
sport who was stroking the tees OF
chicken, which he held tightly under his
coat, that he wipe the paint off his blower
before the sun would have chance to set
his face on fire.
After considerable taunting and josh
ing, one of the army of chicken fighters
scram bled up on the wharf and put the
urchins to fight.
"Well, what's keeping this Sacramento
gang, I'd like to know2' remarked one OF
those double -nosed sports that are in
varlably seen at dog and chieken-fghts.
"Oh, they'll be here pretty soon now,
retorted a little fellow who sported WELL
trained goatee, which was gently stream
ing down his chest, as he glanced at his
hy back and muttered, Just o o'clock
'fAh here they come on that barge yon-
der" cried a fellow named Mccarthy as
he scratched the head of a match care
lessly against his trousers and fired up
huge puffs of blue smoke into the skies.
''WelI, Jack, l think we're in for great
DAYS sport; the Sacramento and San Jose
bows are dead sure of putting US over
barrel, and I'm told their pockets are just
lined with the stuff"
Pm glad to hear that, " answered Gus.
"lf that little Jap OF mine who settled the
hash of DooIey's prize chicken few days
ago is feeling all right when he enters the
pit, l will just bet those San Jose fellows
to a standstill."
What do you think of those Eastern
birds Gus?"
'.Well, there are two crackaiacks among
them, and l am greatly afraid of that big
black pile; he's wicked fighter and hard
bird TO bet against"
The tug On which were the San Fran
cisco chicken fanciers came along and was
quickly hitched on TO the barge on which
were the San Jose and Sacramento sports
and a start was made for the quiet waters
of the bay near Sausalito.
The pleasure party started from this
City some time before the hour for leaving
was due, and as a consequence quite
large number of sports were left behind on
the wharf to soliloquze and pray for the
captain who was obeying orders.
The reason, as stated by some of the
party for such hasty departure, was to
avoid any possible police interference.
There was, however, little danger of the
sport being hampered by the hawkeyes of
the police department, as they frequently
miss bigger things than barge loaded
with passengers and fighting birds.
The main brought off yesterday was
talked of for several weeks past, and there
were few of the sports who failed to get
tip on the big chicken dispute.
1t was about IL o'clock when the battle
ground was reached, and the owners and
handlers of the chickens lost but little time
in arranging the spurs on the best toes of
the feathered pugilists.
Money changed hands very freely, and
the San Francisco contingent were bit
surprised wien they saw how lavishly the
Sacramento sports squandered coin on
chance. They backed their favorites
strongly, and did not regret having done
SO when the days so-called sport came to
an end. Thirty battles were fought, and
although the San Jose birds held first
place in the early rounds of the fight, the
final contests lay between the feathered
Dugilists of this City and Sacramento.
The sporting men of the last named city
walked off with the most coin when the
fighting came TO an end owing to dark
ness. 1t is said that second meeting will
be held in the very near future somewhere
up the Sacramento River.
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