West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-04-01
BULL FIGHTING IN MEXICO
COMPLETE DESCRIPTION or THE
GRSAT NATIONAL GAME.
One Bloody Sunday In The His
tOrie Old Capital of MoRtezuma.
written up from the Editors Note Book

try long before the New World was
discovered by Columbus, and is
popular there vet. IT was intro
duced in Mexico by the Spaniards
when they ruled and ruined that
country, and is there yet, relic Of
Spanish cruelty and tyranny. 1t
rs prob ible that there are not over
two people IN this county who ever
witnessed this kind Of barbarousand
dangerous sport. Since my return
from Mexico, so many have asked
about the bull fighting and { have
been compelled to answer 90 many
questions in regard to it, that |
have been anxious TO find room in
Tue ARGUS In which TO descri be
one as | witnessed it in the City Of
Mexico, about month ago. Many
people have but dim idea Of what
bull lighting means ns practlced ia
these countries. Quite II mum Der
who have asked me about 1T, had
The idea that the bulls fought zach
other, and some declared they had
seen 6ulls.fight in this country. |
bad read so much about it in con-
necfion with Spain and her people,
and tho deeds Of daring performed
in the ring by brave matadors in
the presence Of the applauding mul
tituds and under the inspiration Of
some dark eyed aud bonites seno
rita, that l had long desired to see
a genuine Spanish or Mexican bull
fight-it Is the same in both coun-
tries.
The opportunity came on my re-
cent visit to Mexico with the Ma
tional Editorial Association. Sun
day, February 2Sth, was u beautiful
day, bright and warm as June at
home. 1t was ideal weather for
utdoor entertainment, and a big
bull fight was to come off that
afternoon out at Burelis and Ia
cubaya both. These places are
suburbs Of the city, reached by
street cars after a half hours ride
from the central part of the city.
Our people had talked great deal
about going to the bull fight, and
most of them went, too, if it was
Sunday, and if they were good
church mem bers at home. It was
their first and last chance to see a
bull fight, as it only takes place on
Sunday or some holiday, they had
to go then or miss it. A few backed
ont when the time came, more from
cowardice than from any religious
scruples about Sunday. Most of
our crowd went to Burelis, as it
was nearer and patronized by the
better class Of people, and right
here | want to say that the people
there attend bull fight same as we
do IA theatre or opera In this couu
try, men, women and children of
all classes and all ages.
At the Hotel Jardin, pronounced
"Hardeen," with the accent on the
last syllable same as canteen, where
we were stopping, we were served
most elaborate dinner on Sunday of
about a dozen courses, including
many kinds of meats, vegetables.
fruits and flowers. The tables were
decorated with many magnificent
boquets OF flowers and smaller ones
put in a glass by each plate for
every guest. l noticed quite ii mum.
Der Of Mexican family parties there
for dinner that day. The old don,
or head of the family, would come
in from his home in the country or
suburbs and bring his whole family
to take Sunday dinner, and then
all go to the bull fight on the street
cars that pass right 10y the hotel.
| persuaded n reporter on the staff
Of the THO Republics, an American
newspaper published just across the
street from the hotel, to go with
me, as he is an old resident and
speaks both English and Spanish
fuently. His name was Williams,
and he is a native Of Texas, and
he was very kind to us, spending
considerable time showing us
around. ] wanted him with me to
explain any part Of the Performance
] did not understand. My sister
accompanied me, and quite mum
Der Of our crowd we're seated to.
gether. Gen. II. r. Crittenden, of
Missouri, our Consul General, was
seated close to rs alsO. | paid 50
in Mexican money for three first
class tickets. We had splendid
seats, right opposite where they let
the bulls in. The bull ring, called
the "Piuza de TorOe," is an i'm
mcnse amphithcatre, with a ring
bounding it by a strong wooden
wall about six feet high-ihe seats
rising outside Of this and running
clear around. There are boxes or
stalls for family parties, and the
best seats have roof over them.
The place would hold about thirty
thousand people, and was pretty
we'll filed up. Tho seats on the
shady side are sold TO the better
classes at "a higher price, while these
on The sunny side, or tho "bleach-
ing boards" arc occupied by the
rabb,e a. from 2j TO 30 cents each.
Running clear around, between the
wall Of tho rIu0 and tho ge4fs is "a