Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-05-19
QUEER WINTER SPORT.
Pennsylvania Farmers Hold Gross.
Roads Bull Rallies
A source OF Great Amusement During
the Dull -SeAson-Some Interesting
Features of the Novel
scheme.

"A concern Is running al ~
cross-road show in eastern Pennsyi-
yaHia. Its chief attraction consists OF
big bulls. The owners are conducting
a series of rafting matches at taverns
with the bulls They give cash instead
of the animals to the prize winners,
and then go on to the next stand
The owners have a regular route LAID
OUT. and advertise literally with posters
and handbills. One bull is put up at
one tavern, and the other at another
tavern about five miles away. They
rattle one bull each week, which gives
two weeks time to get out the tickets
and make preparations. The landlord
generally welcomes the advance man,,
aid charges very little for his board
The rattle tickets ut rs cents zach are
put up at the tavern, and the FARMER
bows very soon get to hear OF it, rms
attracts a good crowd a C evening and
cards are played for tickets. The
favnrite game is ~four-handed euchre,
two tickets being the prizes for each
game. In this way hundreds of tickets
are played for, over and over again, not
only al the tavern wlSfe the rattle is
10 be held, but also at other taverns,
the landlords having been supplied
with tickets by the owners of the bulls.
Many other tickets are also sold direct
- purchasers. Sometimes a 25-cent
ticket is ratified off ut five cents a chance,
five chances. In the country districts
there are no amusements for winter
nights, and this cross-road-rafling show
is Just the thing. In two weeks as
many as 400 tickets are disposed of in
nHha Inn11nr1 pUI1l
accept a ticket in payment of drinks or
cigars just to keep the ball rolling.
When the day of the rattle arrives
Judges are chosen and the rafting is
done in a side at the tavern, n
only one raffler is allowed ipSat a time.
Seven old coppers are shaken in a
SLOUGH hat and the number of heads
turned up is counted. Each ratfier has
three throws. After a dozen or more
men nave tried their luck, ~, high man
is allowed to sit in with the judges.
When a higher throw is made the new
Inan takes the chair to watch the
railing. The throwing of heads goes
on all day and far into the night. The
landlord is busy, of course, at the bar.
Many of the rattle tickets presented are
dirty and grimy, showing that they
have passed through Il number of
hands, in a variety of devious ways, be
fore coming to the last owner. The
high man closely watches each throw
aud counts the heads. If five, six or
seven are turned up the first throw
there is greater attention paid. If the
second throw is also large the atten-
ton Increases. But if the third throw
- In-. tha h.rh man ernilaS ynnl-
naturally and breathes easier as he re-
tains the seat of honor. For hours l6
may remain high. Then some one will
throw II, and later another IS out of
a possible 21. This is a good throw.
Ten dollars is freely offered for Is
heads, but the lucky man rarely sells
out. Once in awhile some man, wom-
an or child will come in and turn up
10 heads out of n possible 81. This is
soon known to the outside CROWD and il
creates a buzz of excitement. If 16 re-
mains high the bull owner continues to
sell tickets, but frequently it is stipu-
lated in advance that the sale of tickets
lust stop at a certain hour no matter
what number of heads may be high.
Finally, when all the tickets have been
ratified the high man takes the bull, and
the low throw also gets a prize, such as
a fat hog, a set of harness, a set of
dishes, or something of equal value.
The bull owner is soon negotiating
with the lucky man, and for $40 or $50
the winner is satisfied and the big bull
is driven'to the next stand.
The landlord has made out very well,
the boys have had a lot of fun, the bull
owner may have taken in s125 cash or
more, and may cav the tavern with
about $50 clear. At times there is
trouble in settling with the winner,
and he puts up the bull at auc-
ton and makes the owner pay high
for it. Still, generally speaking, peo-
pie have no use for a show bull, and
the owner succeeds in getting it to the
next stand. If he can't settle and must
sell, he'll go elsewhere and soon try an
other animal. y bull is more attractive
for a rattle than a horse. Frequently a
fox-chase is sandwiched in to make Il
rattle more attractive, and the festivities
Inay end with a frolic or dance.-N. Y.
Sun.