West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-04-08

than some OF the foot ball games
and priZe-ring battles ~ this coun-
try, where men lose their lives occa-
slonally? The worst feature about
the bull fight TO my notion, is the
slaughter Of the poor horses, who
are forced into the ring and have
no show for their lives. Most of
eur crowd would rather have seen
some OF the men hurt than so many
horses, as they entered the fight
for sport and money, and knowing
the danger, took their chances.
Up at Durango that Same after
noon they had a royal fight that
some of us were sorry we missed.
The bulls were native and moua-
tain animals of the State of Du
range, and. they fought with fc.
roclty that made the large crowd of
spectators go wild with delight.
The first bull which entered the
arena charged upon one of the
lighters and quickly gored him to
death. Another man was killed by
the second bull, and the third bull
capped tho climax of the tragedy
by killing two more men in quick
succession, making in all four
human lives that were sacrificed to
the evident pleasure of the crowd
OF spectators. Eight bulls were
killed and four horses were gered
to death. 1t was red .lctter day in
the annals Of bull fighting in Du-
range.
My sister was one Of the very few
ladies of our party that remain ed
TO the end of the fight. She did
not mind it as much as / thought
she would. | went to see il and
was determined to take it all I'm.
and sat throughout the performance
taking notes of it all just as it
happened. ] almost filled a small
notebook with pencilings, and have
written this article from these notes
made on the spot. argued philo-
sophically that | was powerless to
prevent the slaughter, and il would
go right on whether | left or re-
NAMED. 1t was my first and (per
haps) last opportunity to see a
genuine bull fight, and If YOU ever
have chance go thou and do like.
wise. You will likely want to see
out one, as 1T Is generally more
than enough for most people. How
ever, the American residents there
get In the habit OF going regularly
same as the natives. talked with
them about it, and they told me
that the sport grew on them and
they enjoyed it. Some years ago
the Mexican Government stoned
bull lighting ana passed strict laws
against it, but crime and blood.
shed increased 80 rapidly that they
had 10 90 back to it as the lesser
evil. The people would congregate
IN the public resorts and in the
drinking places on holidays and
Sunday afternoons, and having no
bull tight to 60 to, would get drunk
and quarrel and fight among them.
selves, and so many murders were
committed and other crimes that
tile laws against bull fighting were
repealed. and now the people 90
and see fighting and blood-shed by
hired performers and are satisfied
to return to their homes and bust
ness and behave through. the week.
SO don't critiCiso hull fighting and
the people who engage in it and
patronize it too severely. as there
are lights and shadows in cOnnec-
ton with the whole matter that
bear inspection, and she who is
without sin, let him cast the first
stone" The bulls killed at these
lights are promptly skinned and
dressed Tor rather undressed) and
the meat sent to the prisons and
barracks to feed the convicts and
soldiers.
Another feature that attracted
my attention, was that the ladies'
of our party stood the ordeal Of The
/ blood and slaughter with asmuch,
If not more, compOsuro on an aver.
age than their escorts, and some Of
the ladies even caught themselves
applauding some bold and brilliant
m ,Lmuver Of the bull fighters. In
Tact, they were such fine, athletic
looking men shat they rather won the
hearts Of semo OF our girls. OBJ
served that the natives watched us
curlously when the fight was par
/ ticularlY bloody. and laughed and
commented in Spanish when any of
MS showed horror or disgpst, or
tho white feather by leaving. I did
net intend they should have the
laugh on me, aud sat to the end as
calmly as At base ball game, tax
ing down notes with my note book
on my knee. As we came out, the
boys in attendance offered Us bun.
derilIas that they claimed had been
used during the fight and had the
blood on them yet, ut fifty centavas