The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-26
NEW YEARS DAY ANTICS OF ARIZONA COWBOYS
tner Rotou and Sometimes Cruel but There Wonderful Display Of
Horsemanshp Plenty to Eat and Any amount Of Fun

houshly lettered posters of wrappin,
paper for weeks had announced that ;
cowboy Tournament and Fiesta Neil
cana would be held on New Years das
at Aqua Caliente.
Singly and in groups. on horseback
and in four mule wagons. newcomer,
arrive every minute. Among them are
rev women. who join the little knot
OF their friends, gossiping on the raised
Neranda of the hotel. The men natur-
any gnaVitate toward the nearest bar.
AFTER taxing the edge off their chronic
EhirSts by means of dubious whiskey.
they hand their heavy pistols to the
proprietor. who places them with a nile
of their fellows on bench behind the
bar. This is in accordance with a ter
ritorial law, strictly enforced, which
requires every man to disarm within
so minutes after entering a settlement
some of the men, however. remove the
guns from their belts only to stick them
in the Wristbands OF their trousers.
while the cartridge belts and empty
holsters are ostentatiously worn as A
inclusive evidence of good faith.
A deputy sheriff easily distinguishable
by the fact that he is vsibly armed.
mounts an empty soap-box and an
nounces the commencement of the
sports. A chicken-pulling, he says, is to
be the first event.
In front of the veranda where the
women have taken their stand a little
hole has been dug. An unfortunate
rooster, loudly protesting is placed in
This hole, and the earth is gently
samped TO secure him. leaving only his
mead ana neck above the surface of the
ground. Fifty yards back are gathered
rhe contestants, mounted on wiry cow
ponies.
The deputy sheriff raises his hand:
"a half grown youth clasps his big spurs
10 his horses sides and starts at ful1
EnRpd toward inA II;
gaglng one stirrup, he throws himself
out of his saddle, and supported by the
remaining stirrup and steadied by the
other spur, which he has hooked around
the high cantle of his saddle, he reaches
for the chickens head as he passes il
The head lodges him ceverly. The
next in turn, an exceedingly small boy.
mounted on a pony of corresponding
size is more fortunate. Followed by
the cheers of the spectators. he galops
away. waving the fluttering bird
around his head.
This game, which certainly is rather |
rough on poultry, is continued until
7he first contestant. who in the mean I,
time has secured two chickens, makes |
fourth attempt. He throws himself |
over, but as he does so the spur-leather
that partially supports him gives way
To save himself he clutches at the neck
of his pony this throws him we'll for
ward, and he falls. with cry. directly
IN front Of the galloping hoofs. The
little horse tries To stop, but is going
TOO fast, and tripping on the body of
his master. plants both knees full on
his chest. The pony scrambles To his
feet, but the boy lies where he fell He
is carried, unconscious, into a neighbor-
ing saloon, and finally revived: but the
interest in this particular sport seems
TO have waned. The deputy calls the
first race-"to take the taste out of |
our mouths" he says.
Those who have horses mount them. |