The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-03
LAURA LOPEZ.
SPANS WOMAN BULL-FIGHTER
IN VENEZUELA.
Seventeen Bulls Have Died on the
End of Her Sword in
Spain.

Senorita Laura Lopez is the sensation
of the day in Venezuela. She halls
from the land of Spain, and her occu-
patton in bull killing. She performed
for the edification of the sport loving
inhabitants of Caracas the other day
She is young and called beautlful IN the
South American capital. Seventeen
bulls have died on the end OF her sword
in her native country. Her Vlctlm IN
Caracas was an ugly red African beast,
prepared 70 do battle on the snghtesl
provocation.
Senorita Laura Lopez has come
across the water from Seville, Spain, 10
kill the great, fierce bulls of Venezuela
She officiated the other day at the Clrco,
before a tremendous crowd, and the
grace and finish of her performance put
10 shame the efforts of her male rivals
Such an exhibition of womans pluck
and skill Caracas had never before VIII
messed. She is the idol of the hour.
l sat near her at the fete, before she
had donned the gay apparel of the ring
Admirers surrounded her. Her eyes
We're on the bloody scenes being enacted
in eager silence. A look of contempt
was on her face. The toreadors We're
clumsy.
l watched her fearfully when she did
battle with a beast beside which the
others were as farmyard cows. She
laughed in glee. A wave OF blood-red
banderillas, and, prestoi the sharp IN
strumentS were affixed together in the
startled creatures neck. mad rush
at his torturer, and then the animal lay
dying on the sawdust carpeted floor.
Senorita's sword was near his heart.
Its owner was tripping to the exit. The
audience was laundering applause.
She occupied box that night at the
theater, envied by all women, admired
by Caracas men. l talked with her
later.
do you not find bull fighting an
amusing pastime?" she asked, as she
fingered one of her banderillas. with the
blood of her brute victim Of the after
noon still upon it.
AT A CARACAS BULL FIGHT.
Flaming posters reminded me of this
strange woman as l progressed toward
my hotel. They had led me earlier in
the day to the Grand Circo Metropoii-
tano.
Arriving shortly after 3 o'clock. we
had found ourselves among the first
who We're DANGEROUSLY anxious to gain
admission. Frantic efforts to reach the
box Office in which We were finally sue
cessful, secured us seats upon the shady
side of the arena at q cost of four bolt
wares each about eighty cents).
We We're seated at the left of the box
of the President and of the stand of
the National Military Band, which is
situated just above and in the rear of
the Presidents box. AS fast as hui
mainly could crush itself into a given
space. the ALL of Caracas seemed bee
hiving into this palace of pastime. The
grand circle, which | learned seated
1000, was quickly filled, and soon a
surging mass of humanity was strug-
Cling for the preferred space in the
aisles and in the passages in the rear of
the auditorium. Our early arrival en-
abled us to thoroughly appreciate the
costumes of the women, who were now
rapidly filing the boxes, and whose
sombre robes in the early portion of
the day had challenged our more seri-
Gus admira ton.
The military band, which had now ar
rived saluted the assembled multitude
with the national hymn. The arrival
vi tdCi W Oildn, dlliItd III d IlCIl ISL
an robe, as she took ner seat in an box.
was greeted with rounds of applause
and appreciation by the other specta-
tors, who by this time We're thorough
~ in the amusement spirit. The ar
rival of the Governor and party, who
occupied the box of the President. was
hailed With a salute from the band.
Promptly at o'clock, al a signal
no Of l1a
herald sounded. Two massive doors
leading into the arena were thrown
open as by magic and the famous band
of Spanish bull lighters made a royal
entrance, amid the deafening applause
of more than 5000 admirers, which
completely drowned the salute of the
military band.
SENORITA ON THE SCENE.
A moment later the smiling face of a
proud and naughty senorita of Spain
was seen in the audience. The mighty
roar of Laura, Laura, Lopez, lopez"
shook the edifce TO its foundations.
There she was. the heroine OF the hour,
the idol of the populace. in the center of
an escort of picadors of as good material
as comes from sunny Spain. The names
OF Potoco, Troni and Bomba are famous
in all parts of the world where the pas
time of bull fighting is practised.
once more the bugle of the herald
sounded and from somewhere a large
red bull came trotting into the arena,
ornamented with a tri-colored rosette.
He stood for a moment in the center Of
the arena with eyes like balls of fire,
and with head elevated. quvering in
every nerve and fiber. Suddenly. amid
the thunder of applause, the ''toro"
sighted the tantalizing object of a bright
celored cloak waved inyitingly for the
challenge. With roar and lowering his
head. he charged upon his enemy. The
dexterous picador quickly stepped aside.
and as the now thoroughly enraged an
inal passed he beheld another who was
equally as adroit in avoiding his charge.
The third had a very narrow escape. and
the multitude loudly called for Potoco
and the ''banderillas, and this gaudily
attired individual at once presented him
self before the enraged animal. The bull
lost no time in charging his new adver-
sary, only to receive the cruel bander-
iias thrust in his neck With howl
of approval, the spectators, now at
white heat. demanded the blood of the