Arizona republican., 1899-12-18
HORRELL IS CHAMPION
He Beats Doc Goodin in e Notable
Steer Tying Contest.

CCceI yluS OCntcSt.
My name is Horrell from Pinto creek.
can throw my rope and throw it
quick.
I met Doc Goodin and downed him
slick
And am ready to turn another trick.
All corners are welcome; I'll make 'eIu
sick,
And flash a thousand to make it stick.
Lovers of the art of steer tying We're
given their moneys worth yesterday
afternoon at the city railway park, the
occasion being a contest between Ed
Horrell of Pinto creek and Doc Goodin
of Graham county. The latter went
down in the dust in defeat and Hor-
rell has been proclaimed champion of
Arizona. Not only that, but his friends
are willing to back him for the cham
pionship of the world to the extent Of
$1,000, the only proviso being that the
contest shall be held in Phoenix.
The event yesterday was not so much
a contest against time, apparently, as
it was to decide the respective merits
of the two men conteSting. Both men
have made better records in similar
contests. The result of the two first
trials yesterday afternoon was so de-
cisively in Horrells favor that
Goodin evidently lost heart. Horreil
therefore apparently did his work more
with an eye to keeping ahead of his
competitor than of breaking records.
The best time made by Horrell was in
the second round, when he finished his
steer in forty-fve and four-fifths sec
onds.
An immense crowd was present at
the street railway park where the con-
test was held. The grand stand was a
jam of humanity and the fence en-
circling the arena where the tying took
place was black with a throng of peo-
pie. On the outside of the park.
perched in the tree tops or on vehicles.
was a crowd almost equally as large.
A majority of those attending knew
more or less of the art of steer tying
and commented on the performance in
truly professional style.
The steers were confined in pen
built for the purpose in the southwest
corner of the grounds. Each contest
ant was permitted to choose the animal
that in his judgment was the best suit
ed for his purpose. Two attendants
then "cut OUT the steer desired and
ran him in a due easterly direction,
past the flagman, who gave the signal
for the work to begin. Then the con-
testant rode forth to the trial. When
he had finished tying his steer, he
threw up his hands as a signal that it
was done. The time-keeper noted the
time, the tying was inspected by two
Judges appointed for the purpose, and
two other judges, standing with the
time-keeper on the grand stand, wit
messed the entire scene for the purpose
of preserving the professionalism OF
the occasion.
The steers were in good flesh and in
consequence were rather heavy. There
are those who assert that their weight
was a distinct advantage to Horrell,
who is accustomed to handling heavy
cattle. The CRITTERS were game, how
ever, and unless they We're skillfully
roDed gave the contestant a good chase
up and down the dusty arena.
The work began at 2:30 o'clock, Hor-
rer winning first choice. His first
steer was tied in :461a Goodin then fol-
lowed in considerably longer time,
throwing up his hands as a signal that
he had completed his task in 1884.
HorrelPs next tie was made in '45 As.
Goodin again fumbled on his job, maxi
ing the tie in 1856.
HofTelTs third steer was done mp in
"a Goodin's third was a white steer
and he made slightly better time than
on the two preceding. 1t was LIS rs.
The white seer seems to have been
a hoodoo for GOodin in more ways than
one. 1t came on sharp run out OF the
corral and was closely followed ky
Goodin. For a minute it looked 9 il
he would make quick work of this par
ticuIar bovine and he was half way OF
his horse before he realized that The
steer had been less seriously entangled
than supposed. His steership made 4
course straight across the arena and
was thrown a second time,
horn being smashed in the melee. A
shout went up from the crowd. Re-
gaining his feet, the steer again nude
a run, madly chasing toward town,
closely followed by Goodin, who made
third throw. This time his rope
broke, but the steer was finally downeG
and the task of tying was then quickly
accomplished.
HorrelTs fourth steer was a chunky
dun colored animal. The swinging
riaia made a beautiful curve and fell
over the horns of the fleeing steer. The
little black pony carrying .Iorreil then
ran ahead of the steer. but the RATA
slipped over the flank of the animal
and the attempt to land him in the dust
was evidently a failure. The steer con-
tinued his run in a westerly direction.
being closely followed. All this TOOK
time, however, and Horrell made a