The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-01-31
The COOKING MAIN
Between Bcnwood and Darlington
Wasn't Concluded ut an Early
Honr--Thc Honors About Evcm-A
Large Crowd Was Present.

At o'clock this morning the cooking
main between Darlington and Bcnwood
had only progressed to the sixth battle,
each town having three fights to its
credit. There We're nine fights in the
main for SIS side on the fgil: and $50
on. the maiE.' The main was fought at
Fulton and over $50 sports were pres
ent. The gathering was quiet and or
derry and the only exciting incident
was at the opening of the second bat
tie. when the Ctarinston pit;c. tried TO
ring in "slasherS" for the rcgularSheeIs
He soon discovered that the Benwool
handler-a Sixth ward man-wds no
tyro al the game. and his trick didn't
work
The crowd was typical of the frater-
nifty. There was the gentleman with the
billed shirt" rubbing shoulders with
his neighbOr, who revelcd in q SLOUGH
hat and Il coat collar turned up to his
ears. and there were beardless youths
and gray-haired sires. The betting
opened up lively. Benwood money be-
the first TO flash. twas covered with
readiness. but Benwood maintained the
call until after the first pittng, when
Darlington stock flew high.
The first battle began about $50
o'clock. and the crowd which had come
much earlier was RECALLED In the mean
while counting Dame Fortune at n
wheel presided over by n fakir with
an honest mien and stentorlan voice, A
boy selling hot wlenies" and peanuts
did thriving business. and had he
dispensed hot coffee kiOndike would
have been his. Minus this refreshment.
the sports were forced to repair to the
neighboring Inns for some of the more
Dracing ard enthusiastic liquids, aud 1t
was not uncommon 10 see 4 bottle
emptied at the pit-3lde
The Darlington delegation wasn't
very numerous. but the birds from
down the river won them many back
ers. Little Washington was well repre-
scented and each of the nelghboring
hamlets had rooster for the hack"
lights. These chickens. were encased in
Days IN different parts OF the building
ana their constant growing was Il re-
minder Of poultry show The hack"
nights were productive OF lively bet
tlhg. There was about dozen of
THESE. and while the main was In pro-
gfcss their owners whiled away the
time talking OF respective breeds and
Irish grays," and the various crosses
familiar to game cock fanciers.
Before the main opened the two nit
ters went through the forms OF arrest.
and each handed over to the Fulton
marshal sum equaling S. and costs.
The town license of sl5 was another
contribution to Fultons municipal
treasury. Fulton, by the way. takes n
pride In the fact that It's electric light
Ing and street paving We're partly paid
for by permitting in its precincts, box
ing and other sporting functions
Hence, the city fathers pursue Il liberal
and patr0nizlng course 10 the promo
terS OF these affairs.
The first fight developed thai BEN
wood had 4 gutter The birds weighed
In at five pounds. Darlington having an
| ounce to the good. Bcnwood showed nm
well In the first pitting. but on the next
round Clearinghouse pride sent the gafrs
home. After several more plttings the
pace proved too hot and too fast for the
Benwood chicken. and he turned tail
ana ran.
The second bout was the dandy OF
them all. 1t was between two six
FOUNDERS. and both black reds like the
previous contestants. Benwood's rep
rcsentstivc was full brother OF the
n'rd that quit, yet 1t was backed hcay-
n.y. It was nip and tuck for several
llhGilnSs. but BenwUod finally cut the
Cihrington bird down. Yet the fight last
ca hnlf an hour. Tho Clarington bird
| uled by riches. game to the core. The
ncnWoOd chicken broke Il heel carly IN
~" game. or the stuff would have been
| OF sooner.