The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1903-04-28
hind McGonigal, winning $500.

|
for supremacy and to hold the contest
at Cheyenne on the occasion Of the
presidents visit. The prospects are
good for the meeting taking place,
and there Is no doubt that the man
who wins will be entitled to the hon
ors as the champion cowboy of the
world.
These roping contests are growing
in favor in the west, and they afford
excitement for thousands Of spectators
besides settling the supremacy Of one
section over another as to the skill of
their respective champions. This
years contest at San Antonio was a
three days affair and was attended by
thousands of spectators. There was
bitter rivalry between the Texas and
Oklahoma punchers, the latter only
winning because of particularly bril-
liant piece of roping on the part Of
Clay McGonigal.
Some idea Of the closeness of the
contest may be CLEANED from the OFF,
cial records of the second day. On
that day the Oklahoma boys roped
nine steers in ON. 54s., and the Texas
cowboys roped like number of Steers
in ON. 49s. McGonigal made some re-
markable individual scores, one steer
being roped in and tied i'm SO seconds.
Blackaller at the same contest did
even better in one instance, reaching
the phenomenal figures of AZ %
seconds.
w. L. Fitch, who won the contest
at Cheyenne, is one of the best known
and daring cowboys in the west.
Fitch's fame as roper extends to
nearly every cattle state, and he is so
dreaded in contest that he usually
enters under an alias. This was the
case at Cheyenne, and his rivals did
not know that Fitch had entered I'M
til he rode whooping into the ring
swinging his lariat. Fitch has re-
cord under 40 seconds.
A steer roping contest is sight to
stir the blood of any man. The ele-
ment Of danger is much greater than
at bullfght, yet the men are so skill
full that few get seriously hurt. The
ranges are secured to get the widest
steers, and these are brought into the
arena as wanted.
AS the steer is dragged into the
arena and the rope loosened from its
horns the starter megaphones the cow
boys number and instantly the cham
pion gallops toward the animal. The
steer knows what is coming. He makes
a wild charge, and away they go around
the arena. At last the cowboy sees
his opportunity. The lariat leaves
his hand and by dexterous twist Of
the loop tightens about one of the fly
ing feet of the steer. With a crash
the animal falls. The little COW pony,
just as the moose has caught about
the feet Of the steer, has stopped sud-
denly and braced himself for the shock.
The lariat is firmly twisted about the
horn of the saddle, and naturally
there is nothing but a tumble for the
animal.
Almost before the steer has touched
the earth the cowboy is at the animals
side. The pony stands braced against
the rope. The steers hoofs are beating
the air in every direction, and blow
from one of them means death or seri-
GUS injury. But the cowboy, ducking
this way and, that throws a moose here
and loop there. The flying hoofs are
brought together with tug, and the
steer is helpless, with all four feet per-
fectly "hog tied"
While the COW pony still stands
braced against the rope the judges
ride up to inspect the work. Every
detail of the tying is taken in with
practiced eyes. Usually steer is left
ON the ground five minutes in order
to giyeit chance to wriggle free. If
within that time it can kick so much
as one hoof out of the knots the cow
boy is disqualified.
If McGonigal, Blackaller and Fitch