The San Francisco call., 1904-06-06
Mob ElTag0d by the
Prevention Of
BuIlfight.
Enclosure Is Demolished and
the Torch Completes
Its Destruction.
Valiant EEerionS of the Exposition
Fire Department Save the
Nearby Buildings.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

ST. LOUIS. June 5.-The great bull
fighting arena, adjoining the conven-
Non entrance 10 the Worlds Fair, was
burned to the ground this evening
amid the exultant shouts of thousands
OF persons, many of whom had paid
81 each this afternoon to see a bull
night which failed 10 come off, and
had sought in vain a return of their
money. The wind blew the flames in
the direction of the Worlds Fair,
threatening several of the buildings.
which the Worlds Fair firemen
worked faithfully 10 protect.
Robert Norris, manag ger Of the Nor
rls Amusement Company, owners Of
the arena, is under arrest for having
attempted TO conduct a bullhght; six
tOreadOrs are in durance for having
attempted 10 be principals in a bull
1sht and two spectators are detained
on suspicion Of implication in the de-
strucuon OF the arena
The Dullhght was advertised to be-
gin an 2-30 o'clock At 3 O'Clock. by
which time 5000 persons. including
some women, had assembled. Colonel
Hamilton announced as a preliminary
2 Wild West show by Cummins' In
dams. The show began, but the crowd
had come TO see a bullhght and soon
showed impatience.
Where's the bull? We want to see
the bull shouted the multitude.
SHERIFF TAKES A HAND.
Al 4:50 O'Clock Colonel Hamilton
stepped into the ring and announced
the bull1ght He was in the act of in
Producing the six tOrea dors when the
Sheriff entered the arena, followed by
several deputies, and read telegram
from Governor DOckery ordering the
rlnnureeT nTrffficl7f rsr-aEre0fad
Norris came forward and demanded
it is said. that the Sheriff and his
deputies leave the arena immediate
ly- They left taking him and the
tOreadors along.
Cries Of Mob the Sheriff" were
heard. The deputies drew revolvers.
with the AID Of which they succeeded
in taking their prisoners from the
arena 10 the County Jail at Clayton.
When the spectators realized that no
bullfcht would take place they began
clamoring for their money. The money
had disappeared and humble at
taChe said Ele had been instructed to
inform them no money would be re-
funded ae only 2 bout 1000 persons had
paid admission. Some Of the other 5000
had entered on complimentary passes.
b. said. but most of them had sneaked
in through openings between the seats.
MOB WRECKS THE ARENA.
Then rioting began Parties of men
smashed seats and every other smash
able thing in the arena. Men escorting
women hurried them from the arena,
but hundreds Of women watched the
destruction from neighboring lots.
At $50 o'clock fire started in the hay
loft Of the sta ables, bringing great
cheers from thousands Of spectators.
Several hundred men Immediately
liberated the alleged vicious i'm
ported bulls six in number, and ten
horses, allowing all 10 run az large.
Tho bulls ran off in the direction of
some hills. displaying no inclination to
antsgOnize anybody
A few moments later fire appeared in
the arena More shouts of approval
we're heard. The fire spread so rapidly
that within a half-hour the entire
building was doomed. No fire alarm
was sapt in. The engine companies on
the Worlds Fair grounds hastened to
the convention entrance and began
pouring water on the nearby Worlds
Fair buildings. making no attempt,
however, 10 save the rapidly ldisap-
pearing arena
At late hour tonight the scene Of
the attempt to-day TO hold a bulIlght
IS q huge heap Of smoldering ashes.