The Washington times., 1906-01-16

It is not 10 be wondered that Aurelic
Herrera. the Mexican who knocked OUT
Young Corbett Friday night. took 10 the
fighting game. according 10 a supposed
Ily veracious chronicle in the Philadel-
| phia North American.
| Environment made him what Jack
| London has called an abyssmai brute
or the instinct that quickly changes a
man into a tiger when an insult or IN
| jury is offered.
Herrera was born Of Mexican parents,
was raised in Bakersfield, Cal. town
situated in the San Joaquin valley al
one end of the dreary Mojave desert.
The lid never has been clamped down
IN bakersfield and the w. c. 7. L. long
ago abandoned its missionary work
there
Herrera's father pursued the calling of
street vender of hot tamales. enctal-
adas. tortias. chile con carne and other
sizzling delicacies dear 10 the palate Of
the Westerner.
AureIio and his brother. MaudTO. help
ed their father in this distribution of
hot stuff appetizers. but. being gay
sparks. soon tired of it and looked for
more strenuous game.
Chased the ChinkS.
The Herreras lived in that aristoeratic
part Of Bakersfield which shelters the
Mexican and Chinese colonies. The
brothers first idea of sport was 10 break
up an Oriental fan-tan session with A.
calibre Colts
At the same time, If any Of the young
bloods Of the community painted for
Marquis of Queensberry exercise, they
ali
Who soon had thumped every youth Of
his size in the city.
In this way Aurelio wormed himself
into the favor of the gamblers and
sports Of the town. Frank Carrillo, a
siX-foot-two bit OF pleasant company
who admired the fighting spirit IN the
young MeXicans makeup, took him
under his wing.
Carrillo was the owner OF a big dance
hall and gambling house, and In the cell
lar OF his establishment he arranged
crude gymnasium for Aurelio's benefit.
MaudrO. too. was handy with the mitts,
and the brothers by constant practice
showed much development.
1t was not long before dTeamy-lOok-
ing fellow waited into Bakersfield and
asked for a night. He said that he
once had fought George Dixon. but the
sports attributed this assertion 10 fire.
quent dallying with the bamboo stick.
Put Dope Fiend to Sleep.
Herrera quickly agreed to a fight. and
on the night of the battle ali Bakers
field turned out. The dope feud did very
Well until the eleventh round Then ne
collided with a right swing. and the i'm
pact knocked him clear out OF the ring
That made Aurelio a hero
AureliO then went 10 other towns in
the vicinity and won more battles. but.
turing OF the game, returned to Bak-
ersf1eld and dealt faro for Carrillo at
50 night Carrillo said Herrera was
suited for the position. because when
the Mexican was running the game
losers never sQuealed.
a he city marshal, too, was impressed
with the little scrapper and appointed
him a deputy. He was the Smallest
officer in town, but made good lust the
same. Herrera continued TO deal faro.
for there was no reform party 10 say
things
Later he was matched 10 night Terry
McGovern, then champion Of his class.
Aurelo trained for this battle by drink
Ing whisky and running an all-nfght
card game The sports of Bakersfield
did not attribute his defeat to this un-
conventional mode OF preparation. They
say he was dOped.
The reverse fairly stung the MeXi-
can, and when he returned ne was a