The Minneapolis journal., 1906-01-28
TYPICAL BAD Man
IS AUREL|A HERRERA
Faro, Shooting scrapes, Whisky
and Cards Close Friends
Of Fighter.

1t is not to be wondered that Aurelia
Herrera, the Mexican who knocked out
Young Corbett, took to the fighting
game. Environment made him what
Jack London has called an "abysmal
brute" given him the instinct that
quickly changes a man into a tiger
i when an insult or injury is offered.
Herrera was born Of Mexican par
ents, was raised in Bakersfield, Cal., a
town situated in the San Joaquin val
ley at one end Of the dreary Mojave
desert. The lid never has been clamped
down in Bakersfield, and the w. Q. T..
U. long ago abandoned it's missionary
work there.
Herrera's father pursued the calling
of street vender of hot tamales, en-
chaladas, tortias, chile con carne and
other sizzling delicacies dear to the
palate of the westerner. "
Aurelia and his brother, Mauro,
helped their father in this distribution
of hot-stuhf appetizers, but, being gay
sparks, soon tired of it and looked for
more strenuous game. - !,
as. Made Cinnamon sk1doo.
The Herreras lived in that aristo-
cratic part Of Bakersfield which shell
fers the Mexican and Chinese colonies
The brothers. first idea of sport was
to break up an oriental fantan session
with 44-caliber Colts. 49,.
At the same time, II any Of the
young bloods Of the community painted
for Marquis Of Queensberry exercise,
they had to look no farther than Au-
& xelia, who soon had thumped every
youth Of his size in the town.
h.. In this way Aurelia wormed himself
into the favor Of the gamblers and
sports of the town. Frank Carrillo, q
six-foot-two bit Of pleasant company,
who admired the fighting spirit in the
q young Mexican s makeup, took him un-
der his wing.
Carrillo was the owner Of u big
dance hall and gambling house, and in
the cellar Of his establishment he ar
ranged crude gymnasium for Aure-
with the mitts, and the brothers by
constant practice showed much .devel-
opment. -< ~. - -
80 4s, It was not long before a dreamy
looking fellow waited into Bakersfield
and asked for a fight. He said that
he once had fought George Dixon, but
the sports attributed this assertion to
frequent dallying with the bamboo
stick.
y. Herrera quickly agreed to a fight,
and on the night Of the battle all
Bakersfield turned out. The dope fend
did very well until the eleventh round.
Then he collided with ring swing,
and the impact knocked him clear out
Of the ring. That made Aure1ia hero.
Successful Faro Dealer.
. Aurelia then went to other towns in
the vicinity and won more battles, but
firing Of the game, returned to Bakers
field and dealt faro for Carrillo at So
a night. Carrillo said Herrera was
suited for the position, because when
the Mexican was running the game los
ers never squealed. .'
The city marshal, too, was impressed
with the little scrapper and appointed
him deputy. He was the smallest of
flcer in town, but made good just the
i,same. Herrera continued to deal faro
for there was no reform party to say
things.
r. Later he was matched to fight Terry
\ McGovern, then champion of his class
AAurelia trained for this battle by
drinking whisky and running an all
might card game. The sports of Bakers
field, did not attribute his defeat t,
this unconventional mode Of prepara
tion. They said he. had been doped.
The reverse fairly stung the Mexi
can, anG when he returned he was
central hgure in several shooting up
the-town episodes. No one interferei
with this breach Of drawingroom de
pertinent, because Aurelia still held hi
badge Of deputy marshal ,-....
Aurelia was called upon to defen,
the peace and quiet of his 1aw-abiain.
fellow townsmen. Bakersfield some
times get aroused. This occurred whe,
Jim Mckinney, the bad man Of Tular
county, killed too many men at on
sitting. 5~-
He was not content with one at
time, and the vigilance committee dc
cided that it was twenty three for jim
The city marshal formed posse
and, with Herrera, cornered the OUTLAY
in Chinese josshouse. The exchange
of lead were frequent, and the ba
man soon toppled over filled with sex
eral pounds Of junk.
Aurel1a, carrying a Wincheste
judged distance we'll, and said afte,
ward that he had maintained the bes
traditions Of the town.
No Training for Herrera.
For the most part, Herrera has lie
his whisky and card existence sine
then. He has spurned conscientiou
rigorous training, and this makes b
record all the more remarkable.
He has knocked out such formidab
esmen as Kid" Broad, Eddie santr
Kid' Abel, Benny Yanger and man
others. He lost to Terry McGove,
and Battling Nelson, but in each fgl
knocked his opponent down Whenev,
he was in fair condition he has alwa,
won.
The victory over Corbett shows th.
he still has his terrific punch. Corbe
is known as one of the gamest men
the ring and can take all degrees
punishment, but he was beaten dow
by the Mexican.
Herrera hasNa chance to win Il
lightweight championship. Many b
ieve that he is the only man in, Il
country who has the wallop to stt
Battling Nelson. His next fight pro
ably will be with stEKidn Herman. Il
sE..,<. L.