The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-06-03
VERY FEW TRAGEDIES
 IN FIGHTING BULLS Only Three Deaths of Span ish Toreadors in Last
 Century. DARING OF MATADORS Quaint Tale of the End of the Famous Jose
 Delgardo.
DARING OF MATADORS

of Mentes, it is interesting to note a few details of the only three deaths which have occurred In Spain's prin- cipal ring in the last 100 years. The interest with which Monies grim struggle with death was viewed is still fresh in the mind of the public. The morning papers were eagerly bought up and the latest news of the condition of the injured matador was immediate iy sought. The dark side of the torero's i career has been immortalized on can vas by the clever brush of the talent | ed Spanish painter Viniegra in his | famous picture, "The Death of the | Master This picture, now at the art l gallery at Munich, shows the chapel of 1 the ring improvised as a mortuary for the body of the vanquished idol. His l faithful wife is kneeling by the side of his bier, his fellow professionals, still in the gaudy attire of the ring, stand awe-stricken and respectful in the sol emn presence of death, a somber-clad priest reading prayers over the body of the departed, making q striking con- trast to the gay costumes of the quad rillas.
 Jose Delgado Pope -Hillo, one of the most famous opponents of the sport at the end of the eighteenth century, was drove to death by the seventh bull on the 11th of May in the year 1901. The following is an account of the occur renee, written in the quaint style of the period. "The bull which belonged to the Rodriguez breed of Penaranda de Bracornonte, only took three varas, always fleeing from the horses which 1t was too cowardly to face, Afterward the popular Antonio de los Santos placed pair of banderillas. being fol- lowed by Joaquin Diaz and Manuel Xaramillo with another two pairs. Then Jose Delgado came forth to kill it; he gave the bull three passes with the muleta, with the third of which he extricated himself from tight cor her against the barrier To the right of the door of the pen he called the bulls attention with the muleta for the final thrust. When the animal was stand- ing still he made a lunge and thrust in the sword At that moment the bull caught him by the left leg of his brooches and threw him to the ground over his shoulder, the fighter falling fiat on his back. Whether 1t was be- cause he was left senseless to remain 1notionless in such contingency, the Rsfactris that while he lay that way the bllI charged at him, his horn catching him in the stomach, and, in different position, for over a minute whirled him in the air, completely destroying the vital organs and fracturing 10 ribs, then letting him drop to the ground with but few breaths of life. He ex- pired quarter of an hour later, after all the spiritual consolation of which re- ligious pety is capable had been ad- ministerial
 Pepete, the daring hero of Cordoba, was killed by the second bull of the af- ternoon of April p, 1862, at the age of 32, when he was just beginning to reach position of some note in the profession. He was not good torero, but his reckless courage always at tracted attention. It was the first fight of the season, and the picador, Antonio Caldero, had urged his horse toward the second bull, Jocinero. The bull threw both horse and rider. The bull ground, tore the horse to pieces, but missed the man. Pepete was standing against the barrier talking some friends, who called his attention to what was taking place. The torero, with his cape on his right arm, ran toward the bull, The bull rushed upon the fighter, and before the latter could get out of the way caught him in the left thigh, inf1icting slight wound It twirlad him on it's horns until it got his back on it's head, and then let him fall on it's right horn, which pierced the unfortunate torero's chest and lacerat- ed his heart. Several of the candilla hastened to his aid, but it was too late, The torero got up, walked few steps and fell, the step of the barrier wound ing him in the forehead. He had died!
 Manuel Garcia Cuesta, Espartero, was the third matador who lost his life in Plaza de Madrid. He was born January is, 1866, in Seville. At an ear- ly age he showed a liking for the sport in which so many from Seville have excelled. He played heifers, oxen, bulls-whateyer was at hand and was so able and audacious that he even then attracted attention. The reproofs and punishments of his par erts were futile; on the contrary, they only served as q stimulus for him to show greater daring. Thinking that the step would put a stop to this, they sent him to the farm of Dos Hermanos, forgetting that the bulls of Prado were at a distance of only two leagues. Once there he never missed an oppdr- tunity of fighting bulls, and on one oc- casion distinguished himself to such an extent at a trial of young bulls that the owner of the property forgave him all the mischief for which he had been responsible He made his first public appearance in the village fights around Seville in the years 1881 and 1882. All his efforts to appear in his native city were fruitless until the es- pada. Cirneo engaged him as a ban M derillo for novillado the seventh of June. 1883, at the Cazalla de la Sierra, his work gaining unanimous approval But the triumphs did not satisfy him his ambition was to kill bulls in Se- vile At length he realized his wish on the twelfth of June, 1885, receiving a great ovation and winning a good rep utation. He made such rapid progress that 61 days after his appearance as a novillero he was made a full-fedged matador in his native city of Fl Gordo September 13 1885, which degree was confirmed by Fernando Gomez (El Gal. lol in Madrid the same year. His ca reer in the profession was a constant succession of triuuphs. Popular songs compared him to the brilliant figures of thp harinnino of the eentury-thOst