The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-24
R|lHnOND BIRDS
FIGHT TO DEATH
But Win Finally From Nelson
in Great Mill South OF
Charlottesville.
MUCH MONEY WAS DROPPED
While Local Sports Win in End,
sSloo Was Dropped in
Single Fight.

CHARLOTTESVILLE. VA, January o.
Cock lighting. which was such n favor
tie pastinc In Virginia Just before and
inter the Civil War, seems to have been
revived hereabouts, since one Of the big
gest mains that has occurred In tho State
for number OF ycnrs past was pulled
off Tuesday in this county.
The scene OF the mill was tic yard OF
n log cabin, several miles south OF Char
lottesv!lle. on the road to Scottsyile. a
falf-hundred cocks were shown, and over
n hundred sporting men from Richmond,
Stanton, Arlington. Charlottesville and
other sections Of the State were on hand.
In the cabin, continuing two rooms, the
birds were quartered. while the pit. squar-
ed off In the open, just measured eight by
ten feet.
It was Richmond VS.. Nelson county. or.
to be more precise, Richmond against
Arlington. The main began at II o'clock
in the morning, and was not concluded
until nightfali. There were fourteen stiff
battles (twenty-eight BIRDS. At the end
OF the twelfth battle. honors We're even,
each sido having six wins to Its credit.
The last two fights. however. went
to Richmond. thus giving the victory
to the Capital City contingent
The main was fought according to
Southern rules. emitting rule 8. On
the spurs of the Richmond cocks were
= D-6 1UCU BdIS, HIllle Tue .NelSOu euIItSe
wore George Huns jaggers. 1t was
plainly seen that Nelson was outcut-
ting Richmond from start to finish. The
Nelson birds were far stronger. while
the Richmond cocks were faster. Nc
son fought Black Devils, Hammond
Gordons and Irish Grays. Tho Rich
mond birds were OF various crosses.
The first battle was such lengthy
one that at one time 1t looked as II
the mill would run through two days.
Fully forty minutes were consumed,
and the contest proved perhaps the
best of the day. Nelson conceded to
Richmond eight ounces In weight. but
even with this handicap. Richmond
only won out on count. the Rich
mond cock being dead when taken out
OF the pit. while the Nelson bird still
lives.
Each side showed runner. n Nelson
entry vas the first to chow the white
feather. AS he scampered Off, the Rich-
mond crowd set up merry laugh. the
Joke was turned. however, In the very
next battle. when one OF Richmond
most heavily packed cocks took 10 his
heels, and could not be induced TO fight.
1t is stated that the Richmond sports
dropped as much as 500 in this one event.
The main. 1t Is understood. was for tho
sum of 500. while 1t is estimated that
side bets amounting to 500 or 500 were
made. When the day was done. twelve
dead chickens lay alongside the ring.
Tho outcome OF the main was great
surprise to the Richmond crowd. which
had anticipated walkover AT recent
main in Norfolk, between Richmond and
North Carolina birds. Richmond had
runaway, winning eleven out OF thirteen
battles That mill, II is understood, was
TO have been & twenty -onc-cock main. but
the Old North State crowd threw up the
sponge before the mill was concluded.
AT the conclusion OF Tuesdays main
the Stanton crowd Is said to have chal-
lenged the Richmond sports to fight from
FIVE to ten battles. and at one time 1t
looked as IL the challenge would be ac-
oepted and the main pulled off that night.
Upon coming TO the city. however. some
of the Richmond contingent took the
train for Baltimore to attend q main
there. and the fight fell through. Local.
sporting men, it Is understood. would
have backed the Stanton birds.