Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14
MASTER BULLFIGHTER
FURoRE IN SPAIN OVER A NEW
ToREADoR.
Mexican Millionaire Brought Up His
Son by Careful Training
for the Ring.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

~ HERE are some toreadors who be-
come mill!onaires In pesos II not
dollars. But there is only. In the
bull rings history one millionaire who has
become toreador. This millionaire Is
young-but twenty-five. lie is a Mexican,
born in Pachucha and named Nincente
Segura.
Since a boy In his teens Segura's one am
bition was to become a famous torrador.
After five years continual hard work he
has achieved the distinction. and is today
hailed as a master In the very first flight
of famous bullhghters OF the world. Sagura
achieved this distinction in this city when
he was publicly crowned in the Madrid
arena the other day by the celebrated
Fuentes.
On his native heath in Mexico. SegUra. as
a boy, equipped himself with the bull
fighters regalia. and. his father having
constructed a ring for him. fought calves.
He soon graduated TO COWS and then to
young bulls.
At last on his eighteenth birthday his
father allowed the young Nincente 10 fight
his first full-grown and savage bull. 1t was
a fete day on the estate. Amid loud acclaim
from the tenants and villagers Segura
skillfully despatched his animal. Shortly
after this Antonio Monies, the famous
Mexico and South America. there to give
exhibitions OF his skill. He was invited
to pay visit to the Pachucha ranch and
Segura received many valuable lessons at
his hands. The master also allowed the
young man to join his troupe at some OF
the nearby fights, and in a few months
Segura was the most skilled of all Mexican
toreadors.
South American Tour.
After his fathers death Segura engaged
''cuadrlla," or troupe of fighters, and
started on a tour of Mexico and South
America. The audiences at all the places
visited gave long and loud applause to the
young millionaire for his splendid prowess.
But there was no one on the western con-
tinent to give Segura the official invest-
ture, the alternative" which a young
matador must receive in public exhibition
from master before becoming an acknowl-
edged toreador. This alternative" is the
sort Of reception given in the days of old
to squires who entered the charmed circles
of chivary knights on having won their
spurs
So Segura set off for Spain. He was not
heralded in advance in Madrid. He arrived
few weeks ago quietly, and, stunning
the luxurious hotels. put up at the inns
1reQuenteQ Dy the tOreauOrS at SeNllle anu
Cordova, the two chief strongholds of bull
fighting. Here the stalwart and modest
young man made the acquaintance OF
SPANS prominent fighters. He volunteered
on the staff of them all. and his skill was
quickly realized The masters knew not
that the young man was a millionaire.
They knew him but as an aspirant or
fame.
Segura was given hard work. He took
part In all the big fights and the Spanish
toreadors did not spare this Mexican. They
gave him the difficult roles, the dangerous
posts. The public soon came to know him.
He was ncknamed "El Mejicano" Ohs
Mexican). Then came the time when he
masters said Segura could fight his first
bull in public. He had qualified in their
eyes and was to enter the exclusive ranks
of the toreadors.
So Segura prepared himself, and he told
for the first time that he was wealthy and
had no real need to seek a career, yet
would rather earn the gold of the bull
fighter than dawdle through life on his
Mexican millions The newspapers took
up the tale of the ambitious millionaire.
And so when the day came 1t was not an
ordinary mid-week bulight far at
tendance went, but one of the most gaia
affairs of the year.
King in Royal Box.
The arena was crowded to the very gates.
The entire Mexican colony of Spain was
present with gay scarves Of national colors
and flowers in profusion. The king and
brilliant staff sat in the royal box. Every
one wanted to see the Mexican millionaire
in his glory. Tremendous applause greeted
the famous veterans, Fuentes, Bombita and
onuff oil ba
Of matadors into the ring. Then followed
a hush. as every eye sought the gate OPP
posite the royal box. A sudden fanfare of
trumpets, the gate opened and Vincente
Segura sprang into the arena. He was
dazzlngly dressed in a splendid apple
green and gold costume and wore huge dia-
mond earrings.
He marched in procession around the ring
amid wild applause apd was introduced to
the king and the public by the three IA
nous old fighters. Segura then Invested
himself of some of his frills and stood alone
in the center of the ring. Fuentes slowly
advanced and presented to him the "muleta
rubia" (red cape) and sword. This was the
solemn moment. Fuentes saluted Segura
on both cheeks. Bombita and Machaquito
also advanced and followed suit Next
came the test. The ring cleared, and
SlnSie-ndndeu SeSurd ndu TO COMBAT TWO
wild and vicious bulls. He was equal to the
task and in a very few minutes had baited
and stabbed both animals. The attendants
drew the carcasses out OF the arena as
Segura was hailed as master.
The new knight of the ring then made the
tour of the arena with his sword, red with
gore, and his crimson cape In his hands.
He was bare-headed. but bowed right and
left. The exploit of the millionaire aroused
extraordinary enthusiasm. The crowd APP
plauded with frenzy. Showers OF flowers
and jewelry fell around him, the women
especially waxing frantic over him.
The young millionaire is still modest de-
spite his honors. He can be found any
evening seated amid his new comrades, the
famous toreadors. drinking coffee on the
terrace of the little cafe frequented by
them and dressed they are-in the short
black coat and fiat hat of the master bull
fighter. He is at home.