The copper era., 1908-12-31
CLIFTON BADGER CLUB
 ENTERTAINED VISITOR
Christmas Fight Proved Disastrous to the Badeer-J. D. Coleman
 Did the iOnOrS.

Those of our Eastern friends who
 harbor the impression that Arizonans
 are given up wholly to the extrac-
 tion of the precious metals, would be
 convinced otherwise were they to
 visit Clifton in the neighborhood of
 Yuletide. Then do the delivers after
 gold and copper put aside business
 cares and entertain strangers in our
 midst as only an Arizonan can ex-
 tend welcome and good cheer to
 sojourner.
 The Christmas festivities leave i'm
 guests that the lapse of time cannot
 easily efface; especially will the mem
 ory cling to the occasion of badger
 fight, a sport that is gaining popu-
 larity in every well-regulated com
 munity where enterprise dictates an
 organization to maintain a ferocious
 badger and bring out all of its in-
 herent and imparted qualities. Bis
 bee, Globe, Phoenix and Nogales
 have their badger orga ations, and Tucson is perfecting arrangements
 whereby strangers within the portals of the '.ancient and honorable pu- eblo" may be vested with the culture acquired only in the ring of an Ari- zonasfght. There is an imaginary aroma surrounding a badger fight that fills the spectator with an in- cense of expectancy, the excitement being so great as to inspire the novice with a desire to "pull off' badger fights. on his own account. Further than this we are not permit ted to state, the badger organization being a benevolent order, its ritual being handed down orally only, while its tokens and pass words are i'm parted only to married or their mas culine friends. Profound mystery the inner workings of d badger club.
 Clifton's badger -club-is.a chartered institution with Jud Webster as pres ident, secretary and board of man- agers. Up to Christmas night he maintained one of the most defiant badgers in-these parts, one of those fellows with blue stripes around his body; he was swOl- len with wrath, his proportions de- noting the necessity of something being done, and as immediate action was necessary, President Webster of the association caused the high sign to be signaled through the all leys and byways and half a hundred true and trusted devotees responded to witness the annu fight, old ''Blutcher," the association dog, and the hero of a hundred fights, being on his 'mettle and anxious to tackle his adversary even before he had been brought forth from his laire. Indications gave assurance of a spir- tied contest, and the result would | nave been equally interesting had | the contest been pulled off with nere pronounced regard for humane deas. As it was the occasion was | ;raught with disaster.
 As is customary with the associa- ion, guests are accorded the first | and as MT. J. D. Cole nan, an Eastern gentleman, was the | ,nly stranger present, and in view uf he apparent fact that much money would change hands on the result of he fight. it was unanimously agreed hat a disinterested person should occupy the post of hOnOr-that of pulling the badger from his laire- md, accordingly, MT. Coleman took lold of the rope that was attached o the badger and, when "one, two, hree!" wrent the ring side the ex- ited Mir. Coleman gave an unduly
 icious jerk, the badger came forth ut the neck was broken; the dog, ealizing that he was up against a cad one,'' refused to participate some wrangling ensued over he bets, but MT. Coleman poured il on the troubled water by prom SC to "make good," and he did so in
 most satisfactory manner.
 President Webster of the Clifton Sadger Association warns all mar jed members who were present on he above occasion to keep their ows inviolate and not allow their ives to share in the secrets of the lysterious rites Ot the Badger Club.