Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-03-12
AN AMERICANS DESCRIPTION
OF A SPANISH BULL FIGHT

VT sStANtSH BULL FIGHT
Ny Impression OF Mexican bull
fights are most likely those OF all
Americans who have witnessed them
how anyone can enjoy seeing man
and beast 10 conflict. with the
, chances ten to one In the mans
favor. l cannot understand. In my
estimation any game is devoid OF
sport where any one party has an
unequal chance.
A large party Of Americans. in
cluding myself. went over into Jau-
rez., Old Mexico. Sunday. January
10. to see a bun light for the FIRST
time. The celebrated Spanish mata-
dor. Guino. was billed to appear
(saiary $4,000 for the one perform
ance) and do battle with the ''fe-
roclouas beasts" We each paid our
$3.50 In good American coin and
found seats In the bieachers, near
the eenteT of dirty bunch OF Greas-
ers.
The band played a Spanish air
the bugies notes sounded, and the
fnn began.
Out marched the entire bunch OF
lighters In order, the two matadors.
ave picadores. and three spearmen.
riding nags that were almost ready
for the soap market The horses TO
be sacriied 70 the hull's horns. but
lthe men fully protected by steel
shields on foot and legs. They
i marched around the ring twice. bow
ling and waving to the big crowd and
lthen the bugle sounds again. They
all hide behind the barriers, the gate
Is opened. In charges a bull Mad?
Yes. Who would be with a barbed
hshhook stuck In his back, with red
streamers attachedY
The bull makes for the FIRST thing
he sees horse. He Is met by the
riders spear. but keeps on going.
and usually rips the horse with a
cash as long and wide as your arm.
The rider is unhurt. The plcadores
run up with their bright coiored
banderilios. one In each hand. wav-
ing them at the bull and OF course
the bull follows the colors and the
pieadores, who nimbly sidesteps and
sticks the two barbed spears into the
bull shoulder. The placing OF the
banderillos Is about the whole busl-
ness. as II requires delicate footwork
and a quick eye.
After these barbs are securely
placed. the bull is ready for the
matador. Butcher Smear" be-
decked in gay colors with red cape
concealed a long sword. he walks
straight up TO the bull who charges
for the cape. OF course not for the
man. and all the man has to do 10 20
sidestep and the bull passes on. turns
and makes another drive for the
cape. After firing the bull TIL he
does not care to fight anymore. the
matadore stands Immediately In
front OF the bull. takes aim with his
sword. and Just as the bull charges.
plunges the sword into his neck.
through his heart. 10 the hit. and
the MeFicans yell with delight.
throwing their hats. into the ring,
which Is the Mexican way OF show.
ing their appreciation. In the mean
time. the Americans turn away In
disgust. An American would de-
light in seeing the ball finish the
matador. instead OF the opposite.
This same program is repeated
four times. Altogether four bulls
are butchered. A siekening disgust
ing sight 20 anyone who admlfcs fair
play and enjoys good sport.
The ball has no chance whatever
for life. It's nothing but rank butch
ering.
They won't allow prize fights Ia
Mexico. They claim It's brutal.
The ring was crowded with women
and children who yelled with de-
light. same as the men. There isn't
even a semblanee OF sport to a bull
hght- IL Is down right butehering
aud blot on civilization. II seems
incredible that such things could oc-
cur in this age.-ROy Tribue.