The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-06-18
A SOLDIER OF FORTUNE.
Harper Lee, Native of Texas, Is Mexi.
co.'s Greatest Bull Fiohter

Harper Lee, Native of Texas, Is Mexi
cos Greatest Bull Fighter.
Golfers Weekly: OF all the soldiers
OF fortune who have helped to make
Latin America interesting in recent
years, none was more picturesque than
young Harper Lee, who nearly lost his
life in the bull ring at GuadaIaiara
the other day. Whether he will get
well and take up bull fighting again the
mexican dispatches have not yet made
quite clear. 1t wouldn't be surprising
II he did, for it isn't the first time that
he has been reported dead.
Last October the papers told how he
had been badly gored while saving the
life of fallen picador, and it was sup
posed that the young daredevil would
retire then. But he recovered. only to
add still more daring performances to
those which had already made him a
hero to the crowd which follows hull
fighting in Mexico. He was very popu-
lar down there, both with Mexicans
and with Americans, both with those
who flock to the Plaza de Toros. as orr
crowds flock to the Polo grounds to see
the Giants beat the Brooklyns and
with those who, perhaps, considered
Dull nghting cruel and barbarous
amusement and kept away from it.
mat meant pretty all-round popu-
lar1ty. To noyelists tired of Herze-
govlnia and unheard of little European
courts and the Zenda scene. we com
mend this tall and agile young man.
standing, sword in hand, awaiting the
charge in the dazzling sun of the Mex
lean bull ring, with the senoritas and
soldiers and politicians and promoters
ALI that curious, vivid crowd-watch-
ing with bated breath.
It has been said that he is a Har-
ward man, a Princeton man-all sorts
OF stories have been told about him
AS matter of fact. he isn't college
man at all. He came from Texas.
HIS grandfather was Col. George Bay
Tor, confederate veteran and Indian
nghter. He went to work while a boy,
for the Mexican Central railway. and
most of his young life-he Is not vet
80 years old-has been spent in
Guadalajara.
SeVeral years ago he took I'D bull
nghfing as an amusement, very much
as young men up here go in sometimes
for boxing. He began to appear as an
amateur In the ring at Guadala lara,
and there, 1t is said. he attracted the
attention Of an old Spanish bull fight
er, who at once took the young gringo
under his wing. Lee improved rap
idly, and finally-like "Gentleman
Jim" Corbett. for MISUNDERSTANDING q
professional. 1t is a lucrative busi- |
ness. He probably received $4,000 |
Mex" for each performance in Mex |
leo, and popular bull fighter makes
q good many appearances during the |
season. As money maker he COM
pares favorably with an operate ten
Or Of the first class here; socially his
position Is like that of a successful I
prize fighter. Often appearing at sew
sral smaller rings, Lee made his met
ropolitan debut In Mexico City about
4 year ago.
In the minutest details OF dress and
experiment Lee was all that the most
dandy bull. fighter should be. And
everything goes by tradition in bull I
lighting. The ring was crowded to
The roof. AS the American toreador
entered he lowered by a head above
he other matadors. He killed his
irst bull, powerful black animal. i'm
'lashing style. and the ring rang with
he shouts of "El Americanoi" and
'Es ofro Montes!" (EIe is another
Montes.) Monies was perhaps the
most famous Of the Spanish bull Tight
y